Psychology of Business Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by historian Benjamin Park to talk about public scholarship and American religious history in the digital age. We discuss what it means to take academic work beyond peer reviewed journals, the professional risks and tradeoffs of public visibility, and why history, especially religious history, resonates so strongly with public audiences. Much of our conversation focuses...

In this episode of The Psychology of Business Podcast, I speak with psychologist Dr. Julie Exline about anger at God, doubt, and religious and spiritual struggles. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Exline explains why these experiences are common across belief systems and why they should be understood as normal psychological responses rather than signs of weakness or failure. We discuss the deve...

In this episode, Brandon Griffin talks with Alisa Sparks, Founder and CEO of Linden Creek, about her transition from managing multimillion dollar Navy and Marine Corps budgets to building a nationally recognized home staging and design company. Alisa explains how she discovered her niche, how Linden Creek grew from a solo venture into a franchise model, and why she developed Archd to streamline op...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dana Hermanson, an accomplished accounting scholar and longtime faculty member at Kennesaw State University. He is widely recognized in the BYU Accounting Research Rankings as one of the field’s most productive researchers of the past several decades, and he has been honored nationally for his contributions to auditing education. Dr. Hermanson is also known for...

In today’s episode, I talk with my friend Ethan Jensen, CEO of The Cage, a virtual batting cage experience in Salt Lake City, Utah. We go over how he turned an idea from college into a real business, quit his job, found funding, opened the first location, and built early traction through social media. We also talk hiring, operations, and why Ethan believes courage matters more than capability when...

In this episode of The Psychology of Business Podcast, I talk with Trina Celeste, Tech CEO, author, and founder of Tech Moms, about what it means to redefine success, resilience, and leadership in today’s workplace. We discuss her transition from a corporate career to building a mission-driven organization that helps women reenter the tech industry, and how her “Life-First” approach reframes work,...

“I want the data to explain the theories, but I want the stories to make the lessons stick.” In this video, I talk about the new direction for my channel. I’m shifting from a focus on the academic side of research to the stories that make it meaningful. My goal is to make ideas about management and leadership more personal and practical by showing how scholarship connects to real experiences. Whet...

*Please note that this episode discusses sensitive topics, including domestic violence, workplace bullying, harassment, shootings, and other forms of workplace violence. The conversation is conducted in a thoughtful and professional manner, but these issues can still be difficult to hear. Please take care as you listen. In this episode of The Psychology of Business podcast, Dr. Brandon A. Griffin...

In this episode of The Psychology of Business podcast, Dr. Brandon A. Griffin interviews historian Dr. John G. Turner (George Mason University) about the life and legacy of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a central figure in Mormon history. This episode marks a new expansion for the channel. While the podcast will continue to focus on contemporary busin...

In this episode of The Psychology of Business Podcast, Dr. Brandon Griffin interviews Chuck Salvo, former Disney Institute leader, and author of RAVE: How to Respect and Value Everyone. They discuss the importance of workplace culture, effective communication, and how respect and understanding can transform teams. Chuck shares insights from his Disney experience and offers practical tips for impro...

Does society truly value your service? In this episode, Dr. Ellen Reinhart joins me to discuss the surprising research on caregiving vs. volunteering. Why do some helping behaviors get praised while others go unnoticed? We explore the psychology behind contribution, social class, and how we define meaningful service. Don’t miss this fascinating discussion!

Is capitalism sustainable, or is it destroying the planet? In this episode, I sit down with Anara Scott, author and editor of Sustainable Capitalism: Essential Work for the Anthropocene. We explore whether capitalism is inherently harmful, how business can be a force for good, and what a sustainable economic future looks like. From environmental law to corporate responsibility, this conversation c...

Welcome to the Psychology of Business podcast! In this episode, Dr. Brandon Griffin interviews Dr. Samantha Paustian-Underdahl, a professor at Florida State University and co-founder of Joyntly, a human capital science and technology startup. Together, they explore groundbreaking research on gender dynamics in leadership, implicit biases, and the challenges women face in the workplace. Sam shares...

