Discover
Tippie Leads

Tippie Leads
Author: Tippie College of Business | Nick Westergaard | University of Iowa
Subscribed: 0Played: 0Subscribe
Share
© 2024-present
Description
Stories from the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business that will change the way you work and lead. Hosted by Nick Westergaard, Tippie Leads explores “grand challenges” in today’s evolving world of work. Each season features groundbreaking faculty research, student and alumni stories, and actionable insights to help leaders navigate change. Learn more at tippie.uiowa.edu/tippieleads.
23 Episodes
Reverse
Artificial intelligence is one of the biggest forces reshaping how we work — from writing and research to hiring and leadership. But beyond the headlines, how is AI really changing our daily habits? To kick off our new season, we’ll hear from Tippie’s Carl Follmer, Director of the Frank Business Communication Center, who studies how tools like ChatGPT are transforming both the way we work and the habits we build at work.
Later in the show, we’ll head into Tippie’s BizHub to hear from students on how they’re already using AI in their everyday routines. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Some of the biggest risks we face aren’t global or organizational—they’re deeply personal. In this final episode of our season focused on "risk," we explore what it means to speak up in the workplace and beyond. Tippie’s Daniel Newton shares practical insights on how employees can overcome the fear of using their voice, and how leaders can build cultures where open communication is not just accepted, but expected. We’ll also hear from Tippie undergrad Callie Willham, who reflects on her own journey with public speaking and how facing that fear has helped her grow personally and professionally. It’s a reminder that taking personal risks—especially when it comes to finding and using your voice—can lead to powerful transformation. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.Learn More
More on Daniel Newton
How managers can encourage employees to speak up
Watch Callie‘s story and those of other Tippie storytellers
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
CEOs face a unique kind of risk—the growing expectation to speak out on social and political issues. In this episode, Tippie’s Michael Durney unpacks the high-stakes decisions leaders must make when navigating these moments. You’ll also hear from Robin Therme, President of CIVCO Medical Solutions, about the tough conversations that have shaped her leadership and the lessons she’s learned along the way. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn More
More on Michael Durney
More on CIVCO Medical Solutions
More on the Tippie Advisory Board
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Entrepreneurs face personal risks that can shape the course of their careers and businesses—from choosing the right co-founder to betting on a bold pivot or putting their reputation on the line. In this episode, we start with a special alumni story from Nate Kaeding, former Hawkeye and NFL kicker turned entrepreneur, as he shares lessons from opening restaurants and revitalizing local spots like the Hamburg Inn. Then, Tippie’s Miranda Welbourne Eleazar offers insights from her research on how entrepreneurs choose where to launch their ventures. It’s a compelling look at the personal and strategic risks behind successful businesses. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn More
More on Miranda Welbourne Eleazar and her research
More on Nate Kaeding
More downtown Iowa City businesses with Tippie ties
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, we shift from large-scale risks to the personal risks we face every day—like cybersecurity. Tippie’s Mike Colbert, an award-winning faculty member, shares how he’s helping students navigate digital threats and protect their information. Then, MBA student Casey Howard takes us on a personal journey, revealing how a transformative experience led him to pursue a career in cybersecurity. Their stories highlight the growing importance of cybersecurity and how personal experiences can shape our professional paths in unexpected ways. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn More
More on Richard Peter and his research
Take a deeper dive into Richard's story
Watch Casey‘s story and those of other Tippie storytellers
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Tippie’s Richard Peter explores the surprising resistance consumers have toward driving sensors—devices that could encourage safer driving and lower insurance premiums yet have struggled to gain widespread adoption. Then, Tippie undergrad Ella Borho takes us on a lighter journey, sharing a humorous story about the everyday risks of taking the bus. It’s a fun reminder that even the smaller risks in life can lead to unexpected moments! And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn More
More on Richard Peter and his research
Take a deeper dive into Richard's story
Watch Ella‘s story and those of other Tippie storytellers
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Not all risks come from storms—some stem from political and economic shifts. For some, change means opportunity; for others, uncertainty. With the election behind us, how can we navigate risk beyond voting? Tippie’s Tom Gruca, through the Iowa Electronic Markets, has developed a remarkably accurate way to predict outcomes. In this episode, he explains how these markets help organizations manage risk. Then we'll hear from Tippie undergrad Anna Makarenko, on dealing with uncertainty while in high school—in Ukraine. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn More
More on Tom Gruca and his research
Iowa Electronic Markets
Watch Anna‘s story and those of other Tippie storytellers
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Natural disasters disrupt entire industries and supply chains, delaying critical relief. How can we ensure supplies reach victims quickly? And how can companies like Walmart and organizations like the Red Cross respond effectively? Tippie professor Ann Campbell joins us to explore these questions—because logistics shape more than disaster response; they shape daily life. From managing supply chains to planning trips, navigating challenges is key. MBA student Laura Goddard shares the risks of traveling with motion sickness and the planning it takes. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn More
More on Ann Campbell and her research
Watch Laura‘s story and those of other Tippie storytellers
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Natural disasters are a major risk, often striking without warning. Recent events like the LA wildfires and Iowa’s 2020 derecho impact victims, rescuers, and insurers, creating ripple effects across the industry. To kick off our new season, we’ll hear from Tippie Professor Martin Grace, chair and faculty director of the Vaughan Institute for Risk Management and Insurance, who studies the impact of catastrophes on insurers and innovative ways to manage risk. Later in the show, we'll hear a story from Tippie undergrad Aiden Truesdell on how his life was impacted by a natural disaster recently. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn More
More on Martin Grace and the Vaughn Institute at Tippie
Watch Aiden‘s story and those of other Tippie storytellers
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tippie Leads will be back with an all-new season starting March 26th. This season, we’re taking on RISK—from the policies that protect us to the natural disasters that disrupt industries and even the risks we take (or don’t) when speaking up at work. Through faculty research, student and alumni stories, and actionable insights, we’ll explore how risk shapes decision-making, leadership, and business today.
