Resources

Ever notice how summer gives us permission to breathe? Longer days, warm evenings, bare feet on the porch – it’s the perfect time to slow down without losing your edge. This season I invite you to light a few summer sparks: Tiny habits, mindset shifts, and simple connection moments that can help your career grow quietly in the background – while you enjoy every sunny minute. Here are 11 easy sparks to try, no matter where summer takes you: 🔥 1) Your summer mantra: “Good boundaries make great vacations.” Set your out-of-office – and actually honor it. Fully unplug when you say you will. Your team will survive (and thrive) without you for a few days. One of my former CEOs did this brilliantly: When he stepped away completely, it sent a message of trust to the whole team. We rose to the occasion – and he came back fully recharged. 🔥 2) Out of Office? Here’s how to stay visible and return sane. Before you go, tie up loose ends and share a quick update on a recent win – so your contributions stay visible. When you get back, protect your re-entry: Block your first day for catch-up time. Nothing kills a vacation glow faster than an overstuffed calendar at 9 AM on Monday. 🔥 3) One question to ask your boss before they go on vacation. Before they pack up, ask: “Is there anything I can handle while you’re out to keep things moving?” Early in my career, this single question built so much trust – and opened doors I didn’t even know existed. 🔥 4) Your summer mindset upgrade: Unplug, even for a short time. Stuck on a snarly problem? Unplug and go for a walk. No headphones. No podcasts. Just quiet. By the time you get back, the problem will have practically untangled itself. Your brain loves a break – it needs one to connect the dots you can’t force together at your desk. Notice how truly stepping away fuels better ideas, clearer thinking, and more patience when you’re back. 🔥 5) Networking at a summer party? Try this instead of small talk. Instead of the usual “So, what do you do?”, ask: “What’s something you’re excited about these days?” People light up – and you’ll have a real conversation instead of forgettable chit-chat. 🔥 6) Say yes to the dog. (Or at least the grass.) Want clarity? Step outside and connect with nature. Say yes to the dog’s hopeful stare, kick off your shoes, feel the grass under your feet. Leave the headphones at home. While you’re out there, ask: “What would I love my workday to feel like if I could design it from scratch?” No need to fix it all today – just listen. 🔥 7) Keep your network warm (even while you’re lounging at the lake). One small touchpoint can build big opportunities later: Send a “thinking of you” text Comment on a connection’s update Share an article they’d love Tiny check-ins now keep relationships alive when you need them most. 🔥 8) Plant a tiny habit – summer can help make it stick. Longer days, better moods – it’s the easiest time to test-drive a habit you’ll actually enjoy. Try one of these: Journal for five minutes with your morning coffee Get ten minutes of natural light before checking in on your phone End the day with one thing you’re grateful for Small now, big payoff later. 🔥 9) Turn fireworks into mindset fuel. While you watch a brilliant fireworks display, give each burst a job: An affirmation A goal A wish you’re ready to work for Playful, yes – but it’s also a tiny promise to yourself. Your ideas deserve to light up the sky too. 🔥 10) Summer networking – beyond the golf course. Not a golfer? Good news: You don’t need to be. There are so many great ways to take advantage of warm weather for your networking activities. Try these instead: A walking coffee chat Ice cream with a colleague A simple backyard happy hour No scorecards, just genuine connection. 🔥 11) Let water restore your brain. Humans naturally flock to water – lakes, rivers, fountains, pools. Science calls it blue mind. Being near water calms your nervous system, lowers stress, and sparks creativity. (Minnesotans know all about this!) Next time you feel stuck, find water – even a few minutes by a tabletop fountain can untangle your thoughts. Some of my clearest ideas have shown up while paddling a quiet lake, or sitting by a burbling stream, far from my phone, laptop, and to-do lists. ✨ One final spark… You don’t need to overhaul your summer to keep your career fresh. Just weave in a spark or two here and there – a barefoot walk in the grass, a moment by the water, a quick check-in with someone you admire. Your future self will thank you. So will your sunny, present self. Which summer spark will you try first?

Dr. Carli Braun Kody is a licensed psychologist, a certified mindfulness teacher and coach, a certified Daring Way™ facilitator, and a speaker with 23 years of service in the mental health field. Following a series of life-changing athletic injuries and life stressors, Carli turned to meditation, mindfulness, and self-compassion. Over time, she developed committed practices in those areas, leading to a deep understanding of the mind-body instrument. Ben Durbin is a 27-year Navy combat veteran who spent most of his military career in the Naval Special Warfare community, operating with SEAL Teams in Iraq and Afghanistan. After experiencing the cumulative effects of combat and post-traumatic stress, Ben began a healing journey that restored his relationships, reinvigorated his joy for life, and reconnected him to humanity. He now teaches mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, and yoga as practices of self-mastery that help people move through the world with the power of an awakened spirit. Together, Carli and Ben are co-founders of mPEAK Team, where they offer coaching and training around mindfulness, stress resilience, performance optimization, well-being, and interpersonal relationships. This interview with Carli and Ben is one of those conversations everyone needs to hear. You'll learn about self-compassion, stress-resilience and performing under pressure, being tuned into the present, mindfulness and brain training, the brain-body, mind-to-physical connection… and how all of this ties back into peak performance.

Ever notice how we spend WAY more time worrying about difficult conversations than actually having them? 🤔 But here’s the thing: The conversation you're imagining in your head is NOT the conversation you're going to have. In your mind, you're arguing with the worst possible version of that person. But in reality? Most people actually want things to work out too. That's why my secret weapon isn't about what you say – it's about what you figure out before you say anything. When you lead with what you have in common instead of what's wrong, everything changes. The energy shifts. The defensiveness drops. Solutions become possible. And here's the best part: You'll actually sleep the night before instead of rehearsing seventeen different disaster scenarios. What conversation have you been putting off? I bet it's not as scary as you think.

This is an exercise designed for Breakthrough Table members-in-waiting. One of our team members will reach out with next steps and to make an introduction. We are glad you are here!

Sunrise Network Frequently Asked Questions Please Note: This is a living document and will continuously be updated. Last updated 5/13/2025 What's the difference between Sunrise Social, Breakthrough Table, and Sunrise Network? Our community is built around connection, growth, and impact. What started as a simple networking breakfast has evolved into a multi-layered platform that supports individuals and teams at every stage. Here's how it all fits together: Sunrise Social: Founded in 2013 What it is: Networking event Key Role: The original community spark to build relationships and network in person. Breakthrough Table: Founded in 2022 What it is: Peer development & growth in a shared space Key Role: Deepen personal & professional growth, structured support for goals and accountability. Sunrise Network: Founded in 2025 What it is: Digital hub for all things networking and connecting Key Role: Connects people to curated people, content, and events based on their interests. How do I update the tags within my profile? Hover over your profile photo in the upper right corner of the page > Click Edit Profile > Under your name, scroll down > Click Community Settings > Click Tags > Select all that apply! If you don't see a specific tag you want, please message Marissa Anderson to get it added. KEY: The more items you tag, the more Sunrise Network will personalize your recommendations.  What makes Sunrise Network different from other social media platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn? Sunrise Network isn't built for clicks or likes, it is built for real connection and community impact. Here's how we are different: Designed for real-world relationships: Stay connected between events through personalized groups and meaningful conversations. Not just a feed. Tailored to YOU: Get weekly digest emails with recommended connections, content, and events based on your unique interests and profile tags. Thoughtful, curated content: Access thought-provoking and informational resources all in one place without the noise of traditional social media. How do I connect with people 1 on 1? Send them a personalized message from your individual inbox, or interact within groups! Can I post my own events? As we are rolling out this platform, we are not opening up the ability for anyone to create their own events. Our goal is to expand this and partner with organizations (as we know there are so many events!) who want their events visible by our curated community. Stay tuned for this update. However, if you have an idea for an event, or know of something happening, please send it directly to Marissa Anderson and the team will review. There is a specific functionality I wish Sunrise Network has, but it doesn't. Help! Click here to submit all feedback and anything you may think is missing. We will get back to you within 24-48 hours. What are all these different events? I see Breakthrough Table Workshops, SuperTable, Sunrise Network events, Sunrise Social, etc. Great question! Here is a breakdown of each of our different events and which members have access. Sunrise Network Happy Hours: Casual, in-person gatherings open to the broader Sunrise Network to connect, unwind, and build relationships. SuperTable: Conversations exclusive to Breakthrough Table members, diving deeper into mindset-driven themes that connect across tables. Breakthrough Table Introductory Workshops: A no-commitment session for those curious about Breakthrough Table. Get a feel for the experience and what makes it unique. BT Workshop Series: Practical, topic-specific workshops for Breakthrough Table members led by area experts, covering a variety of things like mindfulness, sleep science, fractional consulting, taxes, and much more! Sunrise Social: Our signature bi-annual networking event open to Sunrise Network subscribers and with few general public tickets available.   Not seeing the answer you're looking for? Click here to schedule a 15 minute demo call to walk through it with a team member, or message Marissa Anderson directly. Check out our Community Guidelines document as well!