Episodes

  • How Impact Founders Stay True to Mission While Scaling | Ep.57

    How Impact Founders Stay True to Mission While Scaling | Ep.57
    Apr 17 2026

    What does it take to grow a company without losing the mission that inspired it in the first place?

    In this episode of Productive Passions, Christy Tagye talks with Sean Knierim, Founder and Partner at SidePorch, about the real challenges founders face when building impact-driven businesses. From investor alignment and mission drift to values-based leadership and scaling under pressure, this conversation offers practical insights for entrepreneurs building lasting value and meaningful impact.

    If you are building a business in sustainability, impact, or any mission-driven space, this episode will help you think more clearly about how to grow without compromising your values, your vision, or your reason for starting.

    In this episode, you’ll hear about:

    1. How mission drift really begins Why founders rarely lose their way all at once, and how compromise often starts subtly.
    2. Growing without losing your why Why scaling a company requires protecting the values and ethos that gave it purpose.
    3. What impact investors are really looking for How founders can think beyond the pitch and better understand what matters to mission-aligned investors.
    4. Why investor alignment matters as much as capital How the wrong money can create pressure that pulls a company away from its original purpose.
    5. Staying principled under growth pressure What it looks like to make decisions that reflect your values when resources are tight and the stakes are high.
    6. Leading when there is no clear playbook Why strong founder leadership often means making thoughtful decisions in uncertainty.
    7. Balancing business performance and real-world impact How founders can build companies that pursue both commercial success and meaningful outcomes.
    8. Navigating messy real-world tradeoffs Why impact-driven founders must often make hard choices without simple answers.
    9. Building with clarity in complex environments How leaders can stay grounded when the market, the mission, and the moment all demand something different.
    10. Protecting integrity while scaling influence Why long-term trust is built when founders stay anchored in what they stand for.
    11. What founders should know before raising capital How to think about timing, fit, expectations, and the questions worth asking before taking outside investment.
    12. Why values are a leadership practice Why mission is not just what a founder says, but how they lead, decide, hire, and grow.

    If this episode speaks to where you are in your founder journey, follow Productive Passions on your favorite podcast platform, leave a review, and share this episode with another founder building something meaningful.

    Find Sean & Side Porch:

    LinkedIn: Sean Knierim

    SidePorch website: SidePorch

    Sean's substack: Shared Ground

    Find Christy & Productive Passions:

    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christytagye

    Email: christy@productivepassions.com

    Productive Passions

    website: www.productivepassions.com

    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/productive-passions/

    TikTok: tiktok.com/@productivepassions

    Instagram: instagram.com/productivepassions

    Facebook: facebook.com/productivepassions/
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    43 mins
  • What’s Happening in the Middle East Right Now? Understanding the Strait of Hormuz and Global Impact | Ep.56

    What’s Happening in the Middle East Right Now? Understanding the Strait of Hormuz and Global Impact | Ep.56
    Apr 8 2026

    In this special edition of Productive Passions, we break down one of the most urgent global issues impacting everyday life: the escalating Middle East crisis and the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz.

    Joined by international law and maritime security expert Dr. Ian Ralby, this episode answers the questions many are asking right now:

    • What is happening in the Middle East?
    • Why is the Strait of Hormuz so important?
    • How does this affect gas prices, supply chains, and the global economy?
    • What could happen next?

    The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, with a significant portion of global oil and gas supply passing through it. When disruptions occur, the impact is felt worldwide, from rising fuel costs to increased prices on everyday goods.

    “90% of everything we use is transported by sea.”

    This conversation goes beyond headlines to explore:

    • The real drivers behind the current conflict
    • The difference between global supply issues and price increases
    • The unintended consequences of geopolitical decisions
    • How shifting alliances are reshaping the global economy

    Whether you’re trying to understand rising costs, global instability, or the bigger picture behind today’s headlines, this episode provides clarity in a complex moment.
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    43 mins
  • Leadership, Risk, and Long-Term Thinking: Lessons from Global Security | Dr. Ian Ralby | Ep. 55

    Leadership, Risk, and Long-Term Thinking: Lessons from Global Security | Dr. Ian Ralby | Ep. 55
    Apr 3 2026

    What if the biggest risks shaping your business, and the world, are the ones no one is paying attention to?

    In this episode of Productive Passions, Dr. Ian Ralby, global maritime security expert and international lawyer, shares powerful insights on leadership, unintended consequences, global systems, and long-term thinking. Drawing from work across more than 100 countries, he breaks down how overlooked systems, from global trade to security, quietly impact our daily lives and decision-making.

    This conversation goes far beyond maritime security. It’s about how leaders think, how systems fail, and what it takes to build something meaningful in a complex, interconnected world.

    Today’s Takeaways
    1. The biggest risks are often the ones you don’t see We tend to focus on what’s directly in front of us, but the systems we overlook often have the greatest impact. Strong leaders learn to identify blind spots before they become problems.
    2. High reward and low oversight always attract bad actors Whether in global trade or business, gaps in systems create opportunity, for both innovation and exploitation. What you ignore doesn’t stay neutral.
    3. One decision can create massive ripple effects From global supply chains to company strategy, a single action can have far-reaching consequences. Founders must think beyond the immediate outcome.
    4. Short-term thinking creates long-term problems Many decisions are made for immediate benefit without considering second- and third-order effects. Sustainable success requires long-term vision.
    5. Good intentions are not enough without understanding Leaders often act from the right place but without full awareness of the systems they’re impacting. Insight and depth matter as much as intention.
    6. Real innovation often starts where systems break down When existing structures fail, builders step in. The founder journey often begins with seeing what isn’t working and deciding to create something better.
    7. Hardship can be a catalyst for meaningful change Some of the most powerful breakthroughs come from the most difficult moments. Resilience and creativity often emerge from challenge.
    8. Character is built through discomfort, not convenience Growth doesn’t come from avoiding difficulty. It comes from facing it, learning from it, and becoming stronger because of it.
    9. Empathy is a strategic advantage Understanding different perspectives leads to better decisions, stronger leadership, and more effective problem-solving.
    10. Isolation is weakening how we think and connect As we become more disconnected from each other, we lose the ability to see shared humanity, and make better collective decisions.
    11. Leadership requires thinking beyond the moment The best leaders aren’t just reacting, they’re anticipating. They think not only about today, but about what their decisions create tomorrow.
    12. Pause and give love a chance At the core of everything - leadership, business, and life - is how we show up. Choosing empathy, connection, and humanity changes outcomes more than we realize.
    🎧 Why This Episode Matters

    This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t just about action, it’s about awareness. For founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders, the ability to think long-term, understand systems, and lead with both clarity and empathy is what separates short-term success from lasting impact.

    Find Ian:

    Website: www.auxworldwide.com

    Email: imralby@auxworldwide.com

    LinkedIn: Ian Ralby

    Find Christy & Productive Passions:

    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christytagye

    Email: christy@productivepassions.com

    Productive Passions

    website: https://www.productivepassions.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/productive-passions/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@productivepassions

    Instagram: instagram.com/productivepassions

    Facebook: facebook.com/productivepassions/
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    53 mins
  • What Every Founder Learns the Hard Way About Building a Business | Drew Pedrick | Ep. 54

    What Every Founder Learns the Hard Way About Building a Business | Drew Pedrick | Ep. 54
    Mar 20 2026

    What does it really take to build a business that lasts?

    In this episode of Productive Passions, Christy Tagye talks with architect and founder Andrew Pedrick about the hard-earned lessons founders learn while building something meaningful, sustainable, and resilient. From relationships and leadership to systems, profit, and purpose, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs in any industry.

    If you’re starting a business, growing one, or rebuilding after a challenge, this episode offers grounded insight on how to lead with clarity, create lasting value, and build a company that can stand the test of time.

