Episode Summary:

In this episode of Leaderish: Leadership Lessons Straight Up, Doris and Regina dig into the power of habits—how they’re formed, how they stick, and how to replace the ones holding us back. Drawing from James Clear’s Atomic Habits, Dr. Wendy Wood’s research, and their own real-life stories, they uncover what it really takes to build high-powered habits that shape identity, fuel growth, and create lasting change.

 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

 

• Why habits compound like interest—tiny gains over time add up to big results.
• The truth about how long it really takes to form a habit (hint: it’s not 21 days).
• Why you can’t simply “quit” a habit—you have to replace it.
• How identity-based habits (“I am a non-smoker” vs. “I’m trying to quit”) transform your mindset.
• Practical ways to keep momentum, even when you miss a day.
• Real-life stories about building writing routines, replacing unhealthy habits, and creating accountability.

 

Sequence:

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

00:20 Diving into Habits

01:38 Understanding Tiny Gains

02:52 Breaking Bad Habits

05:54 Replacing Habits

10:08 The Power of Identity

12:29 Building a Blogging Habit

14:49 Positive Reinforcement

18:06 Maintaining Podcasting Habits

19:09 Building Habits with Positive Reinforcement

19:19 Overcoming Challenges in Habit Formation

19:45 Motion vs. Action: The Key to Progress

20:14 Small Steps Lead to Big Changes

23:20 Pairing Habits for Success

26:34 The Importance of Consistency

33:02 Identity and Habit Transformation

34:06 Testing New Habits with Short-Term Challenges

36:02 Wrapping Up and Encouraging New Habits

 

Resources & Guest Info:

 

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• Email: [email protected]
• Website:  https://www.collectivegrowthcc.com
• Newsletter subscription: Resources — Collective Growth Coaching and Consulting
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
• Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• Email: [email protected] 
• Website: https://www.dunnwise.com
• Newsletter subscription: Blog | DunnWise Consulting
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

Episode Summary:

In this powerful episode, Doris and Regina welcome Heidi Siefkas, adventurer, TEDx speaker, and author of Look Up: Global Stories of Resilience, to explore how resilience shows up in life, leadership, and even love. Heidi shares her own transformational story—from surviving a traumatic accident to enduring loss—and how she created the "Look Up" mindset to navigate life’s curveballs with purpose and perspective.

 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the Look Up mindset means and how it was born out of crisis
• How 30 diverse stories from around the world reveal a common thread of resilience
• Why leaders should hire for grit, not just resumes
• How to build your “resilience muscle” every day, not just in crisis
• The power of storytelling and how vulnerability builds team trust
• Where AI supports creative work—and where human storytelling still reigns
• Heidi's Tips for Embracing Resilience

 

Sequence:

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

00:36 Introducing Heidi Sea: Author and Storyteller

01:37 The Power of 'Lookup': Heidi's Mantra

04:29 Stories of Resilience: Highlights from Heidi's Book

10:22 Building Resilience in Everyday Life

11:55 Leadership and Resilience: Tips for Leaders

17:13 The Art of Storytelling

21:46 Embracing AI in Storytelling

26:25 The Lookup Movement: Final Thoughts

28:31 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

 

Resources & Guest Info:

 

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• Email: [email protected]
• Website:  https://www.collectivegrowthcc.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
• Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• Email: [email protected] 
• Website: https://www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call
• Heidi Siefkas
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.heidisiefkas.com
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/HeidiSiefkas
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidiNSiefkas
• Book link: Look Up: Global Stories of Resilience: Siefkas, Heidi: 9780997196375: Amazon.com: Books
• TEDx Talk: TEDx Talk with Author and Adventurer Heidi Siefkas - The Life Hack the Gurus Don't Tell You About

Episode Summary:

In this energizing episode, Doris and Regina welcome Heather Wolcott—board-certified health and wellness coach, certified personal trainer, and the catalyst behind the walking group that brought your hosts together. Heather shares actionable insights on how wellness can be woven into the workplace—whether driven by leadership or sparked by employees on the front lines.

Together, they explore:

• Why wellness must be modeled from the top—but doesn’t have to start there
• The ripple effect of a single “spark” like a lunchtime walking group
• How community, movement, and nutrition impact productivity and morale
• Why hybrid work is often the healthiest model (and what leaders can do with that info)
• The delicate balance between encouragement and judgment
• What leaders can do to truly listen, support mindset shifts, and empower teams

Whether you’re a leader looking to champion wellness or an employee hoping to inspire change, this episode offers inspiration and tools to create a healthier, more human-centered workplace.

