The Beacon Way

Is starting a podcast actually worth it for your business?

You don't need millions of downloads, expensive equipment, or a perfectly polished on-camera presence to make podcasting valuable for your business.

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Seth Goldstein, founder of Goldstein Media and Podcast Mastery, to discuss how podcasting can help business owners build credibility, strengthen relationships, and share their expertise.

Seth's career began in journalism before he launched his digital marketing agency in 2008. With podcasting experience dating back to 2010, he now helps entrepreneurs and professionals navigate the process of starting podcasts and becoming more confident podcast guests.

Together, Adrienne and Seth explore why podcasting is about more than downloads and sponsorship revenue. They discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, the challenges of getting comfortable on camera, and how podcasting creates opportunities to connect with people who might otherwise never cross your path.

They also look at how AI and video are shaping the future of podcasting, why audio still matters, and how business owners can use new technology without losing the authentic conversations that make podcasts valuable.

In This Episode:

·      Why Seth transitioned from journalism to entrepreneurship

·      The realities of running a business and navigating unexpected challenges

·      How podcasting builds brand awareness, credibility, and professional relationships

·      Why you don't need to be a natural on camera to become a successful podcast guest

·      Practical ways to overcome camera anxiety and build confidence

·      Why podcasting shouldn't be approached as a hard sales pitch

·      How AI can support podcast editing, production, and content repurposing

·      Why video podcasts should still prioritize the audio listening experience

·      The first step business owners can take to start getting comfortable recording themselves

Connect With Seth Goldstein

Podcast Mastery: https://podcastmastery.coach

Website: https://sethgoldstein.me

Social links: https://social.sethgoldstein.me

About The Beacon Way Podcast

Hosted by Adrienne Wilkerson, CEO and co-founder of Beacon Media + Marketing, The Beacon Way Podcast features conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry professionals sharing the experiences, challenges, and lessons behind building successful businesses.

Subscribe for more conversations about entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, and business growth.

#PodcastingForBusiness #Entrepreneurship #TheBeaconWayPodcast

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to The Beacon Way Podcast

00:45 Meet Seth Goldstein

02:00 From Journalism to Digital Marketing

05:10 Lessons Learned From Entrepreneurship

07:00 The Realities of Running a Business

09:00 Navigating Business Challenges During COVID

11:15 Why Seth Started Podcast Mastery

12:30 How to Get Comfortable on Camera

14:00 Why Practice Makes Better Podcast Guests

15:30 How Podcasting Builds Your Brand

16:45 Building Relationships Instead of Hard Selling

17:30 The Future of Podcasting and AI

18:45 Why Audio Still Matters in Video Podcasting

22:00 The First Step to Starting a Podcast

23:30 Where to Connect With Seth

Change is happening faster than ever. But are we actually leading change, or just expecting people to keep up? 

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with April K. Mills, CEO + Founder of Engine For Change, to explore why traditional approaches to change management often fall short and what leaders can do differently. 

April's career began as a civilian nuclear engineer at a Navy shipyard just weeks before September 11, 2001. As the demands on the organization rapidly changed, she became interested in understanding why hardworking, committed teams struggled to adapt and how leaders could make meaningful improvements without simply pushing people harder. 

That experience eventually shaped her leadership philosophy: Drive change, not people. 

Adrienne and April discuss why forcing change through authority, deadlines, and expectations doesn't necessarily create lasting progress. Instead, April explains how leaders can build conviction around a shared goal, understand the obstacles their teams face, and create opportunities for people to participate in change. 

They also explore the growing challenge of change fatigue, particularly as AI and new technologies continue to reshape how businesses operate. April shares why the fear of falling behind can lead organizations to pursue changes that don't actually support their goals and how leaders can become more intentional about what they choose to implement. 

Throughout the conversation, April offers practical strategies for business owners, entrepreneurs, and team leaders who want to build stronger teams, improve organizational performance, and lead change without relying on pressure or control. 

In this episode: 
-Why traditional change management approaches often fail 
-What it means to drive change instead of driving people 
-Lessons in leadership from April's career in the Navy 
-Why conviction and personal ownership matter in organizational change 
-How AI and rapid technological advancement contribute to change fatigue 
-The difference between meaningful innovation and fear-driven decisions 
-Why anyone can become a change agent, regardless of their title 
-Practical ways leaders can identify and remove obstacles for their teams 
-How to encourage employee participation without giving up leadership authority 
-Why effective change starts with understanding your own role in the process 

Connect With April K. Mills 
Website: https://engine-for-change.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilkmills/  
Get a copy of April’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RSC1TT6?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback  

Chapters: 
00:00 Welcome to The Beacon Way Podcast  
00:45 Meet April Mills & Her Navy Background  
02:45 What Does It Mean to Drive Change, Not People?  
05:15 How Conviction Creates Meaningful Change  
08:00 Why Leaders Experience Change Fatigue  
09:30 AI, Technology & the Fear of Falling Behind  
12:00 The Change Agent's Motto  
13:30 Why Anyone Can Become a Change Agent  
14:30 Practical Steps to Lead Change  
16:00 How to Identify Your Team's Real Obstacles  
19:00 Leading Change Without Giving Up Authority  
21:30 Why Collaborative Leadership Isn't Weak Leadership  
23:30 Choosing What You Can Control  
25:00 April Mills' Book & How to Connect 

You built the business. So why does it feel like you can't step away from it?

For many entrepreneurs, the skills that helped them start their business eventually become the very things holding it back.

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Derek Fredrickson, Founder and CEO of The COO Solution, to talk about why successful business owners become bottlenecks in their own companies and what it takes to move out of day-to-day operations and into true leadership.

With more than 16 years of experience as a COO and second-in-command, Derek has helped entrepreneurs build the systems, teams, and operational structure needed to grow without carrying every responsibility themselves.

Adrienne and Derek discuss the often-overlooked identity shift that comes with moving from operator to owner, why being good at something doesn't necessarily mean you should be doing it, and how founders can get so caught up in putting out fires that they lose sight of the vision that started their business.

They also explore why pushing for more leads, sales, and growth without the right operational foundation can create more complexity and burnout instead of progress.

Derek shares practical exercises, including his Founder Dependency Audit, to help business owners identify where their time is going, what they should delegate, and whether it's time to bring in a fractional COO.

In this episode:

- Why founders become bottlenecks in their own businesses
- The difference between operating a business and leading one
- The identity shift required to become a true CEO
- Why being busy doesn't always mean being productive
- How to identify what you should delegate
- The Founder Dependency Audit and four-quadrant exercise
- Why scaling without systems can lead to burnout
- Building accountability, structure, and high-performing teams
- When to hire a fractional COO
- How to reclaim your time and focus on sustainable growth

Connect With Derek Fredrickson

Website: https://thecoosolution.com
Is your business ready for a fractional COO?
Visit The COO Solution website to take Derek's Fractional COO 

Readiness Quiz and explore whether your business could benefit from part-time operational leadership.

You can also find The COO Solution Podcast through his website for more conversations about business systems, leadership, and scaling sustainably.

🎧 Subscribe to The Beacon Way Podcast for more conversations with entrepreneurs and business leaders sharing the lessons behind building and growing successful businesses.

Chapters: 
00:00 Welcome to The Beacon Way Podcast 
00:45 Meet Derek Fredrickson & The COO Solution 
03:45 How Founders Become Business Bottlenecks 
06:45 The Shift From Operator to Owner 
08:30 Why Founders Struggle to Let Go 
10:00 Rediscovering Your Vision as CEO 
12:00 Where Is Your Time Actually Going? 
15:00 Why Growth Without Structure Leads to Burnout 
18:00 The Founder Dependency Audit 
20:00 Identifying What You Should Delegate 
23:00 Getting Out of the Day-to-Day 
25:00 When Should You Hire a Fractional COO? 
27:30 What a Fractional COO Actually Does 
29:00 Connect With Derek & Take the Readiness Quiz

Beacon Media + Marketing is an Alaska-based digital marketing agency with a proven track record of success, harnessing the power of data and award-winning creative to deliver outstanding results for our clients. 

It all starts with data, because data drives results! We are a data-driven agency because we know that in the business world, success is measured by the numbers. We pride ourselves in award-winning work that marries the best of data analytics with stunning creative to deliver the right message, at the right time, to the right demographic. Our power lies in the clicks, leads, engagement, and conversions we produce for our clients!

Learn more about us at BeaconMM.com

Recovery takes more than treatment. It takes connection, community, and somewhere safe to keep moving forward.

