The Even Better Podcast: Recent Episodes
Sinikka Waugh
Sinikka Waugh, of Your Clear Next Step in Indianola, IA, brings you exciting content about making communities better by helping people get EVEN better at work.
In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh tackles the all too familiar frustrations of ineffective meetings, asking questions many people have thought but not said out loud, like why are we here, what is the purpose, why are they still talking, and could this have been an email. Sinikka names several of these common meeting pain points before offering four practical strategies to make meetings more useful and engaging. This episode offers simple, actionable ideas for anyone who wants to spend less time in unproductive meetings and more time making meaningful progress.
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Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, "try this now" approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh welcomes Allie Jones to explore the difference between being "Iowa nice" and practicing courageous kindness. Allie reflects on growing up in a culture that values politeness and avoiding conflict, and how those habits can sometimes prevent honest connection and meaningful leadership. Together, they share four practical strategies to move from surface level niceness to deeper kindness, including starting with self compassion, practicing clear and honest communication, choosing curiosity over judgment, and finding meaningful ways to contribute to your community. This conversation invites listeners to reflect on where people pleasing may be holding them back and offers a path toward more authentic relationships, healthier boundaries, and stronger, more connected communities.
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Allie Jones is a leadership and business coach who helps individuals, teams, and communities lead with greater clarity, courage, and connection. Originally from Iowa, Allie returned to the state after several years away with a renewed passion for strengthening the communities that shaped her. Her work centers on the idea of Iowa Kind—helping leaders move beyond "Iowa nice" toward a deeper kind of leadership rooted in compassion, civility, and meaningful contribution. Through coaching, facilitation, and keynote speaking, she equips leaders with practical tools to foster engagement, navigate differences, and build stronger, more connected communities.
Facebook: Allie Jones Consulting
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-s-jones/
Instagram: Allie Jones Consulting
Other: https://substack.com/@alliejonesconsulting
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh talks with Dave Blanchard to reframe how we think about artificial intelligence in education and the workplace. Rather than seeing AI as a disruption, Dave challenges listeners to examine the assumptions behind how we teach, learn, and work. He shares insights from his role in online learning and his work with the Minnesota Generative AI Alliance, highlighting how AI can reduce friction, support better decision making, and spark innovation when used thoughtfully. Their conversation explores the importance of human oversight, adaptability, and integrity in a rapidly changing environment. This episode offers a practical and encouraging perspective for anyone navigating the evolving intersection of technology, learning, and leadership.
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Dave Blanchard, Ed.D., is the Director of Online and Distance Learning at St. Cloud State University, where he leads strategic initiatives in digital learning, instructional design, and academic technology. His work focuses on aligning online education with institutional goals while advancing faculty development, accessibility, and student-centered course design. Dave's research and leadership center on the ethical integration of emerging technologies, including AI, in education, with an emphasis on equity, social justice, and human-centered learning. He is also a founding member of AI4MN, Minnesota's leading network for advancing thoughtful, cross-sector collaboration around AI in education.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsonblanchard/
In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh explores how to stay grounded and focused through both the highs and the challenges of everyday life. She shares three powerful questions that help anchor decision making and direction: Why do we do what we do, who do we serve, and how do we show up. Drawing on her work with Your Clear Next Step, Sinikka explains how clarity of purpose can guide priorities, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful impact. She also highlights the value of simple strategic themes over complicated plans, helping individuals and organizations move forward with confidence. This thoughtful episode offers practical insight for anyone looking to stay centered and intentional in their work and life. -- Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, "try this now" approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh sits down with Troy Roberts to explore a story of recovery, redemption, and lasting reform. Troy shares his journey from a childhood shaped by addiction to his own struggles with substance use, homelessness, and ultimately facing a 35 year prison sentence. He opens up about the loss of his mother, the turning point that led him to Harvest Academy, and how accountability, community, and lived experience transformed his life. Troy now dedicates his work to helping others find hope and build meaningful connections in recovery. This conversation offers an honest look at growth, resilience, and the impact of choosing a different path forward.
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Troy, once lost to crime and addiction, turned his life around through Harvest Academy. From substance abuse, crime, and being incarcerated, facing a 35-year prison sentence, to graduating from the program, he has transformed his pain into purpose — now serving as a staff member and mentor, guiding others toward the same redemption and growth that changed his own life.
Facebook: Troy Roberts
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-roberts-464478331/
Other: Harvest Academy Iowa | Indianola IA
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh sits down with communication expert Erik Dominguez to explore how public speaking can become not just manageable but genuinely enjoyable. Erik shares his journey from growing up bilingual in Mexico City to discovering confidence through speech and debate after moving to the United States. Together, they break down practical habits for stronger communication, including treating your voice like an instrument, organizing ideas with clarity, and slowing down in high pressure moments. Erik also explains how to turn nervous energy into focus and why preparation is the key to confidence. This conversation is packed with relatable insights and simple strategies to help you speak with greater impact in any setting.
-- As a communication and confidence speaker and trainer with over 25 years of experience, Erik Dominguez has seen people from all walks of life learn to transform their fear into fuel and effectively share their minds and hearts with the world. His own communication fears fueled him to learn the mindsets and tools to be seen and heard. Now, his life's mission is to support you in learning to speak, share your story, and communicate with confidence, power, and yes, even a little bit of FUN!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erikjdominguezspeaksup
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erikjdominguez
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erik.j.dominguez/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ErikDominguezSpeaks
In this solo episode of Even Better, Sinikka Waugh explores the experience of change saturation and what it feels like when too much change arrives all at once. Drawing on personal insight and coaching conversations, she reflects on how easily we can become overwhelmed, stretched thin, and disconnected from what matters most. Sinikka invites listeners to notice when that sense of saturation begins to take hold and to pause instead of pushing through. She encourages reconnecting with your inner circle as a source of support and perspective, and returning to your deeper why as an anchor in the midst of uncertainty. Through thoughtful reflection and practical encouragement, this episode offers a reset for anyone feeling the weight of constant change, helping listeners slow down, regain clarity, and move forward with greater intention and resilience.
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Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, "try this now" approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh is joined by Scott Post to discuss how continuous improvement and lean thinking can help create more good work days. Reflecting on how they first met years ago in a project management class, including a memorable lesson involving a "crazy red chicken," Scott shares how he found his path into lean, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. The conversation explores lean leadership as servant leadership, Scott's long‑term involvement with lean consortiums such as the Iowa Lean Consortium and his fifteen years on the board of the Siouxland Lean Consortium, and the value of learning together through conferences and engaging meetings. They also touch on small business entrepreneurship and how lean principles apply across organizations of all sizes.
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Scott Post is an Operational Excellence and Lean Leadership Coach with over 20 years of experience in leadership, continuous improvement, and Lean methodology. Known for his ability to identify inefficiencies and optimize processes, Scott helps individuals and organizations unlock their full potential through practical, results-driven approaches. Scott's passion for process improvement began during his service in the United States Marine Corps and continued as he earned an Industrial Engineering degree from Iowa State University. His expertise deepened through roles at Pella Corporation and later as Chief Operations Officer at Pizza Ranch, where he led the Operations, Training, and Process Improvement teams toward operational excellence. Scott founded S Post Consulting in 2021 and began working full-time with clients in 2023. Based in Northwest Iowa, the firm helps Siouxland business leaders stabilize operations, boost profits, and build momentum. Scott helps organizations move from chronic inefficiencies to high-performing operations. Through a diagnostic, boots-on-the-ground approach, he uncovers root causes, aligns leadership, and builds sustainable systems that reduce waste, improve execution, and drive long-term profit, without adding headcount or complexity. Clients consistently experience improved employee engagement, increased labor efficiency, shorter lead times, and stronger bottom-line results. A dedicated Servant Leader, Scott has also been an active contributor to the local Lean communities, serving on the board of the Siouxland Lean Consortium, and volunteering with the Iowa Lean Consortium. Outside of work, he enjoys family life, camping, and a hobby farm by Rock Valley, Iowa with his wife, four children, and a collection of farm animals.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scott-post
Other: http://www.spostconsulting.com
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh is joined by Jenna Adams Valadez for a practical and thoughtful conversation on how neurodivergent individuals can truly thrive at work. Jenna shares why this topic matters personally and helps redefine neurodivergence to include ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety based differences, and more as different ways of processing rather than deficiencies. Together, they explore why clarity and prioritization are essential leadership skills, how standard work and change management reduce hidden friction, and what leaders often get wrong when trying to support inclusion. The episode also examines why masking is not the same as thriving and how emerging tools like AI can support more personalized ways of working when used with intention. Listeners will walk away with actionable insights to build stronger, more inclusive teams where more people can do their best work. -- Jenna Adams-Valadez is a Lean Six Sigma Master Blackbelt and Certified Continuous Improvement Consultant based in Omaha, NE. She started her firm, The Lean Eye, LLC, in 2023 as an SBA-certified Woman Owned Small Business. Jenna is also a co-founder for AI Demo & Learn, a free online learning community helping professionals keep pace with advancing technology. With almost 15 years of continuous improvement experience and over 20 years of coaching and mentoring across transportation, IT, academia, and nonprofit sectors, she customizes various methodologies to help organizations eliminate waste, scale sustainably, and build teams that perform with confidence. Jenna also incorporates AI tools to streamline workflows, collecting real-world examples that give her clients practical insight into how emerging technology can work for their specific operations while keeping people at the center of processes. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-adams-valadez/
Other:
The Lean Eye, LLC , AI Demo & Learn - Monthly AI exploration
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh is joined by Lata Hamilton, an organizational change management consultant and career confidence mentor, for a practical conversation about navigating career change with clarity and confidence. Lata shares her proven five‑step career change formula, grounded in her own experience of successfully changing careers multiple times. Together, they explore how to calculate the true cost of staying stuck, remember your worth, and tap into transferable skills you already have. Lata also offers guidance for gaining clarity when you don't yet know what's next, committing to change, and carving a new path without starting over or taking a step backward. If you're considering a career pivot, planned or unexpected, this episode offers actionable insight, reassurance, and encouragement to take your next step intentionally. --
Lata Hamilton is a Change Leadership and Confidence mentor, author of "Pioneer Your Career Change", and the creator of the "Leading Successful Change" program. After tripling her salary in just 3 years to almost $200,000, her mission is to help women carve their own paths for change in career, leadership and life, and find the confidence and authenticity to truly earn their worth. Lata has worked with some of Australia's biggest companies on changes that have impacted over 100,000 people, operating model changes impacting thousands, global cultural transformations, and digital transformation that is literally changing the way that we work.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latahamiltonchange LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/latahamilton Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latahamilton/
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh is joined by artist and community advocate Kristy Evans for a deeply moving conversation about letting go of control and embracing what comes next. Kristy shares her remarkable journey from teaching to art after unexpected health challenges reshaped her life, and how creativity became both a healing practice and a path toward self‑discovery. Together, they explore the emotional landscape of career transitions, the grief, the growth, and the courage it takes to be new at something again. Kristy reflects on the values that continue to anchor her, the role of play and curiosity in rebuilding identity, and her passion for fostering community through art. Whether you're navigating change, seeking purpose, or simply learning to loosen your grip, this conversation offers honesty, encouragement, and a reminder that beautiful things can emerge when we finally let go.
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Kristy Evans is a mixed media artist from Indianola, Iowa. She began painting in 2019.
After nearly 20 years as a high school English teacher and swim coach, Kristy left the classroom with health issues and pivoted into art: "Life Part 2." At age 49, she became a student, learning about abstract art, painting daily, and embracing a creative process that progresses through play. (fabulous follow-up: health issues resolved*!)
Kristy has taken a wide array of online art courses. In Central Iowa, she has participated in many art festivals and shared her work in several libraries. In 2025, Simpson College hosted a solo show at the Art & Design Gallery in January; Ankeny's Art Center showed her work in June/July; "Iowa Artists on Display" in Downtown Des Moines at 801 Grand also features her work in two spaces.
You can...
- Subscribe to her email newsletter (only 1 per month, promise!) at the bottom of any page on her website: http://KristyEvansArt.com
- Email questions to KristyEvansArt@gmail.com
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Follow on social media:
- Instagram: @Kristy.Evans.Art
- Facebook: KristyEvansArt2
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh is joined by Catherine Schut for a heartfelt conversation about building genuine human connection through the simple beauty of flowers. Catherine shares how her local flower farm has become a gathering place for community, bringing together fellow small‑business owners, loyal customers, and neighbors through shared experiences and small acts of kindness. Together, they explore the many ways flowers help us connect: supporting clients and colleagues, celebrating meaningful milestones, offering comfort to friends and family, or creating quiet moments of self‑care. Catherine also reflects on how spending time with nature invites us to slow down, get creative, and express emotions we sometimes struggle to put into words. Whether you love flowers or simply appreciate the power of presence, this conversation offers a gentle reminder that beauty grows connection, and connection strengthens community. Catherine Schut, founder/owner of Hive and Petal - a boutique beekeeping flower farm focused on growing seasonal, unique flowers in Central Iowa. Personal beliefs of the farm: organically inspired practices & creating an environment where ALL can thrive.
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/hiveandpetal
LinkedIn URLhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hiveandpetal
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/hiveandpetal
Other...www.hiveandpetal.com
In this solo episode of Even Better, Sinikka Waugh explores what it means to plan with purpose, drawing on insights from recent quarterly planning and coaching conversations. She breaks planning into three essentials: setting simple yet SMART goals that bring clarity, identifying the big rocks that matter most so they do not get buried in the daily grind, and finding a rhythm that keeps you focused and aligned. Sinikka reflects on how easily cadence slips and how weeks or even months can pass without us noticing, and she highlights the value of reconnecting to a natural, intentional rhythm. Throughout the episode she returns to one grounding question: Why am I doing this? With practical examples and honest reflection, Sinikka encourages listeners to view planning not as a task to complete but as a purposeful practice that helps us stay connected to our priorities and move through life with greater intention. --
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, "try this now" approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh is joined by Urmi Hossain for a powerful conversation on mentorship for women, how to find the support you need and how to become that support for someone else. Urmi shares why mentorship begins with self‑awareness, clarity, and understanding your goals, and why the best mentor for you doesn't always look like you or come from your industry. Together, they explore mentorship as a two‑way relationship, the importance of showing initiative, and the surprising value women often underestimate in themselves. Urmi also introduces the idea of building a personal "board of mentors" to guide different parts of your life and career. With insights on confidence, community, and empowering other women, this episode offers practical guidance for anyone seeking to grow, give back, and be even better. --
Urmi Hossain is a woman who wears many hats. She is a self-published author, speaker, blogger, podcast host, polyglot, mentor, and holder of both the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) and CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst) designations. Urmi works in the financial services industry in Canada, where she currently resides. Her first book, Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Interracial Struggle, reflects her journey as a third-culture kid navigating questions of belonging, culture, and self-worth. Urmi is the host of Stories Beyond Borders, a podcast that amplifies diverse voices and explores stories of identity, migration, language, and what "home" really means. Passionate about women's empowerment, she serves as the Co-Chair of Women in Leadership's Montreal Chapter. She is also a strong advocate for continuous learning and personal growth. One of her greatest passions is public speaking — she has been an active Toastmasters member since 2019, having served as both VP of Education and Club President. In her spare time, Urmi enjoys reading thrillers and mystery novels and staying active through boxing, HIIT workouts, and running.
https://www.instagram.com/urmamio/
https://www.instagram.com/storiesbeyondborderspodcast/
Other...
https://www.youtube.com/@urmihossain
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh talks with Tim Ferry about what it really looks like to take the next step, both as an entrepreneur and as someone committed to helping people rediscover the joy of movement. Tim shares how he designed his gamified group fitness program, blending scenarios, friendly competition, and accessible progressions to make exercise fun and achievable for anyone. He opens up about the early roadblocks he faced, the surprising moments that confirmed he was on the right path, and the importance of balancing ambition with rest and recovery. Along the way, Tim offers real-life lessons on pursuing an idea with persistence, reminding us that "it's not all about winning," and sometimes the most important thing is to "keep going and, of course, take breaks." Whether you're a fitness enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation will inspire you to take the next right step forward. -- Tim Ferry designed a naval strategy board game called, Old Salt. He adapted the new knowledge of designing a game and developed a kids program that taught kids how to design their own board game. This program ran in schools and libraries across the state of Iowa with the goal of steering the next generation away from consumerism and point them towards being a life long creator, maker, or designer. From here, Tim began studying gamification with the focus of how it could be used to develop and encourage healthy habits. Tim decided to focus on physical fitness and helping others take the next step in their health journey. This led to playtesting gamified fitness classes that immerse users into scenarios in order to have more fun and a better workout.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BmZ7nP7PE/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ferry-iii-18715997/
Other: http://Neverboardgames.com
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh shares three practical techniques for building resilience in the face of change. Life and work can throw unexpected challenges our way, and while it's natural to feel the weight of those moments, resilience is what helps us keep moving forward. Sinikka reflects on why we can't simply break down when things go wrong, how to honor our emotions without getting stuck, and the importance of identifying your one key source of social support. With honesty and encouragement, she offers actionable steps to help you navigate uncertainty with strength and grace. Whether you're a leader, a team member, a parent, or a friend, this episode will inspire you to embrace resilience as a skill, and a mindset, that makes life even better. --
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, "try this now" approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
In this episode of Even Better, Sinikka Waugh is joined by Aaron Matthews for a conversation about freeing your team from organizational drag and unlocking their full potential. Drawing from his expertise in organizational design and technology strategy, Aaron shares five practical ways to reduce friction and create space for creativity; without falling into the trap of over-relying on AI. Together, they explore the risks and rewards of AI adoption, why starting with human workflows matters, and how to build systems that amplify human strengths rather than replace them. Along the way, you'll hear insights on viewing organizations as living, learning organisms, designing adaptive systems, and creating environments where people thrive. If you've ever wondered how to balance automation with human ingenuity, this episode offers actionable strategies to help your team work smarter and lead with purpose. -- Aaron Matthews is a Fractional Executive at Altus CXO specializing in Operations & Technology, with over 21 years of experience helping organizations transform chaos into clarity. He believes in the infinite potential of every human being and focuses on implementing AI and automation in ways that amplify human capability rather than replace it. Aaron helps leadership teams navigate the intersection of technology and human potential to create lasting organizational impact.
