Stay On Course: Ingredients for Success

Building Trust & Psychological Safety: The Workplace Wellness Toolkit

Guest: Malka Shaw, LCSW - Psychotherapist & Trauma Specialist
Host: Julie Riga | Stay On Course Podcast

Overview

Trust is the defining leadership challenge of 2026. In this transformative episode, psychotherapist and trauma specialist Malka Shaw shares her innovative ARC Method for creating psychological safety in the workplace.

With over 25 years of experience and expertise in workplace dynamics, Malka reveals why cultural humility (not just competence) is essential for building resilient teams where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

Building Trust & Psychological Safety: The Workplace Wellness Toolkit

What You'll Learn:

The ARC Method for Workplace Wellness:

Anchoring: Understanding nervous system activation and creating environments where people feel safe to disagree, innovate, and collaborate

Recognizing: Moving from cultural competence to cultural humility by examining your own bias and leaning in with curiosity, not cancellation

Connection: Repairing moments of misunderstanding by acknowledging impact over intent

Why Identity Matters at Work: Malka explains "identity destabilization." When people can't show up as their full selves at work, it reduces cognitive bandwidth, creativity, and problem-solving ability. The neuroscience is clear: hiding core identity directly impacts productivity.

The 10-Second Rule: We judge others in just 10 seconds. Learn how to shift from defending to understanding, and why this paradigm shift is critical for leaders in 2026.

Key Takeaways:

"If you don't feel safe, you're not going to be able to disagree on anything"

One-time workshops don't work; trust-building requires ongoing commitment

"Advocate with the people, not for the people"

Cultural humility means embracing "I don't know everything and I'm willing to learn"

Without psychological safety: increased turnover, decreased productivity, and talent loss

Perfect for HR professionals, executives, and leaders preparing to prioritize workplace wellness and trust in 2026.

Connect with Malka Shaw:

Website: malkashaw.com

LinkedIn & Instagram: @MalkaShawLCSW

Kesher Shalom: keshershalom.com

#Leadership #WorkplaceWellness #PsychologicalSafety #Trust #CulturalHumility

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Alex Genadinik: The Ingredients for Success in Online Teaching, Entrepreneurship, and Cryptocurrency

Guest: Alex Genadinik, Top 1% Online Instructor and Founder of SPRK Token Host: Julie Riga

In This Episode:

Alex has taught since 2014 and built over 250 courses on Udemy, reaching more than a million students

His topics evolved from entrepreneurship and mobile app marketing into digital marketing, productivity, AI, and cryptocurrency

Alex is originally from Odessa, Ukraine, and calls himself a self proclaimed sugar addict on a quest for the best chocolatier in his area

The most important step in building a course is curriculum design, and Alex uses AI to stress test outlines and uncover blind spots

A strong course keeps continuity from video to video so students stay engaged and hit an aha moment in every lecture

Subject matter expertise alone does not make someone a good teacher, since teaching is its own methodology

Alex revisits his own courses every year and evaluates them honestly, since believing last year work was flawless is a sign of stagnation

Quality always comes before revenue, and the best courses are built through iteration rather than a perfect first draft

Alex compares high production platforms like Masterclass to an appetizer, since polished production cannot replace real teaching depth

Every industry has creators who care more about the sale than the substance, and Alex draws a sharp line between real teachers and grifters

Alex discusses cryptocurrency as a mathematical asset built on capped supply and demand, along with his experience diversifying across tokens

His newest venture, SPRK Token, is a Solana based crowdfunding platform built to help artists, musicians, and creators keep more of the money they raise

Alex predicts AI interaction is shifting away from prompting toward dashboards and agents that proactively surface information

He recommends following the smartest thinkers and investors on social media to stay ahead of what is coming next

Memorable Quotes:

Everything right now is figure outable

Quality first, quality second, quality third, quality twenty fifth, and then make money

Taking a bad online course is like a minor form of torture

I teach to the aha

Key Takeaways for Leaders:

Curriculum before content, since strong courses are built on a researched foundation, not just charisma

Quality before money, since product quality earns trust and revenue follows

Stay curious, since lifelong learning is a leadership advantage

Think long term, since patience and iteration outperform shortcuts

Follow the smartest people, since staying ahead means watching where thought leaders are looking

Connect with Alex Genadinik:

Website: problemio.com

Cryptocurrency Project: sprktoken.com

Email: alex.genadinik@gmail.com

Connect with Julie Riga:

Stacklist: https://stacklist.app/julieriga

Website: julieriga.com/lead

Coaching: Learn more about leadership coaching and transformation

This episode is perfect for entrepreneurs, instructors, and creators ready to build with clarity and purpose.

Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts and share this episode with leaders ready to figure it out.

#stayoncourse #entrepreneurship #growthmindset #onlinelearning #cryptocurrency

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From Zero to Trader: The Beginner's Blueprint for Financial Freedom

Guest: Mitch Abel, Founder of Investment Current Host: Julie Riga
What if losing $150,000 was the beginning of your greatest financial breakthrough?

Mitch Abel retired in 2015 and lost $150,000 in his first six months of trading. His partner Diana looked at him and said two words: "Keep going." Six months later, he made it all back. Today, over 250 students have come through his program at Investment Current. This episode walks you through exactly how a complete beginner gets started in trading the right way, from opening your first account to building the plan that protects you from yourself. If you have ever wanted to take control of your financial future but did not know where to start, this is your recipe.

From Zero to Trader: The Beginner's Blueprint for Financial Freedom

About This Episode

Julie Riga sits down with Mitch Abel, founder of Investment Current, a purpose-driven trading education platform that has helped over 250 students build financial freedom and generational wealth. Mitch is a living example of resilience and transformation. After retiring, he lost $150,000 in his first six months and came back stronger than ever. This episode is your step-by-step guide to starting your trading journey with clarity, confidence, and a strong foundation.

Guest Background

Mitch Abel is the founder of Investment Current, an options trading education community built for complete beginners. His platform includes a 100 percent interactive live trading room, a 12-week curriculum, weekly faculty office hours, and personal mentorship. No trader has to face this journey alone.

Fun Fact: Mitch loves a hot pastrami sandwich on rye with coleslaw, sauerkraut, and pickled tomatoes.

The Three Ingredients for Trading Success

Foundation: You can begin with as little as $2,000 to $10,000. The 10 percent portfolio rule means you never risk more than 10 percent of your total capital on a single trade. New government rules now allow pattern day trading inside self-directed IRAs and 401k accounts, making this journey accessible to almost anyone.

Education: Learn the language of the market before risking a single dollar. Investment Current offers a 6-week foundational program followed by a 12-week course with video lessons, written takeaways, quizzes, homework, and live faculty office hours. All beginners start with paper trading, simulated trading with no real money, for a minimum of six months before moving to live capital.

Strategy: Write your personal trading plan. Define your entry rules, exit rules, stop loss rules, and profit targets. Keep a trading journal to track your emotions, your decisions, and your growth. Tools like TraderSync allow you to capture and analyze every trade in one place.

Memorable Quotes

"If you have the right education and the right tools, it is not gambling. It becomes second nature."

"We do not want you to fail. The only way to win is to start off slowly."

"Trading will bring out every emotion you have ever had. You do not want to be alone on this journey."

Real Student Results

Students made $4,500 in a single day with a 40.63 percent return on capital. One student made $280 in 34 seconds. Five focused trades per day can generate over $1,000 in earnings within just a few hours.

Next Steps

Visit investmentcurrent.com and join the free 7-day trading room trial. See the strategy in action, experience the community, and decide whether this is the next chapter of your journey toward financial freedom and legacy building.

Connect with Mitch Abel Website: www.investmentcurrent.com

Connect with Julie Riga

Website: julieriga.com/lead

Stacklist: https://stacklist.app/julieriga

Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen. Share with someone ready to take control of their financial future.

#StayOnCourse #Leadership #Transformation #LegacyBuilding #FinancialFreedom

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Lara Hamilton: Leading with Care, The People First Formula for IT Leadership

In This Episode:

Lara introduces herself as VP of IT Services at Help Desk Realty, leading a department that supports affordable housing and property management clients nationwide

Julie and Lara open with a lighthearted moment about southern food, Memphis roots, and a wild family story involving Elvis Presley

Lara explains why hiring exceptional people starts with understanding culture fit, not just skill

She shares why temp to hire arrangements help leaders confirm alignment before making a long term commitment

The two discuss what happens when a hire does not work out, and why true leadership requires self reflection first

Lara describes how her team creates systems with a human purpose, reducing frustration instead of adding to it

She reveals why sometimes the most valuable thing a leader can do is simply listen

