Say It Skillfully®

Say It Skillfully®

By Molly TschangBusinessEducationSelf-ImprovementManagement
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Say It Skillfully® episodes

  • 234 Say It Skillfully® – Dr. Michael Bartoszek, Listen So Others Feel Heard

    CHAPTERS
    00:00 Introduction to Dr. Michael Bartozek and his background
    03:46 The importance of supporting healthcare teams
    04:07 Dr. Bartozek's journey in military medicine
    06:00 Leadership and communication in healthcare settings
    07:26 Balancing service, family, and personal growth
    09:40 How to speak up with honesty and warmth
    11:12 Using curiosity to navigate difficult conversations
    12:40 The role of assumptions and questioning in conflict resolution
    14:07 Building trust through warmth and authenticity
    17:30 Practicing new skills in everyday interactions
    19:21 Creating meaningful impact beyond monetary rewards
    22:35 The power of small acts of connection
    23:03 People first: what it truly means in healthcare
    25:32 Handling conflict and finding the middle ground
    29:57 Maintaining hope and resilience in challenging times
    33:39 What it means to be a change maker
    35:42 Embracing discomfort for growth
    37:46 Practicing and building confidence in conversations
    38:04 A practical tip: listen so others feel heard
    38:58 Reflections on sharing and vulnerability

    42 min
  • 233 Say It Skillfully® – Jamie Ramsden, A Journey from Music to Leadership

    CHAPTERS 
    00:00 Welcome and introduction to Jamie Ramsden 
    02:37 Growing up in a family of professional musicians 
    05:54 Music, education, and lessons from Jamie’s parents 
    07:31 What sports taught Jamie about teamwork and discipline 
    08:43 Falling in love with France 
    09:51 An unconventional path into international business 
    12:18 Taking his first job in a foreign country 
    14:52 Moving to America and pursuing an interesting life 
    16:05 Transforming a struggling automotive business 
    19:39 Becoming a CEO at 33 
    20:52 From chief executive to executive coach 
    23:40 Learning through mistakes and experimentation 
    26:21 When leaders overwhelm their teams 
    28:24 Creating a culture where people can speak honestly 
    30:34 “Feed your people or lose your throne” 
    34:53 The pressures and competing demands of leadership 
    37:19 Developing self-awareness and a strong sense of self 
    39:21 A time Jamie did not say it skillfully 
    42:41 Family, hobbies, and life outside of work 
    45:13 The one thing Jamie wishes he could change 
    46:43 Rapid-fire questions: astronaut, pirate, and “Rambo” 
    48:15 Jamie’s top takeaway 
    49:10 Reflecting on sharing his journey 
    50:03 Closing thoughts from Molly