Contact Information
Email: amatt76@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-matthews/
Company: Altus CXO (https://altuscxo.com/team/aaron-matthews/ )
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh talks with Nicholas A. Krehbiel, owner of Agri-Prime Consulting, about the powerful connection between strong businesses and thriving communities. Drawing on his experience starting and growing his own business, Nicholas shares lessons learned from the field; why investing in people leads to better collaboration, stronger retention, and healthier local economies. Together, they explore practical strategies for equipping leaders with skills that matter, improving board relations, and creating cultures that strengthen both organizations and the communities they serve. If you're curious about how leadership growth drives community growth, this conversation offers insights and inspiration for building businesses that make a lasting impact. -- Nicholas A. Krehbiel is the founder of Agri-Prime Consulting, where he helps businesses strengthen teams, develop talent, and build strategies for long-term success. A Wiley-authorized DiSC partner, experienced facilitator, and owning over twenty years in the education, insurance, and agribusiness industries, Nicholas is known for his practical insight and engaging style in guiding organizations through change and development. Facebook LinkedIn
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh is joined by Laura Rotter, a former Wall Street institutional investor who now helps women in midlife navigate financial transitions with clarity and confidence. Together, they explore how mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation can transform your definition of success, and why financial planning works best when it starts with vision and values, not just numbers. Laura shares practical strategies for aligning your finances with what matters most, whether you're facing retirement, divorce, or a career change. If you've ever wondered how to bring calm and purpose to your financial journey, this conversation offers inspiration and actionable steps to help you move forward with confidence.
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Laura Rotter, CFA, CFP is the owner of True Abundance Advisors, a heart-centered, values-based financial planning firm based in New York. After a successful career managing money for institutional investors including Citicorp and Para Advisors, Laura discovered mindfulness practices and was drawn to guide professionals facing a big life change to achieve both financial security and life satisfaction. Since making her shift, she has been featured in CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and Westchester Senior Voice, is on the advisory council of Impact100 Westchester, a women's group giving organization, and volunteers with My Money Workshop, teaching financial literacy to underserved communities.
https://www.facebook.com/laura.i.rotter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurarotter/
https://www.instagram.com/rotterlaura/
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh reflects on the unique pace at which each of us works, communicates, and learns, and why that difference is not just normal, but necessary. We all move through the world in our own way, and while it's natural to want others to keep up or slow down to match us, doing so means giving them the tools, training, and support they need to succeed. Sinikka shares practical insights on finding your natural flow throughout the day, adapting your communication style with intention, and recognizing how people process and absorb lessons differently. With warmth and humor, she reminds us that growth happens at many speeds, and that by understanding and respecting those differences, we create space for everyone to thrive.
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, "try this now" approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh explores how to co-create greatness in every meeting—whether you're leading it or simply participating. Our workplaces thrive when people feel cared for, valued, and like they matter, and meetings are a powerful microcosm of that culture. Sinikka shares practical ways to make meetings more effective and meaningful, from clarifying the purpose and desired outcome to honoring people's time and contributions. Drawing parallels between running a meeting and managing a project, she walks through how to prepare well, stay focused, and create psychological safety so everyone can bring their best. When we show up with intention and care, meetings become more than just calendar blocks, they become spaces where greatness is co-created.
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, "try this now" approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh explores the crossroads we all face when change presents itself and a decision needs to be made. Sometimes the question is simple—Should I do this? Do I even want this?—but the answers can feel anything but clear. With warmth and practical wisdom, Sinikka walks through a process for navigating those moments of uncertainty: pausing before reacting, defining what "A" and "B" really mean, weighing the gains and losses of each path, and grounding choices in personal values.
Once a decision is made, the journey doesn't end—it's just beginning. Sinikka offers guidance on planning ahead with intention, so the path forward feels purposeful instead of overwhelming.
As always, the goal is fewer regrets and better days, one decision at a time. After you listen, join the conversation by sharing your thoughts on our social media platforms—we'd love to hear your feedback and experiences with change and decision-making. Also, take a moment to check out our Change and Transition resources that can be found on our website!
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, "try this now" approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
In this episode of Even Better, Sinikka Waugh is joined by Dr. Ngozi Igbokwe, Senior Learning and Development Manager at Bright Horizons, for a conversation about reclaiming your time and energy for what matters most. Drawing from her expertise in leadership development and her own experiences balancing career and community, Ngozi shares practical strategies for focusing on what fuels you—and letting go of what drains you. Together, they explore five key ways to realign your energy and attention: knowing what fills your cup, taking an honest look at how you spend your time, getting comfortable saying no, creating energy rituals that restore balance, and setting boundaries that protect your focus. Along the way, you’ll hear insights on identifying your personal energy drivers, aligning your commitments with your values, and giving yourself permission to prioritize what really matters. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin or wondered how to find more meaning in the midst of a busy schedule, this conversation will inspire you to slow down, reset, and take intentional steps toward living and leading with renewed energy and purpose.
Dr. Ngozi Igbokwe is a Senior Learning and Development Manager at Bright Horizons with a passion for helping people grow in their careers and reach their potential. She has led initiatives on career mobility, mentoring, and high-potential leadership development. In addition to her day job, Dr. Igbokwe serves as a board member for One Voice DSM, the Iowa International Center, and is President-Elect for the ATD Central Iowa chapter. She believes in living and leading with intention, focusing on the work and relationships that make an impact.
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this episode of Even Better, Sinikka Waugh is joined by Debra Rienstra for a conversation about pursuing climate action in partnership with people of faith. From early passions that shaped her calling, to the experiences that prepared her for this moment, Debra shares how her journey has evolved—and how faith communities can be powerful allies in creating meaningful change. Together, they explore what sustains this passion even in the face of discouragement, and how others can catch and carry the spark of hope forward. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of collaboration, practical insights on engaging faith-based groups in climate work, and reflections on how day-to-day actions connect to the bigger picture of caring for our world. If you’ve ever wondered how personal passion, professional purpose, and spiritual conviction can intersect to drive climate action, this conversation will inspire you to imagine new possibilities—and invite others to join in.
Debra Rienstra is professor of English at Calvin University, where she has taught since 1996, specializing in creative nonfiction, early British literature, and environmental literature. Her most recent book is Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth (Fortress 2022), a book that combines theology, nature writing, and biological principles to consider how Christians must adapt our faith and practice for a climate-altered planet. In connection with her work on faith and climate change, Debra speaks frequently to church and faith groups, hosts the Refugia Podcast, and writes the Refugia Newsletter on Substack. Her essays also appear fortnightly at The Reformed Journal, where she writes about spirituality, pop culture, the church, the arts, higher ed, and more. Debra is the author of three previous books—on motherhood, Christian spirituality, and worship—as well as numerous academic essays, literary essays, and poems. Debra serves on the research advisory board of the BTS Center and the coordinating committee for Third Act Faith. She is also active in several of her university’s campus-wide sustainability initiatives.
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this episode of Even Better, Sinikka Waugh is joined by Rob Taylor for a conversation about the common frustrations business owners face—and how to move past them. From lack of control to lack of profit, people challenges to stalled growth, it can feel like nothing is working. Rob introduces us to the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®), a proven set of simple, practical tools designed to help leaders gain clarity, alignment, and traction. Together, they'll explore the six key components that EOS strengthens—Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction—and how they equip leadership teams to overcome obstacles and achieve their biggest goals. Rob also shares real-world examples of how EOS helps owners and teams finally get on the same page, solve problems effectively, and build a business that truly works for them. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated by your business, this conversation will show you how EOS can help you get a grip, take back control, and start making progress toward the future you dream of.
Rob’s passion is helping business owners achieve their dreams and get what they want out of their business. Rob grew up in the family ag business. He helped an entrepreneur successfully transition from a distribution operation in California into successful international electrical component manufacturing company in Iowa. In 2014, Rob started his own company helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses through strategic planning, organizational development, and ISO management systems. To date, Rob has assisted over 70 companies. Rob now implements EOS® and enjoys seeing owners and leadership teams finally get a grip on their business! Rob primarily works throughout the central US but lives near Des Moines Iowa with his wife Rhonda.
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh takes on a challenge we’ve all faced: dealing with change we didn’t ask for, didn’t expect, and maybe didn’t even want. When circumstances shift outside of our control, it’s natural to feel resistance, frustration, or even grief. With her trademark clarity and compassion, Sinikka explores how the power of the pause can shape our response, whether or not a change can be undone, what it means to envision a “point B,” and how we can choose to make the journey in ways that honor ourselves and others.
Whether you’re leading a team, managing a project, or simply navigating life’s unexpected turns, this episode offers encouragement and practical tools for moving through unwanted change with purpose and resilience. As Sinikka reminds us, “We may not choose the change, but we can choose how we move through it.”
For more on this topic, check out Sinikka’s related blogs: When the Change Wasn’t What You Wanted and Change Out of My Control.
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this episode of Even Better, Sinikka Waugh is joined by Jana Mitzoda for a conversation about when life moves at full speed, slowing down can feel impossible—but your mind and body need it. Jana joins us to share five simple, powerful ways to quiet your mind and soothe your nervous system. From the permission to truly stop, to the grounding power of your breath, to finding your own body’s version of relaxation, these practices invite you back into balance. Discover how connecting with nature can restore your circadian rhythm, and how play—yes, play—can instantly shift your energy and bring joy back to your day.
Tune in and learn how to create moments of calm that help you feel even better.
Jana is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and a certified facilitator through the Oxford Institute for Organizational Science and Mindfulness. She is trained and accredited by author and guru W. Timothy Gallwey on The Inner Game method. She has extensive experience with positive leadership and conscious presence, creating and facilitating hundreds of workshops with participants from more than 90 countries. Jana has accompanied people from all over the world on the path to finding meaning in life and in discovering their natural talents. She supports her clients in increasing their awareness and in assuming full responsibility for their state of mind, body, and energy, while guiding them to realize their life mission. She believes that consciously steering our ship on our personal sea of dreams is essential for our fulfillment. Relying on the depth of her experience and well-honed intuition, Jana helps individuals activate their inner wisdom, and to remember who they really are, what unique gifts they bring, and how to best apply them. Her business and leadership world coalesced with the gift of lucid dreaming, something Jana developed as a child and which she has continued to hone, also by completing a 3-year Active Dreaming program with Robert Moss. Her lifelong hobby of dreaming was the foundation upon which she fulfilled her desire to become a Dream coach. Jana leads public events, residential retreats, guided group meditations and dream circles. She also accompanies vision quests and communicates with dolphins and whales. She is the author of Through the Eye of the Whale, available as an e-book and audiobook, in both Czech and English. You can find more about her work at lamurai.com.
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this episode of Even Better, Sinikka Waugh is joined by Jana Mitzoda for a conversation about when life moves at full speed, slowing down can feel impossible—but your mind and body need it. Jana joins us to share five simple, powerful ways to quiet your mind and soothe your nervous system. From the permission to truly stop, to the grounding power of your breath, to finding your own body’s version of relaxation, these practices invite you back into balance. Discover how connecting with nature can restore your circadian rhythm, and how play—yes, play—can instantly shift your energy and bring joy back to your day.
Tune in and learn how to create moments of calm that help you feel even better.
Jana is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and a certified facilitator through the Oxford Institute for Organizational Science and Mindfulness. She is trained and accredited by author and guru W. Timothy Gallwey on The Inner Game method. She has extensive experience with positive leadership and conscious presence, creating and facilitating hundreds of workshops with participants from more than 90 countries. Jana has accompanied people from all over the world on the path to finding meaning in life and in discovering their natural talents. She supports her clients in increasing their awareness and in assuming full responsibility for their state of mind, body, and energy, while guiding them to realize their life mission. She believes that consciously steering our ship on our personal sea of dreams is essential for our fulfillment. Relying on the depth of her experience and well-honed intuition, Jana helps individuals activate their inner wisdom, and to remember who they really are, what unique gifts they bring, and how to best apply them. Her business and leadership world coalesced with the gift of lucid dreaming, something Jana developed as a child and which she has continued to hone, also by completing a 3-year Active Dreaming program with Robert Moss. Her lifelong hobby of dreaming was the foundation upon which she fulfilled her desire to become a Dream coach. Jana leads public events, residential retreats, guided group meditations and dream circles. She also accompanies vision quests and communicates with dolphins and whales. She is the author of Through the Eye of the Whale, available as an e-book and audiobook, in both Czech and English. You can find more about her work at lamurai.com.
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh shines a spotlight on three of the biggest sources of organizational pain: ineffective communication, role and responsibility mismatch, and ineffective risk management.
These common challenges cause breakdowns in projects, teams, and trust—and yet, they’re often overlooked or accepted as "just how things go." With clarity and compassion, Sinikka explores how better communication, aligned expectations, and proactive planning can lead to fewer headaches and better workdays—for everyone.
From understanding what you're working on (and why), to setting and clarifying expectations, to learning from past mistakes and planning for risks, this episode offers practical wisdom for project managers, business leaders, and teams at every level.
As Sinikka puts it: “A lot of pain can be avoided if we just ask better questions.” Tune in for thoughtful insights and a few helpful “If…then…so…” strategies to return real value to your organization—one better day at a time.
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
This episode is brought to you by the Change Maker's Certification Program.
In this episode of Even Better, Sinikka Waugh is joined by Alysha Martin for a conversation about moving beyond small talk and making meaningful connections. Together, they explore what it looks like to step outside your comfort zone, initiate conversations that matter, and create space for genuine connection—whether in your personal life, at work, or with new people. Alysha also shares the story behind two new tools she’s created to help others get organized and take control of their time, plus a glimpse into her journey of writing her first book. If you're ready to be more intentional about your connections and conversations, this episode offers thoughtful ideas and practical inspiration to help you start.
Alysha Martin is the President and CEO of Uncluttered Life LLC, where she helps people bring order and simplicity to their spaces and lives. With a lifelong passion for organizing, she took a leap of faith to turn her talent into a thriving business.
What sets Alysha apart is her heart-centered approach. She takes the time to truly connect with her clients, ensuring they feel supported throughout the process. Known for her bubbly personality she makes the journey of decluttering both effective and enjoyable.
Alysha is also the creator of the Color Move System and the Life Management System, innovative tools designed to streamline moves and everyday life organization. Through her expertise she empowers clients to embrace a more organized, stress-free lifestyle.
Alysha is also in the process of writing her first book – stay tuned!
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh revisits lesson #10 from our 100th episode with an empowering reminder: You Can Fail at Something and Not Be a Failure. Mistakes and missteps are part of the human experience—but they don’t define us. As Sinikka shares, “A setback is only a failure if you don't learn from it.” True growth comes from reflection, humility, and a willingness to try again. When we give ourselves and others the space to learn, we make room for innovation, empathy, and resilience. With humor and honesty, Sinikka explores how our tools, mindsets, and support systems shape the way we respond to challenges—and why a hammer isn’t the answer to every problem. Tune in for practical encouragement that reminds us: progress, not perfection, is the goal.
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh expands on lesson #7 from our 100th episode with a timely reminder: Set Boundaries Before You Need Them. Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out—they’re about protecting what matters most. When we set clear expectations early, we create space for authentic connection, stronger collaboration, and healthier work dynamics. Waiting until we're overwhelmed or burned out to draw the line often leads to misunderstandings and strained relationships. Instead, setting boundaries proactively helps us stay grounded, focused, and fully present—for our work and for each other. Join Sinikka as she explores how boundaries support excellence, foster trust, and create a workplace where real human connection can thrive.
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
This episode is brought to you by the Change Maker's Certification Program.
In this episode of Even Better, Sinikka Waugh is joined by marketing expert Paige Arnof-Fenn to explore how personal branding has become essential in today’s digital-first world. Paige shares why everyone—from entrepreneurs to professionals—needs an authentic online presence to stand out and stay relevant. Discover how to build a brand that reflects your voice, choose the right platforms, and avoid becoming invisible in a crowded marketplace. Whether you're just starting or refining your digital presence, this episode offers practical insights to help you show up with confidence and clarity online.
Paige Arnof-Fenn is the founder & CEO of marketing communications firm Mavens & Moguls. Her clients include Microsoft, Virgin, The New York Times Company, Colgate, venture-backed startups as well as non profit organizations. She graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Business School. Paige serves on several Boards, is a popular speaker and columnist who has written for Entrepreneur and Forbes.
Get in touch with Paige!
- Website: https://mavensandmoguls.com/about-us/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigearnoffenn
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this solo episode, Sinikka Waugh dives into one of the top causes of project pain: role and responsibility mismatch. Is it a capability issue—or a capacity one? Knowing the difference can make or break your team’s success. Sinikka shares real-life examples, practical solutions, and insights to help you align people with roles that fit, elevate others by playing to their strengths, and ultimately create better workdays full of hope and joy.
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this solo episode of Even Better, Sinikka Waugh explores how our appetite for change—just like our craving for pizza—varies from person to person and even from day to day. With warmth and insight, she reminds us that our openness to change doesn’t define our worth. Instead of judging others for their responses to change, Sinikka encourages curiosity, compassion, and support. Whether you're leading change or just living through it, this episode offers a refreshing perspective—and a helpful tip—for managing the journey with empathy.
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh explores the real impact of excellence and why it’s essential to organizational success. Excellence isn’t just a lofty ideal—it’s a practical, strategic advantage. Customers notice when we go above and beyond, and that level of quality is key to building satisfaction and loyalty. Team members notice too; when mediocrity is tolerated, top performers are more likely to disengage or walk away, making excellence vital to retention and morale. And ultimately, the bottom line feels it—because when excellence slips, so does profitability. Join Sinikka as she unpacks why excellence matters and how it shapes the health and success of the entire organization.
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
This episode is brought to you by the Change Maker's Certification Program.
In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh sits down with Carrie Copley to explore how we can find more joy, even in the midst of life's challenges. Carrie shares personal stories and insightful questions designed to shift your perspective, like "What letter grade would you give your life?" and "Which part was your fault?" They dive into the power of vulnerability, visioning, and how understanding your "why" can help guide you through obstacles. Whether your life turned out as expected or not, Carrie’s message is clear: joy is found in embracing the journey, trusting the process, and speaking your truth. This conversation is especially relatable for women but speaks to anyone navigating the ups and downs of life. Tune in for inspiration on how to live with purpose, love, and more joy.
