Young people! After speaking with the amazing youth leaders at the Tallahassee Future Leaders Academy (TFLA), I was inspired to share valuable insights on using LinkedIn to kickstart your career. If you didn't know, TFLA is doing incredible work to empower and equip young people with the skills they need for success. BIG shout out to all the TFLA members for their enthusiasm and dedication! https://youtu.be/4lLteLS2B0I?si=gcFrozYV1m6U5aK9 The Tallahassee Future Leaders Academy (TFLA) is the City of Tallahassee’s award-winning summer youth employment program, led by the Department of Housi ..read more

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a powerful communication technique designed to help individuals overcome ambivalence and engage in positive change. Despite its effectiveness, several myths and misconceptions about MI persist. Understanding the truth behind these myths can enhance your ability to use MI effectively in personal and professional settings. My Journey with Motivational Interviewing My journey with Motivational Interviewing began in 2014 when I worked with at-risk teens in Florida. One encounter with a teenager who had lost all hope stands out vividly. This young man had no dipl ..read more

About Curtis Campogni "If you give a plant soil, water, and sunshine, it will grow upwards towards the light." https://youtu.be/wTNM5a1yWUE?si=cqDsR7HqTgVvN8c1 Why I Am Writing This Recently, I received a review on my book suggesting that I better explain my "origin" story. As an only child who is naturally an introvert, talking about myself feels a bit odd. It's why when I speak at conferences, I tell the moderator that I don't need my bio read, as I prefer to jump into the workshop without much emphasis on my background. Still, inspiring real change, especially in attitudes and opinions ..read more

“I appreciate what you are doing here, but things aren't going to change. They have tried this before and it never works.” These words were spoken by an attendee during one of my workshops on managing organizational change. The sentiment behind this statement is something many of us can relate to. Change, especially when it’s linked to past failures, can seem impossible. This resistance to new change often stems from our inability to let go of past experiences, particularly those that were unpleasant or unsuccessful. When we hold on to past disappointments, failures, or traumas, we often do ..read more

*Disclaimer—Instead of a blog, I am going to tell you a story about Jessie and Kevin. There will be no pictures, videos, or links to a service or book. Just a story. Jessie, the program leader, sat at her desk, lost in thought. She faced a dilemma that weighed heavily on her mind. In her team of high-performing staff, there was one member who stood out—brilliant, talented, and full of potential. Yet, this same individual had a significant drawback: a tendency to fall into a "when it rains, it pours" mentality. Despite the team's overall optimism, this staff member's focus on worst-case scena ..read more

Ever gone for a run and suddenly found yourself flooded with brilliant ideas? You're not alone. Many people experience their best creative thinking while pounding the pavement. But what is it about running that sparks creativity? Let’s dive into the fascinating connection between physical exercise and creative thought. The Science Behind It Running increases blood flow to the brain, enhancing cognitive function and stimulating creativity. This boost in brain activity can lead to what scientists call "divergent thinking," a thought process that generates multiple solutions to a problem. Esse ..read more

Asking the right questions is an art that can significantly impact the quality of communication, whether in business, education, or everyday interactions. Here's how you can transform closed-ended questions into open-ended ones to foster richer conversations and gain more insightful responses. What Are Closed-Ended Questions? Closed-ended questions are those that can be answered with a simple "yes," "no," or a specific piece of information. Examples include: "Did you like the presentation?" "Are you coming to the meeting?" "Is this your first time here?" While these questions can b ..read more

Most would agree that effective communication with young people is more crucial than ever in today's fast-paced world. Drawing inspiration from the world of superheroes, my book, C.A.P.E. Conversations: How Superheroes Communicate with Children, offers a unique approach to engaging and inspiring youth. Having worked with youth and families for over 15 years, I’ve seen firsthand the power of these techniques. Why Superheroes? Superheroes are not just fictional characters; they embody qualities that are essential for effective communication. They make sacrifices, prioritize others, and consi ..read more

Recently, I had an unexpected and heartwarming encounter at Lego World. A young man who worked there approached me and, with a beaming smile, told me that I had been his mentor about ten years ago. He shared how our time together had a profound impact on his life, helping him stay out of trouble and navigate his challenges. This unexpected affirmation of appreciation meant the world to me. It reminded me of the power of emotional empathy and gave me the fuel to tackle even the hardest tasks. The Heart of Emotional Empathy   Emotional empathy is about being fully present with someone el ..read more

This week, I had the privilege of hosting two uniquely themed workshops at the United Way of Broward County Conference in Fort Lauderdale: "Choose to Be Super: Why Wearing a C.A.P.E. Makes You a Hero" and "Motivational Interviewing for Toddlers and Pre-schoolers." Before proceeding, I want to give the United Way of Broward County a BIG shout-out! The conference was phenomenal, and the attendees’ energy was incredible! Here are five crucial behind-the-scenes tips that saved the day and could help any presenter turn potential challenges into big wins. 1. Embrace Conference Technology: The W ..read more