Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amber Mikesell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Amber thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career
In my opinion, our current education system, while providing a solid framework, falls short in recognizing individuality and accommodating unique learning styles. Placing every child in the same structure based solely on age and following a standardized curriculum overlooks their diverse needs and interests. I strongly believe that we should prioritize nurturing each child’s unique learning style, personality traits, and talents to help them thrive.
To illustrate this, I can share the experience of my son, who faced difficulties within the public school system. He didn’t fit into the established structure and was labeled as unteachable. However, I knew that he simply had a different way of learning, and with the right approach, he showcased his exceptional intellectual abilities. Unfortunately, the standardized testing format induced stress and hindered his performance, despite his knowledge of the material. It wasn’t until I advocated for him to have a more flexible testing environment that he had the opportunity to shine.
This raises important questions about why we need to make exceptions for children to learn and express themselves in their unique ways. Shouldn’t every child have the opportunity to receive an education tailored to their needs? Additionally, integrating social and emotional skills into the curriculum, taught by professionals, would greatly benefit students like my son. These skills are crucial for effective communication, mental and emotional well-being, and navigating adulthood successfully.
The impact of the education system on our children’s lives is immense, as they spend a significant amount of time at school. By incorporating interpersonal and social skills education and fostering individuality, we empower our children to contribute to the world in meaningful ways. A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach does a disservice to the diverse nature of our students. While regulations are necessary, we should review and reconsider those that limit a child’s growth.
In summary, I believe it’s essential to reform the education system by acknowledging and accommodating individuality, nurturing unique gifts, and incorporating comprehensive life skills education. By doing so, we can better prepare students for fulfilling lives and successful careers.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Let me introduce you to Suivera, the organization I co-founded alongside my partner, Austin Uhl. Suivera started as a simple exchange of daily texts between friends but quickly grew into something much more profound. As an individual with a private wellness practice, I used to send daily messages to help people stay focused and inspired throughout their day. These messages gained popularity in our local area, attracting the attention of Austin and other team members who joined in to support this effort. Before we knew it, our little list had transformed into a global community of thousands of individuals from all walks of life, united by a shared desire for inspiration, connection, and personal growth.
We recognized a deep longing for community, connection, and tools for personal development, and that’s when we decided to take action. Firstly, we compiled these daily text messages into a book called ‘Opportunities For Expansion’ to make them more widely accessible. Secondly, we founded Suivera, a non-profit all-faiths organization.
Our timing was interesting, as we launched Suivera at the beginning of 2020, just before the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. Despite the challenges, Suivera found its footing and grew rapidly to encompass over 1.1 million members from 87 countries. Our members are devoted to leading lives filled with love, compassion, inclusion, and making a positive global impact. And we’re still growing steadily.
At Suivera, we believe that love serves as a universal language and connection point. We utilize this connection to guide our members in reigniting and aligning their hearts and minds, empowering them to fully engage in life. We offer various avenues to support our members:
1. Free live stream courses and services available through Facebook.
2. Free courses, workshops, and resources accessible on our website.
3. A free weekly podcast.
4. Variable-rate coaching programs, courses, and services.
5. Membership programs and much more.
Our ultimate goal is to provide tools and resources that empower, inspire, inform, and excite our members as they build lives filled with love. With over one million members joining us on this journey, we are incredibly excited to see where the coming years will take us.
In reflection, what makes me most proud is witnessing the incredible impact Suivera has had on individuals’ lives worldwide. We have created a genuine sense of community, fostering personal growth, and spreading love on a global scale. We invite potential members, clients, and followers to join us and experience the transformative power of love firsthand through our diverse range of offerings and supportive environment.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building an audience on social media requires authenticity and a deep understanding of your target audience. Our own experience in growing our social media presence was driven by a commitment to authenticity and a clear understanding of our purpose. We believe that our page gained momentum because we consistently communicated a genuine message that resonated with our audience.
Authenticity was at the core of our approach. We were honest, heartfelt, and transparent with our community about our unwavering commitment to our cause. We approached challenges and interactions with individuals who held different perspectives with the same genuine love and compassion that we offered to everyone. By embodying our mission and being an example to our community, we fostered a sense of trust and connection.
To build your own social media presence effectively, I encourage you to:
1. Define your brand identity: Understand who you are, what you stand for, and what you offer to your audience. Clarify your message and values, and let them shine through consistently in your content.
2. Know your target audience: Gain a deep understanding of the people you are seeking to reach. Learn about their needs, desires, and pain points. Tailor your content to resonate with them and provide value.
3. Be authentic: Be true to yourself and your brand. Share your journey, stories, and experiences in a genuine and relatable manner. People connect with authenticity and are more likely to engage and follow your journey.
4. Consistency is key: Establish a consistent presence on social media. Regularly share valuable content that aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience. Consistency helps build trust and loyalty.
5. Engage with your audience: Actively interact with your audience by responding to comments, messages, and feedback. Show genuine interest and appreciation for their support. Engaging with your audience fosters a sense of community and strengthens your connection.
6. Collaborate and leverage partnerships: Seek opportunities to collaborate with other like-minded individuals or brands in your niche. Partnerships can help expand your reach and expose your content to new audiences.
Remember, building a social media presence takes time and effort. Stay committed to your vision, remain authentic, and consistently deliver value to your audience. By doing so, you’ll build a loyal and engaged community around your brand.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Embarking on the journey of launching during a time of widespread panic, confusion, and fear demanded unwavering resilience from our team. We couldn’t turn a blind eye to the terrifying impact of the pandemic. In the face of these circumstances, we confronted fundamental questions:
* How could we acknowledge and embrace the fear while preventing it from consuming us?
* How could we navigate through the fear in a way that fostered mental, physical, and spiritual well-being?
Our mission became clear—to empower our members by providing them with knowledge and resources to move through fear and regain a sense of inner connection, calm and peace. We aimed to guide individuals toward a state of empowerment where they could align their hearts and minds, making choices in their lives from a place of strength.
During times of need, our community serves as a support system, offering a safe space for individuals to share their fears and engage in meaningful discussions. There is great power in numbers, and the knowledge that we are not alone brings comfort. Even as we grapple with the continued challenges posed by the pandemic, we remain committed to uplifting one another and demonstrating love, support, compassion, and understanding.
Through these trials, we discovered that the purpose behind Suivera not only holds merit, but is vital. We persevere, knowing that the challenges we faced further underscore the significance of our mission. Our resilience lies in our unwavering dedication to empowering others through love, even in the most challenging of times.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.suivera.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suiveraofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suivera.org
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/suivera
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHeartLeaderPodcast