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Feeling stretched thin? 

Try this simple 5-minute daily practice to get yourself untangled and take small steps to move out of overwhelm, help you notice what fuels you, and set you up for a calmer tomorrow. 

In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, Coral and Jessica discuss how to combat overwhelm through a quick, consistent reflection habit. Jessica introduces a five-minute daily practice built around three guiding questions: 

• What was energy-generating today? 
• What was energy draining? 
• And what can I do differently tomorrow?

This small act of awareness - done daily - can help you see patterns, make gentle adjustments, and bring focus to what matters most. 

Whether you’re juggling deadlines, family, or transitions, you’ll learn how everyday reflection can restore clarity and control.

And check out this episode from our archives for more perspective on great tracking practices:

"Energy and engagement tracking, Nov. 30, 2023"

Further links and resources from this episode:

• Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter
• Join our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12879756/ 
• Send us a message: [email protected] 

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What if three minutes a day could transform your relationships- and your whole sense of connection? 

Discover how tiny, intentional gestures can spark big ripples across your community.

In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, Jessica and Coral spotlight the overlooked power of small, intentional outreach. Inspired by the “3-Minute Rule,” they explore how three minutes a day spent reaching out - with no agenda -can strengthen bonds, expand networks, and boost both appreciation and purpose. 

Listeners get actionable steps to make this practice stick, hear about the ripple effects of genuine connections, and find out how consistency in small gestures leads to a thriving community - both personally and professionally.

Bonus: Try the “3 for 3” connection habit!

• For the next five days, spend three minutes each day reaching out to three people: send a quick thank you, a simple check-in, or let someone know you’re thinking of them (no agenda, no ask).
• Share your favorite message (anonymized if needed), or a reflection on how this small habit affected you, in our LinkedIn group.

Let’s plant connection seeds together and inspire others to keep the ripple going!

Further links and resources from this episode:

• Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter
• Join our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12879756/ 
• Send us a message: [email protected] 

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How do teams build real momentum and commitment together? 

Discover how small shifts - like rotating leadership and showing authentic presence - can spark engagement and creativity in group projects.

In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, Coral and Jessica take a real-life approach to cultivating an engaged attitude - essential for building commitment and making group projects thrive. 

They explore the power of rotating ownership in meetings, why engagement ebbs and flows for everyone, and how showing up - whether as a leader or a supporter - fuels stronger teams. 

Jessica shares practical strategies to move beyond autopilot, including rotating facilitation, intentional participation, and appreciation. 

Together, they reveal how engagement is built day by day, with honest effort, small shifts, and shared leadership.

Further links and resources from this episode:

• Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter
• Join our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12879756/ 
• Send us a message: [email protected] 

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What powers you at work: pressure or purpose? This episode gives you one simple language hack to turn daily obligations into energizing opportunities.

In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, Jessica and Coral explore the powerful impact of language on motivation and energy at work. 

Building on last episode's Motivation Mapping, they introduce the "Should-to-Get To" reframe - a simple, real-time habit that helps replace pressure and obligation with purpose and appreciation. 

Coral shares practical steps to notice “should” statements, reframe them, and align daily tasks with intrinsic motivators like growth and service. 

Listeners can expect:

• actionable advice
• thoughtful reflection questions, and 
• real-world examples of how language shapes our experience and energizes our workday.

Further links and resources from this episode:

• "Should To-Get To" Worksheet.pdf
• Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter
• Join our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12879756/ 
• Send us a message: [email protected] 

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If you’ve ever wanted more ownership in your work or home life, this episode is for you. 

We’ll walk through a quick autonomy audit - a simple way to discover and grow your personal agency, starting today.

In this episode of Practicing Connection, Coral and Jessica dive into what it means to be a “manager of one” - someone who brings autonomy and ownership to even the smallest daily choices. 

Through personal stories and research-backed insights, they break down the Autonomy Audit: a practical, step-by-step approach for identifying where you can claim just a bit more agency in work, home, and life. 

Listen in to learn why autonomy matters, how to spot opportunities for more control, and ways to experiment with self-management - plus, an easy challenge you can try this week.

Further links and resources from this episode:

• Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter
• Join our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12879756/ 
• Send us a message: [email protected] 

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When was the last time work truly energized you? 

Today, discover how to pinpoint what’s fueling you and learn practical ways to reconnect with your deepest motivators - so your work supports both your goals and your values.

In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, Jessica and Coral reveal how you can use the Motivation Mapping tool to transform your work from simply meeting deadlines to leading with energized purpose. 

Through a reflective, step-by-step practice, you’ll learn how to distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic motivators, notice your own balance, and make small shifts that lead to long-term fulfillment and renewed drive. 

Whether leading a team or taking on a new project, this process helps transform routine into meaning.

Try Motivation Mapping for a current project:

• Grab the Motivation Mapping Worksheet
• In one sentence, share an intrinsic motivator that makes the work meaningful to you right now.
• Then, post one small action you’ll take to better connect this project to your values this week.

Share your insight with our LinkedIn group—let’s celebrate purposeful leadership and inspire each other with new ideas!

Further links and resources from this episode:

• Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter
• Join our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12879756/ 
• Send us a message: [email protected] 

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Feedback and mentorship aren’t just buzzwords - they’re the shortcuts to better skills, stronger confidence, and real momentum. 

Discover a simple, practical approach that makes getting feedback and finding a mentor less intimidating - and highly actionable!

In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, Jessica and Coral dig into the roles of feedback and mentorship in professional growth. Coral shares a step-by-step method that makes seeking input approachable and turns it into real progress. 

Learn how to choose the right people to ask, reflect on what you hear, and take small, sustainable actions. 

Plus, find out how to invite mentorship into your journey - even if you don’t have a formal mentor. Perfect for anyone who wants to develop new skills, boost confidence, and foster authentic connections at work.

Links and resources from this episode:

• Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter
• Join our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12879756/ 
• Send us a message: [email protected] 

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What if the fastest way to master any skill was to teach it to someone else? 

This episode reveals how sharing your learning not only helps others – it solidifies your own growth, strengthens your team, and can transform your workplace culture.

Are you holding on to valuable insights, or passing them along? In this special round-up episode, Jessica and Coral explore why teaching others is the secret weapon for growth. 

Instead of just one practice, you’ll get a toolkit of real-world ways to share what you’re learning, from quick tips to full team huddles. 

Listen in to discover how knowledge sharing deepens your understanding, boosts your confidence, and creates a ripple effect far beyond your own desk. 

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, you’ll walk away ready to build a culture of curiosity, generosity, and ongoing development.

Links and resources from this episode:

• Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter
• Join our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12879756/ 
• Send us a message: [email protected] 

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Are you ready to move from  “learning” into doing ? 

Today we're sharing 5 strategies that can help you integrate new skills into your daily practice, to reduce that overwhelm and remember what you've learned.

Co-hosts Jessica and Coral are here to show us how to keep that momentum going, so those skills don't just stay in a notebook, but actually begin to show up in your day to day.

Coral has some practical, approachable steps that anyone can try, regardless of your role, your team structure or where you're based. 

The hope is that as you listen, you can take what speaks to you and adapt it to suit your own work and life.

And don't feel compelled or overwhelmed that you have to try them all at once, or even all of them at all. You can just take what works for you, remix, adapt and pivot.

Links and resources from this episode:

• Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter
• Join our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12879756/ 
• Send us a message: [email protected] 

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This episode of Practicing Connection explores the incredible bridge-building work happening in Texas with guest Karrie Calloway - military liaison, educator, chef, and advocate - who doesn’t just connect resources, but transforms lives.

Join host Jessica Beckendorf and guest co-host Rachel Brauner for a compelling conversation today with Karrie Calloway, Texas 4-H Military Liaison and a passionate advocate for military-connected families. 

Karrie shares her unique journey from farm-to-table learning and culinary arts to leading statewide initiatives that support youth, families, and thriving communities.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The daily work of connecting Extension agents, volunteers, and installations to create meaningful support networks.
• Practical, high-impact ways anyone can do to include and empower military-connected families in their programs.
• The crucial role of volunteers in building bridges for military youth and families.
• Sustaining yourself in service-oriented work—and why ongoing connection matters.

Whether you’re an Extension professional, service provider, volunteer, or simply interested in community-building, you’ll walk away inspired by fresh ideas and the power of purposeful connection.

Links and resources from this episode:

• Military Culture: A Guide for Extension Professionals
• Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter
• Join our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12879756/ 
• Send us a message: [email protected]