I’ve been where you are and I’m living proof that change is possible. It was the acknowledgement that I wasn’t living the life I had dreamed that pushed me to learn more about how I could live a more fulfilling life. In doing so, I leaned on my faith while I cultivated insight and tools to help myself and eventually others reach their full potential. I have merged my extensive schooling and years of practical experience to develop a faith-based understanding of how to inspire others to reach their life goals. My practical experience includes: BA in Sociology from Iowa State University More than two decades working in leadership positions in the non-profit and corporate environment Studied with the Career Coaching Institute Elite Life Coaching Certification from the Coach Mindset Elite Life Coach Training Program Board Certified Mental Health Coach (AACC) Certified Stephen Ministry Leader Certified Spiritual Director I’m married to my best friend Chad, and we have four children. We live in Ames, Iowa and in our free time, we enjoy lake activities, attending Iowa State sporting events, biking, running, hiking, church activities and just hanging out with family and friends.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveyourlifecoaching
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrielcopley/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carrielcopley/
This episode is brought to you by the Change Maker's Certification Program.
In this episode of Even Better, When Things Don't Go as Planned, host Sinikka Waugh is joined by guest Christine Samuel for a heartfelt conversation about navigating tough moments in relationships. They explore how to rebuild trust and authenticity when things don't go as expected. From dealing with emotional frustrations to practicing vulnerability, they dive deep into how relationships can recover and grow after moments of disappointment. With insights from the Your Clear Next Step class, they discuss key principles like freedom from judgment, lifting one another up, and embracing the desire to learn and grow from conflict. Whether you're navigating personal relationships or seeking a deeper understanding of human connection, this episode offers valuable tools for moving through difficult moments with grace and compassion.
Christine Samuel is a coach, author, facilitator, and speaker dedicated to bringing relational intelligence and heart-centered leadership into the way humans live, work, lead and connect in a changing world. As the founder of Inner Work Matters and the Listening Lab, Christine has pioneered Deep Listening Circles and delivered the TEDx Talk “How Deep Listening Can Change Our World.” As the author of "The Heart Space: Living with Grace and Ease in an Era of Uncertainty," she maps a revolutionary path, transforming our fear of life’s uncertainties into a compass that guides us toward living with unprecedented ease and clarity.
Websites: https://www.innerworkmatters.com and https://christinesamuel.ca
The Heart Space: Living with Grace and Ease
Download a Free Chapter here!
TEDx talk: How Deep Listening can Change the World
This episode is brought to you by the Change Maker's Certification Program.
Abby Martinez is a multi-passionate entrepreneur, business coach, and founder of Well Balanced Business. With extensive experience scaling her own agency to multi-six figures, Abby empowers female entrepreneurs and leaders to align their business growth with personal fulfillment. Specializing in self-leadership, emotional resilience, systems, and sustainable scaling, Abby helps clients move beyond burnout and into authentic, purpose-driven success. Abby can be contacted by email at abby@abbymartinezcoaching.com or you can visit her website: abbymartinezcoaching.com.
In this episode of Nervous System Regulation as a Leader, we explore how self-leadership starts with managing your time, energy, and mindset to show up fully. We discuss the role of the nervous system in leadership and how staying in your Window of Regulation helps you stay focused, make decisions, and recover from stress. Simple tools like deep breathing and movement breaks can keep you grounded, while self-awareness helps you stay aligned. Learn how a regulated leader creates a ripple effect of trust and connection with others. Start small with self-leadership habits and watch the transformation unfold.
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
Lisa Even knows firsthand that leadership isn’t about tracking metrics or delivering perfect PowerPoint slides—it’s about creating a culture where people choose to show up, engage, and make an impact. Early in her career, Lisa thought doing “all the right things” as a leader—tracking numbers, holding others accountable, and saying “good job” often—would be enough. But when her engagement scores landed squarely in the middle ofthe pack, she realized something had to change.
Instead of giving up, Lisa redefined her approach.
Lisa’s first job was at a tiny café, serving breakfast and coffee to farmers, truckers, and locals. That experience taught her an invaluable lesson: meet people where they are. You can’t pour a big enough cup of joe or fake-smile someone into being happier—they’ll see right through it. And at a coffee shop, they’ll definitely let you know! Real connection requires a calm nerve, a genuine effort to understand others, and the ability to see eachother as human.
She carried those lessons into the corporate workplace. Lisa replaced rigidity with autonomy, task lists withauthentic connection and curiosity, and top-down accountability with shared ownership. She asked herself, What if leadership starts with a Good Ripple Effect?
At first, it felt aspirational. But Lisa quickly realized that by shifting her own attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs, she was influencing others to do the same. One step at a time, her team began transforming their environment and building a culture worth keeping. The results? Turnover dropped, engagement scores soared, and the team thrived.
Today, Lisa helps organizations do just that. Through hilariously relatable stories (cue Paul and the company potluck), actionable strategies, and practical, repeatable frameworks (because let’s be honest, leaders don’thave time for fluff), Lisa guides leaders and teams to foster leadership presence, build human connection, and drive meaningful engagement. The result? High-performing teams and workplace cultures that balance purpose, productivity, and profit—creating a Good Ripple Effect that lasts.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Lisa Even as we explore the art of experimenting—whether it's in work, life, or those everyday moments. In this episode, we talk about the importance of trying new things, embracing failure, and finding joy in the process. Life is an experiment, and each step is an opportunity to grow and enjoy the journey. Plus, enjoy a lighthearted story about Paul and potlucks, reminding us that sometimes the best things come when we step out of our comfort zones. Tune in and get ready to live in the lab of life!
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
Christine Samuel is a coach, author, facilitator, and speaker dedicated to bringing relational intelligence and heart-centered leadership into the way humans live, work, lead and connect in a changing world. As the founder of Inner Work Matters and the Listening Lab, Christine has pioneered Deep Listening Circles and delivered the TEDx Talk “How Deep Listening Can Change Our World.” As the author of "The Heart Space: Living with Grace and Ease in an Era of Uncertainty," she maps a revolutionary path, transforming our fear of life’s uncertainties into a compass that guides us toward living with unprecedented ease and clarity.
In this episode we explore the dynamic interplay between the head and the heart in navigating workplace uncertainty. We discuss the difference between analytical thinking and heart-centered intuition, highlighting how over-relying on the mind can trap us in repetitive patterns. Tune in to learn how holding space for both our desire for control and our need for creative freedom can transform our approach to work. We’ll uncover how integrating heart-centered practices can lead to a more authentic, fluid, and fulfilling work experience.
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
In this episode of Even Better, we explore the powerful idea that caring for others isn’t an act of sacrifice or selflessness—it’s a choice that can lift us all. #6 of 10 Things in the 100th episode, Sinikka talks about how showing up for others doesn’t drain us, but fuels us. When we give our best, we create ripples of hope and light. It’s about the encouragement we receive in return and the joy of seeing others uplifted. Don't apologize for caring—what we put out into the world has a way of coming back. Tune in for a refreshing take on how looking out for each other strengthens us all, builds faith, and inspires us to keep doing good—no matter the circumstances.
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
Brian Robbins has been a leader throughout his 30-plus year career as a professional who builds relationships, organizes situations and teams, and collaborates to solve problems. Brian has a B.B.A. in Finance from Iowa State University. His career has been mostly focused in the Des Moines metropolitan area and has spanned a diverse set of business verticals including publishing, financial services, agriculture, healthcare, technology services, and retail. Brian’s approachable and collaborative work style, complemented by exceptional organizational skills, enable him to easily engage teams to focus and deliver. Brian enjoys learning and helping others grow, including mentoring several young professionals and colleagues.
In this episode, Brian and Sinikka explore the art of leadership in both business and life, emphasizing that leadership is a learned skill, not just an innate trait. Drawing from personal experiences and Biblical examples, including Jesus’ servant leadership, we highlight how leaders shape teams, influence outcomes, and guide others toward shared goals. We also discuss the omnipresence of leadership—whether in business, families, or faith communities—and how selfless acts, like Jesus’ interaction with the woman who touched His robe, demonstrate the power of connection. Tune in for practical lessons on growing as a leader and leading with purpose.
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
David Ziemann is a technology leader with over 15 years of experience guiding high-performing software teams. As the founder of MoreThanCoders | Soft Skills Guides and Resources for Software Engineers , he is passionate about helping technology professionals build the skills not taught in school—like communication, conflict resolution, and leadership. David empowers others to thrive in their careers and create positive impact in their organizations.
In this discussion on positive influence, Sinikka and David explore how to lift others up through inspiration, trust, and empowerment. Influence isn’t just about authority or charisma; it’s about making a meaningful impact by providing value, building strong relationships, and empowering those around you. By focusing on solving real problems, aligning with shared goals, and acting with integrity, you can create an environment where trust thrives. Encouraging autonomy, recognizing contributions, and embracing diverse perspectives further enhance your ability to lift others, helping them grow while strengthening the collective success of the team. Through these actions, anyone can become a powerful force for good, elevating those around them and creating lasting positive change.
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Build More Forts is about finding joy, even in the toughest seasons. Hosted by Sinikka, this episode invites you to shift your focus from darkness and discouragement to the intentional pursuit of joy. After experiencing a tough year both personally and in business, and feeling off-track, Sinikka discovered that joy isn’t something that just happens—it’s a choice you make. In this episode, she shares how to intentionally seek out joy, even when life feels hard or uncertain. Through personal stories and practical insights, Sinikka encourages listeners to make time for joy, and for her that looks like trusting in God, and choosing to look beyond the darkness. Yes, at times, it means to actually build the fort! If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed, Build More Forts is a reminder that joy is always within reach—if you choose to go there.
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, be more, and achieve more, it's easy to forget that taking care of ourselves is not a luxury, but a necessity. Self-care isn't about pampering or indulgence—it's a fundamental aspect of adulting. It’s the conscious choice to prioritize our well-being, so we can show up fully in our work, relationships, and lives.
At the core of self-care is emotional intelligence: the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our emotions. When we are emotionally aware, we can better navigate stress, prevent burnout, and make more thoughtful decisions. Self-care begins with self-awareness—taking time to assess where we are emotionally, physically, and mentally. Once we know where we stand, we can move toward self-management: creating strategies that help us maintain balance, set boundaries, and respond to life’s demands in a healthy way.
Self-care also requires us to examine our priorities. What really matters to us, and how do we protect and nurture those values? As adults, it’s our responsibility to care for what’s most important—not just for others, but for ourselves. When we take care of our own needs, we have the energy, focus, and resilience to show up and do the work that matters, whether it’s at home, in our careers, or in our communities.
Tune in for more on how self-care is not about escaping responsibilities, but rather how it’s about embracing them fully, with the emotional and physical resources we need to succeed. It's adulting at its finest.
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
Sinikka Waugh and Mike Rice discuss God’s Plan is Always Better than My Plan (Jeremiah 29:11).
As a dedicated IT Staffing executive and leader, Mike's commitment lies in orchestrating teams to deliver exceptional outcomes for their valued clients. With a relentless focus on nurturing talent and fostering innovation, he lead the organization in identifying, recruiting, and deploying top-tier IT professionals who not only meet but exceed the specific needs and aspirations of their clients. By leveraging cutting-edge strategies and a deep understanding of the tech landscape, Mike empowers their teams to curate solutions that drive success for their clients, fostering enduring partnerships built on trust, reliability, and excellence. It's his passion to align their expertise with the dynamic demands of the industry, ensuring that they consistently deliver unparalleled services and cultivate environments where businesses thrive through exceptional talent acquisition and management.
For 25 years, Mike dedicated himself to the IT Consulting field, navigating diverse roles from recruiting and account management to branch management, regional directorship, and executive leadership. His fundamental philosophy centers around fostering businesses incrementally through individual relationships while steadfastly adhering to faith-driven principles in every action.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Mike finds joy in golfing, actively participating in Life Change Church, and cherishing moments with his wife and four adult children.
Life Verse: Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and he will give you everything you need.”
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email!
Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Sinikka Waugh and Chad Brown discuss The Two Types of Trust. Join in and explore the two types of trust: blind trust, where we overlook potential risks, and mature trust, which acknowledges the possibility of betrayal while fostering deeper connections. Sinikka and Chad discuss how blind trust can lead to confusion and chaos, while mature trust provides meaningful feedback and minimizes the impact of breakdowns. They will share practical tips for cultivating mature trust in your relationships, including the importance of detailed conversations, attentive follow-ups, and tuning into your instincts.
Chad Brown is a leadership engagement expert. He coaches founders and executives in the art and science of leadership for themselves, their teams, and clients to create new, unprecedented results and experience fulfillment in their work.
Chad founded a media production studio called Shade Tree Films in 2008 that has serviced global companies such as Volkswagen, Target, and Pixar Animation Studios. This is where his love and passion for leadership and causing results through others was ignited.
He sold that company in 2021.
He thrives in extreme environments and difficult conversations. Over the last 7 years, Chad has trained and developed leaders at globally recognized brands like Lulu Lemon, and Ironclad Document Services along with many burgeoning start ups.
When he is not engaging in meaningful conversations with leaders, you will find (or won't be able to find) Chad on a wild adventure in the mountains with his family. He resides at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Orem Utah with his wife Katie and three children Addison, Kenya, and Milo.
Sinikka Waugh and Dorice Horenstein discuss Choosing: The 6 Step Playbook to Making the Right Choice for YOU.
Brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program! Learn more here!
In this new episode, Sinikka and Dorice explore teh 6 Steps of C.H.O.OS.E. Dorice’s second book, Choosing, covers these 6 steps, so their conversation walks through each of these steps. When you think of choices, what comes to your mind? What food to eat? Clothes to wear? A vacation spot for the next family gathering? Or are you considering selecting a choice of values such as empathy, curiosity, hope or other ways of getting along with your team whether at work or at home? How and can you choose your thoughts? Is your choice a spiritual or an interpersonal choice? Is the choice internal or eternal? Most importantly do you use a playbook in making the right choice for you?
Dorice Horenstein, Oy to Joy Resilience Speaker, is a Positive Intelligence expert and a best-selling author of Moments of the Heart: Four Relationships Everyone Should Have to Live Wholeheartedly. After years of leadership in the education field, Dorice transitioned and made the world her platform. Dorice inspires others to improve their mental fitness, sharpen resilience, navigate challenges, discover opportunities for growth, and thus find their champion within.
Interested in becoming a Choosing Ambassador? Follow this link or contact us today at contactus@yourclearnextstep.com and we will connect you with Dorice!
Sinikka Waugh and Myles Finn discuss Teaching Young People To Be More Empathetic Through Vulnerability And Authenticity.
Brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program! Learn more here!
Myles is in his seventh year as choral director at Indianola High School, in Indianola, Iowa. He is the director of The Indianola Singers, The Apollo Chorus, and Cantare. He also directs Indianola’s Varsity Show Choir, Side One. He and his wife are the directors of musicals at Indianola High School where they have directed Disney’s Newsies, The 25h Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Sound of Music, The Addams Family, and The Wizard of Oz.
He is most known for his TikTok videos going Viral at the start of the 2022 school year. Amassing over 120 million and 1.2 million followers, his videos have seemed to spark a love for choral music, musical theatre, and goofy choir teachers.
Myles received his Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University, and his Bachelor's of Music Education from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He directly relates his success within his classroom with his work at Michigan State, his work with Dr. Lee Nelson at Wartburg College, and his passionate high school choir director, Duane Philgreen.
Myles is a loving father and husband. He and his wife, choreographer and school counselor Haley (Rudd) Finn live in Indianola and they are proud parents to two beautiful children, Rory and Lyra. When Myles is not in the choral classroom, he can be found on the golf course, reading, playing video games, and spending time with his loving family.
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Laura is highly experienced in the field of HR Talent Management and Leadership Development, driven by her passion for empowering individuals to unlock their full potential. She is a Certified Coach, Consultant, Instructional Designer, and Facilitator, with a proven track record of building, managing, and delivering award-winning programs that yield tangible results.
Drawing on her expertise in Career Readiness and Transitions, Leadership, and Wellbeing, Laura uses a comprehensive and professional approach to support individuals and teams in reaching their peak performance and achieving remarkable success.
But that's not all! In 2021, Laura established a thriving community dedicated to providing invaluable support for Women in Career Transitions. Building on this success, she has recently launched the Women's Career Mastery program, designed to empower women in the workplace to take charge of their careers and make significant strides towards their professional goals. She writes for various platforms, is a coach for the SkillCycle organization, and a Consultant at IBM working to empower technical professionals to grow and succeed.
Download Laura's FREE Career Empowerment Toolkit for Women here!
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!
Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email! Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
This episode is brought to you by the Change Maker Certification Program!
A solo episode where Sinikka discusses the idea that Not Everyone is Meant To Be In Your Tribe.
Sinikka Waugh Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
This episode is brought to you by the August Cohort of the Change Maker Certification Program!
Sinikka Waugh and Kristen Boldt discuss Becoming Who We Are Meant To Be.
"You are a system thinker".
This observation from a mentor was the first time I had a name for how I am wired. My instinct always looks for the bigger picture, the story behind the story, and how all the different elements work together because I know it is in the nuances that our harmony is created.
Systems are important because we exist in dynamic relationship to each other. We are autonomous individuals and interconnected through our relationships and community. When we bring these dynamics into harmony everyone has what they need as individuals and the integrity of the larger system, whether a family, a business, or a community, is strengthened.
There is a great story about a guy walking through the woods who hears a baby crying in the stream. He pulls the baby out and starts to care for it and soon hears another. He rescues that one and calls for more help. Soon there are many people pulling the babies from the stream, setting up feeding stations, housing etc. Finally, one person asks, maybe we should go upstream and find out how they are getting in.
That's me.
I work with systems because my instincts always take me “upstream”. What excites me about this work is the shift I see in individuals when a system is redesigned and rounded out to be spherical. It is like a weight has been lifted or a barrier removed. When our systems are healthy (well-rounded) it is easy for people to live into their highest selves and to use their gifts to be the contributions they are called to be.
I have always been drawn to the arts because that is how we tell our deepest stories. It is said that what is most personal is also most universal. Our stories are what bring us together, the shimmery thread woven through our human tapestry. Our stories connect us and these days we desperately need more connection.
This episode is brought to you by: the Change Makers Certification Program. Become a Certified Change Maker, and Co-Create Greatness!
Sinikka Waugh and Sue Wilson discuss 5 Components of C3 De-Escalation.
