Leading up to our book’s release date next week, on Tuesday, February 6th, I have decided to dedicate a miniseries of The Embrace Family Recovery Podcast to introducing you to a few of the 44 women authors who penned ‘Voices of the 21st Century Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose.’
Today, I am ecstatic to introduce you to more of my magnificent co-authors, my fellow Bermudian authors.
Andrea Tompkins is an Integral Master Coach, co-author of the bestselling book Voices of the 21st Century: Women Transforming the World, and speaker. Andrea shares her experience, strength, and hope and coaches motivated clients to move toward their goals in a new way of being. She is available online globally and in person on the beautiful island of Bermuda.
Lorene Phillips is a former international (re)insurance underwriting executive and founder of Clarendon Wallace, a boutique firm that provides executive coaching and leadership consulting services. She is a sought-after speaker and author of 2 books. Lorene coaches her clients in executive leadership roles and aspiring leaders to create opportunities and career advancement on their own terms. She is also the creator of ‘The Huddle’, a free webinar series for youth leadership development, and the host of the limited podcast series ‘Coaching to Win!”. She holds a BA (Econ), is a Chartered Insurer, and is an ICF-accredited executive career & team coach.
Please meet Andrea and Lorene.
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See full transcript below.
Margaret 00:14
Hello everyone, Margaret Swift Thompson of Embrace Family Recovery, here with you today to share this special series that I’m putting out on the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast.
So, I have done something that I have dreamed about, I have been suggested to do, and I have been fearful of through much of my career. And that is write part of my story.
I am excited to announce that I am in a collaboration created by Women Speakers Association, a book entitled, Voices of the 21st Century Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose.
I, along with 44 other remarkable women from around the world, have chosen to write a chapter each based on the stories of our lives, our experiences, about passion and purpose.
And so. I am thrilled during this series to introduce you to some of my co-authors. And in the next month leading up to the book launch on February 6, I am honored and thrilled to share space on this platform with my co-authors.
So, buckle up and meet some of the women who I have been experiencing this journey with over the last year leading up to the launch of our book, Voices of the 21st Century, Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose.
Intro: Hello, everyone, and welcome back. I’m extremely excited today to be bringing you a guest who is from my home country of Bermuda. We have three of us as a part of this book. And I want you to get to know Andrea, who is one of my co-authors. So, Andrea, how would you introduce yourself to everybody on the listening audience?
Andrea Tompkins 02:25
Hi, everybody. I’m Andrea from Bermuda, and I’m so thrilled to be here with you, Margaret. Thank you so much.
Margaret 02:31
You’re welcome.
Andrea Tompkins 02:32
It’s an exciting time for us.
Margaret 02:34
It is well, and this is not your first time Andrea and you got to do this last year, which is kind of how I heard about it. I knew of one other muting who’d done it. But when you and I chatted, you told me a little bit about what you did. So why don’t we go back to what made you want to do it the first time like what led you to want to write a chapter Have you always wanted to write or is this new for you?
Andrea Tompkins 02:55
I always felt like I had something to say like there was a book inside of me. And when I met Michelle, who was the lady who the first Bermudian that I knew that was in voices, she really inspired me and I had gone on one of her contracts, to listen about her story. And that just made me want to start a journey.
Margaret 03:21
And it’s interesting because Michelle St John was a guest on my podcast, early on in the journey. So yes, I’m very familiar with Michelle, and she is the first person I ever heard about for Women Speakers Association. That was the connection for there. And also, for them hearing about Voices. So, what was the first episode you were a part of Voices of the 21st Century?
03:41
Andrea Tompkins: Right. So, it was the 2023 Book Women Transforming the World.
Margaret 03:47
Ooh another great title. And so, was it easy for you to do it the first time was that hard? How did you approach it? You said you knew you had a book in you are wanting to be writing a book at some point. So, what made this the first attempt for you?
Andrea Tompkins 04:04
So, I knew I had something to say, but I didn’t know what I didn’t know. So, it was really about praying and meditating about what part of my story was ready to be shared. And so that is what came out with part of my transformation story. In the first chapter that I that I wrote. So, it was actually a transforming experience,
Margaret: To do the writing.
