UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Kenneth Pearson

Unboxing OD is your guide to making sense of Organizational Development - one thoughtful conversation at a time. Hosted by Kenneth Pearson, seasoned OD practitioner and author of The Flow of Five Tiers, this podcast unpacks the complexity of organizational life with clarity, compassion, and a bit of edge.  Whether you're an early-career OD professional, a leader trying to navigate change, or simply someone who believes workplaces can be more human, you'll find grounded insights and actionable takeaways here. While most episodes are solo deep dives into the fieldwork and philosophy behind OD, we also feature voices from the field, bringing in experts, newcomers, and those who challenge the status quo.  No jargon. No endless theory. Just practical wisdom, lived experience, and a steady focus on making organizations better for the people who keep them alive.  Ready to deepen your OD practice? Connect with Kenneth on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson or visit the Pearson & Pearson LLC website at www.pearsonpearson.llc.

  1. Episode 32: The OD Perspective on Wellness - A Conversation with Dr. Katina Sawyer

    4 DAYS AGO

    Episode 32: The OD Perspective on Wellness - A Conversation with Dr. Katina Sawyer

    In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson is joined by Dr. Katina Sawyer, co-founder of Workr Beeing, Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at the Eller College of Management, and co-author of Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives. Together, they explore the deeper meaning of workplace wellness - beyond programs, perks, and initiatives - and uncover how true well-being is built through leadership behavior, team culture, and daily interactions. Dr. Sawyer shares the research and real-world insights that inspired her book, discussing why so many wellness efforts fail to take root, how leadership directly shapes the health of an organization, and what OD professionals can do to align evidence-based practice with human-centered care. From redefining what it means to thrive at work, to rethinking the role of leadership in shaping wellness, this episode offers a refreshing, research-informed perspective on how organizations can move from performative gestures to authentic, sustainable cultures of care. If you’re an OD professional, leader, or HR practitioner ready to rethink what well-being truly looks like inside organizations, this is a conversation that will challenge and inspire your practice. Connect with Dr. Katina Sawyer: 🔹 LinkedIn: Katina Sawyer, Ph.D. | LinkedIn 🔹 Website: https://workrbeeing.com/ 🔹 Book: Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives - https://workrbeeing.com/book ... and available wherever books are sold. Ask us a question! Support the show SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2430745/support CONNECT WITH KENNETH: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson Pearson & Pearson LLC: www.pearsonpearson.llc E-Mail: info@pearsonpearson.llc TO ORDER "THE FLOW OF FIVE TIERS": Buy The Flow of Five Tiers: A Framework for Structuring High-Functioning Organizations (20% Off) THE 21-DAY LEADERSHIP REALIGNMENT https://www.pearsonpearson.llc/21-day-leadership-realignment THE 1:1 PATHFINDING SESSION https://calendly.com/kenneth-pearson/pathfinding-session

    56 min
  2. Episode 31: Pop Culture, Real Lessons - Teaching Leadership with Dr. Sy Islam

    10 OCT

    Episode 31: Pop Culture, Real Lessons - Teaching Leadership with Dr. Sy Islam

    In this episode of Unboxing OD, host Kenneth Pearson sits down with Dr. Sy Islam - Co-Founder and Vice President of Consulting at Talent Metrics, and Associate Professor of Psychology at Farmingdale State College - to explore the art and science of leadership development. Dr. Islam shares his insights on how organizations can better support middle managers, why data-driven decisions need a human lens, and how integrity in action separates good leaders from great ones. Together, they discuss the quiet challenges of leadership transitions, the psychology behind motivation and self-efficacy, and the importance of building leadership programs that actually sustain impact over time. You’ll also hear how pop culture - from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to Avatar: The Last Airbender - can serve as a creative bridge for teaching timeless lessons about courage, ethics, and the complexity of leading others. Whether you’re an OD practitioner, L&D professional, or simply a leader navigating organizational change, this conversation offers grounded, practical insights you can apply immediately. ABOUT DR. SY ISLAM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sislam/ Website: www.talentmetrics.io Links to Books: Leaders Assemble! Leadership in the MCU Elements of Leadership: Lessons from Avatar the Last Airbender Ask us a question! Support the show SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2430745/support CONNECT WITH KENNETH: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson Pearson & Pearson LLC: www.pearsonpearson.llc E-Mail: info@pearsonpearson.llc TO ORDER "THE FLOW OF FIVE TIERS": Buy The Flow of Five Tiers: A Framework for Structuring High-Functioning Organizations (20% Off) THE 21-DAY LEADERSHIP REALIGNMENT https://www.pearsonpearson.llc/21-day-leadership-realignment THE 1:1 PATHFINDING SESSION https://calendly.com/kenneth-pearson/pathfinding-session

    1h 14m
  3. Episode 30: Hustling With Heart - Jenn Stevens on Presence, Ownership, and Developing Leaders from Any Seat

    26 SEPT

    Episode 30: Hustling With Heart - Jenn Stevens on Presence, Ownership, and Developing Leaders from Any Seat

    In this episode of Unboxing OD, I sit down with Jenn Stevens, an Organizational Development leader whose path into this work is anything but conventional. From firefighter to yoga studio owner to executive coach and L&D leader in tech, Jenn’s story reflects a career stitched together by one consistent thread: a deep commitment to people.  We talk about what it really means to “hustle with heart” - bringing both drive and presence into the work. Jenn shares why presence is the true differentiator in leadership, how she’s built teams with a 100% promotion rate, and the simple but powerful practices that sustain real development: weekly one-on-ones that never get canceled, rotating leadership opportunities, and strengths-based stretch assignments that let people grow into their potential.  This isn’t just theory. Jenn gets candid about the difference between checking the box on development and actually investing in people, why advocating behind closed doors matters, and how the advice to “lead from the seat you’re in” transformed her approach to ownership and leadership.  If you’re looking for a grounded, human perspective on how to develop leaders at every level, this is a conversation worth listening to.  Connect with Jenn Stevens: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-stevens-ms/Website: https://presenceod.com/ Ask us a question! Support the show SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2430745/support CONNECT WITH KENNETH: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson Pearson & Pearson LLC: www.pearsonpearson.llc E-Mail: info@pearsonpearson.llc TO ORDER "THE FLOW OF FIVE TIERS": Buy The Flow of Five Tiers: A Framework for Structuring High-Functioning Organizations (20% Off) THE 21-DAY LEADERSHIP REALIGNMENT https://www.pearsonpearson.llc/21-day-leadership-realignment THE 1:1 PATHFINDING SESSION https://calendly.com/kenneth-pearson/pathfinding-session

    1h 14m
  4. Episode 29: Strategic Clarity, Leadership, and AI - Marcus Dudley on Modern Leadership in the Digital Age

    19 SEPT

    Episode 29: Strategic Clarity, Leadership, and AI - Marcus Dudley on Modern Leadership in the Digital Age

    In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson is joined by Marcus Dudley, leadership and organizational consultant, executive coach, professor, and CEO of Mammoth Leadership and Organizational Development. With over three decades of experience spanning the military, sports, nonprofits, and business, Marcus brings a direct, no-fluff perspective on what modern leaders need most.  The conversation explores why so many leadership development programs fall short, the importance of strategic clarity, and how to spot and eliminate “performance drag” — the invisible weight that slows leaders and teams down. Kenneth and Marcus also discuss the overlap and distinction between management and leadership, the ripple effects of stress and growth from workplace to home, and why understanding AI has become a critical leadership skill.  Whether you’re an OD practitioner, an HR leader, or simply someone curious about what makes leadership effective in today’s world, this episode offers practical insights grounded in real-world experience.  Connect with Marcus Dudley:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusdudley/ Website: www.mammothdevelopment.com Modern Leadership Scorecard: https://modernleadership.scoreapp.com Book Mammoth Success: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHBZR3RG  Ask us a question! Support the show SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2430745/support CONNECT WITH KENNETH: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson Pearson & Pearson LLC: www.pearsonpearson.llc E-Mail: info@pearsonpearson.llc TO ORDER "THE FLOW OF FIVE TIERS": Buy The Flow of Five Tiers: A Framework for Structuring High-Functioning Organizations (20% Off) THE 21-DAY LEADERSHIP REALIGNMENT https://www.pearsonpearson.llc/21-day-leadership-realignment THE 1:1 PATHFINDING SESSION https://calendly.com/kenneth-pearson/pathfinding-session

