Symplicity Conversations

Catherine Ripley

5.0 (3)
Technology
Biweekly

Welcome to Symplicity Conversations, the podcast where we explore the intersection of business, culture, community, and technology to empower you with the insights you need to thrive.

4d ago

Brilliance Summit Series - How to Overcome Challenges and Embrace Failure | Kathleen Vogelsang

Kathleen Vogelsang joins us for a Symplicity Conversation, where she shares her inspiring journey from first-generation college student to successful investment leader, emphasizing resilience, leadership, and purpose. This episode highlights the importance of taking risks, embracing failure, and giving back. Kathy shares her insights for women pursuing their own paths to brilliance, and we discuss the Brilliance Awards and the upcoming Brilliance Summit on November 5th. Key Topics Kathleen Vogelsang's journey from first-generation college student to CIO The importance of resilience and risk-taking in leadership Lessons learned from building a billion-dollar endowment The role of mentorship and soft skills in leadership Balancing personal sacrifices with professional success The significance of giving back and community involvement Overcoming challenges and embracing failure as growth The impact of health and personal experiences on leadership perspective Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kathleen Vogelsang's Journey 02:13 Winning the Woman of the Year Award and Its Significance 03:56 The Role of Humility and Gratitude in Success 06:08 Lessons from Building a Billion-Dollar Endowment 08:04 The Importance of Soft Skills and Experience in Leadership 09:55 Balancing Sacrifices and Achievements in Education 12:05 Leadership, Resilience, and Building a Strong Team 14:00 Reflecting on Success and the Power of Stopping to Celebrate 16:06 Handling Personal Challenges and Their Impact on Perspective 18:07 The Value of Mentorship and Supporting Other Women 19:48 The Importance of Health and Living Life Fully 21:58 Taking Risks and Embracing Career Pivots 24:07 The Role of Purpose and Giving Back in Leadership 26:07 Advocating for Organ Donation and Heart Health Awareness 27:51 The Power of Light and Sharing Brilliance with Others 30:05 Final Thoughts: Success is Not a Single Path
Oct 20

Brilliance Summit Series - Solving Problems with a Simple Conversation | Latrice Trice and Kirsten Pipp

In this episode, we explore the journeys of two remarkable women, Latricia Trice of LTrice Marketing and Consulting and Kirsten Pipp of Bloom Social, as they share their experiences with community building, vulnerability, and creating impact. Discover how their stories and insights can inspire you to lift others and foster authentic connections. Key Topics The significance of community and vulnerability in leadership How the gift of lift can transform communities and careers The importance of authenticity and vulnerability in social media Stories of overcoming challenges and turning personal experiences into community support The role of intentional relationships and connections in personal and professional growth Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the series and guests 01:27 Recognition at the West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards 03:01 The meaning of impact and recognition 04:22 The ripple effect of community and impact 08:49 Latricia's journey as a connector and the gift of lift 13:03 The philosophy of using influence to elevate others 18:10 The creation of Black Women Connect and community needs 22:09 Kirsten's story of vulnerability and creating Bloom Social 26:22 Turning personal challenges into community support 30:45 The importance of authenticity and vulnerability in social media 34:29 What makes a community and fostering belonging 37:40 The value of being uncomfortable for growth 42:14 The reality of social media and authentic storytelling 45:51 The energy and impact of the Brilliance Summit 46:47 What does brilliance mean to you?
Oct 13

Brilliance Summit Series - Inspiring the Future Generations | Celeste Ross and Marie Lewis

In this episode, we explore the journeys of two inspiring leaders, Celeste Ross, Organizational Development Manager at Praxis Packing Solutions, and Marie Lewis, Founder and Executive Director of Rebecca's Daughters as they share their stories of impact, leadership, and service. Their experiences highlight the importance of community, purpose, and empowering others to create positive change. Celeste was named the Top Honoree in the Emerging Leader category at this year's West Michigan Woman Brilliance Awards, while Marie was named the 2026 Champion of Service. Key Topics Leadership journeys of Celeste Ross and Coach Marie The significance of community and mentorship The impact of awards on personal and professional growth The role of purpose and service in leadership Strategies for empowering emerging leaders The importance of boundaries and self-awareness in service The ripple effect of kindness and inspiration Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the West Michigan Brilliance Awards and Guests 01:08 The significance of recognition and community impact 03:03 Reflections on receiving the Brilliance Awards 05:30 The role of storytelling in leadership and service 07:42 Initial reactions to nominations and awards 11:43 The importance of character and humility in finalists 15:27 Creating a village and finding support systems 18:58 Celeste Ross on organizational development and empowering leaders 25:49 Coach Marie’s story behind Rebecca’s Daughters 31:04 The influence of faith and boundaries in service 37:23 Looking forward to the Brilliant Summit and community impact 44:22 Defining brilliance and acting with purpose
Oct 6

