Maxwell Ivey's Blog, page 11

What’s Your Excuse? with guest Britany Culp

What’s Your Excuse with Guest Michael Babcock

Hello again;

Today, I’m writing to share the latest episode of my podcast What’s Your Excuse?

I’m still progressing towards an official relaunch of the show on the Global Voice Network, but until that happens; I don’t want you all forgetting about me.

So, below please find my interview with Michal Babcock of www.yourownpay.com

We talked about something that all sole entrepreneurs have to deal with.

That being the pressure either from friends, family, spouses, or ourselves to make a living and pay the bills.

In fact Michael talks about his decision first to take a regular job and then his decision to go back to podcasting full time.

We talk about a lot more including tech challenges for business owners especially those who are visually impaired.

We had a great conversation. I hope you enjoy it too.

And after you watch this interview you may want to go back to 2016 and watch the first interview I did with Michael.

I appreciate having Michael as a friend and sometimes as a mentor.

He is especially great at technology, automation, systemization, and helping people like me understand it all.

Plus it often takes someone outside the situation to see the problem in a new way and offer new solutions.

And best of all me and Michael have known each other long enough that he has the freedom to give me a kick in the ass when that is what I need.

I am sure you will get a lot out of both of these interviews.

If you are a blogger, podcaster, or other type of online business person, then you should think hard about following Michael’s podcast at www.yourownpay.com

I look forward to your comments either here or on the video itself.

Hoping to be able to announce the official relaunch very soon.

I couldn’t keep doing this without your continued support.

When I have those occasional down days I always think about disappointing you and I keep moving forward.

Thanks and take care out there, Max

Music and motivation doing whatever it takes

Hello again;

I know it’s been a while since I posted the last video in my music and motivation series.

Especially after my video Asking for help was so well received.

I still hope to someday perform these songs, tell these stories, and share these life lessons in person.

Why Haven’t I done It Yet?

The honest answer is I’m scared.

I know most of you think of me as a natural speaker.

You see me as someone who is fearless and who always just does the next thing in front of him no matter how scary it might be for others.

And most of the time that is true.

It’s true because I focus in on the task at hand. As my good friend Amy Star-Allen says I’m on mission.

That plus I have learned the big lesson over the years that every experience has value and is meant to be savored.

Even a horrible disaster can be fuel for bigger accomplishment in the future by forcing you to take a hard look at yourself.

And as a blogger and podcaster failures can make great content. Especially if you have a record of bouncing back from setbacks.

But this whole idea of singing and talking in person shakes me all the way down to my boots if I actually owned a pair of boots.

When losing the boat doesn’t ruin a fishing trip

Hello again;

I thought today I would share a story of a time when me and the people around me had every reason to be disappointed even depressed but we found a way to have a good time anyway by finding the positives.

In fact this story is referred to in my first book Leading You Out of the Darkness Into the Light

Which you can find out more about and even purchase at the link above.

Love Of Scouting

Some of the happiest times for me during my high school years were spent in scouting.

I came to the scouts kind of late in life, but I was fortunate that at that time Houston had a troop of all blind and visually impaired scouts.

Troop 962 the eagle patrol.

It was great being with other boys and doing things all kids like to do in spite of our various levels of vision loss.

When together at a meeting or on a camp out we were all just boys. Something that doesn’t or didn’t happen a lot.

Bell Telephone Pioneers

Their primary sponsor was the bell telephone pioneers. These wonderful people would raise money to buy equipment and supplies and volunteer at outings.

They also did things like take blind people to the circus, the zoo, or the Ice-Capades.

Their outings were always inter active with lots of chances to touch things.

This is about the annual fishing trip they used to have for our scout troop.

It was my first year taking part, and I was nervous for a lot of reasons.

Nervous About Going Fishing

First, I hadn’t ben fishing in a boat before. Second, I was not a good swimmer yet. And yes we all had life vests. Also, I was the new guy.

I don’t remember the two gentleman who fished with us, but that day I met scott pate who would become one of my best friends for the next five years.

Things Started So Well

So we are in the boat trolling for fish. I’ve eaten a bag of chips and had a cold pepsi cola.

Trolling means you drag the line behind you as the boat goes in big circles.

The day was going well. We had caught a few fish. We thought we might even win a trophy for catching the most fish.

It Happened

Then the boat started taking on water.

Neither of the owners knew what was happening at first. They moved towards the shore wanting to be in as shallow a water as possible.

They did a great job of keeping us calm.

Eventually the water was up to near the top of the inside of the boat.

We were helped out of it and wading ashore. Got my shoes covered with mud getting up on the bank.

We were safe but our day was done or so we thought.

First, we found out that the boat took on water because the boat used a twin hull design and the plugs between the two pieces that kept the water out came loose and let it in.

The weight pulled the boat lower and lower. At least I think that is what happened.

Through my friend’s eyes, Frederic Bye

Hello again;

A year or so ago I was feeling down, and my friend and online media client Adriana Gavazzoni told me something that made me feel better.

Adriana’s Predictions

She said Max, someday soon we are going to be rich and famous best-selling authors.

She said we are going to have our books made into movies, and we are going to rock the red carpets.

She said we are going to inspire, motivate, and entertain the world.

And she said when that happens we are going to write a book called The Blind Blogger and The Brazilian Lawyer, How Two Friends Conquered the World.

I told her I loved the idea, but why wait until someday.

If you know anything about me at all, you know I’m one of those people who would rather take action to make something happen now as opposed to waiting for tomorrow, next week, next month, or that mythical time known as someday.

I suggested to Adriana that we start writing a book now that would share people’s stories of their experiences with me The Blind Blogger.

They could relate stories about me, and share things they learned by being exposed to me.

Denise Gives The Book A Name

Well, Adriana loved the idea, but most other people thought it was a loser.

They wondered what would be the point to the book. They asked me what problem would it solve or what pain would it relieve.

I kind of shelved the idea for a while. But then last winter I was talking with my new business Coach, Denise Thompson.

I told her about the idea. She not only liked it, but she had a name for it and a reason for it.

She said we will call it through my friend’s eyes.

Then she said the people who agree to share their stories about and lessons learned from Max Ivey The Blind Blogger will have the opportunity to be promoted along with the book.

She suggested interviews on my podcast featuring the book’s contributors.

She said we could come up with a marketing plan that would include things like articles in the Global Voice Magazine and a social media campaign.

But life got in the way. I was talking with Denise again this week, and she reminded me of this book idea along with another one for a series of collaborative books titled What’s Your Excuse?

And that got me moving.

I remembered that my friend and former radio show co-host Frederic Bye had graciously sent me his submission for the book.

I feel bad that I haven’t posted his thoughts before now. I consider Fred one of my best friends, and this isn’t the way a friend treats his friends.

So, today you get to read an excerpt from his submission to the Through My Friend’s Eyes Book.

I am not going to post his entire letter. I want to save some of it for the book.

Being a Podcast Guest is just the beginning Joe Pardo

Hello again;

People often ask me why I do so many interviews.

I tell them there are many good reasons.

They are a way for me to reach lots of people without having to leave my house.

I get to have interesting conversations with amazing people.

They energize me in a way that sending emails and writing social media posts just don’t do.

But the main reason is that by appearing on a podcast or radio show I am taking the first step in making a new friend and building a new relationship.

Relationships Equal Opportunities

Once you have appeared on a podcast, the host is more likely to remember you if he knows another podcaster seeking a similar guest.

If they have a second project like a book collaboration, virtual summit, conference, affiliate marketing opportunity, etc; they are likely to remember you and ask you first.

And if at some point you have a project you need help with, they are far more likely to want to help you.

Grow The Relationship

You have to nurture the relationship.

You do this by finding ways to help them.

This can include sharing their content, leaving comments on their show or blog, and sending them an occasional email.

You have to have the mindset that you want to help each other not sell to each other

But spending 30 minutes to two hours with someone talking about your life story, your business, your beliefs, and your experiences is a great way to start.

