The Lighten Up Project

If you've ever rolled out a change initiative and heard nothing but crickets, this episode is your wake-up call. Dr. Diane Dye — organizational change expert, founder of People Risk Consulting, and returning Lighten Up Nation favorite — breaks down why the hardest part of transformation isn't the strategy, it's the people. And why the bravest thing a leader can do is stop talking and start listening.

What You'll Hear

• Why the leader's job is to "listen then lead" — not the other way around — and what happens to the companies that get it backwards
• The difference between signal and noise in change management, and how to tune into the repeating theme that actually points the way forward
• How selection bias quietly becomes confirmation bias, and why the leader who only hears what they want to hear is building a product with a "presupposed market that may not exist"
• What psychological safety really is, why it starts with yourself before it can exist in your team, and how one leader with a safe presence can change everything — even inside a toxic organization
• The red pill moment: Dr. Dye's honest confession about hitting year ten, grinding hard, and finally asking the question she'd been afraid to ask all along
• Why The Matrix and Project Hail Mary are actually the best change management case studies nobody's teaching in business school
• Where play, laughter, and adventure fit inside a change process — and why some of the best ideas happen when teams travel together
• Dr. Dye's hope for the future: an EQ renaissance, as AI takes over the IQ work and human-centered leadership becomes the only true differentiator

Resources Mentioned on this Episode

- Book: Creating Critical Opportunity by Dr. Diane Dye — available on Amazon; not just for business leaders — listeners are using it to navigate major life changes too

- The Braver Innovation Framework — Dr. Dye's research-backed tool for identifying and challenging the biases that block bold leadership; free monthly trainings available via LinkedIn

- Connect with Dr. Diane Dye — LinkedIn: Dr. Diane Dye (she's in her own DMs)

- John Kotter's Change Framework and McKinsey 7S — referenced in the discussion on change management and listening

- Related Episode: The Lighten Up Project, Season 1, Episode 2 — "The Humor Tree," where Malcolm introduces the Find Your Funny Formula™

- Learn more about Malcolm's work at the World Laughter Organization™

Featured Guest:

Dr. Diane Dye, founder of People Risk Consulting, author of the Creating Critical Opportunity workbook, helps CEOs eliminate the hidden people risks that stall transformation. With a doctorate in Organizational Change & Leadership and a Masters in Communication Management from the University of Southern California, she blends research-backed frameworks with pop-culture storytelling to tackle CEO isolation, build psychological safety, and turn critical challenges into breakthrough opportunities.

Connect with Dr. Diane:

Website: https://peopleriskconsulting.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdianedye/

Meet the Host: Malcolm Grissom

Malcolm Grissom, affectionately known as "The Stand-up C.E.O.," is a team-building and employee engagement expert. Malcolm, an award-winning actor, comedian, International speaker, and best-selling author, masterfully blends humor, improv, and business acumen to enhance team dynamics and profitability. As a certified laughter leader, he leverages the power of positive psychology and his social work background to create engaging, results-driven experiences. Whether inspiring executives, strengthening teams, or energizing audiences, Malcolm’s unique approach fosters connection, creativity, and success. His ability to transform corporate culture with humor and insight makes him a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Follow Malcolm:

Website: malcolmgrissom.com

Facebook: facebook.com/malcolmgrissom

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malcolmgrissom

Stressed, stuck, or leading on autopilot? It’s not a motivation problem—it’s a connection problem. Malcolm’s weekly virtual improv classes boost engagement, collaboration, and retention—all while having fun. Register now for a complimentary month: https://malcolmgrissom.thrivecart.com/everyday-encores/

We are proud to have The Lighten Up Project on the *High Vibe Podcast Network .* Grab your free gift from Malcolm in our Our High Vibe Gift Vault.

Love this show, check out the other shows on the High Vibe Podcast Network.

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Alignment coach, bestselling author, and singer-songwriter Kassandra Hamilton knows what it feels like to be wildly successful on the outside while running on empty on the inside. In this rich, wide-ranging conversation, she shares her four-phase framework for going from burnout to clarity — and why the power to get there has been inside you all along.

