The Balancing Act with Andrew Temte, PhD, CFA

Thoughtload — not workload — is what’s breaking your team. In this conversation, Dr. Liane Davey explains why, and what leaders can actually do about it. Dr. Liane Davey is an organizational psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and co-founder of 3COze Inc., where she advises executive teams at companies like Amazon, Walmart, TD Bank, and Sony PlayStation. Known as the Teamwork Doctor,...

What does cognitive science actually tell us about how adults learn at work — and why are most corporate learning programs still built on myths?  In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Dr. Tessa Forshaw — cognitive scientist, co-founder of the Next Level Lab at Harvard University, and co-author of Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems...

What if the biggest untapped resource in your organization is the energy your team members are holding back?  In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy speaks with Dave Garrison—CEO and co-founder of Garrison Growth, Harvard MBA, former CEO of NETCOM On-Line Communication Services (one of the first public internet companies), and author of The Buy-In Advantage: Why Employees Stop Car...

What if the answer to the skills gap isn’t competing for talent—but developing it before graduation?  In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte speaks with Stephanie Reisner—President and CEO of GPS Education Partners and co-author of Make School Work: Solving the American Youth Employment Crisis Through Work-Based Learning.  Andy and Stephanie dig into the mindset shift from b...

How do you calm an angry person in 90 seconds or less—without defending yourself, explaining, or arguing back?  In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte speaks with Doug Noll—a trial lawyer turned peacemaker, award-winning mediator, and author of De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less. Doug is also the co-founder of the Prison of Peace project, where he...

What happens when a nurse-turned-speechwriter has a eureka moment in a big-box store and decides to reinvent the way America cleans? In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte talks with Monica Nassif—the founder of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day and Caldrea—about building brands rooted in authenticity, disrupting a $30 billion market, and knowing when to let go of the business you buil...

Fear-based leaders are forming networks—and they’re not hiding anymore. In this return episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte sits down with CEO coach and author Kate Lowry to unpack practical tools for navigating toxic leadership without losing yourself in the process. Kate Lowry is a CEO coach, venture capitalist, and author based in Silicon Valley. She developed her expertise on...

Why do leadership titles make it harder — not easier — to talk about mental health at work?  In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte speaks with Melissa Doman, MA — organizational psychologist, former mental health therapist, and author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work and her new book, Cornered Office: Why We Need to Talk About Leadership Mental Health. Melis...

How does a 16-year-old immigrant from Nigeria end up leading global trade marketing at Bose Corporation? In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte speaks with Bolaji James — Head of Global Trade Marketing & Retail Operations at Bose and a proud member of the very first cohort of the Kaplan Leadership Program. Bolaji shares the story of how a persistent transfer advisor and...

What does authentic leadership communication look like in the age of AI? In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Allison Shapira—opera singer turned keynote speaker, Harvard Kennedy School lecturer, and bestselling author of Speak with Impact and AI for the Authentic Leader.  Allison shares her career rocket-booster moment—quitting a prestigious consulting job on day three t...

In this episode of The Balancing Act Podcast, Andy sits down with Chris Deaver, the co-founder of BraveCore and the "quiet force" behind leadership initiatives at Apple and Disney. Chris shares how he helped these global giants navigate massive growth by moving away from "rock star" individualism toward a culture of co-creation. Discover how to move beyond efficiency and effectiveness to embrace a...

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy speaks with Rachel Shaw, a nationally recognized ADA expert and president of Shaw HR Consulting, about the complexities of disability accommodation in the workplace. They discuss the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the cultural challenges surrounding these laws.  Rachel shares her personal journ...

In this episode of The Balancing Act podcast, host Andy speaks with Misty Heggeness - co-director of the Kansas Population Center, an associate professor of economics at the University of Kansas, and author of Swiftynomics: How Women Mastermind and Redefine Our Economy.  They discuss Misty's journey in economics, her passion for increasing women's representation in the field, and her innovative te...

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Dr. Eugene Manley discusses his journey in STEMM education, the importance of diversity in the workforce, and the challenges of healthcare equity. He emphasizes the need for mentorship, early engagement in science for underrepresented populations, and the critical role of patient advocacy in addressing systemic biases in medical research.  Dr. Manley i...

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy speaks with Jason P. Carroll, a leadership strategist and entrepreneur, about the importance of self-awareness, the costs of bad hiring decisions, and the innovative Aptive Index assessment tool.  They discuss the challenges of current pre-hire assessments, the role of technology in improving hiring practices, and the significance of understa...

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Rob Van Craenenbroeck, co-founder of Culture@Work, about the importance of organizational culture transformation. They discuss the unique approach of Culture@Work, the challenges organizations face in defining and maintaining their culture, and the impact of AI on work dynamics.  Rob shares insights on mentorship for HR professionals a...

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Michelle Reina, an expert in organizational trust. They explore the significance of trust in the workplace, the common pitfalls that lead to its erosion, and the essential role of leadership in fostering a high-trust culture.  Michelle shares her journey in trust building, practical steps for leaders and mid-level managers, and the imp...

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy interviews Steve Brown, a futurist and AI expert, discussing the transformative impact of AI on business and society. Steve shares insights from his career, the concept of agentic AI, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the face of rapid technological change. He emphasizes the need for businesses to embrace AI thoughtfully,...

In this episode of The Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Jared Lindzon about the concept of a four-day workweek, exploring its historical context, societal benefits, and the challenges of implementation. They discuss how AI can facilitate this transition and the cultural inertia that often hinders change.  Jared shares insights on how organizations can successfully adopt a shorter workweek,...

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Jeff Meade, the founding director of entrepreneurship at Paul Quinn College. They discuss Jeff's journey as a serial entrepreneur, the unique work readiness focus of Paul Quinn College, and the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among all students, not just business majors.  Jeff shares insights on how higher education...

In this special Christmas Day edition of The Balancing Act Podcast, Andy shares a holiday message and introduces listeners to his other podcast, Money Lessons with Andrew Temte, PhD, CFA. Money Lessons is a weekly show where he distills complex financial concepts through historical storytelling and practical examples. Each bite-sized episode builds on the last, creating a comprehensive foundation...

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy interviews Radhika Dutt about product management and operational measurement tools like KPIs and OKRs. Radhika shares her insights on product diseases, the role of a product manager, challenges faced in product management, and the importance of prioritization and alignment. She introduces puzzle solving as a more effective approach than traditiona...

In this episode of the Balancing Act Podcast, Andy interviews crisis management expert Edward Segal. They discuss the importance of leadership in crisis situations, the essential skills needed for effective crisis management, and the significance of preparedness.  Edward shares insights from his new book, 'Crisis Casebook,' highlighting lessons learned from various crisis situations. The conversat...

In this episode of the Balancing Act Podcast, Andy speaks with Chris Hallberg, founder of GoExpand and an expert in the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). They discuss the importance of entrepreneurship, the role of peer groups in career acceleration, and the fundamentals of EOS as a business operating system.  Chris shares insights on leadership, accountability, and the significance of commi...

In this special edition of The Balancing Act Podcast, Andy sends a message of gratitude and introduces listeners to his other podcast, Money Lessons with Andrew Temte, PhD, CFA.  Money Lessons replaces Andy's Saturday Morning Muse series and is a weekly show where he distills complex financial concepts through historical storytelling and practical examples. Each bite-sized episode builds on the la...