I firmly believe that continuing to be interviewed on podcasts and radio shows is a key reason for the success of my brand. And it’s something I don’t ever plan to stop doing.

So, I’m going to occasionally share posts like this where I take you through the process from initial show appearance to the most recent reward to come from one of these relationships.

Hoping it will convince you to see the value of podcast and radio show interviews as a key part of your marketing plan.

And perhaps once you make that decision you will decide to hire me to be your guide to using these interviews to effectively tell your own story and build your own business.

It wasn’t easy deciding who to feature in this first post. I’ve been so blessed to meet so many amazing people and have them become part of my online family and as a result become part of my story.

Joe Pardo AKA Super Joe

I decided to talk about my good friend Joe Pardo aka Super Joe because the video of my speaking at his MAPCON, Mid-Atlantic Podcasters Conference, just went live.

In the summer of 2015I reached out to Joe because he was having a conference for podcasters. I had hoped to attend either as a guest or a speaker, but the timing wasn’t right.

We did have a nice talk, and I felt an instant liking for him.

Joe liked what I was doing, and he decided to invite me on his show The Dreamers Podcast.

I think we recorded the interview in December of 2015, and the show went live on January 12, 2016.

You can listen to our talk here.

Speaking At Dreamcon

Since I had been a guest on his Dreamers Podcast, I was one of the people he reached out to when deciding to ad a second conference to the event planning part of his business.

At least I remember it that way.

My friend Adrienne Smith shows off her If You Don’t Ask shirt

Hello again;

Today is an exciting occasion for my What’s Your Excuse? brand.

People are starting to buy my shirts!

The above photo is my friend and blogging mentor Adrienne Smith.

She is wearing the long sleeve version of my if you don’t ask they can’t say yes shirt.

As she put it on face book who wouldn’t want to get a great shirt and support an amazing man like Max at the same time.

If you want your own shirt to inspire yourself, motivate your friends, and support The Blind Blogger;

Please visit my Neato Shop Artist page.

There are also shirts with the same logo image that say What’s your Excuse?

Both are available in standard t-shirts, sweatshirts, long sleeve t’s, zippered hoodies, baseball shirts, dog shirts, tank tops, and even messenger bags.

I will be adding more sayings in the future. I am also hoping to offer travel mugs, water bottles, and shaker cups in the near future.

I hope you will check out the shirts.

And I would really appreciate your sharing this link with your friends, family, coworkers, and social media networks.

Thanks for your continued love and support.

Take care out there my friends, Max

#TheBlindBlogger shares #ModernMeditation

Hello again;

When I wrote It’s Not the Cookie It’s the Bag, my hope was to help lots of people become healthier by sharing what I learned before, during, and after having successful gastric surgery.

However, people can only learn from your experiences if they know about them, read your books, and learn from what they read.

I fear that I haven’t done enough to persuade people about the value of this book.

Even though there was an excerpt of the chapter on why affirmations don’t work on Alex Okoroji’s site.

So, I thought I’d share another excerpt with you and help you during this really stressful time of year. I’m going to share one of my personal favorites the chapter on what I call Modern Meditation.

If after reading this, you are ready to buy the book, then here is the link.

Modern Meditation

Do you meditate?

Have you considered adding this practice to your daily routine?

Have you ever tried to meditate but found it difficult to add it to your daily routine, and make it a regular practice?

I ask because there are definite health benefits to using meditation. Personally, I believe it works, and have used it myself.

However, I have a broader definition of what meditation is and how it can be practiced.

When you think of meditation, you probably think of a ritualized process with a lot of rules. You might have read internet articles or books to find out the proper means of meditation and the ideal length of time a person should meditate to receive the health benefits.

To me, the whole point of meditation is to focus. The idea is to find something to center your mind on so that you can block out everything else.

I also believe that listening to your body and focusing on your breathing are key parts of successful meditation. You don’t have to have be in a specific room or chant meaningless words to focus your mind and spirit. The idea of picturing yourself in a calm place might not work for you, but that is okay.

