1 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:08,825 Welcome to working towards our purpose, a podcast that 2 00:00:08,825 --> 00:00:12,585 offers a different perspective on what a job can be. For everyone 3 00:00:12,585 --> 00:00:16,425 out there that's heard that voice in the back of their head asking for something 4 00:00:16,425 --> 00:00:20,110 more, it's time Time to listen to it. I'm your host, Gino, 5 00:00:20,170 --> 00:00:23,850 and join me as I interview people who have decided to work in their 6 00:00:23,850 --> 00:00:27,545 own purpose. Together, We will learn, become inspired, 7 00:00:27,765 --> 00:00:31,224 and hopefully find our own path towards working in our purpose. 8 00:00:33,750 --> 00:00:37,510 Joining me today is Genevieve Paturro who is an inspirational speaker, 9 00:00:37,510 --> 00:00:41,190 an author, a consultant, and the founder of Pajama Program, which is a 10 00:00:41,190 --> 00:00:44,805 nonprofit she started to give pajamas kids who are living in shelters 11 00:00:44,864 --> 00:00:48,245 and didn't have any. Her book, Purpose, Passion, and Pajamas 12 00:00:48,385 --> 00:00:52,065 won the National Indie Excellence Award, and she was also featured on 13 00:00:52,065 --> 00:00:55,770 Oprah. Genevieve, I'm really happy to have you here. How are you doing today? 14 00:00:55,989 --> 00:00:59,590 I'm fine, Gina. Looking forward to our conversation. Me too. Me 15 00:00:59,590 --> 00:01:02,355 too. So So why don't you tell us, you know, to get started a little 16 00:01:02,355 --> 00:01:05,895 bit about yourself. I'm interested in, like, your background, your schooling, 17 00:01:06,035 --> 00:01:09,235 like, what you did in the corporate world. I know you had a a corporate 18 00:01:09,235 --> 00:01:12,900 career and, kinda just share, you know, whatever you feel comes to you. 19 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:16,960 Sure. Sure. Well, I was born and raised in New York in a 20 00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:20,795 very, very traditional Italian family. So I know you know 21 00:01:20,795 --> 00:01:24,415 a little bit about that with your name. You know? Yes. Yes. Yeah. 22 00:01:24,475 --> 00:01:28,290 My dad came Off the boat from Italy with his father. He 23 00:01:28,290 --> 00:01:32,050 was 15. And, of course, they wanted the American dream, you know, 24 00:01:32,050 --> 00:01:35,545 and and my grandfather wanted my dad To get married and have a 25 00:01:35,545 --> 00:01:39,245 family in the United States and give them everything that he could. 26 00:01:39,705 --> 00:01:43,325 And so he married my mom who was American but Italian background, 27 00:01:43,799 --> 00:01:47,020 And they raised 4 of us, and I was the 1st born. 28 00:01:47,399 --> 00:01:51,020 So I felt a lot of pressure to uphold 29 00:01:51,079 --> 00:01:54,725 all the traditions, and there were Most of them I loved. What's 30 00:01:54,725 --> 00:01:58,405 not to love about, you know, just hugs and kisses 31 00:01:58,405 --> 00:02:02,140 and great food and, you know, Always having family around. That 32 00:02:02,140 --> 00:02:05,420 was all the good stuff, but my parents wanted me to get married and have 33 00:02:05,420 --> 00:02:09,100 kids. I felt that. Although they didn't always say that, I knew that was expected, 34 00:02:09,100 --> 00:02:12,895 but I used to sneak down and watch Mary Tyler Moore and watch 35 00:02:13,435 --> 00:02:16,975 strong women, and I loved the idea 36 00:02:17,035 --> 00:02:20,760 of Being on my own, maybe because I was, you know, the 37 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:24,520 oldest and I had 3 to to, you know, follow after me and looking 38 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:28,015 up, Yeah. To what I was doing and watching, and I was I felt pressured 39 00:02:28,015 --> 00:02:31,775 to, you know, be a good example. But that was the the small 40 00:02:31,775 --> 00:02:35,520 part of me that was Really leading me. You know, how can I be a 41 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:39,040 corporate woman in a in a man's world and make my way that way? So 42 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:42,755 I followed that dream. And it was rocky with my my parents, of 43 00:02:42,755 --> 00:02:46,435 course, because, you know, through the for a loop, but I did 44 00:02:46,435 --> 00:02:50,040 that. And I went to Fordham in New York, I studied communications, 45 00:02:50,260 --> 00:02:53,860 and I worked at WFUV Radio. And from there, I went on to do 46 00:02:53,860 --> 00:02:57,614 radio and then TV. And for 12 years, Was in the TV world 47 00:02:57,614 --> 00:03:01,454 and went up to VP marketing, and it was an exciting life. It was 48 00:03:01,454 --> 00:03:04,915 exactly what I expected. But I didn't realize 49 00:03:05,055 --> 00:03:08,800 until a Voice in me when I had 50 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:12,420 a quiet moment in my apartment, a question 51 00:03:12,640 --> 00:03:16,405 came to me from from here. I'm pointing to my heart because I know 52 00:03:16,405 --> 00:03:20,245 the difference between this and this now, the head and I heard a quiet 53 00:03:20,245 --> 00:03:23,605 whisper ask if this is the next 30 years of your life, is this 54 00:03:23,605 --> 00:03:26,900 enough? And it stopped me cold, and I realized 55 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:31,140 there was something missing. That if I kept going at the rate I was, 56 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:35,025 workaholic, crazy schedule on my own, I'd be really 57 00:03:35,025 --> 00:03:38,785 tired and alone in 30 years. And, yeah, the money 58 00:03:38,785 --> 00:03:42,005 was good, and I had pretty things. But in a moment, 59 00:03:42,420 --> 00:03:46,260 You know, sort of like the light went on, and I said, okay. But what 60 00:03:46,260 --> 00:03:50,019 is that really gonna leave me feeling? And I realized that there 61 00:03:50,019 --> 00:03:53,685 were things in that tradition that I'd been Raised in that would 62 00:03:53,685 --> 00:03:57,045 have filled that hole, and one of them would have been children. So I thought, 63 00:03:57,045 --> 00:04:00,584 how can I bring children into my life, in the life I have now? 64 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:04,439 And that's when I remembered a news report I saw of police and 65 00:04:04,439 --> 00:04:08,200 social workers sort of storming an apartment and taking the children out of 66 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:10,365 a very unsafe, unhealthy, 67 00:04:11,705 --> 00:04:15,385 scenario. And I said, I wonder if I can find where they bring 68 00:04:15,385 --> 00:04:19,070 those children in these cases and maybe visit with them. So I called the 69 00:04:19,070 --> 00:04:22,110 shelters. 1st, I called the police. They told me about the shelters, and I called 70 00:04:22,110 --> 00:04:25,310 the shelters and asked if I could come in at night and read to the 71 00:04:25,310 --> 00:04:29,065 children, And they welcomed me. And that's how 72 00:04:30,085 --> 00:04:33,845 purpose started to come into my language because I don't know about 73 00:04:33,845 --> 00:04:37,669 you or about your listeners, but Nobody ever asked me 74 00:04:37,669 --> 00:04:41,110 when I was thinking about what I wanted to do, you know, have you discovered 75 00:04:41,110 --> 00:04:44,870 your purpose? You know, that's important that your North Star. Never heard that 76 00:04:44,870 --> 00:04:48,595 word. And even later, I thought purpose 77 00:04:48,595 --> 00:04:52,035 was reserved for very special purpose, you know, famous people who did 78 00:04:52,035 --> 00:04:55,420 something Earth shattering and, you know, changed the world, 79 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:59,560 like Oprah and Deepak Chopra and Einstein and Alexander Graham Bell, 80 00:04:59,560 --> 00:05:03,335 all those people. But I've learned, you know, that if if I had a 81 00:05:03,335 --> 00:05:06,875 purpose that I found through that, what came next, 82 00:05:07,015 --> 00:05:10,710 everybody has a purpose. And I started 83 00:05:10,710 --> 00:05:14,550 reading in the shelters, and that's when I met the little girl that changed 84 00:05:14,550 --> 00:05:18,325 everything. So that's part 1. And 85 00:05:18,865 --> 00:05:22,085 2nd part is is so simple. 