Episoder
-
Building a movement is truly an art form; one without a single formula or method. It takes more than strategy, and a lot more than just having a great idea. When a movement starts to click, you can feel it. The cogs begin to turn themselves, then turn each other, and the whole thing starts to move as something thatâs bigger than any one of its parts. In this episode, J.B. and Molly go behind the scenes of social change initiatives with Eric Waldo, president and CEO of the District of Columbia College Access Program and the former executive director of Michelle Obama's Reach Higher program.
"What's our 'why?' What's the story and how can we tell it in a way that may move people where they have been cynical or skeptical before?" - Eric Waldo
You can follow Eric Waldo on LinkedIn and learn more about his work at dccap.org.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
A recurring theme on this show is that of the rapidly changing world. Some thrive in the energy that fast-paced change can bringânew challenges, new ideasâwhile others feel overwhelmed or left behind. But itâs in these uncomfortable moments of change that we find real growth and transformation.
Engage with Chris' work at humanpotentialproject.com, YouTube and Instagram.The Power to Transform: Your New Future Awaits is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
In this episode, J.B. uncovers the elements of adaptation with corporate innovator Chris Majer, founder of the Human Potential Project and author of the best-selling book, The Power to Transform: Your New Future Awaits. Listen in as Chris explains the power of the "Popeye moment"âwhen we decide we canât stay the same anymore and embrace the changes that help us adapt and thrive.
"What am I committed to and what's the story that I live in about life? And every once in a while you've got to change your story.â - Chris MajerFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
Mangler du episoder?
-
This week is election week in the United States, and power has shifted. So we're revisiting this episode with Ebele Okobi on the Dynamics of Power, originally aired on March 21, 2024. Take a listen and take good care out there.
"My interest in power is, how do I bring people with me? How do I use this power to create a more radically loving world?" - Ebele Okobi
You can connect with Ebele on LinkedIn and Instagram.
The Igbo have no king 2022 Venice Biennale Chinedu Valentine Okobi Sabbatical ProgramThe Future Plate (African & Caribbean Catering)Loophole of Retreat symposium
Mentioned in this episode:Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
Everyone is trying to influence something or someone to get the outcomes they want, even when weâre not actively thinking about it. As humans weâre hardwired to persuade - at work, in relationships, negotiating dinner. Influence shapes the way we move through the world. But what is it exactly? In this episode, J.B. and Molly are joined by Bess Kennedy, former corporate litigator and the Founding Executive Director of the Aspire Public Schools Foundation to explore the elements of persuasion.
Connect with Bess on LinkedIn or Instagram @bknyca.Apply for the Aspire Public School Board See the letter from Bess' parent committee on Instagram!
"What do people want out of this work? And it can't just be my vision, it can't just be what I want. I don't want to be the tail that wags the dog." - Bess KennedyFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
Since the pandemic began, it seems like everyoneâs favorite topic is "the future of work." But in all the talk about return to office, remote work, and Zoom fatigue, are we missing the headline here? In 2023, the number of number of independent workers in the US quadrupled to 64 million - thatâs 45% of the American workforce.
In this episode, J.B. talks with Noah Lang, founder of Stride Health, the leader of portable benefits for independent workers, to find out what's behind this trend and what it takes to build a company that meets the needs of this incredibly fast growing sector.
" Fundamentally, what's driving the independent economy is people want more flexibility... we've just kept trying to knock down problems that people who work for themselves have to solve." - Noah Lang
Connect with Noah on LinkedIn and X, and check out stridehealth.com for open enrollment beginning November 1.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
At work, we all want to be respected, heard, and taken seriously. But for people from non-dominant groups, especially women, gaining respect is anything but straightforward. How can one be seen as competent and assertive, without being labeled as aggressiveâor maybe worse, unlikeable?
Follow Alison on LinkedIn, Instagram or on Peloton @afbombLikeable Badass is available everywhere books are sold!Sign up for Alison's newsletter, The Upper Hand (Behavioral Science to help Women Excel) at alisonfragale.com
In this first episode of Season 3, J.B. and Molly are joined by Dr. Alison Fragale, distinguished professor of organizational psychology and author of Likeable Badass, to discuss practical ways women, and their allies and managers, can shift perceptions of status, power, and likeability in the workplace.
"Status exists only in other people's brains... it comes from people believing that you care and that you have a capacity to deliver." - Dr. Alison FragaleFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
If it doesn't already come naturally, communicating about your work can feel uncomfortable and downright cringey. But like it or not, it's part of the job. What you need is a method and a motivator, and fortunately Courtney Kaplan returns to Upshots to be just that! In this episode, Courtney offers a structured approach to not just build cold case studies but real stories that connect with hearts and minds. You'll also gain practical tips for gathering testimonials and overcoming the discomfort of self-promotion. This episode is brimming with actionable advice to help you effectively represent yourself in any professional setting!