    49 min
  • 232 Say It Skillfully® – Thando Lamula, Fealess Outward to Fearless Within
    In episode 233 (Our Voices #44) of the Say It Skillfully® podcast, Molly sits down with Thando Lamula—Chartered Tax Advisor, board chair, and Mrs. Africa—for a raw conversation about what it really takes to find and use your voice, even after outward success.
    Thando shares her extraordinary path: growing up on a sunflower farm in South Africa, navigating two faiths at once, and earning the nickname “General” in university for her fearlessness. She built a career in tax law—finishing her master’s degree with her newborn
    daughter waiting in the car outside night class so she could slip out to breastfeed—and has since chaired boards, won awards, and been crowned Mrs. Africa.
    But Thando opens up about the six years she spent staying silent, even as everyone around her called her fearless. She shares what changed after reading Say It Skillfully and attending INSEAD, and the courage—and consequences—that came with finally speaking up for herself.
    Honest and hard-won, this episode is a reminder that being fearless for everyone else is not the same as being fearless for yourself—and that the second kind is the one that changes your life.
    CHAPTERS
    00:00 Introduction to Molly and Thando Lamula
    01:48 Thando's early life and childhood on a farm
    05:04 Her journey through education and career in tax law
    10:09 The importance of resilience and self-belief
    15:07 Balancing family life with a professional career
    20:01 The power of speaking up and authenticity
    29:47 Lessons from setbacks and redirections
    39:49 The significance of community and sisterhood
    49:55 Reflections on future aspirations and growth
    01:00:07 Final thoughts and encouragement
    1 hr 1 min
  • 231 Say It Skillfully® – Noel Moldvai - The Blessing & Curse of Naivete
    In this episode of the Say It Skillfully® podcast, Molly sits down with Noel Moldvai—entrepreneur, CEO, and co-founder of Augment—for an inspiring conversation about resilience, emotional intelligence, and what it truly means to lead.
    Noel shares his journey from leaving Yugoslavia as a young boy to navigating life as a first-generation immigrant in Canada and California, learning English as his third language, and finding his path from Berkeley to Google to Rubrik before taking the leap into founding his own company.
    He opens up about the hard-won lessons that shaped him as a leader: why EQ matters more than IQ, how he learned to manage his own emotional reactions before trying to lead others, and the near-death moments at Augment that tested everything he had. He also shares the surprisingly personal origin story behind Augment (a platform now being called the Robinhood for private markets) born out of his own frustration trying to access locked-up startup equity just to buy an engagement ring and a home.
    Honest, grounded, and deeply human, this episode is a reminder that naiveté can be both a blessing and a curse, and sometimes, it's exactly what it takes to build something the world has never seen.
    Chapters:
    0:00 EQ, IQ, and the importance of people
    0:33 Molly introduces Noel Moldvai and Augment
    2:34 Noel’s earliest memory and leaving Yugoslavia
    3:52 Leaving family behind and starting over
    6:28 Learning English in Canada
    8:03 School, math, physics, and childhood mischief
    11:05 Belonging, family traditions, and growing up between cultures
    13:12 Returning to Hungary and Serbia
    14:24 College, self-motivation, and finding his path
    19:23 Becoming a self-starter and learning to build teams
    21:41 Google, Rubrik, and realizing he wanted something different
    28:00 Why EQ matters more than IQ
    30:42 Managing emotional reactions and making better decisions
    33:53 Meditation, exercise, and creating stillness
    35:37 The backstory behind Augment
    36:57 Unlocking private equity and the problem Noel wanted to solve
    40:52 Building the Robinhood for private markets
    41:29 Co-founding Augment and learning from differences
    47:52 Respect, empathy, and high-performing teams
    48:43 Ego, rejection, and the pain of startup life
    50:48 Reducing risk one step at a time
    52:49 Hobbies, family, ice baths, reading, and motorcycles
    53:42 Introversion and heavy metal
    54:53 Noel’s do-over: taking it easier in college
    55:55 Rapid-fire: next life, nicknames, and favorite food
    56:42 Noel’s top takeaway: the blessing and curse of naiveté
    57:03 What it was like for Noel to share his journey
    57:58 Molly’s closing reflections
    58:29 Final thought: people and the connections among them
    58:58 Say It Skillfully closing message
    1 hr
  • 230 Say It Skillfully® – Sandy Ogg - A Curveball Journey to Leading with Impact