86 00:05:22,625 --> 00:05:26,300 I started reading to these children, and I 87 00:05:26,300 --> 00:05:29,500 saw after I read to them the room they were going to sleep in. Now 88 00:05:29,500 --> 00:05:32,560 this was an emergency shelter, so they were very safe, 89 00:05:33,495 --> 00:05:36,875 Caring, loving caregivers, but it's not a home. 90 00:05:37,895 --> 00:05:41,735 Certainly isn't a home you'd know or I'd know or probably your listeners and viewers 91 00:05:41,735 --> 00:05:45,560 would know. So when I stared in that empty room with cots and futons and 92 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:49,240 the kids just they were in soiled clothes, whatever the 93 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:52,784 police or social workers grabbed them, They were still wearing, 94 00:05:52,784 --> 00:05:56,544 unless there was something in their size at the emergency shelter just 95 00:05:56,544 --> 00:06:00,330 for 24 hours to put on. They were uncomfortable, and and 96 00:06:00,330 --> 00:06:03,870 they were wriggling around. And some of them were crying trying to fall asleep. 97 00:06:04,650 --> 00:06:08,430 And I thought, this isn't bedtime. My mom's bedtime for us 98 00:06:08,835 --> 00:06:12,435 flashed in front of my mind and kissing and hugs and snacks and 99 00:06:12,435 --> 00:06:16,035 story after story and giggles, you know, and tucking us 100 00:06:16,035 --> 00:06:19,840 in. And, of course, We had pajama time. We had put on 101 00:06:19,840 --> 00:06:23,360 our pajamas, and that's what stuck out to me. No 102 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:27,185 pajamas. And they were trying to get comfortable in the clothes they've been wearing for 103 00:06:27,185 --> 00:06:31,025 who knows how long. And I brought pajamas the next time with the 104 00:06:31,025 --> 00:06:34,565 storybooks. And after I read them, I started handing them out. And 105 00:06:35,590 --> 00:06:39,370 My world turned upside down when a little girl asked me quietly, 106 00:06:40,230 --> 00:06:43,754 what are pajamas? And I found 107 00:06:43,754 --> 00:06:47,514 myself trying to stay calm because I was exploding inside. 108 00:06:47,514 --> 00:06:51,194 I was just heartbroken having to explain pajamas to her, and 109 00:06:51,194 --> 00:06:54,570 the staff Passion told me she has no idea she's never had 110 00:06:54,570 --> 00:06:58,270 pajamas. And that began this 111 00:06:58,490 --> 00:07:02,125 obsession That now you know, that became Pajama 112 00:07:02,125 --> 00:07:05,965 program 23 years ago. Thank you for 113 00:07:05,965 --> 00:07:09,670 sharing that whole story. I really love, the way you articulate it 114 00:07:09,670 --> 00:07:13,350 and and, you know, kinda how you walk through it and so many so many 115 00:07:13,350 --> 00:07:16,070 different directions I can go in that. But I think the first thing I wanna 116 00:07:16,070 --> 00:07:19,605 talk about is You mentioned early on, like, when you first heard 117 00:07:19,605 --> 00:07:23,285 that voice in your head and and you were listening to your heart maybe 118 00:07:23,285 --> 00:07:26,940 instead of your head. And That's something that, like, I've noticed 119 00:07:26,940 --> 00:07:30,300 as of recent since I've left corporate, the difference between the 2. Right? Because you 120 00:07:30,300 --> 00:07:33,955 can think your way out of anything, but, Like, feeling something 121 00:07:33,955 --> 00:07:37,474 is is a much different feeling. And I think a lot of times as 122 00:07:37,474 --> 00:07:41,069 someone who is very in their head, All the time, I used to be in 123 00:07:41,069 --> 00:07:44,370 engineering, you know, very logical, analytical. Like, 124 00:07:44,750 --> 00:07:48,509 figuring out or or being able to feel the difference between that 2, has been, 125 00:07:48,509 --> 00:07:52,075 like, A game changer as far as making decisions and going forward. 126 00:07:52,215 --> 00:07:56,055 Was that something that came to you easily, or, like, were you always 127 00:07:56,055 --> 00:07:59,720 able to kinda, like, Make decisions with your heart versus your head? Was that something 128 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:02,860 you're aware of? How like, what was that like for you? 129 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:07,605 I think I think it was split. I think looking 130 00:08:07,605 --> 00:08:11,045 back, there were heartfelt decisions in 131 00:08:11,045 --> 00:08:14,770 there. But I know I ran everything through 132 00:08:14,770 --> 00:08:18,290 my brain first. Mhmm. And it was 133 00:08:18,290 --> 00:08:22,074 hard for me To trust what I wanted to 134 00:08:22,074 --> 00:08:25,914 do because my brain was telling me, you have 135 00:08:25,914 --> 00:08:29,455 a mortgage. You've been in this business for 12 years. 136 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:33,960 Where are you going to get money to pay for your life? You're 137 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:37,735 not gonna get money for giving kids pajamas, and you're gonna Fired because 138 00:08:37,735 --> 00:08:41,035 you're doing all of this behind everybody's back, and you're really 139 00:08:41,975 --> 00:08:45,255 a terrible employee all of a sudden, so you're not gonna get away with this. 140 00:08:45,255 --> 00:08:48,970 So what are you doing? And so I felt that constantly, 141 00:08:49,110 --> 00:08:52,870 which is why I didn't tell anyone for months what I was doing. I 142 00:08:52,870 --> 00:08:55,635 was trying to juggle. You know? And in my book, One of the lessons is 143 00:08:55,635 --> 00:08:59,075 leave juggling to the clowns because you obviously, I made a mess of 144 00:08:59,075 --> 00:09:02,855 things, and I I really 145 00:09:03,199 --> 00:09:06,980 I really had to find a way to switch 146 00:09:07,199 --> 00:09:11,015 the leader from head to heart. And I 147 00:09:11,015 --> 00:09:14,695 think I just consistently followed my 148 00:09:14,695 --> 00:09:18,375 heart even though my head was saying, you're crazy. You're headed for trouble. You don't 149 00:09:18,375 --> 00:09:21,829 understand. There came a point where it switched. 150 00:09:22,529 --> 00:09:25,509 And because your brain our brains are smart. 151 00:09:26,370 --> 00:09:30,134 What happened and I tell people this is what happens. Your brain 152 00:09:30,134 --> 00:09:33,814 says, okay. I see. The heart's going so 153 00:09:33,814 --> 00:09:37,480 I'm smart. Let me help. And that's really what it 154 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:41,000 felt like in time. So it 155 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:44,700 reversed. My my head still kept me 156 00:09:44,760 --> 00:09:48,425 smart, but it It was behind the heart. That make any 157 00:09:48,425 --> 00:09:51,945 sense? Yeah. That makes total sense. I I love the way that you said that. 158 00:09:52,265 --> 00:09:55,980 Yeah. It's Almost like with a practice, your brain learns, like, alright. I guess 159 00:09:55,980 --> 00:09:59,740 I guess we'll listen to this this other voice sometimes and, like Yeah. We'll 160 00:09:59,740 --> 00:10:02,985 help it where we can. That Yeah. That's that's that's really interesting. 161 00:10:04,725 --> 00:10:08,565 So tell tell me what it was like to to balance the the both of 162 00:10:08,565 --> 00:10:11,680 them. Like you said, it was, You were keeping it a secret, and same thing 163 00:10:11,680 --> 00:10:14,980 for me. Like, I never told anybody about the side business that I had. And 164 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:18,080 especially when I was sent home for COVID and and, like, nobody was watching me, 165 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:21,574 I felt Extremely guilty for doing both jobs, 2 laptops all at the same 166 00:10:21,574 --> 00:10:25,254 time. What was that like for you, and and 167 00:10:25,254 --> 00:10:29,040 what eventually made you break? Yes. I get 168 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:32,879 I get what you're talking about. But I was hiding in an office 169 00:10:32,879 --> 00:10:36,079 because it was years ago when there was no COVID, and you couldn't bring your 170 00:10:36,079 --> 00:10:39,585 phone to work, which was the size of a shoebox. And I was lying. I 171 00:10:39,585 --> 00:10:43,025 was bringing in pajamas in suitcases because I was gonna make it 172 00:10:43,025 --> 00:10:46,385 mad dash at lunchtime, and I never took lunch. I was a 173 00:10:46,385 --> 00:10:50,140 workaholic. I came in before everyone, and I left after everyone. And then I never 174 00:10:50,140 --> 00:10:53,020 took lunch. But now I was coming in late because I had to get to 175 00:10:53,020 --> 00:10:56,764 any store that opened at 9 or earlier, Took a long 176 00:10:56,764 --> 00:11:00,445 lunch and left early to buy pajamas and bring them to the 177 00:11:00,445 --> 00:11:04,045 shelters. And I was coming in with suitcases and just saying I was gonna visit 178 00:11:04,045 --> 00:11:07,880 a friend For a weekend, I was staying overnight, you know, and 179 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:10,760 nobody ever looked in the suitcase, so I thought I was okay. And I was 180 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:14,575 answering the phone because not only were the shelters calling me that I 181 00:11:14,575 --> 00:11:17,935 was that I knew about, but they were sharing my name with other people who 182 00:11:17,935 --> 00:11:21,315 ran shelters. So I was getting new calls. I didn't wanna miss any of them. 183 00:11:21,779 --> 00:11:25,300 And my work was clearly deteriorating. I mean, because it was not a 184 00:11:25,300 --> 00:11:28,980 priority anymore. I was more concerned about saying yes to 185 00:11:28,980 --> 00:11:32,745 everybody who called and finding a way. So The bills were mounting. 