The People Success Circle

Networking isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the most powerful career and business tool you have, especially in today’s hyperconnected world. In this solo episode of People Success Circle , I kick off a new 3-part series on modern networking with the data, stories, and strategies that prove relationships still open more doors than resumes or job boards ever will. Whether you’re a job seeker, a hiring...

Talking about pay can be uncomfortable—but avoiding it comes at a cost. In this solo episode of the People Success Circle podcast, I share why salary transparency matters more than ever and how it can transform company culture, trust, and employee well-being. Drawing on my own experience of discovering a 31% pay gap early in my career, I explain how lack of transparency leads to hidden pay inequit...

What if the most powerful tool in leadership wasn’t a strategy—but a conversation? In this insightful episode of the People Success Circle podcast, executive coach and leadership expert Carissa Gay joins host Mindy East to explore how capacity-building conversations can transform teams, shape workplace culture, and elevate leadership. As the founder of Courageous Leaders and a Master Certified Coa...

Letting someone go is never easy—but I’ve come to believe it’s one of the most important moments for a company to show what it truly values. In this solo episode of People Success Circle , I’m sharing both personal and professional insights on what it looks like to let someone go well. I’ve been on both sides of the table—leading layoffs, restructuring, and terminations as an HR leader, and experi...

What makes people feel truly connected at work — especially in an increasingly remote, hybrid, or distributed environment? In this episode, I’m joined by community and product expert Becky Davidson, whose career spans UX design, startup innovation, and building thriving online spaces for both customers and teams. We dive into what makes a community "work" inside a company or brand, how t...

Is Fractional Work the Future of Executive Leadership? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kristine Sickels — former corporate marketing leader turned founder of C-Sweet, a thriving fractional leadership firm helping businesses access executive-level talent on a flexible, scalable basis. Kristine shares her personal journey from leading powerhouse brands like Crock-Pot, Mr. Coffee, and Rubbermaid...

 What if one simple conversation could transform performance, trust, and retention on your team? In this solo episode of People Success Circle, I dive into one of the most powerful  leadership habits: the one-on-one meeting. After 25+ years in human resources, I’ve seen firsthand how effective one-on-one meetings can dramatically improve employee communication, performance management, and team eng...

What if your next big change didn’t have to feel like a battle—but like a seat at the table? In this practical and empowering episode of People Success Circle, I sit down with Katherine Robinette—consultant, speaker, and founder of Keystone and Raven—to explore what real change management looks like in 2025. With decades of experience guiding organizations through transformation, Katherine shares...

What if supporting your team’s mental health was the key to unlocking their full potential? In this compassionate and eye-opening episode of People Success Circle , I sit down with Nisi Bennett—nurse, speaker, and workplace mental health expert—to explore what it truly means to prioritize well-being at work. Drawing from nearly two decades in nursing and public health, Nisi shares why mental healt...

What if your work environment was designed to support every brain - not just the “typical” ones? In this eye-opening episode of People Success Circle , I sit down with Stephanie Scheller, entrepreneur and event expert, to explore what it really means to create ADHD-friendly spaces - both at work and in life. From event planning to leadership strategy, Stephanie has developed a neuroscience-backed...

What if your greatest strength could help you conquer every challenge at work? In this inspiring episode of People Success Circle , I chat with founder of Shine Forward, Karen Colonna about building resilience—not just as a personal trait, but as a vital ingredient for thriving teams and businesses. Karen opens up about her deep journey from personal loss to launching her resilience roadmap, shari...

Think about the best team that you've ever been a part of. What made it great? Now on the flip side, think about the worst team that you've ever been on. What went wrong? Well, today we are diving into what separates strong teams from dysfunctional teams and how you can create a culture of collaboration that actually works.  In this episode of People Success Circle , I sit down with dear...

Emotional Intelligence is not just a buzzword. It’s a gamechanger for leadership, communication and personal success. From both self-awareness to managing emotions when we're under pressure, today's discussion gives you a roadmap for using emotional intelligence to level up at both work and in your life. In this episode, I chat with my dear friend and emotional intelligence expert, Dr. M...

Ever wonder how just a few minutes of focused meditation can boost productivity and cut down on workplace stress? In this transformative episode of People Success Circle , I chat with mindfulness expert Marcy Westcott about harnessing the power of meditation to supercharge employee well-being and performance.  Marcy shares her personal journey from corporate burnout to a life-changing discovery of...

How can YOU elevate the people side of your business? Whether you’re the founder of  a start-up or leadership in a big firm, there are essential processes you need to help your company succeed and grow. In this episode,  I sit down with my client Kyle Yoder, the driving force behind Metal Fab Manufacturing, to reveal how streamlining hiring practices, embracing pay transparency, and clearly defini...

What if a simple HR audit could transform your entire workplace culture and save you thousands? In this critical episode of People Success Circle , I break down the powerful impact of an HR audit—beyond mere compliance—to uncover hidden opportunities that can revolutionize your business.   Learn how a deep dive into your people side can protect your company from legal risks, reduce costly turnover...

What makes company culture thrive and what makes it fall apart? Culture Expert, Delise Simmons, gives the keys to building a workplace where people feel valued, motivated and connected. Delise shares her incredible journey from the early days at Southwest to launching game-changing initiatives at JetBlue, revealing that culture is not just about employee happiness, but about aligning behaviors wit...

Ever wondered how commanding a space shuttle can transform your leadership style on Earth? In this special episode of People Success Circle , I sit down with the legendary Eileen Collins—NASA’s first female space commander—to explore the leadership secrets that propelled her from the cockpit to history. Eileen shares her awe-inspiring journey, revealing how resilience, clear communication, and unw...

Welcome to the Big Disconnect Series, where we look at  how to make hiring easier and more effective for both employers and employees. This is the final part of three episodes…. We’re discussing the six biggest mistakes that job-seekers make that stop them from getting interviews or progressing to the next stage of the hiring process. These are all mistakes that can be easily solved…if you know wh...

Welcome to the Big Disconnect Series, where we look at  how to make hiring easier and more effective for both employers and employees. This is the second of three episodes…. "There's just a shortage of good people." We’ve heard this so many times. It’s difficult to hire well, isn't it? But what if the problem isn’t the talent? What if it’s how we’re searching for, managing and...

Welcome to the Big Disconnect Series, where we see look at how to make hiring easier and more effective for both employers and employees. This is the first of three episodes…. In this first episode of this three-part series, I share why so many job seekers go unnoticed and why companies struggle to find team members that are the right fit. We go over the paint points for both sides and a path forw...

In this episode of The People Success Circle , I share a powerful moment from my career that changed how I see work, people, and leadership. Ever had an experience at work that made you realize something had to shift? For me, it was getting laid off and having to reinvent my career path. I’ll take you through how I transitioned into a recruiting role at Gap and how this experience taught me the de...

The People Success Circle is your weekly source of actionable insights and strategies for creating thriving workplaces and careers. *LAUNCHING JANUARY 2025* With over 28 years of experience as an HR leader, I’ve seen firsthand that when companies prioritize people, profits follow. Yet, we’re facing a crisis in employee engagement and well-being.  Each Wednesday, this podcast we’ll explore how busi...