I've always admired the work of Junior Achievement and am thrilled to introduce you to Holly Garner, Junior Achievement's VP, New Channels, and Head of Workforce. Holly and I talk about the balancing acts education-focused sales professionals play, alternative pathways into the world of work, skills-based hiring, and touch on how new education technologies can help create higher-fidelity signals of workplace competency. Tune into episode 112 to hear Holly's story, her 'rocket-booster' moment, an...
Oct 19, 2023•32 min•Ep. 110
This week, we travel virtually to the UK to catch up with Kate Lander, CEO at Ivy House London - experts in leadership development and behavioral change. Kate is also the former CLO for Fitch Learning and served as head of education for CFA Institute EMEA. We spend our time this week exploring the balancing acts that third-party leadership development firms play, Ivy House's unique approach, and engage in a start-stop-continue exercise for leadership development professionals. Tune into episode ...
Oct 12, 2023•36 min•Ep. 109
In business, it's easy to get immersed in key performance indicators and financial performance. Focusing solely on the numbers distracts leaders from investing in a business's most valuable asset -- its people. To help us explore this critical balancing act, we have Dave Bookbinder joining us on this week's show. Dave is the author of “The New ROI: Return on Individuals,” host of “Behind the Numbers,” and executive director, valuation services at Haefele Flanagan. Tune into episode 110 to hear D...
Oct 05, 2023•24 min•Ep. 108
This week on the show, we're taking a look at a new industry segment, at least for our show, the world of industrial water treatment! Trace Blackmore, owner of Blackmore Enterprises and host of Scaling Up H2O podcast joins us to help us understand more about how one of our most precious resources - water - is used in industrial applications around the world. Tune into episode 109 to hear Trace's story, his 'rocket booster' moment, and his thoughts on the world of industrial water treatment. http...
Sep 28, 2023•25 min•Ep. 107
What's the best way for colleges and universities to innovate and adapt to the modern learning landscape? This week, Beth Hollenberg, co-founder and CEO of university services leader Everspring joins Andy to explore the ever-evolving landscape of third-party university services and online program management (OPM). Tune into episode 108 to hear Beth's story, her 'rocket booster' moment, and her thoughts on the world of public-private university partnerships.
Sep 21, 2023•33 min•Ep. 106
Frustrated with bland, vanilla, page-turner corporate learning and training programs? Want to improve learning experience at your corporation or institution? Barry Kelly, CEO of Thought Industries, joins me this week on the show for an engaging conversation on all things learning experience. How can we fuel the desire for lifelong learning? How can we prioritize and make sense of corporate learning technology stacks? Tune into episode 107 to hear Barry's story, his 'rocket booster' moment, and h...
Sep 14, 2023•32 min•Ep. 105
This week we have Roberto Reif joining Andy on the show. Roberto is founder and CEO of ScholarU - a start-up focused on education and training in data analytics. He is also the former executive director at data science bootcamp Metis. The conversation ranges from the balancing acts that founders and start-up leaders play to how to grow data analytics and literacy skills in today's workforce. Tune into episode 106 to hear Roberto's story, his 'rocket booster' moment, and his thoughts on the world...
Sep 07, 2023•23 min•Ep. 104
It's "back to school" time for students around the world, so there's no better time for us to welcome Greg Marino to the show. Greg is a friend, former colleague, and the CEO of Kaplan North America, one of the world's premiere innovators in lifelong learning serving individuals, businesses, and educational institutions. Our conversation spans the balancing acts CEOs play, improving post-secondary educational access, and innovations in alternative pathways into the world of work. Tune into episo...
Aug 31, 2023•31 min•Ep. 103
Charlie Cichetti joins us this week on the podcast to discuss all things green building! We even get into a conversation about ESG investing and why ESG is getting a bad rap in our hyper-polarized political environment. Charlie is the CEO of Green Building Education Services and is also CEO and co-founder of Sustainable Investment Group. Tune into episode 104 to hear Charlie's story, his 'rocket booster' moment, and his thoughts on the world of LEED and green building education.
Aug 24, 2023•28 min•Ep. 102
To say we're excited about introducing you to this week's guest is a gross understatement! Jesse Jackson, Head of Consumer & Community Banking and Firmwide Operations New Joiner Experience at JP Morgan Chase joins us to discuss the work readiness of today's workforce, talent acquisition and the ongoing war for talent, and the relationship between learning & development and talent acquisition. Tune into episode 103 to hear Jesse's story, his 'rocket booster' moment, and his thoughts on th...
