Grow Further: Recent Episodes
CVS Health
Growth, both personal and professional, is essential not only for our well-being but also overall life satisfaction. Though this podcast was created to help unlock the human potential of over 300,000 CVS Health colleagues, it can be used by anyone on the journey towards growing further every day. Join human development enthusiasts, Christy Muñoz and Ellie Galiatsatos, for conversations exploring topics, insights, and real-life issues that matter most, no matter what role you play or hat you wear. Together, we can Grow Further and show up as the best version of ourselves for those we love, lead, work with, and serve.
New episodes are available every other Tuesday.
What is resilience and what goes into it? That’s what Chris and Ellie are cooking up in this episode of the Grow Further podcast. They discuss how being resilient is not just about bouncing back from difficulties but also thriving in the face of setbacks. They also discuss the importance of connection and optimism in driving resilience.
Also in this episode:
- What is post-traumatic growth.
- Why being resilient doesn’t mean you’re a superhero.
- How to be more optimistic.
How good does it feel to be seen, heard and appreciated by your colleagues, family and friends? In this episode of the Grow Further podcast, Chris and Ellie unpack the value of validating others. They discuss how validation is an essential component of empathy, which is crucial for building strong connections and relationships. The duo also debunks the myth behind validation with an important message- you don’t have to agree with someone’s perspective in order to acknowledge that their feelings and opinions matter.
Also in this episode:
- The difference between empathy and sympathy.
- The importance of active listening and not getting defensive.
- Who may have the hardest time giving validation and why it’s difficult.
How do you get an entire organization back in orbit? In this episode of the Grow Further podcast, former astronaut Dr. Mike Foale returns to talk about joining NASA after the Challenger explosion. He tells Chris and Ellie about the cultural transformation at they underwent and boldly shares how creating a psychologically safe environment could have prevented some of their most notorious disasters.
Also in this episode:
- The importance of giving everyone a voice when making decisions
- The role we each play in building psychological safety
- How being honest about risks can prevent future accidents or incidents
If at first you don’t succeed, double down on your interests. That’s one of many lessons former NASA astronaut, Michael Foale, gives Chris and Ellie in this cosmic episode of Grow Further. Our hosts explore Michael’s journey from being laughed at because of his boyhood dream, to being viewed as a spy by the Russians, to ultimately achieving his goals and the successes and failures along the way.
Also in this episode:
-Michael shares his greatest accomplishment and how it helped him with empathy
-The importance of maintaining motivation
-The significance of teamwork
We all want to be there for the people we love, lead or serve- yet sometimes we don’t show up for them in the way they need. In this episode, hosts Chris and Ellie are joined again by certified coach Melissa Schreibstein to explore how we can “listen, empathize and ask” when others come to us with challenges or struggles. The trio will share how adopting a Coach Approach in all relationships can help build or strengthen connection and trust.
In this episode:
- The power of empathy and the Platinum Rule
- The danger of always providing friends with a “solution.”
- The significance of active listening, curiosity, and avoiding assumptions.
Coaching isn’t just for sports. It can also help a career that’s a little out of sorts! In this episode, Chris and Ellie delve into the world of coaching with special guest Melissa Schreibstein, an executive coach certified by the International Coaching Federation. Together, they explore the definition and impact of coaching, emphasizing its relevance for stressed-out leaders in today's volatile work environments. They unpack the qualities of a successful coach and share invaluable tips for enhancing coaching abilities.
Also in this episode:
- How coaching applies outside of the corporate realm
- How coaching fosters agility, resilience, and the ability to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity.
- The significance of suspending judgment and embracing curiosity
- The difference between coaching and therapy.
You work out your body to stay fit, but what other parts of you need flexing? Just in time for Thanksgiving, Paul Carroll returns to talk about the importance of starting a gratitude routine to keep those gratitude muscles strong. He and Chris geek out over the neuroscience behind gratitude. They talk about why it’s so hard to express gratitude and the impact it could have on your team (and you).\
Also in this episode:
- Why you should scan your environment for positive things
- How to make time for gratitude
- How to create intentional gratitude routines
- The power of a handwritten thank you
Was it natural talent, her con artist father, or her principal asking her to give an impromptu speech that made Diana Nyad a storyteller? Find out in chapter two of Diana’s story. Diana also shares how cinema inspired her and how her own story is heading to Hollywood.
Chris and Ellie also talk to Diana about:
- Why we pursue our natural talents
- Being authentic and avoiding cliches
- Tips for better storytelling
- Picking one person to talk to
Find out more about Diana's books, her past appearances and social media at:
diananyad.com
Armed with only ear pods, our listeners take a deep breath, press play, and look to the horizon of possibilities before them as they embark on a journey to grow further in their professional lives. In this episode, swimmer and storyteller, Diana Nyad shares with us how intros like that and the stories we share can help bring listeners into our presentations. She tells us how starting in the middle of the story engages audiences and why it doesn’t take any more time to add some color when talking about our teams.
Chris and Ellie also talk to Diana about:
- Why she wants to be known as a storyteller
- Why you should avoid cliches
- Telling the story of your team in an impactful way
- When and why you should tell a story
Check out Diana's TED TAlk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx8uYIfUvh4
Are you conning yourself with every “can’t”? Join us for part two of our interview with Kevin Carroll, where he reminds us that we’re our own worst enemy, setting unrealistic goals for ourselves and telling ourselves opportunities aren’t available to us. Kevin talks about looking for clever ways to reimagine those “cons” so that we can “maximize our day” in order to thrive instead of just survive.
Chris and Ellie also talk to Kevin about:
- How freely does your team play?
- Why “Simple Truths” last longer
- Why leaders should always stay in Beta
- The importance of reverse mentoring
- Being still and “seeing with your ears’
To find out more and/or to connect with Kevin, check out his website:
https://kckatalyst.com/
Connect with us at
growfurtherpodcast@gmail.com
You didn’t get where you are by yourself. That’s one of many takeaways from Kevin “the Katalyst” Carroll, who is on a mission to empower greatness in individuals and organizations through the power of positivity, creativity and play. In this episode, find out how Kevin created a support network through sports, the library, and his neighbors; and how that network gave him the “grit, grace and gratitude” he needed to not become a statistic.
Chris and Ellie also talk to Kevin about:
-Competing with yourself
-What motivates you to do your best at work
-How to define a leader
-Making deposits in the “goodwill bank”
-The importance of one team
-Paying attention to your intention
Many people believe that apologizing is a sign of weakness and intentionally do not use the words, "I'm sorry". It is likely that someone comes to mind for us all in our personal and/or professional lives that fits this category. Apologizing, in actuality, takes a great deal of strength and self-worth. Join us for part two of our interview with NYT best selling author and relationship expert, Dr. Harriet Lerner, where she explains what is takes for us to apologize and take accountability for things we have done that unintentionally hurt others.
Chris and Ellie discuss the following with Dr. Harriet Lerner:
- Why some people won't or can't say, "I'm sorry"
- What it takes to offer a sincere apology
- The importance of striking while the iron is....cold
Connect with us at
growfurtherpodcast@gmail.com
Want to learn more from and/or about Harriet?
https://www.harrietlerner.com
Do you make one of the top 4 apology mistakes when saying , "I'm sorry"? Join us for part one of this interview with NYT best selling author and relationship expert, Dr. Harriet Lerner, where she gives us a crash course on how to sincerely apologize including the top 4 mistakes we commonly make.
Chris and Ellie discuss the following with Dr. Harriet Lerner:
- Why apologizing matters
- Ingredients of a good apology
- 4 biggest mistakes when apologizing
Connect with us at
growfurtherpodcast@gmail.com
Want to learn more from and/or about Harriet?
https://www.harrietlerner.com/
Have you ever had a moment that left you thinking W-T…and, you know the rest? A moment which may have otherwise sent you into a tailspin? You were in reactive mode and you knew it. Last time, Chris and Ellie talked about the benefits of responding to situations like this. Join the duo in this episode where they give you a strategy for mitigating your reactive reflexes and coming back to center. Chris and Ellie will share some of their W-T…R moments with you and leave you feeling prepared to take on your own in a responsive and productive way.
In this episode, Chris and Ellie discuss...
- Triggers which cause W-T…R moments
- Using W-T-R to go from reactive to responsive mode in a moment when you are triggered
- Highlights from sharing this skill at a recent CVS Health conference
Connect with us at growfurtherpodcast@gmail.com
Reacting to a situation is what we are programed to do as humans. It might come as a surprise that acting according to the way we are wired is not necessarily going to get us the outcomes we’re hoping for in most situations. Join Chris and Ellie as they explore an alternative to reacting and provide tips for how to respond to situations in an effort to build connection and trust.
In this episode, Chris and Ellie discuss...
- The reasons we react
- The difference between reacting and responding
- Tips we can leverage to respond in a way that builds connection and trust with those we love, lead, or serve
Connect with us at growfurtherpodcast@gmail.com
While we can’t control how often others should on us, we can be aware of how frequently we should on others. “You should do this” or “you shouldn’t do that” finds its way into day-to-day conversations all too easily. Join Chris and Ellie as they explore the impact should’ing could have on relationships with those we love, lead, and serve. Let’s Grow Further together by empowering others to be in control of their own decisions and lives.
In this episode, Chris and Ellie discuss...
- What it means to should on others.
- How should’ing on others could impact them and the relationship negatively.
- Ways we can work towards should’ing on others less.
Connect with us at growfurtherpodcast@gmail.com
Have you ever been misunderstood? Have you had a conversation and what you intended for the other person to hear is nowhere near what they actually heard? Words certainly matter, but so do our tone, body language, and actions. The things we say without actually saying them are called unspoken messages; and we send them all the time whether we want to or not. Listen to this episode, where we collaborate with Paul Carroll, to gain greater awareness of unspoken messages and how they impact the quality of our relationships.
In this episode, Chris, Ellie, and Paul discuss...
- What unspoken messages are
- Examples of unspoken messages and their impact in the workplace and home
- How to avoid sending unspoken messages and increase the chances of your intent matching your impact
Connect with us at growfurtherpodcast@gmail.com
How often have you thought or said “I should” when it comes to making decisions? This is how "I should" live...this is who "I should" love...this is how “I should” look. While it seems fairly harmless, should’ing all over ourselves can be downright detrimental. Should’ing can bring us further from who we truly are and what we truly want. Join us as we cut ties with the “should” and start exploring the “wants”.
In this episode, Chris and Ellie discuss...
- The word “should” and the impact it has when we “should” on ourselves
- Why we “should” on ourselves
- Tips for cutting ties with the “should”
Connect with us at growfurtherpodcast@gmail.com
Let’s face it...we all like to feel appreciated! How often, though, have we found ourselves feeling underappreciated by someone we care about? How many times have we realized we’ve taken someone else for granted? It happens and, the good news is, it can be avoided! Join us as we explore appreciation and how to effectively show it in this episode.
In this episode, Chris and Ellie discuss...
- The normalcy of taking those closest to us for granted
- The 5 Languages of Appreciation- what they are, how they can be demonstrated, and the connection to Gary Chapman’s 5 Love Languages
- 3 Steps to build strong connections with others
Connect with us at growfurtherpodcast@gmail.com
Setting goals is hard; achieving them is even harder. How can we bring these into our reach? How can we create simplicity around a process that hasn’t always gotten us across the finish line? The answer could be simple...set identity-based goals. In this episode, we try to demystify the goal-setting process and provide some simple tips on how you can cast a vote for yourself and your goals. As you listen to this episode, think about the last goal you set for yourself and whether identity-based goals would have made a difference for you!
In this episode, Chris and Ellie discuss...
- The difference between outcomes-based and identity-based goals
- Benefits of setting identity-based goals
- Tips for how to get started
Connect with us at growfurtherpodcast@gmail.com
When our check engine lights come on, it's an indication something needs attention. Unfortunately, it is much more obvious when something isn't quite right with our cars than when something isn't quite right within ourselves… or is it? Well-being and self-care have been the main topics of our discussions lately. Many of our listeners have asked a great question: how do you know when you should be putting more of an emphasis on well-being and self-care? In this episode, we discuss the answer which is surrounded by the importance of paying attention to your internal check engine light.
In this episode, Chris and Ellie discuss…
- The importance of checking in with yourself
- How to identify that your well-being may need more attention
- Acting when you identify that warning sign
Connect with us at growfurtherpodcast@gmail.com
In this episode, Chris and Ellie, along with Dr. Darria Long, discuss...
- The definition of burnout
- The potential impact of burnout
- Tips to bounce back from or prevent burnout, including how to triage your life and designing for chaos
To learn more about Dr. Darria and her work, listen to her TED talk (https://youtu.be/nLjchFPvcQo) or visit drdarria.com/truevelab
Connect with us at growfurtherpodcast@gmail.com
Life is filled with choices. How often do you make choices that support your well-being? In this week’s episode we unpack the complex topic of well-being and why making it a priority can lead to impactful changes in your life. We highlight 3 tips to bring well-being into your life - every day.
In this episode Chris and Ellie discuss…
- The definition of well-being
- Research and statistics surrounding the topic of well-being
- 3 steps to prioritize well-being in your life
Striving to put people first cannot be achieved without ensuring you are also a priority. Let's shift the mindset around self-care and using the tips Chris and Ellie share, put ourselves and our needs in the forefront so we can be the best versions of ourselves for those we love, lead, work with and serve.
In this episode Chris and Ellie discuss…
- Why we charge our phones more than we charge ourselves
- Benefits of self-care
- 3 things we can all do to prioritize self-care
Connect with us at growfurtherpodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to Grow Further! In this teaser episode, you can take the first dive into the minds of Christy Munoz and Ellie Galiatsatos, two human growth enthusiasts, as they share about themselves, how they got here, and what they hope to do throughout this journey. We welcome you to come as you are and enjoy the conversation.
Any opinions expressed by the host are solely their own and do not express the view or opinions of CVS Health.