In this episode, Michael Krumpak, CEO of L4 Learning Solutions and author of Why Smart Leaders Do Stupid Things, joins Meghan and Richard Taliaferro, Career Coach, to unpack why even experienced, high-performing leaders can quietly derail under pressure.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why leadership breakdowns often happen slowly and silently
• How stress and overwhelm trigger blind spots in decision-making
• What “liberation” means in leadership and why it fuels innovation
• The early warning signs that trust and workplace culture are eroding
• How empathy and accountability can coexist in strong leadership
• Practical ways leaders can rebuild trust and credibility with their teams

We explore how today’s fast-paced, resource-strained workplaces create conditions where smart leaders rely on past success instead of curiosity, reflection, and adaptability. Michael breaks down the difference between smart and legendary leadership — and why the ability to pause, ask better questions, and recalibrate is now a critical leadership skill.

This episode is for leaders, managers, founders, and anyone navigating leadership in a rapidly changing workplace.

You can find Michael at https://l4learningsolutions.com/about/

In this episode, we meet KaRon Spriggs-Bethea, therapist, educator, and founder of Let’s Talk Solutions, for a conversation about affirming therapy, cultural humility, and what it actually takes to create safe, welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA+ clients and other marginalized communities.

KaRon shares the story behind building his own practice, why autonomy matters in mental health care, and how therapists can show up with curiosity instead of assumptions. We also dig into the questions many of us quietly wonder about: how therapists protect their emotional energy between sessions, how they stay human without making the work about themselves, and how to know when it might be time to find a new therapist as your life and needs change.

KaRon offers thoughtful, practical ways to think about allyship, advocacy, and empathy, including how to sit with discomfort, challenge dominant narratives, and focus on what is within our control.

This episode is for anyone thinking about therapy, identity, community, or how to stay values-aligned in a complicated, loud world without pretending things aren’t hard.

If you’d like to learn more about KaRon’s work or reach out for services, you can find him at https://letstalksolutions.org/

Lynn Harris, founder and CEO of GOLD Comedy, joins the conversation to talk about comedy as both a craft and a cultural force. We unpack what a working comedian’s life actually looks like (beyond SNL & Netflix specials), why the argument “no one can be funny anymore” is usually just a refusal to write better jokes, and how punchlines work when the target is power, not marginalized people.

Lynn also shares how Gold Comedy supports women, non-binary creators, and other underrepresented comics through classes, community, and real opportunities to get their work produced and seen. Plus: why you don’t need “crazy stories” to be funny, how to start noticing material in everyday life, and the biggest mistake beginners make (hint: you don’t need brand-new material every time).

You can learn more about GOLD here. If you follow GOLD Comedy on social and DM that you listened to the podcast, she'll send you a discount code for membership. How cool is that?! Thank you, Lynn ❤️

In this episode, we meet Jacqueline Whitmore, president of The Protocol School of Palm Beach and internationally recognized etiquette expert, to talk about what etiquette actually is and why it matters more than ever at work, online, and in everyday life.Jacqueline shares how she accidentally found her way into the world of etiquette and protocol (starting at The Breakers in Palm Beach), what executive presence really means today, and why “professionalism” is so much more than appearance. We unpack the real gaps she sees in modern communication, from email etiquette and networking etiquette to the soft skills Gen Z is being asked to master in a post-COVID world.You’ll hear practical tips for:-Building trust quickly through listening skills and curiosity-Remembering names (even if you’re “bad at names”)-Setting boundaries with grace when you’re reachable 24/7-Navigating rude people without losing your peace-Showing up with confidence in global and cross-cultural settingsAt the heart of this conversation is a simple message: etiquette is the art of knowing how to treat other people and kindness is always in style.Connect with Jacqueline at https://etiquetteexpert.com/

Catch her on episode 7 of the Netflix Show, Members Only: https://www.netflix.com/title/81915922

Say hi to Meghan at www.megdeford.com

In this episode of Wait — What Do You Do Again?, I’m joined by my yap partner, Matt Jones, and returning guest Nick “the Wine Guy” Elliot, a certified sommelier and chef who makes wine feel approachable, inclusive, and fun.

We talk about how to think through choosing wine for holiday dinners and parties, what to bring as a host gift (and what to say when you hand it over), and easy wine pairings for rich, comfort-food menus. Nick also shares practical tips for building a crowd-pleasing wine table, navigating boxed and screw-top wines without judgment, and offering thoughtful non-alcoholic options so everyone feels included.