The thing about meditation is that you can find a lot of opportunities and locations for your thoughtful reflection and concentration practices, and incorporate them into your day.

Here are some examples from my own life.

Pet Grooming

I have a dog named Penny. She believes that when she is itchy or in need of some petting, I must drop everything I’m doing and scratch her.

I used to get angry when this would happen. She often interrupted me while I was in the middle of something. There aren’t a lot of things I do well with just one hand. I couldn’t write a blog post, reply to my emails, and post on social media, etc., while I was petting her.

I finally decided to take advantage of these interruptions, and I now look forward to her breaking into my day.

For anywhere from five to thirty minutes, I scratch her back, rub her belly, and stroke her fur. I focus on the repetitive motions and the warmth of her body.

I think about the pleasure I am bringing her. I slow my thoughts and focus on my breathing. I get a sense of calmness and I relax for a short time.

If you have pets, then stop thinking of attending to them as chores and start seeing this as an opportunity to close off your mind and slow yourself down.

This could apply whether you are scratching a dog, stroking a cat, grooming a horse, etc.

I must mention here that in 2017 I lost my mindfulness partner Miss Penny. And you know I get less real work done without her.

Amy Bovaird interviewed on Ask Win

Hello again;

Some of you know that I’ve been working with a business coach to help me grow my passion into a financially sustainable business.

One of the things that my coach Denise Joy Thompson has been encouraging me to do is to share the interviews of my clients as a way of proving my ability as an online media connecter.

So today, I want to share the latest podcast appearance from my newest client Amy Bovaird.

She appeared on a show called Ask Win hosted by Win Charles.

Amy has a strong story of learning to adapt to and then thrive in her life as a blind person.

Her and Win talk about writing and publishing.

She talks about navigating her home, her neighborhood, and the world at large.

And most importantly she talks about expecting vision loss but the how she has felt with not knowing when she would lose her vision or how much of it she would lose.

I think you will be inspired and uplifted by hearing from Amy.

You can check out her interview at the link below.

Bonus Interview

Prior to connecting Amy and Win I also appeared on her show.

We talked about the problems and frustrations of being a blind person working online.

We talked about technology I use to create my blog, podcast, and books.

And I shared my beliefs about the importance of asking for help and accepting help when offered.

You can hear my turn with Win at the link below.

About Ask Win

Ask Win is about celebrating life with people from different walks of life. We take a look into daily life issues, books and how we mold our creative freedom with independent artist and authors.

We use the model of kindness to others in honor of SIPPP! (Students of the Integrated Peace Performance Project).

We help those who can’t help themselves, in honor of Variety International Children’s Charities.

Connect With Win

Website: http://askwin.weebly.com

Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wins-women-of-wisdom/id1060801905

Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/ButterfliesofWisdom

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WinKellyCharles

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGN0mfJdlpKG8IdJTBjKTow

Please Share

I always tell people that the best way to say thank you to the host of a podcast, radio show, or other online opportunity is to help put buts in the seats and faces behind the screens.

I want as many people as possible to hear our interviews. They are both inspiring and uplifting in different way.

I also want to see Win continue to grow her show into the powerful force for positive encouragement in people’s lives. To do that I need you to go listen, review, and share her show with the world.

I really appreciate your help. I couldn’t keep doing this without you.

Until next time thanks, God bless you and take care out there, Max

What’s Your Excuse? with guest Tammy Moses

Hello again;

I’m so happy to have finally recovered from that nasty cold I caught while speaking in New York City, so that I can get back to recording my show What’s Your Excuse?

And for my first guest back I’m blessed to have Tammy Moses with me.

She is an expert on hoarders and hoarding.

We had a wide ranging conversation once we got past a miner technical glitch. I lost my internet signal for a couple of minutes about 11 minutes into the show.

But Tammy stayed with me, and we were having such a good time; that the show runs a bit long. It’s 1 hour 20 minutes in all.