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Shelly Dutch, a woman in long-term recovery and longtime behavioral health professional, to talk about what truly supports people throughout the recovery journey.

Drawing from her own experience with addiction and decades working in the field, Shelly shares why connection has remained at the center of her work. From building an outpatient treatment program to helping establish Horizon High School and founding the Recovery Foundation, she has seen firsthand what can happen when people have supportive environments where they feel heard, valued, and understood. 

Adrienne and Shelly discuss the gaps that can emerge after treatment, especially when someone returns to the same environment without stable housing, community, or continued support. Shelly explains why the Recovery Foundation now focuses on scholarships for recovery housing and how continued engagement in recovery services can help give people a stronger foundation for what comes next. 

They also explore the growing tension between connection and isolation in an increasingly digital world. Shelly explains why genuine human relationships, mentorship, experiential learning, and simply having someone willing to listen can be so meaningful for people navigating addiction and mental health challenges. 

In this episode:

- Shelly’s personal journey into long-term recovery
- Why connection is so important in addiction recovery
- What can happen when support ends after treatment
- The role of recovery housing in long-term recovery
- Supporting adolescents through recovery-focused education
- Reducing stigma around substance use disorders
- Technology, isolation, and the need for real human connection
- Creating environments where people can rebuild their lives
- Finding purpose through service and giving back

Connect With Shelly
Recovery Foundation: recoveryfoundation.net
Horizon High School: horizonhighschool.org

Shelly specifically shares both organizations at the end of the conversation for anyone interested in learning more, getting involved, or supporting their work. 
🎧 Subscribe to The Beacon Way Podcast for more conversations with behavioral health leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals working to create meaningful change.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to The Beacon Way Podcast
00:45 Meet Shelly Dutch & Her Recovery Story
03:30 Building a Career in Addiction Treatment
05:00 Starting a Recovery High School
07:00 The Recovery Foundation & Recovery Housing
10:00 What Happens After Addiction Treatment?
13:00 The Continued Stigma Around Addiction
16:00 Why Human Connection Matters in Recovery
19:00 Technology, Isolation & Pseudo Connection
22:00 Building Connection at Horizon High School
25:00 Experiential Learning for Teens in Recovery
29:00 Why Recovery Housing Matters
32:00 Finding Purpose Through Giving Back
35:00 Connect With Shelly Dutch

Beacon Media + Marketing is an Alaska-based digital marketing agency with a proven track record of success, harnessing the power of data and award-winning creative to deliver outstanding results for our clients. 

It all starts with data, because data drives results! We are a data-driven agency because we know that in the business world, success is measured by the numbers. We pride ourselves in award-winning work that marries the best of data analytics with stunning creative to deliver the right message, at the right time, to the right demographic. Our power lies in the clicks, leads, engagement, and conversions we produce for our clients!

Learn more about us at BeaconMM.com

Sales shouldn’t feel like convincing someone to buy something they don’t need.

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with entrepreneur and sales expert Joe Rockey to rethink what good sales actually looks like and why a people-first approach can create better outcomes for both the business and the customer.
Joe shares why relationship-based sales starts with understanding the problem someone is trying to solve, communicating it in language they actually use, and creating a genuine win-win instead of relying on pressure or traditional sales tactics. 

Adrienne and Joe also dig into the relationship between marketing and sales, why impressions and lead volume don't tell the whole story, and why marketing teams need feedback from sales to understand whether they're attracting the right people. 

For mental and behavioral health leaders especially, the conversation challenges the idea that marketing or selling your services has to feel uncomfortable. Your audience may not understand your credentials, methodology, or industry terminology. They understand the problem they're living with and want to know whether you can help solve it.
The conversation also covers employee motivation, building accountability into company culture, hiring with clearer expectations, and why understanding what actually motivates people can change the way you lead a team.

