Leap Strategically

I haven't been posting much as Leap, as we move closer to officially celebrating this love-filled goofball, Brad Bawmann. A friend recently asked me what I'd be wearing to his funeral; and when I answered, she said it was helpful, so I'm sharing it here.

You may or may not know that I've been to a lot of funerals. And over the years, I've learned that it helps me to wear or bring something that reminds me of the person we've lost. It makes me feel like they are with me. Which makes me smile, remembering the best of that person.

So this Friday, in honor of Brad, I'll be wearing a bowtie, and maybe crazy socks -- because that's how I picture him, and I think he'd approve. If we were doing a TBG event, I'd hashtag it .

I haven't completely forgiven him for leaving us the way he did. But I'm trying. And the one time I wore a bowtie in his honor recently, I felt like he approved. And, amidst the sadness, it made me happy.

I don't know what Brad's memory might mean to you. But if bringing a note he sent, or wearing a bowtie or crazy socks helps you get through what will likely be a very emotional day, then I hope you do it. Because ultimately, he wanted the people he loved to be happy. And remembering how he lived and not just how he died might just do that.

Some panels can feel ... performative, in the sense that you can feel good about attending, but nothing will change.

Not this one.

"Fixing Fish, Fixing Climate, Feeding the World" offers the combined expertise of leaders who are already making a difference. Which is important, since we will need all of them -- government/policy, business, international environmental experts, and the best technologies -- to help feed the world while also protecting our climate and waters.

If you have a moment, please follow the link below and vote for this panel. It takes just a moment, and your vote makes a difference! Thank you!

PanelPicker | SXSW Conference & Festivals PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform. Enter ideas and vote to help shape Conference programming for SXSW and SXSW EDU.

So there must also be an AP-Style hot dog, yes?

Always here for money pushed to local journalism. But also… wow. Congrats to the excellent Axios team.

Axios agrees to sell to Cox Enterprises for $525 million The deal ensures continued investments in local news.

I have mentioned before that I have been working with The Bawmann Group this past year, helping my friend Brad Bawmann with a few accounts and working with his wonderful team.

My heart breaks to share this news. He was a lovely man. I will miss him, his encouragement, his laugh, his compassion and vitality. I will miss our talks about our kids, about life… and the small things that make a life.

I would only add: in Brad’s honor, look for opportunities to serve. Look for ways to be kind.

Always be kind.
💔

With heavy hearts, we share the following news:

The world lost Brad Bawmann on Sunday, June 12, 2022. His restless soul is now at peace, yet the gifts he brought to so many will forever endure. With a huge heart that was always open, giving and ready to serve, Brad charmed many near and far. Brad was a respected journalist and communicator and was deeply loved among his family and friends. He was the consummate storyteller, connector and mobilizer in all things work and community. His strong sense of faith graced him with much gratitude for his many blessings. One can’t measure the immensity of the loss, or understand the choices made, but we can celebrate the indelible impact of a life that was built on helping others.

We hope that you find within your hearts the same spirit to give, to lend a hand up and to be a beacon of light for those who need it most.

For those wishing to honor Brad, he would be overjoyed to know that further good would come of his life with contributions to your favorite nonprofit or one of the following that were near and dear to his heart.

• Ukrainians of Colorado https://www.ukrainiansofcolorado.org/
• Nepal Youth Foundation https://www.nepalyouthfoundation.org/
• A+ Angels (East High School Mentoring Program) https://www.aplusangels.org/

A Celebration of Life will be held later in the summer.

The Bawmann Group will continue to elevate the stories and mission of our clients as we keep his legacy alive.

We've been working with Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) to raise awareness of their incredible work to get direct humanitarian aid to the civilian volunteers in 's Territorial Defense Forces, as well as special medical kits to prevent massive blood loss from shrapnel wounds.

This has meant helping to get KSE's (amazing) President, Tymofiy Myolanov more visibility. MSNBC twice, CNN once so far... and more to come.

Inside Zelenskyy’s state of mind as Ukrainian forces hold off Putin’s troops Fifteen days after Ukraine was invaded by Putin, Ukrainians are accusing Russians of targeting civilians. MSNBC’s Ari Melber is joined by Ukraine’s former Minister of the Economy Tymofiy Mylovanov to discuss the escalating conflict and the how Ukrainian ground troops are holding Russian forces o...

I have been honored to work some amazing people and companies in Ukraine. Right now, your help is urgently needed to deliver protective kits (protective gear, first aid kits, food, and medicine) to the civilians in the Ukraine Territorial Defense forces. Please share, or donate if you can!

Full release with details here:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/join-kyiv-school-of-economics-to-provide-direct-humanitarian-aid-for-ukraine-301495460.html?tc=eml_cleartime

In the past 24 hours, the war has escalated - thousands more first aid and protective kits are urgently needed.

Accordingly, KSE and its partners have located suppliers for additional kits and have extended their fundraising goal to $10,000,000 from the initial $2,500,000.

Thank you for all of your donations so far. Keep on sharing, spreading the word, and helping us fundraise for Ukraine 🇺🇦

https://kse.ua/donation-cards/

Wondering how you can help people in , or people who were forced to leave?

Here's a start. More to come.

How to Help People in Ukraine Right Now Here are six aid organizations working on the ground in Ukraine right now

I haven't posted in awhile, because I was deciding what to say and what to do, after an experience with a company that .... misused my talents, put it that way. So, an update: I am still doing my media and PR thing, but only for companies that are truly bringing something good to the world. (And yep, I'm still great at it.) Beyond that work, I am writing a book. You can reach me here, or find me at The Bawmann Group, where I also freelance with a group of awesome, senior practitioners.

Here's hoping that amidst all the craziness of the past few years, we find whatever makes us feel alive and happy.

Eleanor: "What is it about you and frozen yogurt? Have you not heard of ice cream?"

"Oh sure. But I've really come to like frozen yogurt. There's something so human about taking something good and ruining it so you can have more of it."

(*Spoiler alert, if you haven't watched The Good Place*)

I figured it out, people. Facebook IS The Bad Place, that seems like the Good Place.

Most tech and social media companies are, actually.

You're welcome.

The Good Place is the Bad Place: ALL the Clues! | Comedy Bites no, THIS is the bad place.We should have seen it coming: the Good Place was the Bad Place all along, and Michael even showed us some clues! Here's all the cl...

The author is right -- and so is Pope Francis. And, spoiler: his profession is journalism.

Pope Francis Is Right About My Profession Journalists need to get out more.