Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

Karen, said, "By getting coached and doing media well, people can open up whole new worlds for themselves and many learn to go in new directions in the process."

Karen, what was your most surprising or remarkable story of "metamorphosis?" I'd love to hear more!!

Response to Robyn:

Thank you for your question. I truly feel lucky to have the opportunity to meet and work with so many fascinating people from all walks of life. Whether its a Tv or Film celebrity, indie films/directors, music, pop to rap , authors , non profits, "in the news" stories etc . Each have their own story to tell.

The one "metamorphosis" story to share would be that of a young prodigious savant from london. I received a call in 2001 and after speaking to this person for a few moments, I knew he was one of a kind in the world. Unlike other savants who tend to be autistic, this 21 yr old was not. He had suffered from brain seizures as a child that unlocked parts of the brain we do not access.
He knew was different yet he was not sure how to proceed with these special skills. He additionally had fears of being made to look like a circus act.
I vowed we would never allow that to happen, but his talents needed to be shared. Long story short, I was assoc producer on a discovery channel film that aired worldwide about him. The film gave him great confidence, and the exposure led him to many media appearances including last spring we booked Letterman, and that led him to a book deal in europe and USA. We also secured 60 minutes that will tape this summer and air in january to coincide with his book release in the USA. These opportunities have now enabled him to help people around the world with language and math. I am confident he will do amazing things with his abilities in the coming yrs.

What an amazing story, Karen, and thanks for sharing this... We are richer because you helped this person with unique capabilities to use those in ways that build a better world!

Robyn's question and your story have triggered another post -- one to investigate the magic and challenges faced daily by savants.

It's wonderful to see this important story opened in the BrainBasedBusiness.com community. Thanks for making that happen so that we can all take another look, and thanks for the look inside another amazing window of the human brain...

Karen, what an amazing story! I'm impressed by your focus on lifting clients, such as the savant, to new heights in ways that prosper their gifts.

Thanks for taking time to share this exciting, life-changing work, Karen. Seems like when you give to others you receive so much more in return!

Robyn,

My motivation behind working with these fascinating and wonderful people is there is so much "bad" reported in the media. I want to be the "messenger" for the good. As per the savant, he already has been able to help countless kids worldwide with his special learning techniques he has developed. He knows he was given this rare gift for a reason. He may be the one to discover a new breakthrough one day that may help all of mankind. We can't allow special people like that to stay "hidden". I knew in my heart, we had to get his talents visible! It makes me very happy to help make special people successful so they can take their success and do good !
I work with a very special Celebrity, one of the co- stars of Napoleon Dynamite. No matter how busy he is with movies and appearances, he always asks me to make sure we make time to visit urban schools. He gives them motivational talks to succeed, and to avoid the bad in life and stay focused. It is more rewarding to go to schools with him than many of the celebrity events. It touches the heart when you see these kids' reactions whenever he walks in their classroom. They can't believe a celebrity they admire has taken the time to come to see them.

Karen, the more I learn about how this savant prospered both himself and others the more inspired I am!

Do you sense that people who struggle to reach their dreams are very mindful of others who face hard circumstances such as the urban teens you mention?

Yes!

I find that to be very true. My savant had struggled since childhood. He was not from a family who could afford a private education. He had to try to blend in with his peers, which was not easy for him. He does suffer from Asperger's, which was a mild handicap for him. As we sat at lunch in NYC before the taping of Letterman I asked him, did you ever imagine as a child in London that one day you would be preparing to appear on a USA talk show. He said, "Never !" Each appearance he did sparked new interest from either scientists, educators and parents of children with Asperger's.

My actor from Napoleon Dynamite is especially conscious of these kids growing up in urban areas. He has said to the kids many times, that if he can do it, they can! That's quite inspirational!

Karen, thanks again for sharing. I think quite a few folks will find inspiration.

Thanks Karen, you have once again shown us all how we can look at others with a sense of expectancy, and we can help them to lead with their strengths, to the benefit of all! Because you have grown amazing cognitive maps for looking and finding talent -- you have modeled an amazing intellectual capability we could all develop through simply finding and encouraging the best on humans! Thanks for pounding new "neuron pathways" for us at BrainBasedBusiness.com on that one!

Karen-

I was fascinated by your interview and responses to the questions posed. You appear to be very unique in the marketplace. It is obvious cognitive thinking goes into your process of picking and choosing clients you represent. What is the 'spark' in someone you choose to represent and why? I assume you have many nationally known clientele, but Im curious to how you choose the clients whom you think you can make famous?

Amanda

Thank you for your question. Yes, I do represent "names" in the marketplace. Working with established names whether they are in entertainment, politics, authors, business leaders is always a thrill. However, what I also love is the challenge of taking the unknown and making them nationally known. I have done that a few times, and it is very exciting and rewarding. I stress to all my clients whether they are already famous or on the road to fame, that it is crucial to take your success and give back in some manner.

One client that comes to mind that I knew had that special "spark" is a new author. Dr Hubert Fleming is a successful business executive, however he had written a manuscript for a book on relationships and the male perspective. When I read it I knew it was brilliant and had the makings of a national best seller. The challenge was how to brand his name nationally to attract the literary agent who in turn can get a top publisher to publish this book.
We were successful in building his brand which attracted a top literary agent. I know once this book is published we will make it a best seller! That to me is truly exciting. To take an idea /person and make them national!

This interview about this woman is inspirational. It is unusual that there is someone on this earth who actually cares about people and not just profit. The people she is promoting apppear to be offering positive things to the lives of others.

She deserves all her success and more.

Amanda, I am glad you asked that because now we all know. Thanks again Karen, you have really rocked the boat in some wonderful ways... Great discussion here too!

Thanks for dropping by and for your comments Steve. You make a good point about how refreshing it is to chat with a leader who cares more about humans than about hauling in dollars.

Having said that -- would you also agree that Karen deserves good funds so that she can do more of the wonderful work she is doing so well, and so she can sustain her vision! You really said it best... Bravo!

I agree with your comments. I'm sure she does very well financially. but she does not seem to sacrifice her moral values for money.
From what she has said above, she will take time to take clients to do non profit work, when those hours she could be billing other clients. For that she gets my applause.

Yes, My applause too Steve -- you are so right, and thanks for your insights, I hope you'll stop by again.

Karen, I'm curious about how you were led to begin the after school documentary you are currently filming. This is a little different than some of your past work. What celebrities have contributed to this? Could they come on and tell us?

Robyn,

I have been representing the former husband of Debra Lafave, the tampa school teacher who was arrested for having relations with her 14 yr old student. Owen's lawyer had contacted me in august 2004, after he filed for divorce. The media was hounding them and false rumors had spread in the tabloids. I felt it was crucial that for owen, who is a young commercial banker, to tell his story ,the truth, to squash the tabloids un -truths. I spoke to Owen and found him to be a wonderful intelligent articulate person. He was in obvious pain and anguish over what happened , (he and his wife were only married 11 months) . I booked Primetime Live for him, then Good Morning America. Owen was honest, sincere and offered a new perspective on these awful incidents, looking at the side of the husband and families and how this is destroying lives. Over 60 teachers have been arrested this past yr alone. Owen gained strength and support from doing the media interviews. We booked him on over 50 top tier shows from Larry King two times to Hannity and Colmes and Greta , nancy Grace, Rita cosby, the View etc.. owen became an advocate for the children and to fight for the injustice of the double standards that are now obvious in the court systems. The males go to jail, the females get a slap on the wrist. Out of his frustration for an answer as to why- his x wife never explained or apologized to Owen, We decided to put a team together to produce a documentaty, for theatrical release..it will look at all sides of this issue. Owen would also like to lobby DC for an initiatve for mandatory educational programs for teachers and students. The doc will be completed by the summer and we look forward to its release next yr! As per your question about celebrities, One of the lead producers and partners in the production team, www.powerhousepictures.com is Efren Ramirz. He starred in Napoleon Dynamite and many more films to be released this yr. He is my client and throughout this process with Owen, Efren was calling to give his assistance in any way he could. he too felt strongly about this issue, as he spends countless hours visiting schools and talking to kids. He was one of the first people we turned to with the concept of this film.

we were also very lucky to know Jonathan Lipnicki and his wonderful mom. Jonathan starred in Jerry Maguire and Stuart Little, to name a few. he is a talented young actor and asipiring producer. His mom is also a producer. Jonathan is now 15 and feels his involvement can send a message to kids his age, to think before anyone leaps into a situation like this. We are honored to have their involvement in the project! Also co producing is Lydia Hearst, she is a model and actress and producer. She also felt very strongly about this topic and the double standards and offered to join the team.
We have a very talented team of top notch directors and producers.

We hope to produce a film, (After School is the title) that will make audiences think !

As for Owen, he has re married a wonderful woman and is very happy.

Karen, thanks for sharing this moving story, and thanks for showing us the value of showing both sides of these issues....

Do you feel the media, in general, tend to show two opposing views with equal support? What are your thoughts media attention to fairness through opposite views represented? Ellen

Karen, you have a really brilliant mind and I am impressed in how much you use your talents to make a difference for others -- and in such unusual places. You obviously take time to learn true facts. You hate to see people wronged. Though our part in making a difference on this planet may seem small, if we were all as driven as you are, think what could happen!! You really inspire me. And -- oodles of thanks for taking the extra time to provide such a detailed answer.

looks gr8, very nice interview, I am already so much impressed with Karen 's KBC media Relations Service, KBC is professional media relations service, I believe in they do great work and welldone job always. Greetings from Dubai :)

Thanks for stopping by Mohammed... Many who have known Karen have expressed the same support for her vision and her excellence in getting there. We're all cheering her and her team on from the sidelines...

Response to Mohammed,

Thank you for your kind words! I wish you great success on your 'peace' event you plan to launch from china and throughout the middle east.
Karen