Why to the Way

Dina Barazza has a controversial take on HR: she fundamentally disagrees with having an HR person inside your organization — because who pays them determines who they protect. After 35 years in HR consulting, she has spent her career on the outside of organizations for exactly that reason, and the results she has driven from that position are hard to argue with. This episode is a masterclass in what leadership actually requires right now — and most leaders, she says, are getting it wrong. In This Episode, host Sarah Jeanneault and Dina unpack:Why Dina believes having an internal HR person is structurally compromised from day one — and what the alternative looks like when you bring in someone whose loyalty isn't already pre-determined by a paycheck from the company The four levels of psychological safety developed by Dr. Timothy Clark — inclusion safety, learner safety, contributor safety, and challenger safety — and why most organizations fail at level four, which is exactly where innovation lives The transformation story of an international food industry company with angry employees, high turnover, and widespread burnout: how Dina's team used a learning needs analysis, a layered leadership program, and simple stay interviews to reduce turnover and increase productivity within 18 months Why the adult learner needs to hear or see something seven times before they can retain it — and what that means for leaders who think sending one email counts as communication The 30-60-90 day framework every new leader should walk in with — including why the first conversation should be asking "what are my measures of success?" before assuming you know what you're there to fix Why cutting the training budget in hard economic times is exactly backwards — and why Dina is seeing organizations flood back to coaching and training post-COVID after years of cutting training budgets. Timestamps: 00:00 - Why HR Gets Distrusted 00:16 - Podcast Setup 01:13 - Meet Dina HR Consultant 02:12 - Hiring Strategic HR 03:14 - Anxiety Talking to HR 04:03 - Independent HR and Trust 05:28 - Leader Reality Check Metrics 06:54 - New Leader 30 60 90 Day Plan 08:36 - Empathy and Modern Workforce 10:37 - Leading Across Teams and Culture 14:31 - When Leaders Resist Feedback 18:32 - New Leader Pressure and Success 20:29 - Transformation Story Training ROI 24:23 - Building a Leadership Legacy 26:50 - Handling Toxic Teams 28:28 - Hiring for Skills And Culture Fit 29:20 - Building High Performing Teams 31:07 - Training And EQ Skills 33:00 - Strengths Based Development 34:56 - Where To Find Dina - The Talent Consortium 36:29 - Gut Check On HR 41:03 - Balancing Results And People 46:09 - DISC And Adapting Styles 48:38 - Wrap Up And Call To Action Resources Mentioned: Now, Discover Your Strengths — book by Marcus Buckingham; includes an online assessment that identifies top five strengths and provides a development report Dr. Timothy Clark — researcher behind the four levels of psychological safety framework The Talent Consortium — Dina's consulting practice; thetalentconsortium.com DISC — psychometric assessment tool Dina uses as a baseline in leadership coaching; referenced in the episode for understanding motivational styles and team dynamics Dina Barazza is the President and Chief Learning Officer of The Talent Consortium, a consulting practice specializing in human resources, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness. With over 30 years of experience working with organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500s, she is known for her work in building high-performing cultures, leadership coaching, and custom training design. She is also a professional speaker on leadership, learning, and organizational culture. Connect with Dina Barazza: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinabarazza/ https://www.thetalentconsortium.com/ Connect with Us! http://[email protected] InLinked In- Sarah JeanneaultLinked In - Heather McPhersonThis show is produced by Twisted Spur Media Ltd. Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during Why To The Way Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Sarah Jeanneault, Twisted Spur Media Ltd. and/or her affiliates. Sarah Jeanneault, Why To The Way Podcast, and Twisted Spur Media Ltd. are not responsible for and do not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Amy Baryshnik spent nearly two decades working for other people's businesses — investment banking in LA, private equity in New York, investment management in Toronto, Chief of Staff at Knixwear — learning everything she could about how companies are built, broken, and grown. She knew the whole time she wanted to build something. She just kept waiting until she felt ready. Then one month of being woken up at 3am by the same idea finally made her honest with herself: she was never going to feel ready, and that was exactly the point.In This Episode, host Sarah Jeanneault and Amy unpack:The career arc that took