the Spirit of Leading: Recent Episodes
the Spirit of Leading
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096: OK Reps. Daniel Pae and Ajay Pittmann-overcoming partisan divisionMost citizens are put off by the acrimony and pettiness of what has become political discourse. Younger elected leaders are seeking ways to overcome the negativity and have serious policy conversations about important issues.
Rep. Ajay Pittmann (D HD99) and Daniel Pae (R HD62) have emerged as two leaders in this effort. Along with co-chairs, State Sen. John Michael Montgomery (R SD32) and Jo Anna Dossett (D SD35), the Oklahoma Future Caucus is seeking ways to encourage a more collaborative atmosphere among lawmakers in both chambers.
The future caucus is the state component of the national Millennial Action Project that touts their, “audacious mission: activate young leaders to bridge the partisan divide and transform American politics.” MAP’s stated vision is promoting, “A diverse democracy where the political culture is grounded in empathy and leaders pursue innovative policy solutions.”
The OK future caucus team recently was recognized by MAP with the organization’s Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award recognizingan outstanding state caucus, “for their future-focused leadership and political bridge-building.”
On this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, I catch up with Rep. Pittmann and Rep. Pae together, after first interviewing them individually when they were first elected in 2018, to get their update on the Oklahoma future caucus progress.
Related linksMillennial Action Project website
Oklahoma Legislature website
Rep. Daniel Pae 2023 House contact page
Rep. Ajay Pittmann 2023 House contact page
Click on Daniel’s image to listen to his 2018 Spirit of Leading podcast
Click on Ajay’s image to listen to her 2018 Spirit of Leading podcast
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095: Do Something for Sustainability Today—Corey WilliamsWe can keep score on how we are doing to create more sustainable workplaces and homes. Corey Williams, executive director of the Sustainability Alliance has been working on, and improving, efforts to do so for twenty-plus years.
On this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, Corey talks about her journey since the days when former U.S. Vice-president Al Gore first brought up An Inconvenient Truth about the worsening condition of the global climate and the contributing factors that we can do something about. Corey decided to do something and encourages all who will listen to, “do something, ” with her.
The Scor3card evolved out of that zeal, plus a little serendipity. Now, the Scor3card can document millions of dollars in energy savings for businesses and individuals while helping to lessen the impact of energy demand on the planet.
Related linksThe Sustainability Alliance
Our appreciation to the Ross Group for hosting this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast in their downtown Tulsa location.
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094: Ken Busby-Rte 66 Alliance & Cultural Czar of Northeast OklahomaKen Busby has served the arts community as an advocate, staff professional, and executive for three decades. He has been in the trenches and on the mountaintops. Through it all, he has built a portfolio of experiences that make him an attractive counselor and consultant to arts organizations seeking to strengthen their programs.
Ken has been honored by the arts community for his work and dedication. Leadership Oklahoma recognized him as a distinguished graduate of that program in 2015. Recently Ken was listed in the inaugural class of 55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans.
Ken is the current Executive Director and CEO of the Route 66 Alliance, coordinating efforts among state-level Route 66 organizations to promote historical, tourism, and economic development projects.
On this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, I talk with Ken bout his career and the lessons of leadership he has learned throughout.
Related linksRoute 66 Alliance
Tulsa Arts Alliance
Tulsa Symphony
Tulsa Ballet
Tulsa Zoo
Gilcrease Museum
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093: The democracy of footballDemocracy is easily misunderstood. Political debate hasn’t been very helpful in clarifying the essence of what democracy means to how the American way of life makes the transition from concept to everyday practice.
Sometimes an analogy helps.
I think sports gives us that analogy, a way of considering the practical application of how our laws, borne out of political debate, turn into the actual processes and procedures of governance from the city council chambers to the U.S. Capitol House of Representatives and Senate.
In this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, I discuss the rules of football as a way of pointing out why the rules of rules of the political process are so important. Listen to how I connect democracy and football.
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Up to 80% of disabled people are unemployed or underemployed. Tim Herbel intends to put a dent in that number by employing 10-12 "accept-ional" people in jobs that engage the public when he opens a Not Your Average Joe coffee shop.
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The post 087: Breea Clark, Mayor City of Norman, OK—partisan politics doesn’t fill potholes appeared first on LIVE INPowered.
The post 085: Jarrett Jobe, making student leadership real appeared first on LIVE INPowered.
The post 084: Coffee House Culture—Shay Hayes & Heather Wheeler appeared first on LIVE INPowered.
The post 083: Dawn Tree—expressing joy and hope through abstract art appeared first on LIVE INPowered.
082: Ashley Coffey—Emerging opportunities for women in technology
Ashley Coffey is a rising star in the Women In Technology movement in Oklahoma. She is a tireless advocate for increasing the number of women in the ranks of STEM jobs. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
In this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast we discuss the evolving role of women in technology fields and why it’s important for young women to prepare for taking a larger share of those jobs. Ashley makes the case for more access to educational opportunities and scholarships for women seeing entry to STEM fields.
Related links Oklahoma Women in Technology
Greenwood Rising XR walking tour get free app
Cultivating women’s empowerment with technology, Ashley TEDxOU talk
Empowering Women with Ashley West, NHU Avenue blog article
Conference presenter
Presenting on a panel of experts
Trying out virtual reality viewer
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080: Lawton Proud, Vested in the Vision—Tiffany Vrska and Albert Rivas
Vesting in the vision of one’s own hometown is a major theme of Lawton Proud, a community project supported by government and business partnerships. The co-coordinators are Tiffany Vrska, Community Relations Director for the City of Lawton and Albert Rivas, assistant vice president with City National Bank and Trust.
Tiffany and Albert are exemplary of two young prorfessionals who are taking vital leadership roles to improve their community. In ths edition of the Spirit of Leading podcast, I talk to them about how they became involved and what the experience has meant to them professionally and personally.
Related links Lawton Proud
Leadership Lawton-Ft. Sill
Lawton-Ft. Sill Chamber of Commerce
Albert Rivas
Assistant Vice President
City National Bank & Trust
Tiffany Vrska
Comunity Relations Director
City of Lawton
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078: Is the United States a Democracy?
I learned in civic class, way back in junior high school, that the United States of America is organized as a federal republic. No problem. That’s one of several ways a democracy can organize. The two ideas of democracy and federal republic seemed fully compatible to me. However, not all agree, and some have put their position in writing, and they actively promote themselves as unequovically against making the United States into a democracy.
Personally, I’m confused by that position, and I explain why in this edition of the Spirit of Leading podcast commentary.
Related links The Heritage Foundation article: America is a Republic, Not a Democracy
The Atlantic: America is a Republic, Not a Democracy” is a Dangerous and Wrong—Argument
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077: Clay Martin, NFL referee—the rules make the game
Clay Martin counts himself fortunate to be both a successful high school basketball coach and a member of the elite NFL officating corps as a referee. His career as an Oklahoma All-state student athlete and successful coach have garnered him entree into the Tulsa Public Schools Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Baptist University Hall of Fame, where he starred as a four-year basketball player.
I caught up with Clay after the 2020-21 NFL season for this conversation on the Spirit of Leading podcast.
Related links NFL Officials website
Jenks High School basketball coach
Coach Martin with the 2020 Jenks HS Trojan basketball team
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The post 073: Better ethics, better business—Kitt Letcher Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma appeared first on INPowered2 Lead.
The post 072: Tulsa Changemakers expands—Jake Lerner & Andrew Spector appeared first on INPowered2 Lead.
Francie Ekwerekwu did not know her father was in prison until she was sixteen years old. When she found out, her life changed. She determined to learn all she could about her father and his incarceration. That quest ultimately led her to a life of advocating for the rights of the poor who faced longer than necessary periods of incarceration.
The post 069: Sara Jane Rose and Sally’s List—preparing progressive champions appeared first on INPowered2 Lead.