Aug 17, 2023•32 min•Ep. 101
This week, we'd like to introduce you to Bharat Krishna, managing director at CITI Program - a global leader in online education with a focus on research, ethics, compliance, and safety training at over 2500 institutions worldwide. Bharat and Andy talk about the balancing acts leaders play in the field of medical ethics and compliance, and delve into the impact the recent uptick in mis/disinformation has had on the medical community and how we rebuild trust in science and medicine. Tune into epi...
Aug 10, 2023•34 min•Ep. 100
We begin the journey toward our next 100 episodes with Larissa Chaikowsky, US chief human resources officer and head, talent reskilling & acceleration at BMO. Larissa and Andy talk about the balancing acts Chief Human Resources Officers play and delve into innovations in talent acquisition that are being driven by the reskilling revolution. Other topics include the creation of alternative pathways into the world of work and improving equity and diversity within organizations. Tune into episo...
Aug 03, 2023•31 min•Ep. 99
It's our 100th episode this week on The Balancing Act Podcast!! To celebrate, we've selected a series of memorable moments from the first 99 episodes. Your time is valuable and we're grateful that you’ve chosen to spend 30 minutes each week. We’re all on a journey of personal and professional continuous improvement and we hope this show has added value to yours. Tune into episode 100 and meet a series of business leaders who share a common purpose -- to help individuals learn and grow.
Jul 27, 2023•32 min•Ep. 98
John Bowman joins us this week on the show. John is the executive vice president at the CAIA Association and is the former managing director - Americas for CFA Institute. This week we're talking about the balancing acts that investment analysts and portfolio managers play and John introduces us to the purpose and mission of the CAIA Association. Tune in to episode 99 to hear John's story, his 'rocket-booster moment,' and his thoughts on the world of alternative investments.
Jul 20, 2023•34 min•Ep. 97
Paul Barnhurst is my guest this week on the pod. Paul is best known as "The FP&A Guy" on LinkedIn with nearly 75k followers and is also the host of the new podcast "Financial Modeler's Corner." Paul and I discuss the mission-critical role of financial planning & analysis and how FP&A professionals can play the role of educators - improving the financial acumen of the entire organization. Tune in to episode 98 to hear Paul's story, his 'rocket-booster moment,' and his thoughts on buil...
Jul 13, 2023•25 min•Ep. 96
You're going to love my conversation with Allison Rutledge-Parisi in episode 97 of the show. Allison is former SVP of People Team at Justworks and has held chief human resources officer positions at The Met, Macmillan Learning, and Kaplan. Tune in to hear Allison's story, her 'rocket-booster moment,' and her thoughts on your company's most valuable asset - it's people resources.
Jul 06, 2023•26 min•Ep. 95
This week, we have Chuck Wachendorfer joining us to discuss the balancing acts leaders play through the lens of building strong client and interpersonal relationships. Chuck is president, sales distribution, and is an executive coach with leadership coaching, consulting, and business development services firm think2perform. Chuck also brings us over 16 years of experience leading teams in the wealth management space. Tune in to episode 96 to hear Chuck's story, his 'rocket-booster moment,' and h...
Jun 29, 2023•31 min•Ep. 94
Rob Shaw, co-founder and director at Meta Team, Ltd., and former global head of leadership coaching at BT Group joins us from London, UK for a robust conversation that's focused on the assessment and performance of teams. Rob introduces us to the Meta Team diagnostic toolset and the eight "team habits" that have an outsized impact on team success. Tune in to episode 95 to hear Rob's story, his 'rocket-booster moment,' and his thoughts on the relationship between team performance on organizationa...
Jun 22, 2023•31 min•Ep. 93
Episode 94 features Naren Aryal, CEO and publisher at Amplify Publishing Group. Naren helps us understand the balancing acts that publishers play and provides key advice and counsel for individuals considering a career path into the publishing world. Tune in to episode 94 to hear Naren's story, his 'rocket-booster moment,' and his thoughts on the balancing acts prospective authors must consider when contemplating writing a book.
Jun 15, 2023•24 min•Ep. 92
Writer, actor, recovering lawyer, and leadership consultant Pam Sherman joins us on the show this week in our continuing exploration of the balancing acts that leaders play. Pam introduces us to her proprietary EDGE methodology of building competency in leadership, business development, and communications within individuals and teams. Tune in to episode 93 to hear Pam's story, her 'rocket-booster moment,' and her thoughts on key leadership balancing acts.
