Dr. Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska joins DBA Chronicles totranslate high-stakes military leadership lessons into every day, evidence-based practices for people-first leaders. From commanding nuclear-powered submarines (and carrying the nuclear football) to leading high-reliability teams in healthcare, Navy Bob explains why lead with loveis not soft — it’s strategic. We bridge lived experience and scholarship (Leader–Member Exchange / LMX), discuss measurable indicators of relationship-based leadership, and walk through concrete rituals, and accountability practices that leaders can apply starting tomorrow.

Bonus: Dr. Katie Gottsch from the Leading with Love teamjoins us in studio and shares insights throughout the episode.

Highlights & practical value

Real stories from submarine command that reveal how care + accountability turn around performance.

Concrete, research-backed ways to measure leader–member exchange (LMX) and use those signals for promotion, coaching, and remediation.

Ready-to-use micro-rituals (daily/weekly) to build psychological safety and mutual accountability.

Key takeaways

• Lead with love = intentional care + clear accountability- That combo produces trust, ownership, and safer teams
• Relationships are measurable-Use LMX indicators to make people decisions less subjective and more fair
• Small rituals compound -Short, consistent behaviors beat intermittent grand programs when changing culture

Notable quotes

• “Lead with love — it’s not soft, it’s the engine of reliability.”
• “When people are afraid of disappointing their shipmates, not the captain, culture changes.”
• “Trustworthiness is earned in the small choices you make every day.”

Who should listen
Leaders and aspiring leaders, HR and people-ops professionals, team coaches, and anyone who wants practical, research-grounded tools to improve trust,retention, and team performance.

Connect & share
LinkedIn: DBA ChroniclesWebsite: www.dbachronicles.org

Subscribe & review
If this episode landed for you, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify or your favorite podcast app — and share it with one leader who could use a people-first playbook.

Dr. Chaka Blackman-Lee joins DBA Chronicles to trace a lifeand career shaped by resilience, service, and purpose — from Panama and Brooklyn to nonprofit leadership, consulting, and a DBA at Fox School of Business, Temple University. Chaka explains why entrepreneurship for Black communities is far more than commerce: it’s social action, communitypreservation, and intergenerational legacy. She discusses the values that guided her research, the power of storytelling (and “excavating” hidden histories like Black Wall Streets), her move into teaching and public-facing scholarship, and practical advice for first-generation scholars and leaders.

Key takeaways

• Entrepreneurship in Black communities function as a social action mechanism — driven by values that balance community and self-interest.
• Small, steady progress matters: “put one foot in front of the other” — break big goals into bite-sized steps.
• Storytelling and record-keeping matter: preserving andsharing entrepreneurial histories builds legacy and informs policy/practice.
• Visible, modern outreach can complement academic publishing — it’s a direct route to community impact.
• Leaders need supportive networks and candid conversations about imposter syndrome — mentorship and vulnerability create pathways for others.

Notable quotes

“Everything is figureoutable.”

“Put one foot in front of the other.”

“I felt like I could’ve used a friend — so I decided tobecome that friend.”

Who should listen

This episode is for aspiring and current entrepreneurs—especially those interested in community-centeredbusiness models—first-generation scholars and professional learners seeking practical advice on navigating academia and leadership, and nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and anyone curious about the intersection of social movements and economic agency. 

Connect with Us:
LinkedIn: DBA Chronicles
Website: www.dbachronicles.org

Subscribe & Review:
If this episode resonated with you, leave a review on here or on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and bring more insightful conversations to the DBA community!

Until next time—keep learning, keep leading!

In this powerful episode Dr. Vince Hafeli takes us from thejobsite to the boardroom — and into the hard, honest work of healing. Vince shares a 40-year career in construction (starting 1985), his long journey to formal education (a bachelor’s completed after 16 years), rapid leadershipgrowth at Ajax (General Manager within a year of joining in 2002; VP in 2007; President in 2019), and why he pursued a DBA at the University of South Florida — the joke is partly so his kids would call him “Doctor,” but really to reinvigorate his thinking and use research to make a difference.

The heart of the conversation is Vince’s courageous researchand advocacy on mental health and suicide in the construction industry. He opens up about his own suicide attempt, how qualitative research gave him a path to listen and document the stories of others, and how telling those stories has translated into real change- his talks to 100+ groups, raising awareness, and shifting industry culture one conversation at a time.

