Business as UNusual
BiCurean Consulting
Business as UNusual is not just another podcast; it's a captivating journey into the heart of modern entrepreneurship. This show dives deep into the groundbreaking strategies, bold ideas, and unconventional practices that empower visionary leaders and companies to thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape.
Join Aicila, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience in business development across the nonprofit and corporate sectors, as she engages in enlightening conversations with a diverse array of guests. These inspiring individuals are on a mission to create successful businesses that prioritize both people and the planet in their profit models.
Tune in to be inspired and to discover how these remarkable changemakers are redefining success in business. Their stories will ignite your passion and spark innovative thinking in your own ventures.
For more details, visit BiCurean.com/bau.
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Top 10 Business as UNusual Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Business as UNusual episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Business as UNusual for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Business as UNusual episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Authors for Palestine
Business as UNusual
06/17/24 • 43 min
Aicila hosts and produces Business as UNusual to learn from CEOs, Entrepreneurs, Artists, and more what motivated them to forge the path they are on and how they are innovating in their area of influence.
In this episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila sits down with authors Merlina, Katy, Claudie, and River Kai from the initiative Authors for Palestine. They discuss their efforts to support three Palestinian families facing displacement and hardships. The guests share personal motivations, their contributions to the cause, and read excerpts from their work to help listeners connect with the families’ stories. Discover how you can be part of this impactful fundraiser.
Topics discussed in this episode:
Introduction to Authors for Palestine and their mission [00:02:45]
Highlighting the families in need of support [00:05:20]
Personal motivations and stories from the authors [00:10:15]
Book donations and excerpts shared by the authors [00:20:30]
Importance of solidarity and actionable steps for listeners [00:35:45]
Strategies for recharging and avoiding burnout in activism [00:42:00]
Closing thoughts and the power of community support [00:53:15]
Ready to take actionable steps and make a difference? Tune in to this thought-provoking episode and join us in supporting those in need.
Episode transcript:
The full transcript of this conversation is available at bicurean.com/bautranscripts3
Website
Website
Follow the Authors in this Episode
Katy Haye
Katy’s website: www.katyhaye.com
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/katyhaye
Instagram: https://instagram.com/katyhaye
Facebook: www.facebook.com/katyhayewriter
Merlina Garance
Instagram: @merlina_garance_author
Website: merlinagarance.com
Claudie Arseneault
You can find her website: https://claudiearseneault.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudiearseneault/
bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/clh2oars.bsky.social
River Kai
River Kai: @riv_kaii on Instagram, @riv_kai on TikTok, @riverkai on YouTube.
Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.
#entrepreneurs #podcast #BiCurean #businessasunusual #indieauthors #palestine #humanitarianaid #getinvolved #community #connection
Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.
Help us get the word out about the ways folks are innovating business to be better for us all. https://plus.acast.com/s/business-as-unusual.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Be Act Change with Dr. Esther Zeledon
Business as UNusual
04/14/25 • 39 min
In this episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila engages with Dr. Esther Zeledon, a Latina immigrant and former diplomat turned entrepreneur. Dr. Zeledon shares her journey of empowering individuals and communities through her transformative framework. Her insights challenge the status quo, inspiring listeners to redefine success and align with their true purpose.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Esther Zeledon's journey from diplomat to author and coach
- Empowering communities by aligning with their aspirations
- The impact of collective vision on societal change
- Inspiring individuals to recognize and operationalize their unique superpowers
- Cultivating a mindset of abundance over scarcity for societal impact
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Dr. Esther Zeledon's book and workbook "Creating Your Limitless Life"
- Be Act Change website: Be Act Change
- Dr. Esther Zeledon's Instagram: beactchange
- Dr. Esther Zeledon's LinkedIn: Dr. Esther Zeledon
🌟 Embrace your vision! Visualize your limitless future and take the first step today.
📚 Unlock your potential by exploring Dr. Zeledon's book, "Creating Your Limitless Life."
🤝 Connect with a community of change-makers. Follow Esther on Instagram and LinkedIn for inspiration and resources.
The full transcript of this conversation is available at bicurean.com/bautranscripts3
Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.
Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.
Help us get the word out about the ways folks are innovating business to be better for us all. https://plus.acast.com/s/business-as-unusual.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Managing and Reviewing Resources
Business as UNusual
11/18/24 • 9 min
Maximizing Creative Resources: Avoiding Burnout and Boosting Fulfillment In this episode, Aicila discusses the importance of measuring and optimizing personal resources such as creativity, motivation, and energy for creative entrepreneurs. Traditional business metrics often overlook these subjective elements, leading to potential burnout.