    In this episode, you’ll hear about:

    1. Building the better way before you know every step Why conviction often comes before clarity, and why movement creates momentum.

    2. Learning both the craft and the business Why being great at the work is not the same as building a healthy company.

    3. How structure creates freedom Why systems, processes, and playbooks protect creativity instead of limiting it.

    4. Why profit first matters How putting profit first supports your mission, your team, and your long-term impact.

    5. Why relationships beat transactions How people-first networks create trust, referrals, opportunity, and resilience over time.

    6. Choosing alignment over revenue Why saying no to the wrong-fit client can be one of the healthiest business decisions you make.

    7. Addressing hard problems early Why avoiding difficult conversations only increases the cost later.

    8. Leading with transparency, humility, and trust How honest communication strengthens teams during uncertainty and change.

    9. Defining expectations before things get hard Why setting the tone for conflict, feedback, and transitions early can protect relationships later.

    10. Adapting the work without abandoning the relationship How redesigning an engagement can preserve trust and still help everyone win.

    11. Keeping passion focused on impact, not ego Why purpose-driven founders make stronger decisions under pressure.

    12. Staying grounded when founder fear sets in Why support systems, mentors, and purpose matter when doubt shows up.

    13. Owning your unique approach Why no one else can replicate your perspective, experience, or way of doing the work.

    14. Building for durability and reuse Why longevity matters in both business and design.

    15. Treating resilience like a business capability How systems and infrastructure help a company survive unexpected disruption.

    If this episode speaks to where you are in your founder journey, follow Productive Passions on your favorite podcast platform, leave a review, and share this episode with another entrepreneur who’s building something of their own.

    Find Drew & MCTIGUE:

    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drew-pedrick

    MCTIGUE’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mctigue/

    Website: mctiguearchitects.com/

    Find Christy & Productive Passions:

    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christytagye

    Email: christy@productivepassions.com

    Productive Passions

    website: https://www.productivepassions.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/productive-passions/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@productivepassions

    Instagram: instagram.com/productivepassions

    Facebook: facebook.com/productivepassions/
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    59 mins
  • Purpose-Driven Business: Project Maji’s Founder Playbook for Building Sustainable Systems That Last | Ep. 53

    Purpose-Driven Business: Project Maji’s Founder Playbook for Building Sustainable Systems That Last | Ep. 53
    Mar 6 2026
    Purpose-driven businesses don’t fail because the mission is wrong, they fail because the system can’t survive real life. In this episode of Productive Passions, Christy Tagye sits down with Sunil Lalvani, founder of Project Maji, a water social enterprise bringing sustainable clean water access to communities across Africa. Sunil shares how a single moment in Ghana, watching children drink from a muddy puddle, sparked a decade-long mission to solve the clean water crisis in a way that lasts. Instead of focusing on short-term fixes like hand pumps that often break and get abandoned, Project Maji built an operations-first model: solar-powered water kiosks designed for durability, monitoring, and long-term maintenance. You’ll hear what most people misunderstand about impact work, why installation is only step one, and how Project Maji scaled from serving 1,000 people to 480,000 people, while carrying the responsibility of keeping water flowing every day for the communities who now depend on it. This conversation is for founders, builders, and impact-driven leaders who want to create something meaningful without sacrificing sustainability, accountability, or scale. Today’s Takeaways: Start with a real-world moment, not a theory. Project Maji began when Sunil saw kids drinking from a puddle - an undeniable problem that made the mission personal and urgent. The breakthrough wasn’t the solution, it was the failure. A broken hand pump revealed the real issue: sustainability and maintenance, not access alone. Measure what matters, not what looks good. Many organizations track “how many installed.” Project Maji is built around “how many still work.” Operations is the product. Project Maji treats installation as step one; long-term maintenance is the real promise. Build incentives into the system. Caretakers are paid through usage, and communities contribute through a maintenance-based pricing model. Design for reliability where failure is expensive. In remote villages, breakdowns aren’t inconveniences, they’re life disruptions. Use data to stay accountable. Monitoring, usage tracking, and token-based payments help Project Maji detect issues fast and respond before systems fail. Scaling impact means protecting what already works. Serving 480,000 people created a new founder burden: growth can’t risk the lives already depending on the solution. This episode explores purpose-driven business, social enterprise, clean water infrastructure in Africa, sustainable systems, and founder lessons on scaling impact without sacrificing reliability. Find Sunil & Project Maji Project Maji – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectmaji?igsh=aWxzaWdnNXpmcmJ6&utm_source=qr Project Maji – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-maji Sunil Lalvani – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunils_world?igsh=MTd2ZjVkOHRlZjBiZw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Sunil Lalvani – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunillalvani Unboxing Impact: https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxingImpact Find Christy & Productive Passions Christy - LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christytagye Email: christy@productivepassions.com Productive Passions - LinkedIn: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/productive-passions TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@productivepassions Instagram: instagram.com/productivepassions Facebook: facebook.com/productivepassions If this episode inspired you, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone ready to lead with gratitude and purpose. Productive Passions - Helping you turn passion into purpose with Christy Tagye.
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    52 mins
  • Man of Iron: How Robert Norris Is Redefining What’s Possible | Ep. 52

