#showup2020 with john neral by John Neral

What’s been your biggest lesson learned from 2020?

I met AliceAnne Loftus during coach training at iPEC and immediately appreciated her energy and drive. She’s a successful business owner and entrepreneur who helps women lean in to their authenticity and unlock the leader they were born to be.

I asked my editor, Rich Lucey, to be a guest on my podcast because after all that 2020 has given us, many people are considering writing a book, and you will need an editor. As an editor, Rich didn’t just catch the grammatical mistakes. He read my book for content and clarity as well. With twenty five-star reviews on Amazon, I would say we did a good job.

Recently, my friend and coach bestie, Natalie Siston, became a #1 Best Selling Author on Amazon with her new book, “Let Her Out.” I invited her on the podcast because what Natalie has accomplished this year is a tremendous inspiration for showing up in 2020.

If you think you can’t find a job this late in the year, let alone in this pandemic, you are wrong.

With Thanksgiving just a couple of days away, it’s understandable we may not be feeling as grateful as we have in previous years.

As a huge game show fan, watching Jeopardy! each night is appointment television in my house. And while Alex Trebek is not the original host of Jeopardy!, he certainly left an indelible mark on the show and its legacy.

2020 has given us a lot of stories and it’s making us wonder what’s next for our careers and our lives. Perhaps, you’ve considered writing a book but aren’t sure how to start or even questioned if it is good enough?

Your game-changing moment is when you know, without question, that your life changed because of that event.

According to Christianna Silva for NPR, 1 in 4 households have experienced food insecurity this year.

Teachers go above and beyond in normal years, but in 2020, there are many examples of teachers and teacher leaders who are showing up in extraordinary ways for their students and communities.

Now that we are a few months into the school year, our nation continues to struggle with how to safely have students and staff return to school and find some semblance of normalcy amid this pandemic.

This episode directly connects with my previous conversation with Rhonda Sher. Given the great feedback and a few questions, I turn on the mic to share with you ten tips to help you #SHOWUP more energetically on LinkedIn to connect with other professionals and grow your networking intentionally.

With a record number of people unemployed, LinkedIn is THE place to connect with fellow professionals, network, and apply for jobs.

So many professionals look good on paper, but inside, they are miserable – feeling unfulfilled, unsatisfied, and unhappy about what they are doing and who they are as a professional. They know they are capable of more.

Leaders are called to serve their teams and organizations. But leading authentically and with vulnerability isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of connection, competence, and confidence.

Promo trailer for my conversation with Jessi Shuraleff - Head of Industry at Google and the Host of “This Is My Truth” Podcast.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court said the language of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination, applied to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, thus protecting the employment rights of all LGBTQ+ professionals.

The entertainment industry has experienced one of the biggest hits due to COVID-19. As an avid theatre lover, there is something magical about live performances. Our actors, dancers, musicians, and everyone working behind the scenes have experienced losing their jobs and not being able to do what they love. 

If you are a dancer, choreographer, actor, or entertainer, you are not going to want to miss my conversation with Stacy J.

Our careers have experienced some “setback” in 2020. Perhaps you have been furloughed or laid-off. Maybe you are still gainfully employed, but work is very different and possibly, even more stressful.

This week my guest is Liz Kuhlkin, the 2018 U. S. Women’s Bowling Open Champion. Listen to this promo and be ready for this week’s episode.

In the next few weeks, every school district will be welcoming students to begin the school year. While some have started already, we have seen some campuses reverse course and some school districts see an uptick in COVID cases, having some students and staff quarantine.

Our career paths are defined by those moments when we welcome a new opportunity and great things happen. When we know our value and how best we can serve, we #SHOWUP in ways that create fantastic opportunities.

Listen to the promo for my conversation with Ryan Miller, science teacher, meteorologist, and host of WJLA’s Outside the Classroom.

2020 is the year where you can land your dream job. While situations and circumstances have changed about how we network, connect, and interview, your hopes for that new job aren’t shattered. Many people have landed their dream jobs during a pandemic.

Promo for my conversation with Joslyn Bowling Dixon

Continuing my series on “Reopening Schools,” August is that time of year when college students are returning to campus and freshmen are nervous and ready to start their next chapter. However, it’s 2020 and things look a bit different. The usual excitement is now compounded with questions about whether students are returning to campus or their homes to begin this semester.

A short preview of my conversation with Dr. Aviva Legatt from Ivy insight.

Continuing my series on “Reopening Our Schools,” the national debate continues. While some districts have adopted a virtual return, there are some school districts, particularly in Georgia, where they see spikes in Coronavirus cases among students and staff. Still, Chicago Public Schools recently reversed course and are now beginning their school year, entirely online. 

Our country is in a national debate about whether or not to send kids back to the school building this fall. And while some districts have made their decisions, there must be teachers to teach those students. Before COVID-19, we were facing a national teacher shortage. As a result of COVID-19, the gap may widen dramatically. Nevertheless, for students and workers, the continuing question is “How do we return safely?”

Our medical professionals continue to work on the front lines when it comes to battling Coronavirus. Whether it’s testing or working in an ICU, our nurses and doctors are fighting tirelessly every day. They are the definition of what it means to #SHOWUP.

As an executive and career transition coach, I hear people say that “getting a job during COVID-19 is impossible.” While that speaks more to one’s mindset, there is also some validity that with high numbers of unemployment, getting a new job can be difficult. However, it’s not “impossible.” It depends on your industry, how you position yourself strategically, and how you #SHOWUP.

As businesses struggle with reopening plans, finding support during COVID-19 is about getting the necessary resources and information to survive and support their customers. Are you a small business owner wondering what your next steps will be and getting frustrated trying to sort through all of the information that’s out there? John talks with the Executive Director of the Central Fairfax (Virginia) Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer Rose. They discuss how COVID-19 shut down many local businesses, how she leveraged her time and energy – along with the support of her Chamber members – to find new ways to #SHOWUP, and what the future looks like for small businesses here in Northern Virginia as they execute their reopening plans.

Like MLS, the NBA and other franchises might be back at play soon—albeit under strict guidelines, in the midst of this global pandemic. Are you an avid sports fan, ready for the return of edge-of-your-seat matches and compelling athlete stories? John gets on the mic with CNN Sports and NBA-TV Editor, Sports Content Creator/Digital Storyteller, and Sports Podcaster, Nia Sapp. They discuss what a return to the field will look like for teams the rest of this tough year—and #ShowingUp in one’s career and life, even in a time of crisis.