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IDEATION: Event Recap

7/3/2018

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On June 12, Magic Sessions hosted it’s 5th quarterly event, Ideation, inspired by the quote from Eleanor Roosevelt:

“Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”
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​This particular event was noteworthy for a couple of reasons:
  • We had almost 20 new invitees, which means half of the folks at the event were newcomers!
  • Autumn Theodore joined us via Skype after a successful brain surgery to remove a tumor.
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Both of these things made the event pretty special!
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Thank you, as always, for your participation; feedback; and desire to create positive, meaningful connections. This is truly a labor of love for both Autumn and me (Brandi).
“[My most meaningful connection was] connecting with people I haven’t met before, doing things I have not experienced before, expanding my mind!” 
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-- David Staley 
“[From Ideation I gained] a better idea of how to make my school-based program a reality—which is exciting!” 
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-- Julie Wonjo
“[I will] use the perspectives that are encouraging me to heal myself and share the most vulnerable parts of myself.” 
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-- Brian Lidle
“The experience of hearing everyone’s stories gave me valuable insight into what others are thinking.” 
​-- Anonymous
“I plan to use the feedback and ideas of places to partner with from the group for blindfolded yoga and yoga for veterans and other populations who suffer from mental illness and PTSD.”
​-- Lindsey Escaja
“[My most meaningful connection was] Malo who could create data visualization ‘stuff’ for my next veteran’s memorial project.” 
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-- Mike Nemeth
“[From Ideation I realized] so many of us share similar struggles” 
​-- Anonymous
“This was my first networking event EVER, so all of these connections have been very meaningful. It means a lot to know there is a safe space and friendly network of people to connect with.” 
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-- Naomi Kennedy ​
We had just over 40 people visit 934 Gallery and share their “great minds” with us. Very special thanks to 934 Gallery for allowing us to use their space as a wonderful venue, Justin Johnston of Side Hustle Syndicate for connecting us with 934 Gallery, and to members Tina De Broux and Lisa Cribbs for helping with event setup.
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Claire Coder Talks about Ideation

6/5/2018

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Claire Coder is the world’s youngest ideation queenius (queen + genius, a word I stole from one of Maria Siriano’s Instagram comments). 

I (Brandi) met Claire at our very first Magic Sessions quarterly event, Gratitude, on the rooftop of The Jeffrey. Since then, every conversation with her feeds my ability to take the next step in my business, from understanding how to do my own PR, to connecting me with folks who can help me learn to market my book on Amazon, she knows all the things and connects the dots on actually DOING them, too. So naturally, when Autumn and I were looking for an expert on ideas to chat with, we turned to Claire!  
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Here is a little more about Claire, followed by a Q + A on her ideas about ideas! 

Claire Coder is the founder and CEO of Aunt Flow. On a mission to ensure everyone has access to menstrual products, Aunt Flow stocks over 100 companies across the USA with their 100% organic cotton tampons and pads. Coder launched her first company at age 16, designed a bag for Vera Bradley that sold out in 24 hours, and has her own line of GIFs. The 21-year-old founder has been featured in TeenVogue, Forbes, and starred in TLC’s Girl Starter Season 1. When she is not jamming out to Macklemore, she is pretending like she knows how to run Google ads. 

Describe your favorite “big idea” moment.

I was at a Startup Weekend in the fall of 2015. On Friday evening of the event, I scurried to the bathroom to learn that I started my period unexpectedly. Of course, I scrambled to find a tampon or pad. In the bathroom there was mouthwash, q-tips, even mints... No tampons and pads to be found. Thus, I did what most menstruators do in this situation, I wadded up some uncomfortable toilet paper and made-do. That was the moment that I realized that "Toilet paper is offered for free, why aren't tampons?" This experience lead me to drop out of The Ohio State University and dedicate my life to ensuring everyone has access to quality menstrual products. 

Describe an idea that you loved, but didn’t work out in practice.  

I still want to create "sound absorbing paint." Something that will swallow sound from the outside, so you never need to hear an annoying car horn (or a cranky neighbor) while you are pleasantly sitting in bed, ever again. So far, this idea has not worked out because I don't know any engineers that can create such a complex paint-like substance. 

What is your process for capturing ideas?

Every "problem" in my day triggers me to think about potential solutions. I record all of my ideas in Slack (a communication board to jot down ideas.) 

How do you decide which ideas to put into action?  

Suzy Batiz, founder of Poo-Pourri, speaks about the process for understanding if ideas are worthwhile to work on. She shared a few steps to understand if an idea is a good-one:

1. Do you "light up" when talking about it?
2. Are you getting tingly "body sensations”?
3. Are you recognizing signs of synchrony in the world? Like you sit down next to a potential partner on an airplane.
4. Does the idea keep knocking at your door?
5. When you experience the idea in real life, does everything get high def?

Why are you a member of Magic Sessions?

While there are many events in Columbus, Magic Sessions is truly different in that it is interactive, connection-based, reflective, and genuinely improves the spirit. BONUS: They are FREE! #NoExcuses

Describe a meaningful, positive connection that has come from Magic Sessions.​

I am forever grateful that I met Michelle Gibson at Magic Sessions. Just a few weeks after we met, we went to the Overcoats concert together and now she is a homie. <3 ​
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Quentin Monden Talks About RISK

5/1/2018

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Quentin is a man who has some deep things to say, and he’s not afraid to say them.

I (Brandi) first met him at a Wonder Jam event, but we really connected many months later when he came to my Creative Mornings talk in September of 2017. Since that time, we (Autumn, Quentin and I) have had many meaningful conversations.

At our March event, themed “Risk”, Quentin shared with his small discussion group a personal goal to start a Youtube channel where he would share his personal experience with depression and provide resources to others who struggle with mental illness. This is an extension of his work at his day job as a contract staffer for NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Health) Ohio.  

We continued to follow up with him and are so happy to share his first video with you!
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Here is a Q+A with Quentin where he shares what risk means to his own life, and his experience as a Magic Sessions member:

What does risk mean to you?

Risk implies that I will experience a loss but a loss I can accept.

How do you implement risk into your life?

I implement risk into my life by focusing more on the potential gain then the losses.

Where in your life do you surrender to risk?

I surrender to risk when it comes to supporting issues and people.

Describe your favorite risk moment.

My favorite risk moment was back in the 8th grade. My class at the time decided to pick on a girl on my class for a petty reason. I thought it was stupid and said I would tell our teacher what was going on. That put me against everyone "cool" in our class and I didn't care. She didn't deserve to be treated that way and I stood by what I believed to be right. On our graduation day she pulled me aside and thanked me for standing up for her. We're still connected on Facebook today and she's a mother now with a great husband.

Why are you a member of Magic Sessions?

I'm a member of Magic Sessions because I enjoy meeting wonderful and passionate people in my community that are doing something positive. 

Describe a meaningful, positive connection that has come from Magic Sessions.
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I've had the pleasure of meeting Julia Handelman of Youth Yoga Project. Since meeting and connecting at Magic Sessions we have met and enjoyed each other company outside of the meetings. We have a lot in common and always have a great time out together.

Want to support Quentin’s work? Consider donating to his NAMI Walks campaign or subscribing to his YouTube channel.
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