Conversations on Conversations

Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc

Start building better relationships through the power of conversations. On Conversations on Conversations, (the newest podcast from Sarah Noll Wilson, CEO and founder of Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc., a leading-edge virtual training and development company), Sarah speaks with experts in their field and gets deep about the impact, brain science, and shared love of holding powerful conversations. You’ll walk away each week with an enriched understanding of a facet of really listening and holding conversations. Plus, we’re committed to providing you explicit tools and strategies you can begin to implement in your own world right away. read less
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Episodes

A Conversation on Play, Curiosity, and Neurodivergence with Lauren Yee and Maddy Gabor
3d ago
A Conversation on Play, Curiosity, and Neurodivergence with Lauren Yee and Maddy Gabor
Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guests Lauren Yee and Maddy Gabor as they explore neurodivergence in the workplace. Together, they discuss how play, curiosity, and clear communication can transform team dynamics and create inclusive spaces for everyone to thrive. About Our Guests Lauren Yee and Maddy Gabor are co-founders of Betterment Works, a playful professional development company on a mission to strengthen businesses and teams by helping people feel, connect, and do better at work. Lauren is a process-driven problem solver who believes that curiosity, consistency, and connections are the greatest drivers of great things. She is also an extroverted Hufflepuff who loves puzzles, pizza, and fun questions! She studied design and psychology, has been managing people, projects, and clients since 2005, and previously helped grow the largest LEGO-inspired learning through play company in the United States. Her experience from a decade of working with kids, informs her perspective and focus on how play, curiosity, and inclusion can improve productivity, innovation, teamwork, and leadership. Maddy is an impact-obsessed, life-long learner with a passion for leadership, data, and play. As a neurodivergent executive, she is well-versed in the struggles of focus, productivity, time management, and leadership; and her facilitation and content are informed by that experience. Driven by a dedication to understanding and an unending belief in human betterment, Maddy envisions more empowering, engaging, and compassionate workplaces for all. Using play and analytics as the tools and her values as the compass, she pursues this vision relentlessly. An expert in the practical applications of learning through play, Maddy facilitates playful professional development and consults on organizational betterment projects. Links and Resources Website: www.bettermentworks.com Lauren Email: Lauren@bettermentworks.com Maddy Email: Maddy@bettermentworks.com
A Conversation on Workplace Investigations with Susan Arduengo
27-11-2024
A Conversation on Workplace Investigations with Susan Arduengo
Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Susan Arduengo for an exploration of workplace investigations. Susan shares insights from her experience, including the importance of transparency, unbiased listening, and creating a safe and supportive environment for employees. About Our Guest Susan Arduengo is a California licensed attorney and an Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder who conducts impartial, thorough, high quality workplace investigations throughout California. Susan has investigated a broad range of allegations in private and public sector workplaces including for non-profits and higher education. Susan has also conducted investigations into allegations against elected officials and sworn personnel including Firefighters’ Procedural Bill of Rights Act (FBOR) and Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBR) matters. Susan is also experienced in conducting investigations in unionized workplaces. Before focusing on investigations, Susan practiced as an employment litigator and she litigated matters involving wage disputes, allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and class action litigation in both state and federal courts. A native Floridian, Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida and a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. While in law school, Susan clerked for the United States Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida and the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida. From there, Susan began her law career in Chicago, Illinois before relocating to California. Links and Resources Email: susan@arduengoinvestigations.com Website: www.arduengoinvestigations.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susan-arduengo-81092412 Harvard’s Implicit Association Tests (IAT): implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/index.jsp
A Conversation on Inclusive and Sustainable Leadership with Tiana Sanchez
30-10-2024
A Conversation on Inclusive and Sustainable Leadership with Tiana Sanchez
Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Tiana Sanchez as they examine the role of consistency and integrity in leadership, with real talk on how organizations can truly uphold commitments to diversity and inclusion. About Our Guest Tiana Sanchez, CEO and Founder of TSI, LLC, a Woman-Owned Small Business, brings over a decade of expertise as a Corporate Trainer and Business Consultant to leaders in the public and private sectors. With a #1 best-selling authorship and a globally recognized podcast, Tiana has earned acclaim for her insights, including a KTLA Morning News feature on workplace empathy. As an Award-Winning Executive Coach, she utilizes her diverse management background in Retail, Food and Beverage, and Finance to elevate people development. Leading Tiana Sanchez International, named "Best Executive Coaching" Program by HR.Com, Tiana specializes in delivering world-class leadership programs, keynotes, and seminars. Her tailored Diversity Audits and Pulse Surveys empower organizations with equitable practices, showcased through partnerships with renowned entities like Sempra, Metropolitan Water District, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and various government agencies. Tiana's impactful workshops at esteemed educational institutions underscore her commitment to elevating organizational effectiveness. Armed with a Psychology and Business Management background, Tiana is a sought-after speaker, contributing author, and dedicated advocate for sustainable leadership development. Links and Resources Website: www.tianasanchez.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tianasanchez Instagram: www.instagram.com/likearealbosslady YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TianaSanchez The New C-Suite: Civil Leadership in Action:  https://a.co/d/7KLVQGU
A Conversation on Resourcing Yourself with Shanté Gordon
16-10-2024
A Conversation on Resourcing Yourself with Shanté Gordon
Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Shanté Gordon as they explore the importance of proactive resourcing, community, and living with authenticity to prevent and navigate burnout. About Our Guest Shanté Gordon, a dynamic DEI Strategist, Executive Coach, and Trauma-Sensitive Wellness Facilitator & Yoga Teacher (RYT-500), boasts a rich, multi-disciplinary career spanning decades. Armed with an Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences degree from Northwestern University, she began in supply chain management, where she uncovered workplace disparities around gender, race, and privilege. Transitioning to marketing, Shanté climbed the ranks in iconic music labels, online retailers, and fitness brands, until burnout prompted a recalibration towards a more balanced life. This shift led her to wellness, a journey that now profoundly informs her DEI strategy. As a DEI strategist at The Norfus Firm, Shanté adeptly merges mindfulness and trauma sensitivity with change management expertise, crafting tailored solutions for organizations ranging from small arts non-profits to major healthcare companies and most industries in between. Her unique approach centers on aligning organizational values with culture while maintaining a people-centric and data-driven focus. Beyond titles and industries, Shanté's true passion lies in connecting the dots within others' narratives. Whether coaching individuals or steering organizations, she finds joy in unlocking their potential and guiding them towards their goals. Shanté is a catalyst for transformation, committed to making workplaces environments where everyone can thrive. Links and Resources The Norfus Firm Website: www.thenorfusfirm.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shantegordon Instagram: www.instagram.com/shantesgordon
A Conversation on Navigating Neurodivergence with Amy Myers and Luke Mohlenhoff
02-10-2024
A Conversation on Navigating Neurodivergence with Amy Myers and Luke Mohlenhoff
Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guests Amy Myers and Luke Mohlenhoff for a candid conversation on how ADHD and anxiety impact their daily lives, relationships, and work, offering insights on navigating neurodivergence with compassion and support. About Our Guests Amy Myers brings over two decades of program management expertise to her role as our Chief of Staff. Her passion for connecting with clients while working together to “cross the Ts and dot the Is” makes her partnership personally rewarding on many levels (she loves a good Excel tracking sheet!). Amy’s background includes work in public education, government, and non-profit arts organizations. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Grinnell College, inspiring her lifelong interest in others’ stories and experiences. Fun Fact: In her free time, Amy lives vicariously through PBS baking shows and America’s Test Kitchen. She enjoys trying new dishes, but believes recipes are “only a suggestion.” Her husband and cat beg to differ. #oliveoilbrowniefail Luke Mohlenhoff is a Senior Vice President at West Bank and manages the Residential Construction and Land Development team.  Luke has been with West Bank since 2011 and has over two decades of experience in the banking industry.  He has specialized in residential construction and land development banking since 2007. Luke actively contributes to professional organizations, as an 11 year board member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines, a 10 year board member of the Westbancorporation Foundation and more recently, as a two year board member of CREW Iowa (Commercial Real Estate Women). His motivation to pursue a career in construction and development banking comes from the contributions that this specialization has in transforming the Des Moines metropolitan area.  He has a particular passion for affordable housing initiatives and making housing more affordable for all, regardless of income level. A graduate of Albion College with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and English, he also earned an Elementary Teaching Certificate from Eastern Michigan University.  He was born in Connecticut and has lived in multiple states, but considers Jackson, Michigan his home town.  He has lived in Des Moines for the past 22 years with his wife, Amy Myers, and their cats, Teddy Bear Roosevelt and Chloe “Chloe-Bear” Warwick.   Luke is an avid golfer and his current golf handicap is mid-range irons. Links and Resources Amy Email: amy@sarahnollwilson.com