Key takeaways

• Leadership is more than title — it’s using lived experience to influence culture and policy.
• Mental health is health: seeking help (therapy) is a strength, not a weakness.
• Data and stories together move industries; qualitative research gives voice to people who’ve been told to “tough it out.”
• Small visible actions (awareness campaigns, open conversations, accessible supports) create momentum for change.

Notable quote

“We talk about protecting workers from physical harm — we need to give the same seriousness to protecting minds.”

This episode is essential listening for construction leaders, site crews, safety and HR professionals, qualitative researchers, and anyone committed to ending the stigma around mental health—because Vince’s lived experience and DBA research turn raw stories and hard data into practical steps that can change workplace culture and save lives. Tune in to hear candid lessons from the jobsite to the boardroom and to learn simple, powerful actions you can take: share this episode with your teams, raise mental-health supports at your next safety meeting, and push your organization to make resources visible and accessible.

Connect with Us:
 LinkedIn: DBA Chronicles
Website: www.dbachronicles.org

Subscribe & Review:
If this episode resonated with you, leave a review on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and bring more insightful conversations to the DBA community!

Until next time—keep learning, keep leading!

In this episode of DBA Chronicles,  we welcomed and sat down with Dr. Alan Turovlin—Program Director of the UNC Charlotte DBA program to unpack the true return oninvestment of earning a Doctor of Business Administration. Whether you’re weighing the DBA against a PhD, considering a mid-career shift, or aiming to maximize the impact of your doctoral journey, Dr. Turovlin shares practical insights, real-world anecdotes, and actionable advice straight from the front lines of academia and industry.

We explore:

• How a DBA differs from an MBA and a PhD, and why the “why?” question matters
• The tangible and intangible career benefits of a DBA at mid-career
• Anecdotal ROI data: alumni success stories and income growth
• Core skills and competencies you’ll gain—and how they translate to business impact
• Networking strategies: leveraging professors and your cohort for lifelong connections
• Key considerations and pitfalls for prospective DBA candidates
• Time-management and scope-control tactics to get the most out of your program

Key Quotes:

“A DBA isn’t just another credential—it’s a research journey that shapes how you see and solve problems.” 

“Your dissertation should answer a burning question for you and your organization—not just fill a gap in the literature.” 

“The network you build in your cohort can outlast any single class—it’s your lifelong executive peer group.” 

Whether you’re on the fence about returning to school or ready to dive into your proposal, this episode provides a roadmap for maximizing both the tangible and intangible returns of a DBA program.

Connect with Us:
 LinkedIn: DBA Chronicles
Website: www.dbachronicles.org

Subscribe & Review:
If this episode resonated with you, leave a review on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and bring more insightful conversations to the DBA community!

Until next time—keep learning, keep leading!

Welcome to another engaging episode of DBA Chronicles!This week, Amy, Kelly, and Valrie sat down with the dynamic and multitalented Dr. Joseph Arrington—a healthcare professional, entrepreneur, athlete, researcher, and proud father.

Dr. Arrington joins us from Utah, bringing his signatureenergy to share his unique academic path as a DBA holder. A proud Drexel graduate, Joseph takes us through his inspiring journey of merging business rigor with medical innovation. From impactful mentorship with dissertation chairs to powerful “aha” moments in the DBA program, his story is a testament to how lived experience and academic inquiry can drive transformative leadership in healthcare.

In this episode we dive into:

• What inspired Joseph to pursue a DBA—and then a PhD in Health Systems Research
• How his diverse roles shaped his approach to doctoral studies
• The emotional investment scholars bring to research—and how collaboration refines it
• Why scholarly work and entrepreneurship don’t have to exist in silos
• A peek into Joseph’s family life, his passion for innovation, and his Drexel pride

If you're looking to understand the value of a DBA beyondthe classroom—or wondering what happens when research, service, and leadership collide—this episode is for you.

Tune in, be inspired, and share with a fellow scholar or change-maker.

Connect with Us:
LinkedIn: DBA Chronicles
Website: www.dbachronicles.org

Subscribe & Review:
If this episode inspired you, leave a review on Spotify or your favorite platform. Your feedback helps amplify voices like Joseph’s and supports the growth of the DBA community.

