Beyond The Class: From Knowledge To Action

Every organization has a culture. The real question is whether it's happening by design or by default. Culture is something organizations can build, but the question for many leaders is: how? In this episode of Beyond the Class, Misty Janks, Organizational Psychologist and CEO, breaks down the Chapman Foundation's Caring Workplace program —what it is, why it exists, and how it helps organizations...

Meaning isn't   built  with  slogan s .  It's   created   through  daily  experiences, and it can fuel results.     In this episode of  Beyond the Class , Misty Janks,  Organizational Psychologist and  CEO of the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities, challenges a common misconception: that meaning lives in mission statements or motivational language. Instead, she reframes meaning as something...

Some skills are worth revisiting, especially when connection depends on more than words alone. In this episode, we continue the Replay & Retool series, helping alumni revisit core concepts and gain practical tools. We're revisiting the second part of a conversation with facilitator Leanne Van Beek , where we move beyond digital communication and into moments where we are already face‑to‑face. This...

Some skills are worth revisiting, especially when the way we communicate keeps changing. In this episode, we continue the Replay & Retool series, helping alumni revisit core concepts and gain practical tools. We're revisiting a conversation with facilitator, Leanne Van Beek, in which we  explore how nonverbal communication shows up — and often breaks down — in fast ‑ moving ,  technology ‑ heavy  ...

Emotional intelligence isn't a soft skill. It's core infrastructure. In this episode of Beyond the Class , Katie Trotter, Chief Program Officer at the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities, challenges a common assumption: that emotional intelligence is an individual trait rather than an organization's shared responsibility. As the conversation unfolds, Katie reframes emotional intelligence as...

Some skills are worth revisiting. Some tools become more powerful each time you return to them.   In this episode of  Beyond the Class , we continue our new Replay & Retool  series — created to help  Chapman Foundation alumni reconnect with foundational concepts and walk away with fresh, immediately  actionable tools.   We're  revisiting a conversation with Chief Program Officer  Katie Trotter abo...

Some skills are worth revisiting. Some tools become more powerful each time you return to them.   In this episode of  Beyond the Class , we introduce our new  Replay & Retool  series — created to help  Chapman Foundation alumni reconnect with foundational concepts and walk away with fresh, immediately  actionable tools.   We're  revisiting a conversation with Chief Program Officer  Katie Trotter  ...

Culture isn't a department. It's a daily practice. In this episode of Beyond the Class , Misty Janks, CEO of the Chapman Foundation, returns to tackle a common misconception: that organizational culture belongs only to HR or leadership. Misty reminds us that culture is a lived experience shaped by every interaction—every email, meeting, and hallway conversation. She shares five actionable steps th...

Culture doesn't change by memo; it changes in singular moments.  In this episode of Beyond the Class , Misty Janks, CEO of the Chapman Foundation, joins us to demystify the concept of culture change. Drawing from behavioral psychology and real-world examples, Misty shares how meaningful transformation begins not with sweeping initiatives, but with intentional, everyday actions. She outlines three...

Culture doesn't shift through policy—it transforms through presence. In this episode, Katie Trotter, Chief Program Officer at the Chapman Foundation, explores how a coaching-centered culture is built not through programs, but through everyday conversations. Katie shares that coaching culture starts with intention, not titles. It's about how we show up: listening with curiosity, asking thoughtful q...

Leadership doesn't require perfection. It demands authenticity. In this episode, Katie Trotter, Chief Program Officer at the Chapman Foundation, explores how leaders can effectively rebuild trust after making mistakes. Katie shares that leadership is less about titles and more about influence, which is shaped through small, intentional actions that set the tone for those around us.  She introduces...

Ever caught yourself thinking, "Why should I be the one to fix this?" or "That sounds like a YOU problem"? That flash of defensiveness might feel natural, but it could be blocking a chance to grow, connect, and lead more effectively. In this episode of Beyond the Class , Katie Trotter, Chief Program Officer at the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities, explores the ownership mindset. This appr...