186 00:11:32,805 --> 00:11:36,485 My work was deteriorating. I was giving no one an explanation, and I 187 00:11:36,485 --> 00:11:40,264 didn't have anyone that I had to tell. But I did 188 00:11:40,630 --> 00:11:43,910 I did think it would come to a point where I'd have to tell someone, 189 00:11:43,910 --> 00:11:47,510 and I needed some support. So I picked sort of a 190 00:11:47,510 --> 00:11:49,945 neutral friend. I really thought about who to pick because I didn't want Because I 191 00:11:49,945 --> 00:11:53,225 didn't want anyone to get me in trouble who knew what I was doing could 192 00:11:53,225 --> 00:11:57,065 get to my bosses. And I didn't want anyone close to my family, but 193 00:11:57,065 --> 00:12:00,780 I wanted someone who also was sort of a workaholic because I felt like maybe 194 00:12:00,780 --> 00:12:04,140 they would say, yeah. You know what? I feel empty too. So I picked a 195 00:12:04,140 --> 00:12:07,945 friend. We went out for drinks. And I practiced 196 00:12:08,165 --> 00:12:11,365 before I saw her what I was gonna say, and every time I practice, it 197 00:12:11,365 --> 00:12:15,125 sounded ridiculous. You know, I'm I'm gonna quit my job because I met this little 198 00:12:15,125 --> 00:12:18,759 girl. She didn't know Pajamas were, I can't believe it. Can you believe 199 00:12:18,759 --> 00:12:22,440 it? I just all these kids never had pajamas. This is 200 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:25,875 what I wanna do. And I just I was hoping she'd say I'll help you 201 00:12:25,875 --> 00:12:29,235 because I needed help. Instead, she knocked me down 202 00:12:29,235 --> 00:12:32,889 completely. I mean, Question after question, valid 203 00:12:32,889 --> 00:12:36,730 questions. But to me, it was like she was stabbing me in the 204 00:12:36,730 --> 00:12:39,845 heart. Why are you doing this? You're not saving their lives. Can't you just do 205 00:12:39,845 --> 00:12:43,285 it on an afternoon, on the weekend? You worked so hard 12 years. How are 206 00:12:43,285 --> 00:12:46,885 you gonna pay your bills? And it was, like, coming from 207 00:12:46,885 --> 00:12:50,380 everywhere. And I I was I was just 208 00:12:50,780 --> 00:12:54,460 I was torn up because I knew that she had valid 209 00:12:54,460 --> 00:12:58,235 points and I had no answers, But I was heartbroken that she didn't 210 00:12:58,235 --> 00:13:01,695 feel what I felt, that this can't stay this way. We need to 211 00:13:01,915 --> 00:13:05,569 get everybody to help. So I clamped up again 212 00:13:05,569 --> 00:13:09,410 for more months. So that was really hard. 213 00:13:09,410 --> 00:13:13,190 That was really hard. Really hard. And one of the lessons that I I also 214 00:13:13,635 --> 00:13:17,475 Teachers, you gotta get your cheerleaders because making a change like that, 215 00:13:17,475 --> 00:13:20,890 as you've said, is is lonely, and you doubt 216 00:13:21,130 --> 00:13:24,810 yourself. And you worry, you know, if you found out, at least I did, that 217 00:13:24,810 --> 00:13:28,330 I'd be in worse trouble. So it was it was really 218 00:13:28,330 --> 00:13:31,875 difficult for me. And then I just I just 219 00:13:31,875 --> 00:13:35,714 tried again when I met a great guy who I knew that he expected 220 00:13:35,714 --> 00:13:39,470 me, you know, to be a a 2 income relationship. And I 221 00:13:39,470 --> 00:13:43,310 figured, let me tell him before I get in too deep. And I 222 00:13:43,310 --> 00:13:47,070 said the same thing I said to to the my girlfriend, and he said, I 223 00:13:47,070 --> 00:13:50,855 think you should go for it. And that was the 1st cheerleader, and it felt 224 00:13:51,074 --> 00:13:54,755 really right. That's yeah. That's awesome. It 225 00:13:54,834 --> 00:13:58,620 it's so important to Surround yourself with people who can, 226 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:03,000 I don't know, see see similar visions or see, like, the good in you, I 227 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:06,274 guess? Yeah. Or feel, like you were saying before, 228 00:14:06,735 --> 00:14:09,954 lead with their hearts, but but so many of us don't. 229 00:14:10,574 --> 00:14:14,350 Yeah. Yeah. You know? And the automatic Reaction is 230 00:14:14,350 --> 00:14:17,949 the practical questions. Mhmm. Yeah. Yeah. And 231 00:14:17,949 --> 00:14:21,575 and for me, figuring out, like, Why those 232 00:14:21,575 --> 00:14:25,415 people are coming from there has been extremely helpful in not, like, 233 00:14:25,415 --> 00:14:29,015 personalizing those conversations. Because I've had similar conversations when I first started 234 00:14:29,015 --> 00:14:32,550 and Just felt stupid telling friends, like, what I wanted to do and then, like, 235 00:14:32,550 --> 00:14:36,230 feeling small and not wanting to do it anymore. But there's there's such 236 00:14:36,230 --> 00:14:39,695 value in, like, Being able to have a connection with somebody, and they kinda, like, 237 00:14:39,695 --> 00:14:43,455 see where your vision is or, like, inspire you even more to 238 00:14:43,455 --> 00:14:47,170 to keep going towards that. And, I mean, for me, like, networking 239 00:14:47,170 --> 00:14:50,770 has been a huge help in that. Like, for a while, I was doing stuff 240 00:14:50,770 --> 00:14:53,810 all alone, and then I became part of this co working place where I just 241 00:14:53,810 --> 00:14:57,555 met all these awesome people. And yeah. There's it it's so much 242 00:14:57,555 --> 00:15:00,915 help is all around you if if you're kinda, like, open and and willing to 243 00:15:00,915 --> 00:15:04,514 it. And and also kind of being, like, intentional with who you share yourself 244 00:15:04,514 --> 00:15:08,340 with, I think is is also kind of important. So so what was 245 00:15:08,340 --> 00:15:12,020 the the the moment where you eventually did decide to leave 246 00:15:12,020 --> 00:15:15,835 corporate? I mean, it must have been a difficult decision. It 247 00:15:15,835 --> 00:15:19,055 was. Well, there was there was an episode at work 248 00:15:19,435 --> 00:15:23,240 where I was, Packing up some 249 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:26,520 materials, and I was supposed to go on the road and send materials ahead of 250 00:15:26,520 --> 00:15:29,855 me. And my boss He traveled a lot, which I was thankful for because that's 251 00:15:29,855 --> 00:15:33,375 why I got away with a lot. Mhmm. He was there, and he came 252 00:15:33,375 --> 00:15:37,000 over. And I I mean, I was always on edge because I knew There are 253 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:40,839 other people probably noticed I was a different person, and he might. And 254 00:15:40,839 --> 00:15:44,380 he just looked at what I was packing up. And in that moment, 255 00:15:44,925 --> 00:15:48,525 I saw the way I was organizing the materials, which 256 00:15:48,525 --> 00:15:51,825 was a a mess. And he just said, what are you doing? 