What if high performance is not just about strategy, but about what is happening underneath the surface?

In this episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan talks with Mandy Morris — executive psychology coach, EMDR clinician, founder of The Internal Edge, and co-founder of soFree — about the hidden internal patterns that shape leadership, decision-making, burnout, and success. Together, they explore how unresolved trauma, subconscious beliefs, and nervous system activation can quietly influence everything from boundaries to business growth.

Mandy shares why success can amplify what is unresolved, how leaders can move from self-awareness into ownership, and why regulating the body is often the first step toward changing behavior. The conversation also dives into EMDR, high achievement, emotional intelligence, and Mandy’s new soFree app designed to help users reset stress in under two minutes.

If you enjoy leadership podcasts that blend personal growth with practical insight, this episode brings that same mix of depth, clarity, and real-world application.

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Episode References:

Helen Fagan and Associates

https://helenfagan.com

So Free App

https://getsofree.com

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

https://emdr.com

Gabor Maté

https://drgabormate.com

Bruce Springsteen

https://brucespringsteen.net

The Body Keeps the Score

https://besselvanderkolk.com

TEDx Talk by Mandy Morris

https://youtu.be/yQOFmRwtR4o?si=W1vH9Bw4NnQ18naX

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if a simple cup of coffee could change how a community sees the world?

In this episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Brenda Kasaty, founder and owner of Rose Cat Coffee Co., a Lincoln-based coffee shop with a powerful mission: employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Brenda shares the deeply personal story behind Rose Cat, from her background in social work to the life experiences that shaped her passion for creating belonging, dignity, and opportunity. This conversation explores leadership, kindness, workplace inclusion, and the profound impact of building businesses that truly put people first.

Warm, inspiring, and refreshingly honest, this episode captures what happens when purpose and entrepreneurship meet.

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Episode References:

Helen Fagan and Associates

https://helenfagan.com

Rose Cat Coffee Co.

https://www.rosecatcoffee.com/

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Culture isn’t a buzzword — it’s a lived experience.

In this episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan welcomes Leanne Prewitt, CEO & President of Ervin and Smith, to explore how leaders create workplaces where people thrive.

Leanne discusses psychological safety, employee engagement, brand alignment, and why “how we work together” ultimately drives performance more than “what we do.” From quarterly pulse surveys to values-driven leadership practices, this conversation offers a practical and deeply human look at building sustainable organizational culture.

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Episode References:

Helen Fagan & Associates

https://helenfagan.com

Ervin and Smith

https://ervinandsmith.com/

Women Who Run Nebraska

https://www.womenwhorunne.org/

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when leadership demands strength while life demands honesty? Dr. Helen Fagan welcomes Kelly Ross, nonprofit leader and founder of ECHO Collective, to Because People Matter for an unfiltered conversation on the inner demands of female leadership, including self-talk, resilience, vulnerability, and showing up even when it’s difficult.

From entrepreneurship and community-building to empowering immigrant and refugee women through opportunity, Kelly shares what it means to lead with authenticity. This episode is a reminder that real leadership is built in relationship, and that building people up is not the soft work. It is the essential work.

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Episode References:

Helen Fagan and Associates

https://helenfagan.com

Echo Collective

https://www.echocollectivene.org

Obama Foundation

https://www.obama.org/programs/scholars/

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this unique episode of Because People Matter, the tables are turned as Dr. Helen Fagan is interviewed by friend and writing mentor Cindy Conger about her newest book, Lead Like People Matter.

Together, they explore the deeply personal journey behind the book—from Helen’s early work in healthcare and higher education to her research in emotional intelligence, neuroscience, and inclusive leadership. Helen shares why vulnerability, humility, and courage are not “soft skills,” but essential leadership competencies in today’s complex world.

This conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the writing process, the power of self-awareness, and what it truly means to lead in a way that honors human dignity.

