7 Things I Learned from my Mentorit.TV Guests

The reason I created Mentorit.TV (aside from going crazy with boredom in lockdown) was because I had SO MANY questions! And, lucky for me, my guests on Mentorit were gracious enough to answer them for me! From NFL heroes, to astrologers, to top level CEOs, authors and Stars of the world of Music and Art, I have been allowed a view into all of their reality to gain insight into an industry, a philosophy or a belief I never would have known about before.

Although I would love to share everything I’ve learned (you’ll have to visit Mentorit.TV instead), I thought I’d put together an article of 7 great learnings that have been shared with me by my wonderful guests. Have a read and let me know what you think in the comments!

How leadership saves lives, from Reggie Williams, NFL Football Legend and Former Disney Executive

Reggie shared with me that from a very young age he had huge leaders in his life to look up to. American lawyer and civil rights activist Thurgood Marshall was his first hero, and Martin Luther King played a pivotal role in showing him the leadership was foundational to any community no matter how big or small.

Reggie stepped into his own leadership role in his career in the NFL. He shared with me his view that now is the time that leadership should be the power that supports and promotes change, and that the unity that comes out of having a strong leader will be what transforms society.

It is clear that leadership saves lives on all levels from national spaces, to professional spaces and local spaces. Everyone in a leadership position should be considering their impact on those around them, offering support, education and listening. We can only hope that the next four years of leadership in America brings about different change– this time, the good kind!

Watch the video below to see the full conversation and my other guests views on leadership, attitude and awareness.

How the media continues to be biased, with Sir Martin Sorrell, Founder of WPP & S4 Capital

When I spoke to Martin in December we covered topics ranging from big corporations, to getting a first job, and the media. He expressed how although people say social media is bad because it’s biased, so too are news channels, whether they try to reject this notion or not.

Just as we choose what we want to watch, read, react to on social media we choose news channels, radio stations and newspapers that reflect our values and view of the world. So too do these channels promote their own agendas through a lens of “unbiased news”. Even the BBC news, which Boris Johnson refused to appear on in favour of Times Radio, is biased. It is clear that news channels play a part in promoting politics directly or indirectly, even in the UK.

A huge topic of conversation throughout Trump’s presidency and recent election result, the challenge of biased media will continue into the coming year. As many have suggested, it’s about recognising the bias in your news intake or social media interaction, and looking beyond that to find other points of view. As misinformation keeps spreading and news outlets remain biased it is certainly worrying for the future of society and democracy.

How network currency equals power, from Sandra Navidi, Founder and CEO of BeyondGlobal and Author of ‘Super-Hubs’

During our conversation Sandra shared some of her unique insights out of her book ‘Super-Hubs’. She outlined how in the US money and politics has eroded whatever meritocracy existed previously, and that now power in society is formed by network and social currency.

Now it seems that ‘super-hubs’ who have the most connections, are the ones who automatically attract more connections and more interest. People gravitate towards other people who are well connected because they are seen to have more influence and power. These people, as Sandra explained, preside over whatever network currency that exists within the space they occupy, whether that be professional, social or personal; and from here they become more and more powerful. For example, Jeff Bezos.

As a solution to the power that these super-hubs hold, Sandra asks: “who is the culprit, is it the superhub or the rest of society?”. The answer being: both! Change needs to be affected at the top, but our individual actions also influence power. We need to work together to dismantle the power these hubs maintain.

How crises can positively change tradition, with Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power

Andy Marsh explained that during the pandemic many of us realised the power and influence that technology has to make life easier. Equally, and even more encouragingly, the world also became more aware of the climate disaster. During this time Plug Power was able to positively change production methods by harnessing the new collective awareness of eco-tech as a force for good.

By seizing an opportunity when old methods could not live up to the huge demand of production and food supply, Plug Power came to the rescue, showing clients how effective eco-friendly technology can be. During the pandemic, 30% of US food was touched by hydrogen powered tech, showing Andy’s customers the huge benefit of eco-friendly technology. Now Plug Power customers are thinking of where else it can be used in their application.

This just shows that in times of crisis, when everything is dismantled, it can often be put back together in a much more efficient and often more environmentally friendly way.

Watch the video below to see the full conversation and my other guests views on finding opportunity in times of crisis.

How paradigm shifts cause a change in our priorities, from Alexander Graf von Schleiffen, Star Astrologer

I find astrology fascinating, and Alexander shared a great deal with me about how shifts in paradigms can cause a complete shift in society’s values and priorities.

He explained that the 200 year history of capitalism has meant the earth represents and stands for: money, capitalism, the financial market and our financial values. Now, due to the pandemic, there has been a shift in paradigms, and we are entering an era of 200 years where our values system will change completely. Now people are reflecting on values, what’s important, what’s not important and are redefining their lives. There will be a new era less reliant on traditional capitalism and more focused on personal priorities and social good.

The lack of physical contact has also forced us to rely on our network more than ever before. The network that was previously used for marketing and indulgence is now essential to us and used for communication with anybody at any time. Another change in our values, changing our day to day habits and communication.

How eating the wrong food negatively affects lives, with Dr. Joel Furhman, Nutritional Excellence Specialist

Fascinating and truly shocking is the effect that food can have on not only our wellbeing, but our mental health and personality. Dr. Joel Furhman shared with me the research that has concluded that fast food, sugar-dense and processed food has a detrimental effect on mental health. He explained that this is because these types of food corrupt brain stimulation and make individuals' brain's dopamine insensitive.

Processed and high sugar foods can also lead to alcohol and other addictions, as they leave individuals chasing after a similar stimulation in the brain which can be fulfilled by these drugs.

Overeating these foods also leads to poor mental health, a lack of care, low self-belief and lack of confidence which has been scientifically proven to cause criminal and violent behaviour. People suffering are often driven to meet their need for stimulation, cannot focus on other normal things, and will not fulfil their full potential.

How to prepare for crisis with Enrico Letta, Former Prime Minister of Italy

Compared to the previous crises in 2007/8 and 2012, Enrico explained that the COVID-19 pandemic is a deeper crisis as it was unprecedented. The depth of its effect took hold in the European space because of previous oversights in the European construction.

Enrico explained that in Europe “when the sun was out we didn’t fix the roof because the sun was there and it wasn’t so important.” Now in the current crisis the roof has holes but we cannot fix it because the storm is already here.

The pandemic has exposed huge gaps in nearly every European government, health system and financial system causing a huge struggle in each of these countries. The solution: to think outside the box, to use the tools we have used previously, and to invent new ones to fix this problem for Europe.

It is clear that in future we need to see what’s wrong before the storm comes, not after. I believe this new found consciousness could help prevent us from being hit by crisis so badly again.

Watch the video below to see the full conversation and my other guests views on life lessons and 2021 mindset.

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I feel a HUGE amount of privilege to be able to learn from a wide range of wonderful individuals who are experts in their fields. After every interview I come away feeling energised and have a completely different outlook on the world around me. I have now taken these learnings and implemented them in my personal and professional lives.

2020 was a REALLY hard year for all. I have been so lucky and feel honoured to have Mentorit.TV and all my wonderful subscribers by my side. Looking forward to the rest of 2021, we have lots of amazing guests to share with you all including (find out from Patricia). So watch this space! Let me know in the comments which learning resonates with you the most!

– Patricia Falco Beccalli