Fulfillament Stories

Fulfillment through work. Challenges to COME ALIVE.

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Cari Simon, Women’s Rights Lawyer

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cari2Cari Simon has dedicated her life to fighting for women’s rights, and lives that out as a lawyer. Cari’s nationwide law practice focuses on the civil representation of victims of school related sexual violence and other misconduct. She is a leader in the national movement to address campus sexual assault, serving on the Board of Know Your IX and the Advisory Council of the National Crime Victims Law Institute, and working closely with the National Women’s Law Center, Public Justice, and the United Stated Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women among others.

“I love the opportunity to empower and seek justice for someone who has been disempowered. To help that person rise back up and to take justice on their behalf”

Here is Cari’s story from the May 2016 event…

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Kathi Mulder, Dance of Life Midwifery

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kathiKathi has been a practicing midwife since 1992 and a Certified Professional Midwife since 1997. She is the founder of Dance of Life Midwifery and has served on the board of the Michigan Midwives Association for many years (six years as president) and is a member of the international organization Midwives Alliance. Kathi has 3 grown daughters all of whom were born into the hands of midwives.

Kathi’s philosophy: Bringing forth new life is an empowering, sacred event in a woman’s life.  She needs to be nurtured, loved, and treated with respect.  A woman must feel comfortable and safe to birth as nature intended in her own time.  Her body holds the wisdom to conceive as well as the wisdom to birth.  The birth of a child is also the birth of a family.  I see the midwifes’ role as one of guardian over this process.

“Being part of many people’s lives during such an important time, and guiding women from maiden to motherhood is such an empowering experience. It fulfills me to get to do this over and over again” – Kathi Mulder, May 2016 Fulfillament Storyteller

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Steve Nance, Oryana Natural Foods

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speak_1-162Steve has been in business most all his life, from partnerships in his late teens to his own small businesses in his twenties to working for the largest firms in his thirties through fifties and now filling the role as the General Manager of Oryana, our local food cooperative.

“I am an unintentional, intentional grocer!  Though grocery store management was never one of my career goals, I am pleased to find myself leading a committed team working to provide healthy, sustainable, socially just food to our community and collaborate with many of those doing amazing things in our community, region and the world! I’ve experienced the challenges of being an entrepreneur through the politics of negotiating the corporate ladder but think I learned the essentials to successful business all the way back to my paper route and lawn  cutting days:   Care about what you do, take care of people, and be very suspicious of adults!”  –  Steve Nance, January 2016 Fulfillament Storyteller

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Miriam Pico, Singer/Singwriter

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speak_1-164Miriam Pico is a singer/songwriter, a wife and a proud mother of three. She is passionate about using her musical gifts to “entertain, educate and empower”. She wholeheartedly believes that musicians have an opportunity to be ambassadors of joy and love wherever they perform. A proud native of Puerto Rico, Miriam is fluent in Spanish and always welcomes the opportunity to sing in her first language.

“Music has been a constant companion of mine throughout my life. Even when people or ideologies or situations have failed me, music has always been there, nourishing me and helping me through. To be able to offer that gift to others is incredibly fulfilling, and that is why I do what I do. It fills me up to see that the thing that brings me so much joy also brings it to others.” –  Miriam Pico, January 2016 Fulfillament Storyteller

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Chuck Korson, Blk Mrkt Coffee

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speak_1-16Chuck is the creator, owner and chief operator of Blk/Mrkt Coffee. His extensive years in the coffee and hospitality business grew many ideas and passions of the culture he would create if ever owning his own shop. This led to the creation and opening of BMC in January, 2014

“My two favorite things in the world are making people happy and making the most quality cup of coffee.  I get to pour myself into both of these things on a daily a basis since Blk/Mrkt opened. I am a lucky guy” – Chuck Korson, January 2016 Fulfillament Storyteller

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STEPHANIE LEE WITALA, Events Manager & Chef, Black Star Farms

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speak_1-163Stephanie has helped build the events program over the past few years at Black Star Farms as the Events Manager and Chef. She is and energetic mother of three, and a highly motivated and passionate professional in the culinary arts and hospitality industry.  She has always loved working with people and creating experiences that are special and memorable whether it be on a plate at the dining table or in the production of an organized event.

“I  work hard at everything I pursue because I want it to be the very best.  I believe that you can achieve your goals both personally and professionally if you start with an optimistic mindset that achieving them is more than probable it’s completely possible.  I am known for Turning around every negative thought, comment, and expectation of my own and others into a positive possibility, encouragement, and belief that the most important goals and seemingly impossible best dreams actually can and will come true.  I love a challenge and exceeding not only other peoples expectations but my own. I am most proud of my children and thankful for my family who have highly support me in all my pursuits and in my chosen career that can often times be very demanding.” – Stephanie Lee Witala, January 2016 Fulfillament Storyteller

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ELON CAMERON, Acupuncturist and Creator of Imagine Health

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speak_1-165Elon is the founder of Imagine Health in Traverse City where she practices acupuncture and herbal medicine. She studied at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago

“Energy moves through our body like electricity through a house, Acupuncture is like turning the light on in one room. My favorite thing about my job is my job. I like it when people feel better.  After all, acupuncture has 3,000 years of history so there isn’t much it doesn’t treat. “ – Elon Cameron, January 2016 Fulfillament Storyteller

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Jonathan Pool, Leadership Strategist

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speakers14Jonathan Pool is a leadership  strategist, creative thinker, and guide that brings clarity to organizations and individuals that leads to breakthrough thinking and true alignment. For years Jonathan was the engineer of last resort for clients with seemingly unsolvable problems, however he also experienced the physical pain that occurs when one is misaligned with their true self.  Today he is a guide to those who understand the importance of strategy before action.  Jonathan is an authority on how to find clarity through perspective, answer the significant questions, and step into a life of purposeful direction.

“Know your purpose, own your story, and live whole heartedly – for that is where you will be the change the world needs”
– Jonathan Pool, September 2015 Fulfillament speaker in Traverse City, MI

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May Erlewine, Singer Songwriter

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speakers16May Erlewine is a Michigan based singer songwriter and a member of the Earthwork Music Collective. She plays guitar, fiddle, viola, piano and a few other instruments, but mostly she sings. Her songs are treasured by people of all faiths and politics. May’s songs are sung (and recorded) by other artists, both great and small. May comes from a family of artists and musicians. Early on she was exposed to music (and people) of all kinds. May was home-educated, came up singing and while still just a teenager hitchhiked all across North America playing in small and large towns, riding freight trains with her little dog, and busking on the streets. In her travels May Erlewine came to know the land and the pulse of the people. Her songs show a very real connection and concern with everyday folk.

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Holly Wren Spaulding, STORYhouse Partners

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speakers13Holly Wren Spaulding is a passionate writer, collaborator, teacher, editor and creative consultant who lives in Williamsburg, Massachusetts where she founded Poetry Forge, an incubator for writers and their work, mentors clients through LIFE/form, and co-directs STORYhouse Partners, a communications consultancy. Because Leelanau County remains her home, she returns often to teach at Interlochen College of Creative Arts and elsewhere in the region. She has been awarded residencies at The Millay Colony for the Arts, The Mesa Refuge, Blue Mountain Center, The Hill House and The Jean Noble Parsons Center for the Study of Art & Science, and her writing has appeared in The Nation, Michigan Quarterly Review, Witness, The Ecologist, New Internationalist and in the book We Are Everywhere: The Irresistible Rise of Global Anti-Capitalism (Verso, 2003). Her most recent collection of poems is Pilgrim (Alice Greene & Co., 2014)

“To live well and feel whole, most of us need to solve the riddle of how to engage our particular genius in service of something meaningful—even beautiful. Whatever hat I may be wearing, and regardless of the project, I help others unfetter their imagination and give form to their ideas by providing alternative pathways, sane strategies and solidarity in the creative process.”

–Holly Wren Spaulding –  September 2015 Fulfillament speaker in Traverse City, MI

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Ty Schmidt, Carter’s Compost

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speakers17A Canadian import, Ty grew up in small town Manitoba. After receiving his Masters degree in Physical Therapy from The University of North Dakota and an 7 year stint in Tucson, Ty moved to Traverse City in 2006. He is married to the lovely Johanna, a Leelanau County girl, and is currently a part time physical therapist (he job shares with Johanna) at Munson. Ty started Carter’s Compost, a bike-powered community composting business, with his two boys, Carter and Jameson, in 2012 and then co-founded Norte!, a bike-centric, youth-focused nonprofit, with Johanna in 2013.

“With a supportive wife to job share with and prioritizing work/life/family balance, I’ve been able to enjoy a successful and meaningful career as a physical therapist while also having the luxury of time to focus on my passions: Traverse City, compost and bicycles.” 

– Ty Schmidt – Physical Therapist, Carter’s Compost and Norte! Youth Cycling and  September 2015 Fulfillament speaker in Traverse City, MI

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Margaret Alexander, Grand Traverse Pie Company

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speakers15

Margaret was born and raised in the Detroit area and is married and has three beautiful (adult) children.   She earned her bachelor’s degree in Food Systems Economic and Management at Michigan State University and enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, playing Frisbee and practicing yoga.   Margaret is a proud member of the Grand Traverse Pie family and is honored to be challenged by out of the box thinkers who believe in the positive affects we can have on each other as human beings on this earth.

“My mission in life is to define my mission at this point in my life.  My goal is to break through the norms I have lived under and to develop a compassionate heart while dealing with the vagaries of life.  I want to feel sustained from the inside as I give the world the best I have. ” 

This talk was from September 2015 Fulfillament. in Traverse City, MI

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Jody Hayden, Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate

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speakers12Jody is the co-owner of Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate along with her husband, DC Hayden. GDC: Handcrafted chocolates with many organic, naturally grown and local michigan ingredients. Jody is also the co-founder of Higher Grounds Trading Company, and has extensive experience working with indigenous and fair trade farmers all around the world.