Lara connects her department's daily work to a much bigger mission, supporting affordable housing communities across the country

She explains how fast, reliable technology can be the difference between someone securing stable housing or remaining without it

Julie and Lara talk about persistence, and why never stopping matters even when mistakes happen

Lara shares her philosophy on doing it scared, and why fear should never be the reason someone stops moving forward

She opens up about a recent moment of courage, ziplining down Fremont Street in Las Vegas, and what it taught her about growth

Lara closes with a reflection on what leading with care truly means, and why trust in your people always comes back around

Key Takeaways:

Hire for Culture, Not Just Skill: Exceptional teams are built through intentional, values aligned hiring

Systems Should Serve People: Technology and process design should always reduce human frustration, not add to it

Purpose Multiplies Impact: Understanding the deeper why behind the work transforms an ordinary job into meaningful work

Reflection Is Leadership: Great leaders look inward first when a hire or a plan does not work out

Do It Scared: Confidence often follows action, not the other way around

Memorable Quotes:

"Leading with care means a lot of things, but for me it is starting with my own employees."

"It is really a failure on yourself and the employee when someone does not work out."

"It could mean the difference between someone being homeless or not."

"Do it scared, and you might find that it is really something you enjoy doing."

"Do not let fear stop you."

This episode is perfect for sharing with leaders, managers, and IT professionals in your network who want to lead with more heart and intention.

Connect with Lara Hamilton:
Company: Help Desk Realty, a Division of Tectonic Role: VP of IT Services

Connect with Julie Riga:
Stacklist: https://stacklist.app/julieriga
Website: julieriga.com/lead
Social Media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Coaching: Learn more about leadership coaching and transformation

Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder to lead with care today.

#stayoncourse #leadwithcare #purposedrivenleadership #authenticleadership #peoplefirstleadership

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Simon Mukooza: The Human Centered Blueprint for Trustworthy AI Adoption in Leadership

In This Episode:

Simon shares his journey from the aviation and aerospace industry to becoming an independent AI stylist helping people adopt artificial intelligence with intention

Julie and Simon unpack why consumerism drives roughly sixty eight to seventy percent of the American economy, and why fear of job loss is fueling reckless AI adoption

Simon introduces the TACS framework, true, allowed, complete, and safe, as the standard every piece of AI generated work should meet before anyone trusts it

A viral AI location tracking contradiction and a real world map of Africa error at a public summit reveal what happens when people stop checking AI output

Simon introduces the ROUTE framework, remove, originate, understand, touch, evaluate, born from a story about an untagged, unclaimed bag on the ramp at Dubai International Airport

The conversation turns to purpose driven leadership, why corporations may struggle more than solopreneurs as AI reshapes specialized roles, and why human connection remains the true differentiator

Simon predicts a future where purpose gets dialed up and repetitive doing gets dialed down, freeing people for more meaningful, transformational work

Julie and Simon reflect on how every generation faces a version of this same shift, from the information highway of the nineteen nineties to the artificial intelligence conversation happening today, and why adaptation, not resistance, has always been the path forward

Key Takeaways:

Adopt AI with intention, not fear, and take a gradual, scrutinized approach rather than rushing in

Use the TACS framework, true, allowed, complete, and safe, to verify AI output before you rely on it

Apply the ROUTE framework so every piece of AI generated work has a clear human checkpoint and owner

Purpose driven leadership becomes the true differentiator as AI absorbs more of the repetitive workload

Connection, mentorship, and authentic leadership cannot be automated

Growth happens when leaders replace fear with clarity, confidence, and a willingness to test before they trust

Memorable Quotes:

"The output of AI never exceeds the input."

"If you do not have a tag on something, if there is no ownership from the get go, no one is gonna take accountability."

"We cannot leave the humans behind. They need to be with us."

"A closed mouth can never be fed."

"Be human. Do not forget to be human."

Perfect for leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals navigating AI adoption who want practical guidance grounded in purpose driven leadership and authentic growth.

Connect with Simon Mukooza: LinkedIn

Connect with Julie Riga:
Website: julieriga.com/lead
Social Media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Coaching: learn more about leadership coaching and transformation
Stacklist: https://stacklist.app/julieriga

Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts Share this episode with leaders who need to hear these AI adoption insights

#aiadoption #leadership #purposedriven #humanintheloop #stayoncourse

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