    Man of Iron: How Robert Norris Is Redefining What’s Possible | Ep. 52
    Feb 20 2026
    Mindset is often the foundation of leadership, growth, and what we believe is possible. In this episode, Christy Tagye sits down with Robert Norris, also known as Man of Iron, to explore how discipline, consistency, and joy can redefine limits. As a Guinness World Record holder and the first person with Down syndrome to complete a full Ironman triathlon unguided, Robert reminds us that belief, commitment, and small daily actions can compound into extraordinary outcomes. Today's Takeaways Big outcomes are built one step at a time: No founder wakes up with a scalable company, loyal customers, or global impact. Like endurance training, progress happens through small, repeatable actions done daily: calls, drafts, experiments, and decisions that compound over time.When you show what’s possible, others begin to believe: Robert’s mission isn’t about personal accolades, it’s about visibility. Founders lead the same way. When you model resilience, integrity, and forward motion, you give your team, customers, and community permission to believe in the vision.You don’t need the whole roadmap, just the next repeatable process: Athletes train. Founders build systems. Success comes from routines that can be repeated under pressure: shipping consistently, listening to customers, reviewing metrics, and improving one iteration at a time.Fear often shows up right before growth: Running on a glacier is intimidating. So is launching, pivoting, raising capital, or being the first of your kind in an industry. Fear isn’t a sign to stop, it’s often confirmation that you’re stretching into something meaningful.“Unguided” seasons shape leaders: Completing an Ironman unaided mirrors entrepreneurship perfectly. There are seasons where no one can tell you what to do next. These moments don’t mean you’re failing, they mean you’re creating something original.Consistency outperforms intensity in long builds: Founders burn out when everything is an emergency. Sustainable growth comes from steady execution, realistic pacing, and habits that hold even when life and business get messy.Your mindset becomes your company’s culture: Joy, optimism, and belief are not accidental, they are leadership choices. Just as Robert’s positivity is contagious, a founder’s energy sets the emotional tone for the entire organization.Recovery is part of performance: In endurance sports, recovery enables strength. In business, rest protects decision-making. Sleep, boundaries, and mental space aren’t indulgences, they’re strategic advantages.Strong teams are built on complementary strengths: Man of Iron works because each person brings something different. Founders scale faster when they stop trying to do everything themselves and start building teams, advisors, and communities that fill the gaps.Big dreams don’t require permission, only commitment: You don’t need to feel ready. You need to decide. Growth begins the moment you commit publicly, take responsibility for the outcome, and keep moving when it gets uncomfortable. Find Robert Norris YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GETFITWIthRobert-21 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertnorrismanofiron/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.norris.manofiron/ Website: https://www.robertnorrismanofiron.com Stay Connected with Productive Passions Website: https://www.productivepassions.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5sVM0bWVyyPfoq63jA2th7 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productive-passions/id1722526123 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ad852885-1fd6-4fb5-8e09-702be230d5b3/productive-passions iHeartRadio:https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-productive-passions-158963722/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ProductivePassions Social Links Facebook: facebook.com/productivepassions TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@productivepassions Instagram: instagram.com/productivepassions LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/productive-passions Christy’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christytagye Email: christy@productivepassions.com If this episode inspired you, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone ready to lead with gratitude and purpose. Productive Passions — Helping you turn passion into purpose with Christy Tagye.
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    20 mins
  • Recentered: Staying Grounded When New Year Motivation Fades: Practical tools for mindfulness, emotional regulation, and intentional living beyond resolutions | Ep. 51

