Coffee & Change

This is a book launch-week conversation. David Pearlman joins to mark the release of his first book, Lead by Design: The Human Side of Leadership in an Age of Change. Rather than a standard author interview, Bill and David walk through how the book actually came together over two years — the writing process, the developmental editing partnership between two people who'd never met in person, but wa...

Travis Hahler is Senior Director of Global Strategy & Transformation at Salesforce, where he leads teams through large-scale organizational change. Alongside his corporate work, Travis is a keynote speaker and the author of Rethink Resistance: Embracing Neuroscience to Lead Transformational Change, published by Fast Company Press. Travis joins to unpack what happens neurologically when people enco...

In this episode, Father and Son Jeff and Brad share a deeply personal conversation about family, authenticity, and the uncharted paths that shape us. They explore themes of love, integrity, vulnerability, and purpose across generations, illustrating how moments of stillness and authenticity define our true journey. Key Topics: The significance of intergenerational connection and storytelling How a...

Todd LeMieux is an artist, art director and graphic designer based in Springfield, MA, with a career spanning multiple decades across agencies, corporate environments, higher education, and independent practice. He specializes in logos and branding, with deep experience in music industry work — including album reissues for major labels and a logo for a Warner Music digital imprint that was cast in...

What if the resume — that document we've built our entire hiring process around — is the wrong place to start? Jason P. Carroll makes a compelling case that it is. Drawing on research from the 1980s and 90s, he points out that prior skills, experience, and formal education have almost zero predictive value for success in a new role. Add AI-generated resumes to that picture, and the traditional hir...

Celebrating the Power of Inner Knowing and Witnessing: A Commencement Reflection In this episode, Bill Kirst shares a deeply personal story stemming from his own journey of trusting inner knowing, the significance of witnessing others’ moments of achievement, and the profound impact these experiences have on our lives. If you've ever hesitated to step into your purpose or doubted your ability to i...

When is the last time you let AI ask you questions? What sensations arose in you when you reflected on these questions, and what came up in as you reached for an answer? I have been reflecting on some probing questions asked of me, by AI, when nudged by a human in a recent book talk. This all stemmed from a book I wrote and published in August 2025 titled: "Leading Change in the Era of AI." Enjoy...

Culture First: 9 Leadership Practices That Build Elite Teams (New Book Launch) In this episode, Jon returns to the show, 60 episodes since his inaugural, to dive into the core principles of cultivating culture within organizations, emphasizing how intentional leadership and storytelling shape resilient and high-performing teams. His insights are rooted in decades of experience across elite tactica...

There is a film that Adrian Nuno and I both saw for the first time on a big screen as kids. Same film, different theatres, different states. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Neither Adrian or I knew it then, but that movie quietly did something to us. It planted somewhere deep in our chest, the idea that a story told with honesty and heart could make a complete stranger feel less alone in the world. It...

Trish Shankar is a fellow Third Culture Kid and joins the podcast to share an understanding of what that means in today's world. Trish is a Marketer at Microsoft and also happens to be a neighbor. We have gone for walks and had great dinners and unpacked all the connections and power of community in our worlds of change. The world is smaller than we think and this conversation captures the mosaic...

In this reflective episode of Coffee & Change, host Bill Kirst takes a thoughtful look back at Season 9, exploring the transformative conversations that shaped the year. Through intimate dialogues with diverse guests, the season delves into themes of human connection, authenticity, and the courage to ask meaningful questions. Bill shares personal insights and highlights the power of listening as a...

In this engaging episode, Bill Kirst and Shannan Scarselletta delve into the art of improvisation and its profound impact on personal and professional growth. They explore how improv fosters creativity, adaptability, and authentic communication, drawing parallels between improv and leadership in uncertain times. Shannan shares her journey from a structured corporate environment to embracing the sp...

We live in a world where everything is designed to be faster, easier, and more automated. We order groceries without speaking to a clerk. We message colleagues without ever looking them in the eye. And more and more, we move through our days without noticing the people who hold us up along the way. Today’s episode is about noticing. Levi Spires has given over fourteen thousand rides as an Uber dri...

Today’s guest knows what it means to lead when the stakes are high. Nate Amidon spent 15 years guiding people and programs across the U.S. Air Force, Microsoft, Boeing, and Alaska Airlines. He’s an Air Force C-17 evaluator pilot with more than 3,200 flight hours—including 800 in combat—and over 1,500 hours as an instructor teaching young pilots how to fly, make decisions under pressure, and lead c...

In its Greek root, Mentos means “intent, purpose, spirit and passion.” It was with intent, purpose and passion that this special episode came to life. It is a rare occasion when one can get together with their mentor, and their mentor’s mentor for a conversation anchored in three generations of mentorship, leadership and friendship. This is one of those conversations. My special guest, the mentor...

Excited to connect on this reunion episode with Lisa Manning Cassidy who I met over 15 years ago at IBM where we worked together to forge corporate history with Social Business anchored in selfless service to our country. Lisa spent over 15 years at IBM and led transformational work for government agencies and for IBM's global workforce. She and I both answered the courageous calls for paying it f...

My guest on this special episode of Coffee & Change is Patrick "Sledge" Mullins, a former Air Force Fighter Pilot who flew F-15s for years and has certainly seen his fair share of change and challenge. On this powerful episode we discuss the flight path of his incredible life and the arc of change, community and connection that kept him going and growing. And while he got his call sign from being...

Welcome back to Coffee & Change. On this special two part episode, under the banner number 151, I am flipping the script. After inviting and engaging in 150 conversations, I have the unique opportunity of being hosted by my friend and former guest, David Watson. He digs deep, asks the big questions, and puts me on the spot as I reflect on recording 5.68 days—that’s 8,186 minutes—of content. To put...

This is the Part 2 Discussion continuation from my powerful conversation with David Watson. This story, my story, continues to evolve, and I want to thank you each for walking alongside me on this journey. Your listening, the very act of listening, changes the story. I appreciate you all.

Welcome back and thanks for listening. This week, we’re diving into a topic that’s reshaping the way we think about change: the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Change Management. You may recall an episode with my guest titled The Art and Science of Change back in May of 2023. I was excited to welcome him back to explore this highly debated topic with than someone who has dedicated his...

The Polish word for friendship is "przyjaźń" (pronounced pshih-yah-zh-n). When I think of the Polish people, my time living there, and the memories made, this is the word that comes to mind, everytime. Friendship. From the first days of my arriving in Poland in 1990 to my recent return and reunion nearly 35 years later, the spirit of friendship has always guided me, as it does the people of Poland...

On Episode 150 we welcome back our guest from Episode 1 and Episode 50. Shawna Saffle Rasmussen was probably my first listener in addition to being my first guest. How the world, our worlds, have changed since then, 8 years later. A friendship going on a decade, this was such a joy to sit down together in a great setting and stop time in its place. Together we reflect and seek refuge in a deep dis...

On this episode I welcome back Chris Lovett. Author, Writer, TEDx Speaker, Award-Winning Leader, Executive Coach & Simplicity Expert - as someone who lives and breathes a less is more lifestyle, Chris feels it's his responsibility to help employees improve their relationship with work by simplifying. His work has been read, seen and heard in 65 countries and he's spent years coaching CEOs, exec ta...

On today's episode I interview Kristie K. Jones, a seasoned sales leader, sales enablement coach and best-selling author of "Selling Your Way In." Kristie is known for her Kristie-isms and her no nonsense approach to sales, leadership and life. She is focused on empowering sellers to not just meet their goals, but crush them. During this episode we talk about life, challenges, dreams, hopes, aspir...

On Episode 147 I welcome Lindsay Yellin. She is a sought after, dynamic leadership coach spearheading Yellin's transformative approach. With over a decade of experience in advertising account management, Lindsay proved her determination & impact by climbing the ranks to VP before turning 30. But her lasting legacy lies in her role as a team builder and culture shifter, leaving an enduring impact o...