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Episode References:

Helen Fagan and Associates — https://helenfagan.com

Francie and Finch — https://www.francieandfinch.com

The Bookworm — https://www.bookwormomaha.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What season is your business—and you—really in? That’s the question at the heart of Dr. Fagan’s conversation with Bryan and Shannon Miles, Founders of Miles AG and O’nr Nonprofit. Drawing from their experiences leading multiple organizations, the Miles break down the four major seasons of business ownership: Hustler, Entrepreneur, CEO, and Owner. They discuss how leaders can recognize the signs of each phase, avoid burnout, build culture affordably, and develop themselves as much as they develop their organizations. This episode feels like a masterclass in leadership mindset—with the warmth and candor listeners love from Because People Matter.

Episode References:

Free Owner Resource Download — https://onr.kit.com/freeresourcedownload

BELAY — https://www.belaysolutions.com

O-nr — https://o-nr.org/

O’nr Documentary — https://www.onrdocumentary.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with DeShannon “De Q” Harris, Organizational Development Manager at the Tulsa Health Department, to explore how coaching, emotional intelligence, and empathy are reshaping the future of leadership.

De Q shares her extraordinary journey—from growing up in a single-parent household to excelling in global sales, pursuing advanced education, and now guiding leaders through a year-long cohort designed to shift organizational culture from managing tasks to developing people.

This candid conversation echoes the spirit of leadership podcasts like Coaching for Leaders and Dare to Lead—offering real tools, vulnerability, and heart.

Episode References:

Dr. Helen Fagan — https://helenfagan.com

Tulsa Health Department — https://www.tulsa-health.org

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 (Bradberry & Greaves) — https://www.talentsmart.com

Situational Leadership (Hersey & Blanchard) — https://www.situationalleadership.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Because People Matter, Dr. Helen Fagan sits down with Anderson Sainci, Director of Economic Mobility and Neighborhood Support for the City of Dubuque — and the first African American male elected twice in the city’s history.

From his upbringing in a Haitian household in Florida to becoming a transformational civic leader, Anderson shares a deeply personal look at servant leadership, faith, resilience, and what it really takes to help a community thrive.

If you enjoy podcasts like Dare to Lead or A Bit of Optimism, you’ll connect with this heartfelt and practical conversation on systems change, belonging, and leading with purpose.

Episode References:

Dr. Helen Fagan — https://helenfagan.com

City of Dubuque / Anderson Sainci — https://www.cityofdubuque.org

Robert Greenleaf / Servant Leadership — https://www.greenleaf.org

Becoming an Inclusive Leader — https://www.inclusiveleader.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this heartfelt episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan reconnects with her former student Clare Umutoni, now a Rwandan inclusion and equity leader making an impact across communities. Clare shares her story of growing up in Uganda, studying at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and returning to Rwanda to empower women and youth through dialogue, empathy, and leadership.

Their conversation explores identity, emotional intelligence, and what it truly means to create spaces where everyone belongs.

Episode References:

Dr. Helen Fagan – https://helenfagan.com

University of Nebraska, Lincoln – https://www.unl.edu

Clare Umutoni – https://www.youtube.com/c/TheIntentionalRoute

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if every business decision created a ripple of good in the world? In this inspiring episode of Because People Matter, host Dr. Helen Fagan speaks with Masami Sato, founder and CEO of B1G1 (Buy1Give1), about how small, intentional actions can transform the way businesses think about giving. Masami shares her journey from a shy child in Japan to a world-traveling entrepreneur helping thousands of companies make measurable impacts across the globe.

If you’ve ever wondered how purpose-driven leadership can truly change lives, this episode is a masterclass in compassion, connection, and conscious business.

Episode References:

B1G1 — https://www.b1g1.com

Masami Sato (LinkedIn) — https://www.linkedin.com/in/masamisato

Helen Fagan and Associates — https://www.helenfagan.com

Thanks for listening to “Because People Matter.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations. #PeopleMatter #LeadershipDevelopment #InterculturalCompetence #EmotionalIntelligence

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.