Do we have a (Halloween) treat for you this week? On this episode, we welcomed the charismatic father and son duo, Alan and Rich Wilson as they dive into the power of storytelling. Now, this episode does not fall short of in-person storytelling too. From everything from Halloween stories to Alan taking Rob and Amanda through cheers. Also, Rich takes us through the impact of online storytelling through content creation. It is no mystery that social media and marketing are essential to a firm’s success, so why not hear an industry update from an expert in this area? They also discuss their roles and contributions within the ALA. Learn about the Wilson’s incredible Halloween haunted house that as a result has deemed the street, “Halloween Street”.  And did we mention…there are moments that even leave Rob speechless?

About the Guest

Alan Wilson

Alan Wilson started working with GLJ Benefit Consultants (GJBC) in 2004 as an Employee Benefits Specialists. Since 2006, Alan has spearheaded the effort within GLJBC to reach out to law firms nationally regarding their benefits and how to use those benefits to help attract and retain quality personnel. Alan has written articles for the Association of Legal Administrators’ Legal Management, speaks frequently on benefits at conferences, and consults with individual law firms nationally.

Rich Wilson

Rich Wilson is the Founder and Filmmaker/Director of VIBE Media. Rich developed a passion for storytelling from his time in college at Southern Utah University where he hosted a daily radio program The Morning Brew listening to the stories of his fellow students, and onto working as Backstage Manager for an Arizona Based Performing Arts Center where he has been host to many well-known figures such as, Lorrie Morgan, Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats, The Oak Ridge Boys and Duck Dynasty’s Uncle Si. Currently, he directs video content for VIBE’s Youtube Channel and for many client projects.Through these experiences, Rich has cultivated the idea that every person, business, and brand has a unique story and believes these stories need to be told through modern visual storytelling and shared through online influencer style marketing.

Episode Resources

ALA

VIBE Media

GLJ Benefit Consultants

Imagine this… you’re a junior in college and all signs are pointing to you being selected as a top 30 NFL draft pick. Right before the rest of your life is supposed to start, you sustain a life-threatening injury that leaves you with a paralyzed arm. What would you do? Many of us would probably want to give up, but not this week’s guest! We had the honor of speaking with Inky Johnson (Host, Serendipity with Inky Johnson Podcast) about maintaining strength and resilience in the face of adversity, and we can’t wait to share his story of happenstance with all of you.

And there’s good news. If you’re attending the 2022 ALA Annual Conference & Expo, you’ll get a chance to see him speak in person!

Inky is this year's David W. Brezina Memorial Session Speaker sponsored by the Foundation of Legal Administrators. Make sure to add his talk to your agenda in Kissimmee this May! He’s assured us it won’t make you cry, but maybe bring some tissues just in case.

About the Guest

Inky Johnson

Husband, father, collegiate athlete, entrepreneur, and author, Inky Johnson is one of the most highly sought-after speakers in the world. For over a decade, executives, professional sports teams, business owners, and people all over have benefited from the raw energy of his thought-provoking and inspirational presentations. Whether the topic is leadership, teamwork, excelling in the midst of adversity, embracing change, mental agility, or perseverance, Inky's message is effective and efficient.

Inky's gift of being an effective communicator has allowed him to crossover into different industries. He is a leader called upon by leaders. A partial list of his clients includes Chick-fil-A, Dell Technologies, Aflac Insurance, Cooks Pest Control, State Farm, AT&T, Comcast, Coca Cola, Bank of America, Stryker, The University of Tennessee, The University of Alabama, The University of Texas, The University of Oregon, UCLA, Clemson University, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, The New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Braves.

Ink earned his Master's Degree in Sports Psychology from the University of Tennessee. He was a three-year letterman and two-year captain on the football team, where he started at cornerback. In his junior year, he was projected as a top thirty draft pick. Unfortunately, on September 9th, 2006, he sustained a life-threatening, career-ending injury that paralyzed his right arm and hand. From that day to the present day, Inky has had a burning desire to use his situation and experiences to add value to people's lives.

Inky's words have resonated all over the world - "the one thing we all have in common is that we will encounter adversity, but we have to decide how we respond to it. My arm and my hand are paralyzed but my heart isn't, my mind isn't, my dedication isn't, my work ethic isn't, and my commitment isn't."

Inky is on a mission to serve and is someone that takes tremendous pride in what he does.

Inky is the host of Serendipity with Inky Johnson podcast. He devotes time to mentoring athletes and underprivileged youth and is one of the founders of The Inky and Allison Johnson Foundation. Inky and his wife, Allison, live in Atlanta, Georgia with their two children, Jada and Inky Jr.[vc_column_text]

Episode Resources

Pitch Your Passion:

Thanks for tuning in! Join us back here soon for episode 8.

What would you do if, 48 hours before the most important event of the year, someone asked you to fill in for the keynote speaker? Would you pass up the opportunity or would you make it to the stage and give the best speech of your life? What if, after 20 years at a small firm, you made a leap and moved to a large firm? Would you be ready for the challenges that came with that transition? What about getting buy-in from attorneys and partners? How do you sell yourself in a way that gets you what you need? Take it from us, we can’t answer those questions, but Judy Hissong (President, Nesso Strategies) and April Campbell (Executive Director, Association of Legal Administrators) can. They take on the mic and bring us the wisdom we never knew we needed.

About the Guests

Judy Hissong

President, Nesso Strategies

Judy Hissong is the President of Nesso Strategies. A former law firm Chief Operating Officer, she helps firms become more profitable by advising leaders in strategic and leadership development challenges. Her mission is “world domination for Good.” By creating actionable, lightbulb moments that leaders want to share and spread, she intends to improve the world one person at a time. When she’s not speaking, training, and consulting, Judy teaches quarterly online workshops and facilitates Leaders Lab, a free monthly video conference that enables small groups of leaders to brainstorm strategies and solutions to work through common issues that keep firms stuck.

April Campbell

Executive Director, Association of Legal Administrators (ALA)

April Campbell is a leader in professional service and not-for-profit organizations for more than two decades. She is passionate about developing leaders and productive teams. She focuses her energy on the philosophy of change experimentation, using innovative methods to foster new solutions and empower leaders to a deeper understanding of how change happens. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Association of Legal Administrators. She has held additional roles in both large and small law firms in the areas of HR, pro bono, and operations. Before her career in legal management, she practiced as an attorney. April holds a Bachelor of Science in Spanish with a business option from Penn State and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oregon School of Law.

Episode Resources

General Resources:

Judy’s Resources: 

Judy’s Pitch Your Passion:

Kiva - A worldwide lending organization

April’s Resources:

April's Hobby/Miscellaneous:

Thanks for tuning in! Join us back here next week for episode 8 with Melissa Chambers and Mike West!