Season 2 launches March 26 with two episodes, followed by new episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts! Tippie Leads is a production of the Tippie Leadership Collaborative.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When organizations hire new people, can they really predict if their employees will be successful and engaged? We often look to one's previous experience as our gauge for predicting success and engagement at work. In our final episode of season one, we'll hear from Chad Van Iddekinge about why we overvalue experience in our new hires and what else organizations can do to predict new hire success. Later in the show, we'll hear a fun story about an on-the-job learning experience from Tippie undergrad Eric Jensen. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn More
An overview of Chad's research
Watch Eric's story and those of other Tippie storytellers
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Warning: This episode discusses themes of intimate partner violence, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please prioritize your well-being and take care as you listen.
Intimate partner violence is often perceived as a private issue. But in reality, it affects virtually every aspect of a victim’s life, including their work life. So, what role can organizations play in the understanding and prevention of intimate partner violence? Tippie's Beth Livingston will help us understand why intimate partner violence is a workplace issue and what organizations can do to prevent it and support employees who experience it. After that, we'll hear a story from a Tippie student in our graduate and professional programs, who has struggled with this very issue. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with final TIP-y just for you.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If you’ve ever worked for a toxic boss, you know how damaging it can be. So should you forgive a manager who tries to make amends for their bad behavior? Tippie's Steve Courtright will kick things off by sharing his new research on toxic bosses — what to do if you have one and how to make sure you don’t become one! Then we’ll have some fun by hearing anonymous horror stories about toxic bosses from Tippie alumni. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn More
An overview of Steve's research
Consequences of abusive supervision: A meta-analytic review (Journal Article)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Turnover is an expensive problem for organizations. What makes people quit? It turns out that proactive employees are more likely to leave for a new job out of frustration with hassles like office politics, lack of resources, red tape, unclear work roles, and other workplace hindrances. At the same time, those proactive employees are more likely to be motivated by responsibility, complex tasks, and even the pressure of deadlines. Tippie's Eean Crawford shares his research on these workplace hassles and what you can do about them. Hassles exist outside the workplace too. Later in the show, we'll hear a story from Tippie undergrad Dominic Dupoux on a literal uphill battle he faced. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn More
An overview of Eean's research
For Better and Worse: How Proactive Personality Alters the Strain Responses to Challenge and Hindrance Stressors (Journal Article)
Watch Dominic's story and those of other Tippie storytellers
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
One way to increase employee engagement? Side hustles. Nearly 44 million U.S. workers are currently running a variety of side hustles. But how can you manage a side hustle in a way that brings maximum benefits without affecting your full-time job? Jennifer Nahrgang's research illustrates what it takes to make side hustles work for both workers and employers while exploring the benefits of side hustles for both parties. After that, we'll hear why Tippie MBA Alum Bev Hutney believes in encouraging side hustles as a leader. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For some, a job is a calling — a part of their identity that informs how they live their life and goes far beyond just paying the bills. Those who find meaning in their work fall into two camps: (1) those who felt called to their positions and worked their lives toward that goal, or (2) those who — through exploration — almost stumbled into their calling by working a job they were able to infuse with meaning and purpose. Tippie Management Professor Amy Colbert joins us to share what she's learned on finding meaning at work and how leaders can foster this. After that, we'll hear from Tippie MBA Alum Amber Kraft — who falls into the explorer camp when it comes to finding meaning at work. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Remote work is here to stay. And while there are lots of positives for both employees and organizations, working virtually brings a new set of challenges. Zoom fatigue has become a widespread issue, leading to exhaustion, decreased productivity, and burnout. Research from Tippie's Emily Campion sheds light on Zoom fatigue and offers practical solutions for combatting it. Then we'll bring this issue to life by hearing anonymous stories of zoom fatigue and fails from Tippie alumni. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With employee engagement decreasing, employee burnout is increasing. Why? In part, because people feel unfocused due to the many different tasks they're juggling, and more people are also working in more isolated settings. Daniel Newton's research on how astronauts working in the international space station stay focused on multiple tasks while in the isolation of outer space may hold some keys for us. After that, we'll go from the international space station to the home office, with a story of burnout from Tippie alum and Nike VP of Consumer Strategy Cheryl Davenport. And finally, we’ll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Introducing Tippie Leads — stories from the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business that will change the way you work and lead. Hosted by Nick Westergaard, each season of Tippie Leads will focus on a "grand challenge” in today’s changing world of work. In our first season, we're looking at employee engagement with groundbreaking faculty research, student and alumni stories, actionable insights, and more. Tippie Leads is a production of the Tippie Leadership Collaborative.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s Homecoming Week at the University of Iowa, and we’re celebrating with a special bonus replay of one of our most popular conversations from Season 2 on risk—recorded live at the legendary Hamburg Inn in Iowa City.
In this episode, Tippie alum, Hawkeye legend, and NFL kicker turned entrepreneur Nate Kaeding shares his journey from the field to the front lines of small business ownership. After his football career, Nate returned home to Iowa City to take on a bold challenge: revitalizing the Hamburg Inn, a local institution beloved by students, locals, and even presidents on the campaign trail. His candid reflections bring to life the very real risks—and rewards—of entrepreneurship and community revitalization.
It’s the perfect Hawkeye Homecoming story: one of our own coming back, taking chances, and making an impact in our community.
Revisit this fan favorite from Season 2 on Risk, recorded live at the Hamburg Inn, and get ready: Season 3 of Tippie Leads launches next week, Wednesday, October 1st, diving into how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we work and lead.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices