Imagine one day you become blind, homeless, and unable to read and write.

No, this is not the beginning of the plot for a new movie. This is what happened to Itto Outini when she was 17 years old.

I had the pleasure of interviewing her and her husband, Mekiya. They are the founding editors of The DateKeepers, an international media platform dedicated to promoting nuanced journalism in the digital age.

Their story is a tale of creativity, resilience, love, and leadership. A tale with little room for living in the comfort zone!

Our discussion delves into the diverse facets of leadership, influenced by their rich multicultural background and unique life experiences. Itto, a remarkable individual who has overcome significant challenges, including blindness and homelessness, shares their compelling journey and the lessons learned.

Mekiya adds an artistic layer to the conversation, beautifully describing every person as a community of selves!

We also touch upon the delicate balance of work and relationships, especially in the context of Their partnership in both business and life.

The episode is a narrative of overcoming hardships and a testament to the power of self-mastery, positivity, and the human spirit.

Itto Outini is a Fulbright Scholar, Steinbeck Fellow (2023–4), MacDowell Fellow (2024), and founder of Fulbrighters with Disabilities, a chapter of the Fulbright Association. She’s spoken for Cal Tech University, The United Nations, Verizon Wireless, The International Trade Centre, and elsewhere, and her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, The Fulbright Chronicle, and ABILITY Magazine. Her story has also been featured on BBC, and she holds an MA in journalism and strategic media from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville.

Mekiya Outini is also a MacDowell Fellow (2024) and holds an MFA in fiction from the University of Arkansas. His short story “Baptism by Earth” won the 55th New Millennium Award in Fiction, and his work has appeared in Chautauqua, The Coachella Review, Willow Springs, and elsewhere. The first two chapters of his novel, Ashes, Ashes, have been featured in the West Trade Review.

To learn more about the Outinis and their work, visit their website -----www.masteryoursea.com

Welcome aboard ‘When Leaders Talk,’ where leadership isn’t just a topic. It’s a journey narrated by the captains steering the ship—leaders themselves. Each episode sails through uncharted territories of leadership, offering you a first-hand view from the helm. We bring together luminaries from every sphere—big corporations, agile startups, and solo ventures—to share their personal sagas, challenges, and unique leadership styles.

Our candid conversations delve deep into how these ‘masters of the sea’ navigate the complex waters of life and work. We unpack their triumphs and setbacks, revealing the lessons learned and the compasses they use to find their way. What values anchor them? What strategies propel them forward?

Discover the answers to these questions and more as our guests invite you into their world, taking you on a voyage through the principles and practices that empower them to reach their destinations with skill and assurance.

Join us as we set sail to explore the diverse and often untold aspects of leadership delivered straight from those who live it daily. This episode will make you curious enough to listen to or view the next episodes.

You can also follow me on many social platforms:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanocalvetti/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourSea

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088959023424

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefanothecoach/

Thread: @[email protected]

For more information about leadership coaching, check my website www.masteryoursea.com

The soundtrack song is “Pirate Tavern” composed by Artem Hramushkin