Jun 08, 2023•29 min•Ep. 91
Oliver Downer, Chief Information Officer at Gemini, joins us this week on the show to discuss the balancing acts that technology leaders play. Oliver helps us understand that perspective matters--especially in the area of technology--of which all modern businesses are reliant upon. Tune in to episode 92 to hear Oliver's story, his 'rocket-booster moment,' and his thoughts on the skills that technology leaders must hone.
Jun 01, 2023•29 min•Ep. 90
This week on the show, I'd like to introduce you to Drexwell Seymour as the next guest in our ongoing series on The Balancing Acts Leaders Play. Mr. Seymour is a certified public accountant, managing partner of HLB TCI, and the former CEO for Cable & Wireless in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). Tune in for our discussion on the importance of giving back to the community, financial and business acumen, and his 2021 book, "Rise Up and Take Your Position."
May 25, 2023•23 min•Ep. 89
It's Megan Dusenbery this week on The Balancing Act Podcast! Megan is chief revenue officer at the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) and helps us understand the balancing acts that members of the c-suite play with a focus on how to break down barriers and obstacles to allow an empowered team to shine. Tune in to episode 90 to hear Megan's story, the key moment that put rocket boosters behind her career, and the balancing acts that members of the c-suite play each day.
May 18, 2023•29 min•Ep. 88
Roger Lee joins us this week as the third guest in our ongoing miniseries - The Balancing Acts Leaders Play. Roger is chief sales & marketing officer at global technology education giant General Assembly, so this week, we're focusing our attention on the world of, you guessed it, sales and marketing! Tune in to episode 89 to hear Roger's story, the key moment that put rocket boosters behind his career, and the balancing acts that sales and marketing leaders play each day.
May 11, 2023•28 min•Ep. 87
The second guest in our miniseries - The Balancing Acts Leaders Play - is Ed Overholt. Ed is a rising star in the engineering consultancy space and is regional director with Campos EPC - the leader in the energy infrastructure space. Ed holds the PE and PMP credentials, is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, and is intensely focused on the success of his clients and his colleagues at Campos. Tune in to episode 88 to hear Ed's story, the key moment that put rocket boosters behind...
May 04, 2023•23 min•Ep. 86
Our first guest in our new miniseries - The Balancing Acts Leaders Play - is Binod Shankar. Binod is an executive coach, former Managing Director & Co-founder of Genesis Institute, host of The Real Finance Mentor Podcast, and is a frequent guest on CNBC & Bloomberg in Dubai. Tune in to episode 87 to hear Binod's story, the key moment that put rocket boosters behind his career, and the balancing acts that led him to pen his forthcoming book, "Let's Get Real."
Apr 27, 2023•31 min•Ep. 85
Join us as we set out on a new journey to explore the balancing acts that leaders play. This week, co-host Dan Strafford interviews Andy to get his perspectives on the most important balancing acts he's played throughout his 30+ year career. Today's topics include: work v. life, human v. technical skill, transparency v. duplicity, trust v. accountability, and giving v. taking.
Apr 20, 2023•27 min•Ep. 84
This week we take you to The Netherlands (virtually) for the final conversation in our miniseries on Challenging Conversations. Paul ter Wal is an "International Human Capital Explorer" and leads Team Andare - an Employee Engagement Consultancy based in Zwolle, Netherlands. Paul's candid insights on how to navigate challenging conversations is the perfect capstone to this topic thread. Thank you for your contributions, Paul!
Apr 13, 2023•32 min•Ep. 83
Active listening is essential for both parties to a challenging conversation. In episode 84, Andy interviews Stephen Kohler, Founder and CEO of Audira Labs. Stephen is an accomplished musician who uses music as a spark to facilitate active listening and build team cultures in Audira consulting engagements. Thanks for shining a bright light on the value of active listening in challenging conversations, Stephen!
Apr 06, 2023•27 min•Ep. 82
In episode 83, we continue exploring how to navigate challenging conversations and accepting constructive feedback with Miriam Meima, Managing Partner Emeritus at Evolution, Silicon Valley’s premier coaching, consulting, and investment firm, and is co-Founder of the 2 Million Leaders Project. Tune in to hear Miriam's story and her approach to building the skills necessary to say what needs to be said, when it needs to be said. Thanks, Miriam!
Mar 30, 2023•35 min•Ep. 81