257 00:15:52,525 --> 00:15:56,210 What are you doing? And my mind was like, 258 00:15:56,210 --> 00:15:59,890 does he know? Was he asking me the deeper question other 259 00:15:59,890 --> 00:16:02,755 than what are you putting in the box? And 260 00:16:03,615 --> 00:16:07,295 that was the moment I said to myself, and I didn't say anything to 261 00:16:07,295 --> 00:16:10,495 him. I said, I'll I'll fix it. I'm my mind is somewhere else. And I 262 00:16:10,495 --> 00:16:13,520 and I knew then, and And I had to have a discussion with him when 263 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:17,060 I got back. I didn't tell him, and I don't know to this day 264 00:16:17,520 --> 00:16:21,345 if he knows about that that moment. But I had to 265 00:16:21,345 --> 00:16:25,105 say, I have to do something else, and I didn't go into it. 266 00:16:25,105 --> 00:16:28,545 But, coincidentally, the company was having 267 00:16:28,545 --> 00:16:32,310 some issues too, so I felt, okay, let me see if he'll 268 00:16:32,310 --> 00:16:36,150 buy me part time to ease some 269 00:16:36,150 --> 00:16:39,235 of the financial concerns he had, 270 00:16:39,855 --> 00:16:43,295 and it worked. So I went part 271 00:16:43,295 --> 00:16:46,355 time. And that was that was hard because that's a big 272 00:16:46,760 --> 00:16:50,540 Salary change, but I didn't care, which was pretty selfish, 273 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:55,035 on my part. Because by then, I was with the 274 00:16:55,035 --> 00:16:58,875 the the man that I married, and I put it all on him. 275 00:16:58,875 --> 00:17:02,635 And I and I you know, through the rocky financial time, which 276 00:17:02,635 --> 00:17:06,430 was a lot Because then I quit. I just always kept 277 00:17:06,430 --> 00:17:10,210 kept saying to him, well, you told me to go for it, so, you know, 278 00:17:10,645 --> 00:17:13,705 Now is the time you can, you know, you can help here. 279 00:17:14,244 --> 00:17:17,705 Mhmm. And he didn't have a big paying job either, so 280 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:21,659 It was it was trying. It was really trying. But 281 00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:26,200 when I knew I was letting somebody down and that I wasn't gonna 282 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:29,945 go back and fix it, I had to come clean, sort of. I didn't 283 00:17:29,945 --> 00:17:33,485 tell him honestly, but I did back out, so I wasn't a disappointment 284 00:17:33,705 --> 00:17:37,520 to my my employer. Right. And and even 285 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:40,740 to yourself, I'm sure, because it took you know, your whole career, 286 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:44,160 I'm imagining because I was the same way. Like, you wanted to be a good 287 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:47,105 employee. You wanted to do things well. And now Now all of a sudden, you're 288 00:17:47,105 --> 00:17:50,305 not being a good employee and you're, like, almost questioning your own, 289 00:17:50,785 --> 00:17:54,485 integrity and you'd be like, why am I, you know, doing this? But then, 290 00:17:54,710 --> 00:17:57,590 You know? It it's for other reasons, and and, you know, like you said, you 291 00:17:57,590 --> 00:18:01,350 had to move on to something else. Yeah. So yeah. That's I blocked 292 00:18:01,350 --> 00:18:05,174 out the guilt Because otherwise, I I can you know, I think all of 293 00:18:05,174 --> 00:18:08,934 us can carry guilt and do the wrong thing. And I I blocked it 294 00:18:08,934 --> 00:18:12,720 out again selfishly Because I had work to do. I had 295 00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:16,080 to get the pajamas, so I I focused on that, and I just put the 296 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:19,540 guilt in in a little compartment in the back of my brain. 297 00:18:20,245 --> 00:18:23,525 Yeah. And and even that word selfish too, I think, is something that I think 298 00:18:23,525 --> 00:18:27,065 about a lot lately, being selfish and being able to 299 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:31,280 Do what you think is right or or or to fill your own cup or 300 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:35,040 to to, I don't know, get yourself in a higher energy level. 301 00:18:35,040 --> 00:18:38,545 Like, Selfish has, like, a bad term, but Mhmm. 302 00:18:38,685 --> 00:18:42,445 If you can be selfish and get yourself into a position where then 303 00:18:42,445 --> 00:18:46,270 you can help others, Then it's not really being selfish because in 304 00:18:46,270 --> 00:18:49,230 the long run, you're able to help more people than you would have anyways. Like, 305 00:18:49,230 --> 00:18:53,015 that's that's the biggest thing I noticed from corporate. Like, this huge anchor just came 306 00:18:53,015 --> 00:18:55,655 off of me, and I was better to the people around me. I had time 307 00:18:55,655 --> 00:18:59,495 to listen to my friends. I was more in the present moment. Like, that's kinda 308 00:18:59,495 --> 00:19:02,740 coming from being selfish. And I don't know. I I guess, what what are your 309 00:19:02,740 --> 00:19:06,420 thoughts on on being selfish these days in that word, selfish? Yes. I I 310 00:19:06,420 --> 00:19:09,445 agree with you. I agree with you. I think we have to we have to 311 00:19:09,445 --> 00:19:13,125 live our purpose, and we all have 1. And I think COVID showed us that 312 00:19:13,125 --> 00:19:16,565 more and more people are saying looking back at their lives and saying, I did 313 00:19:16,565 --> 00:19:20,200 all this and almost lost. We didn't know if we were gonna make it 314 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:23,799 through, and I did a lot of soul searching. And now I wanna switch doing 315 00:19:23,799 --> 00:19:27,005 thing, you know, do something I really love, and it's Sort of an okay 316 00:19:27,545 --> 00:19:31,304 feeling now, less selfish. But, you know, and I and I teach 317 00:19:31,304 --> 00:19:34,890 this all the time. Listening to your heart And changing 318 00:19:34,890 --> 00:19:38,510 what your path has been doesn't have to do with 319 00:19:38,650 --> 00:19:42,350 starting a nonprofit. It has to do with what you love because as you said, 320 00:19:42,794 --> 00:19:46,635 That is contagious. How you are when you are doing 321 00:19:46,635 --> 00:19:50,395 what you're meant to do, what's yours to do, and you discovered it early 322 00:19:50,395 --> 00:19:54,170 or late, It changes your relationships. It changes your 323 00:19:54,170 --> 00:19:57,790 attitude, your vibration. It changes people around you for the better. 324 00:19:58,170 --> 00:20:01,985 You know, you can make A $1,000,000,000 singing, and that's your purpose. And 325 00:20:01,985 --> 00:20:05,345 look how you fill the world with love. That's not 326 00:20:05,345 --> 00:20:08,690 nonprofit. The same with any Anything you do, 327 00:20:08,750 --> 00:20:12,590 you're sharing something from your heart, and other people 328 00:20:12,590 --> 00:20:16,130 feel it, and you raise their vibration as well. So it can be anything. 329 00:20:16,935 --> 00:20:20,655 Yes. Contribution. I love that. And that's why I loved reading your book because it 330 00:20:20,695 --> 00:20:24,295 it's you're doing that. Right? You're showing by example, like, what you 331 00:20:24,295 --> 00:20:27,990 did to follow your purpose, and now you're other people around you. And and 332 00:20:27,990 --> 00:20:31,750 even so, I know that you're, you know, doing more speaking and 333 00:20:31,750 --> 00:20:35,545 writing you have a second book and Kinda like sharing your story now and and 334 00:20:35,545 --> 00:20:38,585 getting to that stage. What what is that been like for you as far as, 335 00:20:38,585 --> 00:20:42,220 like, transitioning to to be more of a, I don't know. Sharing 336 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:46,120 what you've done or or who you are. Yeah. Well, I 337 00:20:46,120 --> 00:20:49,900 want to inspire people because, like you and I, we changed paths. 