The Rooted Leader - Minisodes for Leaders on the Go

Kathleen Wisemandle, Scientist, Experienced Leader, Leadership Coach

The Rooted Leader Podcast is a the audio creation based on my monthly newsletter, The Root, which I began over three years ago to share meaningful, bite sized insights for leaders on the go. Each episode allows for micro learning moments to apply to your daily work with your own growth and the people you lead aspiretogrow.substack.com

  1. May 8

    Leader Journeys: E.J. Reedy - From the Federal Reserve to Creating Catalytic Communities

    E.J. Reedy on Intentional Gravity: Fellowships, Ecosystem Building, and Nonlinear Careers in Midwest Innovation Kathleen hosts E.J. Reedy, founder and CEO of Intentional Gravity and director of platform at Pace Healthcare Capital, to discuss his nonlinear career and community-building work across Midwest tech and life sciences. E.J. describes himself as a connector focused on creating “resonance” and helping people and ecosystems grow through meaningful relationships, drawing on experience across the Fed, philanthropy, VC, and startups. He shares why he left full-time employment to gain independence, move faster, and pursue creative, impact-driven work after frustration affected his health. EJ explains Intentional Gravity as creating momentum that draws people together, and outlines his cohort-based fellowships, including Beyond the Bench and AI for Leaders, plus an iterated Chicago program now called Chicago Kaleidoscope. He reflects on experimentation, accepting one’s gifts, and finding joy in his son’s volleyball season. 00:00 Leader Journeys: Combining Innovation, Tech and Art for more Meaningful Connections 01:10 Welcome: Getting to Know E.J. 10:47 The Why Behind Intentional Gravity 17:08 Exploration and Iteration 22:12 Advice for Younger Self 25:01 Joy 26:09 Lightning Round Questions 27:24 Non-negotiable & Rest Ritual Get full access to The Rooted Leader at aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe

    30 min
  2. Mar 27

    Leading with Curiosity and Empathy

    Leading with Empathy and Curiosity: Human-Centered Design for a VUCA WorldKathleen Wisemandle discusses empathy as a core leadership skill and explains how human-centered design thinking—rooted in empathy and curiosity—can be applied beyond product development to process design, leadership, development conversations, and networking. She highlights IDEO and the Kelly brothers’ concept of “creative confidence,” the Stanford d.school mission, and the iterative design thinking cycle of empathizing, defining the problem, ideating, prototyping, and testing with users. In a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, curiosity helps leaders challenge assumptions and understand stakeholders’ needs, desires, and motivations, illustrated by her leadership during COVID in pharma. She shares a “seesaw” approach to connection from the “Think Fast, Talk Smart” podcast: Choose Connection Over Perfection —asking curious questions and actively listening. We end with your own personal mini coaching session with three takeaways and reflection questions to build trust, psychological safety, and stronger relationships.00:00 Design Thinking in Leadership: Leading with Empathy and Curiosity01:01 Welcome01:31 Human Centered Design Thinking03:38 Design Thinking06:55 Design Thinking in Leadership11:46 Three Takeaways:13:16 Reflection14:56 Closure15:35 Resources and Community The Rooted Leader Podcast Substack Get full access to The Rooted Leader at aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe

    16 min
  3. Mar 6

    ADHD in High Performing Women

    ADHD in Women: Strengths, Hormonal Shifts, and Rest for High Performers Kathleen Wisemandle introduces a Rooted Leader minisode on how ADHD often presents differently in women, leading many to go undiagnosed as girls because symptoms are more mental (racing, hyperactive minds) than physically disruptive as often seen in boys. Resources from the January 2024 issue of the leadership newsletter, The Root: ADHD in Women. If you'd like to share a thought or a question for a future episode, you can email me at TheRootedLeaderPodcast@gmail.comor reply directly on The Rooted Leader Substack. And if you might benefit from connecting with other leaders, the Rooted Leader Community is a private space where you can ask real questions and get real perspectives from other leaders. Every month we gather for the Rooted Leader Round Table, where we reflect on a leadership topic of the month for personal insights, connection, and private conversation, all for the cost of a great locally roasted latte per month. Follow or subscribe to The Rooted Leader podcast, so you don't miss a future episode. 00:00 The Strengths of ADHD in High-Performing Women 01:16 Welcome 01:47 The Types of ADHD 02:24 High Performing ADHD Women Professionals 03:15 The Hyperactive - Impulsive Side of ADHD 04:41 Positive Attributes: It's not all about the deficits 06:59 Impact of Hormonal Shifts 07:29 Well-Being 09:53 ADHD or not? 10:46 Three Takeaways 11:52 Reflection 13:33 In Closing 14:32 Resources and Community Get full access to The Rooted Leader at aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe

    16 min

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Ratings & Reviews

5
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5 Ratings

About

The Rooted Leader Podcast is a the audio creation based on my monthly newsletter, The Root, which I began over three years ago to share meaningful, bite sized insights for leaders on the go. Each episode allows for micro learning moments to apply to your daily work with your own growth and the people you lead aspiretogrow.substack.com