Transformation Unfiltered

Alexa Beavers

The Transformation Unfiltered podcast is where HR professionals hit fast forward on change and build legacies as world-class people leaders and change-makers. This is your launchpad for accelerating transformation—learning from executive leaders who have already walked the path and delivered massive wins for their organizations. Join hosts from The Axela Group as they sit down with senior and executive HR change-makers to uncover hard-earned lessons, pitfalls to avoid, and strategies to hit fast forward on change and drive results faster. Plus, tune in for bite-sized episodes packed with quick, actionable solutions to the challenges you’re facing today. New episodes drop every Wednesday—be sure to subscribe and join our Axelarated Transformation Community on to continue the conversation.

  1. Apr 15

    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 Guest Elizabeth Lepkowski : linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-ball-lepkowski Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

  2. Apr 1

    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 Guest Dr. Victoria Mattingly: linkedin.com/in/vpmattingly Executive Producer Shannon Cornelison: linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248 Creative Advisor Dr. Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

  3. Mar 25

    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 Guest Ralph Kellogg: linkedin.com/in/ralphkellogg Executive Producer Shannon Cornelison: linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248 Creative Advisor Dr. Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

  4. Mar 18

    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 Guest TJ Lintz: linkedin.com/in/tjlintz Executive Producer Shannon Cornelison: linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248 Creative Advisor Dr. Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

  5. Mar 11

    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 Guest Kate Souza Manahan: linkedin.com/in/katesouzamanahan Executive Producer Shannon Cornelison: linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248 Creative Advisor Dr. Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

  6. Feb 24

    How Real Leaders Move Without a Perfect Plan

    Summary: Nicole Dubois is a nonprofit executive leader and CHRO with 19+ years building people systems and developing leaders. She’s also the author of Unparalyzed, a memoir she first published under the pseudonym “Danielle M. Bryan” before choosing to stand fully in her story. I sat down with Nicole to unpack a career shaped by courageous pivots: the “principal’s office” meeting that launched her into HR leadership, a mid-life health diagnosis that reframed everything, and the decision to drop the mask and claim her work under her real name. This one’s a masterclass in moving forward without perfect certainty—and why you can’t lead while hiding. Chapters: 00:00 – The mask: why she published under a pseudonym (and what changed) 07:00 – Mixed feelings, sponsorship, and choosing the leap 09:00 – The mantra: be afraid—but move anyway 14:00 – Divorce, MS, and writing Unparalyzed 19:00 – “You can only be one person”: unmasking at work and beyond 28:00 – Telling the team, dropping the pseudonym, leading more openly 32:00 – Where to find the book + closing reflections Host Alexa Beavers: linkedin.com/in/alexabeaverspmp Guest Nicole Dubois: linkedin.com/in/nicole-dubois-24568510 Executive Producer Shannon Cornelison: linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248 Creative Advisor Dr. Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

  7. Feb 18

    A Human-Centered Playbook for Downsizing

    Summary: Kim Allain is a senior HR executive and culture leader known for human-centered, research-informed practice. She leads organizational transformation, leadership development, and change initiatives rooted in the belief that workplaces should elevate people—not deplete them. What do you do when you’re “promoted” into a layoff? Kim tells the story of being handed a surprise reduction-in-force and how she refused the default playbook—opting for a research-backed, human-first path that protected trust and strengthened the business. We unpack what actually happens to culture after layoffs, why the “psychological contract” matters, and practical ways leaders can make hard changes without breaking their people. Chapters: 00:00:00 – The “battlefield promotion” into a layoff 00:04:00 – Why default RIFs backfire: trust, culture, and long-tail risk 00:07:00 – Psychological contract 101: what leaders break (often unknowingly) 00:10:00 – Research that changed the plan: alternatives to compulsory cuts 00:18:00 – Sequencing the comms: clarity, criteria, and support 00:22:00 – What happened next: outcomes and org response 00:30:00 – Building resilient culture after hard changes 00:34:00 – Playbook recap: decisions, messaging, and metrics to watch Host Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk Guest Kimberly Allain: linkedin.com/in/kimberlygallain Executive Producer Shannon Cornelison: linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248 Creative Advisor Dr. Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

  8. Feb 10

    Why Dressing the Part Won't Get You Promoted

    Summary: Erica Coffey is a teacher, coach, and people leader with two decades of experience helping schools, companies, and nonprofits build cultures of inclusion, equity, and belonging. She creates brave spaces for real dialogue so people feel seen, valued, and able to grow. This one starts with a gut punch: “I don’t trust you, and I’m not sure about your commitment.” Erica walks us through how she absorbed that hit, recalibrated, and then flipped the power dynamic—without nuking her career. We dig into stalled promotions, performative optics, sponsor/mentor strategy, and a simple decision tree that saved her sanity: recalibrate or exit. Chapters: 00:00 – Recalibrate or Exit? The framing that sets the tone. 03:00 – The Stall After a Master’s Checking every box and still stuck. 06:00 – No One-on-Ones, No Plan Owning development when leadership won’t. 12:00 – “I Don’t Trust You” The meeting that changed everything. 16:00 – The Retreat & The Three M’s External fuel for an internal shift. 19:00 – Doors Open, Perspective Shifts From “stuck” to trajectory. 30:00 – Lessons & Limits Knowing when it’s them, not you. 33:00 – My Wrap Action bias, non-negotiables, next steps. Host Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk Guest Erica Coffey: linkedin.com/in/erica-coffey-ba862917 Executive Producer Shannon Cornelison: linkedin.com/in/shannon-cornelison-9aa8b8248 Creative Advisor Dr. Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Transformation Unfiltered podcast is where HR professionals hit fast forward on change and build legacies as world-class people leaders and change-makers. This is your launchpad for accelerating transformation—learning from executive leaders who have already walked the path and delivered massive wins for their organizations. Join hosts from The Axela Group as they sit down with senior and executive HR change-makers to uncover hard-earned lessons, pitfalls to avoid, and strategies to hit fast forward on change and drive results faster. Plus, tune in for bite-sized episodes packed with quick, actionable solutions to the challenges you’re facing today. New episodes drop every Wednesday—be sure to subscribe and join our Axelarated Transformation Community on to continue the conversation.

Information

  • Creator
    Alexa Beavers
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Alexa Beavers
  • Show Website
    Transformation Unfiltered