How I Turned The Corner

What happens when you lose everything? In this episode of How I Turned the Corner , Jay Wilkinson returns to share the profound lessons he learned after a devastating house fire destroyed nearly all of his possessions—and how that experience deepened his commitment to helping businesses become a force for good. Jay, founder of FireSpring and the Do More Good Movement, discusses the upcoming ROI of...

What if the biggest barrier to landing a life-changing job was simply not having the right outfit? In this episode of How I Turned the Corner , host Tim Rhodes sits down with Amara Martin , CEO of Dress for Success Denver , to discuss how the organization is helping women build confidence, careers, and economic independence. While many people know Dress for Success for providing professional cloth...

Sleep isn’t just wellness advice — it might be your greatest competitive advantage. In this conversation, entrepreneur Matt Smith shares how he built Snooze Mattress into a people first franchise empire, focusing relentlessly on people, culture, and servant leadership. From hiring philosophy to franchise scaling to the science of better sleep, this episode offers practical leadership lessons and a...

In this special 100th episode of How I Turned the Corner , we sit down with Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis, CEO of Craig Hospital, a nationally recognized leader in spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation. From her early days as an OB-GYN to leading a world-class healthcare organization, Dr. Allen-Davis shares a powerful perspective on what leadership really looks like when people are at their most vu...

Caleb Polley, founder of Cubby Beds , joins the show to share how he built a mission-driven medical technology company helping children with complex disabilities sleep safely. Starting with prototypes in a garage, Caleb scaled Cubby into a fast-growing company serving families across the country. In this episode, he explains why intentional hiring and structured onboarding became critical to build...

In this live episode from the Rocky Mountain Total Rewards Conference, Kendra Prospero speaks with culture futurist Theo Edmonds about the future of innovation—and what’s really holding organizations back. Theo argues that creativity isn’t soft. It’s measurable. And it’s one of the most powerful performance drivers in today’s AI-driven economy. They discuss: How unprocessed grief reduces innovatio...

In this episode of How I Turned the Corner , host Kendra Prospero sits down with Dr. Michelle Corman, employee research leader at Mercer, to explore the powerful connection between employee experience and business performance. Recorded live at the Rocky Mountain Total Rewards Conference, this conversation breaks down how data can be used to prove what many leaders intuitively know: when people fee...

In this episode of How I Turned the Corner , Kendra Prospero interviews Scott Cawood, CEO of WorldatWork, live from the Rocky Mountain Total Rewards Conference. They unpack why the old "butts in seats" model is dead, how flexibility and trust define modern productivity, and what organizations can do to create meaningful, outcome-based compensation. If you're ready to rethink work an...

How did listening transform leadership at Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver? In this episode of How I Turned the Corner , Kendra Prospero sits down with Dana Griffin, Chief People and Culture Officer at Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver. Dana shares how she and CEO Jaime Gomez built a robust feedback infrastructure that transformed employee engagement, strengthened organizational culture, and even...

How does Frontier Airlines build a strong team when crews change daily? In this episode, Frontier Airlines HR VP Steve Schuller joins host Kendra Prospoer to share how Frontier successfully builds a strong, self-managed team culture in a high-turnover, environment where flight crews often meet for the first time just moments before a flight. Listen for key takeaways:  Self-Directed Teams Are Possi...

Julie Cartwright, President of Pvolve joins How I Turned the Corner to share how her team built a mission-based, science-backed fitness brand that empowers women as entrepreneurs and community leaders. From Jennifer Aniston’s secret workouts to building culture across franchises, Julie shows what it really takes to lead with purpose.  Key Themes Hire for belief and alignment, not just skills. Pass...

In this episode, leadership and change expert Tim Rhode joins us to explore why all progress requires change —and why so many leaders still struggle to lead it effectively. Drawing on decades of experience helping organizations navigate transformation, Tim shares practical insights on how to overcome resistance, communicate with clarity, and build a culture that embraces growth. He breaks down his...

Effective communication is essential for leaders, but balancing authority with approachability can be challenging. Many leaders inadvertently hinder open communication, leading to disengaged teams and low morale. In this episode, we chat with author, keynote speaker, and speaking coach, Linnita Hosten on how she assists leaders in overcoming these challenges by emphasizing authenticity, self-aware...

  In this episode, Johnny Levy, CEO of DataJoe, talks about the realistic benefits of a 4 day work week and how leaders can actually bring more joy to their employees.  //WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP YOU// TAKE THE FREE 5-MINUTE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT ASSESSMENT https://turningthecornerHR.com/quiz SCHEDULE A CALL WITH A HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT https://turningthecornerHR.com LISTEN TO...

Building an adaptable business community is key to thriving amidst change and uncertainty, allowing your team to respond agilely to challenges like technological shifts and evolving consumer needs. Fostering adaptability empowers your team to seize opportunities and stay ahead of the competition, while a culture of continuous learning and growth enhances resilience and engagement. Embracing adapta...

Understanding the new Famli Law is crucial for you as a Colorado business owner because it impacts employee rights, workplace policies, and overall business operations. By staying informed, you ensure compliance, avoid legal pitfalls, and foster a supportive work environment. Demonstrating a commitment to employee welfare enhances your company’s reputation, attracts top talent, and improves retent...

Creating a safe workplace is crucial for leaders focused on fostering organizational growth, as it promotes open communication and innovation among employees. This environment enhances trust and cohesion, leading to increased engagement and productivity while reducing turnover. Jonathan Bennett, an advisor and executive coach, emphasizes the importance of balancing psychological safety with accoun...

Bill Duerr shares his journey of taking over his father's company, influenced by his experiences as a lacrosse coach and player. As President of Hatteras, he leverages his Digital Media degree from Marist College to bring innovation to their printing heritage. Bill focuses on enhancing competitiveness, ensuring employee satisfaction, and using social media to attract stakeholders. He addresse...

Keeping up with HR laws is a game-changer for business leaders. It helps dodge legal headaches and expensive fines and keeps your workplace fair and busy with happy employees. Plus, a company that plays by the rules attracts top talent and great business deals. In a nutshell, staying informed on HR laws keeps your business ahead of the curve and thriving. In this episode, Kendra and John go over t...

When employees love what they do, magic happens, leading to lower turnover and a cohesive team ready to tackle challenges. Nancy McGaw launched Aspen’s First Movers Fellowship Program in 2009 to support business innovators, and her book "Making Work Matter" shares their stories and offers guidance for creating meaningful work. In this episode, Nancy teaches how to find opportunities with...

Authentic employee recognition is what keeps a positive company culture alive. It's not just about saying "good job" but really meaning it, showing that you see and appreciate their hard work. This kind of recognition builds trust, bonds teams tighter, and keeps folks motivated to bring their A-game. Plus, it's a win-win – happier employees stick around longer and keep crushing...

Understanding and staying true to your core values is crucial for a successful company. These values shape your company's culture, which is vital for attracting and retaining employees, boosting productivity, and simplifying the hiring process.  To really make your company's core values come to life, you have to ingrain them into everything you do. Get your team excited about living thos...

Responding to a write-up at work isn't just about checking a box—it's about showing you've got what it takes to take constructive criticism and come back stronger. First off, owning up to any slip-ups and showing you're willing to make things right speaks volumes about your character. It shows you're not one to dodge responsibility but rather someone who's ready to le...

For business leaders, it's important to keep an eye on productivity and happiness. Think of productivity as the engine of your business—it's what keeps things moving forward and the doors open. But, you can't forget about happiness. It's like the oil that keeps that engine running smooth. Happy workers mean less drama, more awesome ideas, and folks actually wanting to stick aro...

In these times of extreme polarization, leaders must prioritize the development of the skill of engaging in difficult conversations and mastering the art of respectful disagreement. There is a pivotal role these abilities play in fostering effective communication, nurturing healthy relationships, and driving organizational growth. Difficult conversations, whether addressing employee performance is...