Edge of Excellence: Empowering People to Shape the Future

The Truth About Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is not rare. It is just often quiet. In this episode of Edge of Excellence, Jess DeForge and Bryon Beilman are joined by iuvo team members Derek Murphy [https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-murphy-743b113/] and Ken Hillstrom [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-hillstrom-2a5024154/] for an honest, relatable conversation about imposter syndrome, self-doubt, high performance, and growth. They explore how imposter feelings show up during career transitions, leadership moments, high-pressure work, and periods of rapid change. The conversation also looks at the role leaders play in creating cultures where people feel psychologically safe to learn, ask questions, make mistakes, and continue growing. This episode is for high performers, emerging leaders, managers, culture builders, and anyone who has ever felt like everyone else has it figured out. You do not need to eliminate imposter feelings to succeed. You need the right support, the right environment, and the confidence to keep moving forward anyway. To learn more about iuvo visit iuvotech.com [http://www.iuvotech.com]

Creativity Without a Deliverable Enabling Play, Balance & Trust at Work

In this episode of Edge of Excellence, Bryon Beilman and Jessica DeForge sit down with iuvo CIO Jesse McCain to explore a leadership idea that does not get enough attention: creativity without a deliverable. In a work culture often driven by constant output, metrics, and availability, Jesse offers a more human-centered perspective on what helps teams think, create, and perform sustainably. The conversation explores why play matters at work, how unstructured time supports innovation, and why trust and flexibility are not the opposite of accountability. Jesse shares thoughtful examples from his own leadership experience, including how exploration, psychological safety, work-life integration, and “loosening the reins” can help people do their best work without burning out. This episode is for leaders, managers, and professionals who want to build healthier, more creative, and higher-performing teams without measuring every moment by a deliverable.

What World-Class Support Feels Like: Creating a Culture Clients Remember

What does world-class support really feel like to the people receiving it? In this episode of Edge of Excellence, Bryon Beilman and Jessica DeForge sit down with Bethany Haley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brhaley/] to talk about the human side of exceptional service. The conversation explores how trust, empathy, communication, preparation, and team culture shape the client experience long before and long after a problem is solved. Bethany shares her perspective on what it means to make clients feel heard, supported, and confident, especially during stressful situations. The episode also looks at the invisible work behind great service, from documentation and follow-through to team collaboration and emotional intelligence. Whether you lead a team, work in a client-facing role, or want to create stronger customer relationships, this conversation offers practical takeaways for building a culture clients remember. Learn more about iuvo at iuvotech.com.

Data Before AI: Why Strong Data Foundations Unlock Scientific Innovation

Behind every successful AI initiative is something far less glamorous: strong data fundamentals. In this episode, we talk with Jacob Hesterman, Ph.D., Chief Data Officer at Ratio Therapeutics [https://ratiotx.com/], about how his team built a structured, governed data ecosystem from the ground up and why that foundation is now accelerating scientific discovery, efficiency, and collaboration across the organization. Jacob shares what it took to bring scientists from different disciplines around a shared data model, why full buy-in took two and a half years, and how that effort created a feedback loop that changed how the entire company operates. We also explore real examples of lab data flowing into analysis systems, how Ratio is positioned for AI because they invested in fundamentals first, and why IT and data teams need to work hand in hand. Whether you're a data leader, a CIO supporting research teams, or just trying to figure out where AI fits into your organization, this conversation is a great place to start. Learn more at iuvotech.com [https://www.iuvotech.com/]. Mentioned in this episode: * Ratio Therapeutics [https://ratiotx.com/] * Merlin bird ID app [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi8htnOzZCUAxWdMlkFHdYfKOkQFnoECCYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmerlin.allaboutbirds.org%2F&usg=AOvVaw0eSU-TVR7882MtfgJVK8Ch&opi=89978449] * Mass Audubon [https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwi8oOvbzZCUAxVvRUcBHRcMDrIYACICCAEQABoCcXU&co=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtcHPBhADEiwAWo3sJuzNY_75K9MA4zGPh17vW2iuNMCw9sr6JynnzyOu42z-1qrx6Yu4bBoCiEgQAvD_BwE&cid=CAASugHkaCtAy3uo7w0CDT75sNZ61Y9BbN2OEBMQSpS9lWTNvPI6TlVN3aRiFkworGxCqg-8hp59ZJreBvrVPlrD8ePnZf6I_QmcC1Fl3qiwUFeiR2obyN_haORbugo6K9JXjabLolQJrJ9JN5wbJDIbcDCordgtOzSsA_nsWMqxbKMY0xAeue3q05UMf5h3aTJ9AFfq3D1IMTPDcl6-9W8TRl4T-l5aGz21CGXNsgKfHf80OoorgyAAvyj0vKM&cce=2&sig=AOD64_3R4DQcR31ZSY7K7ptNDpENgCaAyw&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwjbkuXbzZCUAxVfEVkFHdIXI8EQ0Qx6BAgXEAE]

Rewrite Your Story: Intuition, Reinvention & the Power of Narrative

We all live inside stories, about who we are, what we're capable of, and what's "realistic." But what if those stories aren't fixed? In this episode of Edge of Excellence, hosts Jess DeForge and Bryon Beilman sit down with Dora Farkas, Ph.D. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorafarkas/], Director of Business Development at Connex Ecommerce [https://connexecommerce.com/], author, storyteller, and leadership advisor, to explore how intuition and narrative drive meaningful change in careers, leadership, and life. Dora shares how she built a six-figure consulting business as a stay-at-home mom, what her experience with mental health during her Ph.D. taught her about trusting herself, and how she helped a B2B company shift from a product-focused pitch to a compelling human story. She also opens up about her fiction trilogy — Choice and Lost Illusion — and what she's discovering as she writes the third book. This conversation covers the neuroscience behind intuition, the strategic power of storytelling, and practical ways to access both, whether you're leading a team, navigating a pivot, or just ready to rewrite your own narrative. Dora's Links * DoraFarkas.com  [https://dorafarkas.com/] Dora's Books * "The Smart Way" to Your PhD  [https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Way-Your-Ph-D-Graduates/dp/0982109202] * Choice  [https://www.amazon.com/Choice-Dora-Farkas-ebook/dp/B0CV91SVRG] * Lost Illusion  [https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Illusion-Choice-Dora-Farkas/dp/B0FN86YZLV/] * The $20 SaaS Company  [https://www.amazon.com/20-SaaS-Company-Figures-without-ebook/dp/B096SW23Z8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JDJC0JLHK190&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YqWP9vVYml_fGffNqEDl5Q.gJQ5Dg2pNILeg7GsiwNmj4E2Cj1ImQQm2Zz7UICT-qQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+%2420+SaaS+company&qid=1776176262&s=digital-text&sprefix=the+20+saas+compan%2Cdigital-text%2C134&sr=1-1]