In this episode of The Balancing Act Podcast, Andy sits down with Chris Deaver, the co-founder of BraveCore and the "quiet force" behind leadership initiatives at Apple and Disney. Chris shares how he helped these global giants navigate massive growth by moving away from "rock star" individualism toward a culture of co-creation.

Discover how to move beyond efficiency and effectiveness to embrace a future where humans and AI work together to build something super-abundant. Whether you are a mid-career manager feeling stuck or an executive looking to reduce friction in your organization, this episode provides a roadmap for leading with curiosity and bravery.

Chris is the co-author of Brave Together, a breakthrough leadership book featured in The Next Big Idea Club with Malcom Gladwell and Adam Grant. Through his consultancy, BraveCore, he helps leaders rethink their influence and build cultures where teams can do the impossible.

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In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy speaks with Rachel Shaw, a nationally recognized ADA expert and president of Shaw HR Consulting, about the complexities of disability accommodation in the workplace. They discuss the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the cultural challenges surrounding these laws. 

Rachel shares her personal journey in HR, the importance of proactive planning, and how organizations can create a supportive environment for employees with disabilities. The conversation emphasizes the need for compassionate leadership and the value of understanding the modern workforce's needs.

Tune into episode 234 to hear Rachel's story, her career rocket-booster moment, and her thoughts on all things ADA and FMLA.

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In this episode of The Balancing Act podcast, host Andy speaks with Misty Heggeness - co-director of the Kansas Population Center, an associate professor of economics at the University of Kansas, and author of Swiftynomics: How Women Mastermind and Redefine Our Economy. 

They discuss Misty's journey in economics, her passion for increasing women's representation in the field, and her innovative teaching methods that incorporate pop culture to engage students. Misty shares insights from her research, the importance of valuing caregivers' contributions to the economy, and her personal growth journey centered around authenticity.

Tune into episode 233 to hear Misty's story, her career rocket-booster moment, and her thoughts on the complex economic lives of American women through the lens of pop culture.

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In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Dr. Eugene Manley discusses his journey in STEMM education, the importance of diversity in the workforce, and the challenges of healthcare equity. He emphasizes the need for mentorship, early engagement in science for underrepresented populations, and the critical role of patient advocacy in addressing systemic biases in medical research. 

Dr. Manley is the Founder & CEO of the SCHEQ Foundation and comes to us with over 20 years of experience across engineering, molecular & cell biology, nonprofit strategy, and workforce development.

Tune into episode 232 to hear Eugene's story, his career rocket-booster moment, and his thoughts on STEMM education in underrepresented populations and healthcare equity.

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In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy speaks with Jason P. Carroll, a leadership strategist and entrepreneur, about the importance of self-awareness, the costs of bad hiring decisions, and the innovative Aptive Index assessment tool. 

They discuss the challenges of current pre-hire assessments, the role of technology in improving hiring practices, and the significance of understanding behavioral traits in leadership and team dynamics. 

Tune into episode 231 to hear Jason's story, his career rocket-booster moment, and his thoughts about pre-hire assessment tools and making better hiring decisions.

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In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Rob Van Craenenbroeck, co-founder of Culture@Work, about the importance of organizational culture transformation. They discuss the unique approach of Culture@Work, the challenges organizations face in defining and maintaining their culture, and the impact of AI on work dynamics. 

Rob shares insights on mentorship for HR professionals and introduces Culture Camp, a new initiative aimed at enhancing business outcomes through proactive HR strategies.

Tune into episode 230 to learn more about the importance of organizational culture and the ever-changing world of work.

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In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Michelle Reina, an expert in organizational trust. They explore the significance of trust in the workplace, the common pitfalls that lead to its erosion, and the essential role of leadership in fostering a high-trust culture. 

Michelle shares her journey in trust building, practical steps for leaders and mid-level managers, and the importance of self-reflection in maintaining trust. The conversation emphasizes that trust is a continuous process that requires intentional behavior and commitment from everyone in the organization.

Michelle is the co-founder of Reina Trust Building, and bestselling co-author of the groundbreaking Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace. More than three decades of research and practice have culminated in her new book, The Art of Trust Building (January 2026).

Tune into episode 229 to hear Michelle's story, her career rocket-booster moment, and her thoughts on building organizational trust.

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In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy interviews Steve Brown, a futurist and AI expert, discussing the transformative impact of AI on business and society.

Steve shares insights from his career, the concept of agentic AI, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the face of rapid technological change. He emphasizes the need for businesses to embrace AI thoughtfully, engage employees in the process, and focus on education to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.

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In this episode of The Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Jared Lindzon about the concept of a four-day workweek, exploring its historical context, societal benefits, and the challenges of implementation. They discuss how AI can facilitate this transition and the cultural inertia that often hinders change. 

Jared shares insights on how organizations can successfully adopt a shorter workweek, the importance of addressing employee guilt around productivity, and offers advice for mid-level managers looking to drive change from within.

Tune into episode 227 to hear Jared's thoughts on the adoption of a four day workweek!

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In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Jeff Meade, the founding director of entrepreneurship at Paul Quinn College. They discuss Jeff's journey as a serial entrepreneur, the unique work readiness focus of Paul Quinn College, and the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among all students, not just business majors. 

Jeff shares insights on how higher education institutions can adapt to changing market demands by acting like startups and emphasizes the significance of venture-based learning in preparing students for real-world challenges. The conversation also touches on the college's seed fund initiative to support student ideas and Jeff's personal growth goals in understanding private equity.

Tune into episode 226 to hear Jeff's story, his career rocket-booster moment, and his thoughts on all things entrepreneurship and why "Every Quinnite is an Entrepreneur."

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