What You'll Hear

• The four phases of Kassandra's "Realigning from the Inside Out" framework: Observe, Understand, Break Free, and Live from the Inside Out — and how each one brings you back to yourself
• Why "overgiving isn't love" — and the hard lesson Kassandra would write to her younger self about boundaries, burnout, and filling your own cup first
• How forced laughter is still energy in motion — and why even a non-genuine laugh can break a downward spiral and shift your awareness
• The airport security analogy that explains why speaking your needs (without blame) is always the answer when life feels like it's rushing you
• What alignment actually feels like in the body: not an adrenaline rush, but a quiet, alive sense of "this is why I'm here"
• Why Kassandra believes healing doesn't have to feel heavy — it can be fascinating, funny, and even fun to participate in
• The simple perspective shift she uses in road rage moments: zooming out to remember we're spinning on a rock in the universe — and suddenly the traffic doesn't matter quite as much

Resources Mentioned on this Episode

- Book: The Magic of Realigning from the Inside Out by Kassandra Hamilton — available on Amazon

- Book: Cracking the Rich Code — a collaborative project featuring Kassandra's chapter on using AI for positive impact

- Website: www.readysetrealign.ca — book a virtual coffee or learn more about her one-on-one and group offerings

- Instagram: @Cassandra_Hamilton

- Related Episode: The Lighten Up Project, Season 1, Episode 2 — "The Humor Tree," where Malcolm defines humor and introduces the Find Your Funny Formula™

- Learn more about Malcolm's work at the World Laughter Organization™

Featured Guest:

Kassandra Hamilton is a bestselling author, speaker, and founder of Ready Set Realign, where she helps high-achieving women realign their lives from the inside out - moving beyond burnout, misalignment, and the quiet drift into autopilot. With a Master’s in Global Health and over a decade of experience in digital health, including work alongside Indigenous communities, Kassandra brings a rare perspective that bridges science, lived experience, and human-centered systems.

Her work is grounded in the understanding that sustainable change doesn’t come from forcing people to fit into broken systems - but from reconnecting individuals to their inner clarity, capacity, and truth. After stepping away from a traditional medical path and navigating her own healing journey, Kassandra integrates nervous system awareness, bio-energetic healing, and practical alignment tools to help individuals reclaim their power, boundaries, and direction.

She is the author of The Magic of Realigning from the Inside Out, a guide for those ready to stop shrinking and start living in alignment with who they truly are. Her work now extends beyond individual transformation into organizational and societal impact. Kassandra speaks on the intersection of burnout, leadership, and system design—challenging the idea that either people or systems need to be “fixed.” Instead, she advocates for a more honest and sustainable path forward: recognizing both as inherently imperfect, and building bridges between them that allow for growth, adaptability, and shared responsibility.

She is also a voice in the evolving conversation around artificial intelligence—exploring how AI can be used not as a tool of fear or further disconnection, but as a force for amplification. When grounded in aligned leadership and human awareness, she believes AI has the potential to scale impact, deepen connection, and support more sustainable ways of working and living. Through her speaking, programs, and collaborative platforms, Kassandra is on a mission to redefine what sustainable success looks like—where inner alignment meets external impact, and where many hands truly make light work.

Connect with Kassandra:

Website: www.readysetrealign.ca

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassandra-hamilton

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VancouverIslandHealing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassandra_hamilton/

Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coachingwithkassandra?

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@readysetrealign

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDKW9ZNrsvA

Amazon Link to Book: https://a.co/d/2yWISSu

Meet the Host: Malcolm Grissom

Malcolm Grissom, affectionately known as "The Stand-up C.E.O.," is a team-building and employee engagement expert. Malcolm, an award-winning actor, comedian, International speaker, and best-selling author, masterfully blends humor, improv, and business acumen to enhance team dynamics and profitability. As a certified laughter leader, he leverages the power of positive psychology and his social work background to create engaging, results-driven experiences. Whether inspiring executives, strengthening teams, or energizing audiences, Malcolm’s unique approach fosters connection, creativity, and success. His ability to transform corporate culture with humor and insight makes him a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Follow Malcolm:

Website: malcolmgrissom.com

Facebook: facebook.com/malcolmgrissom

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malcolmgrissom

Stressed, stuck, or leading on autopilot? It’s not a motivation problem—it’s a connection problem. Malcolm’s weekly virtual improv classes boost engagement, collaboration, and retention—all while having fun. Register now for a complimentary month: https://malcolmgrissom.thrivecart.com/everyday-encores/

We are proud to have The Lighten Up Project on the *High Vibe Podcast Network .* Grab your free gift from Malcolm in our Our High Vibe Gift Vault.

Love this show, check out the other shows on the High Vibe Podcast Network.

