What if your leadership edge isn’t what you know, but how wisely you lead? Today on Mindful Management, Dr. Laura Gabayan shares eight learnable traits that shape effective, people-first leadership. You’ll hear how these skills foster trust, connection, and thoughtful growth in today’s fast-paced workplace. 

Whether you're navigating burnout or rethinking your leadership approach, this episode offers a science-backed roadmap to leading with presence and purpose.
What You'll Learn:

• How to cultivate the eight elements of wisdom: resilience, kindness, positivity, spirituality, humility, tolerance, creativity, and curiosity
• Why traditional medical training often overlooks essential human elements like kindness and empathy, and how to bridge this gap
• The crucial distinction between tolerance and judgment, and how to foster genuine acceptance in diverse workplaces
• How to shift from fear-based leadership to faith-based decision-making for better outcomes
• Why slowing down and "being present" is essential for wisdom development and organizational success
• The importance of self-kindness as a foundation for developing wisdom and leading others effectively
• How Western productivity culture can hinder wisdom development, and strategies to overcome this challenge
  
  

Dr. Laura Gabayan is a physician, researcher, and author leading the Wisdom Research Project and author of Common Wisdom, which outlines eight key leadership traits: resilience, kindness, positivity, spirituality, humility, tolerance, creativity, and curiosity. 

With over 20 years in emergency medicine and a UCLA background, her personal health journey inspired a shift toward studying wisdom through a scientific lens. By interviewing wise adults aged 50–79, she developed practical insights that blend Western science with holistic understanding, helping leaders build more mindful, resilient, and compassionate organizations.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instructions on how to do this are here
References:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauragabayan
• Dr. Laura Gabayan’s Common Wisdom: 8 Scientific Elements of a Meaningful Life: https://a.co/d/7M1ydDM 

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Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Digital wellness isn’t about abandoning technology; it’s about learning how to live well with it. Today on Mindful Management, host Shenandoah Chefalo speaks with Colin Corby to explore how balance, intentional habits, and human-centered practices can reshape our relationship with tech, improving not just mental clarity, but workplace performance and interpersonal connection. As tech continues to blur the lines between work and life, finding this balance isn’t optional; it’s a leadership imperative.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to reframe digital detox from complete abstinence to sustainable technology use
• Why physical movement and exercise are crucial components of digital wellbeing
• The "Just One Thing Challenge" method for breaking smartphone addiction 
• How our attachment to technology often masks deeper personal or professional discomforts
• Why balance, not restriction, is the key to sustainable tech use
• How organizations can reduce digital burnout
• How leaders can model tech mindfulness as a workplace culture strategy
• Why human identity, relationships, and emotional intelligence matter more than ever 
  
  

Colin Corby is a seasoned technologist and digital well-being coach, serving as the CEO of Technology Well-being Ltd and creator of the Digital Detox Coach program. With over thirty years of experience in technology leadership, Colin combines his unique background in endurance athletics and tech expertise to help individuals and organizations foster healthier relationships with technology. As a TEDx speaker and accomplished triathlete, he specializes in developing sustainable strategies for digital wellness, focusing on the intersection of technology, psychology, and human performance. Through his work, Colin has transformed the conversation around technology use in the workplace, offering practical solutions for organizations seeking to support employee wellness while maintaining technological efficiency.
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instructions on how to do this are here

References:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colincorby
• Website: http://www.thedigitaldetoxcoach.com 
• Tedx Talks Are we losing our human Identity to Technology | Ana Smith & Colin Corby: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEMf-y7KqTc&ab_channel=TEDxTalks 
• The Balanced Brain by Camilla Nord: https://a.co/d/aeD1nhu 
• Being You by Anil Seth: https://a.co/d/dh9RpXN   

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Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

We live in an era where mental health is a top priority for everyone. And, a priority this important requires a complete shift in thinking - from reactive solutions to proactive innovations. In this thought provoking episode of Mindful Management, host Shenandoah Chefalo welcomes Mark Feinberg, Chief Commercial Officer at Lucero, to explore how organizations can create healing-centered workplaces through intentional leadership and emotional intelligence.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to balance individual and organizational responsibility in creating psychologically safe workplaces
• Why regular check-ins and energy monitoring can transform workplace communication and support
• The critical role of prevention and subclinical interventions in mental health strategy
• How to integrate technology solutions while maintaining genuine human connection
• Why establishing clear boundaries and modeling self-care must start at leadership level
• How game-based behavioral health tools can scale emotional regulation support for youth and adults
• The importance of allowing employees to "live out loud" with their full humanity at work
• Why creating psychological safety requires customized approaches for different team members

Mark Feinberg is the Chief Commercial Officer of Lucero. Backed by decades of entrepreneurship, Mark has occupied various leadership positions - from Founder and CEO - to helming $100M+ business success. Influenced by the likes of Tony Robbins, Warren Buffet, Rick Rubin and Sadhguru, Mark combines the knowledge of building a successful business, navigating entrepreneurship with an innovative spirit and balancing one’s self-care and wellness practices to be the best leader and professional they can be. 
In a world that demands professional excellence and personal wellbeing, Mark’s approach proves as a practical guide to navigating workplace stress, building mental health-conscious workplaces and innovating for the same, using technology. 
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instructions on how to do this are here

References:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marklfeinberg 
• Website: https://lucerospeaks.com/ 
• Jay Shetty: https://www.youtube.com/@JayShettyPodcast. 
• Lewis Howes: https://www.youtube.com/@lewishowes  
• Tara Brach: https://www.youtube.com/@TaraBrach 

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Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Mindful Management, host Shenandoah Chefalo speaks with Candace Wallace, founder of Seeds of Life Consulting and certified trauma-informed coach.

What You’ll Learn

• An in-depth understanding of the multi-dimensional nature of rest
• How busyness can be a trauma response and the indicators of it 
• The seven domains of rest and how to apply them to daily life 
• Practical strategies for incorporating rest into daily routines
• The connection between rest and organizational effectiveness
• Creating workplace cultures that support rest and recovery
• The ways in which financial trauma impacts one’s ability to rest 
• The importance of courage in advocating for rest

Candace Wallace is a seasoned consultant, coach, and the visionary founder of Seeds of Life Consulting. With nearly two decades of experience across public and private sectors, she has dedicated her career to developing and implementing health equity-centric initiatives. Her work is deeply rooted in trauma-informed practice and community resilience strategies.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instructions on how to do this are here.

References

• Candace Wallace on LinkedIn
• Candace Wallace Personal Email: [email protected]
• Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
• Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer
• Reasonable Doubt (TV Series) by Raamla Mohamed

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Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Mindful Management, host Shenandoah Chefalo speaks with Christy Turek Rials, Director of Training and Outreach at A Window Between Worlds.
Join them as they discuss:

• Using art as a healing tool for trauma recovery
• The intersection of creativity and psychological healing
• Breaking down misconceptions about artistic ability
• Creating accessible paths to healing
• The impact of virtual platforms on therapy accessibility
• Personal journey and lived experience in trauma work
• Sustainability in healing professions
• The importance of self-care and boundary setting
  
  

Christy Turek Rials has served as the Director of Training and Outreach at A Window Between Worlds for 16 years. Drawing from her background in psychology and personal experience, she leads the organization's efforts to provide art-based healing resources to facilitators across the country. A Window Between Worlds utilizes creative expression as a catalyst for healing and transformation in trauma survivors.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instructions on how to do this are here.

References:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyturek 
• Website: https://awbw.org
• Training Information: awbw.org/trainings
• Contact: [email protected]
• Author: Audre Lorde (Christy quoted from the Book A Burst of Light “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare”)
• American Jesuit Priest: Gregory Boyle (Mentioned by Christy throughout the podcast as someone whose philosophy and perspective deeply inspires her.)