    1h 19m
  5. Episode 28: The Invisible Medal - Leading with a Higher Purpose with Chris Richie

    5 SEPT

    Episode 28: The Invisible Medal - Leading with a Higher Purpose with Chris Richie

    In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson sits down with Colonel Chris Ritchie, retired United States Marine Corps officer and Director of Human Resource Development at Auburn University. Across his career, Chris has led organizations from small teams to global commands and now designs leadership and performance development programs that reach thousands of employees.  Their conversation explores the shift from success to significance -- how true leadership lives not in accolades, but in the invisible medals we earn when we connect with others, build trust, and help people discover their own purpose. Together, they reflect on performance development as a human-centered practice, the role of reflection in leadership, and the ways small choices leave lasting traces.  Learn more about Chris’ book The Invisible Medal: Leading with a Higher Purpose at www.invisiblemedal.com Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-richie-usmc/ This is an episode about values, presence, and impact -- reminding us that the legacy we leave isn’t written in titles, but in the lives we touch along the way.  Ask us a question! Support the show SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2430745/support CONNECT WITH KENNETH: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson Pearson & Pearson LLC: www.pearsonpearson.llc E-Mail: info@pearsonpearson.llc TO ORDER "THE FLOW OF FIVE TIERS": Buy The Flow of Five Tiers: A Framework for Structuring High-Functioning Organizations (20% Off) THE 21-DAY LEADERSHIP REALIGNMENT https://www.pearsonpearson.llc/21-day-leadership-realignment THE 1:1 PATHFINDING SESSION https://calendly.com/kenneth-pearson/pathfinding-session

    1h 12m

  6. 25 AUG

    Episode 27: Unspoken Truths, Quiet Legacies - Five Reflections on Work and Self

    This episode of Unboxing OD is something different. Instead of frameworks or methodologies, Kenneth offers a deeply personal reflection told in five movements -- exploring the hidden labor of showing up at work while holding parts of ourselves back, the unspoken space between people, and the truths we carry but often leave unsaid.  Across these movements, Kenneth reflects on what it means to return to ourselves and to each other, and the quieter legacies we leave behind in the trace of our presence.  If you’ve ever felt yourself negotiating between the role you play at work and the person you truly are, or if you’ve carried the quiet ache of words left unspoken, this episode may meet you where you are.  Ask us a question! Support the show SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2430745/support CONNECT WITH KENNETH: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson Pearson & Pearson LLC: www.pearsonpearson.llc E-Mail: info@pearsonpearson.llc TO ORDER "THE FLOW OF FIVE TIERS": Buy The Flow of Five Tiers: A Framework for Structuring High-Functioning Organizations (20% Off) THE 21-DAY LEADERSHIP REALIGNMENT https://www.pearsonpearson.llc/21-day-leadership-realignment THE 1:1 PATHFINDING SESSION https://calendly.com/kenneth-pearson/pathfinding-session

    17 min
  7. Episode 26: The Inner Work of Leadership - A Conversation with Poor Bear Chalepah

    19 AUG

    Episode 26: The Inner Work of Leadership - A Conversation with Poor Bear Chalepah

