Play for Performance

Some careers end with a closing argument. Ann Sheu started there—and then shifted when life forced a reset. After losing her father and watching her in-laws separate, she and her husband had to confront a hard question: were they building the life they actually wanted, or just following the script. That moment led Ann from law into coaching and EOS implementation, where she now works with entrepre...

Welcome back to Play for Performance! Most leaders talk about innovation. Natalie Born builds it—one team, one country, one breakthrough at a time. As founder and CEO of Innovation Meets Leadership, Natalie has spent two decades working with organizations across 18 countries, turning bold ideas into results that actually stick. She holds two US patents, wrote Set it on Fire: The Art of Innovation,...

In this episode of Play for Performance, host Jolynn Ledgerwood engages with Dr. Erika Powell, the visionary CEO and founder of Powell Consulting Group, to uncover fresh insights into transforming workplace culture. With nearly two decades of expertise, Dr. Powell shares how she leverages creativity to drive meaningful change in leadership and team dynamics. Moving beyond conventional approaches,...

Welcome to Play for Performance, where creativity and play reshape the workplace. This week, host Jolynn Ledgerwood sits down with Jeff Abracen, a communication and storytelling expert. Jeff has collaborated with leading brands like 3M, PepsiCo Foods, Nivea, Pfizer, Durex, and Mucinex. He views storytelling as essential for building strong business connections, enabling brands and individuals to d...

Welcome to Play for Performance. Today, we engage with Kate Byrne—founder of Kate Byrne, CEO, and host of the Women Advancing podcast. With leadership roles at SoCap Global and Fast Company, Kate has been pivotal in promoting intentional leadership and advancing women's roles across various sectors. In our conversation, Kate discusses her new position at the Karsh Institute for Democracy, where sh...

Welcome to another episode of Play for Performance. This week, host Jolynn Ledgerwood engages with Monesh Bulchandani, Microsoft's Learning Lead, who has been instrumental in advancing employee and customer skilling for over ten years. With experience at leading tech companies like Amazon and Yahoo, Monesh offers valuable perspectives on how effective learning and development drive growth within o...

Welcome to Play for Performance. This week, host Jolynn Ledgerwood engages with Steve Rix, CEO of Play Lab, who has dedicated nearly four decades to integrating play into workplace environments. Steve shares his journey through professional setbacks and personal challenges, leading to a transformative encounter with two children on a Hawaiian beach that reshaped his business philosophy. Throughout...

When I sat down with Bob Goff for this episode of Play for Performance, I knew we were in for something special. Bob isn’t just a New York Times bestselling author—he’s the founder of the Love Does nonprofit, a global difference-maker, and quite possibly the most joy-filled human you’ll ever meet. He’s also a master of what he calls “strategic whimsy”—finding creative, unexpected ways to turn big...

Welcome back to Play for Performance. In this episode, host Jolynn Ledgerwood connects with Gary Ware, founder of Breakthrough Play. With over two decades of experience at the crossroads of business, creativity, and human development, Gary is dedicated to helping professionals incorporate play into their workplaces. As a corporate facilitator, keynote speaker, and author of Playful Rebellion, he h...

In this episode of Play for Performance, host Jolynn Ledgerwood engages with Chris Bent, the founder of Piccles—a collaborative drawing platform that fosters creativity and connection among professionals. Chris's path from mowing lawns for Pokémon cards to leading successful startups is marked by achievements like winning MIT’s Creative Arts and Hacking Health competitions. Throughout their discus...

Join us on Play for Performance as host Jolynn Ledgerwood converses with Jen Ables, an event facilitator at Feet First Eventertainment. Jen's diverse career spans from insurance underwriting and professional dancing to founding a charity, earning recognition at the White House and Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. Her expertise in gratitude, resilience, and personal reinvention informs her approac...

Welcome to Play for Performance. In this episode, Jolynn Ledgerwood welcomes Liz Lathan, CEO of Club Ichi, who brings over 25 years of expertise in marketing, PR, and event management. Liz has led global event teams at Dell and IBM, including the creation of Dell World, and co-founded Club Ichi in 2023. Jolynn and Liz discuss the essentials of building connected communities, designing events that...

Welcome to Play for Performance. In today’s episode, host Jolynn Ledgerwood sits down with Will Greenblatt, CEO and co-founder of Out Loud Speakers School. Will's transition from a successful child actor to a leading coach for executives and founders has given him a distinctive perspective on public speaking and storytelling. His expertise in authentic communication has enabled his clients to secu...

Welcome to Play for Performance with Jolynn Ledgerwood. Today, Jolynn speaks with Kirsten Anderson, founder of Integrate Play Solutions. With over twenty years in the toy industry, Kirsten transformed her award-winning toy store into a respected brand and became a recognized play expert on television. Her work focuses on integrating playfulness into leadership and team dynamics, making a meaningfu...

Welcome to Play for Performance. Today, Jolynn Ledgerwood welcomes Jeff Harry, a distinguished speaker in positive psychology and the founder of Rediscover Your Play. Recognized among the top 100 HR influencers and featured in publications like The New York Times and Forbes, Jeff is dedicated to demonstrating that play is a strategic tool for enhancing leadership, fostering innovation, and creatin...

Welcome back to another episode of Play for Performance! Have you ever considered how a professionally produced podcast could transform your business strategy? Today, we're excited to feature Molly Ruland, the visionary behind Heartcast Media. With over 25 years of marketing experience, Molly has elevated countless podcasts to global prominence, collaborating with esteemed clients such as the DC m...

Welcome to Play for Performance. In this episode, David Ledgerwood takes on the role of interviewer to introduce Jolynn Ledgerwood, the driving force behind the podcast. Together, they explore the impact of workplace play and how strategies like LEGO Serious Play can unlock potential within organizations. Jolynn discusses her mission to transform traditional business environments into hubs of inno...

Join Jolynn Ledgerwood, certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator, on "Play for Performance," a podcast dedicated to transforming workplaces through play and creativity. Each episode features insightful conversations with professionals who integrate fun and innovative strategies to enhance leadership, communication, and team building. Discover how incorporating LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and other playfu...