Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Finding Connection Amidst Busy Lives
Abeg Vex Podcast. The Art of Human Interaction: Lessons on Empathy and Assertiveness with Richard Blank l EP19
Abeg Vex Podcast
We are engaging in candid conversations without judgment. Make we gist!
Step into a world of candid conversations, unfiltered opinions, and uproarious laughter with the "Abeg Vex!” Podcast.
This podcast is your ultimate escape from the mundane, a sanctuary where no topic is off- limits.
Abeg Vex Nation – a community of listeners who have discovered the therapeutic power of a good old-fashioned rant.
In this episode of the Abeg Vex Podcast, Idongesit Obeya and guest Richard Blank dive into the art of communication and building meaningful human connections. They explore topics like cultural nuances, mindful interactions, and the importance of empathy in relationships. Richard shares insights from his cross-cultural experiences, highlighting how respect and attentiveness can help navigate diverse environments.
Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their communication styles and how to balance assertiveness with kindness. This inspiring conversation is a reminder to cherish connections, embrace curiosity, and remain open to learning from one another. #CommunicationSkills #EmpathyMatters #HumanConnection
CHAPTERS:
00:00:04: Introduction
00:00:11: Welcoming Richard Blank
00:00:49: The Essence of Communication
00:02:34: Mindfulness in Conversations
00:07:09: Influence of Cultural Nuances on Communication
00:11:56: Adjusting to New Cultures
00:16:22: Judgments Based on Appearances
00:20:01: Building Meaningful Connections
00:24:18: Handling Negative Interactions
00:30:03: Closing Reflections and Lessons
Finding Connection Amidst Busy Lives
And I'm going to say that we're very special. We we hit it off. We started talking. But you allowed me and I allowed you to. And then we started going through certain topics, and we saw how far they would go, and some were good, but then others were amazing. But we gave the time. You're exceptionally busy, and so am I. But we realized in the course, and this is during a work day, but we need this, and it's not even a timeout. You and I need this oasis in our crazy desert that even though it's not making money right now and we're not attending to our clients and patients, You and I needed to hang out on a Friday for a little bit and just talk because we know that for ourselves, it's being selfles
https://youtu.be/AfZtvn3ovDI
https://youtu.be/5SBIUjAJT-M
Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ
Idongesit Obeya, Abeg Vex Podcast, Richard Blank, Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center,trend, trending
Idongesit Obeya
Tech Founder | Nurse Professor | Podcast Host of Abeg Vex and Unshelling Medicine | Advocate for Health Equity and Access
As someone with more than a decade of clinical nursing experience and a tech founder, nurse educator, and podcast host, I'm motivated by transformative solutions in healthcare at all levels. As a seasoned healthcare leader and innovator, my career represents a commitment to improving care delivery systems, advancing education, and advocating for equitable access to quality healthcare.
Tech Founder: As the visionary at Altruistic Scribe Company, I develop cutting-edge platforms that streamline patient care delivery, optimize provider workflows, and bridge gaps in healthcare access.
Podcast Host: At Unshelling Medicine and Abeg Vex, I host engaging conversations with global thought leaders to explore the intersection of healthcare, technology, and innovation while navigating personal and career growth journies in all their unique intricacies.
Nurse Educator: As a nursing faculty member, I delight in mentoring future healthcare professionals and integrating emerging technologies into academic and clinical education.
Healthcare Advocate: A passionate voice for underserved communities, I design initiatives that empower individuals through education, advocacy, and technology-driven solutions.
What Sets Me Apart:
Dual expertise in clinical nursing and technology, enabling me to bridge the gap between patient care and innovation.
Proven track record of transforming ideas into actionable solutions that address complex healthcare challenges.
A commitment to amplifying diverse voices through impactful storytelling and education.
Key Highlights:
Healthcare Technology: Founder of Altruistic Scribe Company, driving innovation in patient care delivery and provider efficiency.
Leadership: Epic-trained Nurse Educator and Assistant Director of Nursing, known for inspiring and guiding teams toward operational excellence.
Podcast Impact: Amplifying critical conversations to shape the future of healthcare with a focus on diversity, equity, and transformative innovation leadership.