    In episode 230 of Say It Skillfully®, Molly welcomes back Sandy Ogg, CEO of Curve Sports and founder of CEO.works, for an inspiring conversation about baseball, leadership, and creating opportunity for others.
    Sandy shares how sports shaped his life from childhood through college, teaching lessons in teamwork, perspective, resilience, and character. He also reflects on how that lifelong connection to baseball evolved into a larger mission: helping underserved young athletes access pathways to education, growth, and opportunity.
    From stories of youth teams and scholar athletes to reflections on leadership, privilege, AI, and the uniquely human skills that cannot be replaced, Sandy offers a powerful reminder that success is not just about winning games — it’s about helping others discover what is possible.
    A heartfelt conversation on purpose, impact, and using the gifts we’ve been given to give back.
    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction: Sandy Ogg’s Leadership and Baseball Journey
    02:41 Where Sandy’s Love of Baseball Began
    04:22 Baseball, Family, and the Coast Guard Academy
    06:42 Lessons from Youth Sports and His Father
    08:08 Learning Context Beyond Winning
    11:16 Coaches, Leadership, and Team Development
    13:43 Recognizing an Uneven Playing Field
    16:18 Building a Team with Access and Opportunity
    17:49 Scholar Athletes, Grades, and College Jerseys
    20:33 Life Lessons Beyond the Field
    22:05 The Parent-Coach-Athlete Triangle
    24:40 Defining What Winning Really Means
    26:06 Gratitude, College Jerseys, and a Doorstep Moment
    27:59 Realizing the Gift Was Also for Him
    30:16 Giving Back to the Sport That Gave So Much
    30:50 Curve Sports Foundation and Scaling Impact
    33:29 How Others Can Help Young Scholar Athletes
    34:35 Scholar Athletes as a National Treasure
    36:24 AI, Human Skills, and What Cannot Be Replaced
    38:14 Personal Side: Trumpet, Introversion, and Creative Tinkering
    42:16 Favorite Food and Childhood Memories
    42:59 Top Takeaway: Learn What AI Can’t Replace
    45:04 Reflecting on the Conversation
    46:24 Molly’s Closing Reflection
    49 min
  • 229 Say It Skillfully OUR VOICES - Lynden Archer, Closed Doors Provide Direction
    In Episode 229 of the Say It Skillfully® podcast, Molly welcomes chemical engineer, researcher, and Cornell University professor Lynden Archer. A leader in the field of biomaterials and sustainable energy innovation, Lynden shares insights from his groundbreaking work developing environmentally responsible materials that could transform industries ranging from plastics to batteries.
    In this inspiring conversation, Lynden reflects on the pivotal role of mentors in his life and how he found his way from growing up in Guyana to graduate school and a distinguished academic career. He shares the experiences and influences that helped shape his path and the lessons he learned along the way about perseverance, curiosity, and staying open to opportunity.
    Filled with insights on innovation, leadership, and scientific discovery, this episode offers listeners a compelling look at finding your north star and how bold thinking and collaboration can drive meaningful change.
    1 hr 7 min
  • 228 Say It Skillfully® – Jason Reid: Purpose, Passion & Youth Mental Health
    In Episode 228 of the Say It Skillfully® podcast, Molly welcomes back storyteller, entrepreneur, and founder of Tell My Story, Jason Reid. After the tragic loss of his 14-year-old son Ryan to suicide in 2018, Jason transformed unimaginable grief into a mission to help families better understand youth mental health and create spaces where young people feel seen, valued, and supported.
    In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Jason shares the inspiration behind his new film Shift: Do What Moves You, which highlights how purpose, passion, and personal interests can help young people rise above depression and anxiety. The discussion explores the importance of creating safe conversations around mental health, the role of parents in supporting their children’s emotional wellbeing, and why having a hobby or passion outside of work or school can be life-changing.
    Jason also reflects on personal growth, the power of curiosity, and why learning about emerging technologies like AI is essential in a rapidly changing world. From parenting insights to leadership lessons, this episode is filled with practical wisdom for anyone seeking to live more intentionally and help others do the same.
    Jason’s message is both hopeful and practical: finding what moves you—and encouraging others to do the same—can create profound change in both individual lives and communities.
    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction – Molly welcomes Jason Reid
    01:04 Jason on intentional living and personal growth
