In this episode, I sit down with Scott Cooksey, CSP, founder of Leadout Performance Group, to talk about building teams that can adapt and win, especially when the plan meets reality.

Scott explains why most “one-and-done” trainings fail, how to diagnose the real problem behind symptoms like conflict, and how leaders can modernize their playbook for a world reshaped by COVID and AI. 

We cover his Tour de France model for team strategy (sprinters, climbers, and support), what a useful return-to-office looks like (create experiences you can only have in person), and the role of empathy and outcome clarity in every decision. We also geek out on moments of improvisation - when a surprise changes the game - and how to build rhythms that check in, learn, and adjust.

• Stop “training as a fix.” Treat conflict and similar issues as symptoms—start with outcomes, diagnose culture and capability gaps, then design the right mix of workshops, coaching, and follow-through.

• Update old models. Much leadership training still leans on decades-old research; your operating environment has changed dramatically in just the last 18–24 months—act accordingly.

• Race strategy beats heroics. Think like a cycling team: you need sprinters for quick results, climbers for long grinds, and the right lead-out to put stars in position to win.

• RTO with purpose. If you bring people in, use the room: strategic work, tactile collaboration, no-laptop meetings, and connection you can’t replicate on Zoom.

• Design organic connection (even remote). Create rituals, conversation hooks, and boundaries that spark human moments and reduce meeting fatigue.

• Empathy is a cheat code. Acknowledge feelings, align on outcomes, and choose the smallest meaningful adjustment that moves you closer to the goal.

• Operate in sprints. Build check-ins and “course-correction moments” into the plan so surprises become part of the process, not derailers.

• Leadout Performance Group / Cooksey Connects – programs, blog, podcast, and services. Leadout Performance

• Schedule a call – direct calendar link to connect with Scott. ConnectWithCooksey.com

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with fellow improviser and change-maker Kathy Klotz-Guest. Kathy’s career path is anything but boring. She went from being a rare female leader in Silicon Valley tech to blending her love of improv and comedy into transformational work with corporate teams.

We talk about her journey, the power of “yes, and” in leading change, why vulnerability and honesty matter more than ever in the age of AI, and how embracing fun isn’t just good for morale - it’s good for business. If you're a leader navigating uncertainty, this conversation is a must-listen.

• How Kathy’s improv and stand-up background made her a better tech leader

• What it was like being one of the few women in Silicon Valley, and how she navigated the challenges

• Why corporate advice like “don’t be funny” hurts more than helps

• How to bring humanity back into leadership, especially during times of change

• The disconnect between how leaders think their teams feel about change - and how they actually feel

• Why “talking to your team” is the most obvious yet underused leadership tool

• Kathy’s favorite improv game for building communication and adaptability in teams

• Kathy’s Website: KeepingItHuman.com

• Kathy on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kathyklotzguest

• Kathy’s book: Stop Boring Me!

I had a blast talking with Jan Spence, a Certified Speaking Professional and TEDx speaker whose journey from professional women’s full‑tackle football to international keynote speaker is unforgettable. Jan shares how turning a sea of competitors into teammates through simple encouragement sparked her “Cheer Leadership®” philosophy. We dive into actionable tools - from ‘putting on that Teflon raincoat’ to overcoming fear, to using ‘A‑B‑or‑C’ goals to build momentum. Plus, we explore how small gestures - handwritten notes, energy boosts, meaningful check‑ins, etc. - can transform leadership, sales, and team culture. Prepare to be encouraged, motivated, and ready to lead with more courage and connection."

• Fear isn’t permanent. Wear that ‘Teflon raincoat’ to slide off rejection or hesitation.

• Your mindset matters. Reframe risks and focus on simple actions rather than perfection.

• Cheer leadership works. Small acts of encouragement can unify teams and elevate performance.

• Use “or” in your goals. Make goal‑setting flexible to build momentum and avoid overwhelm.

• Intentional connection is powerful. From sticky notes to weekly one‑on‑one check‑ins, small acknowledgments go a long way.

• Lead with authenticity. Being relatable, present, and encouraging builds loyalty and morale.

• Jan Spence’s website: https://www.janspence.com/

• Jan’s Book: Cheer on Your Team! 52 Tips to Increase Employee Retention, Engagement, and Loyalty

• Jan’s TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/k41bimZXAeA?si=uBahC83hAmdJZKSi

• Jan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-spence/

In this episode, I connect with my old friend Nye Warburton, someone I’ve known since our  college improv‑comedy days. Nye’s journey has taken him from animating features like Monster House and Battleship to chairing an Interactive Design & Game Development department of a college and writing provocative essays about AI, blockchain, and creative technology. We talk about the pressures of entertainment, how to treat uncertainty as play, the importance of iteration over perfection, and why every creator should ship something - even if it’s rough. If you’re navigating creativity in a fast‑changing world, this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Creative careers benefit from saying “Yes, and”: start small, iterate, ship fast

• Real‑world experience building and animating on major films gives unique lessons on unpredictability and resilience

• AI may seem threatening, but controlling your data and tools can make it empowering

• Play, experimentation, and curiosity keep creativity alive, even under pressure

• Learning tools = valuable; but learning to ship and iterate is more important

Relevant Links:

• Nye’s homepage/CV: nyewarburton.com

• Nye’s “Digital Lab” blog essays on AI, distributed tech, creativity Paragraph

Nye’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyewarburton/

What if the chaos and uncertainty in your life could become the very fuel that propels you forward?

In this episode, resilience and adaptability expert Kim Becking shares her powerful Unstoppable Momentum™ framework for navigating change with grit, grace, and purpose. A stage-3 breast cancer survivor, former attorney, and bestselling author, Kim brings real-world experience and deep research to the conversation—showing how to stop, shift, and reframe challenges into catalysts for growth.

You’ll learn:

• Why acknowledging your emotions is the first step to building real resilience

• How to rewire your inner critic (say hello to “Edna”) and reframe failure

• Simple “next-best step” strategies to overcome overwhelm and sustain momentum

Kim also introduces her most-requested tool: the You Are Allowed card—a mindset-shifting practice that’s reached over 750,000 people. Whether you're leading a team through change or trying to regain your own footing, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you move forward—stronger than before.

• Kim Becking’s Official Website https://www.kimbecking.com

• Connect with Kim on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimbecking Follow Kim for more insights on resilience, leadership, and momentum.

I had the privilege of sitting down with longtime friend and Hollywood veteran, Riaz Patel. Trained in psychology at UPenn and raised in a world where he was rarely the "norm," Riaz has built a career around authentic transformation - first on TV, and now live onstage. In this episode, we dive into:

• His creative process behind TV hits like How to Look Good Naked

• Why "authentic transformation" matters more now than ever

• The EPIC system and how it underpins his live experience, ConnectEffect

• Practical tips on how listening can build real connection in business, parenting, and leadership

• Authentic change only sticks when it’s real—not just for the camera.

• Connection over screen equals deeper trust and collaboration.

• EPIC structure (Equalize, Personalize, Investigate, Collaborate) fosters conversation that matters.

• Listening is a superpower: it builds bridges across divides.

• Small experiments—like stepping out with strangers—can reboot how you see yourself and others.

• ConnectEffect website & info: https://connecteffect.us/

• LinkedIn profile: Riaz Patel, Executive Producer/Director

• EPIC system overview on ConnectEffect website

In this episode, I talk with Penny Zenker—the Focusologist—about her Reset Mindset approach. We dive into what exactly a reset moment is, explore her three‑step framework (Step Back, Get Perspective, Realign), and apply it to everyday life—from emotional triggers to workplace pivots. Penny also breaks down how to ask powerful questions like “What else?” to shift thinking, how to scale reset practices, and why it matters now more than ever.

• Recognize Reset Moments: These are small or large interruptions—your alarm, emotional trigger, organizational shift—telling you it's time to pause.

• Step Back → Get Perspective: Use curiosity (“What else? How else?”) and tools (time constraints, breathing cues) to shift thinking.

