CivilTalk

CivilTalk
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to CivilTalk, the podcast where we delve into the importance of civility and social-emotional learning in today's world. Join us as we explore practical strategies, insightful discussions, and expert interviews that help navigate the complexities of modern social interactions. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or simply passionate about fostering a more empathetic and respectful society, CivilTalk provides valuable tools and perspectives to inspire positive change in your everyday life. Tune in and be part of the conversation on building a more civil and emotionally intelligent world.

  1. Aug 26

    How to Truly Connect With Anyone, According to Stanford Expert Dr. Carole Robin

    What does it actually mean to connect with another person, and why does it seem to come so naturally in some relationships and feel nearly impossible in others? In this episode of CivilTalk, we sit down with Dr. Carole Robin, one of the country’s leading voices on interpersonal dynamics and leadership development. Carole spent nearly two decades teaching at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she helped teach its legendary Interpersonal Dynamics course—affectionately known as “Touchy Feely”—and received the MBA Distinguished Teaching Award. She is the co-founder of Leaders in Tech and co-author, with David Bradford, of Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends, and Colleagues. Drawing on nearly four decades of studying how people relate to one another, Carole joins us to explore what separates a relationship that simply works from one that becomes truly exceptional. We talk about the small interpersonal risks that create closeness, the gap between our intentions and how others actually experience us, why intelligent and successful people can still struggle to see their own blind spots, and what Carole has learned from working closely with generations of students, founders, and executives. And as more of our conversations become mediated by technology, we ask a newer question: Can AI actually help us connect? We explore what technology can teach us about our conversational patterns, where it might help us see ourselves more clearly—and what it may never be able to understand about being human. Because connection isn't something that simply happens between the right people. It’s something we learn how to build.

    How to Truly Connect With Anyone, According to Stanford Expert Dr. Carole Robin

  2. Aug 5

    How Courageous Kindness Can Change the Way We Work with Kindness Expert Shola Richards

    What if kindness wasn't a sign of weakness - but one of the greatest acts of courage? In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with workplace civility expert, bestselling author, and Go Together Global founder Shola Richards to explore what it truly means to be Strong Enough to Be Kind™. Drawing from his deeply personal journey and the ideas behind his books Making Work Work, Go Together, and Civil Unity, Shola shares why healthy workplace cultures aren't built through perks or policies alone ... they're built through everyday conversations, courageous leadership, accountability, and the choices we make when it's easier to stay silent. Together, we discuss workplace toxicity, psychological safety, Ubuntu, moral courage, leadership, difficult conversations, and why genuine civility doesn't require agreement. It requires respect. Whether you're a leader, manager, entrepreneur, or simply someone who wants to build stronger relationships at work and in life, this conversation offers practical wisdom for creating cultures where people can truly thrive. In this episode: Shola's journey from adversity to purposeWhy kindness requires courage, not comfortLessons from Making Work Work, Go Together, and Civil UnityBuilding healthier workplace culturesPsychological safety and courageous leadershipUbuntu and the power of shared humanityHow to navigate disagreement without losing respectThe future of workplace conversations and cultureLearn more about Shola Richards, his books, speaking, and Go Together Global through the links on our episode page. To learn more about CivilTalk and experience Clarion, our Conversational Intelligence tool that helps people communicate better, visit www.civiltalk.com and schedule a demo.

    How Courageous Kindness Can Change the Way We Work with Kindness Expert Shola Richards

  3. May 27

    Building a Stronger Civic Future: Rich Harwood on Community, Hope & Meaningful Change

    What does it take to rebuild trust, strengthen communities, and move forward in a world that often feels divided? In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with Rich Harwood — founder and president of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation and author of The New Civic Path and Stepping Forward. Together, we explore what it means to create real change in modern society through deeper listening, community engagement, and more intentional conversations. In this conversation, we discuss: • Why so many communities feel disconnected today • The difference between reacting and creating meaningful change • How leaders can rebuild trust through everyday actions • The role of listening and emotional intelligence in civic life • Practical ways individuals can contribute to stronger communities • Hope, purpose, and finding agency during uncertain times This episode is for leaders, educators, changemakers, and anyone interested in creating healthier conversations and a more connected world. Listen, subscribe, and join us as we explore how better conversations shape better communities.

    Building a Stronger Civic Future: Rich Harwood on Community, Hope & Meaningful Change

  4. Mar 18

    The Science Behind Making Better Decisions with Decision Scientist Cheryl Strauss Einhorn

    In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we speak with Cheryl Strauss Einhorn - decision scientist, founder and CEO of Decisive, educator at Cornell and Columbia, and author of Problem Solved, Problem Solver, and her newest book The Human Edge: Smarter Decisions in the Age of AI. Drawing from her research and the development of the AREA Method, Cheryl explains how individuals and organizations can improve judgment, navigate cognitive bias, and approach complex decisions with greater clarity and confidence. The conversation also explores her concept of Problem Solver Profiles, which reveal the different ways people naturally approach problem-solving - and how understanding these styles can improve leadership, teamwork, and communication. Together, we discuss the intersection of human judgment and artificial intelligence, and why the future isn’t about replacing human thinking with machines — but learning how to lead AI with curiosity, skepticism, and discernment. Topics discussed in this episode include: • Why good decision-making is a learnable skill • The hidden biases that shape how we think and judge • Understanding your Problem Solver Profile • How leaders and teams can make more thoughtful decisions • Why human judgment still matters in the age of AI • How AI can augment — rather than replace — our thinking Cheryl’s work offers a powerful reminder that while technology can process vast amounts of information, the most important decisions will always require human insight, values, and responsibility. Learn more about Cheryl Strauss Einhorn and the AREA Method: https://areamethod.com