    In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson sits down with Poor Bear Chalepah, consultant, visionary leader, and soon-to-be PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. As a proud member of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, Poor Bear shares his journey across industries -- from railroads and welding to organizational psychology, and the lessons that shaped his approach to leadership, belonging, and growth.  Together, Kenneth and Poor Bear explore what it means to move beyond the buzzwords of inclusion, how authentic leaders create space for stories and cultures to thrive, and why the inner work of leadership is as vital as any strategy. Along the way, they talk about code switching, cultural belonging, growth mindsets, and the challenges of breaking barriers as an Indigenous scholar and practitioner.  This conversation is both practical and deeply human, offering insight into how leaders can meet people where they are and build organizations that honor authenticity and belonging.  ABOUT POOR BEAR CHALEPAH: Poor-Bear brings a wealth of experience across various industries, specializing in leadership and organizational development. He is a visionary committed to helping others build not just great, but phenomenal companies. He is a proud member of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma and actively engaged in Indigenous life. Deeply devoted to his wife, Serena, and daughter, Averie, he centers his work in family and purpose. Poor-Bear will soon earn his Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Keiser University, joining the fewer than 0.01% of Indigenous people who hold a doctorate in this field.  CONNECT WITH POOR BEAR CHALEPAH ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-poor-bear-chalepah-029610220/  CONGENIALITY CONSULTING LLC:  https://sites.google.com/view/congenialityconsultingllc?usp=sharing  Ask us a question! Support the show SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2430745/support CONNECT WITH KENNETH: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson Pearson & Pearson LLC: www.pearsonpearson.llc E-Mail: info@pearsonpearson.llc TO ORDER "THE FLOW OF FIVE TIERS": Buy The Flow of Five Tiers: A Framework for Structuring High-Functioning Organizations (20% Off) THE 21-DAY LEADERSHIP REALIGNMENT https://www.pearsonpearson.llc/21-day-leadership-realignment THE 1:1 PATHFINDING SESSION https://calendly.com/kenneth-pearson/pathfinding-session

    1h 2m

  8. 11 AUG

    Episode 25: OD Burnout Is Real - Protecting Your Capacity in the Work That Holds So Much

    In this solo episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson steps into a conversation that many OD practitioners feel but rarely name -- burnout. Not the surface-level fatigue that comes after a long week, but the deep, layered exhaustion that comes from holding space for others, navigating resistant systems, and balancing the emotional labor that sits beneath our day-to-day work.  Kenneth unpacks how OD burnout shows up, why it builds over time, and the quiet cost of constantly staying present for everyone else while neglecting your own restoration. He shares signs to watch for, stories from the field, and practical strategies for protecting your capacity without sacrificing integrity.  This episode is both an honest acknowledgment of the weight this work can carry and a reminder that caring for yourself is not separate from your role -- it’s essential to it. Whether you are in the midst of your own exhaustion or want to prevent it, this conversation offers space, perspective, and tools for reclaiming your voice and your energy in the work you love.  Ask us a question! Support the show SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2430745/support CONNECT WITH KENNETH: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson Pearson & Pearson LLC: www.pearsonpearson.llc E-Mail: info@pearsonpearson.llc TO ORDER "THE FLOW OF FIVE TIERS": Buy The Flow of Five Tiers: A Framework for Structuring High-Functioning Organizations (20% Off) THE 21-DAY LEADERSHIP REALIGNMENT https://www.pearsonpearson.llc/21-day-leadership-realignment THE 1:1 PATHFINDING SESSION https://calendly.com/kenneth-pearson/pathfinding-session

    9 min
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About

Unboxing OD is your guide to making sense of Organizational Development - one thoughtful conversation at a time. Hosted by Kenneth Pearson, seasoned OD practitioner and author of The Flow of Five Tiers, this podcast unpacks the complexity of organizational life with clarity, compassion, and a bit of edge.  Whether you're an early-career OD professional, a leader trying to navigate change, or simply someone who believes workplaces can be more human, you'll find grounded insights and actionable takeaways here. While most episodes are solo deep dives into the fieldwork and philosophy behind OD, we also feature voices from the field, bringing in experts, newcomers, and those who challenge the status quo.  No jargon. No endless theory. Just practical wisdom, lived experience, and a steady focus on making organizations better for the people who keep them alive.  Ready to deepen your OD practice? Connect with Kenneth on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson or visit the Pearson & Pearson LLC website at www.pearsonpearson.llc.

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