Mindful Management

Shenandoah Chefalo, 392006
  • 5.0 (5)
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Welcome to Mindful Management, a podcast where we share skills, stories, and resources about organization wellness to help you foster a healthy and successful workplace culture. With your host Shenandoah Chefalo, we speak with thought leaders in the field about how they have made staff well-being a core component of their business strategies.

  1. OCT 21

    The Cost of Caring

    In this episode of Mindful Management, host Shenandoah Chefalo explores the hidden toll of caring professions, defining compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary trauma. She introduces her concept that "you can only give what you're overflowing with" and presents a three-level self-care framework: daily care plans, trigger care plans, and crisis care plans. Shenandoah offers a practical tool listeners can use immediately—the three-question resilience check-in: "How am I feeling?", "What do I need?", and "Who can support me?" She emphasizes that addressing compassion fatigue isn't about lowering expectations but equipping people to sustain good performance, and challenges leaders to model self-care behavior rather than just advocating for it.

    22 min

  2. OCT 21

    What's Strong in You

    In this episode of Mindful Management, host Shenandoah Chefalo challenges leaders to shift from asking "what's wrong with you?" to "what's strong in you?" She explains how trauma-informed leadership moves from deficit-based thinking to strength-based leadership, reframing behaviors as communication rather than problems. Shenandoah introduces the concept that "defiance is communication waiting to be understood" and shares examples of reframing: seeing "distracted" as creative, "pushes back" as courageous, and "negative" as critical thinking. She cites research showing that employees who use their strengths daily are six times more likely to be engaged and that leaders who focus on strengths see performance improve up to 36%. Drawing from her personal experience in foster care, she emphasizes that people rise to the expectations we set for them. The episode includes a practical exercise: identify one problem behavior and rewrite it as a strength.

    17 min

  3. OCT 14

    Stop Calling Your Workplace a Family

    "We're like a family here." It sounds warm and inclusive, but Shenandoah argues this phrase is actually toxic. Family language in the workplace leads to blurred boundaries, unclear roles, and unspoken expectations that people will sacrifice their wellbeing in the name of loyalty. What people actually need at work isn't family—it's safety. The practical tool? Start your next meeting with a two-minute feelings check-in using a feelings wheel. Have everyone name one word for how they're feeling—no fixing, no explaining, just naming. This simple practice normalizes emotions and builds safety without blurring boundaries. Family at work demands sacrifice. Safety at work asks for honesty.

    17 min

  4. OCT 14

    People Don't Quit Jobs Over Money

    Do people really quit jobs over money? Shenandoah challenges the biggest myth in organizational leadership: that retention is a compensation problem. While fair pay matters, the research is clear—people quit bad cultures, not low salaries. Gallup found that teams in the bottom quartile of employee engagement experience 21-51% higher turnover than highly engaged teams. The good news? You don't need a big budget to shift culture. Shenandoah shares a simple practice you can try this week: the values check-in. Ask your team one question—"What helps you feel valued at work?"—then listen without defending or explaining. This single practice has changed teams because naming what people need is often the first step to actually creating it.

    16 min

  5. OCT 13

    Intro: Real Talk. Real Tools. Better Culture.

    Mindful Management is the podcast for leaders who know that retention is not about compensation, it is about culture. Hosted by trauma-informed leadership expert Shenandoah Chefalo, this show says what most organizations will not: toxic culture is costing you people, and the solution is within your reach. In an era of shrinking budgets and scarce leadership support, Shen democratizes the tools leaders need to create healing-centered workplaces where people do not just survive, they stay, grow, and lead. Each episode blends practical teaching that translates trauma-informed concepts into actionable strategies with candid conversations from leaders driving real systems change. Whether you are a superintendent battling teacher turnover, a nonprofit director facing compassion fatigue, or a CHRO tired of hearing “we are like a family here,” Mindful Management gives you both the permission and the roadmap to lead differently. Shenandoah is not putting this behind a paywall. She is giving it away because in this urgent moment, leadership change cannot wait. Mindful Management: real talk, real tools, better culture.

    23 min
  6. Tiny Repairs, Big Results: Leading Through Micro Moments with Shenandoah Chefalo

    AUG 14

    Tiny Repairs, Big Results: Leading Through Micro Moments with Shenandoah Chefalo

    Leadership isn’t just about vision statements and strategic pivots, it’s lived out in the smallest, often overlooked moments of connection.In this episode of Mindful Management, host Shenandoah Chefalo explores the power of “micro moments,” those brief, intentional interactions that can transform culture. Drawing on trauma-informed practice and her work with leaders across industries, Shen explains how these moments shape safety, trust, and engagement far more than formal policies ever could. What You’ll Learn: Why micro moments can have an outsized impact on culture and trust How to use everyday interactions to strengthen relationships and engagement The difference between “How are you doing?” and “How are you feeling?” and why it matters Practical, low-cost ways to acknowledge and validate team members’ contributions How to pause, notice, and repair when you miss a moment Why leaders don’t need to be perfect, just present Shenandoah Chefalo’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shenandoahchefalo/ Shenandoah Chefalo’s website:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/chefaloconsulting/ Get in touch with Shen: https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/contact  Shen’s New Book: https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/best-bunny Have us talk at your event: https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/speaking-events  Shenandoah Chefalo is a trauma-informed leadership expert, award-winning author, and founder of Chefalo Consulting, where she designs transformational professional development and systems-change initiatives for organizations worldwide. With over 20 years of experience, she has helped schools, nonprofits, healthcare providers, and government agencies build cultures rooted in trust, safety, and resilience. A former foster youth and author of the memoir Garbage Bag Suitcase, Shen brings unmatched authenticity and lived expertise to every program she leads. In 2025, she released The Best Bunny, an illustrated children’s book guiding young readers through grief, loss, and healing. Her work has earned national recognition, including Corporate Vision’s 2025 Education & Training Awards for “Most Impactful Leadership Development Program – USA” and “Excellence in Social Impact Consulting.” Resources:Podcast Show Resources: Garbage Bag Suitcase by Shenandoah Chefalo Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