In this episode:

- How to sell without feeling salesy Relationship-based sales and creating a win-win
- Aligning your marketing and sales teams
- Why qualified leads matter more than vanity metrics
- How to communicate in your customer's language
- Why credentials shouldn't lead your marketing
- Creating accountability without micromanaging
- Motivating and retaining the right employees
- Turning marketing leads into actual customers

🎧 Subscribe to The Beacon Way Podcast for more conversations about marketing, leadership, entrepreneurship, and building stronger businesses.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to The Beacon Way Podcast
01:00 Meet Joe Rockey: A Lifetime in Sales
02:30 Why Sales Has Always Had a Trust Problem
05:00 How to Sell Without Feeling Salesy
07:30 Creating a Win-Win Through Sales
08:30 Aligning Marketing and Sales
11:00 Stop Measuring the Wrong Marketing Metrics
13:00 Quality Leads vs. More Leads
15:00 Market the Problem, Not the Process
18:00 Why Your Credentials Aren't Your Marketing Message
22:00 Speak the Language Your Customers Actually Use
25:00 Sell the Outcome, Not the Process
27:00 A Different Approach to Employee Motivation
30:00 Building Team Accountability Without Micromanaging
33:00 What Today's Employees Actually Want
36:00 Why Businesses Get Hiring Wrong
39:00 Where Marketing and Sales Break Down
40:00 Turning Form Fills Into Clients
42:00 Connect With Joe Rockey

Keep the convo going with Joe Rockey:
https://calendly.com/joseph_rockey/confidential-conversation?month=2026-10

____________________________________________________________________

Beacon Media + Marketing is an Alaska-based digital marketing agency with a proven track record of success, harnessing the power of data and award-winning creative to deliver outstanding results for our clients. 

It all starts with data, because data drives results! We are a data-driven agency because we know that in the business world, success is measured by the numbers. We pride ourselves in award-winning work that marries the best of data analytics with stunning creative to deliver the right message, at the right time, to the right demographic. Our power lies in the clicks, leads, engagement, and conversions we produce for our clients!

Learn more about us at BeaconMM.com

Trying to serve everyone might be exactly what’s keeping your business stuck.

Jessica Rhodes, founder of Interview Connections, joins Adrienne Wilkerson to talk about building a multiple seven-figure agency, navigating the realities of entrepreneurship, and why one of her biggest growth decisions was finally getting specific about who her business serves best. 

They dig into why niching down can strengthen your marketing and attract better-fit clients, why adaptability matters more than having the perfect business plan, and what Jessica learned after transitioning out of an eight-year business partnership and rebuilding as a solo owner.

Adrienne and Jessica also get into the more personal side of entrepreneurship: managing pressure, balancing business and relationships, learning to receive support, and accepting that sometimes the plan is going to go completely off the rails.

In this episode:
- Why niching down can strengthen your business
- Finding and attracting your ideal clients
- Adapting when your business plan changes
- Rebuilding after a business partnership
- The reality of entrepreneurship behind the scenes
- Balancing leadership, relationships, and support

Learn more about Jessica and Interview Connections at interviewconnections.com. 

Chapters
00:00 Welcome & Meet Jessica Rhodes
01:00 Building Interview Connections
05:00 Why Entrepreneurs Have to Adapt
09:00 The Reality of Running a Business
14:00 Why Jessica Finally Niched Down
17:00 What Changed After Choosing a Niche
20:00 Why Customers Want Specialists
22:00 Ending an Eight-Year Business Partnership
25:00 Rebuilding as a Solo Owner
27:00 Entrepreneurship, Marriage & Support
31:00 Stepping Out of CEO Mode
39:00 Doing, Receiving & Business Growth
41:00 Connect With Jessica
____________________________________________________________________

Beacon Media + Marketing is an Alaska-based digital marketing agency with a proven track record of success, harnessing the power of data and award-winning creative to deliver outstanding results for our clients. 

It all starts with data, because data drives results! We are a data-driven agency because we know that in the business world, success is measured by the numbers. We pride ourselves in award-winning work that marries the best of data analytics with stunning creative to deliver the right message, at the right time, to the right demographic. Our power lies in the clicks, leads, engagement, and conversions we produce for our clients!

Learn more about us at BeaconMM.com

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson talks with Bob Poznanovich about why the “hardest yes” in healthcare is accepting behavioral health or substance use care, where shame, stigma, brief moments of clarity, and system friction (missed calls, jargon, records, payer criteria, fragmented care) derail people.

Bob shares his five-stage “psychological patient journey”—problem, solution, place, commit, show up—and explains how aligning motivation and change science with scalable AI tools can help intake teams engage callers, reduce barriers, and capture insights from conversations. He describes Anonymous Health’s work, including the Heads Up product that gives live feedback to agents, and highlights how call data can improve messaging and operations.

Bob also previews his upcoming book, The Delta System, a triangle model for margin focused on admissions, length of stay, and dollars per day, and the governance needed to manage tradeoffs.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
00:58 Why Margin Matters
01:33 Hardest Yes in Care
02:53 Friction and Clarity Window
04:13 Psychological Journey Model
05:51 Five Yeses Framework
08:08 Motivation Science Meets Ops
09:33 Scaling with AI Tools
12:41 Patient First Not Systems
15:22 Marketing Insights from Calls
18:00 Phone Call Metrics
18:49 Patient Journey Story
20:26 Margins And Delta
21:52 Triangle Equation
23:39 System Blindness
27:53 Governance And KPIs
29:50 Strategic Equilibrium
32:07 AI And Dashboards
32:57 Book And Contact
34:16 Final Thanks Outro


Connect with Bob on LinkedIn:   / poznanovich 

Website: https://poznanovich.health/

Grab a copy of his book The Delta System here: https://poznanovich.health/book/

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, Adrienne Wilkerson is joined by our own Denali Taylor, Director of Client Strategy, who shares how she entered mental health marketing after joining Beacon in 2022 and how her brother’s death by suicide in 2023 reshaped her approach by “becoming the customer.” 

Denali discusses why marketing in mental health must prioritize trust, specificity, and connection—especially for audiences experiencing traumatic grief—and how niching down (e.g., suicide loss, sibling grief) can resonate more than generic messaging. 

She highlights the impact of language nuances (such as avoiding “commit suicide”), the challenges of navigating therapy when overwhelmed, misconceptions about what suicidality looks like, and the importance of clear, supportive intake processes and relatable online presence.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome Denali Taylor
00:48 Denali’s Beacon Journey
04:10 Becoming the Customer
07:11 Creators Who Nailed It
12:18 Why Generic Content Fails
19:41 Marketing Imagery Lessons
23:30 Language That Triggers
34:06 Connection in a Digital World
38:00 Monday Morning Priorities
39:29 Closing Thanks and Next Steps


Connect with Denali on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/denali-taylor-864445170/

What if building a successful business started with one simple belief: people matter?

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Josh Block, author of People Matter at Work, to discuss what it truly means to build a people-first culture without sacrificing accountability, growth, or business performance.

Josh shares his remarkable leadership journey—from moving from sales representative to company president almost overnight after his father stepped down, to helping grow a family business into a thriving organization that was ultimately acquired by Siemens Healthineers and CommonSpirit Health. Along the way, he learned that sustainable business growth isn't just about systems or strategy—it's about creating an environment where people feel safe, seen, and successful.

Together, Adrienne and Josh explore how leaders can hold people accountable with empathy, why thoughtful leadership creates stronger organizations, and how intentional cultures outperform accidental ones.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, healthcare leader, or accidental business owner, this conversation offers practical leadership lessons you can apply immediately.

In This Episode:
• Josh's unexpected journey from sales rep to company president
• Leading a family business at just 29 years old
• Balancing empathy with accountability
• Why clear expectations create stronger teams
• The difference between "me" cultures and "we" cultures
• Josh's Three T's of Leadership
• Creating workplaces where people feel safe, seen, and successful
• Why words shape organizational culture
• Leading through business acquisitions with transparency
• Building businesses people actually want to work for

Key Takeaways:
Leadership starts with serving others.
Great leaders don't simply focus on business performance. They invest in helping people become the best version of themselves while creating accountability that benefits both the individual and the organization.

Accountability and empathy can coexist.
Holding people accountable isn't about punishment. When expectations are clear and leaders genuinely care about their people, accountability becomes an investment in growth rather than a source of fear.

Culture is built intentionally.
Organizations don't accidentally create healthy workplaces. Shared language, clear values, transparency, and thoughtful leadership shape the environment employees experience every day.