Aicila explains the significance of integrating these personal resources into business planning and introduces a free downloadable worksheet designed to help entrepreneurs assess their use of these resources.
Aicila also explores practical scenarios, like handling social media stress, and provides actionable steps to streamline and enhance overall business strategies. Reflecting on the past year and setting intentions for future planning are emphasized, along with the need to eliminate ineffective tools and focus on balanced project success.
https://www.bicurean.com/packages/ for free downloads
00:00 Introduction to Measuring Business Resources
01:15 The Importance of Tracking Personal Resources
01:52 Addressing Burnout and Work-Life Balance
02:35 Social Media Challenges and Solutions
04:23 Reflecting on Business Performance
07:21 End of Year Planning and Tools
08:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Episode transcript:
The full transcript of this conversation is available at bicurean.com/bautranscripts3
Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.
Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.
Help us get the word out about the ways folks are innovating business to be better for us all. https://plus.acast.com/s/business-as-unusual.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Beyond Judgment: Finding Joy in Diversity with Patty Bates-Ballard
Business as UNusual
05/13/24 • 31 min
Aicila hosts and produces Business as UNusual to learn from CEOs, Entrepreneurs, Artists, and more what motivated them to forge the path they are on and how they are innovating in their area of influence.
In this powerful episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila sits down with Patty Bates-Ballard, CEO of WordSmooth and author, to delve into the transformative power of communication in diverse business environments. Together, they explore how curiosity, judgment, and forgiveness shape workplace dynamics and overall productivity.
Tune in to learn from Patty’s hands-on experience and innovative approaches in handling conflicts and fostering a culture of deep understanding and appreciation.
Topics discussed in this episode:
The essence of WordSmooth and its mission [00:02:15]
Effective strategies to handle insensitive comments [00:10:30]
Overcoming judgment to foster workplace joy [00:18:45]
Patty’s personal experiences and lessons from her books [00:26:10]
Building self-worth and its impact on organizational success [00:33:00]
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Patty Bates-Ballard’s company, WordSmooth (www.wordsmooth.com) [00:04:20]
ACE-ing Conflict, Judgment or Joy by Patty Bates-Ballard available on Amazon [00:26:10]
Guided meditations on WordSmooth website [00:48:50]
Episode transcript: bicurean.com/bautranscripts3
Website
Contact
Links
ACE-ing Conflict on Amazon
Judgment or Joy? on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Judgment-Joy-judging-embrace-connection/dp/B0D1M61HS4/
Oxford study: https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2019-10-24-happy-workers-are-13-more-productive
Social Media Links
https://www.instagram.com/wordsmooth/
https://www.facebook.com/wordsmoothbiz
https://medium.com/@WordSmooth
https://insighttimer.com/wordsmooth/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wordsmooth/
https://www.threads.net/@wordsmooth
https://twitter.com/WordSmooth
Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.
#entrepreneurs #BiCurean #BAU #businessasunusual #EffectiveCommunication #LeadershipSkills #WorkPlaceWellness
Help us get the word out about the ways folks are innovating business to be better for us all. https://plus.acast.com/s/business-as-unusual.
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Melanated Moms of Children with Autism with Robinne Alexander
Business as UNusual
10/17/22 • 39 min
Business as Unusual, a podcast series by BiCurean Consulting. features people saying yes to the opportunity to create new ways of doing business. This week we are speaking with Robinne Alexander of Robinne Alexander & Associates and Melanated Moms of Children with Autism Initiative.
Robinne Alexander is an unapologetic servant leader and consultant with over 14 years of experience in leading and creating initiatives that help fortify the mission of others.
Born in the small town of Port Arthur, TX, Robinne Alexander was always determined to walk to the beat of her own drum. She attended Port Arthur public schools where she was a good student but struggled to keep up with the status quo of traditional classroom learning. After failing and repeating multiple grade levels in school, she knew that something different had to happen. Against her parent's will, she dropped out of 10th grade still determined to figure out life, yet again, on her own terms. It goes without saying that there was no indication of the remarkable journey her life would quickly unfold in the years to come. All the while, unknowingly having Autism, Dyslexia and ADD.
In 2005 she found herself having a pivotal opportunity that led to her working with her first celebrity from BET Network as a Personal Assistant. Over the next few years of learning the business of being an entrepreneur, she eventually found herself working with more television stars, sports figures, and all levels of government and C-Suite executives for her own entrepreneurial ventures.
Prior to becoming a full-time Autism consultant and advocate, she was known as the Millennial's "go-to" licensed financial expert. Some of her most notable exposure include being an Academy Instructor for Live Richer Academy, and a guest financial consultant for Black Enterprise.