338 00:20:49,985 --> 00:20:53,745 You know, we were already set for many years, and it's 339 00:20:53,745 --> 00:20:57,265 okay to change. Yeah. Just just change if you 340 00:20:57,265 --> 00:21:00,360 wanna change. And And doesn't matter how old you are. It doesn't matter what you 341 00:21:00,360 --> 00:21:03,740 wanna do. If it sounds ridiculous to other people, there are ways 342 00:21:04,280 --> 00:21:08,095 to to Share and to find people who will support you 343 00:21:08,095 --> 00:21:11,615 because we all feel like we're talking about alone and 344 00:21:11,615 --> 00:21:14,620 embarrassed, and we don't know where start, I had no idea what a five zero 345 00:21:14,620 --> 00:21:18,140 one c three was until I got a an onslaught of packages because of an 346 00:21:18,140 --> 00:21:21,520 article in a magazine. And a letter came in that 347 00:21:21,775 --> 00:21:25,295 Thousands of packages. A letter said, please send us your 501c3 so we can send 348 00:21:25,295 --> 00:21:28,975 you a grant. And I didn't even know what that was. And talk about 349 00:21:28,975 --> 00:21:32,720 feeling dumb and having to start to ask Questions about that because here I 350 00:21:32,720 --> 00:21:36,560 am. I'd, you know, I'd given to some charities, and I volunteered once or twice, 351 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:40,320 but I didn't even know what that was and what it entailed. But I 352 00:21:40,320 --> 00:21:43,774 knew At that moment, I had to do this to be 353 00:21:43,774 --> 00:21:47,615 responsible to all the people who were now trusting me with their, you know, their 354 00:21:47,615 --> 00:21:51,360 goods and their pajamas and their books for the kids and their money. So 355 00:21:51,980 --> 00:21:55,740 I try to inspire people not to get stuck there and turn 356 00:21:55,740 --> 00:21:59,475 back. But If I did it 357 00:21:59,475 --> 00:22:02,995 because I did it in a in a messy way, but I learned a lot 358 00:22:02,995 --> 00:22:06,595 of lessons, I want them to know it's not late, and it's 359 00:22:06,595 --> 00:22:10,200 so, So worth it. Mhmm. So, 360 00:22:10,519 --> 00:22:14,120 what what would be the first thing that you would tell somebody who, you 361 00:22:14,120 --> 00:22:17,715 know, Has had the list of excuses or, you know, the monetary 362 00:22:17,855 --> 00:22:21,215 reasons or thinks it's too big of a task? Because I think that's that's part 363 00:22:21,215 --> 00:22:24,840 of it too. It's just it seems like this insurmountable task that you Don't know 364 00:22:24,840 --> 00:22:28,620 where to start. What what would you say to to help somebody out like that? 365 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:32,519 Well, first, I'm a jumper. So I jump. I still do 366 00:22:32,519 --> 00:22:35,955 it, And I figure out how to swim after I jump into the 367 00:22:35,955 --> 00:22:39,315 water. But there's a slide and there's a jump, so I've learned 368 00:22:39,315 --> 00:22:42,855 that. And for many people, a slide is either 369 00:22:43,300 --> 00:22:46,260 Something to continue for the rest of their lives or something that will take them 370 00:22:46,260 --> 00:22:49,940 to a jump. But if they are say they're in in a job that 371 00:22:49,940 --> 00:22:53,715 they like, But they love to sing, or they love 372 00:22:53,715 --> 00:22:57,555 to care for animals, or they love to do 373 00:22:57,555 --> 00:23:01,080 flower arrangements, whatever it is, but they don't Think that they can make a living 374 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:04,840 or as much money as they need, then slide that into 375 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:08,465 your life, and I teach that too. Even an hour A 376 00:23:08,465 --> 00:23:12,065 week doing what you love, whether you can do it hands on or you 377 00:23:12,065 --> 00:23:15,825 can immerse yourself in the field, research, talk to people who've 378 00:23:15,825 --> 00:23:19,539 done it. Find a way to bring it a little bit into your life every 379 00:23:19,539 --> 00:23:23,299 week, and that will change your whole attitude. Because putting it 380 00:23:23,299 --> 00:23:27,025 on the back burner and shoving it in the back It's such a disservice to 381 00:23:27,025 --> 00:23:30,565 yourself and to your heart and to the reason that you're here. 382 00:23:31,025 --> 00:23:34,800 It's it's not giving it The the breath and the 383 00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:38,640 and the light that it should have. So even 384 00:23:38,640 --> 00:23:42,260 an hour a week, and there's so many ways to get that power 385 00:23:42,320 --> 00:23:46,145 in your week, Will make you feel great, and other people will notice the 386 00:23:46,145 --> 00:23:49,205 change in you because you've given yourself this major gift. 387 00:23:49,825 --> 00:23:53,149 And if for the rest of your life, that fills you, 388 00:23:53,769 --> 00:23:57,529 then a slide, it is. And if you 389 00:23:57,529 --> 00:24:01,315 find, whether you decide at the beginning, I'm ready for a jump, Or you 390 00:24:01,315 --> 00:24:04,995 say, you know what? I like this slide. I'm starting to see a 391 00:24:04,995 --> 00:24:08,434 path, then great. And I can help you get there, but you 392 00:24:08,434 --> 00:24:12,000 know That you know, that's where you're headed, and it's a little 393 00:24:12,300 --> 00:24:16,060 easier to digest. Yeah. I love that, because 394 00:24:16,060 --> 00:24:19,529 it's it's not just black and white. There's there's many different ways you can go 395 00:24:19,529 --> 00:24:22,602 about it. And I was I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday who 396 00:24:22,602 --> 00:24:25,676 I hadn't seen in a little bit, and we were kinda talking about this. And 397 00:24:25,676 --> 00:24:29,040 one thing that I was saying was, like, just Even just, like, talking about the 398 00:24:29,040 --> 00:24:32,800 thing that you're excited about or you're passionate about, like, can you 399 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:36,480 know, you you tell somebody and you get a positive passion, and now you're excited 400 00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:40,145 about it. Or maybe You get some feedback and it gives you an idea to 401 00:24:40,145 --> 00:24:43,985 do something else and, like, just even, like, communicating that or or feeling 402 00:24:43,985 --> 00:24:47,720 comfortable enough to communicate with somebody and and sharing something that maybe 403 00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:51,560 feels vulnerable, which leads me to, like, the idea of human connection 404 00:24:51,560 --> 00:24:55,305 and, like, meeting certain people who, You you know, 405 00:24:55,305 --> 00:24:59,105 it's a there's, like, an unspoken thing about you. It 406 00:24:59,225 --> 00:25:02,850 it's something that, like, I'm noticing all over the place now. And You meet somebody 407 00:25:02,850 --> 00:25:06,230 and, like, another example, somebody that, like, I work with recently, like, 408 00:25:06,370 --> 00:25:09,825 something that, like, I do that I don't really like talk about. I just, like, 409 00:25:09,904 --> 00:25:12,945 shared freely. And I'm, like, wow. I didn't really expect to share that, but I 410 00:25:12,945 --> 00:25:16,404 did because of this certain, you know, connection that you have with somebody. 411 00:25:16,544 --> 00:25:19,780 And I I I don't know. Talk to me about, like, human connection from your 412 00:25:19,780 --> 00:25:23,380 experience and, like, how it's important for you. It 413 00:25:23,380 --> 00:25:27,105 changed everything for me, and and it sounds like It changed everything 414 00:25:27,105 --> 00:25:30,725 for you too because it's it it's it was awful 415 00:25:31,025 --> 00:25:34,705 holding in this bursting energy that I had, 416 00:25:34,705 --> 00:25:37,810 whether it was frantic to try to get to these kids 417 00:25:38,590 --> 00:25:42,270 or the joy when I got to them and the little things that, you know, 418 00:25:42,270 --> 00:25:45,595 that I saw, their reactions to the pajamas and things like that. It was 419 00:25:45,835 --> 00:25:48,735 Awful not to share that. And when 420 00:25:49,835 --> 00:25:53,375 my new husband said go for it, it sort of 421 00:25:53,660 --> 00:25:57,180 made me breathe, and, of course, I started to tell more people. And when you 422 00:25:57,180 --> 00:26:01,020 share, you find your purpose. And not everybody has to be your 423 00:26:01,020 --> 00:26:04,725 people. There's certainly people who probably would say 424 00:26:04,725 --> 00:26:08,005 I was crazy to give up what I gave up, and the life that I 425 00:26:08,005 --> 00:26:11,650 continue to lead, you know, Isn't as 426 00:26:11,950 --> 00:26:15,550 affluent. I get that, and that's, you know, and that's 427 00:26:15,550 --> 00:26:19,365 okay. But when you find Your people who are doing 428 00:26:19,365 --> 00:26:23,205 what they love and want to hear more and and ask you for 429 00:26:23,205 --> 00:26:27,010 support and Let you into their heart when 430 00:26:27,010 --> 00:26:30,850 they are considering a change. This is 431 00:26:30,850 --> 00:26:34,615 bond that that that's created, and then you can Show them 432 00:26:34,615 --> 00:26:38,455 and lead them to more people who will be supportive. And imagine if 433 00:26:38,455 --> 00:26:42,050 we all did that. We all shared. Oh, you wanna Play guitar? 