Coffee & Change

In this engaging episode, Bill Kirst and Shannan Scarselletta delve into the art of improvisation and its profound impact on personal and professional growth. They explore how improv fosters creativity, adaptability, and authentic communication, drawing parallels between improv and leadership in uncertain times. Shannan shares her journey from a structured corporate environment to embracing the spontaneity of improv, highlighting its role in navigating life's unpredictability. The conversation is rich with anecdotes, humor, and insights into how embracing uncertainty and maintaining a playful mindset can lead to transformative experiences.

We live in a world where everything is designed to be faster, easier, and more automated. We order groceries without speaking to a clerk. We message colleagues without ever looking them in the eye. And more and more, we move through our days without noticing the people who hold us up along the way. Today’s episode is about noticing. Levi Spires has given over fourteen thousand rides as an Uber driver. But what’s striking isn’t the miles he’s logged—it’s the humanity he’s witnessed. For a few minutes at a time, his car becomes a rare space where people lower their guard. A place where someone can unburden, confess, or simply sit in silence without judgment. Levi reminds us that in an era obsessed with efficiency, it’s these small, inefficient human moments that matter most. This conversation is a challenge: to move differently in a world already saturated with automation and disconnection. To choose presence over convenience. To remember that being human isn’t about how quickly we get from A to B—it’s about who we see along the way.

Today’s guest knows what it means to lead when the stakes are high. Nate Amidon spent 15 years guiding people and programs across the U.S. Air Force, Microsoft, Boeing, and Alaska Airlines. He’s an Air Force C-17 evaluator pilot with more than 3,200 flight hours—including 800 in combat—and over 1,500 hours as an instructor teaching young pilots how to fly, make decisions under pressure, and lead crews on global missions. When he transitioned from active duty, Nate brought that same discipline into technology—consulting as a Project Manager, Scrum Master, and Scaled Agile Framework coach on enterprise software programs. He went on to found Form100 Consulting, where he helps clients apply military-tested leadership practices to build strong, high-performing teams that endure. In our conversation, Nate and I talked about how hard that transition actually was. Even with a degree from the Air Force Academy and an MBA, landing his first role at Microsoft wasn’t simple—and it showed him how untapped the veteran talent pool really is. That frustration was the spark for Form100, where he now connects veterans with organizations desperate for alignment, communication, and trust. We also dug into why veterans are uniquely equipped for tech: they’re trained to see the whole mission, not just their own slice. They know how to drive clarity in chaos, how to align teams across silos, and how to solve problems with urgency but also with care. Nate reminded us that in technology, speed without alignment is just drift. Veterans bring the perspective to check the vector, build relationships, and keep the team moving in the right direction. Nate holds a Management degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an MBA from the University of Nebraska, and certifications spanning PMP, CSM, SPC, Lean Six Sigma, and DevOps. He also continues to serve as a reservist C-17 pilot with the 313th Airlift Squadron.

In its Greek root, Mentos means “intent, purpose, spirit and passion.” It was with intent, purpose and passion that this special episode came to life. It is a rare occasion when one can get together with their mentor, and their mentor’s mentor for a conversation anchored in three generations of mentorship, leadership and friendship. This is one of those conversations. My special guest, the mentor of my mentor is Admiral Bob Inman. I flew to Austin to meet up with him in person and record this incredible testimony of history and leadership and lifelong service. Admiral Inman was born in April 1931 in East Texas and went on to become a highly decorated United States Navy Officer and Intelligence Leader. His career and service had a profound impact on America’s national security architecture. During his 31-year military career that spanned the world and included some of the most sensitive national security posts in the Government, the Admiral earned a bipartisan reputation as one of the Nation’s finest intelligence officers of a generation. Journalists used to refer to him as “simply one of the smartest people ever to come out of Washington or anywhere.” Regarded as a superstar in the intelligence community he grew his career in Naval Intelligence serving on carriers, cruisers and destroyers…not to mention the hallowed halls of the Pentagon. The Admiral went on to serve as the Director of Naval Intelligence, Vice Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and Director of the National Security Agency. He was nominated to be Deputy Director of Central Intelligence and served in that role until his resignation in 1982. It was during that time Admiral Inman became the first naval intelligence specialist to earn the rank of 4 Star Admiral. Admiral Inman went on to serve on numerous boards including CalTech’s Board of Trustees and held the LBJ Centennial Chart in National Policy at the University of Texas at Austin Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. In every capacity the Admiral has always focused on mentorship and leadership and sharing wisdom for the next generation. When we sat down to speak with the Admiral he had recently celebrated 67 years of marriage with his dear wife. At 94 years of age he is still motivated by selfless service and paying it forward to the next generations of leaders. This conversation counts as one of those gifts. So, sit back and listen to this incredible story of change and mentorship and leadership from a nation’s patriot, a renowned thinker and educator and all around incredible guy. And stay tuned at the end of the episode for a follow on reflective discussion with Rob Shook, my mentor who made this all possible. Together we discuss our insights and takeaways from this inspiring afternoon with the Admiral. Thanks for listening.

Excited to connect on this reunion episode with Lisa Manning Cassidy who I met over 15 years ago at IBM where we worked together to forge corporate history with Social Business anchored in selfless service to our country. Lisa spent over 15 years at IBM and led transformational work for government agencies and for IBM's global workforce. She and I both answered the courageous calls for paying it forward and today I am excited to reconnect with her and hear about her latest walks across the bridges of change. Thanks for listening. You can find Lisa and her great work on LinkedIn.

My guest on this special episode of Coffee & Change is Patrick "Sledge" Mullins, a former Air Force Fighter Pilot who flew F-15s for years and has certainly seen his fair share of change and challenge. On this powerful episode we discuss the flight path of his incredible life and the arc of change, community and connection that kept him going and growing. And while he got his call sign from being known as the Sledgehammer, the only thing he is breaking these days is the cycle of trauma. His healing journey is one that should be echoed far and wide, especially for men moving through the toughest stages of life. Patrick's story will remind you to keep going, never give up and always find the light inside you that makes you you. The world needs you and you are worthy...of love and forgiveness. Happy listening. You can find Patrick on LinkedIn as well as Instagram to follow his journey in healing and helping others. Thanks a Veteran today.

Welcome back to Coffee & Change. On this special two part episode, under the banner number 151, I am flipping the script. After inviting and engaging in 150 conversations, I have the unique opportunity of being hosted by my friend and former guest, David Watson. He digs deep, asks the big questions, and puts me on the spot as I reflect on recording 5.68 days—that’s 8,186 minutes—of content. To put that in perspective, if you started listening to every single episode of this podcast back-to-back, it would equate to listening to Taylor Swift’s entire discography 6.5 times. (That’s a lot of storytelling… or a lot of heartbreak anthems!) And I guess it is then only appropriate to title this episode Charting the Arc of Change Across the Eras. Enjoy the two part episode and reach out if you have any follow on questions.

This is the Part 2 Discussion continuation from my powerful conversation with David Watson. This story, my story, continues to evolve, and I want to thank you each for walking alongside me on this journey. Your listening, the very act of listening, changes the story. I appreciate you all.

Welcome back and thanks for listening. This week, we’re diving into a topic that’s reshaping the way we think about change: the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Change Management. You may recall an episode with my guest titled The Art and Science of Change back in May of 2023. I was excited to welcome him back to explore this highly debated topic with than someone who has dedicated his career to understanding and guiding change — Tim Creasey, Chief Innovation Officer at Prosci. The last time Tim was on the podcast, we had an insightful conversation about the art of change and how not to lose that amidst all this innovation and excitement around AI. But as we have seen, its hype has never slowed down. And with the rapid advancements in AI, organizations, leaders, and change practitioners are facing new challenges—and new opportunities—in how we manage, adopt, and sustain change. So, grab your coffee, settle in, and join us as we unpack how AI is influencing the world of Change Management, what it means for the future of work, and how we, as humans, can adapt, lead, and thrive in this ever-evolving landscape. Make sure to check out Tim's latest research and give the Prosci AI tool a spin at www.prosci.com Tim's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/TimCreasey/ Evolution of AI Capabilities: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/expanding-world-generative-ai-capabilities-timeline-tim-creasey-n9rgc/ AI Integration Framework: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unlocking-adoption-ai-integration-framework-tim-creasey-0aupc/ Prosci's Kaiya: https://www.prosci.com/kaiya-ai-tool

The Polish word for friendship is "przyjaźń" (pronounced pshih-yah-zh-n). When I think of the Polish people, my time living there, and the memories made, this is the word that comes to mind, everytime. Friendship. From the first days of my arriving in Poland in 1990 to my recent return and reunion nearly 35 years later, the spirit of friendship has always guided me, as it does the people of Poland. On today’s episode we hear from one of those friends - Grzegorz Leseniewski. Grzegorz is an attorney at law and a managing partner at Leśniewski Borkiewicz Kostka & Partners, where he helps clients navigate the complex and dynamic legal landscape of new technologies, CyberSec, FinTech, e-commerce, and M&A. Enjoy this conversation and reunion. Dziękuje za słuchanie. - Thanks for listening.🇵🇱

On Episode 150 we welcome back our guest from Episode 1 and Episode 50. Shawna Saffle Rasmussen was probably my first listener in addition to being my first guest. How the world, our worlds, have changed since then, 8 years later. A friendship going on a decade, this was such a joy to sit down together in a great setting and stop time in its place. Together we reflect and seek refuge in a deep discussion about the next chapters in change in both of our lives.

On this episode I welcome back Chris Lovett. Author, Writer, TEDx Speaker, Award-Winning Leader, Executive Coach & Simplicity Expert - as someone who lives and breathes a less is more lifestyle, Chris feels it's his responsibility to help employees improve their relationship with work by simplifying. His work has been read, seen and heard in 65 countries and he's spent years coaching CEOs, exec talent, senior leaders and teams through this stuff. Chris used to be a radio DJ, coached an x-factor winner, and is a proud music geek and loves to take Mondays off. Join for this reunion conversation as we talk about what makes us Relentless. And keep an eye out for his second book later this year.

On today's episode I interview Kristie K. Jones, a seasoned sales leader, sales enablement coach and best-selling author of "Selling Your Way In." Kristie is known for her Kristie-isms and her no nonsense approach to sales, leadership and life. She is focused on empowering sellers to not just meet their goals, but crush them. During this episode we talk about life, challenges, dreams, hopes, aspirations and more. Enjoy the listen!

On Episode 147 I welcome Lindsay Yellin. She is a sought after, dynamic leadership coach spearheading Yellin's transformative approach. With over a decade of experience in advertising account management, Lindsay proved her determination & impact by climbing the ranks to VP before turning 30. But her lasting legacy lies in her role as a team builder and culture shifter, leaving an enduring impact on the teams & clients she served. Lindsay dedicates herself to transforming self-doubting execs into possibility-driven leaders who inspire engagement & performance through meaningful connection. Lindsay's unique strategy centers on connecting leaders back to themselves first to unlock clarity & confidence to intentionally expand their leadership impact. Her curated coaching journey is a values-driven approach that empowers leaders to bust through success blockers & overcome self-limiting beliefs while building a toolkit of resources to accompany them throughout the rest of their career journey.

Jonathan Bardzik is a storyteller, chef, and author. He believes that life can and should be filled with joy, abundance and agency. His story is one that mirrors a beautiful culinary journey. Be sure to visit www.jonathanbardzik.com! Author of three cookbooks, he's given over 900 live appearances over the past 9 years and appears regularly on local television networks. You can also find his at farm markets and creating experiences for private clients including businesses, organizations, and homes. His television series, Jonathan's Kitchen has so much joy. Jonathan knows how to curate experiences and make moments into memories. In preparing food and sharing our stories, we spark connection and communication, bringing us closer together. Be sure to reach out to Jonathan about his work, retreats and books if you’re interested in learning more.

Today’s featured guest is Rafael Zhansultanov. Rafael has over 10 years of experience working at the nexus of global economics, geopolitics, international development and financial markets in emerging and developing countries. Rafael has studied and worked in the U.S., U.K. and Eurasia and possesses a multicultural, multilingual outlook and first hand understanding of business and customs around the world. Rafael is a Chevening Scholar and a U.S. Edmund S. Muskie Scholar having been awarded these prestigious scholarships only given to a small percentage of applicants from around the world. It was an honor to reconnect with Rafael and talk about the importance of words.

Matt VanFossen is an award winning independent artist and currently holds a well earned spot on both my Apple Replay and Spotify Wrapped of 2024. And if it wasn’t for an Instagram story I almost missed, I wouldn’t have heard his music at all, much less have had this healing conversation with him on the importance of forgiveness, the power of heartbreak and the future of country music. You all are in for a treat in this conversation, with a man who IS the future of country music. After hearing his story and wisdom you will want to hear every one of his songs. Thanks for listening.

On Episode 143, I welcome back Kevin Walling for his third appearance on the show. Because who doesn't love a good trilogy? You might call it Return of the Electoral Jedi. Kevin is a political strategist and political media consultant who has run for office and supported candidacies for numerous leaders elected to office. Having known Kevin now for over a decade, I consider his stoicism and political pragmatism to be a salve on the wound that keeps getting reopened in the experiment that is democracy in the United States. Nearly four years to the day since we last recorded, Kevin joined me to talk about how much has changed since the 2020 election, which was supposed to be the most consequential election of our lifetimes. That is, until this one. Thanks for listening and please get out and vote.

Kesem is a national nonprofit whose mission is to support children through and beyond their parent’s cancer. Kesem does year-round programming like care packages, birthday cards, and Friends and Family Days, but the flagship program is a week-long summer camp that is completely free for all families. Kesem serves children aged 6-18 and recruits families from the local area by each chapter. Kesem at JHU is the JHU chapter of the national organization, and this year, they held camp from August 12-16th at Sandy Hill Camp & Retreat Center in North East, Maryland, about an hour away from the JHU Homewood campus. Kesem is run by passionate student volunteers who work to fundraise, plan programming, and recruit families and volunteers to the chapter. Kesem at JHU served 83 campers this past summer and fundraised $52,042.75 this year to support their families. Episode Guests: Maggie “Mochi” Yang is a Fall ‘23 graduate of Johns Hopkins University, where she studied Molecular/Cellular Biology and minored in Psychology. Sandra “Happy Feet” Fahmy is a Spring ‘24 graduate of Johns Hopkins University, where she studied Chemistry and Neuroscience. Both having joined Kesem at JHU in their freshman year, Maggie and Sandra have both served on the coordinator board since sophomore year and just finished up their senior year as co-directors of the chapter. They just got back from camp last month in August, which was their fourth time at camp (third in-person). They are now both living in Boston during their gap year while they apply to medical school. Maggie is currently working as a clinical research coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Sandra is a medical assistant at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Jothy Rosenberg has a powerful story of overcoming adversity as a cancer and disability survivor, tech founder, and thriver. After facing immense hardships, he has distilled his experiences into inspirational keynotes that educate and uplift audiences. Jothy speaks on topics like motivation, entrepreneurship, and startup growth strategies. His inspirational keynotes based on his TEDx talk and his books resound with audience and readers of all ages. His story will motivate you to keep going and never give up in the face of adversity. Enjoy the conversation and the inspiring story from Jothy.