Sue has a Master’s Degree in Human Performance and Exercise Physiology from Minnesota State University, Mankato where she studied the Human body under stress and reactions. She served as the Head Athletic Trainer for Indianola High School from 2005-2012 and left the field to start a family and spend time with her 2 daughters, Joviee and Phia. She has experience as the Executive Director of The Helping Hand of Warren County, Indianola School Board Member, Board Member of CTE-HOPE, former member of Governor’s Advisory Council for Brain Injuries, United Way of Central Iowa Agency Director’s Council and represents Warren County on several Task Forces throughout Central Iowa improving engagement in social challenges facing our communities.
Sue started as the Executive Director of WeLIFT Job Search Center in the fall of 2022 with the energy and passion to continue to bring new services and partnerships to WeLIFT to better serve our community. She is a Certified Instructor in C3 Descalation and has had the honor of training amazing organizations such as Anawim, UnitedWay, Families First, Waukee Area Christian Services and many different schools.
She enjoys watching her husband and daughters play and coach the great game of soccer, loves the outdoors as well as the quiet night by a fire with a book. She is blessed every day with a community of friends and family that truly are the foundation of her heart.
Sinikka Waugh and Heidi Levine discuss Helping People Have Better Workdays to Have Healthier, Happier Lives.
This episode of Even Better is brought to you by The Change Makers Certification Program!
Heidi Levine has had a 40-year higher education career as a student affairs professional. Heidi earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Temple University, M.S. in counselor education from the Pennsylvania State University and B.A. in psychology from Northern Illinois University. Following a brief time in residence life, Heidi spent 23 years working in college and university counseling services, directed an integrated health and counseling center, and for the last 16 years has been in administrative leadership roles. Heidi has served as Vice President for Student Development and Planning at Simpson College, in Indianola, IA since 2015, and is about to start the next chapter in her life when she retires in July. Heidi has written and presented on topics including student mental health and resilience, curbing high-risk alcohol use, impacts of campus suicide, and staff development and leadership.
Sinikka Waugh and Kay Arvidson discuss A Personal Parkinson's Journey.
Kay’s career has focused on leading change. Her background includes project management and business analysis for eCommerce applications, training and website development for state and local governments, and coaching individuals through career changes. Kay earned a BA degree in psychology from the University of Iowa, and received a MBA from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Kay was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2017.
Sinikka Waugh and Dan Tocchini discuss 6 Steps to Prepare for Conflict.
Dan Tocchini
Sr. Partner Take New Ground, Founder
Dan Tocchini III is a business and social entrepreneur, a published author, a master trainer, executive coach, leadership whisperer and culture development specialist. He is the Founder and Senior Partner at Take New Ground of Take New Ground a subsidiary of Human Performance Unlimited, Inc, where he champions founders & executives to scale their organizations. After 30 years of transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations from their current state to a desired future state of fulfilling their vision, Dan’s passion for leaders makes no question too dangerous and no conversation too difficult in delivering meaningful long-term results. Clients include Disney, ESPN, Microsoft, Interstate Batteries, Nike, Virgin Hyperloop-One, Seigel & Gale, The Oprah Winfrey Network, Gavin de Becker, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Smarty Pants Vitamins, World Vision, Homeboy Industries, Defy Ventures and many others. After 40 years of marriage Dan and his wife Aileen live in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho near their two children and 5 grandkids.
100 episodes of Even Better! 100+ ways shared with our audience with tips, tricks, ideas, ways to be even better! What better way to celebrate our 100th episode than a solo episode where Sinikka discusses the 10 Things That I Have Learned in the Years That I Have Been Running This Business?!
Sinikka Waugh Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach
Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Sinikka Waugh and Hannah Moeller discuss 4 Things to Know About Neurodiversity at Work.
Hannah (she/her/they) is a business coach, speaker, and DEI educator. After 12 years with a Fortune 100 financial services company, Hannah now runs her own practice, Hannah Moeller Coaching, LLC. Their focus is to lead with authenticity, foster joyful belonging, and deepen connections.
Hannah is a compassionate listener, with creative, actionable ideas for her clients, leaders, and business owners. In addition to individual and group coaching, Hannah speaks to organizations about LGBTQ+ inclusion and Neurodiversity in the workplace.
When not working, Hannah enjoys reading, writing, hiking, supporting the arts, and spending time with her family: husband of 10 years, three boys, and two cats.
Hannah's website linked here!
Sinikka Waugh and Benen Witkop discuss 5 Things We Can Try to Avoid Burnout.
Benen Witkop is an aspiring author and screenwriter with a number of projects currently underway. A recent graduate of the University of Iowa with a BA in Creative Writing and Screenwriting, Benen has a lot of experience with writing works for both the screen and page, as well as technical products and proposals for businesses. Benen is always looking to improve his craft and develop his skills, and to find ways to overcome his shortcomings to make sure that his work is as good as it can be.
Make sure you check out the blog that Benen wrote, "Get Out of Burnout." This is a great read that goes along so well with what Benen informs us in this audio!
A solo episode where Sinikka discusses the 7 Things To Do When Crisis is at Your Doorstep.
Sinikka Waugh, President of Your Clear Next Step, is a recognized leader in understanding people and adapting tools, techniques, and processes to meet the demands of the situation at hand. Since 2008, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays so they can co-create better communities.
Sinikka Waugh and Melissa Worrel Johnson discuss 4 Reasons Emotional Intelligence is Critical to Our Teams, Organization and Self.
Reflection Tool Download: Click Here!
Over her 20-year career, Melissa has focused her efforts in leadership, talent development and business strategy. Her diverse background includes entrepreneurial startups as well as significant leadership roles in large corporations.
Worrel-Johnson’s experience in developing leaders, growing teams and implementing initiatives within organizations are key competencies and experience she brings to Your Leadership Group. Her professional career has included multiple management and leadership roles involving broad collaboration and partnering with all levels of leadership.
Areas of focus have included executive & leadership coaching and development, career advancement, succession planning, individual and organization development, team culture, franchising, work-life integration, customer experience implementation, and employee engagement.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Broad Field Science from University of Wisconsin – River Falls, an MBA from Capella University and her Professional Certified Coach credentialing (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation. She and her husband Alan and their two dogs live outside Des Moines, Iowa.
Sinikka Waugh and Jim Hall discuss 4 Steps to Thinking about Strategic Planning Through Interpolation Instead of Extrapolation.
Jim Hall is an innovative, high-achieving Senior IT Leader with over twenty years experience in IT Leadership. Jim believes in developing the next generation of IT Leadership, to help IT organizations better respond to the changing technology landscape. After serving more than eight years as Chief Information Officer in government and higher education, Jim founded Hallmentum® where he's helped for four years to empower IT Leaders to drive meaningful change through hands-on training, workshops, and coaching
A solo episode where Sinikka discusses the 4 Things I've Learned About Dealing with Crisis.
Sinikka Waugh, President of Your Clear Next Step, is a recognized leader in understanding people and adapting tools, techniques, and processes to meet the demands of the situation at hand. Since 2008, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays so they can co-create better communities.
Sinikka Waugh and Missy Paxson discuss the 4 Characteristics of the Best Leaders.
Missy is a passionate life coach that believes her spiritual calling is to help people live their best life. She has dealt with her own personal struggles throughout life & has experienced firsthand how to transform those difficulties into positive learnings within her own life story. Missy is a certified Master Life & Master Mindset Coach, and she has been a Business Analyst for nearly two decades across multiple companies, facilitating and coordinating all manners of meetings, projects, and navigating precarious situations time and time again. She is an expert in Agile, and was elected as a lead analyst multiple times throughout her career. Missy and her husband Mike live in Indianola, Iowa with their children and grandchildren.
Sinikka Waugh and Mel Worrel-Johnson discuss 4 Factors of a Coaching Mindset and Why It Matters.
Over her 20-year career, Melissa has focused her efforts in leadership, talent development and business strategy. Her diverse background includes entrepreneurial startups as well as significant leadership roles in large corporations.
Worrel-Johnson’s experience in developing leaders, growing teams and implementing initiatives within organizations are key competencies and experience she brings to Your Leadership Group. Her professional career has included multiple management and leadership roles involving broad collaboration and partnering with all levels of leadership.
Areas of focus have included executive & leadership coaching and development, career advancement, succession planning, individual and organization development, team culture, franchising, work-life integration, customer experience implementation, and employee engagement.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Broad Field Science from University of Wisconsin – River Falls, an MBA from Capella University and her Professional Certified Coach credentialing (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation. She and her husband Alan and their two dogs live outside Des Moines, Iowa.
Sinikka's first ever solo episode where she discusses the 4 Ways to Hit Refresh in 2024.
Sinikka Waugh, President of Your Clear Next Step, is a recognized leader in understanding people and adapting tools, techniques, and processes to meet the demands of the situation at hand. Since 2008, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays so they can co-create better communities.
Sinikka Waugh and Lisa Even discuss 4 Ways to Create More JOY (at work and at home).
Lisa is a corporate-culture junkie, turned author and entrepreneur, who is cheering loud for all those who want to Have Good Ripple Effect and more JOY. She delivers high-energy keynotes, 1x1 coaching, and workshops that challenge leaders and teams to think beyond their backyards, and realize that they happen to the world, and not the other way around.
Lisa has a unique background in operational leadership and attributes her credibility to R&R Café, the tiny café in Eastern Iowa where she waitressed in high school, and the first group of direct reports that she had in corporate America, those 65 people did more than they will ever know!
Through speaking, workshops, and coaching Lisa partners with leaders and teams to create more JOY in the workplace and to create a bigger and better Ripple Effect.
Sinikka Waugh and Dawn Ealy discuss 3 Wins from Changemakers.
Dawn Ealy is the founder of Peak Cadence, LLC, and a strategic partner of Your Clear Next Step. Dawn helps growing organizations transform chaos into confidence in the way they manage systems, projects, processes, and people. As a trainer and facilitator for Your Clear Next Step, she delivers a variety of courses that provide memorable learning experiences and practical tools participants can put into practice immediately.
A genuine people person, Dawn is a super-connector who loves to meet new people and introduce them to others in her network. Dawn brings a multidimensional approach to project and process management with experience in leadership and management roles, as well as HR and operations, and she helps teams effectively navigate change.
Sinikka Waugh and Dick Hannasch discuss 3 Ways You May Be Hard to Work With and What to Do About It.
Dick Hannasch is a working relationships coach who helps people become what he calls "You, better", whether you aim to improve working relationships, be a better leader or teammate, reach career goals, or something else. People who know him describe his brand as a truth teller, a judge who wants people to get what is fair and right, and a comedian who takes you seriously. With over 35 years of experience growing talent, Dick has coached people from all continents except Antarctica, in the fields of financial services, IT, health care, agribusiness, entertainment, and more. One of his goals is to outrun his younger daughter in a 5K race. (He’s been close twice, finishing just three seconds and one second behind her.)
Sinikka Waugh and Saby Waraich discuss 5 Ways to Stand Out as a Purple Cow Leader.
Saby Waraich is a highly sought-after internationally recognized Keynote speaker and an award-winning Technology Leader. Ed Scoop recently awarded him the Higher Education IT Executive of the Year. HMG Strategy gave him the Global Leadership Institute award for leveraging technology to deliver business value and future growth as well as the Global Technology Executives Who Matter award for delivering unparalleled value to his organization in business transformation and talent development. The City of Portland created and awarded him the Purple Cow Leadership award for his excellence in leadership and complex program delivery. Thinkers 360 considers him among the Top 10 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers in the Project Management community.
Energetic ... engaging ... lively ... enthusiastic ... inspiring ... words that are often used to describe Saby. A speaker with the uncanny ability to look at the normal and see something quite different, Saby shares his life stories and has a fun way to look at life as well as living life. You are guaranteed to learn a thing or two on your journey from his unique perspective. He is an Angel Investor, Mentor, Leadership Coach, Project & Program Management Expert, and Change and Volunteer Leader with a diverse experience of over 20 years in both the public and private sectors.
Sinikka Waugh and Faye Howard discuss 4 Things to Remember When Receiving Feedback.
Faye has a master's degree in training and development and has held multiple roles in training, curriculum design, customer service and marketing throughout her 25+ year career. As a trainer and facilitator for Your Clear Next Step, you'll see her energy come through as she teaches people the skills to be a better version of themselves, motivating them to leave a positive, lasting impact on others. Faye has made her home in Pella, IA with her husband, Seth, and their 3 boys since 2005. Faye is an encourager and intentional about influencing those around her. Therefore, in her free time, you’ll find her in the stands cheering on her boys in various activities, enjoying a walk or cup of coffee with a friend or immersed in a good book pulling out nuggets of wisdom.
Sinikka Waugh and Tyler Kamerman discuss 5 Ways to Find Your Passion.
Tyler Kamerman is a Chief Development Officer, Speaker, and Podcaster
The name of his podcast is “Purse Your Passion,” and that’s exactly the journey he is on and the one he wants to help you navigate as well.
Whether it’s through his speaking & training, his podcasts or his coaching, Tyler helps fun, successful people to “Be more intentional about Pursuing their Passion,” and map out a path to do more of what they were put on the planet to do.
Tyler is consistently spinning more plates than he should be in Des Moines, IA with his wife and their two children. The Kamerman’s have a passion-filled household and are very active in their church and community
Sinikka Waugh and Scott Tillema discuss 4 Hostage Negotiation Tactics that Will Reshape Your Leadership.
Scott Tillema (TILL’-uh-ma) is a professional keynote speaker and partner at The Negotiations Collective, a negotiations and conflict resolution training firm. He has over 20 years of municipal law enforcement experience in the Chicago area and is an FBI trained hostage negotiator who spent many years negotiating with one of the largest SWAT teams in the United States.
Educationally, Scott holds a master’s degree in psychology and has received negotiation training at Harvard University’s Program on Negotiation. Scott is a recognized leader in the field of negotiation and influence. His visibility as a keynote speaker and educator through TEDx and other venues has reached global status.
Sinikka Waugh and Ann Stough discuss 5 Tips for Making New Connections.
Ann Stough is a CBAP-credentialed Advisor-level Business Analyst with 17 years of experience in business analysis; 14 in healthcare information technology, and 3 in facility infrastructure technology. Ann grew up in West Des Moines. She lived a few years in the Cedar Rapids area and 20 years in Panora before returning to West Des Moines where she now lives. Within that timeframe, Ann and her husband full-timed in their Winnebago Class A motorhome for 8 years and snowbird every winter to southwest Arizona.
Sinikka Waugh and Dawn Ealy discuss 4 Ways for Project Managers to Develop Dazzling Communication Skills.
2Dawn Ealy is the founder of Peak Cadence LLC and a strategic partner of Your Clear Next Step. Through her consulting practice, Dawn helps growing organizations transform chaos into confidence in the way they manage systems, projects, processes, and people. As a trainer and facilitator for Your Clear Next Step, she is adept at sharing her 25+ years of experience with an energy and enthusiasm that bring her sessions to life. Dawn delivers project management, meeting facilitation, change management, process improvement, and collaboration courses that provide memorable learning experiences and practical tools participants can put into practice immediately. A genuine people person, Dawn is a super-connector who loves to meet new people and introduce them to others in her network.
Sinikka Waugh and Laura Casale discuss 3 Top Areas Where Women Need Support for Their Careers.
Laura is highly experienced in the field of HR Talent Management and Leadership Development, driven by her passion for empowering individuals to unlock their full potential. She is a Certified Coach, Consultant, Instructional Designer, and Facilitator, with a proven track record of building, managing, and delivering award-winning programs that yield tangible results.
Drawing on her expertise in Career Readiness and Transitions, Leadership, and Wellbeing, Laura uses a comprehensive and professional approach to support individuals and teams in reaching their peak performance and achieving remarkable success.
But that's not all! In 2021, Laura established a thriving community dedicated to providing invaluable support for Women in Career Transitions. Building on this success, she has recently launched the Women's Career Mastery program, designed to empower women in the workplace to take charge of their careers and make significant strides toward their professional goals. She writes for various platforms, is a coach for the SkillCycle organization, and is a Consultant at IBM working to empower technical professionals to grow and succeed.
Sinikka Waugh and Dorice Horenstein discuss the 3 Ties Between her book Moments of the Heart and Positive Intelligence
After serving as an officer in the Israeli army followed by years of leadership in the education field, Dorice, Oy to Joy speaker, uses her energy and charisma as she transitioned to make the world her platform. Her expertise in Mental Fitness & Positive Intelligence coupled with her award-winning bestselling book Moments of the Heart: Four Relationships Everyone Should Have to Live Wholeheartedly provide Dorice with the opportunity and knowledge to speak on international stages. Dorice inspires others to improve their mental fitness, navigate challenges, discover opportunities for growth and thus find their champion within
Presenting and training is Dorice’s superpower. She defines T.E.A.M. as Together Everyone’s Attributes (are) Magnified. Dorice motivates others to identify their strengths and improve effectiveness and become the leaders they are meant to be. She promotes healthy and positive relationships that reduce stress and helps clients achieve higher retention as well as a positive atmosphere in the workplace (and at home!).
When giving keynotes, Dorice invigorates audiences using impactful stories of challenges sprinkled with tips of positivity.
When coaching, leaders are moved to take actions that bring their potential into reality.
When delivering training and workshops, Dorice enhances leaders' and teams’ effectiveness and promotes healthy and positive relationships by using AMEN to CORE, her 4-step approach.
Dorice passionately believes that positivity is an "inside out” practice that instills a calm, laser-focused approach, and produces success and growth.
Dorice gained her BA in English Literature from Portland State University, and coaching certifications through the International Coaching Federation and Positive Intelligence organization. Dorice is a member of the National Speaker Association, serves on the NSA Oregon board, is a fellow member of IOC, at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, and is Past President of Toastmasters for Speaking Professionals.
Sinikka Waugh and Ann Wright discuss the 5 C's of Coaching.
Ann Wright
MBL, ACC
Leadership and Team Coach
Throughout Ann's 25-plus years of experience in leadership and talent development, she discovered and believes that people are an organization's most valuable asset. She partners with organizations and leaders to achieve their personal and professional goals by focusing on people, culture, and everyone's unique talents. Ann believes businesses grow by investing in their team members and embracing the talent each brings.
