In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, Topacio Althaus sits down with Sabina Nawaz — leadership coach, keynote speaker, and former Microsoft executive — to explore how pressure and power quietly shape behavior at the top.

Drawing from her book You’re the Boss, Sabina unpacks a critical truth of leadership: as roles expand, the pressure to perform can corrupt even the best intentions, and increased power can blind leaders to the impact they’re having on others. In this conversation, we examine why feedback breaks down at senior levels, how blind spots form under pressure, and what leaders can do to manage authority with self-awareness, humility, and humanity.

Together, we discuss practical strategies for navigating influence, repairing trust, and leading without losing yourself — offering insights for executives, managers, and anyone responsible for guiding others in high-stakes environments.

In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with leadership expert, bestselling author, and podcast host Mike Robbins for a thoughtful conversation about trust, authenticity, and the human dynamics that shape workplace culture.

Drawing from more than twenty-five years of experience working with organizations like Google, Microsoft, Pixar, the NBA, and Harvard University — and from his books Bring Your Whole Self to Work and We’re All in This Together — Mike explores the deeper beliefs underlying his work. Together, we discuss psychological safety as a performance driver, why appreciation and belonging are often overlooked in leadership, and what it really takes to build cultures where people feel safe, engaged, and empowered to contribute.

This conversation goes beyond leadership theory to examine how emotional intelligence, civility, and repair shape trust — especially in moments of tension and change — and what leaders must unlearn to meet the demands of today’s workplaces.

Today on the CivilTalk Podcast, we are joined by the incredible Erica Keswin: a workplace strategist who has spent more than two decades helping organizations around the world build cultures rooted in connection, clarity, and care.

In this episode, Erica unpacks her research on why rituals matter, how leaders can retain and re-energize teams in a changing world, and what it means to “bring your human to work” when hybrid schedules and digital tools dominate our days.

This is a conversation about empathy, rituals, intentionality, and redesigning the workplace so people—not just productivity—come first. Whether you lead a team, work in a fast-paced environment, or simply care about creating more civil, emotionally intelligent spaces, you’ll walk away with insights you can use right now.

Between family arguments, online outrage, and political hostility, many people feel like civil dialogue is slipping away. Marianne Viray believes we can bring it back.

In this episode, we speak with the Executive Director of Disagree Better, whose work blends decades of political experience with tools that help people communicate across deep differences without losing dignity.

Marianne shares the personal experiences that shaped her belief that disagreement isn’t dangerous; contempt is. Through the story of the Dignity Index, Marianne reveals how individuals, leaders, and entire communities can move from division to understanding using simple, human-centered practices.

If you’ve ever wondered how to talk to someone you disagree with—or how we heal a polarized nation—this conversation is for you.

What if laughter isn’t just entertainment, but medicine for the mind, body, and culture?

In this episode of The CivilTalk Podcast, host Topacio Althaus sits down with Craig Shoemaker— Emmy-winning comedian, TEDx speaker, and founder of Laughter Heals and Laughter Worx. With four decades of experience on stage and in boardrooms, Craig reveals how humor rewires the brain, restores connection, and transforms leadership from the inside out.

Together, they explore the neuroscience of joy, the emotional intelligence behind authentic humor, laughing exercises, and how laughter can rebuild civility in our workplaces and our world.

Learn more at CivilTalk.com — home of OrgTalk, our groundbreaking tool that helps organizations measure, track, and strengthen civility in real time, turning empathy and respect into daily habits.

In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Hoffmann, Assistant Professor at the Yale Child Study Center and Director of Research at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Jessica leads groundbreaking research on how social and emotional learning (SEL) shapes school climate, student creativity, and the well-being of both students and educators.

We talk about the science behind Yale’s two high school initiatives, RULER and inspirED, and explore how teaching emotional skills at an early age builds healthier, more creative, and more resilient communities. Jessica also shares her insights on emotion regulation, the role of peers in shaping emotional development, and why SEL isn’t just for students — it’s a foundation for life.

If you’re curious about how emotional intelligence can transform schools, fuel creativity, and strengthen communities, this conversation is packed with both science and heart.

In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with Bea Boccalandro, author of Do Good at Work and a leading voice on workplace purpose. Bea has spent decades helping companies and individuals discover how meaningful work transforms not only organizations, but also our personal well-being.

We explore why so many employees feel disengaged despite record spending on workplace programs — and why the real issue is often a “purpose deficit.” Bea shares powerful insights on how to connect our daily tasks to something bigger, why purpose drives both performance and happiness, and how leaders can create cultures where people thrive.

Whether you’re a leader searching for better engagement, or an individual seeking more fulfillment in your work, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to rethink what “doing good at work” really means.

In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, host we sit down with Mike Veny — award-winning mental health speaker, drummer, author, and CEO of Lovely Refinement. Determined to overcome a lifetime of severe mental health challenges, Mike has built a career helping leaders and organizations turn pain into purpose and burnout into resilience.

Together, we explore Mike’s journey from professional drummer to corporate wellness change-maker, the inspiration behind his best-selling book Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero, and how his podcast Coffee With Mike brings belonging to the forefront of leadership conversations. Mike also shares insights from his Unleash Your Groove® drumming workshops, his books Mental Health for Success and The Self-Care Book, and the tools leaders need to cultivate environments of trust, adaptability, and true belonging.

Whether you’re a leader, educator, or simply someone seeking to strengthen your own emotional wellness, this episode will leave you with actionable takeaways — and a reminder that emotional wellness is not a luxury, but a gift that accelerates everything else in life.

What happens when people don’t feel they matter? Burnout, disconnection, and disengagement. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Zach Mercurio — author of The Power of Mattering — joins the CivilTalk Podcast to discuss the essential role of significance in leadership and organizational life. Together, we explore how leaders can create cultures of belonging and meaning, why mattering is a basic psychological need, and the practical steps to move beyond slogans and into real, purpose-driven systems.

In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Vanessa Druskat—award-winning researcher, professor, and the pioneering mind behind the Team Emotional Intelligence (Team EI) model. With over three decades of research into what makes teams succeed, Vanessa shares how emotionally intelligent team cultures—not just individual talent—are the key to collaboration, performance, and long-term success.

We explore the core components of the Team EI model, why leaders should stop trying to "fix" people, and how to instead build systems that support emotional connection, trust, and high performance. Vanessa also discusses insights from her new book, The Emotionally Intelligent Team, and what the future holds for leadership and organizational culture.

Topics include:

• What emotionally intelligent teams actually look like
• The hidden systems that shape team behavior
• How to build psychological safety and authentic connection
• Why team culture—not just EQ—drives success
• Practical advice for leaders in hybrid and remote environments

Learn more about Vanessa and her book: vanessadruskat.com