Until next time—keep learning, keep leading!

What happens when a startup veteran with a passion foroperations decides to dive deep into academic research? In this episode, we’re joined by Sean Doherty, founder and CEO of Sierra Delta Advisors and current DBA student at Penn State University, who is also pursuing a masters in SupplyChain Management—simultaneously!

From managing flight operations to scaling logistics forHelloFresh and Vineyard Vines, Sean brings a rare blend of real-world startup hustle and research rigor. We explore:

• Why Sean pursued a DBA (and why now)
• His dissertation focus- supply chain strategies fore-commerce startups
• Lessons learned from startup failures—andthe opportunity to do better
• The power of mixed methods research and working with leading scholars
• Practical advice for founders on supply chain readiness and raising venture capital

“You can't scale a spreadsheet.” Sean shares candid storiesand actionable insights for anyone navigating the world of e-commerce, operations, or the DBA journey.

Whether you're a founder, a DBA student, or a supply chainstrategist, this episode is packed with lessons on leadership, learning, and leveraging failure to fuel success.

Tune in and discover why Sean says he’s the happiest he’sever been—professionally and academically.

Connect with Us:
LinkedIn: DBA Chronicles
Website: www.dbachronicles.org

Subscribe & Review:
If this episode inspired you, leave a review on Spotify or your favorite platform. Your feedback helps amplify voices like Sean’s and supports the growth of the DBA community.

Until next time—keep learning, keep leading!

In this episode of DBA Chronicles, hosts Dr. Kelly Burch,Dr. Valrie Grant and Dr. Amy Horner sat down with two distinguished DBA graduates and musicians, Dr. Frank Dukes (VP, Finance Manager, Global Transaction Services at Bank of America) and Dr. Chris Richardson (Senior Manager, Supply Chain at Thermo Fisher Scientific). Both from Cohort 6 at UNCCharlotte, they dive deep into the evolving role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and share unique insights from their recent research.

Key Topics Discussed:

• What inspired Dr. Dukes and Dr. Richardson to pursue a DBA
• Challenges faced and resilience-building moments in their doctoral journey
• Dr. Richardson’s research on dynamic capabilities shaping CSR adaptation during disruptions
• Dr. Dukes’ study on how political polarization influences ESG behaviors within firms
• The real-world implications of CSR in strategic decision-making and leadership
• Advice for navigating CSR in politically and socially charged environments

Key Takeaways:

• CSR must be embedded in a company’s long-term strategy, not just a reactive measure
• Dynamic capabilities like sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring are critical for resilient CSR strategies
• Political orientation doesn’t always shape corporate CSR engagement—investor pressure and strategic alignment matter more
• Avoid “flavor of the month” CSR approaches; sustainability is about enduring value and consistency

Bonus Insight:
Both guests bring a musical twist—Dr. Dukes on guitar and Dr. Richardson on drums—highlighting the harmony of creativity and business insight in their journey!

Connect with Us:
LinkedIn: DBA Chronicles
Website: www.dbachronicles.org

Subscribe & Review:
If this episode inspired you, leave a review on Spotify or your favorite platform. Your feedback helps amplify voices like Dr. Burich’s and supports the growth of the DBA community.

Until next time—keep learning, keep leading!

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of DBA Chronicles, we turn the spotlight on our very own co-host—now proudly Dr. Kelly Burich. Fresh from crossing the stage at UNC Charlotte’s Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, Kelly steps into the guest seat to reflect on her transformative DBA journey and what it means to be Resilient on Purpose—a phrase that encapsulates not only her research focus but the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of doctoral life.

With her trademark honesty and humor, Kelly invites us into a powerful conversation about burnout, emotional labor, and well-being in the veterinary profession—a field she has served for over two decades. She also opens up about personal loss, resilience, and what it means to pursue research that truly matters.

We explore:

• What led Kelly to pursue the DBA and how she chose her research topic
• The emotional toll and breakthroughs of navigating doctoral life
• Defining burnout, emotional labor, and the two types of well-being
• Surprising findings from her dissertation—and what didn’t go as planned
• How resilience and purpose informs life beyond the doctorate
• The role of resilience, calling, and purpose in surviving hard seasons

Kelly’s candid reflections offer wisdom and comfort for everyscholar navigating a challenging season. Whether you're just starting out or nearing the finish line, this episode is a reminder that the doctoral journey isn’t just about the letters after your name—it’s about who you become in the process.