434 00:26:42,190 --> 00:26:45,150 Okay. I know some people. Let me put you in touch with them. And those 435 00:26:45,150 --> 00:26:48,670 people have a heart open for the new 436 00:26:48,670 --> 00:26:52,305 person. It's just It's just a magical connection that 437 00:26:52,305 --> 00:26:55,985 we that we need, that feeds us, that should be more 438 00:26:55,985 --> 00:26:59,600 natural than we give it credit for Because we're 439 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:03,600 as I say, we're in this together. And if I've learned 440 00:27:03,600 --> 00:27:07,414 anything, and and it's my number one lesson Because people used to 441 00:27:07,414 --> 00:27:10,774 say to me what I used to think about other purpose. Wow. Look at 1 442 00:27:10,774 --> 00:27:14,294 person. Look what they did. Look at at Oprah. She's 1 443 00:27:14,294 --> 00:27:17,850 person. What a difference she made. And Martin Luther King was 444 00:27:17,850 --> 00:27:21,304 1 person and, you know, and all these purpose, 445 00:27:22,250 --> 00:27:25,390 everybody from from a president to a scientist 446 00:27:26,215 --> 00:27:30,054 came up with that idea. Oh my gosh. Einstein was brilliant. 447 00:27:30,054 --> 00:27:33,790 He changed everything. But it's it's not. Even when people said 448 00:27:33,790 --> 00:27:37,309 that to me, look at one idea, it's not. It's it's not the power of 449 00:27:37,309 --> 00:27:40,910 one that changes anything. It's the power of one another that 450 00:27:40,910 --> 00:27:43,585 moves mountains and moves people. 451 00:27:44,365 --> 00:27:47,805 And that's the way I believe we get things 452 00:27:47,805 --> 00:27:51,610 done for ourselves and as a community, and that's how we give back. 453 00:27:51,690 --> 00:27:55,150 And that's how legacies are are started because 454 00:27:55,690 --> 00:27:59,230 people are left with the the memory 455 00:27:59,544 --> 00:28:03,325 of this wonderful feeling about something that they're a part of. 456 00:28:04,025 --> 00:28:07,840 Mhmm. Yeah. No. I I love that too. Uh-huh. I love the 457 00:28:07,840 --> 00:28:11,360 way that you describe that. It makes it when when you speak, it 458 00:28:11,360 --> 00:28:15,195 resonates with me a lot. And, I think, I don't know. 459 00:28:15,895 --> 00:28:19,735 There's a there's something in your book, that I remember a passion in your book 460 00:28:19,735 --> 00:28:23,539 where you're talking about, not knowing How to get from, 461 00:28:23,539 --> 00:28:27,139 like, a to b, but just kinda, like, going for it and having 462 00:28:27,139 --> 00:28:30,740 trust, and then almost magically, like, these things would kinda, like, pop up. 463 00:28:30,740 --> 00:28:34,125 And, You know, it it seems like a miracle or or 464 00:28:34,125 --> 00:28:37,565 whatever word you wanna use to describe it. Can you talk to us about that? 465 00:28:37,565 --> 00:28:40,780 Maybe give us an example of a time that that happened to you and, Your 466 00:28:40,780 --> 00:28:44,060 your thoughts on that now? Yes. It happens all the time. It's the way it 467 00:28:44,140 --> 00:28:47,500 it's the way that it is, but we 468 00:28:48,054 --> 00:28:51,575 Some of us don't believe it. Some of us push it away because it just 469 00:28:51,575 --> 00:28:55,255 sounds like it it couldn't happen to me. But I can tell you, it 470 00:28:55,255 --> 00:28:58,960 happens more and more, and it happened all All the 20 some 471 00:28:58,960 --> 00:29:02,640 years, and it still happens, with pajama program. I have lots of examples, but I 472 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:06,340 didn't I didn't believe in that either. I'd call them coincidences, 473 00:29:06,640 --> 00:29:10,335 you know, my first Life's a whole you know, good things happen, put good 474 00:29:10,335 --> 00:29:14,095 energy out, and, okay, good things happen. Oh, yeah. I'm thinking about somebody, and 475 00:29:14,095 --> 00:29:17,315 then they call. Wow. What a coincidence. That's a one off. But 476 00:29:18,040 --> 00:29:21,720 Things things when you're on purpose. Like, the 477 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:25,320 universe, the invisible god, everything you believe in, 478 00:29:25,320 --> 00:29:29,085 because If you believe we're not alone, when we're on purpose, 479 00:29:29,085 --> 00:29:32,544 which is the way I believe we were designed to be, 480 00:29:33,085 --> 00:29:36,790 things do happen. So, For instance, in my book, I I talk 481 00:29:36,790 --> 00:29:40,630 about at the beginning, when I had that letter from someone who said, I 482 00:29:40,630 --> 00:29:44,070 need your 501c3, and I researched it, and I said, oh my goodness. This is 483 00:29:44,070 --> 00:29:47,485 a process the IRS. I have to do this. I need a lawyer. Now I 484 00:29:47,485 --> 00:29:51,325 did not have money. I didn't have a job. I was never a 485 00:29:51,325 --> 00:29:53,965 saver. So I didn't have money, and then I and I had quit my job 486 00:29:53,965 --> 00:29:57,790 at that point. And we're in my 1 bedroom apartment, and 487 00:29:57,790 --> 00:30:01,090 the boxes were up to the sky of people sending us stuff. 488 00:30:01,630 --> 00:30:05,315 And I said to my new husband, And I and I 489 00:30:05,315 --> 00:30:09,075 made a fist when I was leaving that day. I need to 490 00:30:09,075 --> 00:30:12,835 find a lawyer. Now I didn't say it on purpose. I didn't 491 00:30:12,835 --> 00:30:16,280 make a fist on purpose, and I left. I called him at lunch because 492 00:30:16,980 --> 00:30:20,580 on the way to the office, just an hour and a half later, I'm on 493 00:30:20,580 --> 00:30:23,775 the corner to cross the street in Manhattan, and I hear a man Call my 494 00:30:23,775 --> 00:30:27,535 name. Genevieve. Genevieve, is that you? And I turned and I recognized him, but I 495 00:30:27,535 --> 00:30:31,295 didn't know who he was. And he said, I'm Santiago. I'm Mary Stone. 496 00:30:31,295 --> 00:30:35,040 Remember? We met a while ago. I'm an attorney. You know, 497 00:30:35,040 --> 00:30:38,720 I couldn't believe it. He said, let's catch up. You 498 00:30:38,720 --> 00:30:42,455 wanna have lunch? And I said yes. And we had lunch, 499 00:30:42,455 --> 00:30:46,215 and we caught up. I told him I need an attorney 500 00:30:46,215 --> 00:30:49,920 because and I gave him the short version of the story. And he said, 501 00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:53,440 Well, I don't do that kind of law, but I know somebody who does. And 502 00:30:53,440 --> 00:30:56,960 I was off to the races. And that happened. And to this day, my 503 00:30:56,960 --> 00:31:00,625 husband says, make that fist. When you need that, Whatever you 504 00:31:00,625 --> 00:31:04,405 did in that moment, make that fist, and he'll bring it to you. 505 00:31:04,865 --> 00:31:08,600 Yeah. I like that. The the physical action of something. Yeah. 506 00:31:08,600 --> 00:31:12,360 Yeah. And and talk to us more too about, like I know you're a vision 507 00:31:12,360 --> 00:31:16,040 board person and, like, manifesting and, like, you know, meditating on 508 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:19,505 things, thinking how things feel. How how important is that in your, like, 509 00:31:19,505 --> 00:31:23,185 daily life? Is it something that you always come back to? Is it something you, 510 00:31:23,185 --> 00:31:26,640 like, start with, or what's it like for you? Always. I'm I'm looking at my 511 00:31:26,640 --> 00:31:29,519 vision board right there, and I change it, you know, at least once a year, 512 00:31:29,519 --> 00:31:33,360 beginning of the year. And, yes, early on, my 513 00:31:33,360 --> 00:31:37,024 number 1 cheerleader, my new husband, he said, You know, what 514 00:31:37,024 --> 00:31:40,804 would change things? Because, of course, it was a struggle with the program financially. 515 00:31:40,865 --> 00:31:44,164 And for me, just trying to figure it out 516 00:31:44,304 --> 00:31:48,150 alone with his help and, You know, step by step. And 517 00:31:48,150 --> 00:31:51,290 he said, what would be a game changer? This is a couple years in. 518 00:31:51,910 --> 00:31:55,485 And I said, you know, getting on Oprah. And he said, okay. Let's 519 00:31:55,485 --> 00:31:59,265 meditate. And I said, I didn't even know how to meditate. 520 00:31:59,965 --> 00:32:03,740 And I said, well, everybody resting out on Oprah. I think 521 00:32:03,740 --> 00:32:07,420 that's, like, you know, crazy. And he said, no. Let's go. And and he 522 00:32:07,500 --> 00:32:11,315 there was a park by us, And we go there, and he he 523 00:32:11,315 --> 00:32:15,014 literally told me, sit down, close your eyes, picture, 524 00:32:15,554 --> 00:32:19,180 visualize, and Tell god, the universe, 525 00:32:19,180 --> 00:32:23,020 whoever you want, you're open. Find a way. Find 526 00:32:23,020 --> 00:32:26,855 a way to bring her Into the picture. Find a way to connect with 527 00:32:26,855 --> 00:32:30,695 her. Sit quietly. And we did that. Now at first, I thought 528 00:32:30,695 --> 00:32:34,410 this is crazy. You know, my mind was winning again in that 529 00:32:34,410 --> 00:32:38,250 scenario, but I did it. I did 530 00:32:38,250 --> 00:32:42,044 it. It felt fun. I pictured myself on her couch talking to 531 00:32:42,044 --> 00:32:45,725 her. And, of course, you know, a couple years later, her 532 00:32:45,725 --> 00:32:49,300 office called, her studio called, and I got on the show. So it it works. 