The Rooted Leader - Minisodes for Leaders on the Go

Leader Journeys: Suzanne Summers, PhD - episode 24

Suzanne Summers spent her higher education career in highly diverse institutions in Texas, Indiana, and Maryland serving as a faculty member, academic dean, Assistant Vice President for Teaching and Learning, and Chief Academic Officer. Having begun her own college career as a community college transfer student, she is deeply committed to building resilient and thriving communities by expanding educational access and completion. She is a Fellow at the Gardner Institute, a national nonprofit committed to ensuring that all students succeed. She writes regularly about organizational change in higher education and is the founder of Collective Impact by Design, a consulting and coaching firm. On our podcast episode, we discuss the impact of the Northwestern University Designing for Organizational Effectiveness Certificate (DOEC, we refer to it a lot), and how the human-centered design approach is so effective for creating efficiencies, problem-solving and innovation. Get full access to The Rooted Leader at aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe [https://aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Leader Journeys: the Trailer

When I started The Rooted Leader Podcast, my eventual hope was to share stories of professionals who were reconsidering what their careers looked like. Most are mid-career, led successful careers that served them and their families well, until they didn’t. And, as I was navigating my own journey away from a 30-year corporate career (one that I was VERY grateful for), I found these stories comforting. I no longer felt alone in this desire to do more, to make an impact, and to live more into my values. And, none of us are done yet! We all want to learn, create or connect. I interview these guests, my friends, to share their journeys. From the initial tug to do something different, to exploring and experimenting. So, if you might be feeling these same things, join us. I hope that you see others exploring this phase of life with more meaning and purpose. As part of The Rooted Leader podcast series, the Leader Journeys shares these interviews with amazing career shifters making the world a better place. I'm lucky to call them my friends. Join us on Substack, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or where you find your favorite podcasts! Get full access to The Rooted Leader at aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe [https://aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Leader Journeys: E.J. Reedy - From the Federal Reserve to Creating Catalytic Communities

E.J. Reedy on Intentional Gravity: Fellowships, Ecosystem Building, and Nonlinear Careers in Midwest Innovation Kathleen hosts E.J. Reedy, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-j-reedy-42ab321/] founder and CEO of Intentional Gravity [https://www.intentionalgravity.com/] and director of platform at Pace Healthcare Capital, to discuss his nonlinear career and community-building work across Midwest tech and life sciences. E.J. describes himself as a connector focused on creating “resonance” and helping people and ecosystems grow through meaningful relationships, drawing on experience across the Fed, philanthropy, VC, and startups. He shares why he left full-time employment to gain independence, move faster, and pursue creative, impact-driven work after frustration affected his health. EJ explains Intentional Gravity as creating momentum that draws people together, and outlines his cohort-based fellowships, including Beyond the Bench and AI for Leaders, plus an iterated Chicago program now called Chicago Kaleidoscope. He reflects on experimentation, accepting one’s gifts, and finding joy in his son’s volleyball season. 00:00 Leader Journeys: Combining Innovation, Tech and Art for more Meaningful Connections 01:10 Welcome: Getting to Know E.J. 10:47 The Why Behind Intentional Gravity 17:08 Exploration and Iteration 22:12 Advice for Younger Self 25:01 Joy 26:09 Lightning Round Questions 27:24 Non-negotiable & Rest Ritual Get full access to The Rooted Leader at aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe [https://aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Leader Journeys: From Sales Executive to Chaplain with Amanda Byrd

In this episode of Leader Journeys, I talk with Amanda Byrd [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandasbyrd1/], a former corporate sales executive turned interfaith minister, executive coach, and hospice chaplain. She offers executive coaching and counseling with a spiritual lens. Amanda shares her "non-linear" journey toward a career of more meaning and truth. She shares her experiences, her continued education to lean more into what was driving her from within, after a very successful career in sales. We talk about the doubt that surfaces as we move into a new career not defined by title nor salary. We have a little fun talking about birds, the beach and a desire to read more fun books. 00:45 Welcome 01:59 Amanda Byrd, the Experimenter 03:53 Leaving Corporate Life 08:03 Taking care to replenish 10:33 Spirituality & Chaplaincy 13:11 Finding New Support Systems 14:41 Following a Long Career of Really Hard Work 15:28 Self-doubt & Identity 19:30 Advice to Others 23:47 Experimenting to find your path Get full access to The Rooted Leader at aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe [https://aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

S2, Ep 2 Leader Journeys: Sarah Brown, PhD

Kathleen Wisemandle interviews Sarah Brown, PhD, as the first guest on The Leader Journeys podcast, sharing how they met through a former community for leaders ready for a new chapter. Sarah, a school psychologist with a PhD and a two-time (soon three-time) author, describes her current threefold work: writing, speaking, and partnering closely with schools to improve outcomes by strengthening systems and supporting teachers, with a focus on ensuring all children learn to read. Her best-selling books are: * Effective Universal Instruction [https://www.guilford.com/books/Effective-Universal-Instruction/Gibbons-Brown-Niebling/9781462536832?srsltid=AfmBOoow0A6LjilctvdLqfzYIYKp17x2vyFHpHvc7Ej2vpZCwZcyQR1r] * MTSS for Reading Improvement [https://www.solutiontree.com/ca/mtss-for-reading-improvement.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=ST_Books_JUN25&utm_id=25BVGC-S4A&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20946934020&gbraid=0AAAAAD_DwHiy2EpsxykHqj4lo9JiVSmJL&gclid=Cj0KCQjws83OBhD4ARIsACblj18m6ZSBwk-Ws02sc54gsDOT6Km60Dalt9_FCfqBydCYPp7oPTGLd-oaAhAUEALw_wcB] She contrasts this with her prior role in educational technology and assessment, and explains her pivot was driven by valuing time differently after her father’s death, Zoom-heavy workdays, a desire for flexibility, and the need to write a book. They discuss fears about perception and steady work, boundary-setting, motivators like problem-solving and planning, inspirations and mentors, advice to treat experiences as building blocks, and Sarah’s “lightning round” preferences and non-negotiables. Get full access to The Rooted Leader at aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe [https://aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]