In this powerful episode of DBA Chronicles, we welcome Dr. Jason Phillips, retired U.S. Navy Commander, educator, and social innovator whose work bridges military service, scholarship, and community transformation.

After a 22-year Navy career with deployments to Afghanistan, Jason witnessed firsthand the challenges veterans face after service, particularly the loss of mission, community, and purpose. That realization became the foundation of his DBA research and the Veteran Urban Farm: Live–Work–Grow Model.

In this episode, we explore:

• The hidden gaps in veteran transition and reintegration
• Why community and purpose matter as much as employment
• How vacant urban buildings can be repurposed into live-work communities
• The role of indoor agriculture, entrepreneurship, and shared ownership in restoring dignity and economic agency
• How the DBA practitioner-scholar framework helped transform lived experience into an actionable, scalablesolution
• Leadership lessons from military service, teaching, and systems thinking

Key Quotes:

“Reintegration challenges stem from a loss of community anda loss of purpose.”

“The DBA gave me the tools not just to imagine change, but tobuild it.”

This episode is a compelling example of purpose-driven scholarship in action, showing how rigorous research can become a blueprint for real-world impact.

Listen in and be inspired to rethink community, leadership,and service beyond the uniform.

Connect with Us

LinkedIn: DBA Chronicles
Website: www.dbachronicles.org

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If this episode resonated with you, please follow, subscribe, and leave a review on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform.

Until next time - keep learning, keep leading.

In this uplifting episode of DBA Chronicles, we welcome AbbyBrannon, career coach, marketing educator, and rising scholar in the UNC Charlotte Doctor of Business Administration program.

Abby may be early in her professional journey, but shebrings wisdom, intentionality, and heart far beyond her years. As a career coach in the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University, a marketing adjunct faculty member, and now a first-year DBA student, Abby isbuilding a path defined by purpose, growth, and service.

Together, we explore what it means to start a doctoraljourney early in your career, and the courage it takes to embrace the unknown, live into your potential, and step boldly into rooms filled with accomplished leaders.

In This Episode, We Dive Into…

• Owning Your Journey Early On
• Finding Your Voice as a Scholar
• Purpose as a Driver of Professional Impact
• Marketing, Influencer Culture & Career Readiness
• How the DBA Changes the Way You See Your Career
• Real Talk on Burnout, Balance & Belonging

 Key Quotes

“Growth happens when you say yes to opportunities even the intimidating ones”

“Helping others keeps me grounded. The impact I make is what drives me.”

“The academic language was foreign at first — but now, I can see my progress every week.”

Why This Episode Matters

Abby reminds us that you don’t need decades of experience to begin contributing meaningfully to your field - you just need clarity, courage, curiosity, and community. Her story is a powerful example of what it looks like to step into a DBA program with openness and optimism, ready to shape yourfuture.

Whether you’re early in your career, considering a DBA, orsimply seeking inspiration, this episode will leave you encouraged, energized, and ready to own your next step.

Connect with Us

LinkedIn: DBA Chronicles
Website: www.dbachronicles.org

Subscribe & Review

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review.Your support helps us bring more stories, insights, and inspiration to the DBA community.

Dr. Amber Yoo joins DBA Chronicles to move the AI conversation from policy warnings to pragmatic curriculum design. Amber explains how her clinical and entrepreneurial background shaped a practical approach to academicleadership and shares a clear curriculum blueprint: Intro → Ethics → Applied (domain-specific). She argues universities must empower non-technical students to critically evaluate AI outputs, protect core learning tasks from misuse, and partneracross units (instructional design, IT, industry) to create meaningful, employer-aligned outcomes. Packed with classroom examples, task-mapping tactics, and steps for convening cross-campus collaborators, this episode is ahands-on guide for faculty, program leads, and instructional designers who want to integrate generative AI ethically and effectively.

Dr. Amber Yoo is a 2023 graduate of the University of Florida’sDoctor of Business Administration program, accomplished entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for ethical and applied AI in business education.

Highlights & practical value

• Why Amber left entrepreneurship for the DBA and how practicing systems thinking in a clinic informed her approach
• A simple, inclusive curriculum model
• Practical classroom techniques
• Rapid convening playbook to break silos

Notable quotes

“We actually need to be empowering the users on how to use this tool effectively - think about this tool with critical thinking.”

“If you graduate without subject-matter expertise, you can’t evaluate what the model gives you.”

“There’s never going to be a perfect time - if this is what you want to build, start small and iterate.”

Who should listen
Faculty, program directors, instructional designers, academic technology teams, DBA candidates, and industry partners seeking practical, ethical AI integration.

Connect & share
LinkedIn: DBA Chronicles
Website: 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 person that will benefit from the content.

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!