Insight at Work with Ken Blackwell

IN THIS EPISODE:

We’re going to start 2023 with Hope, specifically Valerie Hope. Valerie brings a truly global approach to leadership and building diverse, inclusive and equal work cultures. For Valerie it starts with curiosity and she shares how her early life as a self-proclaimed “military brat” and global traveller taught her the skills she now. shares with her clients. The conversation is wide ranging just like her perspectives and has a little something for everyone.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Being a curious and creative learner has set Valerie Hope apart as an accomplished leadership coach and professional speaker. Since having traveled to more than 30 countries and having lived with more than 400 host families, she learned that life is the best teacher and the human being living it, as the star pupil.

For the past 25 years, Valerie has been called to inspire and activate global leaders to become more conscious, connected, and creative. As her coaching clients and audience members gain clarity of purpose, become bold and authentic in their self-expression, they tout fulfilling careers, more meaningful relationships, and experience a sense of aliveness. Her group workshops and one-on-one sessions are designed to go beyond concepts and data points, to shine a light on what has heart and meaning.

She’s honed her coaching and speaking craft throughout the Americas and Europe through work in and for major companies and organizations such asHyatt Hotels and Resorts, Up With People, Etsy, Salesforce, University of California at Berkeley, and Anheuser Busch. 

In 2018, she stumbled into entrepreneurship and is now the CEO of her company, Connect to Joy, LLC.Valerie received her executive coaching certification from UC Berkeley and holds a B.A. in Public Relations and Spanish from the University of Alabama.

She is a native Spanish speaker from the Republic of Panama. These days, you can find Valerie expressing her playful side on the tennis court, on the improv stage, and singing in a community choir. This former military brat calls Dallas home and she has the cowboy boots to prove it.

SHOW NOTES:

Connect with Valerie on: 

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/valeriehope 
• Twitter: ValerieVHope
• her website:  valeriehope.com
• or on YouTube: youtube.com/c/ConnecttoJoy

INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC:

Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.com  You can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_

ABOUT THE HOST:

Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His focus is on creating a more human workplace. His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com, follow him on Facebook at Ken Blackwell, Speaker and  connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/ (make sure to mention you listen to the podcast).

Today is the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year. Today is also a turning point. In this short "Insight Bite" episode, Ken shares a thought for using these dark hours to begin a transformation that will spark our growth in the year to come.

IN THIS EPISODE:

In the US, it’s the time of the year when we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and are grateful for the many blessings of the past year. Ken suggests a particular focus for this year’s reflections in this short, “Insight Bite” episode.

INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC:

Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.comYou can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_

ABOUT THE HOST:

Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His focus is on creating a more human workplace. His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com, follow him on Facebook at Ken Blackwell, Speaker and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/ (make sure to mention you listen to the podcast).

N THIS EPISODE:

On the podcast, we tend to focus on our present-day goals for work, but what about our goals for post-work? What kind of life do we want to live after we leave the workplace? Today’s guest, Tara Nolan, builds on her background as a pilot and logistics officer for the US Air Force to help people see the whole picture of both their work, and post-work, lives and build a financial plan that makes sense. The key is “understanding the mission” and putting goals ahead of tools. While the topic is money, there’s also some great insights about problem-solving, connecting and finding clarity that have universal application. 

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

IN THIS EPISODE:

Many of us are aware of Google’s Project Aristotle which discovered a key characteristic of high performing teams was a climate of  “psychological safety” - that team members could speak up and share opinions without fear of any kind of reprisal or repercussion. Neuroscience backs this up - we do our best thinking when we feel safe and are working in an environment of trust. But feeling safe goes beyond just the ability to express thoughts and opinions, it extends to other aspects of our lives such as culture and identity.  Today’s guest, Tim Mousseau, has spent the last 10 years researching what makes people feel unsafe and how to create frameworks and boundaries that lead to safe work cultures. This is a deeper and more personal conversation than we’ve had in while and Tim shares some great insights that will change how you think about the workplace.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

As a male survivor of sexual violence and harassment, Tim Mousseau has spent the last ten years studying prevention to create frameworks that help communities overcome sexual assault and individuals set boundaries to maintain feelings of safety.

As an HR speaker and researcher, Tim is studying how managers and employees define safe work cultures. This research builds off his past work on how different generations define feelings of safety and how to prevent workplace harassment. Tim has spoken in over five counties to over 450 organizations, including Fortune 1000 companies, professional sports teams, and Congressional offices.

SHOW NOTES:

Find Tim on the web at: timmousseau.com

INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC:

Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.com  You can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_

ABOUT THE HOST:

Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His focus is on creating a more human workplace. His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com, follow him on Facebook at Ken Blackwell, Speaker and  connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/ (make sure to mention you listen to the podcast).

N THIS EPISODE:

We often think about burnout from an overwhelmed, overworked, and stressed out perspective. Today’s guest, Cait Donovan, suggests we also look at another source - boundaries, and the resentments caused when those boundaries are violated. She walks us through her own journey of burnout and boundaries and shares helpful lessons for all of us to have more resilient, balanced and healthy lives. Our conversation also touches on some eastern philosophy and neuroscience and how they impact our experience and responses to burnout.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Cait Donovan is one of New York City’s leading burnout experts, host of “Fried – The Burnout Podcast,” and author of the book "The Bouncebackability Factor". Cait offers 1:1 coaching, corporate workshops, and keynotes - all with a focus on ending burnout culture.

She has been featured on podcasts and online magazines such as “Forbes”, “NPR,” “Thrive Global,” “The New York Post”, as well as quoted in Oprah Magazine.

SHOW NOTES:

Connect with Cait and learn more on her website. 

Get a copy of her book, The Bouncebackability Factor.

Listen to the latest episode of Fried: The Burnout Podcast with Cait Donovan.

INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC:

Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.com  You can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_

ABOUT THE HOST:

Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His focus is on creating a more human workplace. His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com, follow him on Facebook at Ken Blackwell, Speaker and  connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/ (make sure to mention you listen to the podcast).

IN THIS EPISODE:

For many, the topic of finances can feel confining and burdensome, certainly not freeing and uplifting. Today’s guest, Mackey McNeil, helps us break through some of the limiting thoughts about finances that can hold us back and limit our ability to not only become more prosperous but get more enjoyment out of life. Mackey will share how to achieve success and abundance utilizing the 3 Freedoms of Prosperity: Money freedom, Time Freedom, and Freedom from Worry. She is the author of several award-winning books, including “The Intersection of Joy and Money” and “The Prosperity Handbook”.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

MACKEY McNEILL, CPA, PFS is the founder of MACKEY, a family business financial coaching firm that helps business owners achieve the three freedoms of prosperity: 

• money freedom, 
• time freedom 
• and freedom from worry. 

Mackey is the author of several award-winning books, including, The Intersection of Joy and Money and The Prosperity Playbook. 

She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Money,USA Today as well other major media.

In addition to helping business owners prosper, her passions include sustainable living, gardening, cooking, fly fishing and adventuring.

SHOW NOTES:

To connect with Mackey on the web: Mackey Advisors and on LInkedIn.

INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC:

Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.com  You can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_

ABOUT THE HOST:

Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

N THIS EPISODE:

Can we make stress a friend, or at least keep it from being a foe or an enemy? 

Today’s guest, Deb Lewis would like to challenge our thinking about stress and encourage us to look at it from a different perspective. Deb is no stranger to stress. As one of the first female candidates to graduate from West Point and then as a leader in combat, Deb understands the impact of stress on performance. In this episode, she shares her experiences, perspective, and several tools so we can pivot and instead of being crushed by stress, we can actually use it to our advantage.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Colonel Deb Lewis is a West Point graduate from its first class with women. A retired Army Colonel and Harvard MBA, Deb commanded three US Army Corps of Engineer Districts, including a $2.1B reconstruction program in combat. She survived the 9/11 Pentagon attack while serving on the Joint Staff antiterrorism team. Colonel Deb’s experiences leading while under fire inspired her unique 'Mentally Tough Women' (MTW) program to help women (and enlightened men!) handle more stress - not de-stress - and put it to work for them. Set in Hawai’i, her latest book titled "Why is Pono not Pono Today?” helps kids of all ages make better choices by using fun cartoons and characters to reveal the secret to handling stress.

