Dr. Nan Cowardin-Lee, PhD – The Workplace Bullying Strategist Helping Employees Build Resilience

Dr. Nan Cowardin-Lee, PhD – The Workplace Bullying Strategist Helping Employees Build Resilience

In this episode of the Marquis Masters Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Nan Cowardin-Lee, organizational psychologist, workplace bullying strategist, and author of 10 Steps to Overcome Workplace Bullying: From Recognition to Resilience. Drawing from decades of research and personal experience, Dr. Nan helps employees and organizations recognize the hidden patterns of workplace bullying, build resilience, and create healthier workplace cultures. After experiencing workplace bullying herself, Dr. Nan transformed adversity into purpose, earning her PhD in Organizational Psychology and dedicating her career to supporting employees navigating toxic work environments. Today, she advocates for stronger workplace protections, develops resilience training programs, and works to advance legislation addressing workplace bullying in the United States. As workplace stress, organizational change, and AI-driven disruption continue reshaping the modern workforce, Dr. Nan explains why bullying has become increasingly common—and why leaders play a critical role in reversing the trend. In this conversation, we explore: * How to distinguish workplace bullying from normal conflict and incivility * Why high-performing employees are often the primary targets of workplace bullies * The psychology behind mobbing, exclusion, and toxic workplace dynamics * Why documenting patterns of behavior is critical when facing workplace bullying * The misconceptions many employees have about Human Resources * How healthy boundaries and resilience can reduce a bully's influence * Practical strategies for leaders to build psychologically safe workplace cultures * The impact of AI, organizational change, and economic uncertainty on workplace behavior * Why coaching, onboarding, and kindness are essential leadership skills * How Dr. Nan turned one of the most difficult experiences of her life into a mission to help others Dr. Nan's message is both practical and hopeful: while workplace bullying can have lasting emotional and professional consequences, employees are not powerless. Through stronger boundaries, healthier leadership, and greater awareness, organizations can build cultures where people thrive instead of merely survive. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us continue sharing conversations with leaders, innovators, and experts who are creating meaningful impact in business, science, leadership, and society.

Dr. Richard Linowes: How Can Education Help You Discover Your Purpose?

In this episode of the Marquis Masters podcast, host Nick Franck sits down with Dr. Richard Linowes, president and founding professor of Clarewood University, for a thoughtful conversation about education, leadership, and living a purpose-driven life. Drawing from a remarkable career that has spanned international business, investment banking, academia, and government, Dr. Linowes reflects on how experiences outside the classroom shaped his philosophy as an educator. From working with Panasonic in Japan and Goldman Sachs in New York to teaching students from around the world, he shares why education should extend far beyond textbooks to prepare students for meaningful careers and fulfilling lives. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Linowes explores the importance of developing global perspectives, ethical leadership, and practical life skills alongside academic knowledge. He discusses how bringing current events, financial markets, and leadership exercises into the classroom helps students better understand the interconnected world they will enter after graduation. Emphasizing that "character is destiny," he explains why integrity remains one of the most valuable lessons any educator can teach. Dr. Linowes also shares how decades of staying connected with former students have reinforced his belief that education is most impactful when it encourages individuals to identify their passions, discover their purpose, and confidently pursue the lives they envision. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Linowes reflects on the personal experiences that continue to inspire him. He discusses the influence of his family's commitment to business and public service, the lessons he has learned through parenting, and his lifelong appreciation for music, gardening, and community involvement. Whether singing with a chorus, cultivating flowers inspired by his time in Japan, or mentoring former students long after graduation, he demonstrates that learning is a lifelong pursuit built on curiosity, service, and meaningful relationships. Throughout the episode, Dr. Linowes reminds listeners that success is measured not only by professional achievement, but by the positive impact we have on the people and communities around us. This conversation explores: * The value of combining real-world experience with classroom learning. * Why integrity and character are essential qualities of effective leaders. * How international experiences shape leadership and broaden perspectives. * The importance of helping students discover purpose beyond career preparation. * Lessons on family, music, gardening, and lifelong learning that extend beyond the classroom. Discover how a lifetime of global experiences, leadership, and teaching has shaped Dr. Richard Linowes' belief that education is most powerful when it helps people find purpose, build character, and create meaningful lives. Links Mentioned in This Episode https://clarewooduniversity.org/ [https://clarewooduniversity.org/] https://marquiswhoswho.com/ [https://marquiswhoswho.com/] For more information about the Marquis Masters Podcast and other honorees, visit marquiswhoswho.com. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more listeners discover stories from leaders shaping industries and improving lives.

Ann Marie Bahr: Why Liberal Arts Education Still Matters in a Changing World

In this episode of the Marquis Masters podcast, host Nick Franck sits down with Dr. Ann Marie Bahr, retired professor emerita of religious studies and former faculty member at South Dakota State University. After spending three decades teaching and mentoring students, Ann Marie reflects on her unconventional academic journey—from studying geology and geophysics to ultimately finding her calling in religious studies. She shares how her wide-ranging intellectual curiosity led her to a discipline that allowed her to explore history, philosophy, culture, and the human experience through a multidisciplinary lens. Throughout the conversation, Ann Marie discusses her passion for liberal arts education and her growing concern about its decline in modern higher education. She argues that while career-focused training is important, society also needs citizens equipped with the critical thinking, communication, and civic engagement skills fostered through the liberal arts. Ann Marie advocates for lifelong, accessible education that empowers individuals to better understand complex social issues, engage in meaningful dialogue, and contribute positively to their communities. Drawing from her experiences as an educator and scholar, she offers thoughtful perspectives on the role of education in strengthening democracy and promoting informed public discourse. Ann Marie also reflects on her personal journey, sharing lessons learned from a life guided more by curiosity than rigid planning. From growing up in a modest household to building a successful academic career, she explains how seemingly disconnected experiences eventually came together to create a meaningful path. She discusses her continued work as a writer, public intellectual, and community advocate, emphasizing the importance of staying engaged, remaining open to new ideas, and trusting that life's broader purpose often becomes clear only in hindsight. This conversation explores: * Ann Marie Bahr's unconventional path from geology and geophysics to religious studies. * The value of liberal arts education in developing informed, engaged citizens. * Why lifelong learning should be more accessible and community-focused. * The role of religious studies in understanding contemporary social and cultural challenges. * Lessons on curiosity, purpose, and finding meaning through a non-linear career journey. * The importance of civic engagement, public dialogue, and lifelong intellectual growth. Discover why Dr. Ann Marie Bahr believes curiosity, lifelong learning, and liberal arts education remain essential tools for navigating an increasingly complex world. For more information about the Marquis Masters Podcast and other honorees, visit marquiswhoswho.com. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more listeners discover stories from leaders shaping ideas, strengthening communities, and creating meaningful change.

