Say It Skillfully®

Trisha Cunningham, President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, joins Molly Tschang on the Say It Skillfully podcast to share her inspiring journey from corporate leadership to nonprofit work, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, self-discovery, and mission-driven leadership. Trisha discusses her early life challenges, the importance of education, and the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership style. She talks about her work at the North Texas Food Bank, highlighting the need for strong governance and effective practices to serve the community better. Trisha reflects on her personal growth, the significance of listening as a leader, and the impact of her experiences on her current role.

Ganesh Iyer, CEO of Etnyre International, joins Molly on the Say It Skillfully podcast to share his inspiring journey from a humble upbringing in India to navigating the corporate world and becoming a CEO. He discusses the importance of putting people first in business, the challenges of leadership, and the philosophy of optimizing profit while improving lives. Ganesh reflects on his experiences, the lessons learned from mistakes, and the significance of work-life integration. The conversation emphasizes the value of kindness, adaptability, and the pursuit of meaningful work.

Molly is joined on the Say It Skillfully Podcast by the design director for the elite sportswear company designing for the best athletes in the world, including the women's Olympic gymnastic team, Jeanne Diaz.One of the creative geniuses behind the stunning women's patriotic blinged out leotards from this year's Olympics, Jeanne joins the show to share her story, including how she chose to follow her passion, navigating and building a career in the fashion industry, and recently working with amazing athletes like Simone Biles while designing Olympic sportswear.

Since leading fashion designer Robby Geller moved to LA from Germany at a young age, he has never stopped learning. He discusses the array of learning curves he has faced throughout his personal and professional journey- whether that be at age five or 35, with language and even fashion. Most importantly, he emphasizes the need of active contribution to get things done.Hear about the not-so common path of a world renowned fashion designer and how contributing to the conversation can be fully life changing.

Unexpected social media sensation David Lorimer joins Molly for this episode of the Say It Skillfully podcast and delves into the "behind-the-scenes" of his @today.iam.grateful Instagram page. David authentically shares his journey, from his childhood in Iowa and Kentucky through his adult life, telling tales of his career, relationships, and finding himself.He further tells us the duality between joy and true fulfillment. David goes beyond his everyday work life and dives into balancing it with the intricacies of parenting and mental health.Finally, he teaches us how intentional gratitude and personal reflection are the greatest shields against mental health issues.

Total Leadership CEO, Stew Friedman, joins Molly on today’s episode of Say it Skillfully. Ranging from topics of favorite bands to leadership to the purpose of life. The enriching conversation spans from topics of favorite bands to leadership to the meaning of life. Stew exemplifies the idea the you don’t need to know where you are going to end up in the right place.Visit https://www.totalleadership.org/ for free videos, book chapters, articles including the 50+ that he's written for Harvard Business Review and more from Stew. Also, follow Stew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewfriedman/

Molly Tschang sits down for a conversation on the Say It Skillfully podcast with former WD-40 CEO, Garry Ridge. The conversation revolves around personal and professional growth, cultural understanding in international business, and the importance of authenticity and purpose in leadership. Garry shares his experiences and insights on how to navigate life's journey with clarity, speed, and self-compassion. He emphasizes the significance of values, people-first mindset, and effective communication in achieving success. Garry gives personal anecdotes from his career and life, and mentions key factors in building positive relationships and gaining respect in international business.

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 209 is the 41st monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field—helping everyone live to their full potential. The aim is for you to see a bit of yourself in these journeys, and embrace—we’re more similar than not. In this episode, Molly is joined by Evan Wolfson, who founded and led the Freedom to Marry campaign; winning marriage equality in the U.S. after a 30+ year battle. Sharing Evan’s world-changing movement wraps four years with VoiceAmerica. Thank you for the amazing opportunity to amplify so many amazing voices! Evan joins the show to share the story of his long battle for marriage rights, dating back to his time in college, where he wrote his thesis on same-sex marriage long before it was in the national conversation. He’d move on to appear before the supreme court, write a book on “Why Marriage Matters”, and found Freedom to Marry. As a kid, Evan saw law as a means to politics, government and shaping history—hear his career path to literally doing so. Many gems from his fight for marriage, and his mentality when faced with setbacks and feeling like the world is against him. Don’t miss Evan’s thoughts on what being an activist means, as well as how he felt when the battle for same-sex marriage rights was won with similar reasoning to his 1983 thesis. Then, we talk a bit about what’s next in the fight for a better world. Evan inspires us to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves. Molly’s thought for the week from renowned meditation teacher, Shinzen Young: “Untangle and be free.”

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Here is Episode 208 for you, featuring Paul Lambdin, owner of North Carolina staple Cary Car Care. Paul joins the show to share his story, from a struggle-filled childhood that had him and his brothers in a constant battle with his alcoholic father, to becoming an entrepreneur with a success story that will leave you inspired. Tune in to hear key moments and turning points from Paul’s come-up, as well as lessons he learned along the way on teamwork, self-belief and communication. Don’t miss Paul’s reflections on his journey, including an inside look on building a successful small business, how he is raising his family differently than he was raised, and how he finally let go of anger he’d been holding inside for a long time. Paul inspires us to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves. Molly’s thought for the week: The gap between knowing what you want and going after it is where fear thrives. You don’t need enough courage for the entire journey. You only need courage for the next step.

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Here is Episode 207 for you, featuring Top 100 Most Influential Yoga Teacher Alison West. Alison joins the show for a conversation about what she’s done, how she got there, and her biggest epiphanies along the way. She’s studied in almost every major yogic lineage including in India with the Iyengars and with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. She’s taught since the 80s and more recently founded “Yoga Union”, a premier NYC studio, as well as Yoga Union Backcare & Scoliosis Center. Don’t miss hearing the ups and downs of Alison’s journey, including an in depth look at moments of spiritual awakening, the process of learning and re-learning when it comes to different yoga lineages, and how she was drawn to yoga after originally being invested into ballet. Alison inspires us to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves. Molly’s thought for the week: “Increase the peace.”

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Here is Episode 206 for you – respected Canadian Armed Forces Officer Kelly Williamson’s unlikely journey inspires us to live up to our own potential. Kelly joins the show to share her story, starting with the massive change of scenery brought about by joining a military college after graduating from a performing arts high school. Hear captivating stories and insights from her journey throughout the process of attending military school and becoming an officer for the Canadian Armed Forces. She shares first-hand accounts of assisting with humanitarian aid in Afghanistan in 2011, Haiti in 2010, and Nepal in 2015. Don’t miss hearing lessons that Kelly learned along her amazing career, including the necessity of not being too proud to ask for help, and accepting that you might not “fit the mold.” Molly’s thought for the week (Thanks, Kelly): “Be kind, be brave, be you.”

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 205 features successful professionals and what’s top of mind for them. Molly’s first caller, Kris, is facing a situation that’s challenging emotionally and a significant new responsibility as he steps in to handle his grandmother’s finances. The bureaucracy, change of financial advisors, lack of responsiveness, and errors are extremely frustrating, yet he’s got to make it work. He and Molly talk about ways to reset his own mindset, so that Kris can create a productive relationship with the new advisor. Hear him reflect on his tendencies and embrace taking a step back to create space to move forward in a better way. Next Onwar, who is early in career, opens up about a defining career moment! He is in an apprentice program and being considered for a permanent position (which would be a gamechanger in his ability to support his family). He shares his non-traditional path into software engineering, as the college route proved not to be a fit for him, and learnings in navigating the corporate workplace. He and Molly talk about his strategy to understand the evaluation process and how best to position himself. And don’t miss Onwar’s openness to new ideas for how to reach out to his boss’ boss (16:15). Then Hugi is keen to reach out for paid board and consulting assignments and utilize his risk, automation and multicultural expertise. Molly suggests informational interviewing as a way to get to know organizations and building relationships to have an internal sponsor. With Latino heritage Hugi also asks about diversity as a dimension he brings. Molly offers thoughts for him in considering how an organization values diversity in the broadest sense and to be specific about the ways he can be value add (37:10). Tune in and learn how to navigate work and life while being invaluable and true to yourself! Molly’s thought for the week: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” And—she invites you to check out her 1st LinkedIn Learning course, “Leadership Communication in the Flow of Work.” In this post, click on the LinkedIn Learning logo under the video (on the left) to access free for 24 hours. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mollytschang_sayitskillfully-communicationskills-passion-activity-7099873982077657088-L-qC?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Here is Episode 204 for you – don’t miss the brilliant Bob Roth, widely considered one of the leading experts on Transcendental Meditation. Molly and Bob sit down and go over what meditation is, and how it can work for anyone, regardless of whether or not you believe in it. Hear all about Focus, Open Monitoring, and Self-Transcending, the three main branches of meditation. Bob explains he came to meditation in 1969, a time when those who practiced were “certifiably weird,” and even though he was “a practical sort of guy,” he had so much trust in and respect for his teacher, that he opened himself up to learning. Now, in 2023, he has devoted his life to bringing Transcendental Meditation to a million and counting children. Bob says his journey started as a way to lessen his stress and has ended up as “a tool to help make a big difference in the world.” Don’t miss Bob reminiscing on the 60s and 70s, reflecting on how meditation became a widespread movement back then, and maybe even saved his generation. The cultural uproar Bob remembers will help you fully understand why meditation going mainstream came at the perfect moment. Bob talks about how inspiring Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was to him because while everyone else fixated on his working with The Beatles, and that level of star-power could have gotten to his head, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi stayed completely focused on researching how meditation was beneficial to physical and mental health. Bob expands on what these health benefits are, explaining how he has helped establish forums for top medical researchers to look into the correlation between meditation and better health. Bob wraps up this episode by sharing his two keys to success in all areas of life. Tune in to hear what they are! Don’t miss this wisdom-filled episode of Say It Skillfully®! Molly’s thought for the week: Your body hears everything your mind says — Naomi Judd P.S. Bob leads to his full potential by communication to influence and inspire! To help you do the same, I created my 1st LinkedIn Learning course, “Leadership Communication in the Flow of Work.” Here’s the link for free 24-hour access bit.ly/3sETIgg