SHOW NOTES:

Connect with Deb on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/MentallyToughWomen/

Deb’s Author Page on Amazon: amazon.com/author/deblewis

Go to her website and check out her 2 free stress courses: www.mentallytoughwomen.com

Read about Deb in Hawaii’s Star Advertiser Magazine:  https://lnkd.in/geB_rPb9

INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC:

Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.com  You can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_

ABOUT THE HOST:

Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

N THIS EPISODE:

While “Me Too” and other movements had done tremendous good in amplifying the stories and voices of women who have not been treated fairly in the workplace, there may be a hidden cost. Researcher Kori Reed explores gender equality in the workplace and as she surveyed male leaders across the country she began to notice a trend. 

Many men, while wanting an inclusive workplace culture where men and women can both thrive, were nonetheless so uncertain about crossing the line from an innocent comment to a harassment complaint that they would avoid any conversation on gender equity altogether. These would be champions, men in power who could make a difference in leveling the playing field, are instead silencing themselves and essentially taking themselves out of the game.

Kori and I discuss her findings, explore the state of the gender conversation in the human workplace, how to create safe spaces for dialogue and how we can collectively move toward the ultimate goal of “better together”.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Driven by a purpose to align people to see things in new and creative ways for good, Kori thrives at the intersection of people, insights, and organizational goals. An agile and relatable communicator, she values authentic dialog that enables people to find clarity in the chaos, connect with others, and change the world in meaningful ways.

With more than 25 years of experience working in large, complex, Fortune 500 organizations, Kori has navigated large-scale change management communication; created an integrated, award-winning signature companywide program; and built communication strategies to align stakeholders on challenging issues.   In the process, she earned progressive management duties at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Quaker Oats, PepsiCo, and Conagra Brands -- where she became a Vice President, working across the company in employee and community engagement under the umbrella of corporate social responsibility.

Driven by a passion for the people side of process, management and culture, Kori also worked in Human Resources at Compass Minerals, a salt mining company, as Director Employee Experience and progressed to the Senior Director of Talent and Organizational Development. 

A lifelong learner, Kori is certified in Change Management, Human Resources, DISC Communication Styles and DISC Teams, and more. Adept amid chaos, Kori also wrote a book on the wisdom and humor of work, life, and family balance.

SHOW NOTES:

Connect with Kori: on LinkedIn, Twitter and on her Amazon author page.

Ken and Kori discussed Akira Kurosawa’s 1950 Classic Rashomon

INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC:

Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.com  You can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_

ABOUT THE HOST:

Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.

IN THIS EPISODE:

Almost all of us see the wisdom in having a diversified financial portfolio, it’s smart investing not to have all your eggs in one basket. But what about the portfolio of our lives? Rarely do we think about the value in diversifying our lives and careers - not only to minimize risk, but also to create opportunities. The upside potential isn’t just monetary, there are mental wellness and life experience benefits as well. Today’s guest Carl Seidman applied his financial acumen to his career and began diversifying his life by retiring at age 32! There’s more to the story of course - Carl and I discuss that and the current state of career and life management. It’s another great conversation, listen in!

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Carl Seidman is a trusted business advisor specializing in financial planning & analysis (FP&A), business strategy, and finance transformation. He works with Fortune 500 corporations and middle-market companies, helping establish effective FP&A practices, processes, and teams. At the same time, he brings finance professionals greater control over their careers by helping them build their competence and confidence while eliminating time-wasting activities and mistakes. Carl’s FP&A development methodologies and curriculums have been implemented by many leading companies as part of their financial leadership development programs (FLDPs) for top talent and emerging leaders.

Carl also serves as a CFO advisor and management consultant to entrepreneurial businesses throughout North America and Europe and assists them with strategic financial planning, value enhancement, and revitalization. 

Carl is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) has earned other professional credentials including the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), CIRA, CFF, CFE, CGMA, and AM (Accredited Member in business valuation), and was a 2020 National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) 40 Under Forty honoree. 

He lives in Chicago with his wife and twin sons.

SHOW NOTES:

You can learn more about Carl on his website: https://seidmanfinancial.com

INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC:

Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work at http://chrisluccamusic.com  You can also connect with him on Twitter: @Flipluka and on Instagram: @_flipluka.music_

ABOUT THE HOST:

Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.