• Realign: Set next-step actions that align with your goals or values; intention plus follow-through matters.

• Reset Mindset vs Growth Mindset: Penny builds on Carol Dweck’s model—dynamic reassessment & adaptability are key today.

• Mini Reset Hack: Try breathing out longer than you breathe in (“sigh breath”) at the top of every hour to activate calm.

• Penny’s website & resources: pennyskeynote.com

• Penny’s book, The Reset Mindset

Penny’s TEDx talk “The Energy of Thought”

In this episode of Yes, And with Avish Parashar, I sit down with Greg Satell—author of Cascades and Mapping Innovation, and a leading voice on evidence-based change management. We dive deep into why traditional change methods often backfire, the science of how change actually spreads, and how leaders can spark transformational change by starting small, building momentum, and leading with shared values.

Greg brings powerful insights from his time running media organizations during revolutions, writing for Harvard Business Review, and studying network science. We also explore the role humor and psychological safety play in helping people say “yes, and” to change.

• Why a big kickoff meeting can actually sabotage your change initiative

• The three types of change—and why collective behavior change requires a different approach

• The surprising truth about how few people are needed to start a change cascade

• Why leading with shared values (not differentiating ideas) is the secret to building buy-in

• How to create “keystone changes” that are small, meaningful, and scalable

• The science behind peer networks, influence, and the S-curve of adoption

• How humor creates a sense of “we together” that supports shared effort and transformation

• GregSatell.com 

• DigitalTonto.com

• Greg’s books: Cascades | Mapping Innovation

• Connect with Greg on LinkedIn

Learn more about the Yes, And Framework at AvishParashar.com

In this episode of Yes, And with Avish Parashar, I’m joined by Toni Thomas from Challenger, Gray & Christmas to explore a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: offboarding.

While onboarding gets the red carpet treatment, too often the way people exit an organization is abrupt, impersonal, and damaging — to them and to the company. Toni shares why offboarding is more than collecting a laptop and cutting off email access — and how handling it with empathy and intention leads to better outcomes, less litigation, and a stronger employer brand.

We also dig into what it’s like to be in transition, how individuals can navigate it successfully, and how networking and self-care can shift the experience from isolation to opportunity.

• Why offboarding should be treated with the same care as onboarding

• How the ripple effects of a poorly handled layoff affect morale, productivity, and reputation

• The ROI of outplacement support — for both the employee and the company

• Common mistakes organizations make during layoffs and how to avoid them

• What the “peak-end rule” means for how employees remember their time at your company

• Practical advice for individuals in transition: routines, relationships, and reframing

• How to network authentically — even when you feel like you have nothing to offer

• Why helping others during transition can boost confidence and open new doors

• Connect with Toni Thomas on LinkedIn  (mention you heard her on the show and ask her for her “Offboarding Checklist)

• Learn more about Challenger, Gray & Christmas: https://www.challengergray.com

Learn about Avish’s speaking and workshops: https://www.avishparashar.com

This week is my birthday—I'm turning 52! And to mark the occasion, I'm sharing something a little different: 52 things I would tell my 22-year-old self.

Over the years, I've made a lot of mistakes, learned a ton, and picked up a bunch of insights that would’ve helped me back when I was just starting out. In this fast-paced, fun solo episode, I share all 52 lessons—from career advice to dopamine management, creativity, emotions, habits, finances, and yes...Dungeons & Dragons.

Whether you're 22 or 72, there’s something here for you.

• Why “Be so good they can’t ignore you” is still the best advice

• How dopamine and distraction shaped my productivity—and how I manage it now

• The massive difference between execution and experimentation

• Why habits matter more than discipline

• The importance of stretching, walking, and watching less rerun TV

• How fear of disapproval shaped my career—and what I’m doing about it

• 52 rapid-fire insights on living more intentionally, joyfully, and creatively

• AvishParashar.com – My speaking, books, and more

• TEDx Talk – Ding Happens 

• Say “Yes, And!” book on Amazon