A Conversation on Living with Alzheimer's with Rebecca Christian and Kate Thompson
18-09-2024
A Conversation on Living with Alzheimer's with Rebecca Christian and Kate Thompson
Join Sarah Noll Wilson as she speaks with Rebecca Christian and Kate Thompson about their experience, as mother and daughter, living with Rebecca's Alzheimer's diagnosis. Together, they explore the power of connection, humor, and self-advocacy in overcoming the challenges of memory loss. About Our Guests Rebecca Christian is a freelance writer who splits her time between Iowa and Toronto. Her work includes plays, books, poems, magazine articles, newspaper op-eds and articles, and a regular newspaper column for the Telegraph Herald in Dubuque for the last 35 years. She considers her best work to be silly stories and songs she has written for her friends, three children, seven grandchildren, three stepchildren and four stepgrands. She has Early Alzheimer's and is burning the candle brightly before the flame flickers out. Kate Thompson is a neurodiversity consultant who has worked with a variety of businesses, including libraries and public health organizations, to improve the environment for all employees. She was a member Iowa’s Olmstead Consumer Services Taskforce, which helps enforce the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA), an adjunct faculty member at Des Moines Area Community College, and a contributor to the American Library Association’s book “Library Programming for Autistic Children and Teens.” Links and Resources Kate Email: katecthompson@icloud.com Kate LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kate-thompson-50310 Alzheimer’s Association: www.alz.org National Institute on Aging (NIA) - Alzheimer’s Disease: www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers
Episode 100: A Milestone Conversation on Conversations
21-08-2024
Episode 100: A Milestone Conversation on Conversations
Join Sarah Noll Wilson as she celebrates the show's 100th episode with a deep dive into the evolving nature of workplace relationships. Guests Gilmara Vila Nova-Mitchell, Dr. Teresa Peterson, and Brandon Springle share insights on building connections in virtual settings, fostering inclusion, and the vital role of empathetic leadership in creating supportive work environments. About Our Guests For almost two decades, Gilmara Vila Nova-Mitchell has been helping organizations and leaders become more effective and inclusive through her engaging diversity and inclusion professional learning sessions, leadership development programs and equity & cultural proficiency coaching. Gilmara has worked with HR managers, chief diversity officers, and other leaders to create more inclusive work environments. Gilmara has collaborated with organizations from the private and public sector, in a variety of industries. Gilmara has supported organizations develop strategic plans, create equity driven monitoring tools, create more inclusive cultures, and learn more about equity-driven leadership. Born in Brazil, Gilmara moved to the United States in 2001. She holds a Bachelor of Multicultural Education from FUMEC University (Brazil) and a MSE in School Counseling from Drake University. Gilmara has a focused her doctoral studies in Organizational Behavior with a focus on trust in the workplace. Dr. Teresa Peterson is the Director of Learning and Development for Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc. In her daily work, she serves as Sarah’s key content collaborator. Teresa enjoys facilitating, researching, and is passionate about applying best practices for learning to make our experiences meaningful, engaging, and accessible for all types of learners. Teresa holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Northern Iowa and brings over twenty years of experience teaching, facilitating, and leading to our team. Our clients love Teresa’s grounded energy, depth of thought, and ability to listen deeply. Brandon Springle is a dedicated HR (Human Resources) Leader with over 15 years of evolving experience working in multiple industries including Manufacturing, Background Screening, Health Insurance, and Sports & Entertainment. Brandon currently serves as a Divisional OD and Success Director at Shaw Industries where he has spent the past 9+ years. Brandon is a certified psychological safety coach using the “4 Stages of Psychological Safety” framework. Brandon is also certified as a Change Manager with intimate knowledge of the ADKAR process. Brandon is a senior leader focused on providing an amazing experience at all levels through a service-oriented approach that is rooted firmly in psychological safety. Brandon recognizes that there is power in aligning individually diverse talents to a shared vision where success is dependent upon the collective brain trust of the “team”. More than anything, Brandon loves to see people thriving as opposed to simply surviving. Brandon enjoys spending time with his wife and four children in his personal time. Brandon enjoys his hobbies which include reading, writing, music production, and all things basketball. Links and Resources Website: www.sarahnollwilson.com Gilmara LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gilmara-vila-nova-mitchell Gilmara Email: gilmara@sarahnollwilson.com Teresa LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-peterson-EdD Teresa Email: teresa@sarahnollwilson.com Brandon LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bspringle