 

Sequence:

00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Guest

01:17 Meet Heather Walcott: Health and Wellness Coach

01:52 The Origin of the Walking Group

03:41 Diverse Approaches to Health and Wellness

04:47 Leadership and Wellness in the Workplace

07:09 Grassroots Movements for Wellness

08:42 Success Stories and Health Benefits

15:32 Remote vs. Hybrid Work: Health Impacts

20:02 Shifting Mindsets for Healthier Habits

26:09 Encouraging Personal Responsibility for Health

30:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

 

Resources & Guest Info:

 

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• Email: [email protected]
• Website:  https://www.collectivegrowthcc.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
• Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• Email: [email protected] 
• Website: https://www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call
• Heather Wolcott
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://heatherwolcott.com/
• Instagram: @heatherjohnsonwolcott

Summary:

In this powerful and compassionate episode, Lauren Kiproff-Downer returns to Leaderish for a heartfelt and strategic conversation about caregiving in the workplace. Whether you’re caring for aging parents, children, or someone else in your life, or leading teams who are, this episode is for you.

 

Lauren, an organizational psychologist and founder of Perpara Organizational Development Consulting, shares insights on how leaders and organizations can better support employees who are caregivers—an often invisible but growing demographic. From practical workplace policies to everyday leadership behaviors, we discuss how caregiving impacts engagement, mental health, and retention—and what we can do about it.

 

What You’ll Learn:

• Why caregiving is no longer just a personal issue—it’s a workforce reality
• What forward-thinking companies are doing to support caregiver employees
• The difference between policy and culture (and why both matter)
• Leadership actions that build trust and compassion
• How to recognize signs of burnout and create psychologically safe environments
• Tips for reviewing and updating outdated workplace policies
• The importance of seeing caregiving as a shared responsibility—not just HR’s job

 

Key Quote:

“Being a caregiver is not just a personal responsibility—it’s a part of who we are. And workplaces need to meet people where they are.” – Lauren Kiproff-Downer

 

Sequence:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:27 The Growing Importance of Caregiving

01:19 Introducing Lauren Kiproff-Downer

02:38 Current Trends and Challenges in Caregiving

05:17 Best Practices for Supporting Caregivers

11:21 Organizational Policies and Flexibility

23:45 Balancing Compassion and Accountability

36:20 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

37:39 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

 

🎧 Listen & Watch:

Available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review—5 stars!

 

Resources & Guest Info:

 

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• Email: [email protected]
• Website:  https://www.collectivegrowthcc.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
• Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• Email: [email protected] 
• Website: https://www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call
• Lauren Kiproff-Downer
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.perparaconsulting.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenkiproff/

This week marks a special milestone—Doris and Regina’s one-year friendiversary! 🥂 What started with a walk turned into 20+ podcast episodes and a powerful partnership. In this energy-packed episode, they dive deep into the concept of nervous energy—what it feels like, how it shows up physically and mentally, and how to reframe it into something powerful and productive.

 

Whether you’re walking into a client meeting, standing on a stage, or just navigating a difficult conversation, nervous energy is often a sign you care. The key? Learn to harness it.

 

Key Takeaways:

• How nervous energy shows up in our bodies and minds—and why it’s not always bad
• Tips to shift from nervous to positive energy using breath, movement, and preparation
• How to avoid defensive or inappropriate reactions (aka, read the room!)
• The power of anchoring to your purpose and choosing behaviors that align with your best self
• Why you don’t have to be fearless to show up fully—you just have to be willing

💡 Favorite Quotes:

“Nervous energy is just untamed energy.”

“You don’t need to be fearless to show up fully—just willing.”

“If it’s a fart or a burp, it’s funny in my house… but not always in a client meeting.”

 

Plus: Walter (Regina’s dog) makes a noisy cameo, and Doris gets teased (again) for her lipstick mishap in S4E12.

 

🎧 Listen & Watch:

Available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review—5 stars if you’ve ever had sweaty palms before a big moment.

 

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• Email: [email protected]
• Website:  https://www.collectivegrowthcc.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
• Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• Email: [email protected] 
• Website: https://www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

 

We would also love a review! Please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review and a comment.

 

If you are interested in being a guest and/or you have an engaging topic you want to learn more about, please email us at [email protected] with details and how to contact you.

