In the often solitary world of entrepreneurship, there is a fine line between balance and burnout. Aaron Marcum shares candid revelations about his 20-year entrepreneurial journey—marked by passion, shadowed by burnout, and ultimately transformed by profound insights about how to create a fulfilling life.

His new book, “EntreThrive: The Entrepreneur’s Eight Laws to Eliminating Unhealthy Stress, Flourishing Personally, and Creating the Good Life,” is on shelves January 22nd.

Ilene and Aaron delve into recognizing the signs of burnout, ensuring entrepreneurs equip themselves with the tools to navigate personal and professional success. Aaron stresses the pivotal role of establishing clear guiding principles or "truths," and relinquishing the impulse to do everything on your own. 

Let’s find out What’s Possible when entrepreneurs eliminate unhealthy stress and flourish personally.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

"Why is this even on my to-do list to begin with?" When task overwhelm sets in and it becomes hard to prioritize, Ilene Schaffer encourages creating an "Undo List" to make room for more. 

By identifying specific tasks or commitments to delegate, pause, or get rid of,  we can make space for new, more meaningful priorities. Tune in to find out why "small is good" and how you can start making more room today.

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"In the Moment" is a series from Silicon Valley Change and What’s Possible where host Ilene Schaffer and Senia Maymin share actionable tools to boost well-being.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

How can a mere 2-3 minutes of mindfulness reshape your leadership capabilities? In this episode of What’s Possible, host Ilene Schaffer engages in a discussion with executive coach Sandeep Kulshrestha about the nuanced realm of present-moment awareness and its profound impact on relationships and leadership.

With over two decades of HR leadership and coaching prestigious clients like VMware and the World Bank, Sandeep is a thought leader in driving personal excellence and steering transformative change. At the core of his success lies a consistent practice of mindfulness and daily gratitude.

Sandeep shares actionable tips for listeners, advocating practices like intention setting and dedicating daily moments to pause and be present. He also shares how we can shape positive environments through the transformative power of small actions like openness, active listening, and empowering individuals to explore their strengths.

This episode is an invitation for leaders, both seasoned and emerging, to infuse intentionality into their leadership journey and create workplaces that transcend routine, fostering genuine connection and growth.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

Inevitably, we encounter challenges in the workplace, but it's not about avoiding struggle—it's about facing it with resilience. Let's delve into why some workplaces turn "toxic" and how we have the power to instigate change.

Michael Dickerson is a licensed mental health professional, educator, and the author of "Struggle Well at Work." After seeing the positive well-being results of evidence-inspired interventions in his workplace and other organizations, he became a passionate advocate for the transformative potential of positive psychology.

He shares invaluable tips for individuals and leaders alike to create positive experiences, cultivate a culture of wellbeing, and struggle well. Plus, learn how organizations have improved employee wellbeing by addressing issues like childcare and promoting EAP resources.

This episode is not just a conversation; it's a roadmap for anyone seeking to harmonize work and mental health.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

Let’s de-stress in 10 minutes or less.

Welcome to a new series from Silicon Valley Change and What’s Possible. In these quick and impactful episodes, host Ilene Schaffer and Senia Maymin will share actionable tools to boost well-being. 

Senia, founder of Silicon Valley Change, shares the key of body awareness exercises, encouraging listeners to explore and play with stress sensations. Discover in-the-moment coaching techniques, from breathing exercises to active listening, for immediate stress relief and heightened self-awareness.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

In the echo of success rhetoric urging us to cultivate the brain, maintain a growth mindset, and sharpen our memory, there's an essential component often overlooked. Today, we’re talking about how harnessing the mind-body connection can transform your leadership skills. 

Lisa Zigarmi is an organizational psychologist and executive coach who talks the talk, but walks and runs it, too. She is a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review and Forbes and invests in her body with a love for yoga, running, and hiking.

But this goes beyond a wellness routine. Lisa shares how incorporating movement, sleep, and nutrition into our lives is a strategic approach to leadership excellence. As we explore this often-neglected dimension, we discover how tuning into our bodies can enhance decision-making, foster stronger relationships, ignite creativity, and act as a preventive measure against burnout. 

Join us to find out how we can decode the body-mind connection to make a transformational impact in your life - and work. 

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

After being laid off from his CMO role at a startup, Patrick Mork decided to reevaluate his purpose and values by engaging in exercises, coaching, and seeking feedback from others. The result? A powerful shift to a career as an executive coach and author. Patrick’s work now inspires the next generation of leaders in building purpose-driven companies that will leave a lasting positive impact on the world.

Known for his passion for driving purposeful change, Patrick shares insights from penning a book on career transitions called Step Back and LEAP. But his book isn’t just hearsay - Patrick is a Silicon Valley veteran and four-time chief marketing officer who led the team that launched the innovative Google Play brand in 2012. 

Here are some vital takeaways from our conversation: 

• The significance of psychological safety in fostering a healthy work culture that empowers people to take risks and ask questions.
• Prioritizing well-being as a cornerstone for personal and professional growth.
• Embracing failure as an essential part of the learning process.

To learn more about Patrick’s work, visit patrickmork.com.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

In this episode, Lori and I explore the hidden impacts of gender bias in today's workplace and dive deep into the insidious implications of micro-moments and microaggressions. We discuss strategies that can effectively tackle gender bias and create a more inclusive and equal workspace. 

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize the instrumental role of allies and leaders in breaking gender bias.
• Equip yourself with effective solutions to confront gender bias head on.
• Engineer an office culture that promotes and practices fairness and inclusion.

Episode Resources:

• Purchase a copy of the book You Should Smile More co-authored by Lori Marcus and her colleagues to gain practical insights and strategies for navigating gender bias in the workplace.
• Connect with Lori Marcus on LinkedIn to stay updated on her latest insights and resources related to gender bias in the workplace.
• Learn more about Ilene Schaffer and Silicon Valley Change (SVC) here: https://www.svchange.com/ilene/
• Subscribe and follow the What’s Possible Podcast! 

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the lack of team performance and collaboration, despite your efforts to create high-performing teams through traditional processes, then you are not alone! You may have spent hours interviewing and selecting candidates, only to find that they struggle to work effectively together. Instead of the cohesive and productive teams you envisioned, there may be conflicts, misunderstandings, and a lack of trust hindering the achievement of desired results.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Delve into the fine art of team formation and its effects on performance enhancement.
• Appreciate how encouraging open conversation breaks down barriers in the team dynamic.
• Illuminate the pivotal role of intentionality in propelling a team towards its goals.
• Identify the potential pitfall of treating team integration as a one-off exercise.
• Recognize the immense benefits derived from a culture of sincere collaboration.

My special guest is Abigail Charpentier

Introducing Abigail Charpentier, a passionate advocate for profoundly transforming the team dynamic into a more encompassing, fulfilling experience. Abigail's immense knowledge in the realm of team formation and integration finds its roots in her decades-long career in Human Resources at esteemed organizations like Aramark and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. She hit the ground running with her hospitality journey, discovering early on that the thrill of creating seamless, behind-the-scenes orchestration was her true North. Now, as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Aramark, she aids an incredible 250,000 team members in exploring and maximizing their potential.

Learn more about Abigail here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-charpentier-b312a81/

Learn more about Ilene Shaffer and Silicon Valley Change (SVC) here https://www.svchange.com/ilene

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

From a former company commander in the Army National Guard to a pioneer in positive psychology, Niels Gott has a breadth of lived experience. Now an agile and SVC executive coach, Niels leverages his experience in strenuous environments to guide his clients in building resilience. His charisma and interesting juxtaposition of military discipline and well-read understanding of the science of wellbeing make him a true trailblazer in his field.

In this episode: 

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle - Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski

Resilient - Rick Hanson

Multipliers - Liz Wiseman

How to Work with (Almost) Anyone - Michael Bungay Stanier

In the Arena with Leah

Learn more about Niels Gott here: https://www.nielsgott.com/ 

Learn more about Ilene Shaffer and Silicon Valley Change (SVC) here https://www.svchange.com/ilene 

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.