"Own your part of it, own the strengths of the conversations you brought to the solution, and be bold and braggy. If you have a hard time being bold and braggy, you can turn up the volume to 11 and you're still probably only hitting a five or six." - Courtney Kaplan
Free PDF guide @ https://bit.ly/upshotskaplan2
Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn or check out her courses, worksheets, and coaching offerings at iconicleadershipcoaching.com.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
As working professionals, meetings are so ubiquitous that we just think of them as something that happen to us. We check the weather to see if it's going to rain, the stocks to see what we gained or lost, and the calendar to see how many meetings we have. But we have much more control over meetings than we might think, as hosts and even as attendees.
In this episode, we put Upshots host Micah Vono into the hot seat as J.B. Skelton takes over to learn practical steps to redefining meeting culture and getting more out of a company's most expensive investment: time.
"If you're just white-knuckling your meetings, that comes at a big personal cost of your own energy, identity, and perception." - Micah Vono
PDF cheat sheet @ https://bit.ly/upshotsmvono
Connect with Micah on LinkedIn and see his work at micahvono.com and unserious.com.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
With a record 5.5 million businesses starting up last year alone, it's not easy for early stage companies to stand out. Fortunately, John Cantwell, a creative director who specializes in brand and copy startups, is here to share his secrets behind building a memorable and authentic brand. In this Upshots episode, John shares his approach to harnessing the core ideas of founders and key team member to create a brand that resonates deeply with both its creators and its audience.
"A brand is the sum total of everything you do, everything you make, everything you say, everything you put out into the world. And it takes a while to shape that." - John Cantwell
PDF cheat sheet @ bit.ly/upshotscantwell
Connect with John on LinkedIn, check out his work at g-w.studio, and his most recent project itsdandi.com.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
Ever had a spark of inspiration that fizzled out when you shared it? Or a great idea that was misrepresented when you weren't there? Let's face it, sometimes getting your ideas across is harder than coming up with them in the first place. In this Upshots episode, Micah is joined by fellow Unserious co-founder and host J.B. Skelton to learn how the briefing process can not only organize your thoughts but captivate leadership and drive decision-making. This simple tool can be your secret weapon for bringing big ideas to life and making sure they stick the landing.
"Most of the time that a decision gets made, you're not able to be in the room. So a solid brief really helps us focus our story and tell it story for us. It brings stakeholders along and wins sponsorship for promising ideas." - J.B. Skelton
Free PDF guide @ bit.ly/upshotsskelton1
Follow J.B. on LinkedIn and @jbskelton on Instagram.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
Most of us have been taught from early childhood that dreams aren't meant to be taken seriously. "Don't worry, it's just a dream," your parent might have said. But as community builder, author, and product leader Sarah Epps shares with Micah in this Upshots episode, dreams can be a potent source of data to be explored for personal and professional growth. Don't miss this easy approach to receive life direction from your subconscious and literally follow your dreams.
"Listening to your dreams can be an act of deep compassion and self-trust... when you acknowledge yourself as having something worthy to tell yourself, that can change your life." - Sarah Epps
PDF cheat sheet @ https://bit.ly/eppshots
Hear more from Sarah and sign up for her Substack at recipeasfeeling.com.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
Building a customer community has been on the goal sheet for most B2B and consumer product companies at some point or another. But do your customers really need one? And are you ready to go all in to make it work? In this episode, Micah is joined by customer community consultant Heather Foeh to break down the elements of successful online communities and some common misconceptions. With actionable strategies for starting small and scaling effectively, this episode is packed with valuable tips to help you build a thriving and engaged customer base - or avoid a potential misstep altogether.
"Customer vibe is very hard to put into an ROI. Once they feel like it's their community, that's a great tipping point. It's a good six months before that first glimmer." - Heather Foeh
Free PDF guide @ https://bit.ly/upshotsfoeh
Connect with Heather on LinkedIn.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
There are a number of reasons why we might not gel with a co-worker - some personal, some not. But luckily, being chummy isn't a requirement for great work, and there are tactical approaches to working in spite of interpersonal challenges. In this Upshots episode, product and marketing leader Natalie Kubitz shares her insights on identifying signs of difficult interactions to a framework that helps you identify common goals and foster effective collaboration without the need for personal rapport.
"It's inevitable that you're going to cross paths with a coworker where you just don't gel but results are still expected. Getting these skills is sort of a gift to yourself." - Natalie Kubitz
Free PDF guide @ https://bit.ly/upshotskubitz
You can connect with Natalie on LinkedIn.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
If you're human like us, chances are you've had times where you've felt like you're drowning in commitments. But there's a way to keep your head above water, as Micah learns from Courtney Kaplan, the force behind Iconic Leadership Coaching, who shares a powerful approach for conquering overwhelm. Discover the transformative "whiteboard" technique that helps you visually organize and cut through what's dragging you down. This episode isn't just about managing tasks; it's about aligning your time with what truly matters.
"We know we've committed to more than what we can handle, but it's fixable. So how can we get back on track?â - Courtney Kaplan
Follow Courtney's work at iconicleadershipcoaching.comFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
When people talk about managing up, they don't usually dig into what that actually means. But becoming your boss's biggest ally can have a profound affect on your career and professional well-being. In this episode, product management leader Katie Bolz, shares her profound and practical insights on aligning with your boss's goals, tackling tasks they might dread, and communicating with precision. By mastering these strategies, youâll not only achieve greater autonomy but also pave your way to leadership roles and smoother team dynamics.
"A lot of us get hyper-focused on things like âI'm going to climb the ladder and here's all the stepsâ... But they forget to invest in the relationships or even how helpful they actually are to their immediate boss.â - Katie Bolz
PDF cheat sheet @ https://bit.ly/upshotsbolz
Follow or connect with Katie on LinkedIn.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
It's no secret that the gap between stated company culture and the reality of the employee experience can be enormous. And we've all been there when the employee survey rolls back around with no real change from the last one. In this Upshots episode, designer and executive Leonardo De La Rocha returns to Unserious to share real ways to take action on company culture with tangible actions and measurable outcomes, zeroing in on the pivotal role of managers in transforming company culture from the inside out.
"It sucks to work at a company where you bought into the culture and then it's just not there. If your company's promising something and doesn't deliver on it, employees are going to be looking elsewhere so they can find that." - Leonardo De La Rocha
PDF cheat sheet @ https://bit.ly/upshotsdelarocha
Connect with Leonardo on LinkedIn, on Instagram at @delar0cha, or check out his Adobe Portfolio.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
Uncertain times have a tendency to stop us in our tracks. But marketing leader and mental health advocate Andrew J. Coate posits that life may be more ambiguous than not and offers a practical and effective approach for managing ourselves during times of flux. Embracing the situation might not just be a matter of survival, but can even be a catalyst for growth and opportunity!
"Look at ambiguity as a chance to gain instead of a chance to lose. These kind of moments are the best opportunity to grow, to test, to learn, to stretch yourself, to figure out something new, to try things." - Andrew J. Coate
Cheat sheet @ https://bit.ly/upshotscoate
Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or follow on Instagram at @andrewjcoate and @maggieandscooch.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
The "sophomore slump" is a notorious curse for artists who set high expectations with the debut. Luckily here at Unserious, our expectations for season 2 were just to keep shining the light on more brilliant people and their wonderful ideas - and we were not disappointed! In this season closer, J.B. and Molly are joined by producer Micah to look back at favorite moments and surprises from the season before the long form podcast takes a little break.
Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
Work and life are often defined by milestone moments. But getting to the top of the mountain is only halfway; we need to plan for and manage energy to get all the way back down safely. In this Upshots episode, product and marketing leader and founder of PRUXM, Natala Menezes, shares her insights for keeping the momentum post-launch. From setting strategic post-launch goals to the necessity of a dedicated follow-through team, we're lending you the compass to navigate the often-overlooked yet crucial descent from launch day's summit.
"We often focus on launch day, but that is not actually what makes your business or product successful. It's the before and after." - Natala Menezes
Cheat sheet @ bit.ly/upshotsmenezes
For all things product, user experience, and marketing, you can connect with Natala on LinkedIn and pruxm.ai.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
-
The journey to finding your own leadership voice is very personal and can be wildly confusing. Yes, itâs about authenticity, but it takes a long time to figure ourselves out. Dr. Vignetta Charles is the CEO of ETR, which is committed to improving health outcomes and advancing health equity for youth, families, and communities, and is a lifelong advocate and leader in healthcare equity. She's also a childhood friend of J.B. and Molly. In this episode, the group reunites to discuss the factors of cultivating a leadership voice that resonates with authenticity and compels change.
"My personal voice as a leader has been about trying to uplift complicated truths [and] have people lean into that complication as the gift that it is.â - Dr. Vignetta Charles
Connect with Vignetta on LinkedIn and learn more about ETR at etr.org.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.
- Se mer