A Conversation on Inclusivity and Empathy with Courageous Fire
19-06-2024
A Conversation on Inclusivity and Empathy with Courageous Fire
Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Courageous Fire as they delve into the challenges faced by Black women in predominantly white spaces. Courageous shares insights into her journey of embracing authenticity and self worth, highlighting the power of vulnerability, trust, and empathy in building inclusive spaces. About Our Guest Courageous Fire is a Black woman and diligent part of the workforce who learned it was important to have a safe space to do safety planning, what it looked like to get help outside the workplace during the crisis of domestic violence, how far reaching the cost of DV is to health, how disruptive it is to work performance, how expensive it can be for years into the future, and how uniquely this health, economic, social justice issue specifically impacts Black women. Once Courageous executed her plan to free herself and her daughters, she began to furiously RESEARCH. She wanted to find and/or create the best solutions. She wanted to know if she could find employer partners to create spaces within the work environment for safety planning if she provided the training and materials. She wanted to know if they realized how much money she could save them in employee absenteeism and healthcare costs if she provided them with cultural resources for their Black women employees. And she wanted to teach them how to utilize their position in Black women DV victim-survivor’s lives to be disruptors of the oftentime end result of DV - homicide. She began Courageous Fire, LLC nearly 5 years ago to educate with a concentration on two distinct groups - Centers of Trust and Centers of Must - to increase the spaces where Black women can be treated with dignity, compassion, and stop being refused services or having services terminated for showing up fully as a Black woman during crisis. Courageous has always known her work would need to broaden to mitigate the harm of systems holding Black women accountable for the perpetrator’s violence against them and their children. That’s why she is moving toward those state-operated systems in her collaborative work with organizations such as Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Children and Families of Iowa, and Safe and Together Institute to make that happen. Nearly 5 years later, Courageous has successfully charted relationships with over 30 organizations to increase safe spaces for Black women. These places in Iowa include many cities: Waterloo, Dubuque, Davenport, Iowa City, Decorah, Cedar Rapids, Ankeny, and Des Moines, as well as Illinois and New York. In this time she has 1 organization that has set up a place for safety planning, but she knows there are many more needed. Courageous is a consultant, trainer, and women’s empowerment speaker who comes with 12+ years of curriculum development and delivery experience, 6+ years as a motivational speaker, and 5+ years of independent studies in historical and systemic racial impact on Black women in DV. She often says her approach is never “shame on you!” which closes people down, but instead it is one of “did you know?” to give people a safe place for consideration. Courageous is aware that there is a temptation to assume how a Black woman will “teach”, but experience has shown her that knowledge, authenticity, and comfort with who she is creates a safe for her audience to be comfortable with themselves while they learn, question, seek, discard, relearn, and grow. She comes ready to invite everyone that attends that level of #permission. Links and Resources Website: www.cfirellc.com/home LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cfire Instagram: www.instagram.com/cfire_llc Shared Sisterhood: How to Take Collective Action for Racial and Gender Equity at Work by Tina Opie and Beth A. Livingston : https://a.co/d/dzMZaMD
A Conversation on This Moment in Leadership with Stephanie Chin
12-06-2024
A Conversation on This Moment in Leadership with Stephanie Chin
Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Stephanie Chin for a wide-ranging conversation with insights on leadership, personal growth and experimentation, and the complex challenges of creating diverse and inclusive workplaces. About Our Guest Stephanie Chin has spent the past two decades as a nonprofit leader, including working for the United Way network both globally and locally and at SRI International, Inc. She believes that we all do better when we all do better and her life’s mission is to help everyone operate near their potential while expanding it, by their own definition. She led day-to-day operations of MyFreeTaxes at United Way Worldwide, expanding the number of free tax filers from 50,000 to over 200,000 in two years, and promulgated an inclusive approach to project management at SRI International, Inc., leading a cross-division project management leadership team on the implementation of the new financial planning system. She approaches poverty fighting with a race conscious lens and advocates for equitable practices and systems change and contributed to United Way Worldwide’s Equity Framework. Chin’s new venture, Spicy Conversations, will help clients improve inclusive leadership practices and focus on behavior and systems change that makes a difference. Chin has a Bachelor of Arts from University of California, Berkeley, a JD/MBA from Emory University, has a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma, and coaching training from Co-Active Training Institute. Links and Resources LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemchin LinkedIn (company): www.linkedin.com/company/spicy-conversations Schedule a conversation with Stephanie: https://calendly.com/spicyconversation The Culture Map by Erin Meyer: www.erinmeyer.com/book Becoming Powerful Makes You Less Empathetic (HBR article): www.hbr.org/2015/04/becoming-powerful-makes-you-less-empathetic Asch Conformity Experiments (Wikipedia): www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asch_conformity_experiments The Push and Pull: Declining Interest in Nonprofit Leadership: www.buildingmovement.org/reports/push-and-pull-report
A Conversation on Addiction and Sobriety with Beth Shelton
22-05-2024
A Conversation on Addiction and Sobriety with Beth Shelton
Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Beth Shelton as they explore the complexities of addiction and sobriety. Sharing candidly from her personal experience, Beth provides valuable insights into understanding addiction, supporting loved ones, and embracing vulnerability for personal growth and healing. About Our Guest Beth Shelton is the Chief Executive Office of Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, overseeing all operations for 13,000 members in portions of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. With thought-provoking discussions among hundreds of speeches, conferences, podcast interviews, and articles written, Beth has reached millions of people from coast to coast, on topics ranging from workplace transformation to mental wellbeing to sobriety.  Beth unapologetically speaks about the human experience and has received national accolades, highlighted on platforms ranging from Good Morning America, CNN and Working Mother Magazine, to The Washington Post, USA Today and the Today Show. Beth is persistently curious, an avid reader, and uses solution-focused leadership to encourage radical innovation. She received her BA from Simpson College and MBA from Drake University, and has been named an alumni of achievement from both, while recently completing the Artificial Intelligence certificate program at MIT. Beth, a life-long amputee, embraces a spirit of empowering others, having served various causes; including the Iowa Amputee Golf Association, leading a local Girl Scout troop, serving on her local school board, and coaching youth teams in multiple sports.  She has a lifelong love of sports, having been a 3-time collegiate MVP in tennis. She loves driving her vintage Jeep with the top off, just took up guitar lessons, and is enjoying the journey of visiting every national park.  Links and Resources Website: www.bethshelton.com This Naked Mind by Annie Grace: www.thisnakedmind.com The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): www.samhsa.gov
A Conversation on Mental Wellness with Jami Haberl
08-05-2024
A Conversation on Mental Wellness with Jami Haberl
Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Jami Haberl as they discuss mental wellness, share insights from their own healthcare journeys, and examine the crucial role of empathy and systemic changes in promoting mental health and well-being in the workplace. About Our Guest Jami Haberl assumed the role of executive director at the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative in December 2014. Her dedication to health and wellness blossomed at the age of 10, prompted by a pivotal event when her youngest sister fell into a coma at just 1 year old. This profound experience catalyzed her lifelong commitment to understanding the interplay between controllable and uncontrollable factors affecting health. Recognizing the critical role of health in enabling individuals to lead vibrant and purposeful lives, she embarked on a journey to champion well-being. Her career has included working on state and national initiatives in the field of telemedicine, healthcare reimbursement, bioterrorism, disaster management, and public-private partnerships. A native of Lohrville, Iowa, Jami received her undergraduate degree in community health education from Iowa State University, a master’s in public health, and a master’s in healthcare administration from Des Moines University. Jami and her husband James Peterson live in Des Moines and enjoy scuba diving, biking, hiking and traveling the world. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jamihaberl X: twitter.com/HealthiestIowa Facebook: www.facebook.com/HealthiestIowa Instagram: www.instagram.com/iowahealthieststate TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@iowahealthieststate