Surviving a Merger Without Losing Yourself

When Strategy Meets Humanity: Leading Through Real Change

Summary: This episode is a masterclass in leading transformation without gutting the soul of the organization. Elizabeth unpacks how to honor identity, bring stakeholders along early, and make smart, reversible bets (pilots!)—all while balancing business outcomes with human realities. Elizabeth Lepkowski is a Chief Learning Officer operating at the intersection of strategy, learning, and culture. She oversees education programs, clinical standards and guidelines, and publications—translating complex, stakeholder-heavy work into real-world impact. Chapters: 00:00 – When change feels like an identity loss 04:00 – The messy middle of transformation (and why it’s worth it) 08:00 – Balancing business decisions with relationships that matter 12:00 – Onboarding into a storm: listening tours and context gathering 16:00 – Mapping stakeholders and sequencing engagement 20:00 – The inner circle: finding trusted truth-tellers 24:00 – Rethinking “how things have always been done” 28:00 – Culture as a constraint—and an accelerant 32:00 – Pilots, reversibility, and creating safety for change 36:00 – Lessons learned: courage, feedback, and the long game Host Alexa Beavers: linkedin.com/in/alexabeaverspmp [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexabeaverspmp?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BuBroyrEsRb6xNOHggvehbw%3D%3D] Guest Elizabeth Lepkowski : linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-ball-lepkowski [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-ball-lepkowski?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B9vGOU852SgqOyftWq3Y7PQ%3D%3D] Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjimk?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B563ZGu3eQIC34GZ%2FZ7SqPA%3D%3D] Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

Allyship at Work: Trust First, Action Always

Summary: Dr. Victoria “Dr. V” Mattingly is an organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, and author of Act Like an Ally / Work With an Ally—a two-in-one book that helps allies and partners build trust-based relationships that close inequality gaps at work. She blends candid stories with science-backed tactics to move companies beyond checkbox DEI into lasting culture change. We all know people who call themselves allies. This conversation is about how to act like one—especially when ego and “policy” collide. Dr. V shares a painful early-founder moment: sending a “standard” NDA that created hidden barriers for a prospective Black partner, then doubling down instead of listening. Together we unpack what real allyship requires—trust first, partnership always, and action over labels. Chapters: 00:00 — Labels vs. Actions: What “ally” really means 02:00 — The NDA misstep: when policy becomes a barrier 07:00 — Partnership over performance: allyship in action 10:00 — Trust first, paperwork later 16:00 — “Privilege” without the eye-roll: a clearer definition 22:00 — Allyship is behavior, not identity 30:00 — The flip-book: Act Like an Ally / Work With an Ally 34:00 — How to connect with Dr. V 35:00 — Closing: earn the label Host Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjimk/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bv0M9qRB6QiOD%2Bd%2FMzQEctA%3D%3D] Guest Dr. Victoria Mattingly: linkedin.com/in/vpmattingly [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vpmattingly/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BOFXbRm6lRGmerzx9ITZ1SA%3D%3D] Executive Producer Shannon Cornelison: linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BImkDUwq9S8qTtUOdLes1bA%3D%3D] Creative Advisor Dr. Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjimk/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bv0M9qRB6QiOD%2Bd%2FMzQEctA%3D%3D] Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

Surviving a Merger Without Losing Yourself

Summary: Ralph Kellogg is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Lutheran Family Services (Omaha, NE), an adjunct instructor (Bellevue University; University of Nebraska at Omaha), a mentor with HRAM, and the founder of Connection Points Consulting. He’s a published writer (Forbes, HR Gazette, SHRM Blog), a TEDx Omaha speaker, and a frequent presenter at regional and national HR conferences—bringing a candid, human-first lens to inclusion, culture, and mental health at work. Ralph takes us inside a merger-era nightmare: after a manager pushes him to disclose his sexual orientation, he’s assured support—then quietly cut during consolidation. What follows is a raw look at betrayal, survival-mode overperformance, anxiety and panic attacks, and the hard-won clarity that your worth isn’t your output. The conversation doubles as a playbook for anyone navigating acquisitions, identity, and mental health at work. Chapters: 00:00 — The moment everything flipped (news delivered; shock, grief, and silence) 05:00 — The interrogation (manager pushes a disclosure; “I’m an ally”) 10:00 — No legal protection, real fear (working while bracing for the axe) 16:00 — The Monday meeting (projects re-assigned → “there won’t be a place for you”) 21:00 — Getting help (diagnosis; CBT; meds; reframing) 27:00 — Authenticity beyond output (bring the whole human, set boundaries) 35:00 — How to reach Ralph (open invite to continue the conversation) Host Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjimk/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bv0M9qRB6QiOD%2Bd%2FMzQEctA%3D%3D] Guest Ralph Kellogg: linkedin.com/in/ralphkellogg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphkellogg/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bl1wEzEdzQBGWOUqBngsn7g%3D%3D] Executive Producer Shannon Cornelison: linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BImkDUwq9S8qTtUOdLes1bA%3D%3D] Creative Advisor Dr. Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjimk/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bv0M9qRB6QiOD%2Bd%2FMzQEctA%3D%3D] Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

