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Student leadership and meaningful work go together.

About this episode:

“We’re all leaders in some way, shape, or form.”

-Courtney Owens, Assistant Director of Student Leadership; Ithaca College Office of Student Engagement

Student leadership leads to meaningful work. Coincidentally, leadership programming prepares college students for success doing work that protects the planet and empowers people and community.

People who develop student leadership skill in college enter the workforce as agile participants who are able to pivot to changing circumstances.

So, as colleges and universities welcome back Fall 2020 semester students, Ithaca College will resume its student leadership programming. Undergraduates in the program will learn how to start careers doing meaningful work.

The pursuit of meaningful work is a big driver for Ithaca College.

Courtney Owens, the Assistant Director of Student Leadership at Ithaca College’s Office of Student Engagement, helps students enter the workforce to make a positive difference in the world.

We recorded this podcast episode during December 2019, soon after I addressed the Ithaca College’s Student Leadership Forum.

In this episode, Courtney:

• Summarizes Ithaca College’s student leadership program. Starts at 3:43
• Explains the “WE” aspect of student leadership programming. Starts at 5:45
• Offers her description of meaningful work. Starts at 9:03
• Discusses the generational differences affecting meaningful work priorities. Starts at 18:33
• Offers listeners advice for seeking and doing meaningful work. Starts at 30:34

About our guest:

Courtney Owens earned a Master of Arts in Leadership Studies from Western Kentucky University. She lives and works in Ithaca, New York.

EPISODE DATE: June 26, 2020

Social media:

–Website

–Twitter

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About this episode:

“What I do, on a day in and day out basis, is that I am there for them [and just build] relationships and become a trusted companion.”

-Mike Shochet, Lead Chaplain of the Fairfax County, Virginia Police

We are well into June 2020, a month informed by the grotesquely shocking death of George Floyd—under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer. That shockwave has led many to call for defunding police departments across the United States.

Some now ask: is police work meaningful work?

Two years ago, we sat down for a conversation with Mike Shochet. Tightrope Podcast listeners discovered how Mike’s meaningful work career spanned three acts, as TV news reporter, Baltimore City cop, and now as police chaplain.

Ordained as a cantor in Reform Judaism, Mike merged his experience as a beat cop with deep spirituality to become the lead chaplain of the Fairfax County, Virginia Police.

By tending to the pastoral needs of law enforcement personnel, Mike Shochet does the meaningful work of his dreams.

The vexing issues discussed in this episode, recorded in early June of 2018, remain untended. Going forward, we hope (and pray) that police work lives up to the motto: to serve and protect.

In this episode, Mike discusses:

• The role of police chaplain. Starts at 2:26
• Why police officers often don’t like uneventful days. Starts at 8:12
• His view on office candidate screening. Starts at 12:55
• How first-hand experience with pain and neglect informs his chaplaincy. Starts at 15:18
• The role of empathy in police work. Starts at 20:11

About our guest:

Mike Shochet received a Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College’s Park School of Communications and a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Sacred Music from Hebrew Union College. He and his family live in Fairfax County, Virginia.

EPISODE DATE: June 19, 2020

Social media:

– Fairfax County Police Chaplaincy

– Biography, Temple Rodef Shalom

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About this episode:

“One of the things that [companies] haven’t done that we start to see is tell you ‘Hey, take a moment and take stock of your life. Where are you? Where do you want to be? And, how do we help you get there?’”

-James Sinclair, Chief Executive of EnterpriseAlumni

In 2020, a major inflection point in the future of work has emerged.

Forward thinking companies that furloughed large numbers of workers are using alumni communities to engage their cast-offs through skill development, help finding work at other companies, and offers to return to the fold in new full-time employee or independent contract roles.

Leading this alumni community and meaningful work revolution is James Sinclair.

His company, EnterpriseAlumni, enables managers to communicate with their former employees in meaningful ways, keep the lifetime value of talent investment strong, and, to help their former workers build lives doing meaningful work.

In this episode, James describes:

• The value proposition of alumni communities. Starts at 2:31
• Benefits associated with engaging former company workers. Starts at 3:31
• How the riots happening across the US are driving corporate social impact. Starts at 11:11
• Two interview questions managers are now asking hired talent. Starts at 17:38
• The benefits of an agile workforce. Starts at 26:50
• How to achieve meaningful work. Starts at 36:34

About our guest:

James Sinclair is the Chief Executive & Co-Founder of EnterpriseAlumni. James’ background is in large enterprise innovation. He worked for companies including IBM, SAP & EDS. Outside of his day job, he contributes to media on future of work, large enterprise innovation, and entrepreneurship topics. James lives and works in Southern California. 

EPISODE DATE: June 12, 2020

Social media:

–Website

–LinkedIn

–Twitter

Media credits: Former worker facing Zoom screen, fizkes for iStock Photo; James Sinclair portrait, EnterpriseAlumni.

Note: in the intro, we regretfully referred to the current events as “riots.” That was unintentional and we regret the error.

Please check out our most recent podcast episodes and blog posts on The Dan Smolen Experience website.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:22 — 56.9MB)

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Homes and Hops: a realtor becomes the ambassador for her city’s craft brewers.

About this episode:

“Studies have shown that [craft] breweries have a positive impact on residential real estate sales. And over the past 5 years, we’ve had several breweries pop up in our area.”

-Lisa Resnick, Realtor, Craft Brewers Ambassador, and Host of Homes and Hops Podcast

It’s the first week of June 2020 and, across the country, local businesses are reemerging to service a public that’s been homebound since early March.

Meet Lisa Resnick: she is an ambassador to Youngstown, someone who tells the stories of craft brewers and the sense of place they create for people in the community.

Lisa is a Realtor for residential properties and the host and executive producer of Homes and Hops, a phenomenal podcast about the fast-emerging craft brewing scene in the city.

Back when she was a kid, Lisa dreamt about becoming a courtroom judge. Then, out of college, she produced direct mail campaigns for political candidates. When a recession hit, Lisa pivoted to real estate and a career that truly suits her passions. Moving back with her family to her native Youngstown, Lisa discovered that she could be an effective ambassador for Youngstown and its craft brewers. And that is how Homes and Hops got its start.

In this episode, Lisa describes:

• Childhood dreams of becoming a courtroom judge and early jobs supporting political campaigns. Starts at 2:58
• Her successful pivot into real estate. Starts at 5:38
• How Homes and Hops got started and Youngtown’s amazing renaissance. Starts at 22:49
• Being an ambassador for her community. Starts at 28:47
• Her philosophy for pursuing meaningful work and for living in a place like Youngstown. Starts at 36:05

About our guest:

Lisa Resnick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Government from Youngstown State University. She is a Realtor with Burgan Real Estate and the Host and Executive Producer of Homes and Hops. Lisa and her family reside in the Youngstown, Ohio area.

EPISODE DATE: June 5, 2020

Social Media:

–Website

–Homes and Hops Podcast Page

–Facebook

–Instagram

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:11 — 38.0MB)

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Summer Camp: Where Fun and Friendship Lead to Meaningful Lives and Careers

About this episode:

“We see a lot of people do well in their [adult] careers who, coincidentally, did well in their careers at camp. I have no data, other than the anecdotal experiences of the time [we spent] there. But you see people who rose to leadership positions in camp and were viewed as successful staff members that have had successful careers in whatever they were doing after camp.”

-Stuart Katz, Founder and President of Elm City Communications

The Memorial Day Weekend marked the official start of summer. Although this year, it felt like summertime started without the fun.

Over 11 million kids and young adults attend summer camp programs. 

But in 2020, some states—concerned about the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus—banned overnight summer camps from operating. For kids who worked hard in school ten months of the year for the reward of two months at summer camp, that loss is palpable.

During August 2019, I recorded this podcast interview with my best friend Stuart Katz. Stu and I attended as campers, and later worked together, at Camp Laurelwood, a non-profit overnight summer camp located near the Southern Connecticut Shoreline. Last week, in response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak, the State of Connecticut banned overnight camps, including Camp Laurelwood, from operating this summer.

At camp, fun and friendship often lead campers and staff to meaningful adult careers.

In this episode, Stu describes:

• His first summer at camp. Starts at 3:29
• Trying activities beyond his comfort zone. Starts at 5:25
• The camp radio station where he and Dan were deejays. Starts at 10:40
• The spark of imagination and creativity in him that started at camp. Starts at 15:45
• How adult professionals benefit from camp-like experiences. Starts at 19:27
• Why it is important to send kids to summer camp. Starts at 23:06

We remain hopeful that, in 2021, summer camps like Camp Laurelwood open on schedule. The camper experience most definitely shaped our adult lives and meaningful careers, and fostered hundreds of lifelong friendships.

About our guest:

Stuart Katz first attended Camp Laurelwood in 1968 as a seven-year-old. He later served it as a staff member and board member. Since his first summer there Stu had never, until this year, missed Camp Laurelwood’s Opening Day festivities.

Stu earned a Bachelor of Science from the Park School of Communications at Ithaca College, where currently he serves as an adjunct professor. He also received a Master of Arts in Corporate Communications from Seton Hall University. His company, Elm City Communications, provides corporate communications and video production services to the global healthcare community. Aside from his corporate work, Stu is deeply involved in many philanthropic efforts including his lifelong work for Camp Laurelwood. He lives and works in New Jersey.

EPISODE DATE: May 29, 2020

Social Media:

Camp Laurelwood Website

American Camp Association: Find a Camp

Elm City Communications Website

–Stu Katz LinkedIn Profile

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:04 — 55.1MB)

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Onboarding helps people achieve success in the work from home age.

About this episode:

“Forty percent of new leaders fail in their first 18 months, defined as getting fired, forced out, or quit. [Our work over the last 18 years] has reduced that failure rate from 40 percent to less than 10 percent.”

-George Bradt, Founder & Chairman of PrimeGenesis

A new hire failure can cost a company up to 20 times the person’s salary, benefits, and placement fee.

Early in his career, George Bradt discovered that the way most companies integrated newly hired professionals didn’t work. He established onboarding to help new hires, companies, and organizations meet and exceed their goals.

With millions of Americans now working from home, onboarding new talent to their jobs and companies is mission-critical.

Onboarding helps people achieve success in the work from home age. Coincidentally, it is a critical part of the future of work.

In this interview, George:

• Defines onboarding and explains why it is important. Starts at 3:19
• Relates the only three true job interview questions. Starts at 6:56
• Discusses the “fit check.” Starts at 10:05
• Describes how onboarding has changed with so many people working from home. Starts at 14:55
• Explains why onboarding “C Suite” executives is so difficult during the pandemic. Starts at 25:14
• Reacts to the April 2020 CNBC Change Research survey of workforce participation. Starts at 34:12

About our guest:

George Bradt leads the revolution in how people start new jobs. Prior to founding PrimeGenesis, George served as chief executive of J.D. Power’s Power Information Network spin-off and in general management, marketing and sales at Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever. He is principal of CEO Connection and contributes a weekly column to Forbes.com. George earned a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University and an MBA from The Wharton School of Business.

EPISODE DATE: May 22, 2020

Social media:

Forbes Magazine Articles by George Bradt

–Acing The Only Three True Job Interview Questions

-Onboarding into The New Normal

LinkedIn

Twitter

Amazon Author’s Page

PrimeGenesis Website

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:46 — 34.1MB)

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Water expert Will Sarni explains why water matters to work.

“When I started my career, I worked for a gentleman, David Miller. The name of the company was Geraghty & Miller, and, he said ‘[If] you want a career in water, it will last forever, it will last a lifetime, because it is a public health issue.’”

-Will Sarni, Founder and CEO Water Foundry, LLC

Why water matters to work: our planet is covered mostly in water. And yet scarcity of clean, potable water remains the planet’s biggest problem. 

Will Sarni has built an impressive career as a world-recognized expert on water. His mission is to help people, communities, companies, and organizations ensure access to clean water. In this episode, Will:

• Relives his early interest in water and the start of his career. Starts at 3:17
• Explains water scarcity. Starts at 6:26
• Describes the new technologies helping to mitigate global clean water shortages. Starts at 16:12
• Discusses the impact water careers will have on the future of work. Starts at 18:54
• Introduces his new podcast, The Stream. Starts at 20:23

About our guest:

Will Sarni is an internationally recognized thought leader on water strategy and innovation. He has authored numerous books and articles and presented on: the value of water; innovations in digital water technology; the circular economy, and; the energy-water-food nexus. In April 2020, with UK-based co-host Tom Freyberg, he launched The Stream Podcast. Will earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Earth & Environmental Sciences from Queens College in New York. He lives and works in Denver, Colorado.

EPISODE DATE: May 15, 2020

Social media:

LinkedIn Profile

Water Foundry Website

The Stream on Apple Podcast

The Stream YouTube Channel

World Economic Forum: Harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution for Water (White Paper)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:02 — 41.3MB)

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Read people with facial coding. You can use it on Zoom.

About this episode:

“Even a person born blind emotes the same way as you or I. [It is hard-wired into the brain] and the face is the only place on the body where the muscles attach right to the skin.”

– Dan Hill, Ph.D.

It is hard enough to be face-to-face with another person, to read their facial expressions and determine what they are truly thinking and feeling.

And, you have likely discovered how much harder that process becomes when we are on Zoom.

Our guest this week, Dan Hill, Ph.D., is here to help us relate. He is a world-recognized expert on facial coding and the author of several books including Famous Faces Decoded.

