Team Accelerator

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Helene Cahen about her book, Fire Up Innovation: Sparking and Sustaining Innovation Teams. Helene Cahen, MS, author of Fire Up Innovation: Sparking and Sustaining Innovation Teams (www.fireupinnovation.com/book), is an innovation strategist, trainer, facilitator, and speaker with over 20 years of experience helping companies navigate innovation challenges. She is the founder and principal consultant at Fire Up Innovation Consulting (previously Strategic Insights), where she guides Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and non-profits to understand innovation, create innovative new products/services, build effective teams, and support a user-centered culture. Cahen has been a facilitator and lecturer for the Haas School of Business and is now coaching in their Executive Program. She was also the vice president of innovation for a startup and worked in and for package goods corporations in the beginning of her career. She is in demand as a speaker on the topic of innovation, design thinking and creativity, and recently did a TEDx talk on high-performance collaboration for teams. Trained in creative problem solving and design thinking, Cahen received an MS in Creativity and Change Leadership from the Center for Applied Imagination at the State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo. She also has a business degree from Sciences Po Paris, a prestigious French business school.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Bessi Graham about aligning your business strategy with your values. Bessi Graham (www.linkedin.com/in/bessi-graham-48a31323) is an award-winning entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience working with business owners, governments, and large funding bodies to bring doing good and making money back together. Bessi works with established business leaders who want to build on their success and align their company with their values but are concerned about the impact of these changes on their bottom line. Showing them that they can do good and make money. In fact, doing good is the competitive edge their business has been missing.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Roger L. Firestien about deliberate creativity and creative problem-solving. Roger L. Firestien, PhD (linkedin.com/in/rogerfirestien) has presented programs on innovation to over 600 organizations around the world including Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, universities, associations, and religious institutions. His nine-part series on innovation is available on the OpenSesame e-learning platform. His latest books include Solve The Real Problem, Why Didn’t I Think Of That? and Create In A Flash. He is Associate Professor Emeritus at the Center for Applied Imagination at Buffalo State University, President of Innovation Resources, Inc., a founding member of the Buffalo Society for Creativity in Medical Education, and guest lecturer at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, NY. For more information, please visit www.RogerFirestien.com  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Thomas Gelmi about fostering a resilient environment within the workplace. For more than two decades, Thomas Gelmi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasgelmi/) has been an executive coach, facilitator, member of the Forbes Coaches Council, and sparring partner supporting leaders and teams in their development at various levels and in numerous industries. He focuses on developing personal and interpersonal competence in leadership, teamwork, and customer relations. For his practice, he draws on an extraordinary biography with exciting milestones. Besides his many years of professional experience in various management positions, he spent seven years with Swissair, the former Swiss national airline. In the worldwide leadership and training of cabin crew, and in contact with international customers at 30,000 feet, he experienced first-hand how important a high level of personal and interpersonal competence is for effective human interaction. Additionally, he has been a team leader and trained caregiver in accidents and other extreme situations for many years. Thomas is a bestselling author of several books, among them BREAKTHROUGH, What Cabin Crew can teach you about Leadership, Teamwork and Customer Contact, and THE COACHING CODE, Practical tips for cracking the code and building a successful Coaching Business. Based in Switzerland, with a home near Zurich, Thomas works with leaders all across Europe and regularly in North America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. His clients include global corporations as well as SMEs and private individuals. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Kelly Mackin about her book, Work Life Well-Lived: The Motives Met Pathway to No-B.S. Well-Being at Work. Kelly Mackin is the author of Work Life Well-Lived: The Motives Met Pathway to No-B.S. Well-Being at Work, and cofounder and CEO of the Motives Met Platform and Human Needs Assessment which empowers people to create their best work life and workplace. Kelly’s journey from ill-being to well-being at work ignited her passion and dedication for helping people create health and happiness in their lives through a unique blend of skills. Her expertise spans quantitative research in human behavior to fostering psychological safety, from guiding individuals in mind management coaching to imparting the practice of mindfulness meditation both in and outside of work. As a researcher, she gains insights into significant parts of our lives like values, stress, and emotions to develop frameworks to better understand the world and ourselves to make positive change. Kelly’s mission is to create a work world where we are human first and well-being is a right, not a privilege. She built Motives Met to achieve the attainable dream of a work life well-lived for all. When asked about her proudest moments, Kelly would tell you it was standing at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and at Mount Everest Base Camp. Hailing from sunny San Diego, California, you can often find her soaking up a sunset, playing beach volleyball, or sparring in the boxing ring. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Tracey Watts Cirino about how aligning your purpose with a compelling vision can lead to success. Tracey Watts Cirino (https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceywattscirino/) is a 5-Time #1 international best-selling author, award-winning business owner, highly engaging empowering speaker, and podcast host of Beyond Common Business Secrets. Tracey is passionate about helping people become successful entrepreneurs and reach their highest potential. Through her dynamic keynotes, retreats, workshops, digital training programs, and mastermind groups, Tracey helps business owners and leaders discover their own personal power so they can develop customized success systems. As the founder and CEO of Beyond Common Coaching & Training Company, a Cleveland, OH-based business that provides success strategies and speaking services to business owners across the world, Tracey is a Certified Success and Mindset Coach, Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer, and John C. Maxwell certified speaker, coach, and trainer. With her gifts of clarity and cutting through the B.S. while serving business owners all across the globe, Tracey has developed the proven BEYOND Common Success Method and the BEYOND Business Method and is dedicated to helping clients get out of their own way in order to achieve their business dreams while building a life they love. On any given day you will find Tracey passionately doing work she loves or enjoying spending time outdoors hiking, or cooking with her family and their beloved dog, Rocky right at their heels. To learn more about how Tracey can help you achieve your goals or to book Tracey as your speaker at your virtual or in-person next event, please visit www.traceywattscirino.com. Check out a free gift: https://www.beyondcommoncoaching.com/strategies Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Rachel Rider about her book, Who You Are is How You Lead. Rachel Rider (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachellrider) founded MettaWorks in 2015 after a distinguished career in HR, receiving executive coaching certification from Columbia University, and extensive training in meditation, Somatic Experiencing, and Polarity Therapy. Starting as HR Business Partner responsible for developing and coaching leaders and teams at Bloomberg, she went on to specialize in leadership coaching at AppNexus (since acquired by AT&T) and Digital Ocean, the third-largest hosting company in the world. She studied under renowned teacher and Zen Mountain Monastery founder John Daido Loori Roshi for 13 years before continuing under his successor, Shugen Arnold Roshi. Rider completed a three-year intensive certification in Somatic Experiencing in 2018, and a 2020 training in Polarity Therapy with the aim of bringing leaders tools to unlock effective, long-lasting change in concert with the body. Since 2020, she’s been working intensively with anti-racism coach Makeda Pennycooke. Rider lives in New York with her husband and two children. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Dr. Randy Brazie and Dr. Geoffrey VanderPal about steadfast leadership.  Dr. Randy Brazie, MD, SEP® (https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-brazie-491b1398/), is the former chief medical officer for Resilient Health, an Arizona nonprofit healthcare provider of innovative multimodal services for both public and private sectors. He currently serves as a medical director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and has a private practice. He is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in General Psychiatry and is a Somatic Experience Practitioner. Brazie has extensive experience in multiple sectors, including both clinic and hospital-based services, as well as emergency and urgent care settings. Dr. Geoffrey VanderPal, DBA, CFP® (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gvanderpal/), Project Management Professional, Society of Human Resource Managers Senior Certified Professional, is a professor in the Master of Science in Finance program at Purdue University Global, where he teaches financial planning–related courses. He has taught at various universities on four continents in the areas of finance, leadership, and business. He also spent over twenty years as an entrepreneur founding several successful businesses and leading teams. VanderPal is the author of Invincible Investing and several dozen peer-reviewed research articles.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Alexandra Bowden about gamifying and operationalizing workplace culture. Alexandra Bowden is a speaker, consultant, partner, educator, and advocate. She has a vision to put customer service and creativity back into the Talent equation. After a dramatic career pivot of her own, and realizing that talent can come from a multitude of places which we aren't tapping into, she founded PEOPLEfirst.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Alex Goryachev about his book, FEARLESS INNOVATION: Going Beyond The Buzzword To Continuously Drive Growth, Improve The Bottom Line, And Enact Change. Alex Goryachev (linkedin.com/in/alexgoryachev), author of FEARLESS INNOVATION: Going Beyond The Buzzword To Continuously Drive Growth, Improve The Bottom Line, And Enact Change, is the former managing director of Cisco’s global Co-Innovation Center, where he spearheaded programs and initiatives to accelerate innovation. Goryachev is a Silicon Valley veteran who is a sought-after speaker on innovation and is often referred to as the ‘innovation therapist’. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Rick Hammell about how your company’s onboarding/offboarding process can make or break your employee retention. Rick Hammell is the Founder of Atlas, a groundbreaking company he established in 2015. With a keen eye for identifying market gaps, Rick's entrepreneurial journey began at his dining room table, where he recognized the pressing need for solutions that could empower companies to expand into new markets efficiently, rapidly, and with strict adherence to compliance standards. Driven by his dedication to streamlining global expansion, Rick pioneered the innovative Direct Employer of Record business model, specifically designed to support companies with ambitious international aspirations, while fostering equitable opportunities for businesses to compete on a global scale. Under Rick's visionary leadership, Atlas has experienced a remarkable transformation, evolving from a local startup into a renowned global tech firm, boasting an impressive network of 19 offices worldwide. This extensive reach enables Atlas to provide exceptional support to clients in over 160 countries.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with John Samuel about organizational DEI efforts among the disabled community. John Samuel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngsamuel/) is the Cofounder & CEO of Ablr, where he focuses on helping organizations be more inclusive by removing the barriers that have hindered people with disabilities from accessing education, retail, entertainment, and employment. John’s passion for his work is very personal as he is blind and wants to make sure the obstacles he has faced are removed for others. Over the past 16-years, John has held leadership roles domestically and internationally. While launching and serving as the CEO for Aster Cameroon, a global telecom infrastructure Joint Venture, he built a $45 million business bringing internet access across Africa. Afterward, he became an early member of Homestrings, a USAID backed crowdfunding platform, where he helped raise capital for startups in emerging markets. John holds his MBA from George Washington University, BS in Accounting from North Carolina State University. John is also an International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies, and holds a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace from the University of South Florida. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Dr. Donte Vaughn about reassessing your organizational values at work. Dr. Donte Vaughn, DM (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-donte-vaughn-dm-msm-73386a34/), is the Founder and President of LightPoint Advisors. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Alex Brueckmann about his book, The Strategy Legacy: How to Future-Proof a Business and Leave Your Mark. Alex Brueckmann (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderbrueckmann/) is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Strategy Legacy, and Secrets of Next Level Entrepreneurs. He is the founder and president of Brueckmann Executive Consulting based in Vancouver, Canada. Alex has impacted thousands of leaders across the world. His clients include high-growth start-ups and Fortune 500 executive teams. He holds degrees and certificates in management, leadership, and strategy from EBS University, INSEAD, and Harvard Business School. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Elan Divon about engaging and retaining young talent. Elan Divon (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elan-divon-96849680/)is a Harvard-trained author, speaker, and founder of Divon Academy: an organization that helps students and young professionals develop essential work, life, and leadership skills that companies want but schools don't teach and technology has disrupted at a time when they're needed most. Elan’s clientele includes Fortune 500 companies, universities, and governments, where he works to train and develop the next generation of young leaders.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Michael Teape about what to do when your leaders struggle to perform. Since 1994, Michael Teape (https://www.linkedin.com/in/teapetraining/) has been conducting business and personal effectiveness design and delivery training, coaching, train-the-trainer, and training strategy development for a wide spectrum of clients. He works for global corporations, leading training firms, and universities as well as small and middle market businesses. Mike has obtained unique and relevant market experience in helping companies achieve their goals. Training globally provided him with a rich understanding of cultural differences as well as global experience in train the trainer skills.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Bradley Hamner about how to develop confidence and lead yourself first. Bradley Hamner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyhamner/), an entrepreneur with a tenacious drive, started his first business in 2009 against all odds. Overcoming initial challenges, he developed effective operating systems through relentless trial and testing. Today, Bradley is a Business Growth Coach and Value Builder consultant, empowering entrepreneurs to become architects of their own success. He shares his revolutionary BlueprintOS methodology, unlocking businesses’ true potential and driving remarkable achievements. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Alfred Ishak about the causes, consequences, and solutions for burnout in the workplace. Alfred Ishak (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfred-ishak/) is Vice President of People Strategy at Human8. He is an optimistic and consultative insights professional with more than 15 years of experience in consumer insights, marketing research, and analytics, bringing a unique blend of authentic leadership, customer-centric strategy, and a disruptive growth mindset to drive organizational change and operational results Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Peter Rahbar about why transparency from the top down is extremely important to company morale. Peter Rahbar (https://www.linkedin.com/in/prahbar/) is a workplace legal expert who guides clients through the most important decisions of their professional lives. After almost twenty years of representing major international corporate clients in high profile matters, including over a decade as the chief employment attorney for a major global media company, Peter founded The Rahbar Group, a boutique employment law practice based in New York City. Peter specializes in representing individuals, including C-Suite executives, media personalities and other professionals working in finance, media, sports, real estate, fashion and tech. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Betsy Hill and Roger Stark about neuroplasticity and how it pertains to learning. Betsy Hill (https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyhill/) is the mother of three boys and an award-winning educator. She studied the neuroscience of learning with Dr. Patricia Wolfe and other pioneers in the field, coining the term neuroeducator. She is former chair of the board of trustees at Chicago State University and teaches strategic thinking at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management where she received a Contribution to Learning Excellence Award. She received a Nepris Trailblazer Award for sharing her knowledge, skills and passion for the neuroscience of learning in classrooms around the U.S. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and an MBA from Northwestern University.  Roger Stark (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerlstark/) is CEO of BrainWare Learning Company. It started with a simple question: What do you know about the brain? His vision was to combine multidisciplinary clinical cognitive training with videogame technology. It had never been done before. Over the past fifteen years, he has championed efforts to bring comprehensive cognitive skills training and cognitive assessment within reach of everyone. He led the team that developed BrainWare SAFARI, now the most researched comprehensive, integrated cognitive training tool delivered online in the world. He was the first person ever invited to deliver a joint Congressional briefing on Neuroscience in the Classroom.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!