In this episode, I’m joined by historian Benjamin Park to talk about public scholarship and American religious history in the digital age. We discuss what it means to take academic work beyond peer reviewed journals, the professional risks and tradeoffs of public visibility, and why history, especially religious history, resonates so strongly with public audiences.Much of our conversation focuses on Mormon history as a case study for understanding broader dynamics in American religion, politics, and culture. We also talk about audience reach versus traditional academic impact, faith sensitive scholarship, and the tension between rigor and accessibility when historians work in public.Ben is an Associate Professor of History and the author of multiple books on American religion. He also runs a widely followed YouTube channel where he brings historical scholarship to a broad audience.Ben’s work:- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenjaminParkHistorian/videos- Website: https://benjaminepark.com/

In this episode of The Psychology of Business Podcast, I speak with psychologist Dr. Julie Exline about anger at God, doubt, and religious and spiritual struggles. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Exline explains why these experiences are common across belief systems and why they should be understood as normal psychological responses rather than signs of weakness or failure.

We discuss the development of the Religious and Spiritual Struggles Scale, how spiritual struggles relate to mental health, meaning, and identity, and how these challenges can surface in everyday life, relationships, and work. The conversation emphasizes psychological safety, normalization, and the importance of allowing space for difficult questions without minimizing pain or rushing growth.

In this episode, Brandon Griffin talks with Alisa Sparks, Founder and CEO of Linden Creek, about her transition from managing multimillion dollar Navy and Marine Corps budgets to building a nationally recognized home staging and design company. Alisa explains how she discovered her niche, how Linden Creek grew from a solo venture into a franchise model, and why she developed Archd to streamline operations for stagers and designers. She also discusses the challenges and lessons of starting a business as a single mother, the role of mentorship and community in her franchise system, and the leadership principles that guide her work today.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dana Hermanson, an accomplished accounting scholar and longtime faculty member at Kennesaw State University. He is widely recognized in the BYU Accounting Research Rankings as one of the field’s most productive researchers of the past several decades, and he has been honored nationally for his contributions to auditing education. Dr. Hermanson is also known for advancing the Fraud Diamond framework with David Wolfe and for his influential work on fraudulent financial reporting, including major studies completed for COSO. Beyond academia, his public commentary often appears in prominent newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.We talk about what makes research relevant, how Model 2 scholarship expands the reach of academic work, the people side of fraud, the challenges of remote auditing, and broader societal questions involving capitalism, socialism, incentives, and public policy. This is a thoughtful conversation for anyone interested in business, governance, and the real-world impact of research.

In today’s episode, I talk with my friend Ethan Jensen, CEO of The Cage, a virtual batting cage experience in Salt Lake City, Utah. We go over how he turned an idea from college into a real business, quit his job, found funding, opened the first location, and built early traction through social media. We also talk hiring, operations, and why Ethan believes courage matters more than capability when you start something new.Connect with Ethan and The CageThe Cage: https://www.thecage-baseball.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cagebaseballEthan: https://www.instagram.com/ep3jensen

In this episode of The Psychology of Business Podcast, I talk with Trina Celeste, Tech CEO, author, and founder of Tech Moms, about what it means to redefine success, resilience, and leadership in today’s workplace.We discuss her transition from a corporate career to building a mission-driven organization that helps women reenter the tech industry, and how her “Life-First” approach reframes work, balance, and purpose.Learn more about Trina Celeste:Website: https://www.trinaceleste.comTech Moms: https://tech-moms.org

“I want the data to explain the theories, but I want the stories to make the lessons stick.”

In this video, I talk about the new direction for my channel. I’m shifting from a focus on the academic side of research to the stories that make it meaningful. My goal is to make ideas about management and leadership more personal and practical by showing how scholarship connects to real experiences. Whether you’re an academic, student, or professional, it’s about finding the human side of learning and leadership.

*Please note that this episode discusses sensitive topics, including domestic violence, workplace bullying, harassment, shootings, and other forms of workplace violence. The conversation is conducted in a thoughtful and professional manner, but these issues can still be difficult to hear. Please take care as you listen.In this episode of The Psychology of Business podcast, Dr. Brandon A. Griffin interviews Dr. John Haymore, Assistant Professor at Troy University and a seasoned HR and safety professional. With nearly two decades of experience in human resources and occupational safety, Dr. Haymore shares practical insights on how organizations can better prepare for, prevent, and recover from workplace violence.What you’ll learn in this episode:- The difference between workplace safety and workplace violence.- Common but often overlooked forms of workplace violence: bullying, cyberstalking, domestic spillover, hostile managers, and more.- Warning signs that managers and employees should watch for.- How organizations can plan proactively instead of reacting after a crisis.- The importance of organizational recovery, long-term support, and training.- Tools like Structured Professional Judgment (SPJ) assessments and first aid/response training.- Why leadership commitment and multidisciplinary teams are essential.- Dr. Haymore’s personal “why” for dedicating his career to this field.About the Guest:Dr. John Haymore is an Assistant Professor at Troy University and a consultant specializing in HR, workplace safety, and violence prevention. He works with organizations to design prevention plans, conduct security audits, and deliver corporate training.Learn more about Dr. Haymore’s work: https://drjohnhaymore.com

In this episode of The Psychology of Business podcast, Dr. Brandon A. Griffin interviews historian Dr. John G. Turner (George Mason University) about the life and legacy of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a central figure in Mormon history.

This episode marks a new expansion for the channel. While the podcast will continue to focus on contemporary business leaders, lectures, and tutorials, we are also opening space for conversations with historians, thinkers, and cultural figures whose work sheds light on leadership, organization, and influence across time. By examining Joseph Smith’s impact, we connect past dynamics of belief, community-building, and strategy with questions that remain relevant today.

The conversation explores:

- Smith’s business ventures and financial experiments in Ohio, Missouri, and Nauvoo.

- His leadership style and ability to build and sustain communities.

- The role of belief, charisma, and organization in shaping the early Mormon movement.

- How Joseph Smith fits into the broader context of 19th-century American religion and society.

- Why John G. Turner is a historian and what his legacy will be.

Dr. Turner is the author of Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet (Yale University Press, 2025) and Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet (Harvard University Press, 2014).

In this episode of The Psychology of Business Podcast, Dr. Brandon Griffin interviews Chuck Salvo, former Disney Institute leader, and author of RAVE: How to Respect and Value Everyone. They discuss the importance of workplace culture, effective communication, and how respect and understanding can transform teams. Chuck shares insights from his Disney experience and offers practical tips for improving relationships in business and beyond. Tune in for valuable lessons on leadership and collaboration!Get the book: http://geni.us/ravebook