00:00 - Introduction to Christine Fiser and Her Work 02:00 - What is Burnout? Definitions and Key Components 06:00 - Burnout on Individual, Team, and Organizational Levels 09:30 - Strategies for Preventing Burnout in the Workplace 17:00 - Post-Pandemic Burnout: The Blurred Boundaries of Work and Life 20:43 - Practical Tips for Managing Burnout Individually 27:00 - How Christine Avoided Burnout Dur...

In this episode of the Psychology of Business podcast, Dr. Brandon Griffin interviews Dr. Taya Cohen, a leading researcher in organizational behavior and business ethics from Carnegie Mellon University. They discuss guilt, shame, moral awareness, and the ethical considerations of AI in workplaces. Learn how character traits influence decision-making, leadership, and organizational culture. This ep...

In this episode of The Psychology of Business Podcast, Dr. Brandon Griffin sits down with Dr. Susan R. Madsen, a globally recognized scholar in women and leadership, to discuss her groundbreaking research and initiatives. From exploring the intricacies of sexism in the workplace to launching the transformative "A Bolder Way Forward" initiative in Utah, Dr. Madsen shares her journey of turning acad...

Welcome back to the Psychology of Business podcast! In this episode, Dr. Gary Daynes shares his expertise on small colleges, higher education, and the evolving educational landscape. We discuss his upcoming book, How to Be a Small College: Essays on Small Schools and the Communities That Support Them, and explore why small colleges matter in today’s society. Dr. Daynes, an experienced educational...

Welcome back to the Psychology of Business podcast! In this episode, Dr. Vanessa Hills joins us to share her journey through a PhD in Organizational Change Leadership at Western Michigan University. We discuss why she chose this path, the real challenges she faced—from balancing work and school to dealing with imposter syndrome—and how she turned obstacles into growth. Dr. Hills offers valuable ad...

Join us in this episode as Dr. Vanessa Hills dives into the world of Organizational Change Management and the impact of participatory leadership. Discover practical insights into how involving team members at every level can enhance success, boost innovation, and create lasting change in organizations. Whether you’re leading a small team or managing change in a large company, Dr. Hills offers valu...

In this episode of the Psychology of Business podcast, Dr. Brandon Griffin sits down with Amanda Jeppesen, a PhD student at Western Michigan University, to explore her passion for access and inclusion in the workplace. Amanda shares her personal connection to these topics and discusses the importance of accommodating diverse needs to foster inclusive environments. They dive into how the COVID-19 p...

Revive Executive Branding: https://reviveexecutivebranding.com/ Blog Link: https://psychologyofbusiness.beehiiv.com/p/what-is-executive-branding-with-jesse-gale-revive-executive-branding In this episode of the Psychology of Business Podcast, I sit down with Jesse Gale, the founder of Revive Executive Branding. We dive into what executive branding is, why it's essential for professionals looking to...

In this conversation, Brandon Griffin and Sara Weissman explore the evolving landscape of higher education, focusing on the rise of micro-credentials as an alternative to traditional degrees. They discuss the appeal of micro-credentials for non-traditional students, the challenges and opportunities they present for traditional educational institutions, and the potential impact on economic mobility...

In this episode of the Psychology of Business podcast, Dr. Brandon Griffin interviews Dr. Saad Ashraf, a Fulbright scholar from Pakistan. They discuss the prestigious Fulbright scholarship, its cultural exchange benefits, and Saad's personal experiences in the U.S. The conversation covers the academic environment, community engagement, cultural insights, and the impact of the Fulbright program...

Many people (myself included) often avoid conversations about diversity because they can feel politically charged. However, new work from Kyle A. Reyes, Ph. D., demonstrates that when diversity is approached through empathy and reflection, it can help us build stronger human connections and more inclusive environments—emphasizing mutual understanding rather than focusing solely on demographic diff...

Takeaways Economics is the science of decision-making and provides a toolkit for understanding behavior and the human condition. Occupational licensing affects more than 20% of the US workforce and is a way to ensure a minimum quality standard for service-based occupations. Occupational licensing can vary across states and occupations, and there are inconsistencies and challenges associated with i...