    Recentered: Staying Grounded When New Year Motivation Fades: Practical tools for mindfulness, emotional regulation, and intentional living beyond resolutions | Ep. 51
    Feb 6 2026
    When New Year motivation fades, staying grounded becomes the real work. In this episode, Amit and I explore mindfulness, emotional regulation, and intentional living as tools for sustainable personal growth beyond resolutions and willpower. Today's Takeaways 1) Make 2026 “the year of you” not as selfishness, but as leadership. Personal growth isn’t self-centered; it’s foundational. Amit reframes self-development as responsibility: when you work on your mindset, emotional health, and self-awareness, you naturally show up as a stronger partner, parent, leader, and friend. 2) Create a “blueprint of life” to break unhelpful patterns. Most people set New Year intentions, then drift back into old habits. Amit suggests mapping what truly matters, your values, priorities, and energy drains so your personal growth doesn’t get overridden by autopilot living. 3) Your mind prioritizes comfort over growth even when comfort costs peace. The mind avoids discomfort by rationalizing delays (“I’m too busy,” “now’s not the time”). Amit emphasizes mindful awareness as the skill that helps you recognize when avoidance is masquerading as responsibility. 4) Emotional triggers are data, not verdicts. When someone “triggers” you, it often reveals unresolved emotions rather than wrongdoing. Amit explains that self-reflection—asking what was activated in me? turns conflict into emotional intelligence training. 5) You don’t see people as they are you see them through conditioned perception. Past experiences color present interactions. Amit reminds us that awareness helps separate reality from emotional projection, improving relationships and reducing reactive behavior. 6) The highest-impact habit: 5–10 minutes of daily self-connection. A short daily mindfulness practice—walking, sitting quietly, or checking in emotionally creates clarity, emotional regulation, and consistency far more effectively than dramatic life overhauls. 7) Improve relationships by improving yourself first. Instead of trying to change your partner, Amit advocates inner work: when you bring emotional stability, confidence, and self-love into a relationship, the dynamic often improves without force. 8) Stop seeking permission to grow. Lifestyle changes (health, boundaries, sobriety, reflection) can threaten others who are attached to old versions of you. Amit’s guidance: communicate clearly, but don’t abandon personal growth to keep others comfortable. 9) Replace “walking on eggshells” with real connection in close relationships. Communication often breaks down most with the people closest to us. Amit suggests rebuilding relationships through genuine curiosity asking “How was your day?” and truly listening to what’s being said, without distraction or defensiveness. 10) Intentional questions deepen connection instantly. When questions are asked out of habit, answers stay shallow. When asked with presence, they invite emotional honesty. This shift strengthens trust, empathy, and authentic communication. 11) Practice the 80/20 rule: listen 80%, speak 20%. Deep listening creates emotional safety and space for insight. Silence isn’t awkward, it’s where clarity, understanding, and peace often emerge. 12) Discomfort in silence signals growth, not danger. Avoiding stillness often means avoiding truth. Amit compares inner awareness to a warning signal—not punishment, but guidance toward healing and alignment. 13) Approach self-awareness playfully, not critically. Treat reflection like exploration rather than self-judgment. When personal growth feels engaging instead of heavy, consistency and insight come naturally. 14) A mantra for emotional regulation: “Think and act do not react.” Reaction is automatic; intentional action is conscious. Repeating this principle builds mindfulness, resilience, and better decision-making in daily life. 15) Balance self-focus with selfless action. Helping others without agenda reframes perspective, reduces emotional isolation, and reconnects you to purpose. Service strengthens empathy and restores gratitude. When you slow down, listen inward, and live with intention, you stop reacting to life and start consciously shaping it. Which takeaway stood out most for you, and what’s one small action you can take this week to live it? Subscribe / Follow If this episode felt like it was meant for you, it was! Follow the show so you don't miss future conversations.Share Know someone who's feeling disconnected or overwhelmed? Share this episode with them. EngageI'd love to hear which takeaway was most impactful for you. Send me a message or tag me on social. Find Amit LinkedIn: / amitsidhpura City Monk: https://www.citymonk.org/ Find Christy LinkedIn: / christytagye Website: https://www.productivepassions.com Instagram: / productivepassions #Mindfulness #MindfulLiving #EmotionalIntelligence #PersonalGrowth #SelfAwareness #EmotionalRegulation #...
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    46 mins
  • How Opportunity Becomes the Breakthrough: Non-Dilutive Funding and Climate Innovation | Ep. 50