Dr. Hill explains how we can use facial coding to better understand what others are thinking, especially to read people on Zoom, and to use that insight to make our engagements with them more meaningful. What is more, he cites examples of “famous faces” he decoded, such as disgraced financier Bernie Madoff and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, to understand what [they] were truly communicating through their facial expressions.

We also discuss how he decided to make this study of people the meaningful work of his career.

In this episode, Dr. Hill:

• Defines facial coding. Starts at 3:20
• Explains the non-verbal hinderances of the Zoom setting. Starts at 9:57
• Offers the benefits of leveraging facial coding. Starts at 13:43

About our guest:

Dan Hill, Ph.D. is founder and president of the consultancy Sensory Logic, Inc. He received a Masters in Creative Writing from Brown University and a Ph.D. in English from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Further, Dr. Hill earned Facial Action Coding Systems Certification from the Paul Ekman Group. He lives and works in St. Paul, Minnesota.

EPISODE DATE: May 8, 2020

Social media:

Website

– Faces of the Week Blog

–Famous Faces Decoded (Book Page)

LinkedIn Profile

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:51 — 46.5MB)

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New financial realities: A financial consultant offers insight on money and the future of work

About this episode:

“Your question about how do you deal with all this stuff? The answer is just like anything else: with a good counselor, the most important thing that they can do is shut up and listen.”

-Steven M. Oriol, Chartered Financial Consultant

It is Week 7 of sheltering in place. It’s also the last week of April 2020. Those of us who got a paycheck this week are doing the best we can to use our time well. Others of us, who were furloughed from our jobs, may be struggling, wondering what new shockwaves will hit us next.

Working or not, the anxieties we feel about money and work are deep enough to keep us up at night.  

The process of managing personal financial resources is a lifelong endeavor. But the current COVID-19 crisis makes that endeavor mission critical. And if we are suddenly out of work, we need to think carefully about our financial security and future work opportunities.

This week, we speak with Steven M. Oriol of Evergreen Life Wealth Partners, to probe our new realities. He is a chartered financial consultant who works with a wide variety of clients seeking lifetime financial security. Steve is also an adjunct professor of business at the University of the District of Columbia, where he challenges his students to map their career and life plans with value clarity.

In this episode, Steve addresses the new financial realities:

• Describes the process people can use to relate to, and mitigate, their financial situations. Starts at 2:57
• Illustrates how moments of grief and anxiety can turn into something positive. Starts at 10:52
• Addresses career opportunities and pivots, such as additive manufacturing and 3D printing, that could result from the COVID-19 crisis. Starts at 23:34
• Discusses what his undergraduate students are expressing about their futures. Starts at 27:46

About our guest:

Steven M. Oriol earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Finance from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. He also received Chartered Financial Consultant accreditation from The American College. Steve lives and works in the Washington, D.C. area.

NOTE: In the intro for this podcast episode, we incorrectly described Steven Oriol’s job title and certification. He is, as stated in these show notes, a Chartered Financial Consultant accredited by The American College. We regret the error.

EPISODE DATE: May 1, 2020

Social media:

–LinkedIn Profile

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:40 — 40.8MB)

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Pandemic affected Aruba seeks aid for its impacted workforce.

About the episode:

“You cannot create a diverse economy and just put it on every island. What you need to make sure is that you understand the USPs—the Unique Selling Points—of an island, not only for tourism, but also for what is going on in nature, the availability of technology, and the self sustaining options on the island.”

– Bianca Peters, Island Impact

People who work in American tourism and hospitality jobs are truly suffering, because their industries shut down in the wake of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. They are bound to wonder not only when, but if, they will return to work.

Such fear is magnified on islands like Aruba, where most members of the workforce rely on tourism and hospitality.

Pandemic affected Aruba seeks aid. Some on the island nation are running out of money; they are hungry, and need shelter.

Among the bold civic leaders on the island are Daniel Tecklenborg of CEDE Aruba and Bianca Peters of Island Impact. Daniel is working hard to feed and provide shelter to thousands of in-need Arubans; Bianca is helping to shape the post-COVID vision for a diversified economy and sustainable workforce.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The current mood, and state of well-being, of Arubans. Starts at 3:05
• CEDE Aruba’s role in feeding and supporting people in need. Starts at 5:03
• The Happy to Give Back crowd funding program. Starts at 8:41
• The future of work on Aruba. Starts at 20:21

About our guests:

Daniel Tecklenborg is the Director of CEDE Aruba.

Bianca Peters is the Founding Partner of Island Impact. She earned a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management & Facilities Management from Saxion University of Applied Sciences.

EPISODE DATE: April 24, 2020

Social media:

CEDE Aruba Website

–Happy to Give Back Program

Bianca Peter’s LinkedIn Page