Key Quotes:

“Resilience is not about never breaking down—it’s about choosing to get back up.”
“You don’t need perfect research to make a meaningful contribution.”
“Even if you didn’t find what you were looking for— doesn't mean you didn't find something that matters.”

This episode is a tribute to grace under pressure, purpose-led research, and the strength it takes to finish strong. Join us in celebrating Dr. Kelly Burich—and all the scholars doing brave, imperfect, and deeply important work.

Connect with Us:
LinkedIn: DBA Chronicles
Website: www.dbachronicles.org

Subscribe & Review:
If this episode inspired you, leave a review on Spotify or your favorite platform. Your feedback helps amplify voices like Dr. Burich’s and supports the growth of the DBA community.

Until next time—keep learning, keep leading!

In this powerful episode of DBA Chronicles, we welcome ascholar, veteran, and visionary—Jevon Wooden, current DBA candidate at the University of Houston, founder of Bright Mind Consulting Group, and a dynamic force in empathetic leadership and community transformation.

From nearly losing his future at 17 to becoming a decoratedBronze Star Army veteran and business leader, Jevon shares how lived experience shapes not just his personal journey but his mission to enable digital equity and social mobility through entrepreneurship.

We explore:

• The moment that changed everything — and ignited his path to impact
• What it means to lead with empathy and why it matters now more than ever
• His research on digital entrepreneurship as a pathway out of poverty in urban communities
• The role of community, digital platforms, and innovation ecosystems in enabling upward mobility
• Translating research into real-world action, including youth programs and small business support

Jevon also takes us inside his dissertation work, grounded instructuration theory, social cognitive theory, and endogenous growth theory, to explore how intrinsic motivation, mentorship, and opportunity interact to create success in underserved communities.

Key Quotes:

“You have to come in empty—ready to learn how to learn.”
“Empathetic leadership is about pausing to see others’ perspectives before reacting.”
“When you design inclusively, you design for everyone.”

This episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven scholarship and a testament to what’s possible when research meetsreal-life commitment.

Whether you're a fellow DBA candidate, practitioner, orchangemaker, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead with heart, uplift your community, and rethink what business can be.

Hit play and join us for an unforgettable journey from personal resilience to professional brilliance.

Connect with Us:
 LinkedIn: DBA Chronicles
Website: www.dbachronicles.org

Subscribe & Review:
If this episode resonated with you, leave a review on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and bring more insightful conversations to the DBA community!

Until next time—keep learning, keep leading!

In this very special episode, we flip the script — literallyas one of our co-founders, Dr. Valrie Grant, steps into the guest seat.

Fresh off her successful defense, Dr. Grant takes us deepinside her dissertation- Factors Influencing National Geospatial Information Management Adoption in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) — a rich exploration of how leadership, national innovation systems, and external pressures shape the future of climate resilience and development for some of the world’s most vulnerable nations.

In this episode we explored:

• How a personal need for renewal sparked a transformative doctoral journey
• An insider's view into SIDS and why national geospatial information management is critical for climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and sustainabledevelopment
• The surprises in her research
• Practical lessons for governments, policymakers, and change-makers
• How academic research can drive real-world impact — and why it must

You'll also hear heartfelt reflections on balancing practitioner experience with academic rigor, the “aha” moments along the DBA journey, and what’s next for this newly minted doctor and global strategist.

Key Quotes:

• "Effective geospatial governance isn't a luxury for small islands — it's a lifeline."
• "Real-world change starts with asking the right questions and doing the hard work to find the answers."
• "Leadership at multiple levels — not just at the top — can make the difference between meaningful progress and stagnation."

Whether you're a fellow scholar, geospatial professional, ora curious mind, this episode offers insights, inspiration, and a powerful reminder that your lived experience can fuel transformational change.

Hit play, and let’s journey together through innovation,leadership, and purposeful impact!

Connect with Us:

LinkedIn: DBA Chronicles

Website: www.dbachronicles.org

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, pleasesubscribe and leave a review on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and bring more insightful conversations to the DBA community!

Join our community for more inspiring stories and practical lessons.

Until next time!