The strongest teams feel safe, seen, and successful.
When people know they matter, they're more likely to contribute ideas, take ownership, remain engaged, and stay with the organization long term.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to The Beacon Way Podcast
00:47 Meet Josh Block
01:10 From Sales Representative to President Overnight
03:05 Leading Older Employees at Age 29
05:05 Leadership Lessons From Early Mistakes
06:45 Holding People Accountable with Empathy
09:50 Why Clear Expectations Matter
11:05 Helping Employees Feel Safe, Seen & Successful
12:40 The Three T's of Leadership
15:05 Why Shared Language Builds Culture
18:20 Growing a Business Through Acquisition
22:30 Transitioning from President to Advisor
24:05 Building Trust Through Transparency
26:00 Josh's Current Work and Mission
27:15 Where to Find People Matter at Work
28:20 Closing Thoughts

Connect with Josh Block
🌐 People Matter at Work
https://peoplematteratwork.com

📧 Email
[email protected]

📖 Book: People Matter at Work Fostering a Culture Where Team Members Thrive and Everyone Wins: https://www.amazon.com/People-Matter-... 
 
Available on:
• Amazon 
• Barnes & Noble 
• Books-A-Million 
• Audible (Audiobook) 

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Shannon Russell, founder of Build Better Teams Consulting, to explore how LEGO Serious Play can help organizations strengthen communication, uncover new ideas, and create more connected teams.

Shannon began her career as a television producer before leaving the industry to build a STEM education business while raising two young children. After spending more than eight years teaching LEGO and robotics, she discovered LEGO Serious Play, a hands-on methodology that helps adults think, communicate, and solve problems in a more visual and collaborative way. 

During the conversation, Shannon explains how building with LEGO can create a more level playing field during meetings. Instead of hearing only from the most vocal people in the room, every team member has an opportunity to build, explain, and contribute their perspective.
Adrienne and Shannon also discuss the challenges of managing remote and growing teams, the importance of regular check-ins, and why leaders need to create more opportunities for genuine human connection in an increasingly digital workplace.

Whether you are leading a small business, navigating rapid growth, managing a remote team, or trying to improve collaboration across your organization, this conversation offers practical ways to help people feel heard, valued, and connected.

In This Episode
• Shannon’s transition from television producer to entrepreneur 
• Starting a business while raising young children 
• How Shannon’s STEM education company evolved 
• What LEGO Serious Play is and how it works 
• Why hands-on learning can improve understanding and retention 
• Creating space for quieter team members to contribute 
• How LEGO can reveal team roles, gaps, and opportunities 
• Supporting accidental business owners who suddenly have a team 
• Using LEGO Serious Play with remote and in-person teams 
• How regular check-ins strengthen team cohesion 
• Building stronger relationships in remote workplaces 
• Why celebrating wins can create a healthier team culture 

Key Takeaways
Hands-on learning creates deeper understanding: LEGO Serious Play encourages people to think with their hands. Team members build their answers, explain their ideas, and create a visual representation that others can better understand and remember.

Every team member deserves an opportunity to contribute: Traditional meetings often favor the most vocal people in the room. A structured building exercise gives quieter or more introverted team members an equal opportunity to share their ideas.

Strong teams require consistent connection: Remote work can leave employees feeling isolated or disconnected from the larger organization. Regular team check-ins and intentional one-on-one conversations can help people understand their priorities, ask for support, and feel valued.

Leaders need to know their people: Team cohesion is not only about productivity. Asking about an employee’s family, challenges, goals, and life outside of work can build the trust needed for stronger communication and long-term retention.

Celebrating progress strengthens culture: Ending the week by recognizing personal and professional wins can help teams focus on what is going well instead of only discussing problems and unfinished tasks.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Shannon’s Career Journey
01:14 Transitioning from Television to STEM Education
03:14 Starting a Business with Young Children
08:41 Discovering LEGO Serious Play
10:50 How LEGO Serious Play Improves Team Collaboration
13:24 Tactile Learning and Human Connection
16:26 Building Team Roles and Organizational Plans
17:46 Supporting Accidental Business Owners
19:16 Helping Team Members Understand Their Roles
21:38 Virtual vs. In-Person LEGO Sessions
23:28 Keeping Growing Teams Connected
24:22 Weekly and Individual Team Check-Ins
26:17 Celebrating Wins and Strengthening Culture
28:55 Building Deeper Workplace Relationships
30:23 How to Connect with Shannon Russell

Connect with Shannon Russell:
Build Better Teams Consulting
https://buildbetterteamsconsulting.com
Build Better Teams Podcast
https://buildbetterteamsconsulting.com/podcast