Brilliance Summit Series -Bringing Women Together | Kasie Smith

In this episode, Kasie Smith, president and publisher of Serendipity Media, shares the story behind West Michigan Woman Magazine, the creation of the Brilliance Awards, and the upcoming Brilliance Summit. Discover how these initiatives celebrate women, foster community, and inspire action in West Michigan. Key Topics: The founding of Serendipity Media and West Michigan Woman Magazine The origin and evolution of the Brilliance Awards The creation and purpose of the Brilliance Summit Lessons learned from profiling women in West Michigan The importance of community recognition and mentorship Future opportunities for growth and engagement in the community Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Series Overview 01:06 Meet Kasie Smith and the Mission of Serendipity Media 02:05 The Inspiration Behind Starting Serendipity Media 04:25 The Launch of West Michigan Woman Magazine 09:08 Lessons from Profiling Women in West Michigan 11:24 The Origin of the Brilliance Awards 16:23 The Birth of the Brilliance Summit 19:00 Details and Impact of the Brilliance Summit 23:03 Highlights of the 2023 Brilliance Awards and Categories 24:32 Recognizing Women at All Career Stages 28:30 Topics and Speakers for the 2023 Brilliance Summit 36:25 Future Growth and Opportunities for West Michigan Women 44:52 Event Details and How to Get Involved
Sep 29

Slow Down and Appreciate the Process | Rob Sharp -ArtPrize Artist

On a special ArtPrize themed episode of Symplicity Conversations, we are joined by Rob Sharp, a young fiber artist, shares his journey from crocheting as a hobby to creating a massive crochet bouquet for Art Prize, exploring themes of slowing down, intentionality, and imagination. Rob's piece, "Yours Truly" is featured in the Symplicity Communications Building during the ArtPrize event in Grand Rapids, September 17th-October 3rd. Vote for Rob's piece here: ArtPrize EntriesSee more of Rob's work here: https://www.instagram.com/rob.sharp.handcrafted and here: https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.sharp.handcrafted Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rob Sharp and his crochet art 02:29 Rob's background and how he started crocheting during COVID 04:43 The inspiration behind the large crochet bouquet 08:51 The symbolism of flowers and connection in Rob's work 12:06 The process and challenges of creating a 12-foot crochet bouquet 16:18 How art prize and community support influence emerging artists 17:41 The importance of imagination and childhood wonder in art 22:50 Rob's future plans and encouragement for aspiring artists Key Topics Rob Sharp's background and how he started crocheting during COVID The transition from making sweaters to creating large-scale art pieces The process and time investment of over a thousand hours and 100 skeins of yarn The significance of flowers and their representation in Rob’s work The role of imagination and wonder in art, inspired by childhood and movies Support from family and community in pursuing artistic goals The impact of art exhibitions like Art Prize on emerging artists Encouragement to think bigger and pursue creative dreams
Sep 22

The Cybersecurity Mistakes Costing You Trust | Patrick Hayes

In this episode, host Catherine Ripley is joined by Patrick Hayes, Chief Experience Officer and Field CISO at Third Wave Innovation, to discuss the cybersecurity challenges faced by nonprofits, the importance of data protection, and how organizations can prepare for and respond to cyber threats, especially with the rise of AI and automation. Key Topics: Cybersecurity challenges for nonprofits Importance of data protection and trust Impact of AI and automation on security Cyber insurance and risk management Best practices for cybersecurity in small organizations Chapters 00:00 Introduction to cybersecurity challenges for nonprofits 02:07 The importance of trust and reputation in cybersecurity 03:58 Real-world examples of cyber threats to organizations 06:51 Valuable data targeted by attackers 10:05 Prioritizing cybersecurity protections for small nonprofits 12:57 Understanding MDR and its role in security 15:52 Monitoring and responding to cyber threats 24/7 18:46 Attackers' tactics and social engineering 22:09 The significance of cyber insurance and risk management 25:03 Common mistakes in cyber insurance applications 27:48 Aligning cybersecurity with organizational strategy 31:09 The role of third-party providers and MSPs 34:08 Privacy policies and legal considerations 36:54 Building a cybersecurity strategy with board involvement 40:12 Funding cybersecurity through community support 43:01 The upcoming Nonprofit Technology and Innovation Summit 45:48 Final thoughts on cybersecurity as a business priority
Sep 15