Let’s Collaborate:
I actively seek partnerships, funding opportunities, and collaborations with organizations and individuals dedicated to reimagining healthcare. Whether you’re an investor, healthcare leader, or innovator, let’s collaborate to create thoughtful, equitable solutions for patients and providers worldwide.
Adapting to a new culture starts with an open mind and respect. Observe, ask questions, and embrace the differences—it’s all part of the journey! From learning local customs to trying new foods, every step brings you closer to understanding and connection.
Take the time to connect, listen, and understand—you might be surprised by what you discover! True beauty lies beyond the surface.
Relationships built on ultimatums are bound to crack. True connection thrives on mutual respect, understanding, and open communication—not “my way or the highway.” Choose dialogue over demands and watch your relationships flourish. #HealthyRelationships #OpenCommunication #MutualRespect
Appropriate behavior is a reflection of respect—for yourself and those around you. Whether it’s in your words, actions, or choices, mindfulness goes a long way in creating positive interactions and lasting impressions. Be kind, be considerate, and always bring your best self. #RespectMatters #MindfulLiving #PositiveVibes
it’s a gift of growth, understanding, and compassion. Sometimes, all it takes is a little patience and forgiveness to see someone thrive. Extend grace, and you might just change a life. #SecondChances #CompassionMatters #ForgiveAndGrow
Not every battle is worth fighting. Sometimes, stepping back to regroup brings clarity and strength. Choose your battles wisely, protect your peace, and focus on what truly matters. #ChooseWisely #ProtectYourEnergy #PersonalGrowth
Effective communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about being clear, empathetic, and mindful of others. Listen, connect, and choose your words with care to build stronger relationships. #EffectiveCommunication #EmpathyFirst #HumanConnection
Richard’s journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose.
Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. A Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level.
Costa Rica’s Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center agent so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies.
We encourage you to visit one of our call centers on your next personal vacation or business trip to Central America’s paradise, Costa Rica. While you are here, we would recommend taking an extra day of your trip to visit breathtaking virgin beaches, play golf next to the ocean, try your luck at deep sea fishing, explore tropical jungles, climb volcanos or just relax in natural hot springs. Come and see for yourself why call center outsourcing in Costa Rica is a perfect solution for your growing company and a powerhouse in the BPO industry.
https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/
#IdongesitObeya #AbegVexPodcast #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #trend #trending #listennow #subscribe #podcastclip #podcastvideo #videopodcasting #podcastguest
The Art of Communication
And we choose certain vocabulary which will not evoke a defense or an ego. We try to have conversations that could be prolonged. And we ask follow-up or even open-ended questions so people can give us descriptions. And instead of us assuming the right side, it could be the left side. So grab onto the tail and hold on for the ride. And it's a beautiful dance. There is an art of speech. If it's well-practiced, you become extremely well-versed and people see it as being clever in a craft. And if you can do it in two languages, my term and you, my friend, three languages, it only bears the mark of higher education. It shows structure, discipline and advanced cognitive skills. So if you're ever trying to relate to somebody, or show of solid first impression, you can't beat that. It really shows dedicated practice and dedication. And so it's a wonderful way to interact in the world. And so I've seen it as a gift.
Navigating Bilingual Identity in Costa Rica
Allow me to be candid. The world is not made of rainbows, butterflies, and unicorns. There are certain situations where I do not disclose that I am bilingual. Look at me. I stand out. It's not like I walk around in a suit all day, but come on, man, seriously. So what am I? I'm a blanco. I'm a target. I'm an Anglo-Sajon. I'm an extranjero. And so certain situations, of course, I'll speak Spanish immediately. But others, I'll sit back and wait just to see if Tommy, Joey, and Billy or saying, hey, let's go see what we can do with him in Boys Town. No, I don't want that. And so I've used it as a very protective, preventative advantage for me.
The Fading Flower of Relationships
Will you please allow me to ponder at least take a walk on it so I can decide, is it just a bad moment for you or has this relationship run its course? And that's the saddest thing. That's a fading flower or like the end of fall coming into winter. And that makes me so sad when something that was so bright and beautiful at one time dies and goes away. And maybe it's the circle of life where people just change. But as I say before, my friend, if you and I are consistent just through love and empathy and understanding, maybe it's the other person that decided to step off of that mutual path that we were on.