    How Opportunity Becomes the Breakthrough: Non-Dilutive Funding and Climate Innovation | Ep. 50
    Jan 23 2026

    Entrepreneurship often rewards access before capital. In this episode, Christy Tagye sits down with Aaron Fitzgerald, Co-Founder and CEO of Mars Materials, to explore how non-dilutive funding, opportunity-driven thinking, and integrity can reshape what is possible in climate innovation and beyond. This conversation unpacks how mindset, mentorship, and building for real-world adoption create pathways to scale meaningful work without sacrificing purpose.

    Today's Takeaways
    1. Use non-dilutive funding to extend runway: Pursue grants, fellowships, pilots, and government programs to scale without sacrificing as much equity and governance.
    2. Build for “drop-in” adoption: Design products that fit existing supply chains so customers can adopt with minimal operational disruption.
    3. Define your market clearly when you’re “premium innovation”: Position your offering as its own category (ex: low-carbon vs. fossil) and sell to buyers who value verification and outcomes.
    4. Treat opportunity like a skill: Seek legitimate doors that lead to more doors—then take the next step, even if it’s small.
    5. Don’t numb the hard parts—feel them: Emotional processing is part of growth; avoiding it slows progress and confidence.
    6. Choose your battles wisely: Effort is required at every level—direct your energy toward what compounds over time.
    7. Mentor with honesty + support: Truth without tools discourages; truth paired with resources transforms.
    8. Create “firsts” for others: Exposure, introductions, and access can become identity-changing opportunities.
    Find Aaron Fitzgerald

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fitzgeraldaaron/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitzgerald_aaron/ Instagram Mars Materials: https://www.instagram.com/marsmaterialspbc/ Website: https://www.marsmaterials.tech/ Email: aaron@marsmaterials.tech

    Stay Connected with Productive Passions

    Website: https://www.productivepassions.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5sVM0bWVyyPfoq63jA2th7 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productive-passions/id1722526123 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ad852885-1fd6-4fb5-8e09-702be230d5b3/productive-passions iHeartRadio:https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-productive-passions-158963722/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ProductivePassions

    Social Links

    Facebook: https://facebook.com/productivepassions TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@productivepassions Instagram: https://instagram.com/productivepassions LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/productive-passions Christy’s LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/christytagye Email: christy@productivepassions.com

    If this episode inspired you, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone ready to lead with gratitude and purpose.

    Productive Passions — Helping you turn passion into purpose with Christy Tagye.
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    50 mins