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If you've ever thought, "I'm just not funny," and used it as a reason to keep humor out of your speaking, your leadership, or your life, this episode is your permission slip to think differently. Malcolm breaks down exactly how to find the humor that's already yours, and why the best laughs in any room never come from a written joke.

What You'll Hear

• The crucial difference between the comedy branch and the play branch of humor — and why mixing them up is what trips most speakers up
• Why authenticity and written jokes can't fully coexist, and what to reach for instead
• The two core elements to mine for genuine, audience-tested humor in any speech or story: emotions and dialogue
• Judy Carter's simple four-word shortcut for finding your funniest, most human moments: hard, weird, scary, or stupid
• The three types of dialogue — monologue, inner dialogue, and character dialogue — and how each one creates connection and earns laughs
• A live read of Malcolm's own Kansas City story: a broken ankle, a BMW, and the world's most reluctant musical
• Two practical first steps to building your humor foundation starting today: keep a humor journal and record yourself in conversation

Resources Mentioned on this Episode

• Episode 2 of The Lighten Up Project — "The Humor Tree," where Malcolm defines laughter and humor and introduces the humor family analogy
• Judy Carter — comedy teacher and author whose emotional framework ("hard, weird, scary, stupid") is referenced in this episode
• Find Your Funny Foundation™ — start uncovering your authentic humor style
• Learn more about Malcolm's work at the World Laughter Organization™

Meet the Host: Malcolm Grissom

Malcolm Grissom, affectionately known as "The Stand-up C.E.O.," is a team-building and employee engagement expert. Malcolm, an award-winning actor, comedian, International speaker, and best-selling author, masterfully blends humor, improv, and business acumen to enhance team dynamics and profitability. As a certified laughter leader, he leverages the power of positive psychology and his social work background to create engaging, results-driven experiences. Whether inspiring executives, strengthening teams, or energizing audiences, Malcolm’s unique approach fosters connection, creativity, and success. His ability to transform corporate culture with humor and insight makes him a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Follow Malcolm:

Website: malcolmgrissom.com

Facebook: facebook.com/malcolmgrissom

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malcolmgrissom

Stressed, stuck, or leading on autopilot? It’s not a motivation problem—it’s a connection problem. Malcolm’s weekly virtual improv classes boost engagement, collaboration, and retention—all while having fun. Register now for a complimentary month: https://malcolmgrissom.thrivecart.com/everyday-encores/

We are proud to have The Lighten Up Project on the *High Vibe Podcast Network .* Grab your free gift from Malcolm in our Our High Vibe Gift Vault.

Love this show, check out the other shows on the High Vibe Podcast Network.

Share the Love

✨ If this episode lit something up in you… tag us on Instagram @HighVibeLeaders and let us know your biggest takeaway!

🦋 Don’t forget to rate & review — it helps us reach more conscious rebels like you.

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This week the Lighten Up Project gets a fresh, younger perspective on pressure — on the court, on the track, and inside your own head. Seventh-grader, competitive tennis player, and TEDx speaker Vihaan Reddy shares the simple four-step framework he created to trade split-second reactions for calm, intentional choices. Proof that leading with intention (and a good laugh) isn't reserved for grown-ups.

What You'll Hear

• What PACE stands for — Pause, Assess, Choose, Engage — and how Vihaan uses it to stay steady in the heat of competition
• The on-court moment when PACE turned a struggling forehand into his strongest shot
• Why Vihaan laughs off his own mistakes mid-match, and how that lifts the weight so he's ready for the next point
• How stepping onto the TEDx stage (after six months of prep and a nervous pre-show pep talk) taught him that doing your best is winning
• Why a science teacher who makes the class laugh every single day made school feel welcoming — and what that says about humor and belonging
• Vihaan's take on supporting classmates who feel alone, from cracking a kind joke to dreaming up a school buddy program
• A reminder that real winning isn't always about the scoreboard — sometimes it's simply doing the best you can

Resources Mentioned on this Episode

• Vihaan Reddy's TEDx Talk — where he introduces the PACE framework to a wider audience
• The PACE Framework — Pause, Assess, Choose, Engage: a simple tool for leading with intention instead of reaction
• Learn more about Malcolm's work at the World Laughter Organization™

Meet the Host: Malcolm Grissom

Malcolm Grissom, affectionately known as "The Stand-up C.E.O.," is a team-building and employee engagement expert. Malcolm, an award-winning actor, comedian, International speaker, and best-selling author, masterfully blends humor, improv, and business acumen to enhance team dynamics and profitability. As a certified laughter leader, he leverages the power of positive psychology and his social work background to create engaging, results-driven experiences. Whether inspiring executives, strengthening teams, or energizing audiences, Malcolm’s unique approach fosters connection, creativity, and success. His ability to transform corporate culture with humor and insight makes him a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Follow Malcolm:

Website: malcolmgrissom.com

Facebook: facebook.com/malcolmgrissom

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malcolmgrissom

Stressed, stuck, or leading on autopilot? It’s not a motivation problem—it’s a connection problem. Malcolm’s weekly virtual improv classes boost engagement, collaboration, and retention—all while having fun. Register now for a complimentary month: https://malcolmgrissom.thrivecart.com/everyday-encores/

We are proud to have The Lighten Up Project on the *High Vibe Podcast Network .* Grab your free gift from Malcolm in our Our High Vibe Gift Vault.

Love this show, check out the other shows on the High Vibe Podcast Network.

Share the Love

✨ If this episode lit something up in you… tag us on Instagram @HighVibeLeaders and let us know your biggest takeaway!

🦋 Don’t forget to rate & review — it helps us reach more conscious rebels like you.

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Speaker, author, and TEDx alum Jackie Bailey believes no child should ever feel they have nothing worth saying. In this tender Mental Health Month conversation, she shares how breaking a lifelong silence became her own path to healing — and how that same power of voice now helps quiet, overwhelmed young people discover they belong and have something the world needs to hear.

What You'll Hear

• Why so many "quiet" kids aren't shy at all — they simply aren't sure what they have to contribute, and how Jackie helps them find their aha moment
• The Dale Carnegie principle Jackie shares with every lonely student: stop waiting for people to be interested in you, and get interested in them
• A simple hand-tracing laughter exercise Jackie uses to help kids release pressure and reset in the moment
• How writing things down — pen on paper — can be the first, gentlest step toward healing before you ever say a word out loud
• Jackie's reframe on trauma (with a nod to Gabor Maté): it's not only what happened to you, but how it changed the way you see yourself
• What "belonging" actually feels like in the body, and why it's a basic human need we're wired for
• The two meanings of "lighten up" — releasing what weighs you down, and turning toward the light of someone who inspires you

Resources Mentioned on this Episode

- The Speak Feed Lead project — Jackie's nonprofit helping young people find their voice and a stage to use it on

- Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie — the classic Jackie returns to again and again with her students

- In the Groove with Todd and Jackie — the rebranded podcast Jackie co-hosts with her husband Todd Cuddeback

- Learn more about Malcolm's work at the World Laughter Organization

Featured Guest: Jackie Bailey

Jackie Bailey is The International Conversation Coach. She inspires clients to speak with significance, triumph over trauma, and champion their challenges.

Jackie is:

• Founder and executive director of The Speak Feed Lead Project

• Cohost of In the Groove with Todd and Jackie podcast

• Author/contributor of 7 books on topics ranging from leadership, healing, communication, and parenting.

• A TEDx speaker, has been featured on SPEAK in New York, and a 2015 semi-finalist in The World Championship of Public Speaking putting her in the top 98 of 33,000 competitors.

• An international award-winning team-builder, educator, leader, and coach.

Connect with Jackie:

Website: https://jackiebailey360.com/

Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackie.bailey2

The Speak Feed Lead Project Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakFeedLead

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakfeedlead/?hl=en

X: https://x.com/SELFishBowl

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-bailey-4532287/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jackiespeakfeedle?

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UK77I3lt7K2X64e6UXX0g

In the Groove with Todd and Jackie podcast: https://www.toddandjackie.com/

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jackie-Bailey/author/B0BSRGSM6K?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=c7dab321-0c94-44cc-9dbd-c0d21b2240c6

Meet the Host: Malcolm Grissom

Malcolm Grissom, affectionately known as "The Stand-up C.E.O.," is a team-building and employee engagement expert. Malcolm, an award-winning actor, comedian, International speaker, and best-selling author, masterfully blends humor, improv, and business acumen to enhance team dynamics and profitability. As a certified laughter leader, he leverages the power of positive psychology and his social work background to create engaging, results-driven experiences. Whether inspiring executives, strengthening teams, or energizing audiences, Malcolm’s unique approach fosters connection, creativity, and success. His ability to transform corporate culture with humor and insight makes him a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Follow Malcolm:

Website: malcolmgrissom.com

Facebook: facebook.com/malcolmgrissom

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malcolmgrissom

Stressed, stuck, or leading on autopilot? It’s not a motivation problem—it’s a connection problem. Malcolm’s weekly virtual improv classes boost engagement, collaboration, and retention—all while having fun. Register now for a complimentary month: https://malcolmgrissom.thrivecart.com/everyday-encores/

We are proud to have The Lighten Up Project on the *High Vibe Podcast Network .* Grab your free gift from Malcolm in our Our High Vibe Gift Vault.

Love this show, check out the other shows on the High Vibe Podcast Network.

Share the Love

✨ If this episode lit something up in you… tag us on Instagram @HighVibeLeaders and let us know your biggest takeaway!

🦋 Don’t forget to rate & review — it helps us reach more conscious rebels like you.

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In this Mental Health Month conversation, mindset and self-talk strategist Ly Smith shares the tender, funny, deeply human story of how a single word — laugh — became the anchor that lifted her out of a years-long depression and, later, helped her fall back in love with her husband. It's an invitation to remember that joy you've misplaced is never truly gone; it's just waiting to be found again.

What You'll Hear

• The moment on a Hawaiian beach when Ly realized she was thinking about paradise but feeling nothing — and the line she drew in the sand that changed everything
• Why she chose "laugh" as her word for the year, and the simple, couch-bound first steps (yes, Friends reruns counted) that started her climb out of depression
• The "pause to play" practice she uses to reset her brain and unstick her creativity
• How a 10-day cruise and a quiet daily commitment to make her husband laugh rebuilt a marriage she thought was over
• The acceptance-letter story that taught her the power of laughing at herself instead of shaming herself
• Her advice for anyone who feels they've lost their sense of humor: if you had it once, it's still in there — here's how to dig for it
• A look at her G3 Mastermind and the three Gs she believes everyone carries: genius, gifts, and greatness

Resources Mentioned on this Episode

- G3 Mastermind — Ly's online community for high-achieving women rewriting their self-talk, hosted on the Skool platform

- Book: The Power of Fun — the research on play that helped reframe how Ly thinks about being childlike (not childish)

- Learn more about Malcolm's work at the World Laughter Organization

Featured Guest: Ly Smith

Ly Smith is an inspirational speaker, multi-international best-selling author and founder of UpCycle Coaching LLC. In her G3 mastermind, she helps high-achieving women entrepreneurs move from REACTOR to CREATOR in life by rewriting their self talk. With over three decades of personal growth and positive psychology research, along with certifications in life coaching and NLP, Ly uses her proven C.A.N.D.Y. Method™ framework to help women entrepreneurs break through the quiet tension between external success and internal hesitation so that they can minimize the inner critic, amplify confidence and step into bold leadership. In addition to her passion for speaking and high-performance, Ly loves singleorigin coffee, hikes and snowshoeing.

Connect with Ly:

Website: https://talks.co/ly

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/g3mastermind

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/g3mastermind

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/g3mastermind

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@g3mastermind

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@g3mastermind

Meet the Host: Malcolm Grissom

Malcolm Grissom, affectionately known as "The Stand-up C.E.O.," is a team-building and employee engagement expert. Malcolm, an award-winning actor, comedian, International speaker, and best-selling author, masterfully blends humor, improv, and business acumen to enhance team dynamics and profitability. As a certified laughter leader, he leverages the power of positive psychology and his social work background to create engaging, results-driven experiences. Whether inspiring executives, strengthening teams, or energizing audiences, Malcolm’s unique approach fosters connection, creativity, and success. His ability to transform corporate culture with humor and insight makes him a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Follow Malcolm:

Website: malcolmgrissom.com

Facebook: facebook.com/malcolmgrissom

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malcolmgrissom

Stressed, stuck, or leading on autopilot? It’s not a motivation problem—it’s a connection problem. Malcolm’s weekly virtual improv classes boost engagement, collaboration, and retention—all while having fun. Register now for a complimentary month: https://malcolmgrissom.thrivecart.com/everyday-encores/

We are proud to have The Lighten Up Project on the *High Vibe Podcast Network .* Grab your free gift from Malcolm in our Our High Vibe Gift Vault.

Love this show, check out the other shows on the High Vibe Podcast Network.

Share the Love

✨ If this episode lit something up in you… tag us on Instagram @HighVibeLeaders and let us know your biggest takeaway!

🦋 Don’t forget to rate & review — it helps us reach more conscious rebels like you.

