What’s Possible w. Ilene Schaffer

Behind every powerhouse communicator, relationship builder, and resilient leader is a strategic thinker who leads with curiosity and honors wellbeing. Say goodbye to disengagement and team fatigue as we bring you science-backed strategies that will transform not just your leadership style but also your team’s and organization's success. Join Ilene Schaffer and industry leaders as they share t...

What if defining a successful day could fit right in the palm of your hand? In this In the Moment episode of What’s Possible, e xecutive coach Harry Hofer shares a simple five-finger framework born out of a moment of chaos that helps leaders break down daily priorities into clear, actionable steps. Host Ilene Schaffer reconnects with Harry to unpack how this tactile exercise guides leaders and tea...

What if being yourself at work wasn’t a risk, but your greatest advantage? In this episode of What’s Possible, Ilene Schaffer sits down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia and author of “Be Yourself at Work,” for a deeply human conversation about authenticity, emotional intelligence, and what it really means to belong at work. Claude shares powerful lessons from her personal jou...

As we step into a new year, one thing is clear: our social connections are not optional, they’re essential. In this special In the Moment New Year’s episode, Ilene Schaffer explores why investing in relationships may be the most powerful decision you make for your health, happiness, and well-being in 2026. Drawing on research from Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ilene shares why social disconnection can be...

Sometimes life gives us “pinnacle moments”—those rare times when everything feels aligned, purposeful, and alive. In this episode of What’s Possible, Ilene Schaffer and Christian van Nieuwerburgh share personal and professional stories of reaching these high points, from speaking at wellness retreats to riding with hundreds of motorcyclists up a volcano. Together, they explore what creates these m...

What does it really means to connect with others, whether in the workplace, on a Zoom call, or in everyday life? In this part of the series, Ilene Schaffer and Christian Van Nieuwerburgh talk about creating authentic connection in a disconnected world. Drawing from personal stories, practical experience, and expert insights, they discuss the transformative power of listening, the importance of gen...

What if the way we talk to people is the thing that most shapes whether they feel heard, valued, and understood? In this episode of What’s Possible , Ilene Schaffer sits down with communication scientist and author Dr. Haesun Moon to explore the extraordinary power of ordinary words, and how small shifts in language can transform coaching, leadership, and everyday human connection. Dr. Moon shares...

We’re obsessed with time management—but what about energy management? In this episode of What’s Possible, Ilene Schaffer and ‪ Christian Van Nieuwerburgh unpack practical strategies to sustain and recharge your energy throughout the week. Through tools like energy audits, color-coding your calendar, and creating “replenishment wheels,” Ilene and Christian show how small shifts can prevent burnout...

What does it really take to scale coaching across an organization, and how do you measure its impact? In this episode of What’s Possible, host Ilene Schaffer sits down with two of her trusted partners, Eric Wong and Kailey Alongi from Adobe, for a candid and forward-looking conversation about the evolution of executive coaching. Together, they unpack how coaching has shifted from a “wild west” app...

In this special series from "In the Moment," Ilene Schaffer and Professor Christian van Nieuwerburgh turn the coaching lens on themselves. After years of guiding leaders and clients through transformation, they reflect on the lessons that unexpectedly reshaped their own lives. At the root of this new essential series, Ilene and Christian share what it looks like to “walk the talk.” From...

What if loving your job wasn’t just a nice idea, but an achievable goal? In this inspiring episode of What’s Possible, host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Dr. Arlene Pace Green, CEO of Enelra Talent Solutions and author of You Deserve to Love Your Job. Drawing from her 20 years as an organizational psychologist, executive coach, and Fortune 500 leader, Dr. Green shares a refreshing, faith-grounded,...

What makes a leadership offsite truly effective? How can you make sure your team leaves more aligned, connected, and inspired than when they arrived? In this episode of minisode, host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Eric Wong, Principal of Organizational Effectiveness at Adobe, to break down the art and science of a successful offsite. With experience facilitating more than 500 leadership sessions,...

