The Paul Spradley Show: Recent Episodes
Dr. Paul David Spradley
Let's face it, given our social and political climate, maybe all of us need a refresh on how to be in right relationships with each other.
In this show, I'll explore leadership, diversity, and inclusion by pulling authentic stories and practices from my guest.
You'll laugh, think and hopefully respond. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
My guest on this episode is Kori Amos. Kori is an HR consultant, former president of the Pittsburg human resources association, media relations director for the Pennsylvania state council for the society of human resource management, and the co-organizer of Disrupt HR Pittsburg.
Growing up a pastor’s kid, many expected Kori to turn out wild, but she instead took pleasure in serving people which largely contributed to her career choice.
In this episode of The Paul Spradley Show, Kori shares why she focuses on helping organizations with talent acquisition and the HR game-changers in the next 5 years. Listen in to learn the importance of having an activity that gives you peace of mind in the middle of life’s chaos.
In this Episode Kori discusses:
· Growing up a pastor’s kid and how it shaped her.
· Finding peace in serving people.
· What she does to get out of depression and other unpleasant feelings.
· The importance of writing and meditating on things you’re grateful for.
· What does she do in HR?
· Kori’s predictions on HR game-changers in the next 5 years.
· Will people be looking for more money or being valued as employees in the coming years?
· The purpose of organizations adapting to the changing employment dynamics.
· How the employment scene is being driven by the change in generations.
Relevant Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koriamos/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Disrupt-HR-Pittsburgh-2398920176862183/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disrupthrpittsburgh/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
Dr. Cheryl Hall-Russel has over 20 years of corporate and non-profit leadership and is currently the President and Chief Culture Consultant at BW3. BW3 works with corporate and nonprofit clients to realize their organizational outcomes and business objectives in terms of establishing values and strategies that lead to the development of diverse teams and inclusive cultures. This includes staff and board recruitment and setting up or strengthening ERGs.
Connect with Dr. Cheryl Hall-Russell
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackWisewomen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomenwisewomen/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-hall-russell/
Website: https://bw3culture.com/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
My guest on this episode is Brittany Kindersmith is a local poet and mother of two, who has begun a journey using her privilege to confront bias.
Examples of care based leadership in practice from this episode include:
Connect at:
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
Meet Carol Schoenecker, a coach for the Robert Morris University rowing team and a doctoral student at Duquesne University where her research is based on equity and collegiate sports.
In this episode of The Paul Spradley show, Carol shares with the host, Dr. Paul David Spradley her interest behind minoring in African Studies in college and becoming a teacher at Homewood Children’s Village. She also shares some of the efforts that she and her colleagues have put in place to ensure that there is equality in the rowing sport.
Listen in to learn some leadership and life components that you can take away from the rowing sport. You will also learn why staying in your comfort zone, is stopping you from learning.
Examples of care-based leadership in practice from this episode include:
· The leadership components involved in the rowing sport including, why the boat does not move when the team is not in sync.
· How Carol was impacted as a woman by the rowing sport.
· How her ignorance as a White woman, led Carol to study African studies and fall in love with it.
· Because of her continued desire to pursue diversity and moving outside of her comfort zone, Carol served with AmeriCorps at the Homewood Kids’ Village
· Though college sports in general lack diversity, Carol discusses very intentional efforts in place to ensure the rowing sport has put in place a culture that values diversity and inclusion.
You can connect with Carol via email at schoeneckerc@rmu.edu
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
My guest this week is, Mr. Chaz Kellem. Chaz is the director of the office of Pittserves- a community service arm of the division of student affairs at the University of Pittsburg. Chaz was born with brittle bone disease and at 36 years old he has broken 43 bones.
In this episode of The Paul Spradley show, I talk with Chaz Kellem as he shares how he turned his disability into ability beyond measures. He shares how his journey has given him a different perspective on life and how grateful he is for his uniqueness.
Listen in to learn the world of difference that Chaz has made, how he overcomes challenges, and his experience working in a higher learning institution.
A lesson from Chaz on why you need to own who you are and work towards the betterment of others no matter your story or position in life.
“Be comfortable in the skin you’re in, to the best of your abilities”. - Chaz Kellem
Examples of Care Based Leadership Include:
· How Chaz’s disability makes him view life differently.
· Why you need to own who you are. Be comfortable in the skin you’re in, to the best of your abilities
· What does it mean to be the voice to the voiceless? Why every group is unique.
· Chaz's explanation of the difference between equity and equality?
· How using diverse inclusion as the catalyst for change in any environment makes an impact that allows everyone to thrive.
· Why creativity was crucial for Chaz as a disabled person to do things in the same capacity as everyone else.
· Why it is important to make an easier path for those who will come after you.
· What are some of the goals that Chaz has for the future?
· Recognizing the value in the journey.