From Imposter to Architect

Summary: TJ Lintz is an HR and organizational development executive with deep experience in talent, transformation, and building high-performing teams. He currently serves as a senior HR leader at Doka USA and holds graduate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. TJ has just released a book he has contributed a chapter to; Leaders as Architects of Change: Designing Organizations for Connection and Resilience in Times of Uncertainty, now available on Amazon and other online retailers. The book explores how leaders can intentionally design organizations that foster trust, connection, and resilience—especially in moments of uncertainty and change. In this episode, TJ shares a defining moment from his leadership journey—walking into a high-stakes meeting to pitch a nationwide transformation and being stopped just minutes in. What could have been a career-derailing moment became one of his most powerful learning experiences. TJ reflects on how being challenged around stakeholder alignment reshaped the way he leads, builds consensus, and creates space for others to contribute. Together, we explore imposter syndrome, the power of listening, and how true leaders turn moments of tension into opportunities for collective brilliance. Chapters: 00:00 — The “big room” and early jitters 02:00 — Set-up: a high-stakes transformation and pitch 10:00 — Designing a North America–wide training rollout 13:00 — The sting and the lesson (CEO lets the moment teach) 17:00 — Quieting imposter syndrome; start the one-on-ones 26:00 — Use silence; call people in 31:00 — Results: six-month tour and culture shift 35:00 — Where to find TJ + 2026 book teaser Host Alexa Beavers: linkedin.com/in/alexabeaverspmp [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexabeaverspmp/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B6GHlkxm5Q%2F%2BmSBsCz4amhw%3D%3D] Guest TJ Lintz: linkedin.com/in/tjlintz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlintz/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B8ZnRk2PoStS8wg%2Fx6FsL9A%3D%3D] Executive Producer Shannon Cornelison: linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BImkDUwq9S8qTtUOdLes1bA%3D%3D] Creative Advisor Dr. Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjimk/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bv0M9qRB6QiOD%2Bd%2FMzQEctA%3D%3D] Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

From Imposter to Credible: Win the Room with One-on-Ones

Summary: Kate Manahan is the Chief People Officer at BusPatrol, an AI-powered safety tech company keeping kids safe on and around school buses. She previously led People & Culture at Built Technologies and spent 15 years at Bridgewater Associates shaping a feedback-driven culture. Off the field, she’s a mom of three, softball coach, and Little League board member—aka a CPO at work and at home. Your first big-room at-bat doesn’t come with a safety net. Kate shares how she was tapped to lead Total Rewards overnight, walked into a skeptical boardroom, and learned to swap “have the answer” for “find the best answer.” We break down buying time without bluffing, over-preparing for credibility, the power of one-on-one syndication before the meeting, and the twin engines of career acceleration: a champion who speaks for you and an internal mantra—“you are wildly capable.” Chapters: 00:00 — First big-room at-bat: fear, stakes, and mindset 03:00 — “You’re in charge now”: thrown into Total Rewards 09:00 — Buying time without bluffing; over-preparing for credibility 12:00 — Sponsor power: the 15-minute pause that changed the room 18:00 — Politics → people dynamics: empathy as operating system 22:00 — Don’t get defensive: the assertive + open-minded balance 26:00 — Career acceleration: why “not knowing” gets less scary 28:00 — Connect with Kate (LinkedIn) + host takeaway Host Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjimk/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bv0M9qRB6QiOD%2Bd%2FMzQEctA%3D%3D] Guest Kate Souza Manahan: linkedin.com/in/katesouzamanahan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katesouzamanahan/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bcd96RCdhRyyulQwRIpP7bw%3D%3D] Executive Producer Shannon Cornelison: linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BImkDUwq9S8qTtUOdLes1bA%3D%3D] Creative Advisor Dr. Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjimk/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bv0M9qRB6QiOD%2Bd%2FMzQEctA%3D%3D] Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka