“We should always test rigorously new innovation before putting it out in the wild to ensure stability.” “You can't really go after the really big things that you want to achieve if you don't get the small things right.” “One way to think about generosity is about exceeding, you know, expectations of what you're supposed to do and doing things over and above what you're supposed to do.” Episode summary | In this episode of the ROG Return on Generosity podcast, host Shannon Cassidy interviews Ken...
Aug 19, 2025•46 min•Ep. 246
“Being an empathetic leader… knowing who your people are, really caring about them, leading with understanding versus judgment is so critical.” “If you want to be treated well and given opportunities and, you know, have people invest in you and all those kinds of things, then you got to be willing to do that yourself.” “Vulnerability is not a bad thing. It's actually just showing that you're human and showing your humanness.” Episode summary | In this conversation, Shannon Cassidy and Susan Chap...
Aug 12, 2025•34 min•Ep. 245
“It's really simple. It's just really just caring about your people and putting people first and then that ends up becoming a huge driver in growth.” “Accountability is a big aspect of care. It's how you show up that shows how much you care about what we're doing and why we're doing it.” “Vulnerability is an act of generosity.” Episode summary | In this episode of the ROG Return on Generosity podcast, host Shannon Cassidy engages in a deep conversation with Jamie Reid and Gabe Erle from C3, a co...
Aug 05, 2025•49 min•Ep. 244
“With AI, there is so much to innovate, it gives people an equality.” “Everybody has something to give.” “There are three things we all need: a coach, a mentor, and a sponsor. A coach talks to you, a mentor talks with you, and a sponsor talks about you.” Episode summary | In this episode of Return on Generosity, host Shannon Cassidy speaks with Yvette Kanouff, an Emmy award-winning technology pioneer, about the importance of generosity in the workplace. They discuss Yvette's journey from Germany...
Jul 29, 2025•43 min•Ep. 243
"Your attitude matters; control what you can control." "Surfing the wave means being flexible." "The truth is always best." Episode summary | In this episode of ROG Return on Generosity, host Shannon Cassidy interviews Trish Scanlon, a seasoned branded entertainment executive. Trish shares her journey from Pittsburgh to leading creative teams for major media brands. The conversation delves into the importance of political savvy, leading with grace and kindness, and embracing creativity in every ...
Jul 22, 2025•34 min•Ep. 242
“The only thing we have in common is the fact that he’s magical and I’m creating magic in these schools moving kids forward.” “I believe most people have compassion in their soul.” “Are you willing to share without expecting anything back?” Episode summary | In this episode of ROG, host Shannon Cassidy speaks with Harry Potter, a retired education professional, about the importance of generosity in personal and professional life. They discuss Harry's transformative experiences with mentors who o...
Jul 15, 2025•31 min•Ep. 241
“Action over words.” “Where you can show up, show up.” “It doesn’t cost anything to be nice.” “The physical embodiment of love is being present.” Episode summary | In this episode of the Return on Generosity podcast, host Jabari Whitehead engages with guests Tay Person and Mike Wernert in a heartfelt discussion about the importance of generosity, support, and emotional presence in parenting. They explore the challenges of being sports parents, the lessons of character and generosity they hope to...
Jul 08, 2025•42 min•Ep. 240
“Look past people’s faults and find their needs.” “I knew I couldn’t teach a kid until that kid knew I cared about them or until I made a connection with them.” “The grind is worth it.” Episode summary | In this episode of the Return on Generosity podcast, host Jabari Whitehead engages in a heartfelt conversation with guests Tay Person and Mike Wernert about the themes of fatherhood, personal growth, and the importance of generosity. The discussion explores how their experiences as fathers shape...
Jul 01, 2025•43 min•Ep. 239
“Happiness is often around an external event or external situation where joy is internal.” “You can’t pour from an empty soul.” “You can choose how to show up.” Episode summary | In this episode of ROG, Shannon Cassidy speaks with Linda Shively, a neuroscience and mindset coach, about the importance of joy, resilience, and generosity. Linda shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity, including escaping an abusive marriage and dealing with her daughter's health challenges. She introduces...
Jun 24, 2025•30 min•Ep. 238
“[Rare Diseases Research] deserves to be celebrated the same way that we celebrate athletes and sports in this country.” “Giving is the greatest form of getting.” “You always have a chance to positively impact other people, it's just a matter of what you do with the moments you have.” Episode summary | In this episode of ROG, Shannon Cassidy interviews Brett Brackett, the executive director of Uplifting Athletes, who shares his journey from being a college and NFL athlete to leading a nonprofit ...
