SmikleSpeaks

While we like to think of leaders as great conflict managers, in fact, some leaders are actually conflict creators. Whether knowingly or not, the result is the same: conflict. Let's explore the how and why of leaders as conflict creators.

Who doesn't want to experience fulfillment and joy in their careers? We all do! Listen as Dr. Steven Cady shares his insights on attaining professional joy.

Effective communication is an essential leadership skill. It enables leaders to convey vision and strategy, engage people in the mission, build trust and engagement, resolve conflicts, and create environments where people feel heard, valued, and motivated. Yet this skill is problematic for many leaders. That skill deficit can undermine organizational performance and team morale. Improving communic...

Dr. Portia Rawles has returned for another segment of the Next Chapters series. If you’ve been listening, you know that Dr. Rawles was the CEO of Rawles & Associates, a mental health provider in Virginia and North Carolina. She’s also on the faculty at Saybrook University. Before all of this she had another career as a leader in the fire service in Norfolk, Virginia. Dr. Rawles is the author o...

Good communication doesn’t just happen. It’s learned, practiced, refined, learned, practiced and refined, learned practiced and refined. It’s just a never-ending journey! Even the most thoughtful people make communication mistakes — at home, at work, in relationships, and in public life. I’m going to address the 15 most common communication mistakes, why they happen, and potential fixes.

It’s an honor and a privilege to have Dr. Portia Rawles back for another conversation. She’s been a successful CEO of a thriving mental health organization down in Chesapeake, Virginia. She’s also a member of the faculty of Saybrook University. She intentionally built a business that met the mental health needs of the underserved in rural Virginia. She then made midcourse transformations. She's go...

I am still overjoyed that the SmikleSpeaks podcast was ranked the #1 Organization Development podcast for 2025 and now again in 2026! Thank you every single listener…and I’m grateful that people are listening in more than 20 countries. Thanks to each and every one of you! You keep listening and sharing and I’ll keep producing relevant, relatable content. Today I want to spend time talking about em...

Becoming a leader in any arena isn’t about earning a title; it’s about developing the skills, mindset, and influence to guide organizations, inspire teams, and create measurable impact. Whether in the private sector, government, or nonprofit space, if you’re going to lead, you have to be strategic, emotionally intelligent, and capable of making sound decisions under pressure. This podcast is for a...

How does woman go from graduating from Stanford University to spending 13 years in the fire service in Norfolk, Virginia to earning a doctorate and becoming a clinical psychologist, a faculty member and then becoming the CEO of a thriving multi-disciplinary mental health organization, closing that practice and venturing into new territory? How does that person also write two bestselling books? Dr....

Ben Utecht has experienced traumatic brain injuries. He's shared his story on television, at conferences and conventions. He's also shared his story on this podcast. Today he discusses the need for research into brain health and curing brain diseases.

Dr. Will Mantyh is an internationally respected researcher and clinician. His focus is on brain diseases and overall brain health. He shares his knowledge of current research and frequent misconceptions about brain matters.

What exactly is critical thinking? How does it manifest itself in decision-making? In this episode we'll look at what a critical thinking leader is able to accomplish, why, and how.

What a journey Ben Utecht is on! An NFL Super Bowl champ, a man who shares the Gospel through song, a brain injury survivor, a husband, a dad...and now a fierce advocate for creating healthy organizational cultures. Listen and learn more...

Have you ever felt like you'd miss out if you said 'no' to an activity or potential opportunity? You may not miss out at all. You may be on the path to creating boundaries and enriching your life with the gift of focus. In this episode Dr. Jennifer Douglas tackles the fear of missing out.

Special thanks to Cricket at Sisters of Charity Hospital and my dear Cousin Nicky! Their witty banter inspired this podcast.

This is not the year for resolutions or regrets. It's the year to celebrate all of who you are! It's the year to be proud of the wonderful human that you are. Let's focus forward with optimism and hope.

What a wonderful year this has been! One of the highlights has been the SmikleSpeaks Podcast being ranked #1 on Feed Spots list of Top 10 Organizational Development podcasts for 2025. Another highlight has been the focused attention we've devoted to Brain Matters. Each and every guest has enriched the podcast and I am grateful!

Let's go deeper into our exploration of brain diseases, research, and cures with Dr. Will Mantyh.

So much chatter about AI! And a lot of the chatter is fearful. Of course some fears are grounded and others are not. It’s a tool like any other tool. We can use it for good or for not so good. But the point is that we can use it, not the other way around. I recognize that lots of leaders and lots of employees not in leadership roles, are anxious about AI. There are concerns around job loss, ethica...

Resilience is touted as one of the most desirable qualities an individual can possess. It's commonly described as the ability to "bounce back" from adversity, adapt to challenges, and thrive despite hardship. In reality, the concept of resilience has been misused, mischaracterized, and oversimplified! Let's spend time exploring what resilience isn't so we can develop clarity on what it is.

This is the third episode of our conversation with Teresa Eyet. She has shared much about her experience with early onset Alzheimer's. Listen as we continue this journey of discovery and acceptance.

We learn more about a woman's acceptance with her diagnosis of Alzheimer's. This is Part 2 of a 3 part series.

In this three-part series we journey with Teresa Eyet, a vibrant woman in her 50's, as she shares her experiences and insights on Brain Matters. She was recently diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's.

By now I hope you’ve read The Champion’s Creed by Ben Utecht and read it! I also hope you’ve started applying the principles to enhance and enrich culture in your organization! The last time Ben and I talked we covered football, concussions, him singing with Sandi Patti, his lessons from Tony Dungy, and the firm foundation his Dad laid for success in life. Today we're focusing on his experiences t...

Part Two: Dangers of Comparison Dr. Jen Douglas is with us again today. She has a passion for mental health and wellness. She’s also witty, insightful, and a pleasure to talk with! Today we’re going to tackle the dangers of comparison. With all of this social media it looks like everyone has the perfect home, perfect vacation, perfect spouse, perfect life. How real can that possibly be? We're goin...