Amy from Ivey Business School to investment banking in LA, to Apollo in New York, to 12 years working directly for three founder CEOs — and why she describes all of it as deliberate preparation for the day she would finally bet on herselfWhat happened at Knixwear that no one else in the organization was equipped to handle: Amy led the sale of an 80% stake in the business to Essity, a global CPG out of Sweden, and spent a year leading the integration — because she was the only person in the room with an M&A backgroundWhy she left Knixwear at 40, set out to buy an existing business, and instead kept getting woken up at night by a decade-old idea — and what finally made her commitThe Estate Kit origin story: her father's brain tumor diagnosis, being named decision-maker in a hospital hallway moments before surgery, and the realization that most families face that moment completely unpreparedWhy Amy believes the biggest unlock for Estate Kit isn't product — it's breaking down the taboos that keep people from engaging with the topic at all: mortality, money, family dynamics, and end-of-life wishes, all in one conversationHer chapter title for right now: "Let's talk about death and all the other topics that make you the life of the party".Episode Highlights:00:00 - Choosing Before You’re Ready00:30 - Podcast Intro00:42 - Meet Amy and Her Story01:21 - From Banking to Operating03:51 - Owning Decisions and Friction06:35 - Leveraging M&A Background09:15 - Culture Energy and Growth12:30 - Hiring for Growth Mindset14:11 - Estate Kit; Building Trust Around Death16:19 - The Personal Origin Story19:23 - Betting on Herself and Overcoming Fear21:51 - You Will Never Feel Ready23:30 - Leading as CEO26:02 - Breaking Death Taboos28:38 - Gut Check After the Interview34:55 - Ideas Focus and Fulfillment44:21 - Wrap Up and Call to ActionResources MentionedEstate Kit — Amy's company; free 12-question estate planning assessment available at estatekit.comKnixwear — Canadian D2C brand where Amy served as Chief of Staff; she led the sale of an 80% stake to EssityEssity — global CPG company based in Sweden; acquired an 80% stake in Knixwear during Amy's tenureAmy Baryshnik is the founder and president of Estate Kit, a platform that helps families organize and securely share the documents, contacts, and instructions their loved ones will need when it matters most. She brings nearly two decades of leadership experience across investment management and retail, including roles as Chief of Staff at Knixwear and Partner and COO at Alignvest Management Corporation. A board member at NEXT Canada and trustee at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto, Amy holds an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School and an HBA with distinction from the Ivey Business School at Western University.Connect with Amy Baryshnik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybaryshnik/Connect with Us! http://www.whytotheway.com [email protected] Instagram YouTube Linked In Linked In- Sarah Jeanneault Linked In - Heather McPherson This show is produced by Twisted Spur Media Ltd. Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during Why To The Way Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Sarah Jeanneault, Twisted Spur Media Ltd. and/or her affiliates. Sarah Jeanneault, Why To The Way Podcast, and Twisted Spur Media Ltd. are not responsible for and do not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Dominique Gruber had built everything she wanted: a mixed-animal veterinary practice in rural Montana co-owned with her husband, three kids, a team she loved, and a community that depended on her. Then everything shifted — not because of a decision she made, but because of a loss she didn't choose. What followed wasn't a planned pivot. It was survival, and then slowly, something unexpected: a clarity about what actually matters that she couldn't have found any other way.In This Episode, host Sarah Jeanneault and Dominique unpack:How Dominique managed three simultaneous identities in the aftermath of loss — grieving mom, business owner keeping her team afloat, and solo decision-maker figuring out her financial limits — and how she learned to prioritize the most important three decisions and let everything else fall awayWhy she chose to accept help for the first time in her life, even though her instinct had always been to prove she didn't need it, and what finally made vulnerability feel like strength instead of weaknessThe decision to stop overthinking and let her gut lead: how she went from running late-night projections on every scenario to asking "what would a day feel like a year from now?" — and getting an immediate, visceral answerHow Dominique sold the practice, moved her three kids from Montana back to Canada, chose Victoria on a feeling (having visited only twice), and describes it as the best decision she has ever madeHer current chapter — "Grace and Space" — and the framework she now uses: identify what you're truly