Managing Humans Podcast

Managing Humans Podcast

Managing humans is a career and a way to help lift up others. We will talk to managers of all kinds and levels of experience. They will share what they have learned and how they keep their humanity along the way. managinghumanspodcast.substack.com

Episodes

  1. We are going to feel our feelings with Sarah Young-Sheppard - Episode 8

    01/08/2025

    We are going to feel our feelings with Sarah Young-Sheppard - Episode 8

    We are back with a new episode of the podcast! The irony of this episode is, it’s about feelings and helping our teams identify, work through and use their feelings, but mine got in the way of putting this episode out for a couple months. It was recorded shortly after the 2024 election and is getting posted in January of 2025. Not to overshare, but unemployment/ job search, the holidays and my feelings on the outcome of the elections, made the editing and recording an intro of this episode impossible. I would sit down in front of my computer and I just couldn’t make myself do it. Listening to my own voice is always difficult, but this time it was like climbing out of a valley with a backpack full of rocks. I needed a manager like Sarah to see me struggling and her help to work through it. It gave me an insight into what members of my teams over the years have had to deal with, and my lack of being there to help them. I want to use this experience to remind and inform my leadership in the future. This is just one of the conversations that I have had with Sarah about feelings and emotions and I know it won’t be the last. She excels in a lot of areas that I need to put some work into. Summary In this conversation, Chad and Sarah Young-Sheppard discuss the evolution of Sarah's career and her current role as the founder and executive director of the Social Emotional Wellness Initiative (SEWI). They explore the importance of mental health services for youth, the differences in teaching social-emotional skills to children versus adults, and the challenges of management. Sarah shares insights on effective management strategies, the significance of emotional check-ins, and the hiring process for her nonprofit organization, emphasizing the need for genuine care in team dynamics. Sarah also highlights the value of employee engagement through unique initiatives and the necessity of self-care and kindness in both personal and professional settings. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit managinghumanspodcast.substack.com

    1h 4m
  2. A Caring Carer Who’s Caring for Carers with Kimika Green - Episode 7

    10/14/2024

    A Caring Carer Who’s Caring for Carers with Kimika Green - Episode 7

    Over the past few years, getting to know Kimika has been an incredible experience. She came to Seattle to interview for a leadership role at the center where my wife works, and even during the interview process, people were already singing her praises. Her thoughtfulness and genuine care for others were immediately obvious, as she naturally fills any room with that energy. Kimika doesn’t just walk in—she leads by putting others first, which is a rare and inspiring quality. When I finally had the chance to sit down and talk with her, I quickly realized she is wise beyond her years. She has an incredible gift for listening—truly one of the most powerful listeners I’ve ever met. Her talent lies in asking the right questions and giving people the space to speak, guiding them to either solve their own problems or reveal the information she needs to take action. She’s so good at this, it took me months to even realize she’d been using that skill with me. One of the most valuable lessons I took from our conversations was the concept of "Rounds." Managers often borrow practices from other industries, like stand-up meetings from software teams. In healthcare, "Rounds" are standard, a way for doctors and nurses to regularly check in with all their patients. Kimika shared how this practice has been adapted for management, especially in today's world of remote or globally distributed teams. These regular, casual check-ins ensure managers keep communication flowing and stay connected with their teams, no matter how far apart they might be. It’s a simple but powerful approach to fostering better relationships and staying on top of what’s happening with employees. Kimika has so much share and I already can’t wait to have her back! Visit Managing Humans on: Substack: https://managinghumanspodcast.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managinghumanspod/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/managing-humans-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit managinghumanspodcast.substack.com

    1h 3m

About

Managing humans is a career and a way to help lift up others. We will talk to managers of all kinds and levels of experience. They will share what they have learned and how they keep their humanity along the way. managinghumanspodcast.substack.com