Practicing Connection

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Professional development isn’t just about the content - it’s about the people.

Whether it’s a quick follow-up question, a shared takeaway, or an invitation to debrief, connecting with others during a learning event can spark fresh ideas, deepen your understanding, and expand your network in a meaningful way.

In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, Coral and Jessica explore how connecting with other attendees - or even speakers - can transform your professional development experience. 

Jessica shares a simple, low-pressure practice for starting conversations, learning collaboratively, and expanding your network in ways that feel authentic and focused on shared learning. 

Whether you’re attending in person or online, discover practical ideas for reaching out, sharing takeaways, and creating spaces for meaningful dialogue.

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 a redistricting proposal put military children’s routines at risk, two communities came together, transforming crisis into collaboration. Discover how a proactive partnership made all the difference.

Jessica Beckendorf welcomes Mark Paolicelli (former Deputy Base Commander for joint base Meyer-Henderson Hall) and Dulce Carrillo (Supervisor of Community Partnerships and Engagement at Arlington Public Schools) in this special episode, sharing their story of coming together to solve a collective challenge that affected each of their respective communities.

When a redistricting proposal threatened to disrupt the school experience of military kids, little did anyone know it would spark a dialogue that led to meaningful, long-term partnerships. 

Hear firsthand how Mark and Dulce navigated misunderstandings, built bridges, and turned neighbors into allies - all in the name of supporting military-connected students. 

Their story offers timely lessons in resilience, communication, and the power of coming together for a common cause.

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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Do you ever sit through a workshop, scribble endless notes, and then never look at them again? 

Discover a notetaking method that helps you capture what matters - and actually use it. Get ready to spark ideas, shift your mindset, and share your growth with others!

In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, Jessica and Coral introduce the Spark-Shift-Share notetaking strategy, a simple yet powerful approach for translating professional development into meaningful action. 

Instead of just recording information, learn how to capture what inspires you (“spark”), identify how it can change your practice (“shift”), and spread valuable insights through your network (“share”). 

If you want your learning to make a real impact, this episode is for you. Tune in for a practical walkthrough and ways to connect learning with action.

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 tired of leaving conferences or trainings feeling overloaded - like you missed what mattered most? 

Today, we reveal a simple, powerful practice that can turn every professional development opportunity into meaningful, actionable growth. Get ready to take charge of your learning with intention!

In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, Coral and Jessica dive deep into the art of setting learning intentions to get more from your professional development experiences. 

Jessica shares a practical reflection exercise designed to help you filter the noise, focus on what matters to you, and connect your learning to your real-world goals.

 Whether you’re attending a conference, a webinar, or any PD event, discover how a two-minute pause can make your growth more personalized, empowering, and connected. 

Tune in for step-by-step guidance, insightful questions, and actionable strategies to transform the way you learn. 

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 moving through the year on autopilot, or making the most of your intentions? Take a purposeful pause with us with this guided mid-year check-in designed to help you reflect on the year’s journey so far, realign your goals, and reset your intentions for a thriving second half of the year.

In this episode of Practicing Connection, Jessica and Coral invite listeners to hit “pause” and for a thoughtful mid-year check-in. Coral shares a reflection practice inspired by an annual vision board process—perfect for anyone looking to move beyond task lists to a deeper sense of goal alignment and intention.

Whether your year is flying by or has thrown a few curveballs, this episode offers space and prompts for you to take stock of what’s working, explore where you want to pivot, and set meaningful intentions for what’s ahead. Grab a notebook and give yourself the gift of reflection!

 Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter

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Coming out of summer vacation? The Wheel of Life helps you find your focus and structure again, and sort through the to-do list!

In this replay episode of Practicing Connection, originally published in January, 2025, hosts Coral Owen and Jessica Beckendorf introduce the Wheel of Life as a simple tool to help set priorities and find balance by identifying areas that need attention. 

Discover how this practice encourages intentionality, making it easier to focus on what matters most to you each month. 

Whether it's post-Christmas holidays, post-summer vacation, or any other moment of the year where things feel a little scattered and routines are broken, the Wheel of Life is there to put it all in perspective.

Links and resources from this episode:

• The Wheel of Life handout (for easy printing)
•  Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter

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The collaboration you'll hear about in this episode not only filled a critical gap for military families, but also strengthened the bonds between the base and the local community. 

In this replay episode, originally published in July, 2024, co-hosts Bob Bertsch and Jessica Beckendorf talk with Lisa Sapp and James Yracheta about a collaboration between Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Great Falls (MT) School District, to provide military-connected kids access to the Transitional Kindergarten program. 

In addition to providing early childhood education, the program helped military families with their child care needs. 

Lisa Sapp is the school liaison and James Yracheta is the former Child and Youth Services Flight Chief at Malmstrom AFB. Lisa and James share insights into how the partnership with Great Falls Public Schools got started and the factors that have helped it thrive.

Links and resources from this episode:

• Transitional Kindergarten pilot program takes off
• Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter

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Feedback, when it's done well, can energize, motivate and strengthen our relationships - whether at work, at home, or in our communities. 

But it's not always easy.

In this replay episode from early 2024, hosts Bob Bertsch and Jessica Beckendorf explore the nuances of giving and receiving feedback, to make feedback less stressful and more meaningful.

They emphasize its role in personal and professional growth, and Jessica shares a practical readiness checklist, offering valuable insights for enhancing feedback practices.

Links and resources from this episode:

• Dare to Lead: The Engaged Feedback Checklist (Brené Brown)
• Listening for Strengths and Values (S.5, Ep.2)
• Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter

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What if the most powerful way to build trust was also the simplest: showing genuine care for others’ concerns and interests? 

This week, we’ll share two easy practices you can use right away to make care the foundation of every relationship.

In this episode of Practicing Connection, Coral and Jessica explore the fourth distinction of trust - care - drawing on insights from Charles Feltman’s work and their own experiences. 

Jessica shares why care is her favorite trust distinction and explains how it’s the foundation that gives meaning to competence, reliability, and sincerity.

You’ll learn two practical ways to put care into action:

• Ask, Listen, and Share, a simple cycle for surfacing and honoring each other’s concerns and hopes, and
• The 10-Second Compassion Exercise, a quick, adaptable mindfulness practice you can use before, during, or after any interaction.

Whether you want to strengthen your team, connect more deeply with colleagues, or simply create a more caring environment, these practices will help you build trust that truly lasts.

Links and resources from this episode:

The Thin Book of Trust (Third edition), by Charles Feltman

Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter

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Did you know that trust isn’t just about what you can do, but also about how honest you are about your limits? 

This week, we’ll share a simple practice to help you build trust through clarity, confidence, and communication.

In this episode of Practicing Connection, Jessica and Coral explore how competence, one of the four key distinctions of trust, lays the groundwork for strong, reliable relationships. 

Drawing from Charles Feltman’s The Thin Book of Trust, Coral introduces the “Clarify Your Current Capabilities” practice, a quick but powerful reflection to help you honestly assess your strengths and limits before taking on a new task or commitment.

You’ll learn step-by-step how to name what you can do well, where you might need support, and how to communicate this with your team or supervisor. This practice not only helps you deliver on your promises, but also normalizes asking for help as a sign of competence - not weakness. 

Whether you’re leading a project, joining a new team, or just want to strengthen your reliability, this episode will help you build trust by showing up with clarity and confidence.

Links and resources from this episode:

The Thin Book of Trust (Third edition), by Charles Feltman

Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter