The Hearth

<p>The Hearth is for you if you're a business leader with a team. Here we have conversations about how to keep growing when you feel you've reached your capacity. When what you're doing is working, but you're starting to see the cracks. When there's a gap between where you're at now and where you want to be. Here we find ways to transition through struggle of survival toward creating a thriving business that supports you and your team as whole humans.Your host is me, Candice Elliott. I am a strategist & mentor who specializes in working with business owners who are going through periods of growth, especially when you add more people to your team. The practices and systems that worked when your team was smaller just don’t seem to fit anymore. When you’re caught in stress and reaction it's tough to reimagine the way that you created your world of work, both your own personal one, and the one you created for others. I help people align their values and business practices to build practical, sustainable, thriving work ecosystems. And no, this isn’t just some work utopia talk. To do this I bring forward my decade-long professional background in human resources and organizational development working with growing businesses across many sectors, and my decades-long search for meaning and wholeness which includes researching the history of work and how it came to be what it is today, practicing a trauma-informed approach to business, and integrating work, life and spirituality into a meaningful whole. Let's take this journey together.Learn more about Candice and her work here: www.fortressandflourish.com</p>

How to Slow Down in Your Business

Overview:In this special Halloween episode, Candice Elliott reflects on slowing down, personal transitions, and the connection between life and death that Halloween embodies. She also shares updates on her latest creative project—a book about motherhood and feminine authority—while offering heartfelt advice on navigating life's changes.Key Highlights:Slowing Down: Candice explores how the seasonal transition invites us to slow down without stopping, embracing a pace that allows for connection...

10-31
27:54

Creating Fair Pay Systems in Our Organizations

In this episode of The Hearth, we dive deep into the complex landscape of compensation systems, exploring what it means to create fair and equitable compensation in today's economy.Key Discussion Points:Commerce and Fairness in Compensation: We start by discussing how commerce, capitalism, and equitable compensation systems intersect. The focus is on creating a system of fair exchange, where employees receive enough compensation to meet their financial needs.Labor Markets and Income Dispariti...

10-17
31:17

Protective Policies Your Business Can Use to Support Employees

Episode SummaryIn this episode of "The Hearth," Candice discusses how businesses can better protect their employees during challenging times, such as the pandemic, natural disasters, and economic downturns. She highlights the importance of a robust HR infrastructure that extends beyond standard policies to create a supportive environment for employees.Key Topics Covered:HR's Role in Employee Protection:Integrating employee protections through HR functions like benefits and time-off policies, ...

10-03
30:09

Improving Your Business Sustainability Practices

Episode Summary:In this episode of "The Hearth," Candice explores the connection between sustainable farming practices and human resources, highlighting the parallels between the two fields. She emphasizes the importance of sustainable systems in both farming and the workplace, critiquing how the industrialization of work often clashes with natural human rhythms. Drawing on her HR experience with a sustainable restaurant group in Santa Cruz, Candice discusses how lessons from biodynamic farmi...

09-19
32:34

Having a Thought Partner

Episode Description:In this solo episode of The Hearth Podcast, host Candice Elliott delves into the significance of thought partnership in HR and leadership. She reflects on her journey in building her business, emphasizing the value of having a thought partner to support growth, especially in imperfect situations. Candice discusses her team’s unique approach to providing tailored HR solutions that are compliant and sustainable.Candice introduces the Fractional HR and Back Pocket HR programs...

09-05
13:44

Interview with Lauren DaSilva on Being an Ally in Healing Sexual Trauma

In this episode, Candice Elliott sits down with Lauren DaSilva, the Executive Director of the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center, to discuss her journey in the field of crisis intervention and advocacy. Lauren shares her experiences, the importance of volunteerism, and the various programs her organization offers to support survivors of sexual violence.1. Lauren's Journey into Crisis InterventionLauren talks about how she began her journey in crisis intervention, starting as a volunteer at th...

06-27
31:05

David Ginsborg on Building Community and Embracing Service

In this episode, Candice Elliott sits down with David Ginsborg to discuss the importance of community, service, and leadership within the Jewish community of Santa Cruz. David shares insights from his role as the Executive Director and highlights the various initiatives and values that drive their work at Temple Beth-El.Key Topics Covered:Community and Service:Discussion on the importance of community service inspired by Jewish values, and the commitment to working outside the temple's walls ...

06-20
54:24

MARIAH ROBERTS on The Power of Parks: How Community Efforts Shape Public Spaces

In this episode, Candice Elliott sits down with Mariah Roberts, the Executive Director of Santa Cruz County Park Friends, to explore the impactful work of this nonprofit organization. Mariah shares her journey from being a teacher and a mother to leading a community-driven initiative that enhances park accessibility and community engagement in Santa Cruz County.Key Points Discussed:Mariah’s Role and Mission:Mariah explains her role as the Executive Director of Santa Cruz County Park Friends, ...

06-13
50:27

PEOPLE FIRST on Designing Work Systems that Support our Whole Team

Welcome to The Hearth. In this episode, I have a conversation with Maile Earnest and Evan Morrison from People First, the newest homeless service provider in Santa Cruz County. We explore the critical role of prioritizing people in every aspect of life, from business practices to community engagement.Main Topics CoveredUnderstanding 'People First' PhilosophyWhat does it mean to put people first?Historical context and evolution of the concept.Real-life examples of successful 'peopl...

06-06
57:54

A Fresh Start for the New Year

Hello Brave souls,This episode also bears news of a significant shift for this podcast. As I juggle new personal milestones, including the birth of my second child, and professional commitments like a partnership with Santa Cruz County Public Health Department, regularity in our podcast release schedule is taking a back seat. But worry not, we’re not going off the radar! Whenever there's an exciting guest to feature or enriching information that needs sharing, a brand-new episode wi...

12-14
10:16

Embracing Diversity in the Future of Work

In today's episode, we talk about generational gaps in the workplace. I’m here to help you navigate the tricky terrain of generational differences, age-related biases, and the jarring shift young people encounter when transferring from education to the world of work. Drawing on my decade-long experience in human resources and organizational development, I challenge the common misconceptions about different age groups in the workforce. Together, we debunk the myths and explore...

11-30
21:07

SUSIE POLNASZEK on Inquiring Into Success in the Non-Profit World

What if the road to pay equity and fair compensation in the nonprofit sector could be navigated more smoothly? That's exactly what we're aiming to explore in this episode of The Hearth. I'm joined by Susie Polnaszek, director of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence in Monterey County, to shine a light on the complexities of compensation and debunk the inherent assumptions in the nonprofit sector. Together, we trace the evolution of the sector and discuss the systemic inequities that can c...

11-23
47:25

DEBORAH LINDSAY on Operationalizing Values

On this episode of The Hearth, Deborah Lindsay joins us to decode the often misunderstood roles within a business operation. As an experienced fractional COO, she dissects the unique differences between fractional COOs, interim executives, consultants, and advisors, shedding light on how each contributes significantly to a company's growth and efficiency. Additionally, she unfolds the indispensable role of a fractional COO, especially in small to mid-sized companies embarking on a journey of ...

11-23
51:17

Work-Family Harmony

Have you ever felt the strain of juggling roles as a worker and a caregiver? Ever wondered how your work-life balance impacts your overall health and well-being? This episode of 'The Hearth' is an eye-opener on work-family harmony and the stressors that could be affecting your overall health. We dig deep into the common workplace stressors and how they relate to cardiovascular disease risk, sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and more. In the second half of our conversation, we pull...

11-16
30:23

Building Inclusive and Respectful Workplaces

In today's episode, we dissect Donna Hicks' Dignity Model to help business owners elevate their workplace culture and environment. We uncover the need for more than just being seen and heard, but also, the inclusion, respect, and cultural acceptance that forms the bedrock of social dignity. Further, we address the often-ignored necessity of redressing past violations to create a healthier work culture, and also touch on legal dignity and its application in the workplace.In this episode,...

11-02
22:03

RACHEAL COOK on Values Based Decision Making as a CEO

In today's episode with Rachael Cook, the head of CEO Collective, we dive deep into marrying personal values with our business decisions. Rachael Shares with us her five definitions of success, emphasizing the crucial role of understanding what your business needs to do for you as the owner. We discuss the fundamental role of health, relationships, and creativity in fostering both personal and business growth. As we navigate through economic uncertainty, Rachel offers valuable insights ...

10-26
49:34

Normalizing Mental Health Conversations at Work

In today's episode of The Hearth, we talk about mental health at the workplace.Together, we'll explore the cost of mental health issues in the workplace, the stigma associated with it, and the transformative steps we can take to foster a healthier, more sustainable work ecosystem.The first step towards change is understanding the magnitude of the problem. Did you know that 20% of Americans have a reported mental health condition, with depression and anxiety costing us an estimated $210 billio...

10-19
29:56

FAITH CLARKE on Transformational Culture

In today's episode, I welcome Faith Clarke again to the podcast. In last season's episode, we discussed the decolonization of work.In today's episode, we discuss how crucial the intersection of team dynamics and inclusivity is for our workplaces. Drawing on Faith's extensive experience and her latest book, we delve into the necessity of cultivating a work environment where everyone feels they belong.We look at the systemic issues marred in our workplaces and their impact on team trust. ...

10-12
51:00

The US Health Disadvantage & How Businesses Can Help

Did you know that although one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States still lags behind in health metrics? Join me on today's episode to unpack the US health landscape, exploring how fundamental needs like clean air, job security, and transportation are not met in many communities, directly impacting health conditions. We delve into the role of stress in these conditions and how clinical interventions contribute only 10-20% of health outcomes. More importantly, we highlight...

10-05
25:55

CLAIRE HOLMES on Parental Leave Transitions for Employers and Employees

You know the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child," but what happens when that village is also juggling a career? Join me in a deep-dive conversation with Claire Holmes, founder of Mama Collaborative. Claire's journey from corporate consultant to entrepreneurial advocate for working moms is nothing short of inspiring. We learn about her own struggle to balance her career with motherhood and how this led her to create a platform to support and guide other working moms through the ...

09-28
59:23

Recommend Channels