holding, give yourself permission to let the rest drop, and add back only what you can genuinely handleThe role of somatic therapy in helping her recognize joy in her body in real timeEpisode Highlights:00:00 - Life Is Short00:37 - Meet Dominique03:04 - Vet Career Origins03:52 - Tragedy And Priorities07:31 - Three Identities To Manage12:14 - Growth Through Grief14:15 - Stop Overthinking Decisions18:31 - Redefining Success22:16 - Somatic Joy Practices25:04 - Future Goals And Balance30:50 - Grace And Space32:47 - Gut Check Debrief44:28 - Closing and Final TakeawaysDominique Gruber is a veterinary professional and mother of three who co-owned and operated a mixed-animal practice in rural Montana alongside her late husband for a decade, leading teams, supporting clients and patients, and building a meaningful life rooted in service and community. After his unexpected passing, she navigated grief, single parenthood, and the sale of their practice simultaneously — before relocating her family from Montana to Victoria, BC, a city she had visited only twice before choosing it entirely on instinct. She now works in veterinary consulting and safety leadership, and is building a life rooted in presence, boundaries, and what she calls grace and space — the practice of holding what truly matters and letting everything else go.Connect with Dominique Gruber: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-gruber-4a296386/Connect with Us!http://www.whytotheway.comEmail: [email protected] - Why To The WayYouTube - Why To The WayLinkedIn - Why To The WayLinkedIn - Sarah JeanneaultLinkedIn - Twisted Spur MediaThis show is produced by Twisted Spur Media Ltd.Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during Why To The Way Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Sarah Jeanneault, Twisted Spur Media Ltd. and/or her affiliates. Sarah Jeanneault, Why To The Way Podcast, and Twisted Spur Media Ltd. are not responsible for and do not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

What if the first sign of burnout isn't exhaustion — it's resentment? Dr. Erin Wiley, a naturopathic doctor who works with high performers, says the moment you catch yourself thinking "I'd be happier if I just got paid more" is the moment to pay attention. This episode is about energy, capacity, and the uncomfortable truth that growth and burnout often start with the exact same feeling. In This Episode, host Sarah Jeanneault and Dr. Erin Wiley unpack: Why resentment — not exhaustion — is the first hallmark sign of burnout, and what Erin says to do the moment you notice it in yourself The "energy wheel": how movement, nutrition, and recovery work together in a circle, and why being lopsided in any one area shrinks your capacity instead of growing it The check engine light analogy Erin learned in naturopathic school back in 2006 — and what happens if you put tape over the warning light and keep driving The story of a client who came in for hair loss in her 40s and, ten years later, was running races against women a decade younger and hitting major career goals Why Erin left her brick-and-mortar clinic in Toronto for a virtual practice — and the fear of "what are you going to do when it's just you, the computer, and the camera?" The difference between internal and external validation, and why connecting to what's internally validating is essential when building sustainable health habits Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Burnout Resentment Sign 00:24 - Podcast Intro 00:49 - Meet Dr Erin Wiley 03:20 - What Naturopaths Do 04:06 - High Performer Patterns 06:00 - Defining Energy Capacity 09:26 - Strategy Starts With You 13:36 - Burnout Warning Signals 16:28 - Check Engine Light Analogy 20:53 - Internal Validation Over External 24:19 - Big Move From City To Countryside 26:19 - Nature As Energy Source 27:53 - Personal Energy Hacks 28:59 - Confidence When It Clicks 29:26 - Grow Your Energy Takeaway 30:14 - Creative Explorer Chapter 31:28 - Small Town Doctor Life 32:22 - Career Redo Curiosities 37:22 - Regrets and Pivotal Moments 39:35 - Destiny And Generations 45:03 - Time as the Ultimate Value 46:18 - Impact And The Podcast 48:24 - Closing Reflections Dr. Erin Wiley, ND is a naturopathic doctor with over 18 years of experience helping high-performing individuals — including senior executives and leaders across Toronto — optimize their energy, metabolism, and hormone health. She is Clinic Director at the Integrative Health Institute, and works with clients to build sustainable capacity so they can perform, lead, and live at their highest level. Her approach focuses on aligning with the body's natural systems — nervous system, metabolism, hormones, and digestion — to expand capacity without simply pushing harder, with particular attention to those navigating major life and career transitions. Connect with Dr. Erin Wiley - erinwiley.com - where listeners can book a discovery call Dr. Erin Wiley’s LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/erin-wiley-24a4b25 Connect with Us! http://www.whytotheway.com Email: [email protected] Instagram - Why To The Way YouTube - Why To The Way LinkedIn - Why To The Way LinkedIn - Sarah Jeanneault LinkedIn - Twisted Spur Media This show is produced by Twisted Spur Media Ltd. Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during Why To The Way Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Sarah Jeanneault, Twisted Spur Media Ltd. and/or her affiliates. Sarah Jeanneault, Why To The Way Podcast, and Twisted Spur Media Ltd. are not responsible for and do not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Most people treat imposter syndrome as a problem to solve. Dr. Andrea Wojnicki — executive communication coach, podcaster, and author — thinks that's exactly backwards. In her view, imposter syndrome is proof you're pushing yourself, and the people who never feel it are the ones who stopped growing. Host Sarah Jeanneault sits down with Dr. Andrea to reframe confidence from something you either have or don't, into something that follows naturally once you get clear on who you actually are. In This Episode: Why Dr. Andrea says imposter syndrome should be celebrated, not overcome The confidence continuum: paralyzing anxiety on one end, arrogance on the other, and the "perfect equilibrium" in the middle that comes from a true growth mindset and doubling down on your unique strengths Why Dr. Andrea tells her 22-year-old son not to think about his personal brand yet — and what she tells a 55-year-old CFO instead, and why the advice for each is almost the opposite The chapter from her upcoming book called "Unique is Better Than Better" — and why the number one mistake people make with personal brand is not fear of self-promotion, but copying others and conforming to what others expect The four levels of listening — passive, active, generative, and not listening at all — and why generative listening, where two people together create something neither could alone, is the most underrated communication skill in business How Sarah first encountered Dr. Andrea at a YPO women's-only event at a turning point in her own career — and why Dr. Andrea's talk on that day is part of the reason this podcast exists.Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Imposter Syndrome Reframe 00:17 - Podcast Premise Intro 00:41 - Meet Dr. Andrea Wojnicki 01:39 - Why People Need Prep 02:53 – Dr. Andrea’s Podcast Origins 03:45 - Narrowing The Podcast Niche 05:06 - What Clients Really Need 08:28 - Clarity Builds Confidence 10:41 - Branding By Career Stage 13:07 - Unique Over Better 14:55 - Introductions And Identity 15:51 - Sarah Personal Story 17:38 - Personal Branding Myths 19:10 - Celebrate Imposter Syndrome 22:52 – Dr. Andrea Career Backstory 23:13 - Teaching to Coaching Pivot 24:33 - Energy and Delegation 26:09 - Boundaries and Time Off 27:11 - Rethinking Strengths 29:27 - Leadership Shift to Communicating and Listening 32:19 – Dr. Andrea’s Life Chapter Title: Hitting Your Stride 34:01 - Where to Find Andrea 34:47 - Gut Check Reflections 36:45 - Imposter Syndrome Talk 40:04 - What We Want Clarity and Impact 45:09 - Doers and Promotions 47:36 - Final Takeaways and Outro Resources Mentioned: Talk About Talk — Dr. Andrea's podcast and coaching practice; talkabouttalk.com Let Me Introduce Myself — Dr. Andrea's upcoming book Write a Must Read — book by AJ Harper The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women - 1978 research paper by two social psychologists; Pauline Rose Clance & Suzanne Imes YPO — Young Presidents' Organization Dr. Andrea Wojnicki is an executive communication coach, speaker, and the founder and host of the Talk About Talk podcast, now with over 200 episodes. She holds an MBA and a Doctorate of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, where her research focused on consumer psychology and interpersonal communication, and has served on the faculty in the MBA program at the University of Toronto. Her 2023 Harvard Business Review article, "A Simple Way to Introduce Yourself," was one of the top three most downloaded articles on HBR.org that year. Her upcoming book, Let Me Introduce Myself, brings together her frameworks on self-introduction, personal branding, and professional identity into a single guide for ambitious professionals. Connect with Dr. Andrea Wojnicki at: talkabouttalk.com or on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki Connect with Us! http://www.whytotheway.com [email protected] Instagram YouTube Linked In Linked In- Sarah Jeanneault Linked In - Heather McPherson This show is produced by Twisted Spur Media Ltd. Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during Why To The Way Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Sarah Jeanneault, Twisted Spur Media Ltd. and/or her affiliates. Sarah Jeanneault, Why To The Way Podcast, and Twisted Spur Media Ltd. are not responsible for and do not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.