 

00:00 Anniversary Surprise

00:29 Reflecting on the Past Year

02:03 Positive Energy and Nervousness

02:51 Understanding Nervous Energy

04:06 Personal Experiences with Nervousness

05:25 Transforming Nervous Energy

06:54 Coaching Session Insights

11:00 Behavioral Strategies

15:42 Appropriate Use of Humor

18:02 Navigating Nervous Energy in Public Speaking

18:38 Transforming Nervousness into Positive Energy

20:26 Practical Tips for Managing Nervous Energy

23:33 The Role of Preparation in Overcoming Nervousness

25:07 Personal Experiences and Lessons Learned

32:54 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

In this episode of Leaderish, Doris and Regina discuss the ins and outs of non-profit board leadership, diving into the skills, challenges, and rewards of serving on these boards. Doris shares her 27 years of experience on various boards, offering valuable insights into the journey from committee volunteer to board president.

 

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Different Types of Boards: Doris explains the differences between community, professional, and charity boards and how they each provide unique opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• The Benefits of Serving on a Board: From community impact to building leadership skills, Doris outlines how board service can help you grow as a leader and create meaningful change.
• Challenges of Board Leadership: The time commitment, accountability, and leadership demands of board roles are discussed, along with advice on managing those challenges effectively.
• How to Get Involved: Doris and Regina share actionable tips for getting started on a board, whether it’s through volunteering, joining a committee, or taking on leadership roles.
• Personal Growth Through Board Service: Doris emphasizes how serving on a board can enhance your leadership abilities and help you become a better leader in your corporate role.
• Building Relationships and Networking: Doris highlights the powerful connections you can make through volunteer work and board involvement.

 

Whether you’re looking to step into leadership or deepen your community involvement, this episode will inspire you to explore board opportunities that align with your passions and values.

 

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• Email: [email protected]
• Website:  https://www.collectivegrowthcc.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
• Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• Email: [email protected] 
• Website: https://www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

 

We would also love a review! Please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review and a comment.

 

If you are interested in being a guest and/or you have an engaging topic you want to learn more about, please email us at [email protected] with details and how to contact you.

 

00:00 Introduction and Exciting News 01:37 Doris' Board Experience 04:15 Types of Boards 06:42 Benefits of Serving on a Board 09:23 Challenges of Board Membership 17:50 Path to Board Membership 28:51 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 30:55 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this powerful episode of Leaderish, Leadership Lessons Straight Up, Doris and Regina explore what it really means to communicate effectively—especially when emotions are running high. Inspired by The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher, they unpack key strategies to shift from winning arguments to building trust.

 

Topics Covered:

🔹 The myth of “winning” a conversation

🔹 How to use pauses and silence as tools for connection

🔹 The role of curiosity in reducing conflict

🔹 Managing your tone and body language—especially when frustrated

🔹 Tips for using clear and concise language (and avoiding filler words!)

🔹 Real-life stories, including Regina’s vulnerable moment and a moment of growth at a dinner table

 

Whether you're navigating personal relationships or workplace dynamics, this episode offers insights and strategies to communicate with clarity, compassion, and purpose.

 

Takeaway Challenge:

This week, pick one strategy from the episode—pause before reacting, get curious, or tighten your language—and practice it intentionally. Bonus points for journaling about what changes!

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

📚 The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher

🎙️ The Mel Robbins Podcast

🧠 The Let Them Theory (Episode S4E9)

 

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• Email: [email protected]
• Website:  www.collectivegrowthcc.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
• Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• Email: [email protected] 
• Website: www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

  00:00 Introduction and Excitement for Today's Topic 00:32 Discussing Jefferson Fisher's Book 01:33 Key Takeaways from the Book 03:55 Personal Experiences and Reflections 08:08 The Role of Curiosity in Conversations 12:11 The Power of the Pause 18:13 Managing Tone and Setting Boundaries 24:17 Clear and Concise Communication 31:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this insightful and wildly entertaining episode, Doris and Regina dive headfirst into a conversation we all need: how to deal with difficult people. Inspired by Mel Robbins’ bestselling book The Let Them Theory, Doris shares key takeaways from the book and how it has transformed her approach to challenging situations—whether with coworkers, family, or that friend who always ghosts the group text.

 

The duo doesn’t stop at theory—they bring it to life by breaking down five types of difficult people, complete with unforgettable pop culture archetypes:

 

• The Bulldozer (Miranda Priestly – The Devil Wears Prada)
• The Victim (George Costanza – Seinfeld)
• The Ghoster (Ferris Bueller – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)
• The Know-It-All (Sheldon Cooper – The Big Bang Theory)
• The Chronic Complainer (C-3PO – Star Wars)

 

If you’ve ever dealt with someone who steamrolls meetings, disappears when things get hard, or always finds a problem without a solution, this episode is for you.

 

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• Email: [email protected]
• Website:  www.collectivegrowthcc.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
• Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• Email: [email protected] 
• Website: www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call

 

00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Conversation 00:58 Overview of the Let Them Theory 02:43 Key Concepts of the Let Them Theory 06:59 Types of Difficult People 09:29 Archetypes of Difficult People in Pop Culture 21:06 The Complainer Archetype: C3PO 22:25 Strategies for Dealing with Difficult People 22:36 The Let Them Theory 27:39 Setting Boundaries Early 33:10 Managing Your Own Triggers 36:44 Knowing When to Escalate or Exit 39:19 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

In this episode of Leaderish, Doris and Regina are joined by productivity expert Cindy Sullivan, creator of the Six Pillars of Productivity framework. Together, they explore two big challenges many leaders face: perfectionism and procrastination.

 

You'll learn:

• Why perfectionism can feel rewarding but lead to burnout
• How procrastination often stems from unclear tasks or fear—not laziness
• Cindy’s simple, effective strategies to reduce both, like defining what “done” looks like and using the one-minute rule
• The importance of leverage—one of Cindy’s six productivity pillars—and why it’s often the hidden key to getting unstuck

📍 Plus, hear how Doris and Regina scored on Cindy’s productivity assessment (spoiler: they’re not perfect either 😉) and discover the surprising root causes of your own productivity challenges.

 

🎁 Want to know your biggest productivity barrier? Take Cindy’s free assessment at sixpillarsproductivity.com.

 

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• Email: [email protected]
• Website:  www.collectivegrowthcc.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
• Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• Email: [email protected] 
• Website: www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call
• Cindy Sullivan
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.cbsullivanconsulting.com
• LinkedIn: (7) Cindy Sullivan | LinkedIn
• Productivity Assessment: Six Pillars assessment

 

 

00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic

00:59 Meet Cindy Sullivan: Productivity Expert

01:23 Cindy's Journey into Productivity

06:06 The Six Pillars of Productivity

10:41 Deep Dive into Leverage and Assessment Results

17:01 Perfectionism vs. Procrastination

24:53 Recognizing and Managing Perfectionism

25:57 Defining Excellence and Setting Boundaries

26:10 Strategies to Combat Perfectionism

31:33 Understanding and Addressing Procrastination

39:20 Techniques to Activate Tasks

43:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Doris and Regina dive into the fascinating world of emotional intelligence (EQ). They discuss its importance, especially in leadership, and how it surpasses IQ in contributing to a successful and cohesive team environment. The conversation covers the four components of EQ—self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and social skills—with personal anecdotes and practical tips. They share their experiences with EQ assessments, and provide actionable strategies like mindfulness, journaling, and seeking feedback. Tune in to learn how you can develop your emotional intelligence to become a better leader and build stronger relationships.

 

Mini EQ Self-Assessment:

Reflect on the following:

1. Do I recognize my emotions as I experience them?
2. How well do I manage my stress or frustration in high-pressure moments?
3. Do I consider others’ perspectives before reacting?
4. How often do I seek out and accept feedback?
5. Am I intentional about how I connect with others?

 

Optional Facial Expression Quiz: Greater Good’s EQ Quiz

 

Download the How We Feel App, created by Yale! You're gonna love it!

 

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

01:05 Defining Emotional Intelligence

02:40 Personal Stories and Emotional Intelligence Tests

04:18 Components of Emotional Intelligence

05:20 Self-Regulation and Personal Anecdotes

09:32 Social Awareness and Relationship Management

14:33 Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Leadership

19:26 The Power of Emotional Impact in Leadership

20:00 Practicing Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation

20:58 The Let Them Theory: Handling Negativity

23:40 The Importance of Naming Emotions

25:07 Using Technology to Track Emotions

29:16 Journaling and Gratitude Practices

31:47 Seeking Feedback and Reading Fiction for Empathy

36:08 Concluding Thoughts and Takeaways

 

We'd love to connect! You can find us in all of these places:

• Regina
• Email: [email protected]
• Website:  www.collectivegrowthcc.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/reginataute
• Free Coaching Session: https://calendly.com/collective_growth/complimentary-30-min-coaching-session
• Doris
• Email: [email protected] 
• Website: www.dunnwise.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/doris-dunn
• Schedule a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/dunnwise-consulting/30min_discovery_call