Ep 118: Big Talk with Kalina Silverman
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Ep 118: Big Talk with Kalina Silverman
Episode 118: Show Notes
In the increasingly digital world that we live in, finding ways to authentically connect and communicate with each other remains a vital part of a meaningful life. This concept lies at the foundation of the work of today's guest, Kalina Silverman.
Kalina is the mind and heart behind the amazing Big Talk project, which started out as a series of viral videos in which Kalina asked her subjects existential questions, like 'What do you want to do before you die?' The success of the videos led to a TEDx Talk, further speaking engagements, and the transformation of Big Talk into a broader and more international initiative. For Kalina, Big Talk and the ideas that ground it are a way to get past the barriers of social conventions and a means to connect in a way that we all crave and relish!
In today’s conversation with Kalina, we get to hear the story behind her first video and all the important moments that informed her decisions. So, if you are ready for a fresh dose of inspiration and an insider's look at how this amazing dream became a reality, make sure to listen in with us!
Key Points From This Episode:
A look at Kalina's early years and her favorite creative activities as a kid.
The values that were present in her home and the influence of her family's ties to medicine.
Kalina's career dreams when she was young and how this relates to her Big Talk project now.
Her decision to attend Northwestern and her conflicting experiences at college.
The moments of realization that Kalina had that led to her starting Big Talk.
Getting kicked out of a study abroad program and why this was a blessing in disguise.
Important advice that Kalina got from a mentor about taking care of yourself first.
The first forays that Kalina made into documenting her conversations with people.
A look at the questions she asked, her approach to interviews, and what she learned early on.
How the steady work that Kalina put into her videos resulted in a viral Huffington Post feature!
The conversation Kalina had around the time she started to pursue Big Talk in a serious way.
Invitations to public speaking and the courage that Kalina exercised to take these first steps.
Steps she took to scale her project; the importance of the question cards she created.
Some of the side jobs that Kalina had to take on to fund her project.
Receiving the Fulbright Scholarship and how this changed her life forever.
Unpacking some of the specifics of the scholarship and what it enabled her to do with Big Talk.
Taking the project further abroad and the workshops Kalina hosted in Singapore.
The open-hearted and intuitive approach that Kalina has found works best for her.
What it was like turning the Big Talk idea into a presentation and how it has evolved.
The biggest and most important lessons that Kalina has learned over the last seven years.
Practical tips from Kalina on transitioning from small talk to big talk!
Kalina’s current perspective on success, and how deeply it is tied to the Big Talk project.
How to use Big Talk's great resources and framework and get in contact with Kalina!
Tweetables:
“When I was a kid, I loved being able to project my voice and my expression and feeling. That was a big part of my upbringing, was being very free and creative and vocal.” — @KalinaSilverman [0:07:56]
“Working hard and pursuing education was always a philosophical ideology preached in my household.” — @KalinaSilverman [0:09:47]
“What was happening was, I was trying to feed the world, but I was not feeding myself as a 20-year-old college student.” — @KalinaSilverman [0:19:49]
“There were people that, after I would have a deeper conversation with [them, it] would turn into a relationship that went beyond just a video.” — @KalinaSilverman [0:24:27]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
TEDx: How To Skip the Small Talk and Connect With Anyone | Kalina Silverman