    03:55 Why lifelong learning matters in a rapidly changing world
    04:50 Jason’s focus on understanding AI and future technologies
    06:09 Navigating political division and understanding different perspectives
    08:44 Why everyone should start learning about AI now
    09:01 Podcast recommendations for understanding AI
    10:39 The origin of Tell My Story after the loss of Jason’s son Ryan
    12:40 How parents can start conversations about mental health with kids
    15:47 The importance of asking direct questions about suicide
    18:52 Why medication alone doesn’t solve mental health struggles
    20:20 The inspiration behind the film Shift: Do What Moves You
    21:48 Why everyone needs a passion or purpose beyond work
    24:32 Jason on hobbies, creativity, and trying new things
    26:50 Expanding your life through curiosity and interests
    30:05 Finding your aptitudes and creative outlets
    32:35 Helping kids discover hobbies and passions
    35:14 Self-care and support for adults struggling with mental health
    37:06 Therapy, support networks, and unexpected help from AI
    39:00 Jason’s advice for aspiring filmmakers and creators
    40:57 The impact of Jason’s work and films
    41:55 What Jason is most proud of as a leader
    43:31 Jason’s final advice: Find what excites you in life
    44:16 Closing thoughts and takeaway on AI and the future
    46 min
  • 227 Say It Skillfully® – Riel Erickson: Courage, Failure & Leading Where the Stakes Are High
    What does it take to lead when the stakes are life-and-death, failure is inevitable, and doubt never fully disappears?
    In this episode of Say It Skillfully®, Molly sits down with Lieutenant Colonel Riel Erickson — one of Canada’s first female fighter pilots, senior Royal Canadian Air Force officer, instructor, and leadership mentor.
    Riel shares her extraordinary journey from farm life to the cockpit, revealing the internal battles behind elite performance: self-doubt, fear, identity, and resilience. She explains why embracing failure is essential to growth, how leaders create psychological safety, and what it really means to move from doing the work… to leading people… to shaping institutions.
    This conversation is a masterclass in grounded leadership, courage under pressure, and using humanity — not perfection — as your greatest strength.
    You’ll learn:
    • Why failure can be freeing
    • How to manage fear instead of eliminating it
    • The hidden cost of masking to fit in
    • What great mentors actually do
    • How leaders scale impact through others
    If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in the room, this episode is for you.
    00:00 — Introduction: Leadership Where Stakes Are High
    00:01 — Riel’s Background & Breaking Barriers
    02:09 — International Women’s Forum & Finding Belonging
    05:57 — Early Life & Choosing the Military Path
    09:17 — Culture Shock of Military Training
    11:13 — Hating Pilot Training… at First
    12:57 — The Freedom of Detaching Identity from Success
    14:16 — “Embrace Failure” as a Life Mantra
    15:18 — Discovering Love for Flying & Challenge
    16:27 — Family Support & Sacrifice
    19:17 — Overcoming Self-Doubt
    22:29 — Managing Fear Under Pressure
    26:15 — Career Path: From Pilot to Instructor to Leader
    29:06 — Being the Only Woman in the Room
    32:12 — Leadership & Psychological Safety
    34:16 — Moving from Doing → Teaching → Leading Systems
    35:32 — Work-Life Integration, Not Balance
    40:07 — Mentorship That Changes Careers
    44:55 — Why Mentoring Others Matters
    47:10 — The Moment She Realized Her Visibility Matters
    1 hr 7 min
  • 226 Say It Skillfully® – Darcy Verhun: The Power of People-First Leadership
    In this episode of the Say It Skillfully Podcast, Molly sits down with Darcy Verhun — a rare kind of leader who builds companies by putting people first, not as a strategy, but as a way of being.
    From growing up between city life and the farm in Alberta, to becoming a management consultant for 25 years, to scaling a business to a $2B market cap, Darcy shares the values, habits, and leadership mindset that shaped his journey.
    Darcy also opens up about leading through culture change inside Canada Diagnostic Centres, why “smiling” became a serious leadership priority, and how small daily behaviors can transform an organization from the inside out.
    They close with a powerful “say it skillfully” moment: the one question Darcy asks at the end of meetings that can completely change outcomes — and create space for people to finally use their voice.
    If you’re a leader, coach, or someone trying to build a culture where people feel safe, seen, and motivated to grow — this one’s worth your time.
    Chapters
    00:00 Intro: A leader who builds by putting people first