Renee Tyer Goodwin: From Offshore Engineering to Teaching Life Lessons Through Storytelling

In this episode of the Marquis Masters podcast, host Nick Franck sits down with Renee Tyer-Goodwin, a former petroleum engineer, business owner, educator, and children's author. Renee shares her remarkable journey from becoming the first female offshore drilling engineer supervisor for British Petroleum in the Gulf of Mexico to founding her own oil and gas company and, ultimately, creating the GG Life Lessons Storybook Series. Inspired by her beloved Cane Corso, GG, Renee discovered a new calling in children's literature, combining her passion for teaching with storytelling that helps young readers develop character, confidence, and compassion. Throughout the conversation, Renee discusses how her experiences in education, engineering, and entrepreneurship shaped her approach to writing. She explains how GG became the inspiration behind a growing collection of books focused on themes such as teamwork, friendship, kindness, responsibility, faith, and appreciation for the world around us. Renee reflects on the joy of connecting with children through school visits and community events, sharing how their enthusiasm and curiosity continue to motivate her work. Renee also opens up about the influence of family, education, and mentorship throughout her life. She reflects on her pioneering career in the oil and gas industry, the lessons she learned as a business owner, and her belief that character is formed early in childhood. Looking ahead, Renee shares her ambitious vision for the future of the GG brand, including animated television projects and expanding the reach of her stories to inspire children around the world. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that it's never too late to pursue a new dream and make a meaningful impact on the next generation. This conversation explores: * Renee Tyer Goodwin's transition from petroleum engineering and business ownership to children's literature. * The inspiration behind the GG Life Lessons Storybook Series. * Teaching values such as teamwork, friendship, kindness, faith, and responsibility through storytelling. * The importance of childhood development and character formation. * How family, education, and mentorship shaped Renee's personal and professional success. * The role of community engagement, school visits, and educational outreach. * Renee's vision for expanding GG into animated entertainment and other creative projects. Learn how Renee Tyer-Goodwin transformed a groundbreaking career in engineering and entrepreneurship into a mission-driven storytelling platform that inspires children through life lessons, imagination, and character-building adventures. For more information about the Marquis Masters Podcast and other honorees, visit marquiswhoswho.com. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more listeners discover stories from leaders shaping industries and improving lives.

Mattielyn Williams: A Life of Law, Faith, and Service Through Changing Paths

In this episode of the Marquis Masters podcast, host Nick Franck sits down with Mattielyn Williams, a retired administrative judge who made history as the first African-American woman to serve in that role within the Tennessee Department of State’s Administrative Procedures Division. Mattielyn reflects on a deeply unconventional academic and professional journey that began at Yale University, where she studied psychology with an initial plan to pursue medicine, ministry, and law simultaneously. Her path eventually narrowed into law and public service, shaped by a growing clarity that her true calling was rooted in helping people through systems that impact everyday life. Throughout the conversation, Mattielyn shares insights into her extensive 26-year career as an administrative judge, where she presided over a wide range of cases—from Medicaid and licensing board disputes to environmental regulation, public safety, and land use conflicts. She explains the structure of Tennessee’s centralized administrative court system and reflects on the importance of hearing real-world cases involving real people with urgent needs. Mattielyn also discusses her earlier work in higher education during the desegregation era in Tennessee, where she helped support faculty integration and expand access to educational opportunities across historically segregated institutions. Looking back on her career and life, Mattielyn emphasizes the importance of service, mentorship, faith, and staying connected to community. She reflects on how growing up in Washington, D.C. during a turbulent time in American history shaped her lifelong commitment to civil rights, education, and advocacy. Now in retirement, she remains actively engaged in community service through organizations like the NAACP, her church, and various social initiatives, while also embracing personal joys such as bird watching, gardening, and spending time outdoors. Her story highlights a life guided by purpose, compassion, and a steady dedication to improving the lives of others. This conversation explores: * Mattielyn Williams’ unconventional academic path from psychology and pre-med at Yale to law and public service. * Her role as the first African-American woman administrative judge in Tennessee and the breadth of cases she handled. * The impact of Tennessee’s higher education desegregation efforts and her involvement in expanding access and equity. * How mentorship, networking, and early influences shaped her legal and public service career. * The importance of faith, community service, and lifelong civic engagement through retirement. Discover how Mattielyn Williams’ journey from aspiring minister and medical student to groundbreaking administrative judge was shaped by mentorship, historical change, and a lifelong commitment to justice, service, and community impact. For more information about the Marquis Masters Podcast and other honorees, visit marquiswhoswho.com. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more listeners discover stories from leaders shaping public institutions, advancing equity, and dedicating their lives to service.