HeadRoom with Dr. Rod Berger HeadRoom with Dr. Rod Berger

In this episode, we'll delve into leadership beyond the conventional, exploring Greg's pioneering leadership program that aims to break down silos and foster connections within upper-level management. We’ll hear about a participant who felt a deep sense of loss upon leaving the program proof of the powerful bonds it creates and learn about the transformative Hope Makers Collective, an inspiring initiative Greg helped to form, dedicated to training thousands to bring hope and positivity to the world.

Together, Greg and I will discuss the modern workplace's evolving landscape, the younger generation's shifting priorities, and the increasing importance of value alignment over pay. We'll touch on the challenges of remote and hybrid work environments and the rising mental health issues exacerbated by social media and technology. Greg also shares practical advice on fostering inclusive perspectives and making difficult, impactful choices in leadership, offering insights into the importance of human connections and personal interactions in today’s fast-paced world.

Join us as we unpack these vital topics and more with Greg Zlevor on this thought-provoking episode of HeadRoom.

Timestamps

00:00 Greg has diverse professional experience and passion.

05:11 Reflecting on authenticity and embracing life's messiness.

06:49 Learning to be kind, transparent, and assertive.

11:45 Language shaping trust, Midwest sensibility, connecting power.

15:32 Constructive dialogue key to building trust and progress.

19:31 New generation brings reversed power dynamics, isolation.

23:51 Radiologists connect better with photos, important in leadership.

27:13 Connecting people at work fosters organizational impact.

29:18 Phase 2 and 3 plan to bring hope.

Connect with Greg Zlevor
Website: https://www.hopemakerscollective.com/

Welcome to another enlightening episode of HeadRoom. Today, we're diving deep into a conversation with Kendra Davenport, the President and CEO of Easterseals. This pivotal organization champions equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities, veterans, and older adults. 

Dr. Rod Berger, your host, sets the stage for a discussion that spans the incredible impact of Easterseals, Kendra's journey through the nonprofit sector, and the broader implications of advocacy and leadership in nurturing an environment of support and engagement. Kendra shares personal stories and insights from her extensive experience, reflecting on the evolution of nonprofit work and the dynamic nature of service and leadership. 

Get ready to explore the fabric of dedication and the color of passion in today’s episode, where we delve into what it means to lead with purpose and influence meaningful change across communities.
Timestamps

00:00 Easterseals CEO Kendra Davenport advocates for equity.

06:02 Fundraiser for noble causes, focusing on impact.

08:49 Advocacy requires balancing passion and responsibility.

10:47 Challenges of running a successful nonprofit organization.

15:47 US cities lack accessibility; change needed. Awareness is crucial.

19:01 Serving a purpose benefits people, health, and communities.

23:49 Dedicated to Easterseals mission, changing industries for accessibility.

24:56 Best stories are accessible, you are vital.
Connect with Kendra Davenport
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendradavenport
Website: https://www.easterseals.com/

Welcome to another enlightening episode of HeadRoom, where we dive deep into personal growth and authentic success in today's rapidly changing professional landscape. I'm your host, Dr. Rod Berger, and today I'm joined by the insightful Rusty Gunther. Rusty, a passionate advocate for aligning life's work with personal values, shares his unique perspective on entrepreneurship, the significance of personal identity over professional roles, and the power of community support in achieving greatness. 

Together, we'll explore the essential role of mentorship, the transformative power of self-audit, and how understanding our "why" can profoundly impact our paths. Rusty will also reveal his journey through emotional intelligence, counterculture influences, and his hands-on approach to leadership. 

So, tune in as we unpack these themes and offer guidance on navigating the complexities of personal and professional evolution here on HeadRoom, brought to you by Brainlight and Old Soul.
Timestamps

00:00 Interviewing diverse individuals from various fields.

06:15 Appreciation for parenting and evolving voice perceptions.

07:44 Wife is a successful executive coach with a psychology background.

12:57 Pressure to succeed in a branded world.

16:34 Individual ownership versus the need for community.

19:47 Young people are frustrated by naturally successful professionals.

23:52 Get hands-on to lead effectively, and avoid detachment.

26:09 Navigating life's different perspectives and stages.

Connect with Rusty Gunther
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rustygunther/
Website: https://towerinsur.com/

Welcome to another episode of HeadRoom. This is your host, Dr. Rod Berger, and today, we have a truly out-of-this-world guest on the show. Buckle up as we join Astronaut John Shoffner on a voyage that transcends the atmosphere and delves into the emotional odyssey of realizing a lifelong dream.

From the moment of liftoff to the realization that being an astronaut comes with the weighty responsibility of representing humanity, John will share his transformative journey to the International Space Station. A path paved not just for personal fulfillment but to inspire and educate others, especially the younger generation, on the wonders of space.