Andrea Tompkins: To do the writing and to have it published. It’s really wonderful experience.
Margaret 04:40
We are both alum from Bermuda High School for Girls. And so, for me, it was also a full circle moment to go back to an all-female book. It took me back to those memories of growing up with all women, all girls which had many experiences not all great, not all bad. Was that a draw for you? Did that impact you at all?
Andrea Tompkins 05:07
I gotta say, when they told us the title, and the theme of the book, and how it was all coming about, because I believe they get the women and they listen to their stories, and then it kind of morphs into its own being, you know. The book gets a life of its own. And, and I believe that’s how they came up with the overall theme. And when it came to be Women Transforming the World. Yeah, it was very exciting and empowering and definitely gave me memories of the Good Old Days.
Margaret 05:41
Yes, the old girls that we are. (laughter) So, when you found your book was published, because you’ve been down this road, and I haven’t yet so it’s kind of been neat to hear what your experience was. What was the most surprising part about being a published author? Like was their response to your book that surprised you? Was their support that surprised? You know, what, what was enlightening? Or what was positive about it for you?
Andrea Tompkins 06:06
All of it was positive. All of it was enlightening. I was surprised with the support. Now that I look back on it. I was like, why wouldn’t keep my friends and family firstly, support me, but then wider people that I didn’t know as well. I had very special intimate moments like at the book signing with people I didn’t know. People who also wanted to write books, and that might inspire them and just such a wide variety of inspiring moments and connections. About making connections with people and the whole point of putting myself out there, if my story can inspire or help someone on their journey. So you know, it was worth it.
Margaret 06:53
Absolutely. Absolutely. And I know for me moving into the second you opted for a second, this is my first it was daunting for me, it was very vulnerable for me. How did the writing of your chapter for our current book that will be published on February 6, Voices as a 21st Century Women Empower Through Passion and Purpose? What made you want to do it again? What was different this time?
Andrea Tompkins 07:22
Well, I wanted to do it again. Because it was such a wonderful experience the first time I really enjoyed it. And I felt as if I have more to say more to share. Maybe I wasn’t ready to do a whole book on my own. But because the experience was so great with Women Speakers Association, the bond that I was making with the other authors and how I was growing. Like, last year from that whole process will end beginning in 2022. Yeah, I’m not the same person as when I began that process. So also, I’m growing, and healing, and becoming a different person as I go through the process of the second book, right?
Margaret: Sure.
Andrea Tompkins: So, when I sat down to write this chapter, when I had spoken with Gail Watson and okay, I decided I’m gonna go for it a second time. It was like, oh, gosh, well, what what am I gonna say, this time? Who wants and yet you go through so many emotions, like, does somebody actually want to hear what I have to say? Well, they did the first time. So maybe they would want to hear more. I went through those roller coasters,
Margaret: For sure.
Andrea Tompkins: Do I really want to do that? But when I came down to right, I actually again, sat down and prayed and this really, it’s came out of me literally in one sitting. And I was, I mean, I worked on it and edited it and everything afterwards, but it was a flow, was definitely flow that came through me for this one.
Margaret 08:58
Do you want to share the title of your chapter?
09:02
Andrea Tompkins: Yes, I do. I entitled it, ‘Let It Begin With Me.”
Margaret 09:07
That’s really interesting. I interviewed Gail a couple days ago, and hers was a similar theme about accepting one another. Live and Let Live is her title. So it’s kind of interesting. So let it begin with me as the title is there a little line from it you want to share or anything you want to tease the audience with? It won’t give too much away?
09:27
Andrea Tompkins: Yeah, I’ll share a line. And like I said, it’s a journey. So, what I was sharing was that “I discovered that my attitudes and my mental, emotional, and physical health are all essential elements to my self empowerment, and I have the power to change these things from within.” So let it begin with me. It’s all about me empowering myself from within, not looking outwards for validation.
Margaret 09:55
That’s a big one for me. I can relate to that, Andrea, I have spent my whole life looking for enough external acknowledgment to make me okay. And there’s never enough. So that’s great. I look forward to reading. Have you read any of the other chapters? Almost every one of the co-authors has not read the entire book. They’re waiting for it in print. Where are you at?
Andrea Tompkins 10:16
There is something about a book. I love to be able to read things online and ebook, and they’re great. But I’m old school. I love to have it. So yes, I have looked through the stories, but I have not read them all. I’ve read a few. But I haven’t read them all. And I will do that when I get the book as well.
Margaret 10:37
Yeah, I look forward to that. I look forward to sitting down and being amongst our co-authors in in spirit, reading it knowing that we all contributed to make this happen. I want to ask a question I should have asked Lorene because she’s also a Bermudian. But was there anything about writing as a Bermudian in a small island? Knowing lots of people know of us of our family? Our school alma mater, you know, I mean, you and I don’t really know each other until recently, but we know of each other before we ever met. Right? So like, that’s one of those wild things about living on a small island? Was it harder, or it’s hard to compare because we don’t live anywhere else? But how did you feel about that piece of putting your story out there?
Andrea Tompkins 11:23
Yeah, and that’s definitely a consideration, for me when I’m writing, I’m very aware because of some of the subject matter is sensitive in my book, and it can be sensitive to members of my family. So, I’m aware when I’m writing that I’m talking about myself, and not anybody else’s experiences directly. I do speak about my husband ,and my children, and my brother who passed, but those are the only people I’m speaking about. And, you know, if I want to help people, and I’m saying, ‘Let it Begin With Me, I’m putting myself out there in order to share my story and to see, you know, if my story helps somebody or inspires somebody, then that’s why I’m doing it. sharing the message is part of what we do on recovery.
Margaret 12:16
Yeah. Well, and I think that it’s a way to connect with other people, because we connect on a personal level. So, wanting to help people, is obviously part of your makeup, you believe in the desire career wise to help people you’re in HR, you do help people on a general level? Is there other ventures that you hope to aspire to, or do in your career to help people around maybe the subjects that you wrote about?
Andrea Tompkins 12:45
Yes, during the pandemic, I actually took it on as a personal development to become a coach and qualified with Integral Coaching Canada. And so, through coaching, I believe I can reach people in a different way than I do in my work life. It’s a personal endeavor, that I am on. A personal journey, helping others in a different way. And sharing my recovery story is another part of it. Those are separate. But yeah, those are part of the ways that I’m helping people.
Margaret 13:27
And I have no doubt when people read your chapters, some of the common elements of humanity and the things we all go through, will maybe give voice to someone who hasn’t spoken about it.
Intro: Well, welcome, everybody. I am super excited today, because I get to introduce you to a fellow Bermudian, who’s also part of this book Voices of the 21st Century Women Empowered Through Passion and Purpose. Lorene, I would love you to introduce yourself to the listeners as you would like us to know you.
Lorene Phillips 14:19
I love that as you would like us to know you. Hi, everyone. My name is Lorene Phillips. And I am the founder and CEO of Clarendon Wallace, which is a boutique executive coaching and leadership consulting firm that has started in Bermuda and has already started expanding overseas. And I started just before the pandemic, prior to spending 30 years as an underwriter in the reinsurance and insurance space. So, it’s a delight to be on this side of my 2.0 career and just excited to be here.
Margaret 14:53
Thank you. That’s exciting. I think that one of the things is we crossed paths on LinkedIn, but it is so neat to be in this part of the journey with you of writing, it was the first time for me in publishing. I was wondering was that for you the same. Is this your first-time publishing or have you already published something.
15:11
Lorene Phillips: I was already published, I had actually written two books before one was called ‘29 Keys to Unlocking Your Faith at Work and Win’ and it’s really about how do you live your faith out in a practical way as a corporate executive. And then the second book I co-authored with my husband, which is ’29 Keys to Parenting and Win‘ we are parents of three now young adult sons, and you know, we just get asked a lot of questions about parenting. And so, we decided to put everything together in our second book. So yes, I started this writing and authorship a few years ago.
Margaret 15:46
Good for you. Yeah, this was my first, so it’s very new to me. How was this experience different than writing your past books? Was it similar or different for you to write in Voices of the 21st century?
15:55
Lorene Phillips: Well, similar and different similar in that it’s writing, and it’s about really being able to communicate your thoughts and your ideas in a compelling way, and really just telling your story. What was different about this particular project that I really liked was I get to do with others, and I had an opportunity to hear about what was of interest to other writers. And it was very encouraging. It was very inspiring; it was very collaborative.
And there’s something about being able to do what you love and what you’re passionate about with others, that makes it much more memorable, and much more impactful. So, you know, I’m delighted by this project, and just the end product and being able to, you know, get a cup of coffee and put my feet up and delve into the voices of other women and the things that, hear what they’re passionate about, and hopefully be able to glean and to grow from that as well.
Margaret 16:51
Yeah, I look forward to that, too. Out of all the people that I have interviewed from our 45 co-authors, most have not read it yet are waiting for the hand, you know, have it in hand and to sit with a cup of coffee and read it. So, it seems like we’re all similar in that.
Lorene Phillips 17:04
Yes, absolutely.
Margaret 17:05
What you would like to talk about with your chapters, there anything you’d like to share without giving it all away? So, people will look forward to reading it?
17:13
Lorene Phillips: Yeah. You know, I thought long and hard about what I really wanted to share, and what would be the most important message. And it’s, there’s a story that says, you know, if you’re on your way out the door, what’s that last message, someone will say to you. If you’re going on a trip, or whatever it is, those last instructions are probably the most important instructions.
And so, when I considered this particular project, I thought, okay, I have this one chapter, what is the most important thing that I would like to, to impart or to share, and it was really around taking risk. About taking strategic risks, about daring yourself to be courageous. And to understand that you can begin again, and you can begin again, and you can begin again, and it’s okay. It’s okay to do that. And not to play it safe. Because when you play it safe, you know, like Michael Jordan says, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
So, if you don’t take that chance on yourself, if you don’t bet on yourself, no one else is. And so, I really wanted to share that but, but also importantly, to share where I believe I got that DNA from. Did it just kind of happen to be a risk taker, or was there something in my environment, it’s probably a bit of both. And so, I shared kind of where I believe I saw it modeled, and how that impacted me. And then how I tried to live my life, so that I can impact that of my kids, so that they can also dare themselves, to take those amazingly brave risks on themselves.
Margaret 18:46
I love that. And I think the thing that really works for me is that visual of that last thing stated as you leave, as you go out the door, take a trip, that’s really profound to think about. So I really am excited to hear how you weave that in that visual into what you share in your chapter.
19:02
Lorene Phillips: Yeah, yeah. And, you know, in many ways, it was very affirming for me to do it, because I really had to reflect and to consider have I always been this way. I mean, as far as I can recall, I’ve always taken risks, even as a teenager, as a preteen, as a young adult, and into my adult years. And continue to do so when I started my coaching practice and moving away from something that was home for me in terms of for career for 30 years, and then doing that right three weeks into the pandemic.
So, I’ve always taken risk, and I continue to do that I look at my business now as we enter into a fourth year, and I’m now thinking, okay, what’s my next best step? What’s that big risk that I’m willing to take? And to know that even if it doesn’t work out, like Mandela says, “You don’t fail, you learn.” And so, with that mindset, isn’t it awesome to be able to just continue to push those boundaries and dare yourself to do those audacious things.
Margaret 20:03
Love it, love that. I love the empowerment in it and the reality that if we don’t take a risk or try something we will never know. Right. So, it is leaning into that.
20:14
Lorene Phillips: I think that would be certainly for me in terms of my own legacy. That would be my biggest regret is not having taken that risk. I think it would be the thing that I would look back at and wonder what would happen, what would happen if I only did and so I want that not to be the reality for others. And so yeah, that will be my biggest parting word is, go ahead and take that shot and bet on yourself.
Margaret 21:01
Remarkable, the courage and tenacity and strength of women to be vulnerable, and authentic, and share tips and strategies and resources from their story for each of us to learn from. Whether it’s my chapter or one of the other women’s chapters, I assure you there is something in this for every woman in the world to gather support, encouragement, maybe passion, light a passion in you. These women who have taken the time to write their chapter and be a part of this book, Voices of the 21st Century Women Power Through Passion and Purpose.
Until next time, take care of you.