After 2 wildly successful businesses and working with the Autism community, she knows what it means to be neurologically diverse and still achieve meaningful change for herself and others.
Robinne's Website: https://www.robinnealexander.com/
Follow Robinne on Social Media:
instagram @lipstickstilettoshustle
facebook @mmocainitiative
Help us get the word out about the ways folks are innovating business to be better for us all. https://plus.acast.com/s/business-as-unusual.
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Story Power: From Poetry to PR with Mickie Kennedy
Business as UNusual
07/08/24 • 63 min
Aicila hosts and produces Business as UNusual to learn from CEOs, Entrepreneurs, Artists, and more what motivated them to forge the path they are on and how they are innovating in their area of influence.
In this episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila sits down with Mickie Kennedy of eReleases to delve into the world of public relations for small businesses. Mickie reveals how even the smallest companies can leverage PR to achieve significant media coverage and credibility. From overcoming imposter syndrome to crafting impactful press releases, this episode is packed with actionable insights for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Topics discussed in this episode:
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Small Business PR [02:15]
Why Unique Stories Capture Journalists’ Attention [07:40]
The Definition of a Small Business and Who Uses eReleases [12:30]
Writing Effective Press Releases and Using AI [15:55]
Trend Analysis: Economic Booms in Non-Industrialized Countries [20:10]
Mickie’s Journey from Faxing to Emailing Journalists [27:45]
Business Skills from a Marketing Mastermind [31:20]
Strategic PR Campaigns and Tracking Impact [38:05]
Ethical Guidelines in PR and Fake Celebrity Endorsements [45:00]
The Affordable Side of PR Services [51:30]
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Ereleases website: https://www.ereleases.com [01:50]
Free PR Masterclass: https://www.ereleases.com/plan [42:10]
PR Newswire: https://www.prnewswire.com [53:35]
Transform your PR strategy with Mickie's free masterclass: [Take the Course](https://www.ereleases.com/plan)
Ready to get your company's story heard? Visit eReleases: [Learn More](https://www.ereleases.com)
Harness the power of storytelling in PR.
Episode transcript:
The full transcript of this conversation is available at bicurean.com/bautranscripts3
Website
Links
https://x.com/ereleases https://www.facebook.com/ereleases.press.release.distribution https://www.instagram.com/ereleasespr https://www.linkedin.com/in/publicity/ https://www.pinterest.com/ereleases/ https://www.youtube.com/user/ereleases https://www.tiktok.com/@ereleases
Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.
#entrepreneurs #podcast #businessasunusual #pr #storypower #smallbusiness
Help us get the word out about the ways folks are innovating business to be better for us all. https://plus.acast.com/s/business-as-unusual.
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From Academia to Astrology: Deb’s Skin Care Story
Business as UNusual
04/21/25 • 28 min
In this episode, Aicila interviews Deb, co-founder of Herbal Eclipse. Deb shares her journey from academia to herbal skincare entrepreneurship, the importance of using organic ingredients, and how astrology plays a role in their products. A collaboration with her son brings a unique dynamic to their thriving family business.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- The benefits and challenges of launching a natural skincare company
- The potential harm of chemicals in conventional skincare products
- The integration of astrology in product development
- Strategies for running a successful family business
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Herbal Eclipse Website: herbaleclipse.care
- Herbal Eclipse Experience for educational resources and new moon meditations
Calls to action:
- 🌿 Explore the Herbal Eclipse experience and discover products aligned with your zodiac sign!
- 🌟 Join a new moon meditation with Deb and connect with your energies.
- 🤝 Support small businesses by choosing organic skincare that cares for both you and the planet.
Episode transcript: The full transcript of this conversation is available at https://www.bicurean.com/bautranscripts3
Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.
Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.
Help us get the word out about the ways folks are innovating business to be better for us all. https://plus.acast.com/s/business-as-unusual.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Activate Your Voice with Dylan Brody
Business as UNusual
02/23/23 • 40 min
Business As Unusual, is a series produced by BiCurean Consulting. We present Entrepreneurs, Innovators, CEOs, & Founders who are innovating the way we do business.
What is the place for art in a profit-driven entertainment landscape? There exists inherent value of creativity and self-expression apart from its commercial worth. Dylan Brody shares his experience and perspective as an artist who is also interested in paying his bills.
Active Voices Productions is his answer to this question. He is creating, producing and supporting museum quality art for mainstream entertainment industry audiences.
With an ever-expanding repertoire of witty and profound tales of his journey through life that are unique, yet utterly recognizable to everyone, Dylan has earned a reputation as one of America’s great raccanteurs.