2She is an ICF Credentialed Coach focusing on Leadership and Team Coaching, speaker, author, and facilitator. Through her workshops and coaching, she assists people in developing their interpersonal skills in areas such as Attitude, Communicating with Confidence, Life/Work Balance, Productive Conflict Resolution, Meeting Management, Presentation Skills, and Teambuilding, so they can achieve their goals in life, as well as, help their organizations reach their outcomes.
Ann earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Business and Psychology and Masters in Business Leadership degree through Upper Iowa University. Ann is a licensed facilitator in Coach U's - The Coach Clinic where participants learn how to use the Coaching Conversation Model and develop strategic coaching skills which benefit them in creating a culture where performance is amplified and team effectiveness increased.
Sinikka Waugh and Christine Samuel discuss 3 Key Reasons Why Relational Intelligence Matters in the Workplace. Drawing on her extensive 20-year background in UX Design for Fortune 500 companies, Christine Samuel emerges as a visionary leadership coach, facilitator, speaker, and author. Her qualifications include certifications in Solution-Focused Brief Coaching and valuable experience as a mindfulness practice leader within a global technology organization. Christine's specialization lies in nurturing relational intelligence and working with leaders, teams, and change-makers to elevate their collaboration, communication, adaptability, and resilience. Through her transformative work, she empowers individuals to thrive in complexity. Christine resides in Toronto with her husband and two children, and she is eagerly anticipating the release of her forthcoming book, “The Heart Space: The Path to Thrive in Uncertain Times" scheduled for early 2024. You can learn more about Christine and her work through the following links:
- Website: https://innerworkmatters.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinesamuelhere/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-samuel/
- Blog post on relational intelligence: https://tinyurl.com/323e8eu3
Sinikka Waugh and Kevin Sutherland discuss 5 Principles Teams Can Adopt to Increase Agility without Doing Agile.
Kevin is an independent consultant focused on helping teams, leaders, and organizations deliver value to users, customers, and citizens. Kevin began his career in IT working for Accenture, completing large transformational system integration projects for State government customers. Through Kevin’s independent practice, he has discovered a passion for creating collaborative environments, facilitating continual improvement, delivering value...and constantly learning/growing throughout the process.
Sinikka Waugh and Judy Alter discuss 3 Skills that Make BAs Standout.
Judy Alter, CBAP®, FLMI, ACS, PCS & HIA
Judy Alter is a public speaker and coach: mentor, trainer, and Senior Business Systems Analyst with almost 20 years of experience in Business Analysis. The last eight years were spent working with various Agile Frameworks.
Judy rebranded herself as “The Optimistic BA” and is known as charismatic, optimistic, humorous, and a successful leader. Her specialty is with handling people, but she also has command of business analysis hardcore skills.
- CEO/Owner of Judy Alter Speaker & Business Analysis Services LLC Present
- IIBA Leader since 2012, where she has served in many roles
- IIBA Global Chapter Council Chair September 2017 to December 2022
Sinikka Waugh and Sheri Zevenbergren discuss 5 Fundamental Reasons to Develop Self-Awareness.
Sheri is a coach & trainer who helps people develop & apply self-awareness to embrace their differences, unlock their potential & engineer the lives they truly want. She works with high-school & college students, more "seasoned" individuals (like herself), organizational leaders & teams, & couples who simply want to better understand themselves & one another.
Melissa A. Worrel-Johnson, MBA, PCC - Executive & Leadership Coach, Facilitator, and Speaker
Over her 20-year career, Melissa Worrel-Johnson has focused her efforts on leadership, talent development, and business strategy. Her diverse background includes entrepreneurial business start-ups as well as significant leadership roles in large corporations to now being a partner in Your Leadership Group – a people development organization focused on coaching, training, and facilitation to inspire, elevate and help leaders and organizations. Melissa believes we grow our businesses through People, Processes and Trust. How we lead our teams, develop our people and roll up our sleeves with trust leadership.
Sinikka Waugh and Jana Mitzoda discuss 5 Ways Dreams May Be Guiding You.
Jana is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and a certified facilitator through the Oxford Institute for Organizational Science and Mindfulness. She is trained and accredited by author and guru W. Timothy Gallwey on The Inner Game method. She has extensive experience with positive leadership and conscious presence, creating and facilitating hundreds of workshops with participants from more than 90 countries. Jana has accompanied people from all over the world on the path to finding meaning in life and in discovering their natural talents. She supports her clients in increasing their awareness and in assuming full responsibility for their state of mind, body, and energy while guiding them to realize their life mission. She believes that consciously steering our ship on our personal sea of dreams is essential for our fulfillment. Relying on the depth of her experience and well-honed intuition, Jana helps individuals activate their inner wisdom, and to remember who they really are, what unique gifts they bring, and how to best apply them. Her business and leadership world coalesced with the gift of lucid dreaming, something Jana developed as a child and which she has continued to hone, also by completing a 3-year Active Dreaming program with Robert Moss. Her lifelong hobby of dreaming was the foundation upon which she fulfilled her desire to become a Dream coach. Jana leads public events, residential retreats, guided group meditations, and dream circles. She also accompanies vision quests and communicates with dolphins and whales. She is the author of Through the Eye of the Whale, available as an e-book and audiobook, in both Czech and English. You can find more about her work on her Surf life Facebook page or at lamurai.com
Sinikka Waugh and Hannah Moeller discuss 4 Steps to Build Confidence and Live an Expansive Life.
As a coach and consultant with 12 years of experience in the finance industry, Hannah empowers diverse clients to build inclusive workplaces and expansive lives. She knows that teams and individuals thrive when each person has a deep sense of belonging. Her goal is to help people align with their dreams by doing more of what brings their soul joy. Hannah is a “former gifted kid” from Indianola, Iowa, and acknowledges that this land belongs to the Sauk and Fox tribes of the Meskwaki Nation. Married to her high school sweetheart for 10 years, Hannah is a mama to three boys, two cats, and many abandoned bright ideas. She identifies as a neurodiverse, multipotentialite bookworm striving to be a life-long learner, a better ally, and a diversity champion.
Sinikka Waugh and Tim Ferry discuss 5 Bullet Points on How Board Game Design Strategies can be Applied to Solve Your Problem.
Tim has made a career out of pursuing creativity and is passionate about helping others to pursue that path as well. His freelance career in composing video game music for indie game developers led to helping others learn music by teaching children how to play piano. He taught private lessons as well as group piano classes for an after-school club. During this time, Tim also explored a new branch of creativity by designing and publishing a board game. He was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to convert his board game design journey into an experience for kids. Combining his past experiences, this turned into an 8-week board game design program for late elementary and early middle school kids that would encourage them to take a step toward being a lifelong creator, designer, and maker. Since launching the program, Tim has also had the opportunity to work with companies that are interested in using board games to build their brand or explore how gamification can be used to move their company forward.
Sinikka Waugh and Laura Casale discuss 4 Things You Can Do to Advance in Your Career.
Laura Casale is a Coach and Consultant in Learning and Leadership Development in the tech and financial services industries. She has held management and executive positions at IBM and New York Life Insurance Company.
Laura has multiple coaching certifications including Career coaching, Integrative well-being, and Life Purpose — that serve to enable a whole-life approach with her clients. She is passionate about career development and advancement and believes everyone has the ability to achieve their potential.
Laura has written articles for ThriveGlobal, is a coach with the GoCoach Organization, a Leadership Development Consultant for IBM, and volunteers as a Career Transition Coach through MeetUp.com, the Women in Transitions Group, and a Women’s Mentoring Network Organization.
Sinikka Waugh and Keisha Thompson discuss the 5 Simplified Joys.
I grew up on my family’s century farm in rural Iowa. I’m an advocate for agriculture education, teaching about where food comes from and how to best care for land and livestock. I’m active in many volunteer agriculture and conservation groups and focused on sustainability. I want to make sure I leave this land better than when it became mine, ensuring it’s around for future generations.
I have been blissfully married to my husband for 10 years and we have a little boy who brings the most joy to our lives! We enjoy traveling to a new state each year for our anniversary, with the goal of 50 states in 50 years.
In 2017, I started 1 OAK as a creative outlet. It stands for 1 Of A Kind. I love unique finds that have character and helping people discover things that will be conversation starters in their homes. What began as a small occasional retail shop in my barn has now become an online retail store with local pop-up shops, workshops, and potting bar events. I’ve always had a love of nature. I incorporate natural elements into my home with vintage, florals, or plants. From farm to boho, vintage, and plants, you’ll be sure to find or create a statement piece for your home or the perfect 1 Of A Kind gift.
Sinikka Waugh, Jodi Rhone, and Andy Haning-Brown discuss 4 Reasons Values are Fundamental to Your Success.
Jodi Rhone; Founding Partner
Jodi co-founded Canary Consulting group with more than twenty years of experience in strategic planning, operations process improvement, and building a healthy workplace culture.
She uses this experience to help nonprofit leaders expand their impact and operate more efficiently. Jodi enjoys coaching nonprofit leaders and boards, helping them define and communicate priorities to their teams, maintain focus, and work effectively together. Jodi is a natural problem solver and encourager who loves making a difference in her community.
Originally from Greenfield, Iowa, Jodi earned her bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Simpson College. She currently lives with her husband and teenage son in Waukee, Iowa.
Andy Haning-Brown; Founding Partner
Andy is the co-founder of Canary Consulting Group; he is an experienced leader with background in human resources, strategic planning, communication, and optimizing operations.
Andy enjoys working with nonprofit leaders to help them effectively engage and communicate with their workforce, optimize their culture, and develop effective leaders. He loves helping organizations find the right-sized solutions to everyday problems, freeing up leaders to focus on building strong and scalable organizations that meet the needs of the communities they serve.
Andy grew up in Knoxville, Iowa, and has a degree in computer programming. Andy and his husband own multiple small businesses and live in Des Moines, Iowa.
Sinikka Waugh and Christine Samuel discuss 5 Ways to Bring Your Best Self to Work.
Christine Samuel is a coach, trainer, and facilitator specializing in transformational change and inner work. She helps leaders, change-makers, and their teams cultivate their inner capacities so that they can bring their best selves in dealing with the increasingly complex and challenging environment. She assists clients by utilizing mindfulness, NLP, Solution-Focused Brief Coaching, Soma-awareness, neuroscience, and ancient wisdom traditions.
She lives in Toronto with her husband and two children. Currently, she is working on a book titled Taming the Anxious Mind: Moving from Head to Heart Space, which is scheduled to be released in late 2023.
Sinikka Waugh and Scott Helmers discuss 5 Things I Learned in Musical Theater that Apply at Work.
Scott Helmers is a business process consultant, app designer, and trainer with the Harvard Computing Group. He is a co-inventor of TaskMap, a Visio add-in that allows anyone to create data-rich, easy-to-read maps of any business process. For more than a decade Scott has been the best-selling author of books about Visio, and he shares his Visio, data visualization, and business process knowledge at conferences around the world. When he’s not at his keyboard, you’re likely to find him on his bicycle or dabbling in community theater north of Boston.
Sinikka Waugh and Vicki Flaherty discuss 4 Ways to Connect with Others.
Vicki Flaherty creates and spreads joy in the world through one-on-one coaching to support individuals in being their best, facilitating mindfulness and resilience-related experiences, blogging about leadership and life, and capturing moments of joy through her photography, poetry, and art. She believes in being present in the moment, focusing on what really matters, honoring every individual, listening from a place of openness and caring, examining issues from different perspectives, and acting with passion, courage, and creativity. The common thread of her career is that every step involves helping people succeed. As an Industrial/Organizational psychologist, she designed a variety of people-focused experiences such as onboarding, mentoring, career development, and talent management programs for organizations. She’s created leadership, mindfulness, and resilience programs for a Fortune 50 company, and is most fulfilled when facilitating experiences that help people lead their lives with clarity, intention, and authenticity, and that encourage health and well-being. She loves traveling with her husband, taking long walks, practicing yoga, volunteering at her local food pantry, gardening, writing, photography, and creating collage art. You can follow her on LinkedIn and check out her writing and photography at Leading with Intention, And Then Opens Possibility, Where Possibility Awaits, and the joyful eye.
Sinikka Waugh and Tracy Schuster discuss 5 Keys to Building Your Personal Productivity System.
Tracy is the director of the Iowa Lean Consortium, a program of CIRAS at Iowa State University. She has worked with the consortium in various capacities since 2012 and become the director in May of 2020. The ILC is a dynamic, member-driven consortium dedicated to connecting member organizations to the resources they need to help them develop their people and their processes.
Tracy owned her own virtual assistant business for 10 years and before that was a licensed mental health and substance abuse counselor. Helping people improve themselves and their processes has been a lifelong passion for her. She is a mom to two wonderful young adults who have developed strong wings and flown from the nest. She and her husband, Todd, will celebrate 30 years of marriage in June.
Sinikka Waugh and Helene Fein discuss 4 Things that I have Learned that are Most Important About Effectively.
Dr. Helene Fein is the Executive Director of the Iowa Literacy Council, a state association serving adult literacy professionals that are affiliated with COABE (Coalition on Adult Basic Education). Previously, Helene was the Data and Research Lead for United Way of Central Iowa and was a former Adult Literacy Director for the state of Iowa. She earned a Masters in School Administration and an Ed. Specialist degree in Adult Training and Development, both from Drake University. Helene earned her Ph.D. from Iowa State University and wrote her dissertation on why adults return to school to earn a high school equivalency diploma based on transition theory. In addition to her published dissertation, Helene has published a book, Necessary Conversations About English Language Learners, which combines coaching skills with ESL strategies. Helene is a trainer in Cognitive Coaching and Real Colors. She has three adult children and five grandchildren and lives in West Des Moines.
Sinikka Waugh and Joe Gonzalez discuss 5 Ways that Diversity Makes Us Better.
Executive Director of Latino Resources Inc.
Joe Gonzalez is a retired Lieutenant from the DM Police Department; he was hired as a Police Cadet in November of 1971. The program was started to recruit more minorities in the police department, he was promoted to Police Officer in January of 1975 and attended the Des Moines Police Regional Police Academy graduating in June of 1975. Joe was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in February of 2004 and was assigned to the Community Outreach and Protective Services Division where he supervised officers that worked in community outreach. In April 2010, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was then assigned to be the commander of the Neighborhood Based Service Delivery Unit. The unit had officers that worked with the neighborhood associations in the city, he also oversaw the Mobile Crisis Unit which responded to calls from individuals that were having mental health crises. In addition, he oversaw the Police Activities League and a boxing club for youth, this gave them a place to be involved in an activity and to stay off the streets. Joe graduated from DMACC earning an AA degree and worked at the police department soon after graduating from high school. Joe is a graduating member of the 2007-2008 Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and was awarded with the Community and Visioning award for connecting in 2012. Joe was fortunate to have a successful career and was recognized for his work as an advocate for crime victims, especially domestic violence victims. He was recognized by the United States Attorney's Office, Domestic Abuse Coordinating Council, Iowa Organization of Victim Assistance, and United Latinas for a New Dawn for his work in assisting victims of domestic violence. In 2003 the Des Moines Rotary Club selected him as the Police Officer of the Year. Upon his retirement in July of 2014 Chief Judy Bradshaw awarded him with the department's meritorious service award to honor his career. Joe has the honor of being the highest-ranking Latino in the history of the Des Moines Police Department. Joe currently serves on the Proteus and Police Activities boards and he’s a past board member for Variety, Chrysalis Foundation, Polk County Housing Trust Fund, and Broadlawns. Joe is also currently involved with the Inclusion and Diversity Council and the Equity and Inclusion Committee. He has also been a mentor for the Community Connect Program for 4 years.
Sinikka Waugh and Matt Arnold discuss 4 Ways to Use Human Centered Design to Capture Value.
Matt Arnold serves as principal for services strategies and solutions at Brightidea, whose mission is to transform the way the world innovates. Matt has over 25 years of experience leading innovation and design projects with many of the world’s top brands. Matt was the creator and host of The Iowa Idea Podcast which explored stories of creativity, craft, and innovation in long-form interviews with over 100 innovators and creatives. He holds a BA in Communication Studies from The University of Iowa and an MS in Communication from Illinois State University.
Sinikka Waugh and Kristen Boldt discuss 5 Ways to Build Conscious Leadership.
I don’t like thinking of myself as a lawyer. We all know the adversarial stereotype that label conjures up (absolutely not me!). Even outside the stereotypes, a lawyer works for the good of one side. That isn’t me either. My instinct always looks for the bigger picture, the story behind the story, and how all the different pieces work together because I know that it is in those nuances that our solutions usually reside.
I prefer to think of myself as a tensegrity artist with a law degree. In art and nature tensegrity refers to structures created through the balancing of different tension elements to create structural integrity. As a metaphor for relationships, tensegrity refers to the omnidirectional give and take dynamics at work in all our interactions. We exist in dynamic relationship to each other. We are autonomous individuals and interconnected through our relationships and community. When we bring these dynamics into harmony everyone has what they need as an individual and the integrity of the larger system, whether a family, a business, or a community, is strengthened.
My work focuses on the system level. There is a great story about a guy walking through the woods who hears a baby crying in the stream. He pulls the baby out and starts to care for it and soon hears another. He rescues that one and calls for more help. Soon there are many people pulling the babies from the stream, setting up feeding stations, housing etc. Finally, one person asks, maybe we should go upstream and find out how they are getting in.
I am that person.
I work with systems because my instincts always take me “upstream”. What excites me about this work is the shift I see in individuals when the system is redesigned. When our systems are healthy it is easy for people to live into their highest selves, to use their gifts to be the contributions they are called to be.
All of my work, through Conscious Contracts®, collaborative facilitation, and mediation, is focused on how we can best create harmony through healthy systems and healthy people. I have learned over time that I am most effective when I work for the good of the whole. Some refer to this as serving as a neutral, but I like the term poly-partial. A neutral is not invested in anyone, a poly-partial is working for everyone.
I am an Iowa girl. I grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Roosevelt before heading to Tennessee for college. My 4 years at Vanderbilt University gave me a bachelor’s in communication and taught me that I am truly a Midwesterner at heart, so I came back to Des Moines to work for the family business for a few years before going to law school at Drake.
I have two amazing daughters, also Roosevelt grads (go Riders!) and 2 goofy cats. The arts have always been a big part of my life. I love the theater, I play the harp and I have been singing in church choirs since I was a kid. I think I have always been drawn to the arts because that is how we tell our deepest stories. It is said that what is most personal is also most universal. Our stories are what bring us together, the shimmery thread woven through our human tapestry. Our stories connect us and these days we desperately need more connection.
Sinikka Waugh and Kristen Boldt discuss 5 Ways to Build Conscious Leadership.
I don’t like thinking of myself as a lawyer. We all know the adversarial stereotype that label conjures up (absolutely not me!). Even outside the stereotypes, a lawyer works for the good of one side. That isn’t me either. My instinct always looks for the bigger picture, the story behind the story, and how all the different pieces work together because I know that it is in those nuances that our solutions usually reside.
I prefer to think of myself as a tensegrity artist with a law degree. In art and nature tensegrity refers to structures created through the balancing of different tension elements to create structural integrity. As a metaphor for relationships, tensegrity refers to the omnidirectional give and take dynamics at work in all our interactions. We exist in dynamic relationship to each other. We are autonomous individuals and interconnected through our relationships and community. When we bring these dynamics into harmony everyone has what they need as an individual and the integrity of the larger system, whether a family, a business, or a community, is strengthened.
My work focuses on the system level. There is a great story about a guy walking through the woods who hears a baby crying in the stream. He pulls the baby out and starts to care for it and soon hears another. He rescues that one and calls for more help. Soon there are many people pulling the babies from the stream, setting up feeding stations, housing etc. Finally, one person asks, maybe we should go upstream and find out how they are getting in.
I am that person.
I work with systems because my instincts always take me “upstream”. What excites me about this work is the shift I see in individuals when the system is redesigned. When our systems are healthy it is easy for people to live into their highest selves, to use their gifts to be the contributions they are called to be.
All of my work, through Conscious Contracts®, collaborative facilitation, and mediation, is focused on how we can best create harmony through healthy systems and healthy people. I have learned over time that I am most effective when I work for the good of the whole. Some refer to this as serving as a neutral, but I like the term poly-partial. A neutral is not invested in anyone, a poly-partial is working for everyone.
I am an Iowa girl. I grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Roosevelt before heading to Tennessee for college. My 4 years at Vanderbilt University gave me a bachelor’s in communication and taught me that I am truly a Midwesterner at heart, so I came back to Des Moines to work for the family business for a few years before going to law school at Drake.
I have two amazing daughters, also Roosevelt grads (go Riders!) and 2 goofy cats. The arts have always been a big part of my life. I love the theater, I play the harp and I have been singing in church choirs since I was a kid. I think I have always been drawn to the arts because that is how we tell our deepest stories. It is said that what is most personal is also most universal. Our stories are what bring us together, the shimmery thread woven through our human tapestry. Our stories connect us and these days we desperately need more connection.
Sinikka Waugh and April King discuss 5 Ways to Expand a Learning Mindset.
I started my career during college in the retail space, which then led to a managerial role in the beauty industry. Prior to my current company, I worked locally for a Global Beauty Brand as an Executive Director of Institute Development for Aveda schools in Iowa and Minnesota. After 11 years in that role, I made a switch to a favorite IA industry…insurance. I joined my current team with American Enterprise Group in November 2019. Throughout the height of the pandemic and global turmoil and unrest, I found myself really appreciative of all the gifts I’ve been given in my life: my health, my family, and my coworkers. Through virtual connection, I built relationships and grew alongside teammates. I am currently the Director of Employee Engagement and Development which allows me to combine my love of learning, culture, and business agility. When I’m not at work, I am working alongside my husband to raise 2 human beings with the hope that they will give back to their communities as adults.
Sinikka Waugh and April King discuss 5 Ways to Expand a Learning Mindset.
I started my career during college in the retail space, which then led to a managerial role in the beauty industry. Prior to my current company, I worked locally for a Global Beauty Brand as an Executive Director of Institute Development for Aveda schools in Iowa and Minnesota. After 11 years in that role, I made a switch to a favorite IA industry…insurance. I joined my current team with American Enterprise Group in November 2019. Throughout the height of the pandemic and global turmoil and unrest, I found myself really appreciative of all the gifts I’ve been given in my life: my health, my family, and my coworkers. Through virtual connection, I built relationships and grew alongside teammates. I am currently the Director of Employee Engagement and Development which allows me to combine my love of learning, culture, and business agility. When I’m not at work, I am working alongside my husband to raise 2 human beings with the hope that they will give back to their communities as adults.
Sinikka Waugh and Damir Cavkusic discuss 5 Ways to Impact Through Inclusivity.
My name is Damir Cavkusic, and I am a product engineer with John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa. I was born in the former Yugoslavia (currently Croatia) and came to the United States as a young child in 1997 as a refugee to escape the war and turmoil in the Balkans. Starting life over with next to nothing, I grew up as an only child in a single-parent household in Fargo, North Dakota. I had a magnificent role model in my mother, who worked multiple jobs to support us and achieved a master’s degree in business. This all while raising me on her own and instilling her work ethic and perseverance even against great odds. I went to school at North Dakota State University where I majored in Industrial Engineering and Management and had my first foray into involvement and learning the value of working with diverse people and projects. After graduating, I worked as an engineer in North Dakota and later moved to Iowa in 2017 to work for John Deere. Today as a Naturalized American Citizen, I feel comfortable stating that I have achieved the true American Dream. Although everything was earned, I live every day feeling very fortunate to be where I am in life. Through my engineering career, I have been able to obtain multiple US Patents, I am currently pursuing my MBA through the University of North Dakota, I am involved in my community, and I proudly serve as an ally of diversity and empowering voices at work and feel very grateful to work for a company as exceptional as John Deere. Things I like to do in my personal time include traveling and road trips, exploring nature, finding interesting places to eat, keeping up with science and tech news, working on my cars, and attending car shows and sports events.
Sinikka Waugh and Damir Cavkusic discuss 5 Ways to Impact Through Inclusivity.
My name is Damir Cavkusic, and I am a product engineer with John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa. I was born in the former Yugoslavia (currently Croatia) and came to the United States as a young child in 1997 as a refugee to escape the war and turmoil in the Balkans. Starting life over with next to nothing, I grew up as an only child in a single-parent household in Fargo, North Dakota. I had a magnificent role model in my mother, who worked multiple jobs to support us and achieved a master’s degree in business. This all while raising me on her own and instilling her work ethic and perseverance even against great odds. I went to school at North Dakota State University where I majored in Industrial Engineering and Management and had my first foray into involvement and learning the value of working with diverse people and projects. After graduating, I worked as an engineer in North Dakota and later moved to Iowa in 2017 to work for John Deere. Today as a Naturalized American Citizen, I feel comfortable stating that I have achieved the true American Dream. Although everything was earned, I live every day feeling very fortunate to be where I am in life. Through my engineering career, I have been able to obtain multiple US Patents, I am currently pursuing my MBA through the University of North Dakota, I am involved in my community, and I proudly serve as an ally of diversity and empowering voices at work and feel very grateful to work for a company as exceptional as John Deere. Things I like to do in my personal time include traveling and road trips, exploring nature, finding interesting places to eat, keeping up with science and tech news, working on my cars, and attending car shows and sports events.
Sinikka Waugh and Kathy Towner discuss 3 Life Skills for Better Living... and Better Marketing!
The evolution of an entrepreneur often makes a great story, one involving personal sacrifice, intense highs and lows, and the drive to grow and to contribute. It's the entrepreneur's story that drives Kathryn as a business owner herself, and as a website developer and digital marketer.
Serving small businesses for over 20 years, Kathryn relies on her sales experience and public relations training to assist small businesses with online marketing programs at all stages. Straight out of Iowa State University with her degree in journalism, Kathryn worked for McGraw-Hill Higher Education as a publisher's representative, where she trained and practiced the art of inquiry, learning something new every day.
In 2001 Kathryn joined her late husband Greg Goaley in his start-up marketing company. Her goal was to add value, to build a new revenue stream and quickly doubled the size of the business. Today, Kathryn's company WinCommunications propels small businesses not only to stay current with online marketing trends, but also to find their unique voice, refine and re- establish their message, and develop trust online.
WinCommunications provides WordPress consulting, content management, and website development. Kathryn is an expert in small business email marketing and offers social media marketing services. Her focus is on saving the business owner time and money while growing and retaining a strong customer base. And what she values most of all are the relationships.
Kathryn stays involved in community groups and local business activities year-round. Currently she serves as Past President for NAWBO Iowa. She has served for many years in communications and leadership roles with the Iowa chapter of NAWBO, as well as the American Marketing Association, the Association of Women in Communications, the Iowa Society of Association Executives. Her volunteer work includes time on the boards at Opportunity On Deck and the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association.
Sinikka Waugh and Mel Worrel Johnson discuss 4 Questions to Ask to Help Get the Most of Your Assessments.
Over her 20-year career, Melissa Worrel-Johnson has focused her efforts in leadership, talent
development, and business strategy. Her diverse background includes entrepreneurial business start-
ups as well as significant leadership roles in large corporations to now being a partner in Your
Leadership Group – a people development organization focused on coaching, training, and facilitation to
inspire, elevate and help leaders and organizations.
Melissa believes we grow our businesses and profit through teamwork and people. One of our biggest
assets are how we lead our teams, develop our people and roll up our sleeves with people leadership.
Sinikka Waugh and b. Robert Moore discuss the 2 Important Life Lessons with b. Robert Moore.
Robert Moore (b.1983-) Des Moines, Iowa | Lakewood, California. Robert, a multidisciplinary contemporary artist started painting to counter drug addiction and alcoholism among mental and emotional health outlets. To Robert, he is constantly in pursuit of happiness, which in his current state is defined by fulfillment + purpose. He finds purpose in connecting narrative and opening doors for connection, relation, healing, and discussion. From up-cycled sculpture to abstract portrait and urban neo-expressionism, Robert has defined his genre or style as "narrative". He is purposeful with every word, brushstroke, and connection to the work with contention if intentional or accidental occurrences influenced the work. Like many human and human experiences, the exterior never truly tellS how the person was composed within the interior or influences/experiences that impacted them and so human nature typically has a subjective stance. Robert attempts to strip away those subjective "soft" assumptions of the narrative instead of calling it out directly. That is the goal of his work, to conflict and provoke thought of narrative of African and African American diaspora as well as social and civil experiences of underrepresented people + narrative.
Sinikka Waugh and Haley McElhinney discuss 3 Surprising Ways I have Grown by Editing a Podcast.
Haley was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. She attended Simpson College for her undergraduate degree in business management with a minor in human resources. Following her Simpson graduation, she attended Iowa Wesleyan University where she obtained her master's degree in management leadership with an emphasis on strategic leadership.
Haley currently works as a full-time HR Specialist at Osage Healthcare, Inc., a part-time assistant golf coach for the men's and women’s teams at Iowa Wesleyan University, and she also works as our part-time Podcast Producer at Your Clear Next Step.
Haley now lives in Mount Pleasant with her husband Thayne, and their golden retriever Storm. She enjoys all of her different professional outlets and the opportunities they provide her with to be even better!
Sinikka Waugh and Janet Fisher discuss 5 Words to Help Tell the Story to Living Full.
Janet Fisher is a Development Officer for Mosaic. She graduated with a degree in Family Sciences: Child and Family Development from Truman State University and has over 25 years of personal and professional experience working with people with disabilities. Janet has served with Mosaic for 11 years. Her career with Mosaic started as Habilitative Manager, overseeing 25 group homes. She transitioned into friend and fundraising as Resource Development Manager in 2019 and was recently promoted to Development Officer for the state of Iowa and the Kansas City area. Janet is a member of Business Networker International - Morning Networkers, Truth Business Network, Urbandale Kiwanis and Chamber, Sisters of St. Luke, and 100 Women Who Care - Ankeny. She has been married to Kevin for almost 27 years and they have three children: Joseph, Michael, and Maggie.
Sinikka Waugh and Claudia Schabel discuss 5 DEI Trends to Consider and Three Actions to Move DEI Forward.
Claudia Schabel, Founder, President, and CEO of Schabel Solutions Inc., has been on a 20-plus-year mission to raise awareness and consciousness about social justice, race relations, and equity.
The Schabel Solutions team has over 25 years of DEI and human resources practitioner experience, largely with Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies. As a diversity and inclusion strategic partner, we combine our expertise with significant international experience and multicultural backgrounds to help organizations address the dangers of unmitigated unconscious bias, untapped talent, missed market opportunities, and stagnant innovation.
We are a Certified Virtual Facilitator™ (CVF™) by the International Institute for Facilitation. We are also Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) certified for conducting robust organization-wide cultural equity assessments, which we leverage to develop and implement diversity and inclusion strategies with our clients.
Centrally located out of Des Moines, Iowa, we are a woman/minority-owned business that is certified as an Iowa Targeted Small Business (TSB), SBA Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) business.
A former commissioner on the City of Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission, Claudia serves on the Iowa Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) State Council as the Director of Diversity. She also serves on the boards of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, Science Center of Iowa and Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
After growing up in Brazil and working in Japan, Claudia has made Des Moines, Iowa her home with her spouse, Brad, and their always playful English Golden Retriever, Stormy.
Sinikka Waugh and Terrie Kohl discuss 4 Things I Learned from My Great Adventure in Purging.
Terrie Kohl came to Des Moines as a food service food broker and then a national food service buyer. Terrie then took her next visionary step by attending The New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction, Vermont, in 1996. Chef Terrie interned at The Montauk Yacht Club in Montauk, Long Island, New York, Thyme & Again Catering, and South Hampton Bath and Tennis Club in South Hampton, Long Island, New York. Her second internship brought her back home to Des Moines where she was employed at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott Hotel, Embassy Club Capital Square, and Aramark/Pioneer Hi-Bred. She gained additional expertise as the Catering Chef at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Terrie dreamed of starting her own business, and she established Country Club Market in 2003. From there, Country Club Market has filled a unique niche in central Iowa, offering culinary arts classes, customized catering, and a bakery that produces some of the tastiest treats in town.
Chef Terrie is a graduate of New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction, Vermont – a school that was voted the 2004 Vocational Cooking School of the Year by the Institute of Culinary Professionals. Chef Terrie’s passion for food extends to her collection of more than 4,500 cookbooks. She is especially fond of regional Junior League cookbooks, and those found on vacation destinations.
Sinikka Waugh and Kim Gratny discuss 5 Tips for Not Letting Perfectionism or Control-Freak Tendencies Prevent Us from Being Good Influencers. Human Development Wrangler + Founder
Kim Gratny is honored to be serving clients from a variety of industries based on their trust and confidence for more than 20 years. She’s humbled by and grateful for the word-of-mouth referrals earned. She is certified in Equine Guided Education (otherwise known as Horse Guided Coaching) and in Mentoring, Coaching + Leadership Development.
Communication, relationships and horses are her lifelong fascinations. Her adventuresome spirit has taken her on a 20+-year journey in public relations, child rearing, homemaking, entrepreneurship, coaching, consulting and ranching - a distinct culmination of her heritage (a mixture of generations of cowboys and entrepreneurs). Kim and her husband Dusten are humbled by and grateful for what God has entrusted to them — a blended family with five children, family-like friends, horses, bucking cattle, sheep, dogs and land to steward.
Sinikka Waugh and Ann Wright discuss 5 Things to Know About Volunteering. Ann Wright
MBL, ACC
Leadership and Team Coach
Throughout Ann's 25-plus years of experience in leadership and talent development, she discovered and believes that people are an organization's most valuable asset. She partners with organizations and leaders to achieve their personal and professional goals by focusing on people, culture, and everyone's unique talents. Ann believes businesses grow by investing in their team members and embracing the talent each brings.
She is an ICF Credentialed Coach focusing on Leadership and Team Coaching, speaker, author, and facilitator. Through her workshops and coaching, she assists people in developing their interpersonal skills in areas such as Attitude, Communicating with Confidence, Life/Work Balance, Productive Conflict Resolution, Meeting Management, Presentation Skills, and Teambuilding, so they can achieve their goals in life, as well as, help their organizations reach their outcomes.
Ann earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Business and Psychology and Masters in Business Leadership degree through Upper Iowa University. Ann is a licensed facilitator in Coach U's - The Coach Clinic where participants learn how to use the Coaching Conversation Model and develop strategic coaching skills which benefit them in creating a culture where performance is amplified and team effectiveness increases.
Sinikka Waugh and Becky Naderman discuss 4 Ways to Challenge your Unconscious Bias. R. A. Naderman (Becky) studied at St. Ambrose University, graduating with a degree in occupational therapy and psychology. Her career as an occupational therapist has allowed her to encounter people from all walks of life. In 2016 she began to visit a prison close to her home and developed a friendship with Aaron, a man who had been convicted of a despicable crime and given a lengthy sentence, who maintains his innocence. While they each came from very different walks of life, Becky, a white middle-class working mom, and Aaron, a Black man in prison for most of his adult life, found they had much in common. In 2019 Becky completed writing and published Walk With Me, the story of the transformative power of friendship and answering the call to love your neighbor as yourself. Becky speaks sharing the story of her book and is a voice for justice rooted in the fact that we are more alike than we are different. . Becky shared her story and message at TEDx Des Moines in May of 2021. Becky resides in Des Moines, Iowa with her husband and three teenage daughters. To contact and connect with Becky, www.ranadermanwalkwithme.com, RANaderman19@gmail.com, and on Facebook at Walk With Me R.A. Naderman.
Sinikka Waugh and Barb Ranck discuss the 3 Steps to Managing Stress.
Through Curiosity. Barb is a facilitator, coach, and Enneagram expert and has a passion for helping others find their purpose.
To access Ramona's Tool please use the following link: https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/the-dos-and-donts-when-someone-opens-up-about-their-mental-health
When you access this page, fill out your information and you will be redirected to her tool. Thanks!
Sinikka Waugh and Ramona Wink discuss 5 Things You Can Do When Someone at Work Opens Up About Their Mental Health.
Ramona Wink is a licensed mental health counselor and motivational public speaker with 515 Therapy and Consulting in West Des Moines, IA. In her role as a therapist, Ramona enjoys working with both individuals and adults, helping to navigate problematic issues in their lives and lean into living as their best, authentic selves! As a motivational public speaker, Ramona is passionate about reaching audiences of all sizes because of the mental health crisis we face in Iowa due to the extreme shortage of mental health professionals. On stage, storytelling is Ramona's superpower and she quickly connects with the group as she shares her wisdom and knowledge that has come through countless hours in her therapist's chair and through her own personal and professional life experience.
Ramona was recently appointed by the Governor to serve on the Iowa Board of Behavioral Sciences. She is also an Ambassador for the Make It OK Campaign as part of the Iowa The Healthiest State Initiative. She is a member of the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association.
Before becoming a mental health therapist, Ramona was in ministry for 15 years and banking for 15 years. She is a mother and a grandmother and enjoys living her best life with her partner.
Sinikka Waugh and Dawn Ealy discuss 5 Ways to Prepare for (Small Business) Growth with Clarity.
Dawn Ealy is the Founder of Peak Cadence LLC. Dawn loves working with small, growing
companies to optimize their organizations, processes, and teams around the natural ways they
work. She helps leaders structure their teams and workflows to maximize clarity and efficiency
while increasing engagement. Dawn’s background in leadership, technology, HR, operations,
project management, and documentation within companies ranging from three employees to
30,000 provides a unique perspective for organizations preparing to scale.
Sinikka Waugh and Ann Wright discuss 5 Things Teams Can Do to Move from Good to Great.
Ann Wright
MBL, ACC
Leadership and Team Coach
Throughout Ann's 25 plus years of experience in leadership and talent development, she discovered and believes that people are an organization's most valuable asset. She partners with organizations and leaders to achieve their personal and professional goals by focusing on people, culture, and everyone's unique talents. Ann believes businesses grow by investing in their team members and embracing the talent each brings.
She is an ICF Credentialed Coach focusing on Leadership and Team Coaching, speaker, author, and facilitator. Through her workshops and coaching, she assists people in developing their interpersonal skills in areas such as Attitude, Communicating with Confidence, Life/Work Balance, Productive Conflict Resolution, Meeting Management, Presentation Skills, and Teambuilding, so they can achieve their goals in life, as well as, help their organizations reach their outcomes.
Ann earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Business and Psychology and Masters in Business Leadership degree through Upper Iowa University. Ann is a licensed facilitator in Coach U's - The Coach Clinic where participants learn how to use the Coaching Conversation Model and develop strategic coaching skills which benefit them in creating a culture where performance is amplified and team effectiveness is increased.
R. A. Naderman (Becky) studied at St. Ambrose University, graduating with a degree in occupational therapy and psychology. Her career as an occupational therapist has allowed her to encounter people from all walks of life. In 2016 she began to visit a prison close to her home and developed a friendship with Aaron, a man who had been convicted of a despicable crime and given a lengthy sentence, who maintains his innocence. While they each came from very different walks of life, Becky, a white middle-class working mom, and Aaron, a Black man in prison for most of his adult life, found they had much in common. In 2019 Becky completed writing and published Walk With Me, the story of the transformative power of friendship and answering the call to love your neighbor as yourself. Becky speaks sharing the story of her book and is a voice for justice rooted in the fact that we are more alike than we are different. . Becky shared her story and message at TEDx Des Moines in May of 2021. Becky resides in Des Moines, Iowa with her husband and three teenage daughters. To contact and connect with Becky, www.ranadermanwalkwithme.com , RANaderman19@gmail.com, and on Facebook at Walk With Me R.A. Naderman.
Sinikka Waugh and Chef Terrie Kohl discuss 5 Ways that Living Her Mission at Work and Life has Brought Joy. Chef Terrie Kohl came to Des Moines as a food service food broker and then a national foodservice buyer. Chef Terrie then took her next visionary step by attending The New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction, Vermont, 1996. Chef Terrie interned at The Montauk Yacht Club in Montauk, Long Island, New York, Thyme & Again Catering, and South Hampton Bath and Tennis Club in South Hampton, Long Island, New York. Her second internship brought her back home to Des Moines where she was employed at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott Hotel, Embassy Club Capital Square, and Aramark/Pioneer Hi-Bred. She gained additional expertise as the Catering Chef at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Chef Terrie dreamed of starting her own business, and she established Country Club Market in 2003. From there, Country Club Market has filled a unique niche in central Iowa, offering culinary arts classes, customized catering, and a bakery that produces some of the tastiest treats in town.
Chef Terrie is a graduate of New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction, Vermont – a school that was voted the 2004 Vocational Cooking School of the Year by the Institute of Culinary Professionals. Chef Terrie’s passion for food extends to her collection of more than 4,500 cookbooks. She is especially fond of regional Junior League cookbooks, and those found on vacation destinations.
Sinikka Waugh and Mike Rice discuss 5 Discoveries on the Detour from Success to Significance.
Mike Rice, president of Aureon Consulting, is responsible for Consulting’s strategic growth, leadership, and business operations. Prior to being appointed President, Mike was the Vice President of Aureon Consulting (previously Midwest Project Partners), and a founding partner of Midwest Technical Partners. With over 23 years of experience in technology consulting and staffing, he is passionate about building relationships and focused on finding solutions to meet clients’ business goals. Mike serves on the Board for the Single Parent Provision. He is also active within the Technology Association of Iowa and dedicated to increasing STEM interest within the state to drive economic development.
Sinikka Waugh and Ramona Wink discuss 4 Things You May Not Know About Mental Health (in Iowa).
Ramona Wink is a licensed mental health counselor and motivational public speaker with 515 Therapy and Consulting in West Des Moines, IA. In her role as a therapist, Ramona enjoys working with both individuals and adults, helping to navigate problematic issues in their lives and lean into living as their best, authentic self! As a motivational public speaker, Ramona is passionate about reaching audiences of all sizes because of the mental health crisis we face in Iowa due to the extreme shortage of mental health professionals. On stage, storytelling is Ramona's superpower and she quickly connects with the group as she shares her wisdom and knowledge that has come through countless hours in her therapist's chair and through her own personal and professional life experience.
Ramona was recently appointed by the Governor to serve on the Iowa Board of Behavioral Sciences. She is also an Ambassador for the Make It OK Campaign as part of the Iowa The Healthiest State Initiative. She is a member of the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association.
Before becoming a mental health therapist, Ramona was in ministry for 15 years and banking for 15 years. She is a mother and a grandmother and enjoys living her best life with her partner.
Sinikka Waugh and Jeremiah Terhark discuss 4 Lessons Learned from Growing a Business from 1 to 60 Employees.
With a talent for technology and an entrepreneurial spirit, Jeremiah founded Webspec Design in 2001. He is passionate about marketing online and working closely with clients to see their goals achieved. Jeremiah focuses his energies on managing upcoming website projects, interacting with clients, and programming. He graduated from Evangel University with degrees in accounting and political science. When not working, he and his wife enjoy doing activities with their four children.
Sinikka Waugh, Melissa Worrel-Johnson, Michelle Rembert, and Ann Wright discuss 4 Ways to Communicate More Effectively.
Throughout Ann's 25 plus years of experience in leadership and talent development, she discovered and believes that people are an organization's most valuable asset. She partners with organizations and leaders to achieve their personal and professional goals by focusing on people, culture, and everyone's unique talents. Ann believes businesses grow by investing in their team members and embracing the talent each brings.
Ann is an ICF Credentialed Coach focusing on Leadership and Team Coaching, speaker, author, and facilitator. Through her workshops and coaching, she assists people in developing their interpersonal skills in areas such as Attitude, Communicating with Confidence, Life/Work Balance, Productive Conflict Resolution, Meeting Management, Presentation Skills, and Teambuilding, so they can achieve their goals in life, as well as, help their organizations reach their outcomes.
Ann earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Business and Psychology and Masters in Business Leadership degree through Upper Iowa University. Ann is a licensed facilitator in Coach U's - The Coach Clinic where participants learn how to use the Coaching Conversation Model and develop strategic coaching skills which benefit them in creating a culture where performance is amplified and team effectiveness increased.
Over her 19-year career, Melissa Worrel has focused her efforts on leadership, talent development, and business strategy. Her diverse background includes entrepreneurial business start-ups as well as significant leadership roles in large organizations.
As an ICF credentialed coach and licensed facilitator of the Coaching Clinic, DiSC, and CCL’s 360 assessment, Melissa’s purpose is to support leaders to be the best leaders they can be. How we engage, communicate, and collaborate effects our workdays, team culture, and results.
Melissa believes we grow our businesses and profits through teamwork and people. People + Passion + Purpose = Winning Teams. One of our biggest assets is how we lead our teams, develop our people and roll up our sleeves with people leadership.
Melissa lives in Iowa with her husband Alan; they enjoy paddle boarding, biking, travel, and family.
Drawing on more than 25 years in healthcare and non-profit leadership, coupled with her experience as a coach, Michelle helps individuals gain clarity on where they are now, where they want to be, and how they will get there
Michelle Rembert is an ICF credentialed coach, speaker and workshop facilitator, who helps heart-centered leaders & entrepreneurs to stress less, live more, and lead well.
With over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Michelle is well-prepared and uniquely qualified to support individuals, teams, and organizations in workplace wellbeing. She has expertise in helping individuals to overcome overwhelm, stress and burnout. She believes that in order to show up fully and lead others, we must show up fully for ourselves first.
Michelle is also passionate about empowering leaders and organizations to create a coaching culture. Michelle is a licensed facilitator in Coach U's - The Coach Clinic. She specializes in facilitating workshops and training emerging and seasoned leaders in coaching, mentoring and leadership skills to create better communication, build stronger teams, and amplify performance.
Michelle is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaches Federation. Michelle is Past President of the ICF Iowa Chapter.
Sinikka Waugh, Kim and Dusten Gratny discuss 6 Ways Your Life is Enriched by Stepping Into Discomfort.
Kim Gratny, Human Development Wrangler + Founder, is honored to be serving clients from a variety of industries based on their trust and confidence for more than 20 years. She’s humbled by and grateful for the word-of-mouth referrals earned. She is certified in Equine Guided Education (otherwise known as Horse Guided Coaching) and in Mentoring, Coaching + Leadership Development.
Communication, relationships, and horses are her lifelong fascinations. Her adventuresome spirit has taken her on a 20+-year journey in public relations, child-rearing, homemaking, entrepreneurship, coaching, consulting, and ranching - a distinct culmination of her heritage (a mixture of generations of cowboys and entrepreneurs). Kim and her husband Dusten are humbled by and grateful for what God has entrusted to them — a blended family with five children, family-like friends, horses, bucking cattle, sheep, dogs, and land to steward.
Dusten Gratny, Animal Behaviorist, is a lifelong horseman, cattleman, and stock dog breeder and trainer who has steeped himself in his passions in a way very few implement. His way of being makes him extraordinary with animals. His creativity and tenacity have taken him down a spectrum of roads - from the excavating industry to a custom jeweler, trainer of Biblical horsemanship, and large animal veterinarian technician.
His favorite aspect of the animals he’s bred, trained, and competed with is the genetic strategy required for distinguished athleticism. He credits his ability to ebb, flex and flow to his family of origin. For nearly two decades, the family and their horses entertained audiences and ministered to event-goers as the only trick riding and roping family in America logging an average of 30 performances annually. He is grateful to be a steward of a ranch near Earlham and welcomes anyone interested in slowing down and building relationships.
Sinikka Waugh and Kim Gratny discuss 5 Qualities Associated with Leading by Serving.
Human Development Wrangler + Founder
Kim Gratny is honored to be serving clients from a variety of industries based on their trust and confidence for more than 20 years. She’s humbled by and grateful for the word-of-mouth referrals earned. She is certified in Equine Guided Education (otherwise known as Horse Guided Coaching) and in Mentoring, Coaching + Leadership Development.
Communication, relationships and horses are her lifelong fascinations. Her adventuresome spirit has taken her on a 20+-year journey in public relations, child rearing, homemaking, entrepreneurship, coaching, consulting and ranching - a distinct culmination of her heritage (a mixture of generations of cowboys and entrepreneurs). Kim and her husband Dusten are humbled by and grateful for what God has entrusted to them — a blended family with five children, family-like friends, horses, bucking cattle, sheep, dogs and land to steward.
Sinikka Waugh and Missy Paxson discuss 5 Ways to Be Your Best Self at Work and Home.
Missy is a passionate life coach that believes her spiritual calling is to help people live their best life. She is no stranger to difficult times and has learned how to transform those experiences as positive learnings within her own life story.
Missy is the founder and owner of Greater Within. She believes what we have inside us is greater than our fears. Through her experiences & certifications as a Master Life & Master Mindset Coach, she has the tools to help inspire and motivate others to turn negativity into positive energy.
Sinikka Waugh and Jann Freed discuss 6 Components of the Breadcrumb Legacy.
Jann Freed is a speaker and a leadership development consultant with the Genysys Group. Jann assists organizations in improving employee engagement, helping leaders navigate change, and developing employees to be leaders. She assists organizations in improving employee engagement, developing leaders, and helping employees find meaning and purpose. Jann is a Professor Emerita of Business Management at Central College in Pella, Iowa, where she held the Mark and Kay De Cook Endowed Chair in Leadership and Character Development. In addition to authoring and co-authoring books on leadership and continuous improvement, Jann hosts a podcast series titled Becoming a Sage. She also writes a column for Training Magazine titled, “Leading the Edge.” Jann is an adjunct professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa. She has a B.A. from Central College, an MBA from Drake University, and a Ph.D. from Iowa State University. Jann lives in Des Moines with her husband, John Fisher, and they have three adult sons.
“Currently, I am writing a book about legacy. The focus of one of the chapters is how when one embraces death, it can inspire life. Ideas like that are what TEDxDesMoines is all about, and it is an opportunity for me to fulfill my personal mission to share what I’m learning with others.“ – Jann Freed
Sinikka Waugh, Dave Prior, and Jeff Howey discuss 5 Keys to Surviving Project Management.
Dave Prior, PMP, PMI-ACP, CSM, CSPO, CSP, CST, has been leading technology projects and teaching individuals and teams how to manage their work for over 20 years. He is a Certified Scrum Trainer and works for LeadingAgile where he leads CSM and CSPO classes. Dave has been podcasting about Project Management and Agile since 2008. His podcasts for ProjectManagement.com and LeadingAgile can all be found at drunkenpm.com. Dave is a member of the Scrum Alliance TAC, he lives in New York City, and his personal mission is "to make the transition from waterfall to Agile suck less for others than it did for me.
Jeff Howey is an Accomplished Agile Transformation Expert with deep expertise in leading large cross-functional operations to their next level of growth and efficiency. For 14+ years, Jeff has followed a path to his calling as a business transformation leader, working to build high-performance environments, unleash the power of teams working together in a new way, inspiring and empowering people to grow and succeed. Jeff recognizes the way people work together, and value one another’s contributions, can make (or break) any company, so he leads with integrity, passion, and excellence with an open mind to hear, understand, challenge when needed, or adapt where fruitful. His heart and passion lie in supporting, leading, and mentoring people, a company’s biggest asset. He gives it his all and gets great satisfaction from impacting the lives of others each day.
Sinikka Waugh and Daniel McCraine discuss 5 Things I Learned About Business From Conducting an Orchestra.
Daniel is the founder of McCraine Associates, a business and marketing strategy company. Daniel's work has helped companies save or make over $22 million in capital and expenses. He has been called the Maestro of Business and the "Marcus Lemonis of Des Moines." Daniel is a leadership and business coach and a nationally recognized, award-winning training professional.
Sinikka Waugh and Aaron Anderson discuss 4 Things I Learned on the Journey of Owning a Business.
Aaron grew up in Clarion Iowa and graduated high school in 2012 and went on to Central College in Pella Iowa to wrestle and study Biology/Chemistry. Eventually changing to Business Finance graduating from Central College in 2016.
During his work career he has taken on many different roles.
-1st job out of college was selling insurance
-Worked at Hy-Vee for 1 year for Assistant Management
-Took a position as a General Manager for Fresh Fit Meals for 2 years
-Took a position as Chief Operating Officer for Winterset Cidery for 1 year
-Bought Fresh Fit Meals in August of 2020
-Present Business Director for our small business with goals of expanding and impacting people's lives in a better, healthier way
Sinikka Waugh and Faye Howard discuss 4 Things You Might Not Realize About Your Influence.
Faye is currently a Marketing Support Specialist at Pella Corporation where she ensures the Pella brand is represented consistently and accurately across retail, trade, and commercial business segments. Faye has a master’s degree in Training and Development and has held multiple roles in training, curriculum design, customer service and marketing throughout her career. She is a native of Minnesota but has made her home in Pella with her husband Seth and their 3 boys for the past (almost) 16 years. Faye is a connector and is intentional about influencing those around her therefore, in her free time, you’ll find her in the stands cheering on her boys in various activities, enjoying a walk or cup of coffee walk with a friend or immersed in a good book pulling out nuggets of wisdom.
Sinikka Waugh and Matt Kieran discuss 5 Realities of a Man's Life and the Positive Ways to Live Life at Full Volume.
Matt grew up on the family farm in Madison County, Iowa where he learned the value of hard work at an early age. He also learned the value of family and of giving back.
Throughout his career, he had always sought out positions that allowed him to help people with various needs and issues. From his early days in the fashion industry to the hospitality and event industries, he was always pursuing the solutions to the issues people had.
In March of 2020 he found himself, like many, without work not knowing which way to go and how to move forward. Matt searched for new meaning in his life, how would he want to live from this moment on? How would he best serve others while still serving the needs of my family and myself? It was then that he found that he had a true desire to not only help people but to help them change their lives.
Being a man that has struggled to find his place in the world Matt found himself wanting to be the man he needed when he was younger. To help men figure out some of the biggest challenges they face such as relationships, children, career, and their view of what success truly is.
To help men live with passion and purpose to find their path and to live their values is his mission and his calling. Men in the world need a helping hand to figure out their lives and to push forward in a world that changes each day. Matt hopes to help and guide as many men as possible as we navigate the world together.
Today, Matt lives in West Des Moines with his wife of 18 years and their two daughters Olivia and Ella. They enjoy fun family activities such as bike riding, traveling, and donating their time to our parish.
Sinikka Waugh and Kelly Webster discuss 6 Reasons Hiring a Professional Graphic Designer Can Make Your Work Day Even Better.
Owner of Webster Creative | Graphic Designer
2020 Award Winner from Expertise.com - One of the Top 15 Graphic Designers in the Des Moines Area
As a Freelance Designer, Kelly has a long history of creative design, layout and print expertise you can depend on to help you get noticed. Her primary goals are to deliver a quality product with excellent service, all in striving to assure your experience with Webster Creative is a great one.
Specializing in print design, she can create most any print project you can imagine with individuality and flare. Her talents offer Branding, Logo design, Letterhead, Brochures, Posters (large format also available), Custom Invitations and Announcements, Flyers, Specialty Gifts, Set Photography and much, much more.
Kelly has worked for small and large companies, and in positions pertaining to concept, design, production, and print. Her years of experience add invaluable insight and expertise for every project she creates.
Says Kelly, “Drawing, painting, and making something out of nothing have all been natural forms of self-expression as long as I can remember. I enjoy using my talents to make others happy and providing designs created with heart. To me… it’s not work, it’s a privilege!"
Sinikka Waugh and Joe Van Haecke discuss 5 Things Improvisors Do to be Successful.
Starting off in Kansas City’s Comedy City, Joe has been studying, performing, and coaching improvisation for over 20 years. During that time, he has studied with Comedy Sportz, Second City, and the IO Theater in Chicago.
As an improvisation coach, Joe has worked with hundreds of students and the power of improvisation. Many of them have continued to study the art form in college and afterward. They have become actors, producers, directors, business executives, teachers, and politicians.
With an unshakeable belief that anyone can learn and succeed with this art form, Joe’s mission is to bring improvisation to businesses, colleges, and the health profession. “I’m not looking to make the next Bill Murray or Tina Fey, I’m looking to insipre you to be the best you you can.”
Sinikka Waugh and Melissa Worrel Johnson discuss 5 Ways to Elevate Your Leadership.
Over her 18-year career, Melissa Worrel has focused her efforts in leadership, talent development, and business strategy. Her diverse background includes entrepreneurial business start-ups as well as significant leadership roles in large corporations.
Sinikka Waugh and Amanda Zwanziger discuss 4 Focus Areas for Overcoming Paralysis in Our Lives.
Amanda is a dream chaser that is passionate about helping others chase their dreams and change their lives. She leverages her 45 years of life experience to inspire and motivate people to move towards their purpose, accomplish their goals and remove any barriers standing in their way.
Through her business, Righthand Sales, Amanda consults, trains and coaches sales professionals and business leaders o strategies to reignite, reengage and rehabilitate their businesses so they achieve top performance and get opportunities moving through the funnel.
Sinikka Waugh and Blair Wagner discuss 6 Components of Business that are Strengthened by EOS.
Blair Wagner is an EOS Implementer® located in Iowa City. With 20+ years of experience and strong business acumen, Blair is a natural relationship-builder skilled in maximizing the strengths of both organizations and people, with mastery in collaboratively implementing change.
As an EOS Implementer®, Blair is passionate about helping businesses and organizations strengthen the Six Key Components of their business and helping leadership teams create a common vision, gain traction, and become a healthy and cohesive leadership team.
EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), based on Gino Wickman’s book Traction, is a complete set of simple concepts and practical tools that has helped tens of thousands of entrepreneurs get what they want from their business.
Sinikka Waugh and Joel Smith discuss 5 Hurdles to Maximize Impact.
Joel Smith is a Franchisee and co-owner of eight Papa Murphy’s Pizza stores in central and eastern Iowa. He is a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Coach and Trainer and Radio Co-host. He has a passion for helping business owners and leaders learn to work "on" their business and not just "in" it. He is the Founder and Director of The Truth Leadership Academy in Des Moines, Iowa
Sinikka Waugh and Paula Bell discuss 5 Steps to Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable.
Paula Bell is the CEO of Paula A Bell Consulting, LLC for over 19 years. She is a coach, consultant, speaker, and author with expertise in the areas of: business analysis, project management, leadership, diversity, equity & Inclusion, career development and self development. Through her 5-tier consulting business model, Paula helps individuals find their passion, build their brand, and enhance their skill sets through consultations, coaching and customizable documentation to drive results. Her desire is to empower, and motivate others, through a structured journey of self reflection and awareness as a catalyst for unlimited success. Paula is a certified Business Analyst, Certified Life Purpose Coach, Certified Diversity & Inclusion Manager Coach, and Licensed Intercultural Development Inventory Qualified Administrator.
Sinikka Waugh and Melissa Worrel Johnson discuss 5 Ways to Demonstrate Leadership Presence.
Over her 18-year career, Melissa Worrel has focused her efforts in leadership, talent development, and business strategy. Her diverse background includes entrepreneurial business start-ups as well as significant leadership roles in large corporations.
Melissa started her career in franchising with two Curves for Women locations in Seattle, WA. She grew her membership to over 700 active members in her first location prior to purchasing her second location. While operating her franchise locations Melissa ventured into insurance. She began her scratch agency with Farmers Insurance in 2004, for three and half years she grew the operation, earned her FINRA 6, 63 and eventually 26, prior to selling her agency. Being asked to move into a corporate role, she helped develop and mentor new agency owners in low market share states within the operating territory.
This experience to recruit, train and develop new business owners where the brand was not widely known was incredible learning to share with business owners buying into new franchises and/or building their brand in any marketplace.
After six years of working with new agents; Melissa transitioned to established agencies to assist them in growing their current market share, revamping their marketing systems, increasing profits, lowering expenses and improving client retention.
Her final corporate role was VP Agencies for a midsized Midwest insurance company, running their field operations and working with the regional vice presidents in charge of each state to achieve all growth and budget metrics. This role expanded Melissa’s knowledge of team culture, the success is thriving teams and how people, passion and purpose do impact the bottom line.
Melissa believes we grow our businesses and profit through teamwork and people. People, purpose and passion will deliver profits. One of our biggest assets is how we lead our teams, develop our people and roll up our sleeves with people leadership.
Melissa lives in Iowa with her husband Alan; they enjoy paddle boarding, biking, travel and family.
Sinikka Waugh and David Dubczak discuss 4 Ways to Activate the Genius Modes for You and Your Workforce.
David Dubczak (pronounced Doob-chak) a.k.a Creative Dave, loves helping people be more creative. He believes everyone has their own secret “Genius Mode,” and creative thinking is the key to unlocking it.
David has been a middle school teacher for 10 years, where his studies in creativity grew out of a desire to find out the reasons many students struggle to make creative ideas. His research led to his book, “Activate Your Genius Mode,” and the new “Genius Mode: School Edition” to help teach anyone the creative thinking skills that turn you into a genius.
David is also an award-winning producer and playwright, and his video productions have won several awards with organizations such as the Iowa Motion Picture Association, Broadway World, and the Festigious International Film Festival Los Angeles.
David earned his Bachelor of Science in Education at Drake University, and his Master of Education in Curriculum and Instructional Technology at Iowa State University. He loves to speak and workshop on creativity and productive failure.
Sinikka Waugh and Nancy Hanna discuss 4 Ways to a Happy Heart.
Nancy Hanna has always been one to empower others to be the best that they can be with the best that they have. After 30+ years in the education world, she continues to inspire, challenge, motivate, and celebrate others. She is a certified Christian Life Coach, along with being a certified Laugh Instructor. Whether she is making you laugh or challenging you to meet goals, she will win you over with her zest for living and her love for learning. Nancy hasn’t met a stranger in her 60+ years and always enjoys connecting with those she meets. Nancy and her husband, Jeff, operate Happy Heart Resources, giving businesses and individuals alike the opportunity to find joy in living. Connect with Nancy if you are looking for the motivation and skills to continue to be a better you, or just wanting to laugh. She won’t disappoint.
Sinikka Waugh and Lynn Swanson discuss 4 Things Everyone Should Do Regardless of Where You are in Your Career.
Lynn has over 25 years in the corporate world, including internal consultation, training, business analysis, project management and chief of staff (operations) in sales. She has pivoted to leading Operations for a tech startup and additionally is excited to launch a coaching product that she created while transitioning out of the corporate environment. On a personal level, she plays in (currently) four bands and has traveled extensively.
Sinikka Waugh and Kay Arvidson discuss the 5 Pieces of the Interview Strategy.
Kay’s career has focused on leading change. Her background includes project management and business analysis for eCommerce applications, training and website development for state and local governments, and coaching individuals through career changes. Kay earned a BA degree in psychology from the University of Iowa, and received a MBA from Georgia State University in Atlanta.
Sinikka Waugh and Jamee Eggers discuss 4 Things About Being Prepared.
Jamee Eggers serves as the Producer Education Director at the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Her responsibilities include facilitating the activities associated with producer-led committees in the areas of swine health, animal well-being, research, and producer education. She is involved in the development of resources, recognition programs for excellence in pork production, and furthering the vision of IPPA - successful farmers, enriched lives. Jamee received her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University and her Master of Science Degree from the University of Nebraska. Both degrees were in the field of animal science. Jamee and her husband raise and sell show pigs throughout the US as well as farm corn and soybeans in central Iowa.
Sinikka Waugh and Andrew Lauver discuss the 4 Things Learned by Taking a Leap Mid-Career to Go Back to School.
Andrew Lauver serves as Manager, Industry Relations at Syngenta. Andrew has experience in seed and precision agricultural services in Iowa, Wisconsin and Western Canada. He has interned with Senator Grassley, the Iowa House of Representatives as well as the American Seed Trade Association and has volunteered with the World Food Prize, Chicago Council, Iowa Corn Growers, Soy Growers, Cattlemen’s, Farm Bureau, Rotary International, and Grow Iowa Ag. Andrew is from a fifth generation family farm and received his BS from Iowa State University in Agricultural Studies, holds a Master of Agribusiness from Kansas State University, and a Master of Jurisprudence from the Drake University Law School. Andrew has been active in AGR, FFA and 4-H. He has international farm and animal agricultural study experience in Europe, Asia, and South America and has been named a Future Giant of the Seed Industry by Seed World Magazine, was also named to the AgGrad 30 under 30, and Seed World magazine 20
under 30 lists. Andrew contributes directly to Syngenta’s grower and stakeholder engagement.
As we enter a period of renewal and change, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their businesses and workdays even better. We will be here to walk beside you, to listen, to connect, and to aid in your search for clarity. In doing so, we are offering a free, weekly Zoom calls, called Friday Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every Friday from 5/8/2020 - 8/7/2020.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: http://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/6/26/20-friday-connections-recap
Sinikka Waugh and Kay Arvidson discuss 5 Things You Might Not Know About Your Verbal Resume.
Kay’s career has focused on leading change. Her background includes project management and business analysis for eCommerce applications, training and website development for state and local governments, and coaching individuals through career changes. Kay earned a BA degree in psychology from the University of Iowa, and received a MBA from Georgia State University in Atlanta.
As we enter a period of renewal and change, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their businesses and workdays even better. We will be here to walk beside you, to listen, to connect, and to aid in your search for clarity. In doing so, we are offering a free, weekly Zoom calls, called Friday Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every Friday from 5/8/2020 - 8/7/2020.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/6/12/20-friday-connections-recap
As we enter a period of renewal and change, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their businesses and workdays even better. We will be here to walk beside you, to listen, to connect, and to aid in your search for clarity. In doing so, we are offering a free, weekly Zoom calls, called Friday Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every Friday from 5/8/2020 - 8/7/2020.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/5/29/20-friday-connections-recap
As we enter a period of renewal and change, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their businesses and workdays even better. We will be here to walk beside you, to listen, to connect, and to aid in your search for clarity. In doing so, we are offering a free, weekly Zoom calls, called Friday Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every Friday from 5/8/2020 - 8/7/2020.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/5/22/20-friday-connections-recap
Sinikka Waugh and Joel Smith discuss 5 Ways to Raise Your Value in the Workplace.
Joel Smith is a Franchisee and co-owner of eight Papa Murphy’s Pizza stores in central and eastern Iowa. He is a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Coach and Trainer and Radio Co-host. He has a passion for helping business owners and leaders learn to work "on" their business and not just "in" it. He is the Founder and Director of The Truth Leadership Academy in Des Moines, Iowa.
As we enter a period of renewal and change, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their businesses and workdays even better. We will be here to walk beside you, to listen, to connect, and to aid in your search for clarity. In doing so, we are offering a free, weekly Zoom calls, called Friday Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every Friday from 5/8/2020 - 8/7/2020.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: http://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/5/15/20-daily-connections-recap
Sinikka Waugh and Joe Halbach discuss 5 Truths About Fasting.
I’m 38 years old with my Bachelor’s degree in biology. My focus at the time was on ecology, evolution, and animal behavior but I was and am still interested in human health and nutrition.
A lot of my recent interest has focused on exploring and learning about health and wellness, specifically in regards to:
A number of nutritional falsehoods in “common knowledge” and long-perceived good health practices.
The effect of sugar/carbohydrates on the body and the effects of breaking the body’s glucose addiction.
Fasting (both intermittent and more long-term)
Different diets (in the context of long-term patterns, not temporary “lose a few pounds and go back to normal” diets) such as The Standard American Diet, Veganism, Vegetarianism, Carnivorism, Ketogenic, and compare them to how people have eaten historically throughout the millennia.
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, weekly Zoom call, called Friday Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every Friday until August.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/5/8/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/5/1/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/5/1/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/30/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/29/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/28/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/27/20-daily-connections-recap-0-0
Sinikka Waugh and Jeff Howey discuss how the Product Owner & Scrum Master act as a Dynamic Duo – Creating Safety for your Agile team in an environment full of Chaos
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/23/20-daily-connections-recap-0
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/23/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/22/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/21/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/20/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/17/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/16/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/15/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/14/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: http://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/13/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/10/20-daily-connections-recap-0
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/9/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/8/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/6/20-daily-connections-recap-0
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/6/20-daily-connections-recap
Sinikka Waugh and Spencer Waugh discuss 4 Ways Individuals Can Be Inspired to Want to Put the Team First.
Spencer Waugh has been the Director of Speech, Debate, and Mock Trial at Simpson College since 2011. He has led the Indianola High School Speech and Debate team to two team sweepstakes at the state level. At the college level, 3 of the last 4 years Simpson College has taken the national championship in team points, which means they were the best performing team in the nation in college Speech and Debate.
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/3/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4/2/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/3/31/20-daily-connections-recap-0
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/3/31/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/3/30/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/3/19/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/3/27/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/3/26/20-daily-connections-recap-
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/3/25/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/3/24/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/3/23/20-daily-connections-recap
As we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Your Clear Next Step is committed to helping our customers make their business even better. In doing so, we are offering a free, daily Zoom call, called Daily Connections, at 1:15pm (CDT) every day for the foreseeable future.
These calls are a chance for us to share tips and discussion about relevant topics (working remotely, maintaining consistency in uncertain times, building relationships across geography, staying motivated, staying connected, etc) and network with each other to provide help and support during this time of change.
Check out the ideas brought up in discussion here: https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/3/19/20-daily-connections-recap-0
Sinikka Waugh and Deano Pape discuss the 5 Impacts of Interpersonal Communication in a Digital Age
Deano is a teaching specialist in multimedia communication and assistant director of speech and debate for Simpson College. He taught for 17 years at Ripon College where he was named a Severy Outstanding Professor and three times recognized for the Faculty / Staff Excellence in Leadership Award. He also worked for the National Speech & Debate Association, the national nonprofit honor society for middle and high school speech and debate. Additionally, he also directed the Public Speaking & Argumentation Division of Harvard Debate Council's Summer Workshops.
Barb is a corporate trainer, avid Rotary member, and has a passion for helping others find their purpose.
Tim Meyer currently works as an agile coach helping organizations learn how to work in a way that puts people first. He has worked in various industries, including agriculture, health insurance, finance, state, and federal government. Despite being dyslexic, Tim has a Bachelor's and Master's in Engineering and a Master's in Leadership.
Sinikka Waugh and Lynn Reed discuss 5 Things PMs Wish BAs Knew.
Lynn Reed is a Project Manager with experience in a variety of industries including higher education, government administration, insurance, financial services, meeting management, training, and information technology. Whew! She's been a board member of PMI-CIC for the last 4 years and has just been elected as the President-Elect for 2020. She is always looking for more educational opportunities and ways to meet new people.
Sinikka Waugh and guest Judy Alter discuss the 5 Main Benefits of Volunteering in a professional organization.
Judy Alter got her BA in Economics from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and has been employed at the Mutual of Omaha for almost 35 years. She has held numerous roles with the IIBA including being the Heartland IIBA Chapter President from 2012 to 2016, the IIBA Americas Central Regional Director from 2015 to 2017, and the IIBA Global Chapter Council Chair from 2017 to present.
Sinikka Waugh and guest Deano Pape discuss 5 Significant Effects that Technology Has on Our Lives.
Deano is a teaching specialist in multimedia communication and assistant director of speech and debate for Simpson College. He taught for 17 years at Ripon College where he was named a Severy Outstanding Professor and three times recognized for the Faculty / Staff Excellence in Leadership Award. He also worked for the National Speech & Debate Association, the national nonprofit honor society for middle and high school speech and debate. Additionally, he also directed the Public Speaking & Argumentation Division of Harvard Debate Council's Summer Workshops.
Sinikka Waugh and Kevin Stittsworth discuss 5 Ways to Live and Lead with Passion.
Kevin was born and raised in Knoxville, Iowa. He is Director of Foundation and Public Relations at Knoxville Hospital and Clinics and has been an engaged member of his community and church. He is President-Elect of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce and has served as Founding Member and President of the Knoxville Alumni Association, Vice President of Knoxville Dollars for Scholars & Vice Chair of the Knoxville Parks Board. He recently co-organized a community prayer walk and has recorded two piano albums.
Sinikka Waugh and guest, Jamee Eggers, discuss "5 Things You've Learned About Meetings that You Wish You'd Known Sooner."
Jamee serves as the Producer Education Director at the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Her responsibilities include facilitating the activities associated with producer-led committees in the areas of swine health, animal well-being, research, and producer education. She is involved in the development of resources, recognition programs for excellence in pork production, and furthering the vision of IPPA – successful farmers, enriched lives. Jamee received her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University and her Master of Science degree from the University of Nebraska. Both degrees were in the field of animal science. Jamee and her husband raise and sell show pigs throughout the US as well as farm corn and soybeans in central Iowa.
Sinikka Waugh and guest, Alana Bothun, Director of Ad Platforms and Systems at Meredith Publishing Corporation, explore the 4 things that Developers wish their BAs knew.
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