533 00:32:49,300 --> 00:32:52,740 And that's there are lots of other smaller things that happen that are on the 534 00:32:52,740 --> 00:32:56,365 vision board, you know, goals and things. But It's 535 00:32:56,425 --> 00:33:00,265 it's a daily practice for me, the meditation and the visualizing. And like I 536 00:33:00,265 --> 00:33:03,945 said, I look at it. I'm looking at it now. It's everything from a picture 537 00:33:03,945 --> 00:33:07,710 of me little Feeling joy because feeling joy as often as you 538 00:33:07,710 --> 00:33:11,470 can every day changes your vibration, lifts 539 00:33:11,470 --> 00:33:15,015 you, And, you know, and goals, financial goals, picture of 540 00:33:15,015 --> 00:33:18,855 the beach house I want, all that stuff. You know, and I teach 541 00:33:18,855 --> 00:33:22,150 it. You gotta Put up pictures that call you, that resonate with you, not just 542 00:33:22,150 --> 00:33:25,830 picture of a Mercedes. Yeah. Look look through. It might be a Toyota 543 00:33:25,830 --> 00:33:29,665 that calls you. That's the picture you need. Yeah. And and what was 544 00:33:29,665 --> 00:33:33,345 it like when you finally, like, heard the news that you were 545 00:33:33,345 --> 00:33:36,470 going to be on Oprah and that thing that you had Thought about and brought 546 00:33:36,470 --> 00:33:40,010 into passion, like, was there. What what was that feeling like? 547 00:33:40,070 --> 00:33:43,670 Yeah. Surreal. Surreal. You know, I I go into 548 00:33:43,670 --> 00:33:47,285 detail in the book, and people can watch it on my website, 549 00:33:47,345 --> 00:33:51,184 the episode, but it was very surreal. And when they called, 550 00:33:51,184 --> 00:33:54,750 it was 2 weeks before from the first call to telling me that I would 551 00:33:54,750 --> 00:33:58,370 be on the show. I didn't tell anyone, not even my husband, that they called 552 00:33:58,830 --> 00:34:02,270 because they they kept calling and asking more questions. And, you know, of 553 00:34:02,270 --> 00:34:05,664 course, I was waiting to find out if they were gonna say 554 00:34:05,664 --> 00:34:09,505 okay or well, thank you very much. And I didn't want to 555 00:34:09,505 --> 00:34:13,340 tell anyone because the last thing you ever want is to say, The show called 556 00:34:13,340 --> 00:34:16,140 and then have to go around and say, but they didn't pick me, and I 557 00:34:16,140 --> 00:34:19,500 did not want that. So I didn't say anything. And then she 558 00:34:19,500 --> 00:34:23,065 said, You know, we'd like to book you. And then I I told just a 559 00:34:23,065 --> 00:34:26,665 few people because, again, you have to get there. There's a tape, and it has 560 00:34:26,665 --> 00:34:30,130 to go well, and there can't be any, you know, any Turnbacks. 561 00:34:31,150 --> 00:34:34,609 So it was it was surreal in in 562 00:34:34,750 --> 00:34:38,429 the the first part prepping with them for 563 00:34:38,429 --> 00:34:42,255 my appearance, And then, actually, on the show, which 564 00:34:42,255 --> 00:34:45,635 was really not how they prepped me because it was a surprise, 565 00:34:45,935 --> 00:34:49,550 not to give it away. But that whole thing, what 566 00:34:49,550 --> 00:34:53,170 came after was more than a game changer. 567 00:34:54,670 --> 00:34:58,444 Mhmm. Yeah. That's that's awesome. And, yeah, I'll definitely leave some links 568 00:34:58,444 --> 00:35:01,085 in the show notes so people can go see that video and, you know, get 569 00:35:01,085 --> 00:35:04,520 to your website and all that sort of thing. I I do wanna Also ask 570 00:35:04,520 --> 00:35:08,359 you about, certain things that, like, you've learned along the way. And, like, for me, 571 00:35:08,359 --> 00:35:12,200 reading has been a really helpful thing, and there's certain books that have, 572 00:35:12,200 --> 00:35:15,974 like, Pretty much changed the way that I see the world or, like, changed the 573 00:35:15,974 --> 00:35:19,575 course of my life. Is there anything books or any other sort of things that 574 00:35:19,575 --> 00:35:23,160 you've, like, been able to Consume and then it 575 00:35:23,160 --> 00:35:26,620 changed, like, your vision on thing, anything that, like, stands out in particular? 576 00:35:27,080 --> 00:35:30,600 Yeah. The the old books. You know, Norman Vincent Peale, The Power of 577 00:35:30,600 --> 00:35:33,645 Positive Thinking, Bob Proctor's books 578 00:35:34,184 --> 00:35:37,964 on, you know, how your thought influences and his videos 579 00:35:38,424 --> 00:35:42,099 to this day. You know, he left us a couple years ago, but About seeing 580 00:35:42,099 --> 00:35:45,720 things, and it's your attitude. It's your feeling, your vibration 581 00:35:45,779 --> 00:35:49,460 that attracts things to you, whether it's good or bad, however you're 582 00:35:49,460 --> 00:35:52,965 feeling. Those Those stories, those 583 00:35:52,965 --> 00:35:56,505 books, they knew. Even Einstein is coming out now, Tesla. 584 00:35:56,645 --> 00:36:00,085 All these people saw things in their minds, felt 585 00:36:00,085 --> 00:36:03,930 things, Knew you know, you knew that they could 586 00:36:04,470 --> 00:36:07,670 achieve they knew they had to go after what they wanted to achieve because it 587 00:36:07,670 --> 00:36:11,335 was coming from some incredible forcing them. 588 00:36:12,035 --> 00:36:15,815 And when you're guided and you feel this force in you 589 00:36:16,115 --> 00:36:19,960 pushing you, pulling you to something, It's 590 00:36:19,960 --> 00:36:22,299 it's an incredible overwhelming 591 00:36:23,400 --> 00:36:26,539 feeling to go that way. And I think 592 00:36:26,760 --> 00:36:30,494 people, you know, people I talked about it, you 593 00:36:30,494 --> 00:36:34,175 know, the secret. It's it's true. You know? I lived 594 00:36:34,175 --> 00:36:37,920 it, and I wouldn't have believed it before. But I lived it, and 595 00:36:37,920 --> 00:36:41,519 I know it's true. And and every time I jump and try something 596 00:36:41,519 --> 00:36:45,335 new, I have to get back to that and say, It's 597 00:36:45,335 --> 00:36:49,175 real. You know? Don't get lost in the fear of something new all over 598 00:36:49,175 --> 00:36:52,475 again. Just trust that it was the right time 599 00:36:52,775 --> 00:36:56,470 to move. Yeah. That that that's a big one is fear. 600 00:36:56,470 --> 00:36:59,990 And and I try to do that when I find myself going down those 601 00:36:59,990 --> 00:37:03,755 spirals of negativity, like, thinking, like, am I thinking about this from a fear 602 00:37:03,755 --> 00:37:07,435 standpoint or is it something else? And it's it's almost always something 603 00:37:07,435 --> 00:37:10,955 being in fear. And then I can, like, recognize and be like, okay. Well, that's 604 00:37:10,955 --> 00:37:14,170 just something that you're afraid of right now. You're not gonna feel like that tomorrow. 605 00:37:14,170 --> 00:37:17,950 Just kinda, like, let it pass through you and move on to the next thing. 