Jun 17, 2025•44 min•Ep. 237
"Everybody has value to give." “It’s not a game breaker, it’s a game changer.” “How are you doing that differently? How are you going to stand out from the crowd?” Episode summary | In this episode of the ROG Return on Generosity podcast, host Shannon Cassidy interviews Yvette Thornton, a registered patent agent and advocate for innovation and women in leadership. Yvette shares her journey from growing up on a farm in Virginia to her career in intellectual property, emphasizing the importance of...
Jun 10, 2025•46 min•Ep. 236
“Relationship is a noun, but ' relationshipping' is a verb and it takes a lot of agency and some skill.” "You have to know what you want." "Pause is power." Episode summary | In this episode of the ROG Return on Generosity podcast, executive coach and psychotherapist Dr. Lani Nelson-Zlupko describes the difference between relationships and “relationshipping”, sharing insights on effective communication, emotional intelligence, and the importance of accountability in relationships to build meanin...
Jun 03, 2025•57 min•Ep. 233
"I'm so grateful to be alive." "You have a life, let's freaking go!" Episode summary | In this episode of the ROG Return on Generosity podcast, host Shannon Cassidy speaks with fitness entrepreneur Sydney Cummings Houdyshell about her journey from collegiate athlete to a leading figure in the fitness industry. Sydney shares her experiences overcoming personal tragedies, the importance of mental health, and her mission to provide free workouts to empower individuals globally. The conversation del...
May 27, 2025•33 min•Ep. 235
“It's important to think bigger than what you know is possible” Episode summary | In this episode of the ROG Return on Generosity podcast, host Shannon Cassidy interviews Sydney Cummings Houdyshell, a certified personal trainer and founder of Royal Change. Sydney shares her journey from a small-town athlete to a global fitness influencer, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, resilience, and community. She discusses her transition from sports to personal training, the creation of her YouTu...
May 20, 2025•36 min•Ep. 234
“Making progress is soul-crusher free." "We can control how we react to it." "Assume positive intent." Episode summary | In this conversation, Tim Leake, founder of Let's Lightbulb, discusses how to make work enjoyable and productive. He shares insights on creativity, collaboration, and the importance of humor in high-stakes environments. Tim emphasizes the need for leaders to be generous and supportive, creating a culture where everyone can thrive. He also highlights practical strategies for ov...
May 13, 2025•49 min•Ep. 232
"Feelings fully felt is bliss." "Breath is always free." "Self-augmentation is the key." Episode summary | In this episode of the Return on Generosity podcast, host Shannon Cassidy speaks with Jason Henkel, founder of Focus to Evolve, about achieving balance and productivity without burnout. Jason shares his journey from a hectic corporate life to discovering the importance of self-management and centeredness. He emphasizes the need for leaders to create high-performance teams and the role of ar...
May 06, 2025•52 min•Ep. 231
"Share your likes before your concerns." "Life is not a dress rehearsal." Episode summary | In this engaging conversation, Nomi Bergman shares her journey from a challenging childhood in athletics to becoming a successful leader in the technology sector. She emphasizes the importance of kindness, generosity, and positive intent in leadership, drawing from her experiences at Bright House Networks. Nomi discusses the significance of creating a supportive work culture, the value of timely feedback,...
Apr 29, 2025•43 min•Ep. 230
"Find joy every day." Episode summary | Susan Jin Davis and May Lee explore the themes of generosity, identity, and resilience shaped by their immigrant experiences. They discuss the challenges of growing up as children of immigrants, the impact of cultural concepts like Han, and the transformative power of loss. May shares her journey as a journalist of color, emphasizing the importance of diversity in media and the need for education to combat stereotypes. The discussion also highlights the si...
Apr 22, 2025•57 min•Ep. 229
"I want to make it less hard for veterans." "We are stronger together." "Just show up, ask questions." Episode summary | Shannon Cassidy speaks with Michelle Lang, the Executive Director of Operation Honor Rural Salute. Michelle shares her personal journey as an Army wife and the challenges faced by veterans transitioning to civilian life. The conversation highlights the importance of community support, mental health awareness, and the need for resources tailored to rural veterans. Michelle disc...
Apr 15, 2025•48 min•Ep. 228
“A lot of the things I work on are not HARD problems, they’re HEART problems.” “If you name it, you can tame it.” “It is in our Unity that we can elevate our Humanity.” ___________________________________________________ This episode contains discussions of rape and sexual assault, which may be disturbing or triggering for some listeners. We encourage you to prioritize your well-being. If you or someone you know needs support, please consider reaching out to a trusted resource, such as: National...
Apr 08, 2025•49 min•Ep. 227
“The biggest thing that holds women back is low self-esteem” “We’re imperfect and it’s totally okay.” "Women can do so many amazing things." Episode summary | Sheena Yap Chan, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author and renowned podcaster, shares her journey of overcoming cultural barriers and personal trauma to empower women, particularly Asian women, in their pursuit of self-confidence and leadership. She discusses the importance of community support, the impact of trauma on self-worth, and t...
Apr 01, 2025•50 min•Ep. 226
"Storytelling heals the brain." "No struggle, no story." "Life happens in moments." Episode summary | In this episode of Return on Generosity, host Shannon Cassidy speaks with Scott Mann, a former Green Beret and founder of Rooftop Leadership. They discuss the importance of generosity in leadership, the power of storytelling, and how to build trust in low-trust environments. Scott shares his journey from military service to becoming a playwright and advocate for veterans, emphasizing the healing...
Mar 25, 2025•51 min•Ep. 225
"Choose to be okay with who you are." "Self-acceptance is not the opposite of self-improvement; it is the opposite of self-judgment." "It's about being more at peace with the imperfection that exists in all of us." "You are never responding to the world around you, ever - you are only ever responding to the meaning that you're putting on what is happening." Episode summary | Dr. Laura Gallaher, an organizational psychologist and author, shares her journey from working with NASA to promoting radi...
Mar 18, 2025•55 min•Ep. 224
"I want to be what I needed." "Culture drives everything." "Generosity and empathy go a long way." "Never abandon who you are." “Everybody comes to the table dealing with something.” Episode summary | Dr. Kristopher Brown shares his journey in education, highlighting his commitment to creating a positive school environment. He discusses the importance of using student feedback to inform decisions, fostering a culture of inclusion, and the impact of leadership attitude on school dynamics. Dr. Bro...
Mar 11, 2025•43 min•Ep. 223
"Clarity is key." "Be the leader you would want to follow." Episode summary | In this engaging conversation, Shannon Cassidy interviews Lyn Wineman, founder of KidGlov, an advertising agency dedicated to helping changemakers amplify their impact. Lyn shares her journey from a small town in Nebraska to becoming a leader in purpose-driven marketing. The discussion covers the founding of KidGlov, the significance of B Corp certification, and the agency's commitment to a culture of generosity and co...
Mar 04, 2025•46 min•Ep. 222
"We need to challenge our perspective.” "We need to agree to respect. " “Turn confrontation into a conversation.” “There's humanity on different sides of conversations.” Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Justin Jones-Fosu 01:18 Justin's Upbringing and Early Influences 03:25 Lessons from a Challenging Childhood 05:32 Confronting Absence: A Journey to Understanding 09:12 The Power of Listening and Empathy 11:49 The Power of Three in Communication 16:12 Double Dutch Communication: A New Approach 19:3...
Feb 25, 2025•49 min•Ep. 221
"Feedback is a gift.” "You do what is best for your career, not what's comfortable for other people. " “We trust the people who tell us the truth.” “I really subscribe to the idea that you should do something once a year that scares the crap out of you.” Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Tessa White and Her Journey 02:51 Navigating Career Challenges and Generosity in Leadership 05:45 The Birth of The Job Doctor and Accidental Influence 08:58 Overcoming Adversity: Tessa's Personal Story 11:57 Writi...
Feb 18, 2025•53 min•Ep. 220
"We lead how we were led.” "Generosity is giving of your time. '" Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Maureen Reusche 03:02 Dr. Reusche's Educational Journey 06:12 Building Relationships in Education 09:00 The Influence of Family on Leadership 11:47 Generosity in Leadership 15:03 Navigating Challenges During the Pandemic 18:08 The Role of a Superintendent 21:04 The Importance of Presence and Communication 23:50 Encouragement and Mentorship in Leadership 26:48 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 30:36 W...
Feb 11, 2025•43 min•Ep. 219
"Meet 10 to 15 new people every week.” "Ask, How can I help you? Shut up, listen. '" “Get better 1% every day.” “Start building your network today.” “It's bringing value to people and transforming them very little or transforming them a lot. That's it.” Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Steve Ramona and His Impact 01:25 Building Relationships: The Foundation of Success 06:24 The ASLA Principle: Ask, Shut Up, Listen, Ask 10:03 Networking: Expanding Your Connections 12:47 Serving Before Selling: The...
Feb 04, 2025•41 min•Ep. 218
"Generosity is good for the brain.” ”Be intentional and ask yourself, 'When was the last time I did something for the first time?'” “We have to intentionally put ourselves in new spaces.” “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today.” Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Intercultural Creativity 02:53 The Journey of Genein Letford 05:55 Understanding Intercultural Creativity 09:01 The Importance of Cultural Awareness 11:57 Benefits of Expanding Awareness 15:00 The Role...
Jan 28, 2025•49 min•Ep. 217