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What if you could understand any person you meet — your spouse, your boss, even that charming stranger at the bar — better than they understand themselves? Human development engineer Jim Marshall spent over 50,000 hours and four decades figuring out exactly that. The result is Septemics: a system of 35 measurable scales that takes the guesswork (and a whole lot of heartache) out of human relationships. Less drama, more laughter and joy.

What You'll Hear

• Why understanding people — not technology — is the biggest unsolved problem of modern life, and what it's quietly costing all of us
• How Jim turned 40 years of one-on-one client work into 35 "scales" of human behavior, discovered the same way a scientist stumbles onto natural law
• The gardener-vs.-the-five-year-old analogy that explains why most of us completely misread the people around us
• The "gorgeous blonde" story — how spotting where someone lands on a scale saved Jim time, money, and a mountain of aggravation (all with zero arguments)
• Why laughter and joy are effects, not causes — and what actually produces them in your relationships
• The "gradient problem" that's bedeviled humanity for 6,000 years, and why real growth always happens one level at a time
• Jim's parting truth: healing doesn't have to be heavy, because it comes from within you

Resources Mentioned on this Episode

- Septemics website — reviews, press, sample chapters, and a free 15-minute prerecorded audio, Introduction to Septemics

- Book: Septemics: Hierarchy of Human Phenomena by Jim Marshall — available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book

- Learn more about Malcolm's work at the World Laughter Organization

Featured Guest: Jim Marshall

Jim Marshall is a polymathic intellectual who has has devoted over 50,000 hours to the study and practice of multiple dimensions of human development. He received a classical education at a Jesuit Military School, was accepted into engineering school while still a junior in prep school, and attended college on academic scholarship. He graduated college with a Bachelor of Science cum laude. While still an undergraduate, he began the study of “alternative” Arts and Sciences which today would be described as Transformational and Holistic. Eventually, he became a professional practitioner and, after 28 years of formal education, had a long career as a Human Development Engineer. He has successfully worked with hundreds of clients, and is the inventor of Septemics and several consciousness-expanding systems. His areas of expertise include psychology, philosophy, theology, parapsychology, science, engineering, mathematics, law, literature, history, music, organization, metaphysics, military science, political science, physical culture, human potential and education.

Connect with Jim:

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jim-marshall-b10982205

Meet the Host: Malcolm Grissom

Malcolm Grissom, affectionately known as "The Stand-up C.E.O.," is a team-building and employee engagement expert. Malcolm, an award-winning actor, comedian, International speaker, and best-selling author, masterfully blends humor, improv, and business acumen to enhance team dynamics and profitability. As a certified laughter leader, he leverages the power of positive psychology and his social work background to create engaging, results-driven experiences. Whether inspiring executives, strengthening teams, or energizing audiences, Malcolm’s unique approach fosters connection, creativity, and success. His ability to transform corporate culture with humor and insight makes him a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Follow Malcolm:

Website: malcolmgrissom.com

Facebook: facebook.com/malcolmgrissom

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malcolmgrissom

Stressed, stuck, or leading on autopilot? It’s not a motivation problem—it’s a connection problem. Malcolm’s weekly virtual improv classes boost engagement, collaboration, and retention—all while having fun. Register now for a complimentary month: https://malcolmgrissom.thrivecart.com/everyday-encores/

We are proud to have The Lighten Up Project on the *High Vibe Podcast Network .* Grab your free gift from Malcolm in our Our High Vibe Gift Vault.

Love this show, check out the other shows on the High Vibe Podcast Network.

Share the Love

✨ If this episode lit something up in you… tag us on Instagram @HighVibeLeaders and let us know your biggest takeaway!

🦋 Don’t forget to rate & review — it helps us reach more conscious rebels like you.

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What would you do if fear stopped being in charge? In this inspiring and laughter-filled conversation, Christy Fitzpatrick shares how one courageous moment transformed her life, helping her overcome self-doubt, find her voice, and become a sought-after communication and public speaking coach. If you've ever struggled with confidence, imposter syndrome, or speaking up when it matters most, this episode will remind you that courage comes before confidence.

What You'll Hear

• Why confidence is often mistaken for courage—and why courage comes first
• Christy's powerful "Act As If" strategy for overcoming fear and self-doubt
• How a single public speaking moment changed the trajectory of her life
• The surprising role laughter plays in connection, communication, and leadership
• Practical techniques for becoming more confident in presentations, meetings, and everyday conversations
• How to challenge the inner voice that says you're not good enough
• Why taking the first step matters more than seeing the entire staircase ahead

Resources Mentioned on This Episode

- Cann Coaching Communication Training

- Website: cann-co.com

- Email: [email protected]

- Toastmasters International

- Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Take the First Step" philosophy

- Related Lighten Up Project episodes on confidence, resilience, and personal growth

Memorable Quote

"Act as if you are the person you desire to be. The confidence will arrive."

One Big Takeaway

You don't need confidence before you begin. You need the courage to take the first step. Confidence often shows up later and says, "Thanks for getting us started."

Featured Guest: Christy FitzPatrick

Christy FitzPatrick is the founder of CANN Co., a communication coach and a professional speaker who believes everyone has a message worth sharing—most people just need a little help getting it out. Known for her encouraging style and real‑world coaching, Christy helps clients find their voice, own their story, and communicate with confidence. She brings energy, authenticity, and a genuine passion for helping people shine when it matters most.

Meet the Host: Malcolm Grissom

Malcolm Grissom, affectionately known as "The Stand-up C.E.O.," is a team-building and employee engagement expert. Malcolm, an award-winning actor, comedian, International speaker, and best-selling author, masterfully blends humor, improv, and business acumen to enhance team dynamics and profitability. As a certified laughter leader, he leverages the power of positive psychology and his social work background to create engaging, results-driven experiences. Whether inspiring executives, strengthening teams, or energizing audiences, Malcolm’s unique approach fosters connection, creativity, and success. His ability to transform corporate culture with humor and insight makes him a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Follow Malcolm:

Website: malcolmgrissom.com

Facebook: facebook.com/malcolmgrissom

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malcolmgrissom

Stressed, stuck, or leading on autopilot? It’s not a motivation problem—it’s a connection problem. Malcolm’s weekly virtual improv classes boost engagement, collaboration, and retention—all while having fun. Register now for a complimentary month: https://malcolmgrissom.thrivecart.com/everyday-encores/

We are proud to have The Lighten Up Project on the *High Vibe Podcast Network .* Grab your free gift from Malcolm in our Our High Vibe Gift Vault.

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Having something important to say is only half the battle. In this engaging and practical conversation, public speaking expert Donna Riccardo shares how to communicate with clarity, confidence, and authenticity so your message doesn't just get heard—it gets remembered.

What You'll Hear:

• Why confidence in speaking is an inside job, not a performance skill
• The biggest mistake speakers make when trying to be memorable
• How to stop rambling and finally get to the point
• Why preparation and practice matter more than talent
• A simple NLP technique to quiet your inner critic and communicate more effectively
• How humor, authenticity, and play can transform your message and your audience's experience
• Why listening may be the most underrated communication skill of all

Resources Mentioned on This Episode

- Public Speaking for Entrepreneurs by Donna Riccardo

- Red Stiletto Get to the Point

- Donna's Free Gift: Top 10 Public Speaking Tips to Keep Your Audience Hanging on Every Word

- Learn more about The Lighten Up Project and the World Laughter Organization

Featured Guest: Donna Riccardo

Donna Riccardo is the Founder/CEO of Red Stiletto – Get to the point! It is a public speaking training/coaching company. Donna has 30+ years of speaking and training experience. Drawing on her experience of 20 years in a global personal development company, she brings the art of training, coaching and supporting people to express themselves with clarity and confidence – while attracting clients. She is a 14-year participant in Toastmasters and has earned the highest award of Distinguished Toastmaster. Donna is a trained neurolinguistic programming practitioner (NLP). She is also an active member of the National Speakers Association. Donna is the best-selling author of Public Speaking for Entrepreneurs: How to show up, speak up and get what you want for your business and your life!

Connect with Donna:

Website: donnariccardo.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnariccardo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnariccardo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donna.riccardo.96

Free Gift: Not your ordinary, predictable top 10 speaking tips. These 10 powerful strategies help you sound more polished immediately, connect more naturally, and keep your audience hanging on instead of checking out: https://publicspeakingforentrepreneurs.com/freegift-top10tips

Meet the Host: Malcolm Grissom

Malcolm Grissom, affectionately known as "The Stand-up C.E.O.," is a team-building and employee engagement expert. Malcolm, an award-winning actor, comedian, International speaker, and best-selling author, masterfully blends humor, improv, and business acumen to enhance team dynamics and profitability. As a certified laughter leader, he leverages the power of positive psychology and his social work background to create engaging, results-driven experiences. Whether inspiring executives, strengthening teams, or energizing audiences, Malcolm’s unique approach fosters connection, creativity, and success. His ability to transform corporate culture with humor and insight makes him a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Follow Malcolm:

Website: malcolmgrissom.com

Facebook: facebook.com/malcolmgrissom

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malcolmgrissom

Stressed, stuck, or leading on autopilot? It’s not a motivation problem—it’s a connection problem. Malcolm’s weekly virtual improv classes boost engagement, collaboration, and retention—all while having fun. Register now for a complimentary month: https://malcolmgrissom.thrivecart.com/everyday-encores/

We are proud to have The Lighten Up Project on the *High Vibe Podcast Network .* Grab your free gift from Malcolm in our Our High Vibe Gift Vault.

Love this show, check out the other shows on the High Vibe Podcast Network.

Share the Love

✨ If this episode lit something up in you… tag us on Instagram @HighVibeLeaders and let us know your biggest takeaway!

🦋 Don’t forget to rate & review — it helps us reach more conscious rebels like you.

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You are the loudest voice in your child’s world—the question is, what are you saying? In this powerful conversation, best-selling author and parent sidekick Jodi Hill reveals how the words you speak every day are quietly writing your child’s identity, and exactly how to use that superpower on purpose.

What You’ll Hear

• Why a parent’s voice is the single most powerful force shaping a child’s identity—and how to reclaim that role before culture, peers, or social media does it for you
• The difference between an inner critic and an inner bully (and why one is never helpful)
• The water crystal experiment that will change how you think about every word you speak
• Common phrases parents say without realizing they’re writing a limiting identity over their child (“You’re such a picky eater” is just the beginning)
• How to “call your kids up to greatness”—one small, specific moment at a time
• Malcolm’s raw personal story: how his father’s words delayed his true mission by 30+ years
• What to do if you’ve been speaking negatively for years and want to change—without feeling fake
• One powerful phrase you can start using today: “You can do hard things”

Resources Mentioned

- FREE Gift — First Superpower Strategy (audiobook excerpt + PDF) + Top Confidence Boosters & Busters: itsjodihill.com

- Book: The Parent’s Secret Superpower by Jodi Hill — seven simple strategies to raise confident and capable kids: https://amzn.to/4bhpNNK

- Masaru Emoto’s water crystal experiments — referenced for the science behind how words affect the body

- Connect with Jodi on Instagram: @jodihillparenting

Quotable Moment: “A parent’s voice becomes a child’s identity.” — Jodi Hill

Featured Guest: Jody Hill

Jody Hill helps parents become the loudest and most positive voice in their child’s life by harnessing the power of their everyday words. She is the author of the Amazon bestselling book The Parent’s Secret Superpower, which teaches parents how everyday language shapes identity, builds confidence, and raises resilient, capable kids.

Connect with Jody:

Website: www.itsjodyhill.com

Instagram: instagram.com/jodyhillparenting

Meet the Host: Malcolm Grissom

Malcolm Grissom, affectionately known as "The Stand-up C.E.O.," is a team-building and employee engagement expert. Malcolm, an award-winning actor, comedian, International speaker, and best-selling author, masterfully blends humor, improv, and business acumen to enhance team dynamics and profitability. As a certified laughter leader, he leverages the power of positive psychology and his social work background to create engaging, results-driven experiences. Whether inspiring executives, strengthening teams, or energizing audiences, Malcolm’s unique approach fosters connection, creativity, and success. His ability to transform corporate culture with humor and insight makes him a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Follow Malcolm:

Website: malcolmgrissom.com

Facebook: facebook.com/malcolmgrissom

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malcolmgrissom

Stressed, stuck, or leading on autopilot? It’s not a motivation problem—it’s a connection problem. Malcolm’s weekly virtual improv classes boost engagement, collaboration, and retention—all while having fun. Register now for a complimentary month: https://malcolmgrissom.thrivecart.com/everyday-encores/

We are proud to have The Lighten Up Project on the *High Vibe Podcast Network .* Grab your free gift from Malcolm in our Our High Vibe Gift Vault.

Love this show, check out the other shows on the High Vibe Podcast Network.

Share the Love

✨ If this episode lit something up in you… tag us on Instagram @HighVibeLeaders and let us know your biggest takeaway!

🦋 Don’t forget to rate & review — it helps us reach more conscious rebels like you.

🔊 Listen & Subscribe

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🎧 Amazon Music

🎧 High Vibe Podcast Network