606 00:37:18,410 --> 00:37:22,215 But yeah. Even just, like, For me, the language of energy 607 00:37:22,355 --> 00:37:26,195 is something that, like, I learned from this book called The Celestine Prophecy, which 608 00:37:26,355 --> 00:37:29,770 Oh, yes. I love that book so much. I tell everybody to read it. I 609 00:37:29,770 --> 00:37:33,450 actually have multiple copies that I keep getting more. Read it again. Okay. 610 00:37:33,450 --> 00:37:37,065 Yeah. I actually just started again, and I was afraid I've only read time, and 611 00:37:37,065 --> 00:37:39,865 I was afraid to read it again because I didn't want it to be, like, 612 00:37:39,865 --> 00:37:42,665 less significant. Yes. But as soon as I opened it, I was like, nope. It's 613 00:37:42,665 --> 00:37:46,470 exactly the same. Yes. Yes. Yes. Good to know. I love that book. 614 00:37:46,550 --> 00:37:49,770 Mhmm. Love that book so much. Yeah. So 615 00:37:50,630 --> 00:37:53,990 what what's next for you? What what what are you excited about for the 616 00:37:53,990 --> 00:37:57,375 future? Well, more live speaking engagements because we're 617 00:37:57,375 --> 00:38:01,135 back doing live. And the reception's been 618 00:38:01,135 --> 00:38:04,830 great because I think, again, Through and since COVID, 619 00:38:04,890 --> 00:38:08,650 people are more willing to speak their truth and 620 00:38:08,650 --> 00:38:11,885 find what they wanna do and Change, and 621 00:38:12,505 --> 00:38:16,185 and so it's resonating. And I I'm I'm able to feel 622 00:38:16,185 --> 00:38:19,870 like I can inspire people, and they're ready for it 623 00:38:20,030 --> 00:38:23,570 More than ever. Mhmm. Yeah. Yeah. I I definitely 624 00:38:23,710 --> 00:38:27,250 feel that as well. Mhmm. Just people getting, like you know, 625 00:38:27,635 --> 00:38:31,475 It's it's almost like a society wide, like, energy of, like, 626 00:38:31,475 --> 00:38:34,695 annoyance and, like, just they're tired of it. They don't they don't wanna, 627 00:38:35,475 --> 00:38:39,050 keep doing the the previous way of living or, you know Yeah. 628 00:38:39,130 --> 00:38:42,010 Wanting something more. I think that's that's always the language that I've always used. It's 629 00:38:42,010 --> 00:38:45,505 like just wanting something more. Yes. Not enough. But and this 630 00:38:45,825 --> 00:38:49,545 Because, clearly, it's a you know, we're transitioning as Mhmm. 631 00:38:49,744 --> 00:38:53,444 As a human race to this foreign freedom 632 00:38:53,984 --> 00:38:57,070 that we were taught And some people still hold 633 00:38:57,690 --> 00:39:01,530 as not allowed, you know, as selfish, and you have to 634 00:39:01,530 --> 00:39:05,325 play by the rules. And people who don't Wanna see the change are, you know, 635 00:39:05,325 --> 00:39:08,945 bucking the system, and the people who feel like 636 00:39:09,245 --> 00:39:12,800 I don't have to do that anymore Or, you know, or 637 00:39:12,800 --> 00:39:16,480 or changing things. Mhmm. Yeah. I I agree, and 638 00:39:16,480 --> 00:39:20,079 that's something that's very exciting to me. And meeting more people who who 639 00:39:20,079 --> 00:39:23,795 are, you know, Existing out of love instead of fear, 640 00:39:23,795 --> 00:39:27,475 I guess, is maybe what it is. So yeah. And then, 641 00:39:27,475 --> 00:39:30,355 you know, as we're coming coming to the end of our time here, I always 642 00:39:30,355 --> 00:39:33,580 like to ask, What what does purpose mean to you? And and in your own 643 00:39:33,580 --> 00:39:37,340 words, what is purpose? Well, I think definitely 644 00:39:37,340 --> 00:39:41,025 following your hard voice And going in, you know, on my website, 645 00:39:41,025 --> 00:39:44,625 I I have an exercise to find your purpose and and start there. Because 646 00:39:44,625 --> 00:39:47,605 if if you can take some quiet time 647 00:39:48,170 --> 00:39:51,930 And talk to yourself and be honest and 648 00:39:51,930 --> 00:39:55,685 write down what yourself is telling you, Paper and 649 00:39:55,685 --> 00:39:59,385 pen, not on a computer. It can be an amazing revelation, 650 00:40:00,405 --> 00:40:04,240 and you discover things about yourself if you're honest that have 651 00:40:04,240 --> 00:40:08,080 been there for a long time that we just push away because it's not acceptable, 652 00:40:08,080 --> 00:40:11,200 or we don't see how we're gonna do it, or we have to turn everybody 653 00:40:11,200 --> 00:40:14,545 else's life upside down if we make these changes or do this thing or say 654 00:40:14,545 --> 00:40:18,085 these things. But it's if we're 655 00:40:18,625 --> 00:40:21,984 honest a 100% honest with ourselves in in our 656 00:40:21,984 --> 00:40:25,490 quiet, moment. We'll find 657 00:40:25,650 --> 00:40:29,190 we'll discover the purpose that we have that's 658 00:40:29,250 --> 00:40:33,095 that's unique to us. It can be a singer, like 659 00:40:33,095 --> 00:40:36,714 other people are singers, but you have your own voice. You know, it can be 660 00:40:36,934 --> 00:40:40,740 that you create a job That's doesn't 661 00:40:40,740 --> 00:40:44,500 seem but it's on anybody's radar, but you 662 00:40:44,500 --> 00:40:48,265 can create something. It's there. It's it's in 663 00:40:48,265 --> 00:40:52,025 there, but we've covered it up with mounds and mounds 664 00:40:52,025 --> 00:40:55,830 of doubt and fear and the way it's Always been and what will 665 00:40:55,830 --> 00:40:59,210 other people think that we really need 666 00:40:59,910 --> 00:41:03,690 to take as much time. If you can't take 90 minutes, 667 00:41:04,515 --> 00:41:08,035 You know, for this, then then I I don't know how 668 00:41:08,035 --> 00:41:11,735 else you can be real with yourself to start. 669 00:41:12,195 --> 00:41:16,000 Start giving it air to breathe. Start thinking about what 670 00:41:16,000 --> 00:41:19,460 you've discovered in those 90 quiet minutes 671 00:41:20,000 --> 00:41:23,815 and And see how ideas will come. Little doors will 672 00:41:23,815 --> 00:41:27,630 open. Little coincidences will passion, and, you know, You know, 673 00:41:27,630 --> 00:41:30,590 people are always asking for signs. You know, I'm gonna change my career if I 674 00:41:30,590 --> 00:41:34,349 get a sign. People always tell me that. Right? And I and I say the 675 00:41:34,349 --> 00:41:38,175 same thing To myself even now. I'll know if that's the direction. If I get 676 00:41:38,175 --> 00:41:41,855 a sign, if in the next 2 days, someone calls me 677 00:41:41,855 --> 00:41:45,570 who's in that field, then that's my sign. And it'll happen, 678 00:41:45,870 --> 00:41:49,390 but it starts with being honest and 679 00:41:49,390 --> 00:41:53,135 saying, I would love to change, 680 00:41:53,135 --> 00:41:56,735 and I would this is what I would love to do instead. Then doors open, 681 00:41:56,735 --> 00:42:00,495 signs come. Mhmm. Yeah. Being open to receiving the signs 682 00:42:00,495 --> 00:42:04,170 is is the biggest thing for me. And, and even just, like, 683 00:42:04,170 --> 00:42:07,930 being curious too for me has been this past year has been a huge 684 00:42:07,930 --> 00:42:11,755 word for me, curiosity, and just being curious with the things that excite me. Even 685 00:42:11,755 --> 00:42:15,455 if it seems weird or, like, you can't see what you would do with it, 686 00:42:15,515 --> 00:42:18,474 just following it and being like, well, that's interesting. And then it leads you to 687 00:42:18,474 --> 00:42:22,060 another thing It's another thing, like you're saying. So yeah. It's free. Right? 688 00:42:22,060 --> 00:42:25,875 Freeing. Freeing. Yes. Very much so. And, yeah, the last 689 00:42:25,875 --> 00:42:29,475 thing. If people really resonated with you, what, where can they find you? You 690 00:42:29,475 --> 00:42:32,915 know, what's your website and that sort of thing? Yeah. My 691 00:42:32,915 --> 00:42:36,670 website's genelvive pituro dotcom, and you 692 00:42:36,670 --> 00:42:39,890 can find pajama program@pajama program .org. 693 00:42:40,510 --> 00:42:43,390 Awesome. And I will definitely leave that in the show notes so people don't have 694 00:42:43,390 --> 00:42:47,025 to remember it. And thank you so much for your time and for your 695 00:42:47,025 --> 00:42:50,385 vulnerability and your stories and speaking 696 00:42:50,385 --> 00:42:53,830 about your truth and and and sharing it and spreading it to other people 697 00:42:53,830 --> 00:42:57,510 because it's really making a difference. And like I said, I had no idea who 698 00:42:57,510 --> 00:43:00,965 you were until I found this book randomly in a bookstore. And and the words 699 00:43:00,965 --> 00:43:04,805 that you specifically chose for the title caught me, and it's it's 700 00:43:04,805 --> 00:43:08,105 been, nothing but positivity for me. So I I really appreciate that. 701 00:43:08,609 --> 00:43:12,290 Oh, Gino, I'm so happy that you shared your story and that you're doing what 702 00:43:12,290 --> 00:43:15,830 you love, and you took a chance. It's inspiring. And and 703 00:43:16,130 --> 00:43:19,735 anybody that knows you, I'm sure, Just feeling that positive 704 00:43:19,735 --> 00:43:22,795 change. Yeah. What a great reminder. Thank you. 705 00:43:23,895 --> 00:43:27,700 Sure. Thank you for listening to Working Towards Our purpose. 706 00:43:27,700 --> 00:43:31,540 If you liked today's episode and are interested in more, you can sign up for 707 00:43:31,540 --> 00:43:35,345 my Substack newsletter with the link in the show notes where I Share 708 00:43:35,345 --> 00:43:38,945 thoughts, tips, and ideas that I'm learning along my journey to help 709 00:43:38,945 --> 00:43:42,705 inspire you. The show was produced by Pleasant Podcast at pleasant 710 00:43:42,705 --> 00:43:43,205 podcast.com.