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Here is Episode 203 for you – don’t miss the inspiring economist, Jeremy Bess, whose journey to success reminds us all to never give up, regardless of the adversities we may face. Jeremy reflects on his challenging teenage years, when he was functionally homeless and dependent on friends and his brother for a place to sleep. His decision to study economics at the University of Tampa was motivated by these years of uncertainty. This choice brought him to advising Fortune 500 companies starting when he was just 24 years old. Often facing push back for being so young in rooms full of older C-suite level executives, Jeremy now tries to lend a hand to the next generation interested in economics. Listen as Jeremy looks back and reflects on periods of stress and self-doubt. Today, he says, “I felt confident that if I just kept going that it would slowly figure itself out, which it kind of did.” Putting faith in yourself and luck has paid off big time! Tune in to hear Jeremy reflect on the philosophies of economics and how they affect your everyday life. His conversation with Molly developed into discussing how COVID was a shock, not just to him, but to the global economy. He tells how he thinks it changed the game, and how we are still feeling effects from this hit today. He offers advice on how to grow your business in a way that can last. Don’t miss this inspiring episode! Jeremy empowers us all to trust in ourselves and work hard. Molly’s thought for the week (Thank you Jeremy): Just work really, really hard. Keep going. P.S. Jeremy leads to his full potential by communication to influence and inspire! To help you do the same, I created my 1st LinkedIn Learning course, “Leadership Communication in the Flow of Work.” Here’s the link for free 24-hour access bit.ly/3sETIgg

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 202 is the 40th monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field—helping everyone live to their full potential. The aim is for you to see a bit of yourself in these journeys, and embrace—we’re more similar than not. In this episode, Molly is joined by Nozipho Tshabalala, a conversation strategist and global moderator. Nozi reflects on growing up in South Africa under Nelson Mandela, and how she inherited her parents’ strident work ethic. Their dedication to her education helped Nozi always set the highest bar for herself, fueled by “failing was not an option for me.” You’ll be surprised by how she picked her major! Her inner confidence stems from what her parents instilled: “I am smart, but I am capable, and I’m teachable.” Hear Nozi’s unlikely foray into one of the world’s biggest conglomerates, Tata Group (from none other than its chairman)! This led to unexpectedly shooting a documentary for CNBC Africa. She was on screen for only 15 seconds, but those 15 seconds changed her life. Only two weeks after the documentary aired, she was offered a news anchor position with CNBC Africa, covering development and finance (compelling her to delve into topics she knew zero about). Nozi knew the first time she moderated live that it was her calling. “Conversations are the birthplace of action, and in the absence of conversation, we absolutely get nothing done.” Today, family reigns supreme for Nozi. She has an intellectual match in her husband and a gift of a son. With her hard-earned stability, she paid for her mother to return to and graduate college as a newly certified teacher. Balancing motherhood on top of her constant travel for business is one of Nozi’s self-described top accomplishments. Don’t miss this inspiring episode. Nozi empowers us all to aim high and land high. Learn more at: http://www.theconversationstrategist.com/ and follow @therealnozi Molly’s thought for the week – a lyric that inspires Nozi, from Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey: “We were moving mountains long before we knew could.” P.S. Nozi leads to her full potential by communication to influence and inspire! To help you do the same, Molly created a 1st LinkedIn Learning course, “Leadership Communication in the Flow of Work.” Here’s the link for free 24-hour access bit.ly/3sETIgg

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 201 features successful professionals and what’s top of mind for them. Listen to the full episode— Say It Skillfully: https://www.sayitskillfully.com/podcasts Laura from Connecticut (not NY...) calls in first for a new approach to a team member who delivers the sales numbers, BUT also over-delivers on negativity. This is not helping the team dynamic. Laura sees the person trying but the 2 steps forward and 3 back isn’t cutting it. Hear a few new strategies, including clarifying consequences for behavior that don’t serve the greater good.. Then Sean, after a fulfilling career in the military, opens up about his transition to private sector. He’s mindful of the culture shift and keen not to communicate in ways that may come across as “harsh.” He and Molly talk about the positives of experiencing a very different environment and embracing it so that the organization fully benefits from Sean being new and seeing things differently (13:35) Finally, Sophie shares her struggles in figuring out the appropriate approach to negotiating total compensation in start-up environments. An experienced COO, she reflects on the early days of leaving way too much on the table, as well as pivoting to the other extreme. Don’t miss a lively chat on making the most of comp discussions, including gaining key information around the people and culture fit that are crucial to assessing if an opportunity is right for you (33:35). Tune in and learn how to navigate work and life while being invaluable and true to yourself. Molly’s thought for the week: “Make a choice to build a life you don’t regularly need to escape from.” —Venus Williams And—Molly invites you to check out her 1st LinkedIn Learning course, “Leadership Communication in the Flow of Work.” In this post, click on the LinkedIn Learning logo under the video (on the left) to access free for 24 hours. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mollytschang_sayitskillfully-communicationskills-passion-activity-7099873982077657088-L-qC?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Say It Skillfully® is the show where Molly Tschang expertly guides you in how to honestly speak your mind at work in the most positive and productive manner. In milestone Episode 200, Molly’s guest is her mentor, Marshall Goldsmith. An executive coach to some of the biggest CEOs in the world and an author and editor to 55 books with over 3-million copies sold, Marshall shares his wisdom inspired by his Buddhist practice. One of the earliest believers in Say It Skillfully®, Marshall says Molly’s dedication to effective communication stuck with him. Saying what you mean is the key to making a positive difference. Marshall talks about finding long-term happiness and using his Buddhist principles as a guiding star. Molly gets some live coaching from Marshall on the importance of happiness in the moment. He says people have to choose to be happy every day. Marshall speaks on how his Buddhist beliefs have impacted his coaching process, influencing his clients to “let go of the past, develop adaptability, and find joy in the present moment.” Molly and Marshall wrap up by talking about making a positive impact on other people’s lives and personal legacy! Tune in to hear about MarshallBot, and how Marshall Goldsmith envisions his technological alter-ego will live on. Molly’s thought for the week ( the 1st thing she learned from Marshall) Let it go.

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 199 features successful professionals and what’s top of mind for them. Chris kicks the show off, and Molly is thrilled to hear his growth from when he first joined her on January 7, 2020! He’s upfront about where he was—obsessing about the “title” before the person was getting inside his own head and holding him back. He opens up about his journey to greater self-awareness, and one of his challenges now, getting buy-in from team members. As he’s in project management, leading and navigating change is a constant, and Molly shares some tips. Next Kiera raises a common question, “How exactly do I know when to say something vs. just keep quiet because it’s not so big of a deal?” Molly and Kiera unpack a situation many can relate to—how to handle roommates with varying ideas of what “neat, clean and tidy” are! Kiera shares her learnings in considering others are “just like me” and offers how greater kindness toward herself helps her be more kind to others. “Transparency is your friend” is one of her top takeaways (19:15). Then Yody (thanks for taking Molly’s LinkedIn course!) is keen to push her boss, but not seem pushy! She is eager to build her technical skill, though an outreach to her boss for additional development has been unanswered. She and Molly consider different lenses for Jyoti to see the situation through, including how she can see herself differently. And she’s game on to actually record herself in order to gain awareness for how others might perceive her (36:45)! Tune in to these courageous human beings and learn how to navigate work and life while being invaluable and true to yourself.

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. In Episode 198, Molly is joined by her friend Jason Castano, a shining example of a young person who took the bull by the horns, found his passions and never stopped believing in what was possible. For Jason’s parents the only way to leave Colombia with hope of America was entrusting a total stranger with their lives and life savings to fly to Mexico, swim across a river at night with their young daughter, fly to California, and then to New York. His father made $3/hour washing dishes and his mother was a maid. Jason overwhelmingly recalls gratitude for their “hard work” and a happy childhood, always having what he needed. Admittedly shy, skinny and insecure as a child, Jason talks about being bullied and then transformed by being part of a karate fight team. He reflects about the opportunity to be top 8 out of 300 as the first time he really wanted something. The good fortune of joining a military program for high schoolers completed his metamorphosis to a self-confident, strong youth with a new lease on life. Hear how Jason played the long game in boldly embarking on his first career as a physical trainer, which took him on private jets and a chance to see the world. Living his core values with his clients, endless work ethic and penchant to always exceed expectations helped him break through. And in 2015 when a client offered him an opportunity to move into real estate, Jason found his “dream job” as portfolio asset manager and agent for River 2 River Realty. Hear how he now supports family members to immigrate and make better lives for themselves. Many nuggets to be gleaned from Jason’s journey! Don’t miss how he was “chest up, shoulders back” and always grateful when people entrusted him. Jason inspires us to be the very best versions of ourselves. Molly’s thought for the week – a quote from his uncle that keeps Jason alive and motivated, “Be a creature of progression”. p.s. Jason is on his way to leading with his full potential. To help you do the same, check out Molly’s 1st LinkedIn Learning course, “Leadership Communication in the Flow of Work.” Here’s the link for free 24-hr access bit.ly/3sETIgg

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 197 is the 39th monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field—helping everyone live to their full potential. The aim is for you to see a bit of yourself in these journeys, and embrace—we’re more similar than not. In this episode, Molly is joined by global humanitarian volunteer, Alison Thompson, whose journey inspires us to serve our community and world in ways we may never have imagined! Growing up in Australia, her father a preacher, Alison moved frequently in a missionary lifestyle and she found herself most comfortable in her early habitats of developing world and jungle.. She recalls her parents’ unconditional love and beaming love into the eyes of those in need, though she thought she’d grow up, have a candy store and four kids, vs. immerse herself in helping people in refugee camps! Along her way to her dream role, Alison’s career took her to nursing, math teacher, investment banker and film school. She implores, “Don’t be scared to take a new path!” On September 11th, 2001 Alison lost 64 friends and that day changed her life trajectory. She worked for 9 months as a first responder at Ground Zero and shares how she managed to cope and then to thrive after something so senseless. In founding “Third Wave Volunteers”—30,000 medical and non-medical volunteers on the ground responding to disasters globally—Alison takes you through mistakes, learnings and the highs and lows. Hear how each of us can make a difference! She shares her experience with large aid organizations and the power of a hug that doesn’t let go. Hers is a love story (and how she met the love of life—hear how they make their relationship work). No surprise, Alison believes that the secret to happiness is service to others. Don’t miss this moving episode. She inspires us all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves. Learn more and support here: https://thirdwavevolunteers.com/ (including her award-winning documentary “The Third Wave” that chronicles her volunteering in Sri Lanka after the tsunami and book). Molly’s thought for the week—Thank you Alison! “It’s easy to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it’s leadership to be at the wrong place at the right time. P.S. Alison leads to her full potential by communicating to influence and inspire! To help you do the same, I created my 1st LinkedIn Learning course, “Leadership Communication in the Flow of Work.” Here’s the link for free 24-hr access bit.ly/3sETIgg