Bybreen Samuels is in conversation with Shelly Coen. Shelly is a Freelance Community Manager living in the North West of Germany. After completing a Bachelors in English Literature, she went on to work as a kindergarten teacher in Vienna, Austria. She started learning Python, and later joined the Vienna Ruby community, Shelly completed the RailsGirls Summer of Code Programme in 2015. After this, she turned her focus to the people side of tech, working in community management and event organisation. In her free time, Shelly enjoys reading, baking, and going on adventure to other countries.Tune into this episode of The Smart Years to discover:Why she left Ireland on a whimShelly's family mantra that shaped her visionWhat she learnt about herself whilst living in Hungary Why she was intrigued by her husband's conversations about techHow Shelly taught herself to code and programmes you may followHow her work in retail, nannying and teaching prepared her for tech rolesWho Shelly needed to become to work remotelySome key lessons that you can apply to your lifeHow on reflection Shelly has self-validated her choicesWhat tech companies must do to deepen engagement with under-represented people.Quote of the Day - Karl Menninger"What a teacher is, is more than what she or he teaches."

Bybreen Samuels is in conversation with Xiaochen Zhang. Xiaochen is a firecracker who flew out of her mum's womb, carrying the fire in her belly, literally in her hand!Currently, Xiaochen works on global public policy at ByteDance, a leading Chinese tech company. It's a content platform that enables audiences to enjoy content, powered by artificial intelligence. Before ByteDance, Xiaochen was a Software Engineer and Creative Technologist at Google. And she says, 'Joining Google made me strong. Leaving Google made me stronger.'Xiaochen is also a Serial Entrepreneur and TedX Sydney Speaker.Tune into this episode of The Smart Years to discover:Why when Xiaochen was 7 years old, she embraced a moment of shame, to shape her character What the Chinese concept of Guanxi can teach you about contemporary business relationshipsHow and why she became stronger by leaving her Google careerThe importance of keeping abreast of technological developmentsHow you may be able to transition your non-technical background into the Internet of Things (IOT)What the Burning Man Festival taught Xiaochen about humanityWhy knowing the fundamentals of computer science is still relevant even if you teach yourself how to codeHow to utilise your knowledge and expertise to become a content creator to help build your brandThe key industry change that you must pay attention toWhy the size of your ambition will determine how far you advance into the tech world.Recommended Resource:BookThe Most Human Human’ - What Artificial Intelligence Teaches Us About Being Alive  -  Brian ChristianQuote of the Day - Anais Nin"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's couirage."

Bybreen Samuels is in conversation with Carla Schroder. Carla describes herself as, "A woman with many interests that needs multiple lifetimes to do what I want to do." In this lifetime she is a Technical Writer and Author of three books, namely; Linux Cookbook, Linux Networking Cookbook and the Book of Audacity. In addition to this, Carla has written hundreds of Linux, 'how to' articles. She currently works for a major Linux company, writing product manuals for enterprise cloud products.Tune into this episode of The Smart Years to discover:Why Carla left behind her 'phoney, people pleaser' lifestyleWho she observed to shave off this unattractive conditioningThe childhood attribute and behaviour she still fights off todayWhat she did to learn the meaning and power of the word, 'yes'A valuable life lesson that can resolve conflicts in healthy waysHow you can move into the world of becoming a technical writerThe implications of fake news / 'clickbait crapola' on the tech industryThe one main thing tech writers must give their readers via their contentThe range of jobs that are available beyond becoming a software engineerSome tech industry changes that have taken place over the last 20 yearsDo's and don'ts lessons that Carla has picked up along the way that may help youRecommended Resource:BookMy Life on the Road - Gloria SteInemQuote of the Day - Oprah Winfrey"The way I see it, every year can be a brand new journey. Think about it, you get one chance to be 25, 38, 44, 61 and every age before, in between and after. Why wouldn't you want to experience all the wonder in each step of your path?"

Bybreen Samuels is in conversation with Donna Clifford, Founder of Divine Inhale. After life in Corporate America, Donna retrained as a, Medical Intuitive, Yoga Teacher and Reiki Master. She was compelled to do so as corporate life was draining her natural intuitive abilities. Donna describes this process as 'getting her Soul sucked out.' Her journey into a metaphysical life was guided by the 'Invisible Staircase'. This process enabled her to discover her purpose in life! Tune into this episode of The Smart Years to discover the:Importance of paying attention to aspects of your personalityFirst World problems that keep you trapped behind your maskReason why Donna had to rely on her dog to access her intuitionSuggested resignation that shredded all aspects of her confidence Lessons that came from living through her 'Dark Night of the Soul'Road to recovery and the path to the 'invisible staircase'Signs that showed life was revealing her mission and purposeAuthentic way to develop your self-leadership capacities'How to' way to prepare for portfolio living in our fragmented worldPersonal 'big bang' from the Universe that forced her to pay attentionRecommended Resource:Finding Joe - A film about Joseph Campbell's Hero's JourneyQuote of the Day - Joseph Campbell"We must be willing to get rid of the life we planned, so as to have the life that's waiting for us. The old skn has to be shed before the new one can come."

Bybreen Samuels is in conversation with Sarah Jones, the Founder of The Power of 50. She aims to shine the light on people who will not bow to stereotypes. Sarah is finding her voice as she transitions towards writing a new story for her life!Tune into this episode of The Smart Years to discover the: Power in being a middle-aged rookiePreparatory steps for portfolio livingSecret benefit behind building a life missionWays in which confidence recedes and growsPurpose of designing your personal curriculumKey question to ask if you're ready to make changes.Recommended Resource:YouTubeQuote by Anyaele Sam Chiyson"Leadership is finding your voice and inspiring others to find theirs. And empowering people and executing actions that make the world a better place."

Bybreen Samuels takes you through a fundraising webinar she recently delivered to ROSA - the UK Fund for Women and Girls. Grab your pen and pad as Bybreen shows you how to, 'Adjust Your Fundraising Mindset.' She knows a thing or two when it comes to raising money. The largest amount she raised in a single proposal is £895,775 from The Big Lottery, for the charity partnership, Hackney Families First. Tune into this episode of The Smart Years to discover the:Sources of income generationContext and climate to fundraisingKey components of a fundraising strategyThree ways in which you can build credibiitySocial inclusion policy that Tony Blair introducedMindset that non-profits and startups must adoptVarious points of view you can use to tell your storyDifference between the 'treasure' or 'explosive' backstoryRationale behind and expectations from business supportOne key question that every funder / investor thinks aboutRecommended Resources:BookNon-Profit Booster: 10 steps to building a successful organisation  -  Bybreen SamuelsSpecial Offer: Buy your signed copy directly from Bybreen Samuels by 11.59pm on Friday, July 27th 2018Email her now at, [email protected] to buy and secure your signed copy!  

Bybreen Samuels is in conversation with Tracy Jenkins. an aspiring entrepreneur and motivational talk radio host. She's also a mother, sister, partner and so much more. Tracy passionately believes in the human spirit. And focuses on sharing strategies and information on how we can each work towards becoming our authentic self.  This means pursuing our purpose, passionately and with integrity.  Tune into this episode of The Smart Years to discover the:Route into entrepreneurshipAndrew Carniege business frame of referenceMindset armour you need to pursue your goalsMoment you need to start marketing your businessQuestions Tracy asked to begin shifting her perspectivePreparatory steps towards a structured business modelGo to process for operationalising your business developmentLessons children can teach you to move through a 'dark night of the soul'Meaning of Uranus in Taurus and how it will affect finances and resoures Importance of understanding the link between personal and business finances.Recommended Resources:BookRich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert KiyosakiThe Compound Effect - Darren HardyThe E-Myth Revisited - Michael GerberQuote of the Day - Suze Orman"The only way you permanently take control of your financial life is to dig deep and fix the root problems."

Bybreen Samuels is in conversation with Milena Milankovics. She's a Transformational Change Manager working in management and information technology. Milena sees tech as the key to change. She's dedicated to building a digital world designed for all. In particular, she wants to empower aging people to be a part of it.Tune into this episode of The Smart Years to discover the:Examples of non-developer rolesMeaning of artificial intelligenceResource that is fueling the information ageBusiness advantage of customer engagementReason why new technology needs older peopleCharacteristic tech newbies can rely to move into techA.I. product that will wipe out this business within 5 yearsRationale for why all businesses will become tech businessesBenefit of consulting with non-profits for product developmentHungarian and Romanian team approach to overcome unconscious biasRecommended Resources:BookTechnically Wrong - Sara Wachter-BoettcherResourceElements of A.I. - Free online training course offered by the University of Helsinki

Bybreen Samuels is interviewed by Brian Rose, Host of London Real TV. She sat in the 'iconic Chair' and shared the journey of The Smart Years. Tune into this episode to discover the:Origins of Bybreen's full nameMotivation for launching The Smart YearsDangers of focusing on a youth centric worldOne key thing you can do to create a distinctive nicheReason why she went to China to research older peopleLessons astrology can contribute to the corporate psychePlanet people can explore to understand their unique attributesStructure that helps to integrate her identity as a multipotentialitePromotional strategy that Bybreen used to launch The Smart YearsImportance of bringing visibility to the contributions of older women.

Bybreen Samuels riffs on her Building An Inclusive Company Manifesto. She first shared her unconventional approach during a tech talk she gave last year. Bybreen asserts that it's time for a new paradigm. So she has blended astrology, recruitment practices, healthy team dynamics with an anatomy for diversity and inclusion. If you want your company to be relevant and effective in the 21st Century, then it's time to take action. Also, share this episode with decision makers, decision influencers and your CEO!Tune into this episode of The Smart Years to discover the:Catalyst for creating a new frameworkMeaning of building a championship team and companyReason why legislation hasn't advanced the conversationRelevance of having an Anatomy of Diversity and InclusionRole astrology can play in enhancing meaningful engagementAcronym that will help you take effective action for inclusive practicesPrinciple that could harmonise relationships and the recruitment processLesson Bybreen learnt from going to Speakers' Corner during her childhoodKey question you must ask yourself and answer, when you walk into a roomOne thing companies can do to develop their corporate social responsibility policy.Quote of the Day - Anonymous from Niger"The teeth are smiling, but is the heart?"