Emotions aren't problems to solve—they're messengers revealing what we truly need. In this episode of Beyond the Class, CFCC CEO and organizational psychologist Misty Janks explores how emotional intelligence (EI) transforms relationships, decision-making, and leadership. The conversation begins around Daniel Goleman's five components of emotional intelligence: Self-awareness Self-regulation Motiv...

Ever snapped at someone and instantly thought, "Wait… what just happened?" That split-second of self-awareness might hold the key to transforming how we lead, connect, and communicate. In this episode of Beyond the Class , we're joined by Misty Janks—CEO of the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities and a leading voice in organizational psychology. Misty unpacks a deceptively simple idea: every...

"Direct your energy toward what's within your control. This opens space for gratitude, joy, and connection." -Katie Trotter, Chief Program Officer at the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities We've all been there—pretending we're okay with someone's behavior while secretly stewing inside. That moment when you tell yourself, "It's fine, I don't care," even though frustration and resentment are...

"Growth is contagious. When you choose to learn and adapt, you give others permission to do the same." Misty Janks, CEO of the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities, captures the transformative potential of adopting a learner mindset—both for ourselves and the environments we create. The world isn't standing still. At work, at home, and within ourselves, those who grow, adapt, and learn are ty...

After a pause to retool and reimagine our purpose, we're thrilled to return and welcome you back to our newly renamed audiocast, "Beyond The Class: From Knowledge To Action." The overwhelming support during our hiatus—with listenership continuing to grow, has deeply humbled us and reinforced that our message resonates with leaders seeking meaningful change. Bob Chapman, chairman and founder of the...

How do you build a Caring Community? Today, we have the privilege of being joined by Misty Janks, CEO of Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities, and Micki Gibbs, Senior Director of Caring Communities. Together, we embark on a journey of exploration, innovation, and transformation as we discuss our organization's exciting initiatives and goals. Join us as we uncover the key to creating Caring Wo...

Can you actually enhance your relationships by utilizing the F.B.I.?In this episode of the Listen First Podcast, Kat Edmondson and I delve deep into the intricacies of handling anxiety and confrontation within personal relationships. Through this insightful discussion, we stress the significance of addressing these challenges constructively to foster healthier and more fulfilling connections. To d...

Discover How Our Foundation is Working Alongside Multiple Organizations to Transform the Entire Colorado Valley—You Won't Believe the Impact! ----If this story of the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities and the Roaring Fork Valley sparks your interest, we invite you to connect with us for more information on how we can assist your team. Your journey towards a more empathetic and cohesive wor...

You will take away: • A reminder of the Three Moves from Our Community Listens • Practical application through shared experiences In a discussion rich with personal anecdotes and refreshers from Our Community Listens, Adam Salgat and Kat Edmondson, explore the nuanced dynamics of managing emotions in confrontations. They delve into individual experiences of frustration, anxiety, and passive-aggres...

In our 100th episode of the Listen First Podcast, Leanne Van Beek joins me to reflect on the podcast's growth since 2018. We discuss how the podcast began supporting alumni, the human connections behind the data, and the power of real-life testimonials. Leanne also shares some surprising thoughts on the Chapman Foundation's evolution, and we both express gratitude to founders Bob and Cynthia Chapm...

In today's digital age, interpreting nonverbal communication can often be tricky. Many people, even in professional settings, often convey some non-verbal cues through emojis. We will not spend the following skill snippet discussing which emoji best fits calling in sick or bringing up your discomfort about a project timeline, because, despite their usefulness, they cannot entirely replace nonverba...

Join Kat Edmondson, Content Leader for the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities, as she discusses her latest blog - Mastering Emotional Awareness: An Expert's Guide to Navigating Holiday Stress. Stay tuned for a teaser of the Self-Reflection Guide-12 Days of Positivity on-demand course after the conversation. BLOG: https://www.chapmancommunities.org/emotional-awareness/12 Days of Positivity P...

So what happens when two 20-year military service members join forces to lead with empathy? Tune in to find out. The phrase "military leadership" typically evokes images of commanders and noncommissioned officers leading heroic charges or generals directing armies. In reality, however, most leadership in the armed forces is far more gentle. In little ways, all day long, at all levels, commanders a...