Julie Michelle Morris

"Maybe stories are just data with a soul." Brené Brown I like this quote because it reminds me that behind every resume or website is something much deeper: a human story. When people visit my website, they see the finished product. What they don't see are the remarkable people whose creativity, talent, patience, and care helped bring it to life. Today, I'd like to introduce you to two of them: Heidi Yarger, founder of Spitfiregirl, and Alissa Randall of All About Headshots by Alissa Randall. When I first imagined the website, I envisioned something intentionally understated, a blue-and-cream palette and very little about my personal story. I thought the work should speak for itself. Then, serendipity (and my admiration for Liz Elting's social media presence) brought me to Heidi. During our very first conversation, Heidi gently challenged one of my biggest assumptions. I wanted a website that focused primarily on what I had done. She believed it should also tell my story, embrace my favorite colors, and even incorporate elements inspired by kintsugi as a tribute to #Japan and the way I approach both life and business through Zanpa Edge. Looking back, that conversation changed everything. Over the next several months, Heidi and her team transformed years of ideas, experiences, and aspirations into a website that genuinely feels like me. Through thoughtful questions, creative brainstorming, and an extraordinary amount of care, they didn't simply build a website, they gave my story a home. At the same time, I had the pleasure of working with the incredibly talented Alissa Randall. Her tagline, "capturing your essence," could not be more fitting. I first discovered Alissa's work in 2023 through the powerful portraits she created for many remarkable Chief women. After my own headshot session, I knew I wanted her behind the camera when the time came to photograph my website. As I traveled from Japan to Texas for the Hydrogen Economist's "Women in Hydrogen 50"recognition, I made a stop in #NewYork for another session with Alissa. By then, I had recovered from my box jellyfish encounter in Okinawa, and I realized I wasn't simply looking for new professional photographs. I wanted them to capture a new chapter of my life, a woman transformed by that experience. Professional photography is about far more than finding the right light or angle. It's about creating an environment where someone feels comfortable enough to simply be themselves. Alissa has that incredible gift. She didn't just capture photographs for the website. Once again, she captured the person behind the professional. This project reminded me that the most meaningful work is never the result of one person's effort. It grows through trust, shared creativity, thoughtful conversations, and people who care as deeply about your vision as you do. I feel incredibly fortunate that this journey brought these talented professionals into mine.

"My kid is a concert violinist with a 1550 SAT. Why wouldn't she get into an Ivy?" A student's father asked me this as we were building her college list together. He was disappointed when I suggested we broaden the list beyond the Ivies, and couldn’t see why that would be necessary. She was at the top of her class. A Science Olympiad champion. A research intern at a Harvard Medical School hospital. What else could possibly matter? Here's what the college marketing engine won’t readily admit: The admissions process isn't a meritocracy. Elite schools aren’t simply selecting the strongest candidates. They're filling institutional quotas based on priorities that have nothing to do with your kid's hard work. Beyond that, they select between high-performing students based on intangibles like fit, values and character. These intangibles are what separate “generically spectacular” students from stand-out candidates. They can't be faked, and they can’t be gleaned from a transcript or activities list. They come across only when a student spends their time intentionally and authentically, selects colleges for the right reasons, and tells a meaningful story about who they truly are. This is at the heart of our strengths-based approach to admissions. Instead of simply helping students become the “ideal” college candidate competing with every other “ideal” college candidate… We tune into your kid's unique strengths, values, and interests, develop those qualities, and choose institutions that are true matches for who they genuinely are. This isn’t settling. It's setting them up for a successful life they'll actually want to live.

Our team is hiring, know anyone for these roles below? As we expand our YouTube, documentaries, and events, we're looking for people passionate about building something special at intersection of Hollywood and creator economy. - Social Media Manager: design assets for socials, write copy, and follow social trends. Bonus if you can edit clips and you're chronically online 😅 - Executive Assistant: highly organized, great communicator, and can proactively solve problems. - Short-Form / Trailer Editors: create sizzle reels and has great sense of timing, pacing, and sound effects/music. You'll work alongside me and Amanda and some of the best filmmakers, editors, and creatives in the game who are already on our team. All remote. Being in LA is plus, but not needed. Open to part-time or full. DM (with past work / portfolio. For social role, include link to pages you've managed) or comment anyone who may be fit.