Whether I’m hosting for the holidays, an intimate dinner, or just trying not to buy based on a pretty label in the wine aisle, this conversation will help you feel more confident and more relaxed heading into the season. If you’re looking for holiday hosting tips, wine pairing guidance, and a no-snob approach to entertaining, this episode is for you.

For Nick's Wine Tours, Tastings, and Podcast visit: https://www.thewineguy.vin/

Planning to host this holiday season… but suddenly realizing your Pinterest board, your budget, and your square footage are not on speaking terms?

This week, Meghan sits down with event planner and designer Paige Netting-Lentini from In Good Co Events to unwrap what holiday hosting actually looks like when you want it to feel warm, intentional, and beautifully doable (not stressful or Instagram-performative).

Inside the episode, you’ll learn:

• How to kick off your holiday planning with clarity (budget + intention = magic)• High-impact, low-cost décor tricks that instantly elevate a space• Small-space hosting ideas that make your home feel welcoming, not cramped• Holiday food + menu trends, from late-night nibbles to festive mocktails• Why the heart of hosting is connection — not comparison

Whether you’re throwing your first holiday dinner, hosting a festive open house, or just want your gatherings to feel a little more you, this episode will help you create a celebration that’s warm, joyful, and merry in all the right ways.

You can contact Paige & In Good Co at: https://www.ingoodco.events/

In this cross-over episode of Scrambled Eggs with Richard and Meghan, Meghan and Richard crack open one of the most misunderstood parts of personal and professional growth: mindset. Through job transitions, career reinvention, and the everyday moments where everything takes “a lot longer than I thought,” they explore how mindset shapes the way we move through change.

Together, they dig into why small wins matter, how to break big goals into manageable steps, and the difference between emotional versatility and toxic positivity. From navigating layoffs to training for long-distance races, this episode offers listeners real-life coaching and practical tools to stay grounded, build confidence, and take the next right step when life gets scrambled.

Perfect for anyone navigating a transition, rebuilding their confidence, or looking for thoughtful (and actually usable) coaching insights without the fluff.

You can find Richard at: https://www.richardtaliaferro.com/about-me

You can find Meghan at: https://www.megdeford.com/

What happens when an engineer trades blueprints for bonbons? In this episode, we meet Brian Krichbaum, co-owner of Gilbert Chocolates, a beloved Michigan chocolate company that’s been delighting customers for more than 125 years.

After decades in corporate operations, Brian took a leap from consulting to entrepreneurship, buying a century-old gourmet chocolate business seven weeks before Christmas. Since then, he and his wife Sally have tripled the company’s customer base, expanded e-commerce, and preserved the heart of a community icon.

We talk about what it really takes to turn a legacy brand into a thriving modern business: the courage to start small, the power of perseverance, and how optimism, adaptability, and a love of quality craftsmanship can turn even the toughest season into something sweet.

If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own business, working with your partner, or finding joy in reinvention, this one’s for you.

To learn more and pick up a few sweet treats for yourself, visit: https://www.gilbertchocolates.com/

What if your messy kitchen or overflowing closet isn’t really about the stuff?

In this episode of Wait — What Do You Do Again?, we talk with psychologist, coach, and author Kate Evans, founder of Soulful Space and author of Ditch Your Shit: Decluttering Your Mindset to Declutter Your Home. Kate shares how clutter often reflects deeper emotions like shame, fear, and perfectionism—and why lasting change starts on the inside.

Together, we unpack:

• The psychology behind clutter and why organizing doesn’t work until you address the why

• How shame and perfectionism keep us stuck in cycles of overwhelm

• Why caring for your home is one of the most powerful forms of self-care

• Simple, sustainable routines to replace chaos with calm

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m just not organized,” this conversation will help you rewrite that story and maybe even find peace in your own kitchen sink.

Listen now to learn how decluttering your space can help you reclaim your energy, your mindset, and your sense of self.

You can find Kate at: https://www.soulfulspacecoaching.com/

This week on Wait — What Do You Do Again? we close out Spooky Season with historian Dr. Mikki Brock, whose research explores the supernatural and religious beliefs and identities in early modern Scotland and speaks widely on topics including demonology, witchcraft, and British history.

From witch hunts and the rise of groupthink to the cultural obsession with “unnatural women,” Dr. Brock unpacks how these patterns echo through history and still shape our world today.

It’s a smart, unnerving, and deeply human conversation about what beliefs reveal about fear, power, and control, who we blame, and the invisible forces still shaping us.

You can learn more about Dr. Brock's work and her books at https://www.mdbrock.com/

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