321: Braving the Workplace and the Role of Belonging

321: Braving the Workplace and the Role of Belonging

321: Braving the Workplace and the Role of Belonging

In this powerful episode, Dr. Beth Kaplan returns to discuss her groundbreaking book, Braving the Workplace: Belonging at the Breaking Point. She opens with her personal journey through workplace trauma. Beth reveals the critical distinction between inclusion and belonging—explaining that while others determine inclusion, belonging is an internal decision that requires staying true to yourself without compromising your values.

You’ll be moved by Beth’s compelling message about the dangers of self-sacrifice in toxic work environments and the crucial role managers play in fostering genuine belonging. She offers practical strategies for recognizing workplace trauma, setting healthy boundaries, and prioritizing self-care before company loyalty. Whether you’re struggling in a challenging workplace or leading a team and want to create a culture of authentic belonging, this episode offers specific strategies you can start using today.

Beth is a visionary thought leader, researcher, and keynote speaker who has redefined how we look at belonging and how to be our best selves. She works with companies to enhance employee engagement and retention while significantly lowering turnover costs. Beth is currently pioneering a groundbreaking belonging tool with the University of Pennsylvania, designed to measure belonging and predict the propensity to thrive.

You’ll discover:

  • Why belonging is an internal decision rather than something granted by others
  • The warning signs of workplace trauma
  • How managers can become the number one factor in creating environments where people truly belong through empathy and “stay interviews”
  • Practical strategies for setting boundaries and prioritizing your wellbeing without sacrificing your authentic self for a job
  • The dangerous impact of using “family” language in workplace settings

Watch the episode:

 

Connect with Dr. Beth Kaplan

    

Dr. Beth Kaplan’s Resources

Website

Dr. Beth Kaplan

Book page

Book

Braving the Workplace: Belonging at the Breaking Point

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320: How Unresolved Wounds Affect the Way You Lead

320: How Unresolved Wounds Affect the Way You Lead

320: How Unresolved Wounds Affect the Way You Lead

 

Conflict is inevitable, but how leaders handle it makes all the difference. In this episode, vicki abadesco! shares a real-world example of a well-known organization struggling with team conflict and how small miscommunications can escalate when left unresolved. She explains how our upbringing shapes our approach to conflict and why developing emotional intelligence is essential for effective leadership. Through her work with both executives and young children, vicki highlights the importance of clear communication, emotional awareness, and accountability in building strong teams and relationships.

vicki also introduces practical tools like the “emotional balloon” and the “cleanup process” to help individuals recognize their emotions, take responsibility for their actions, and repair relationships when mistakes happen. Whether you’re leading a team, raising a family, or simply striving to communicate better, this episode will provide insights and strategies to help you lead with empathy, transparency, and authenticity.

vicki is a nonprofit leader and mentor renowned for her unwavering commitment to growth and lifelong learning. Through her organization, Soul Shoppe, she and her team have touched the hearts and minds of over one million elementary school students with their conflict resolution and peacemaking curriculum. vicki has created a lasting impact, nurturing a generation of emotionally intelligent individuals who can build strong relationships and foster inclusive communities.

You’ll discover:

  • Why conflict resolution is a critical leadership skill
  • How early life experiences shape communication habits
  • The “emotional balloon” metaphor for managing emotions
  • A 5-step process for acknowledging mistakes and making amends
  • How teaching emotional intelligence to kids can inspire better leadership in adults

Watch the episode:

Connect with vicki

      

vicki’s Website

Soul Shoppe

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318: The Power of Speaking Up: Turning Fear into Strength

318: The Power of Speaking Up: Turning Fear into Strength

318: The Power of Speaking Up: Turning Fear into Strength

 

Have you ever found yourself not speaking up, whether it’s in a 1:1 situation or in a group? For a variety of reasons, women often hold back instead of using their voice. Jennifer Wilkov, founder and CEO of Speak Up Women, learned to speak up in a powerful way herself and now teaches other women to do the same. Whether you’re looking to build confidence, advocate for yourself, or become a more effective leader, you’ll take away actionable strategies to amplify your own voice.

Jennifer shares her personal journey, from a successful career as a certified financial planner to an unexpected wrongful conviction that tested her resilience. Rather than staying silent, she turned her experience into a movement—empowering women to embrace their self-worth and use their voice with confidence.

Speak Up Women is a community that’s cultivating women’s self-expression and empowerment. Jennifer speaks to women through her inspiring personal message, “You have the right to remain fabulous! – regardless of any situation, circumstance or condition.” She is passionate about elevating the self-esteem of women everywhere and encouraging their self-worth.

You’ll discover:

  • What a wrongful conviction taught Jennifer about speaking up
  • Why women hesitate to speak up…and the situations where they often hold back
  • What Speak Up Women is…and is not
  • How you can speak up for others who don’t have a voice
  • Jennifer’s work with interns to develop future leaders

Watch the episode:

Connect with Jennifer Wilkov

      

Jennifer Wilkov’s Resources

Websites

Jennifer S. Wilkov

Speak Up Women

Your Book Is Your Hook

TED Talk

I Survived Prison

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317: Ethics As a Business Superpower

317: Ethics As a Business Superpower

317: Ethics As a Business Superpower

In this eye-opening episode, we’re joined by Erica Salmon Byrne, a leading expert in business ethics and compliance. Erica shares her fascinating journey from litigation attorney to becoming a key figure in shaping ethical business practices worldwide at Ethisphere. We dive deep into the upcoming announcement of the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies, exploring what sets these organizations apart and why ethical behavior is not just good for society, but also for the bottom line.

Whether you’re a small business owner or part of a large corporation, this episode offers practical advice on how to integrate ethics into your daily operations and long-term strategy. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the foremost experts in the field and discover how your organization can join the ranks of the world’s most ethical companies.

Erica is Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Chair of Ethisphere. Previously serving as CEO, she’s now responsible for ensuring continuous and strong growth for the company while maintaining the key principle that good businesses do better. She’s also the Chair of their Business Ethics Leadership Alliance, which serves ethics and compliance practitioners around the globe.

You’ll discover:

  • The link between ethical practices and financial performance
  • Why effective leadership skills are crucial in maintaining a strong, compliant company culture
  • The importance of defining and communicating your organization’s “why” to all stakeholders
  • The criteria Ethisphere uses to select winners for the World’s Most Ethical Companies award
  • How to integrate ethics into your daily operations and long-term strategy

Watch the episode:

Connect with Erica

Erica’s Resources

Website

Ethisphere

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314: From Vision to Action: Embracing Change and Driving Success

314: From Vision to Action: Embracing Change and Driving Success

314: From Vision to Action: Embracing Change and Driving Success

Change can be daunting, no matter what size your organization is. Our guest Dr. Mary Lippitt sheds light on the common fears—fear of the future, fear of the process, and fear of unintended consequences—that often accompany new initiatives.

Mary shares how organizations can address complexity through holistic strategies that emphasize listening, collaboration, and adaptability. We also discuss the power of asking the right questions to surface hidden concerns and ensure buy-in from all levels of an organization.

Dr. Lippitt is a renowned thought leader in the field of organizational development. She’s an award-winning author, speaker, and consultant. As President and Founder of Enterprise Management, Mary has more than 30 years of experience implementing change, delivering results, and boosting strategic thinking. As a researcher, Mary has studied the strategic and critical thinking patterns of 6,000 leaders.

She is proud to be a second generation Organizational Development professional, following in the footsteps of her father Gordon and uncle Ron. Her new book Leadersheep: Saving the Herd offers a fable about successfully executing change along with the steps necessary to make change stick.

You’ll discover:

  • Why top-down approaches often fail and how leaders can stay engaged to create lasting change
  • How to achieve a clear and actionable vision by leveraging situational awareness and data-driven decision-making
  • What you can do to identify gaps, monitor progress, and make necessary course corrections when implementing change
  • The benefits of adopting a situational mindset to enhance leadership flexibility

Watch the episode:

 

Connect with Dr. Mary Lippitt

  

Dr. Mary Lippitt’s Resources

Website

Enterprise Management LTD

Books

Leadersheep: Saving the Herd

Situational Mindsets: Targeting What Matters When it Matters

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