We'll navigate the shifts in John's perspective that led to the birth of the Perseid Foundation, his poignant reflections on the sense of time and the regret of not absorbing every second in space, and the bittersweet longing to return amidst the exhilaration of new private spaceflight opportunities.

Plus, we'll explore the profound impact that private individuals can have on space research and humanitarian efforts. John's commitment to STEM and the power of art to convey the grandeur of the cosmos is sure to kindle a fire of curiosity and passion in all of us.

Join us as we delve into the heart of a man changed by space, driven by a desire to lift others up to the stars. This is HeadRoom, where the sky is not the limit but just the beginning.
Timestamps

00:00 John Shoffner: astronaut, advocate, and space enthusiast

07:00 20 years together, then a decision for space.

09:23 Rare, privileged experiences provoke existential reflection.

13:20 Utilizing orbit experiences for meaningful and educational interactions.

17:14 Discuss the impact of internal voice in space.

18:48 Cherishing brief moments and experiences in space.

22:53 Private astronaut program adds value through research.

25:19 Children's fascination with space and self-expression.

31:13 Interview with astronaut sparks desire for space.

32:23 Reflection on unity and impact of space travel.
Connect with Astronaut John Shoffner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpshoffner/
Website: https://www.axiomspace.com/

Welcome to the episode of HeadRoom. Today, we're diving deep into the transformative world of artificial intelligence with a trailblazing guest, Sarah Nagy, Co-Founder and CEO of SEEK AI. With an impressive background in finance and startups, Sarah has consistently stayed ahead of the curve, anticipating the seismic shifts in technology that would reshape our professional and personal landscapes long before generative AI became a buzzword.

In our conversation, Sarah shares her journey to founding SEEK AI, her eye-opening encounter with large language models like GPT-3, and her vision for how generative AI can unlock the potential of structured datasets. We'll challenge the notion that AI is a mere fad and explore its profound and permanent impact on human life and work, digging into the intricate dynamics between AI and the evolution of various industries.

So plug in, as we unravel how generative AI is not just rewriting code but also rewriting career paths, entrepreneurship, and the very fabric of society, right here on HeadRoom, where the future is an open conversation.

Stay tuned, this is a discussion you surely don't want to miss.

Timestamps

00:00 SEEK was founded before ChatGPT focused on AI.

05:41 Disliked writing SQL until I found GPT-3.

10:00 Surprising intellect, courage, and challenges for women.

12:36 Encourage making STEM cool for women, and inclusivity.

15:53 Addressing the impact of AI on professions.

19:41 AI impact on job market and education.

23:27 Learning code is crucial for future communication.

27:54 Tech innovation needs to embrace storytelling narrative.

30:51 Childhood passion for art transformed into ambition.

35:05 Prepare for changing careers due to AI.
Connect with Sarah Nagy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-nagy/
Website: https://www.seek.ai/mission

Jennifer Dulski has a wide range of executive experience, including leadership roles at Facebook, Google, and Yahoo! and founder, CEO, and president roles at early-stage and scaling startups. She is currently CEO and founder of Rising Team, a company that provides tools, data, and community to turn managers into amazing coaches who build happier and more successful teams.
Prior to her current venture, Jennifer Dulski made a significant impact at Facebook. She led Facebook Groups, a platform used by over 1.5 billion people monthly to create and engage in meaningful communities. Her team was instrumental in envisioning, building, and growing the Groups product. She also spearheaded the 2019 redesign of Facebook, “FB5,” which placed communities at the heart of the app.
Before Facebook, Dulski was president and COO of Change.org, a social enterprise company that empowers people to create campaigns for change. Under her leadership, Change.org grew 10x, from 18 million users to 180 million, developed a profitable business model, rebuilt its tech stack, and supported thousands of successful campaigns globally.
Jennifer Dulski's entrepreneurial journey began at Yahoo!, where she held various roles over nine years. Her tenure culminated in her leadership of one of six business units as group vice president and general manager of Local and Marketplaces. She then ventured out to co-found The Dealmap, a location-based deals app that was acquired by Google in 2011, making her the first woman entrepreneur to sell a company to Google. She later served as a product leader at Google before joining Change.org.
She has deep board experience in public and private companies and nonprofit boards and currently serves on the boards of WW, formerly Weight Watchers (NASDAQ: WW), the Change.org Foundation, and the Arctic Ice Project. Her previous board experience includes roles on two other public company boards, Move, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOVE) until its acquisition by NewsCorp and TEGNA (NYSE: TGNA).
Dulski writes about leadership for LinkedIn Influencers, Fortune, Forbes, and Huffington Post. Her first book, Purposeful, about how each of us can be movement starters, was published by Penguin Portfolio in 2018 and is a Wall Street Journal Bestseller.