“My greatest loves are my son, Charlie, and my husband, DC. As an entrepreneur, I’m inspired by family farmers and producers, both near and far, and my dream is for all food to be healthy for those who grow it, process it and eat it.”

This talk was from May 2015 Fulfillament. in Traverse City, MI

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Timothy Fitzgerald Young, Food For Thought

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speakers9Timothy Fitzgerald Young is founder, President and Chef of Food For Thought, Inc., creators of organic and wild-harvested gourmet specialty foods. An extensive background in travel and human relief work in the developing world inspired Timothy’s creation of Food For Thought in 1995 with the mission of creating and raising awareness around just and sustainable food systems and to serve as a model to counter the global industrial food system. In addition to creating exciting products from the farms and forest of northern Michigan, Young has a long history of humanitarian activism on a range of issues, including farmland preservation both here and abroad. A past President of the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council and Vice Chair of the Michigan Land Use Institute, He is currently President of the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Northwestern Michigan College Foundation and On The Ground. Passionate about Fair Trade, Timothy was a founding board member of the Domestic Fair Trade Association.

This talk was from May 2015 Fulfillament. in Traverse City, MI

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Nik Carmen, 9 year old bluegrass genius

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speakers11Nik Carman is a nine-year-old bluegrass musical genius from Suttons Bay, Michigan. He started his music career at age 7 by learning the basics of piano, violin, recorder and guitar and then took up the banjo and mandolin.  Nik’s musical influences include the likes of The Accidentals, Billy Strings and Don Julin, Chris Thile and the Avett Brothers. It’s evident in the folksy tenor of his voice as he strums out a few bluegrass tunes in the combination guest and music room in his family’s Suttons Bay home.

This talk was from May 2015 Fulfillament. in Traverse City, MI

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Evan Smith, Cherry Capital Foods

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speakers10Evan is the CEO of Cherry Capital Foods: a unique food distributor based in Traverse City, MI that is building a resilient and socially just food system. They work with farmers, growers and producers both locally and regionally but only from the state of Michigan.

Evan has over 35 years experience in international and domestic food distribution. Prior to joining Cherry Capital Foods in early 2009, he spent 8 years as the CFO of Food For Thought, a specialty food manufacturer. Both organizations have a strong, mission-based philosophy that drives their decision making process. Married with 2 adult sons, he has spoken nationally and internationally on food system issues, is the past Chair of TC-TALUS, and serves on the Michigan Farm to Institute Advisory Board, the Traverse City Food and Farm Network, the Grand Foodshed Alliance, and the Michigan Food & Farming Systems Board.

This talk was from May 2015 Fulfillament. in Traverse City, MI

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Allison Moore Beers, Events North

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speakers8Allison Beers started Events North in 2008 after working for two of the largest event planning agencies in the world. Events North is a full service event management agency specializing in corporate, social and nonprofit events. They strive for zero-waste events and try to incorporate as much local food as possible. Beers is currently on the board of directors for the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Charities, The Downtown Traverse City Association (DTCA) The Boom Boom Club and The National Cherry Festival Foundation.  Beers served as the President of the Board of Directors of the National Cherry Festival Foundation for three years.

“I didn’t realize as a kid that I could be paid to be social and organized.  I went to college as a vocal music major, but found that I could plan events for a living.  I had been planning them my whole life, but never connected it to an industry.  Since then, I don’t feel like I’ve worked a day in my life.  I love what I do.  I love going to work everyday.  I love sharing how much I love what I do with my kids to inspire them to do what they love doing.  I feel blessed to do what I do in this state and more importantly, Traverse City.  I try to give as much time as I can giving back to Traverse City.”

This talk was from May 2015 Fulfillament. in Traverse City, MI

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ERIC PATTERSON, The Cook’s House

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chef Eric Peterson

Eric Patterson is the co-chef and co-owner of The Cooks’ House, Local sustainable cuisine skillfully prepared and served in Traverse City. He spent close to fifteen years at Andre’s, Las Vegas’ 5 star French restaurant, including a three-year apprenticeship under Andre. At the end of his Vegas tenure, Patterson was Andre’s head chef. He has also co-authored one cookbook about “The Art & Soul of Local Sustainable Cuisine.”

“Cooking could be the most important impetus that gave our earliest ancestors the ability to evolve into humankind, and while that was and continues to be an important factor in becoming human, I also believe that cooking today allows us to transcend our own humanity and rebel against the absurdity of our lives.”

This talk was from May 2015 Fulfillament. in Traverse City, MI
Fulfillament is a storytelling event featuring local community leaders & entrepreneurs who share their journey towards fulfillment through vocation that will challenge you to come alive.
This podcasts are personal, inside stories from these individuals… Why they do what they do, how did they get there, and how does it make them come alive? Each storyteller will issue a challenge for you to find fulfillment in your own life – you ready to make some change?
Here is Eric’s story…..