Chaz Kellem’s Socials:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaz-kellem-6769b0b
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chazkellem?lang=en
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
Meet Ryan Driscoll, the executive director of the Christian Immigration Advocacy Center in Pittsburg Pennsylvania. This is a non-profit law firm that specializes in immigration law. Their main objective is to see to refugees and immigrants that are primarily living in Pittsburg and others outside of the city living by limited means.
In this episode of The Paul Spradley show, the host Dr. Paul David Spradley talks with Ryan as he explains what his organization is all about and how they operate. He shares information on why the United States is considered a safe place for immigrants.
Listen in to learn why immigrants and refugees bring with them more economic benefits and should not be a threat to any American citizen.
What you will learn:
· What is the Christian Immigration Advocacy Center, who do they help, and where can they be found?
· Ryan explains what the organization does.
· What is an asylum and how can someone begin to seek asylum?
· What are some of the circumstances that might lead a person to flee their homeland to become a refugee?
· Why the US, Canada, and Australia are considered safe places to get refugee status?
· The desperation that leads people to walk away from their motherland.
· Are there enough resources to share with immigrants in the United States?
· The major economic benefits the immigrants bring with them to the US.
· How does the Christian immigration Advocacy Center navigate through the opposition to its mission?
· What is the removal of the fence?
· Ryan explains how his organization deals with the government, other organizations, and the community.
· Who are some of the organizations that help the same people Ryan’s firm helps?
· Ryan’s future hopes.
Relevant links:
Website: https://www.ciacpgh.org/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/ciacpgh.org/?_rdc=1&_rdr
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
My guest this episode is an attorney and advocate licensed to practice law in Colorado and Pennsylvania. Though she is a New York native but calls Pittsburgh her home. Wife, mother of twins and loves to travel. Supervises law students at school of law. Has a background in juvenile delinquency and mental health. public defenders' office.
- Examples of care based leadership in practice from this episode include:
- "Having a record is sometimes a consequence of the system and not necessarily a consequence of the behavior."
- Leaders and decision-makers in the system are desensitized to the process and are even more desensitized when it comes to working with people with disabilities or low income. For this reason, everyday citizens really need to care who their magistrates are.
Connect with Kate at attorneylovelace@gmail.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
My guest on this episode is Mr. Donnie Gray III. Donnie is the Customer Relations Manager for P&W BMW in Pittsburgh. In this episode, Donnie recaps his incredible coming of age story as told in part 1, while exploring new subjects including "banning the box".
Examples of care based leadership in practice from this episode include:
- Donnie is now an advocate for banning the box, a policy that supports eliminating asking job candidates about their criminal history. "For me, it's always about someone's character, not their history. It's never about what your past is, it's about what your future is. Who are we to judge one another. It doesn’t build love for one another or the community."
- It's important to give people with criminal history options to do something different than what they've done. "When people don't have options, it erases hope. And it erases hope because now, people have to go back to what they know…which oftentimes is just bad stuff and not worth it."
- Donnie's message to listeners is simple: no matter how life turns out from your past, keep persevering knowing that there is greatness destined for you. You were born with natural gifts and talents... maximize those. And share your story to help others."
Connect with Donnie: donnie.gray@pandwforeigncars.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
My guest on this episode is Mr. Donnie Gray III. Donnie is the Customer Relations Manager for P&W BMW in Pittsburgh. In this episode, Donnie tells an incredible story about how an arrest at an early age ended up being a pivotal moment in
Examples of care based leadership in practice from this episode include:
- Through a series of bad choices, Donnie was arrested. However, he describes that as a pivotal moment where he decided to change his mindset about his work and his relationships with people.
- His response to being told he would never be employed was to work incredibly hard at even the lowliest jobs
- Donnie’s advice to someone who has or is currently making poor life choices. “All of us are born with gifts. Sharpen those gifts that you’ve used for evil, and use them for good. Use that energy for something good. Show a person a different way to fish, with a different fishing pole, they can fish anywhere.”
Connect with Donnie:
donnie.gray@pandwforeigncars.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
My guests on this episode are the founders of 1Nation mentoring, an organization that provides character coaching and in-school and out of school services for African American males ages 4-19 years old. Mr. Kevin McNair, Mr. Lloyd Cheatom, and Mr. Sam Morant have truly mastered the art and science of loving and serving young Black men and as a result, started their organization shortly after serving in Pittsburgh Public Schools as Heinz Fellows.
Examples of care based leadership in practice from this episode include:
- At the foundation of positive relationships with young Black males is an authentic adult, which empowers the Black male that they "can be dope whoever you are. As long as you're thinking about it and acting on it, you can be great!"
- Next, the adult needs to practice empathy with the student, and show them how to find solutions to their problems...this is done by teaching the young men to trust in their abilities
- Finally, success for the three kings of 1Nation is defined solely by academic success, but in every single positive choice made each day, in spite of what might be influencing their decision making. To this end, the greatest gift the leadership of 1Nation can provide to the young men is inspiration.