    The Science Behind Making Better Decisions with Decision Scientist Cheryl Strauss Einhorn

  5. Mar 4

    The Work of Alignment: Closing the Gap Between Values and Behavior with Jason Craige Harris

    In this episode of CivilTalk, Topacio Althaus sits down with strategist, mediator, and leadership advisor Jason Craige Harris for a wide-ranging conversation about alignment, integrity, and the work of repairing relationships within families, organizations, and institutions. Jason is the CEO of Perception Strategies, a consulting firm that helps leaders and organizations strengthen culture, navigate conflict, and design systems that function more effectively. He also serves as Senior Advisor at the Perception Institute, a research consortium advancing fairness and belonging in social systems. Drawing on his background in ethics, psychology, restorative justice, and systems thinking, Jason shares insights from his work helping groups confront difficult truths, rebuild trust, and close the gap between the values they claim and the behaviors they practice. Together, they explore: • Why organizations struggle to live their stated values • What most people misunderstand about conflict • The role of courage and repair in leadership • How systems and culture shape behavior • What it means to live an “aligned” life This conversation offers practical insights for leaders, teams, and anyone interested in building healthier relationships and institutions. Learn more about CivilTalk and our AI communication tool Clarion at Civiltalk.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, follow, and share the show.

    The Work of Alignment: Closing the Gap Between Values and Behavior with Jason Craige Harris

  6. Feb 6

    Becoming the Boss People Want to Work For with Sabina Nawaz

    In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, Topacio Althaus sits down with Sabina Nawaz — leadership coach, keynote speaker, and former Microsoft executive — to explore how pressure and power quietly shape behavior at the top. Drawing from her book You’re the Boss, Sabina unpacks a critical truth of leadership: as roles expand, the pressure to perform can corrupt even the best intentions, and increased power can blind leaders to the impact they’re having on others. In this conversation, we examine why feedback breaks down at senior levels, how blind spots form under pressure, and what leaders can do to manage authority with self-awareness, humility, and humanity. Together, we discuss practical strategies for navigating influence, repairing trust, and leading without losing yourself — offering insights for executives, managers, and anyone responsible for guiding others in high-stakes environments.

    Becoming the Boss People Want to Work For with Sabina Nawaz

  7. Jan 29

    Bringing Your Whole Self to Work: Leadership, Trust, and Psychological Safety with Mike Robbins

    In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with leadership expert, bestselling author, and podcast host Mike Robbins for a thoughtful conversation about trust, authenticity, and the human dynamics that shape workplace culture. Drawing from more than twenty-five years of experience working with organizations like Google, Microsoft, Pixar, the NBA, and Harvard University — and from his books Bring Your Whole Self to Work and We’re All in This Together — Mike explores the deeper beliefs underlying his work. Together, we discuss psychological safety as a performance driver, why appreciation and belonging are often overlooked in leadership, and what it really takes to build cultures where people feel safe, engaged, and empowered to contribute. This conversation goes beyond leadership theory to examine how emotional intelligence, civility, and repair shape trust — especially in moments of tension and change — and what leaders must unlearn to meet the demands of today’s workplaces.

    Bringing Your Whole Self to Work: Leadership, Trust, and Psychological Safety with Mike Robbins

  8. 12/05/2025

    The Human Touch: Workplace Strategist Erica Keswin, on Connection, Rituals & Modern Leadership

    Today on the CivilTalk Podcast, we are joined by the incredible Erica Keswin: a workplace strategist who has spent more than two decades helping organizations around the world build cultures rooted in connection, clarity, and care. In this episode, Erica unpacks her research on why rituals matter, how leaders can retain and re-energize teams in a changing world, and what it means to “bring your human to work” when hybrid schedules and digital tools dominate our days. This is a conversation about empathy, rituals, intentionality, and redesigning the workplace so people—not just productivity—come first. Whether you lead a team, work in a fast-paced environment, or simply care about creating more civil, emotionally intelligent spaces, you’ll walk away with insights you can use right now.

    The Human Touch: Workplace Strategist Erica Keswin, on Connection, Rituals & Modern Leadership
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to CivilTalk, the podcast where we delve into the importance of civility and social-emotional learning in today's world. Join us as we explore practical strategies, insightful discussions, and expert interviews that help navigate the complexities of modern social interactions. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or simply passionate about fostering a more empathetic and respectful society, CivilTalk provides valuable tools and perspectives to inspire positive change in your everyday life. Tune in and be part of the conversation on building a more civil and emotionally intelligent world.

Information

  • Creator
    CivilTalk
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    CivilTalk