🚨I’M HIRING!🚨 I’m looking for a Corporate Communications Manager to join my team at Autodesk. If you’re a savvy, curious communications pro who can spot a great story, make complicated things feel human, and move comfortably between strategy and getting the work done, I’d love to hear from you. The value proposition here is pretty incredible: Autodesk technology helps design and make the world around us—from buildings, bridges, and cars to factories, products, movies, and games. Which means the stories we get to tell are pretty much limitless. Our team has had the opportunity to lead communications around some incredibly interesting announcements—from Autodesk’s $350 million commitment to prepare the next generation for AI-powered jobs and our role as the Official Design and Make Platform of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, to our efforts to support rebuilding in Los Angeles after last year’s fires and the launch of Autodesk for Small Business. The person in this role will be right at the center of helping us shape and share stories like these, with a particular focus on Autodesk for Small Business. You’ll support major announcements, build relationships with traditional and emerging media, shape executive communications, find smart and timely angles in the news, help equip Autodesk employees to serve as brand and reputation ambassadors, and ensure we show up credibly in the moments that matter to our business and our customers. I’m looking for an exceptional writer and savvy media relations pro who understands/is interested in how creators, newsletters, podcasts, social platforms, online communities, and AI are reshaping communications—and who has the judgment to know when and how to use each of them. One important note on experience: I’m open to both earlier-career communicators ready to grow into the role with gumption, talent, and passion, and more seasoned mid-career pros looking for a big, interesting next chapter. If this sounds like you, please don’t self-select out. The role is fully remote in the U.S. We also have offices across the country if spending time with colleagues in person is your thing. I personally love the best of both worlds, so I split my time between home and the office. Another perk: you’ll join an amazing team working with incredible leaders, including Renée Francis and Kristina Adamski. A quick note: due to the volume of applications, I’m not able to meet with candidates outside the formal interview process. If you’re interested, please apply here: https://lnkd.in/gd8xPckZ And please share with someone who would be fantastic for this team! #Hiring #CorporateCommunications #PublicRelations #MediaRelations #RemoteJobs

How #Food Industry Profit Causes #Disease... Dr. Robert Lustig 'Metabolical' Book Review. 'Metabolical' is a book by Dr. Robert Lustig, who wrote it after retiring as a pediatric neuroendocrinologist at the University of California at San Francisco (one of the top academic medical centers in the country). Dr. Lustig explains how the food industry strategized to increase profits by adding sugar to our food supply starting in the 1970s. Sugar not only makes food more palatable, but also is an addictive substance causing us to eat more. Increased sugar consumption causes our bodies to produce chronically high levels of insulin... called 'hyperinsulinemia.' Hyperinsulinemia is a major driver of disease... and not just obesity and diabetes as many people already know. Hyperinsulinemia increases the risk of breast, colon, pancreatic, kidney and many other cancers. Hyperinsulinemia also increases cancer mortality by 2X. Hyperinsulinemia increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (e.g. heart attacks) independent of any other risk factors such as high cholesterol or diabetes. In other words, even if you do not have high cholesterol or diabetes, hyperinsulinemia alone will increase your risk of cardiovascular disease... and this fact has been known for almost 30 years. Dr. Lustig's book is a must read for those who want to understand the root cause of chronic disease in America. **CORRECTION: Insulin is not a steroid hormone and therefore, is not a transcription factor. Insulin binds to cell membrane receptors to create biochemical changes within the cell. Sources at AHealthcareZ YouTube Channel. #Healthcare #HealthInsurance #PublicHealth #Nutrition #Diabetes #Obesity #EmployeeBenefits

Can't do office space yet, Eric. Sorry. Every now and then, I get an email like this and think, "Wow... maybe we've 'made it'." Then I remember... We're still spending every spare dollar on engineers instead of square footage. Turns out AI agents don't care whether they're built in a WeWork or my home office. Neither do our customers. Maybe one day. Today... it's coffee, Google Meet, and another sprint. #FounderLife #Bootstrapping #Startup #FridayFunny #coldemail #coldcall

Let me show you how a teenager goes from procrastinating on all things college, to receiving 9 out of 10 acceptance letters. This just happened to one of our students — and he’s not unusual or exceptional. But when we first met Alex in 10th grade, his mom was nervous. When she asked about his major, he'd change the subject.  When she suggested more extracurriculars, he’d balk. When she brought up the SAT, he'd put it off. She tried everything to get him to take this seriously, but he was completely shut down. Then we got in the room with him. Here’s what happened: 1/ We started with empowerment and self-reflection Once he had a sense of agency, his resistance faded away. 2/ We focused on his strengths and values He didn’t need to be the best or do the most, he needed to spend his time intentionally. 3/ We didn’t wait for him to know his major  We explored career paths until something clicked — sports media. - Alex is thrilled to be heading to Virginia Tech in the fall. His story is an amazing example of how the students who end up with their pick of excellent colleges aren't necessarily the most driven or the most accomplished. They're the ones who spend their time in high school intentionally, building confidence in their authentic strengths. P.S. If you want your kid to have their pick of excellent schools like Alex did, come to this month’s free masterclass. We’re giving you the roadmap for what needs to happen in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade so that come senior year, they’re ready. Details here: https://lnkd.in/gPehjz7q