How does self-awareness impact your leadership? In this episode, host Ilene Schaffer sits down with speaker, author, educator Margaret Andrews to explore the foundations of great leadership: self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and managing yourself before leading others. Margaret’s new book, Managing Yourself to Lead Others , distills decades of research and experience from her acclaimed Harva...

What happens when a beloved senior leader suddenly leaves, and the person stepping in isn’t a high-profile external hire, but someone already within the organization? In this In the Moment, host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Eric Wong, Principal of Organizational Effectiveness at Adobe, to talk about a real-life story that redefined his view of succession planning and leadership culture. Eric shar...

In this episode of What’s Possible , host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Donna Lichaw, executive coach, author, and former tech and product leader, to hear about her new book, “The Leader’s Journey: Transforming Your Leadership to Achieve the Extraordinary.” With a background spanning documentary filmmaking, tech startups, and executive coaching, Donna brings a refreshingly unique lens to leadershi...

Instead of starting tough conversations with “These results are unacceptable,” Harry Hofer reminds us that everyone wants to do their best. And when performance slips, it’s often because of unseen burdens like caregiving responsibilities, health struggles, or personal stress. In this In the Moment episode of What’s Possible, host Ilene Schaffer sits down again with Harry Hofer, coach and leadershi...

What if leadership is not just about skills, but something deeper? In this episode of What’s Possible , host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Dr. Max Klau, author, coach, developmental psychologist, and founder of the Center for Courageous Wholeness, to explore the future of leadership through the lens of servant leadership. Dr. Klau’s new book, Developing Servant Leaders at Scale: How to Do It, and...

In this In the Moment mini-episode of What’s Possible , host Ilene Schaffer sits down again with Harry Hofer to explore an unconventional but powerful leadership idea: celebrating the word “no.” Drawing from Blue Zones research on longevity and his own experience coaching high-performing teams, Harry explains why hearing “no” isn’t a setback, it’s a catalyst for growth. By reframing “no” as a posi...

In this episode of What’s Possible , Ilene Schaffer sits down with Dr. Angela Jackson, workplace futurist, Harvard lecturer, ESG expert, and author of the award-winning new book The Win-Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive Bottom-Line Success . Dr. Jackson shares her powerful personal story of a career-changing accident that shifted her focus to employee well-being, leadership, and sustaina...

In mini episode, Ilene Schaffer welcomes back executive coach Harry Hofer for the fourth nudge in this series. Harry introduces the concept of core tension in leadership: the inevitable push and pull between competing priorities like quantity vs. quality, execution vs. engagement, tactical vs. strategic, and short-term vs. long-term goals. Harry explains that core tension is not a problem to solve...

What comes to mind when you hear “organizational design”? If it’s just charts and reporting lines, think again. In this episode of What’s Possible , host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Susannah Robinson. As an HR leader, consultant, professor, and author of Beyond the Boxes and Lines , Susannah explores how thoughtful organizational design can make or break a company’s success. Susannah shares why...

Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. In this short, actionable episode of What’s Possible , Ilene Schaffer and executive coach Harry Hofer share practical nudges to help you step out of the weeds and lead with clarity. Find out how shifting from tactical tasks to strategic thinking frees you to focus on your unique contribution, why mindset, is often the biggest barrier to progress, and the impo...

In this milestone 100th episode of What’s Possible , host Ilene Schaffer sits down with author, positive psychology coach, and happiness expert Robert Mack to find out what it really takes to be happy, and why leaders can’t afford to wait until life is perfect to start. Author of Happiness from the Inside Out , Love from the Inside Out, Robert shares his own journey from depression to deep joy and...

Feeling burned out, stressed, or disconnected at work? It’s time to explore a powerful alternative: social prescribing. In this episode of What’s Possible , host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Julia Hotz, award-winning author of The Connection Cure , to uncover how prescribing nature walks, art workshops, volunteering, and community activities can dramatically improve your mental health, workplace...

When you are called to communicate critical messages that truly resonate with your audience, where do you start? In this episode, Harry Hofer shares an essential framework that can transform how you connect with people in just minutes. Ilene Schaffer sits down with Harry to get the inside scoop on the “Know, Do, Feel” communication framework. Harry, an internal executive coach at a Fortune 500 com...