    01:18 How Darcy and Molly met (Marshall Goldsmith connection)
    02:39 Darcy’s upbringing: farm life, work ethic, and humility
    06:12 The reading rule that became Darcy’s “superpower”
    07:03 Sports, skiing, and coaching elite athletes
    08:38 Why Darcy’s coaching style is built on stories
    10:00 What Darcy learned early: honesty, caring for others, open home
    12:13 Mentors and the professor who still challenges him today
    14:17 MBA + the unexpected path into consulting
    15:21 25 years in consulting: leadership, culture, and hard problems
    16:13 The shift from advising to owning the mission
    17:13 Purpose as a decision-making compass (“enhancing life”)
    20:39 A defining leadership moment: doing the right thing, not the textbook thing
    25:43 Entering healthcare: culture challenges + rebuilding trust
    29:13 The “CDC” framework: Culture, Deliver Care, Operational Excellence
    31:59 “Culture change doesn’t take years—it starts with me”
    32:57 Why Darcy focused on smiling first (and why it matters)
    35:03 The “High Five” habit: leaders connecting with their teams
    37:14 Measuring what matters: Clinic Excellence Index
    40:17 Daily Questions: Darcy’s personal growth habit
    42:29 Investing in health to lead better (getting back on the bike)
    43:37 The best meeting question: “Is there something you’re thinking or feeling you haven’t said?”
    45:11 Reading, mountain biking, and being an introvert leader
    46:09 The “candy cheat” for connecting with people
    46:51 A surprising fun fact: loving winter driving
    47:20 Regret: investing more in learning earlier
    48:23 Proud moments: family + the people he’s worked with
    49:06 Rapid fire: artist life, “Tarzan,” fries + ice cream
    50:04 Final takeaway: be yourself and don’t be afraid
    51:19 Closing quote + wrap
    53 min
  • 225 Say It Skillfully® – Ron Carucci: Nothing Is Irrevocable Except Death
    In this episode of Say It Skillfully®, host Molly Tschang engages in a deeply human, candid, and inspiring conversation with Ron Carucci — bestselling author, executive coach, and co-founder of Navalent. Together, they trace Ron’s extraordinary journey from a chaotic Long Island childhood to becoming one of the most trusted voices in leadership, organizational transformation, and personal growth.
    Ron opens up about the trauma and humor of growing up in a loud Italian household, discovering his love for the arts, navigating early career pivots, and finding purpose in helping leaders use their voices to serve the greater good. He shares vulnerable insights about therapy, impostor syndrome, mental health, parenting, marriage, failure, and what it means to truly “play big.”
    This episode offers profound lessons in honesty, self-compassion, resilience, and leading with integrity. Ron’s wisdom — centered on the belief that “nothing in life is irrevocable except death” — invites listeners to rethink how they show up in their work, relationships, and inner lives.
    A powerful celebration of growth, shared humanity, and the courage to become who you are meant to be.
    00:00 Introduction to Ron Carucci
    01:00 Growing Up in a Loud Italian Family
    02:51 Childhood Dynamics, Bullying & Identity
    04:36 Juilliard, Early Dreams & Family Expectations
    05:44 Pivoting from the Arts to Purpose-Driven Work
    06:29 A Transformational Moment with a Young Soldier
    07:10 Discovering the Power of Story
    07:47 Sibling Relationships & Processing Trauma
    09:36 Therapy, Internal Parts & Self-Understanding
    11:10 Entering the Corporate World & Early Lessons
    12:24 Learning the Language of Leadership Development
    13:03 Navigating Marriage, Partnership & Life on the Road
    14:05 Long-Distance Love & Building a Family
    15:36 Early Career Ambition & Realizations
    20:12 The PepsiCo Chapter — Politics, Ego & Hard Lessons
    23:09 Imposter Syndrome & Speaking Truth to Power
    25:26 Struggles with Diplomacy & Authenticity
    26:58 Parenting, Repair, and Generational Healing
    29:15 Mentorship & the Legendary Toby
    31:19 Writing as Validation, Craft, and Inner Work
    34:16 Wrestling with the Mental Health of Book Writing
    35:06 Tennis: Self-Care, Mental Health & Mastery
    38:31 What Tennis Reveals About the Self
    38:57 Symbolism in Collecting Keys, Doorknobs & Mugs
    40:57 Identity, Introversion & Misconceptions
    42:13 Career Do-Overs & Lessons Learned
    43:44 His Proudest Accomplishment: Fatherhood
    44:28 Rapid-Fire Questions
    45:28 Top Takeaways & Ron’s Life Philosophy
    46:36 Final Reflections & Closing
    49 min

About Say It Skillfully®

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Molly Tschang's Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you benefit from Molly's guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. She helps everyone…