    16 min
  7. The Retention Trap: How Investing in People Builds Resilient Companies with Mark Peters

    AUG 11

    The Retention Trap: How Investing in People Builds Resilient Companies with Mark Peters

    Employee retention may keep people in their seats, but it doesn’t guarantee they’ll thrive or that your company will.In this episode of Mindful Management, host Shenandoah Chefalo sits down with Mark Peters, CEO of Butterball Farms and author of The Retention Trap, to challenge traditional thinking around retention and explore the deeper value of intentional talent investment.What You’ll Learn: Why retention as a metric can lead to ineffective problem-solving How to shift from employee stabilization to aspiration-driven investment The importance of leaders acting as “first movers” in culture change Why responsibility equals power and how that changes systems How investing in human capital creates resilience for companies and communities Practical ways to partner with community resources for employee development Mark Peter’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpetersbutterball Mark Peter’s website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/butterball-farms-inc-/ The Retention Trap book site: https://www.theretentiontrap.com/ ‘The Source’ by Mark Peters: https://www.amazon.com/SOURCE-Mark-Peters/dp/1735895016/ Get in touch with Shen: https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/contact  Shen’s New Book: https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/best-bunny Have us talk at your event: https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/speaking-events  Mark Peters is the CEO of Butterball Farms, Inc., recognized nationally as one of The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® from 2018 to 2024. In 2003, he brought together a pioneering group of West Michigan CEOs and community leaders to create The SOURCE, a nonprofit that has helped hundreds of workers overcome challenges interfering with their jobs, delivering an average annual ROI of 200% to its partner organizations. An engaging speaker and storyteller, Mark has addressed TEDx and other audiences, sharing his vision for workplace cultures that invest in people. His new book, The Retention Trap: Stop Measuring Turnover, Start Measuring Talent Investment (Post Hill Press, June 3, 2025), builds on the foundation of his first book, The Source, offering a bold roadmap for shifting from retention metrics to meaningful talent development. Podcast Show Resources: Garbage Bag Suitcase by Shenandoah Chefalo Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

    39 min
  8. From a Garbage Bag Suitcase to Global Advocate: Reflections on The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Trauma with Shenandoah Chefalo

    JUL 30

    From a Garbage Bag Suitcase to Global Advocate: Reflections on The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Trauma with Shenandoah Chefalo

    While experiencing trauma is often completely out of our control, healing from it is a choice you can make. In the latest episode of Mindful Management, host and Founder & Lead Workforce Transformation Strategist at Chefalo Consulting, Shenandoah Chefalo shares her powerful, personal and inspiring story, highlighting why trauma-informed leadership isn't just a buzzword, but a transformative approach to organizational culture. What You'll Learn: How unaddressed trauma and grief impact workplace culture, trust, and organizational effectiveness Why creating trauma-informed workplaces need to go beyond policies to focus on human connection and safety The connection between childhood experiences and adult workplace behaviors How to build organizational cultures that promote healing instead of hiding Why small, consistent choices in leadership can create transformative change How embedding safety, kindness, and accountability creates lasting transformation The critical role of authenticity and vulnerability in effective leadership How to move beyond survival to create meaningful systemic change Shenandoah Chefalo is the founder of Chefalo Consulting and host of the Mindful Management podcast, specializing in trauma-informed organizational change and leadership development. As an expert in creating wellness-centered workplace cultures, she helps organizations implement sustainable practices that prevent burnout and foster resilience. Drawing from her extensive experience in human services and organizational transformation, Shenandoah provides practical strategies for leaders to build psychologically safe environments that prioritize both productivity and employee wellbeing. Through her work, she has developed innovative approaches to workplace wellness that bridge the gap between organizational performance and individual health, making her insights particularly valuable for leaders seeking to create lasting positive change in their organizations.Resources: Get in touch with Shen: https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/contact  Shen’s New Book, ‘The Best Bunny’: https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/best-bunny Have us talk at your event: https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/speaking-events  Burnout Prevention Plan Kit: https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/product-page/self-care-planning-kit   Podcast Show Resources:Garbage Bag Suitcase by Shenandoah ChefaloMindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

    14 min
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About

Welcome to Mindful Management, a podcast where we share skills, stories, and resources about organization wellness to help you foster a healthy and successful workplace culture. With your host Shenandoah Chefalo, we speak with thought leaders in the field about how they have made staff well-being a core component of their business strategies.

Information

  • Creator
    Shenandoah Chefalo, 392006
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Shenandoah Chefalo
  • Show Website
    Mindful Management