Connect with 1Nation:
- on facebook: 1nationmentoring
- On IG: 1nation_mentoring
- on their website: www.1nationmentoring.org
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
Pam Golden is the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation an organization that supports initiatives able to deliver advocacy, prevention and aid to some 4000 children experiencing homelessness in the Pittsburgh region.
Really interesting points in today's episode include:
- How homelessness may look very different than you might imagine, yet can still negatively impact a child for the rest of their lives
- Several ways people can get involved with and support the homeless community
- A simple solution that anyone can keep in their toolbox to instantly help a person connect with resources like food and shelter (https://www.bigburgh.com/ )
Learn more about the Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation at
http://pittsburghchildguidancefoundation.org/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
Eric Guy is the Founder and Executive Director at the Center for Victory, an organization focused on empowering people, enhancing cultures and elevating organizations. A few gold nuggets from this interview include:
- People are motivated when they get what they need out of an environment. When a person gets what they need, there's a greater chance we survive. And when people don't have it, they leave to go to other places
- Navigating relationships with people that you are very different from begins with self-awareness. Looking at your own blueprint is where change begins. You have to be ok with yourself before you can be ok with anyone else being ok with me
- The three greatest gifts waiting on the other side of understanding your blueprint is freedom, living in abundance and thriving, and connecting with other people who are free.
You can connect with Eric through his website, https://www.centerforvictory.com/or search "Center for Victory" on all social media platforms
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
Dr. Vladimir St. Surin is the Dean of the Community College of Allegheny County, Homewood Brushton, and breaks down his quote "It's only at the edge of being uncomfortable that you begin to learn... Growth and comfort can't coexist". A few top take-aways from the interview include:
- When Haiti became the first independent Republic in 1804, the country adopted the manifesto, " we would rather die on our feet than be enslaved on our knees". This belief became the source of an incredible work ethic for Dr. St. Surin and many of his Haitian friends and family.
- Life if not about you…I believe it's about what you do for others. We are all in the business of serving people, and in order to do that well, we have to practice empathy and sympathy, based on the idea that we truly are equals.
- Inclusion in educational spaces comes down to intentional effort. Dr. St. Surin shares practical tips for intentionally serving and giving value to older students, younger students, students who identify as Trans and more.
You can connect with Dr. St Surin on social media
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
Dr. Brenda Allen is a professor emeritus from The University of Colorado Denver, who, for over 30 years led the university’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Though regarded as one of the nations top DEI educators, Dr. Allen is a self-described foodie, self-care radical, and lover of audiobooks and a noted scholar with over 50 authored or co-authored publications. A few big takeaways from the show include:
- Dr. Allen defines diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and WHY we need to understand this
- Good DEI work is about deepening people's WHY
- Why it's problematic when people of color are EXPECTED to serve on diversity committees
- Great examples of demonstrating care in corporate spaces and educational spaces
- The real power of inviting a person to tell you who they are as an individual
You can connect with Dr. Allen in the following ways
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBrendaJAllen
Website: http://differencematters.info/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-j-allen/
*Recommended Books:
https://www.miguelruiz.com/the-four-agreements
https://simonsinek.com/product/start-with-why/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
Dr. Soren Fanning is a Professor of History at Robert Morris University. In this incredibly engaging conversation which felt like a roller coaster ride, we dive into a topics such as:
- Identity: How it's connected to our decision making, and why confronting this deep sense of self is tough because of our natural reaction to defend our identity.
- Empires: They are not good or bad, but the most successful empires in history figured out how to share power with the different members that made up the empire.
- Difference-ism: We discuss this new term that does not replace racism, but provides a lens for understanding it. You can learn more about this argument by clicking this link
You can connect with Soren
Facebook: Soren Fanning
Email: fanning@rmu.edu
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
Sociologist and Co-Founder of the Care Based Leadership Collaborative starts and ends our talk with her “WHY” which is, “I want to be able to empower people to have multiple lenses to look through”. In this episode, three big takeaways include:
- Jessica shares her personal story on struggling with her identity and gives advice some advice for people who have or are currently struggling with their own identity
- “You are Enough”...the three simple words that changed her life forever in the 4th grade
- Sociology is EVERYWHERE! Literally.
You connect with jessica on INSTAGRAM: jessica_spradley on FACEBOOK: jessica spradley and via EMAIL: jessicaaspradley@gmail.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support
Evans Moore tells an incredible story of how he went from star athlete, to college student, to gang member to national community organizer. A few of the big takeaways include:
- A fresh perspective on how we think about prisoners
- Understand the action, but don't throw the person away
- Leadership lessons learned while in the gang
- Ubunto- "I am, because we are. Without you there is no me, and without me, there is no you"
You can connect with Evans
- Evans Moore on Facebook
- EvansDMooreJr on twitter
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thepaulspradleyshow/support