Currently Executive Producing his unexpectedly successful web-series, The Corona Dialogues - a dylan brody project with producing partner Bonnie Hunt, Mr Brody is currently touring his brand new comfortingly hilarious headlining set for a post-pandemic world.
For three years running, best-selling author and humorist David Sedaris invited Mr. Brody to share his stages when touring the West Coast. Brodys work has garnered praise and professional boosts over the years from comedic legends such as wide-ranging as David Sedaris, Robin Williams, Jenny Lawson and Richard Lewis, and the Carl Reiner. Frankly, your interest in him indicates an exquisite refinement of taste.
Check out his website to learn more about his upcoming shows, performances, book releases, and workshops!
Best Contact for Listeners to find you or connect with you:
Social Media Links/Handles
@dylanbrody @activevoiceprod (twitter)
Website activevoiceproductions.com
https://www.dylanbrody.com/bio
Links
Mountain Goats
https://www.mountain-goats.com/
Taylor Swift
Demi Lovato
Produced by BiCurean Consulting- BiCurean.com
Help us get the word out about the ways folks are innovating business to be better for us all. https://plus.acast.com/s/business-as-unusual.
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Beyond Inclusion with Maria Velasco
Business as UNusual
03/17/22 • 37 min
Picture of Maria Velasco with some information about the livestream on 3/14.
Maria Velasco is the Founder and CEO of Beyond Inclusion Group. She partners with Certified BCorporations, non-profits organizations, and Business for Good companies with at least 50 employees who are looking to transform their company culture into inclusive environments where everyone thrives and belongs.
This is the 3rd episode of a new series from BiCurean Consulting- Business As Unusual. Tune in to hear from someone who is saying yes to the opportunity to build a new way of doing business.
Beyond Inclusion Group provides comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consulting and training services that increase employee engagement, innovation and performance by empowering leaders to strengthen and leverage diversity, reduce bias, promote inclusion and institutional change.
Born and raised in Spain, Maria moved to the United States right after finishing college. She wanted to explore new philosophies and religions other than Catholicism which is the main religion in Spain. Some Spanish friends had moved to Seattle to study metaphysics and she felt very drawn to the topic so she decided to explore it. She left everything that was known to her- her family, her partner, her country. She'd never thought about the need to have legal documentation or anything like that. She was following a deep calling and that was the only thing that was important to her. It has been a long winding road for her to get to my true calling of doing social and racial justice work. Her calling is fueled by her experience as an immigrant overall and about the difficulties she had to advance professionally and to feel that she truly belongs.
Learn more about Maria Velasco:
https://beyondinclusiongroup.com/
Help us get the word out about the ways folks are innovating business to be better for us all. https://plus.acast.com/s/business-as-unusual.
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Goals, Outcomes, Plans, Intentions, Oh My!
Business as UNusual
05/12/25 • 6 min
In this thought-provoking episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila dives deep into the differences between plans, intentions, goals, and outcomes in the context of small business and social impact leadership. Learn why focusing on behaviors you can control, rather than just chasing outcomes, is key to sustaining success and avoiding discouragement—especially in uncertain times. Aicila blends innovative mindset shifts and practical examples to help entrepreneurs and leaders cultivate flexibility and resilience in an ever-evolving business world.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Why outcome-based goals can hinder motivation
- The power of focusing on actionable behaviors for business growth
- Plans vs. intentions: building agility in a changing landscape
- How to stay motivated through rejection and uncertainty
- Embracing flexibility as your biggest asset
✨ Reflect on your current goals—are they based on outcomes or behaviors you control? Shift at least one goal this week!
🤝 Stay agile—review your plans and consider where intentions might offer more flexibility.
🚀 Share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur and keep the conversation going about building business resilience!
The full transcript of this conversation is available at https://www.bicurean.com/bautranscripts3
Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.
Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.
Help us get the word out about the ways folks are innovating business to be better for us all. https://plus.acast.com/s/business-as-unusual.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Business as UNusual have?
Business as UNusual currently has 128 episodes available.
What topics does Business as UNusual cover?
The podcast is about Goals, Marketing, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Women, Community, Podcast, Podcasts, Business, Clarity, Sustainability and Smallbusiness.
What is the most popular episode on Business as UNusual?
The episode title 'Beyond Judgment: Finding Joy in Diversity with Patty Bates-Ballard' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Business as UNusual?
The average episode length on Business as UNusual is 34 minutes.
How often are episodes of Business as UNusual released?
Episodes of Business as UNusual are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Business as UNusual?
The first episode of Business as UNusual was released on Feb 4, 2022.
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