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Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Mindful Management, host Shenandoah Chefalo speaks with Alexander Kjerulf, Chief Happiness Officer of Woohoo Inc.
What You’ll Learn:
 
The business case for happiness at work

• How to move beyond “perks” to create genuine workplace satisfaction
• The importance of results and relationships in workplace happiness
• Ways to measure and track employee happiness
• How to drive cultural transformation in organizations
• Strategies to navigate the future of work and restore hope in the workplace

Alexander Kjerulf is the Chief Happiness Officer of Woohoo Inc. With a Master's Degree in Computer Science and decades of experience, Alex has evolved from a tech innovator to a global authority on workplace well-being. Through his several books, including the international bestseller "Happy Hour is 9 to 5," and his work with companies like Hilton, IKEA, and Microsoft, he advocates for environments where joy and well-being are the core of business practice. His current venture, HeartCount, aims to transform organizational cultures by ensuring employees feel valued and heard.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instructions on how to do this are here.

References:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiefhappinessofficer
• Website: https://woohooinc.com/ 
• Personal blog: https://positivesharing.com/ 
• Books by Alexander Kjerulf mentioned in the podcast:
  • Happy Hour is 9 to 5: https://a.co/d/44HmIxh 
  • Leading With Happiness: https://a.co/d/ddxV3zs 
• Books recommended 
  • Everybody Matters by Bob Chapman: https://a.co/d/bbCs6Lw 
  • Confessions of a Radical Industrialist by Ray Anderson: https://a.co/d/cu1Evwc 
  • Let My People Go Surfing: https://a.co/d/5q814PB 
• TV Shows/Movies recommendation:
  • The Good Place: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-good-place 
  • Alive and Kicking: https://tv.apple.com/ph/movie/alive-and-kicking

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Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Workplace stress costs an estimated $300B annually. The key to recovering these costs may lie in slowing down. In this illuminating episode of Mindful Management, host Shenandoah Chefalo sits down with Shauna Moran, an internationally recognized expert in workplace well-being, to explore the critical connection between burnout prevention and organizational success.
What You’ll Learn:

• How to distinguish between emotional intelligence and emotional maturity and why the latter is more important
• What the three-pillar framework is and how it can be used to address workplace burnout
• Why flexible work arrangements matter and how to implement them effectively
• Practical strategies to identify early warning signs of burnout before they become systemic issues
• How the small act of a meeting audit can save employees 1 whole work day 
• How to balance productivity with genuine rest and recovery in the workplace
• The value of curiosity-driven leadership in building resilient workplace cultures

Shauna Moran is an internationally recognized expert in workplace wellbeing, who has dedicated her life to understanding the ways in which leaders and teams can break through burnout. At the helm of Shauna Moran Coaching, she has coached over 1,000 leaders and teams to create lasting change, enabling workplace environments where employee well-being and high performance co-exist. 
Through the course of her career, she has equipped teams at companies like SAP, VMware, KPMG, Enterprise Ireland, Equitable Life of Canada, and Shell International, with unique frameworks and practical strategies to elevate the state of work and facilitate a wellbeing-first approach in the workplace. She is also the author of Managing Employee Burnout: How To Create Healthy, Engaged and Happy Teams.
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instructions on how to do this are here.

References:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunamoran 
• Website: https://www.shaunamoran.com
• Managing Employee Burnout Book by Shauna Moran: https://www.shaunamoran.com/book 
• Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents Book by Lindsay C. Gibson: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23129659-adult-children-of-emotionally-immature-parents 
• Listen to the Land and Speak Book by Manchán Magan: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62879960-listen-to-the-land-speak 

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Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Resilience isn’t built during a crisis, it’s embedded in the culture long before it arrives. In this episode of Mindful Management, host Shenandoah Chefalo sits down with Danette Batiste, CEO of Healthy Heart Nation, to explore how human-centered leadership and intentional systems can transform organizational wellness.

What You'll Learn:

• Why succession planning should be a daily habit, not a crisis response
• How to overcome the scarcity mindset that blocks knowledge-sharing and trust
• What structured training really looks like—and why it leads to true autonomy
• How to create authentic, lasting connections in remote and hybrid teams
• Why perfectionism in hiring is harmful—and what to do instead
• How Healthy Heart Nation’s four-pillar model breaks down systemic health disparities
• Why great leadership is measured by your team's success in your absence

Danette Batiste is the CEO and Executive Director of Healthy Heart Nation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving health outcomes in African American communities. With over 25 years of experience in the IT sector at organizations including Softchoice, she has leveraged her expertise in inclusive leadership and organizational strategy to drive significant cultural shifts in corporate environments. Through her consultancy, GID Consulting, Danette has developed strategies that enhance organizational performance and foster comprehensive human-centered workspaces. As an advocate for community and social justice, she continues to impact various sectors by integrating strong inclusive leadership practices with corporate objectives and community initiatives.
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instructions on how to do this are here.

References:

• Danette’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danette-batiste-9a08747 .
• Danette’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danettebryantbatiste
• Website: www.myhhn.org (myhealthyheartnation.org)
• Website LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/healthy-heart-nation-695a81207
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healthyheartnation3075 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyheartnation_/# 
• Mindset Training: Conquer Your Mind and the Rest Will Follow by Nekeshia Hammond, book mentioned by Danette: https://a.co/d/glmxtrz 
• Selfish: A Cardiologist's Approach to Healing a Broken Heart by Dr. Batiste (Danette's husband): https://a.co/d/0JZZVYw 
• Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy: https://a.co/d/e07ZxTN 

Podcast Show Resources:

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Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In today’s workplace, trust isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage. On this episode of Mindful Management, Shenandoah Chefalo welcomes Oracle Projects Consultant and author Andy Fry to explore how trust can make or break organizational success.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to spot trust breakdowns by examining how you trust others, how they trust you, and how much you trust yourself
• How to build authentic trust using the CARE framework: Credibility, Authenticity, Reliability, and Empathy
• Why challenging assumptions (your own and others’) is key to deeper connection and better leadership
• How to be authentic at work without crossing boundaries or stepping outside your role
• Why curiosity and critical thinking are underrated but essential tools for today’s leaders
• How understanding generational and organizational differences helps prevent miscommunication and tension
• Why big cultural change starts small and how focusing on individuals or teams makes transformation more achievable
• How to move beyond surface-level transactions to build lasting, trust-filled relationships

Andy Fry is a seasoned Oracle Projects Consultant and Principal Consultant at Qantas Consulting Corps, where he has spent over two decades enhancing operational efficiencies and business success across various industries. As an expert in Oracle Projects and Oracle Financials, Andy specializes in helping organizations maximize their software investments through tailored implementations, training, and strategic consulting. Andy is also the author of The Trust Paradigm, a book that explores the three-way dynamics of trust in relationships and provides practical tools for building trust. His blend of technical expertise and deep relational insight makes him a sought-after consultant for teams looking to increase effectiveness while strengthening internal trust and resilience.
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify or wherever you listen to yours!

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Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Today on Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment, host Shenandoah Chefalo speaks with William Wright, founder of CORE Remastered, a transformative coaching firm focused on personal growth and professional leadership. 

Dive into an insightful conversation as they explore:

• How the "I Am Self-Ish" mindset leads to stronger, healthier leadership
• The Choice Audit framework for identifying decision-making patterns
• Why understanding your energy levels and stress responses helps create safer workplaces
• How leaders can shift from rescuers to supporters and why that creates better outcomes
• Compassion and respect as foundational traits for leadership, starting with self
• How healing your own trauma and embracing emotional intelligence builds authentic connections at work

William Wright is a certified professional coach and the founder of CORE Remastered, a transformative coaching practice focused on personal and professional growth. Blending expertise in energy leadership, physical wellness, and emotional intelligence, William helps leaders and teams align their actions with their values. His signature approach includes the Energy Leadership Index and his "Choice Audit" framework, empowering clients to take ownership of their decisions and create sustainable change.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify or wherever you listen to yours!

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Garbage Bag Suitcase by Shenandoah Chefalo
Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so