Lessons From Starting and Growing a New Business | Richard App and Monica Steimle-App

In this episode, Monica Steimle-App and Richard App share their journey of launching Innovar Advisors, a consulting firm focused on helping organizations navigate growth, strategy, and transformation. They discuss the importance of community, leadership, collaboration, and the lessons learned from their diverse experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Monica and Richard and their new venture04:55 The timing and challenges of starting a new business08:34 Their approach to helping businesses navigate change12:00 Leadership challenges and the importance of diverse teams15:11 Balancing work and personal life as partners19:41 Rapid fire questions: personal preferences and insights20:18 Recommended books and influential reads21:04 Technology essentials and analog preferences23:06 Common leadership challenges today24:47 The value of surrounding yourself with the right team25:15 Embracing change and reacting with resilience26:51 The importance of authentic giving and community involvement28:58 Transition from corporate to small business leadership29:25 Supporting leaders through difficult decisions30:45 Building a network of trusted advisors33:09 Celebrating successes and overcoming setbacks36:54 The community of West Michigan and its future40:32 Community projects and long-term vision44:26 Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt46:54 How to connect with Monica and Richard Key Topics: The decision to launch Innovar Advisors and the journey behind itThe importance of community and local partnerships in businessHow diverse experiences strengthen leadership and business strategiesThe role of collaboration and networking in business growthBalancing personal and professional life as business partnersLessons learned from starting and growing a new businessThe impact of technology and innovation on small businessesStrategies for navigating change and uncertainty in businessThe importance of authenticity and giving back to the communityAdvice for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders
Sep 8

AI's Real Impact on Business | Elizabeth Goede

Elizabeth Goede, founder of Ratliff Consulting, shares her extensive experience with AI, entrepreneurship, and how organizations can navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape responsibly. This episode covers AI's impact on business, ethical considerations, and practical strategies for implementation. Chapters 00:34 — Introduction to the episode and guest 01:52 — Quote of the day from Alan Kay 02:50 — Elizabeth’s journey into AI and entrepreneurship 04:31 — The evolution of AI from 2012 to today 08:04 — The bias and diversity issues in AI development 08:50 — Ethics and responsible AI use 10:23 — AI’s role in internal and external business processes 13:01 — Helping businesses understand AI’s real potential 16:07 — What kind of organizations Elizabeth works with 20:37 — The importance of data as a company asset 28:02 — Common misconceptions about AI 29:16 — The biggest misconceptions about AI today 35:45 — The launch of Spark AI Lab and its mission 42:33 — Elizabeth’s platform for women in tech and AI 50:00 — Exciting future of AI and entrepreneurship 53:32 — Closing thoughts and key takeaways Key Topics: Ethical considerations and bias in AI Data management and governance in AI Practical applications of AI in business processes The importance of human oversight and soft skills in AI

Trailer

Welcome to Symplicity Conversations! - Trailer

Welcome to Symplicity Conversations, the podcast where business, culture, and community come together to inspire and empower. Together, each episode we’ll explore meaningful conversations about how today’s business landscape is shaped by innovation, relationships, and the people behind the progress. From actionable insights and stories from industry leaders to topics like customer experience, fostering strong business relationships, and the role of automation—we’ve got you covered. Connect with Doug SeitesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-seites-2b811020 Connect with Catherine RipleyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherineripley0813/

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

Welcome to Symplicity Conversations, the podcast where we explore the intersection of business, culture, community, and technology to empower you with the insights you need to thrive.

Creator

Catherine Ripley
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

85
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2025 Symplicity Communications
Show Website

Symplicity Conversations