My Circus, My Monkeys

Anne Brackett

My Circus, My Monkeys supports supervisors on every level working in education or any field focused on growth and development. Discover how to manage the chaos by learning essential supervisor skills, increasing employee engagement, and using the CliftonStrengths framework to empower you and your team. We’ll dive into the latest research in fields like psychology, sociology, neuroscience, education, and beyond to help you maximize yourself and your team to make an even bigger impact on your students and clients lives. Just as importantly, you’ll improve your own sense of well being as you decrease the chaos and stress and increase the balance in your life.

  1. APR 15

    Spring Pruning Creates Space for Better Productivity & Success

    It's spring! If you look outside, you see trees, flowers, and grass full of lush green growth. While this growth is beautiful to watch, not all growth is healthy. If you don't take the time to prune your garden AND your department, it can easily become overwhelmed and switch into survival mode. In this episode, we discuss how the same principles that keep your garden thriving apply to your team. Strategic pruning now, means better productivity and success in the future.  Will you join us this summer? Registration for the Supervisor Strengths Institute and Strengths Accelerator Academy are open! Take advantage of Early Bird Rates and get $150 instant savings through April 30, 2026.  Strengths Accelerator Academy https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/acceleratoracademy Supervisor Strengths Institute https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/Institute If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader seriously. You want to be more effective. You want to lead your team to greater success. And you probably want less stress. This podcast has great information and tips to get you started. But if you’re ready for the next step – one that will give you the guidance and structure to take you to the next level of success – Strengths University has you covered.  Have questions? Email Anne at anne@strengthsuniversity.org or set up a meeting with her HERE. Want more information about Strengths University? Check out our website at https://www.strengthsuniversity.org/

    11 min
  2. APR 1

    A Case for Using a Strengths-Based Approach to Achieve Better Outcomes

    Do you want better communication, understanding, and productivity for yourself and your team? A Strengths-based approach can help you, your team, and your organization do all of that and more. In this episode, I give listeners several personal and professional that illustrate how understanding one's own and others' talent themes can lead to better self-regulation, improved delegation, and more effective collaboration. If you want to learn more about how CliftonStrengths can help you manage performance, resolve conflicts, and enhance well-being, be sure to listen. If you're ready to start (or resume) your Strengths journey, here's three great ways to dive in... CliftonStrengths Basics Online Course https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/strengths101course Strengths Accelerator Academy https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/acceleratoracademy Supervisor Strengths Institute https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/Institute Will you join us this summer? Registration for the Supervisor Strengths Institute and Strengths Accelerator Academy are open! Take advantage of Early Bird Rates and get $150 instant savings through April 30, 2026.  Strengths Accelerator Academy https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/acceleratoracademy Supervisor Strengths Institute https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/Institute If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader seriously. You want to be more effective. You want to lead your team to greater success. And you probably want less stress. This podcast has great information and tips to get you started. But if you’re ready for the next step – one that will give you the guidance and structure to take you to the next level of success – Strengths University has you covered.  Have questions? Email Anne at anne@strengthsuniversity.org or set up a meeting with her HERE. Want more information about Strengths University? Check out our website at https://www.strengthsuniversity.org/

    29 min
  3. MAR 18

    Avoiding Leadership Turbulence: Lessons from Aviation’s CRM

    Leadership is about collaboration, not control. In aviation, Crew Resource Management (CRM) training helps keep planes and passengers safe by improving communication and teamwork. But this powerful tool can also be applied to leadership and team management in the workplace. In this episode, we discuss five key components of CRM: respect, managing mistakes constructively, creating a supportive culture, preparation and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and handling rank differences and power dynamics. These components matter because whether you’re leading a team of three or thirty, your ability to manage resources, communicate effectively, and handle mistakes is critical for your team’s productivity and success.  Will you join us this summer? Registration for the Supervisor Strengths Institute and Strengths Accelerator Academy are open! Take advantage of Early Bird Rates and get $150 instant savings through April 30, 2026.  Strengths Accelerator Academy https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/acceleratoracademy Supervisor Strengths Institute https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/Institute If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader seriously. You want to be more effective. You want to lead your team to greater success. And you probably want less stress. This podcast has great information and tips to get you started. But if you’re ready for the next step – one that will give you the guidance and structure to take you to the next level of success – Strengths University has you covered.  Have questions? Email Anne at anne@strengthsuniversity.org or set up a meeting with her HERE. Want more information about Strengths University? Check out our website at https://www.strengthsuniversity.org/

    23 min
  4. FEB 11

    Are You in a Rut? Let’s Find Out...

    In this episode, we discuss how to identify and escape from ruts, which are patterns that no longer serve us effectively. I use the example of Sally, an employee who continues to perform a task incorrectly despite understanding the correct way, to illustrate how our conscious mind understands a change but our subconscious mind continues the old pattern due to deeply ingrained habits. Ruts are not necessarily about boredom but rather about ineffective patterns that can be challenging to break because our subconscious mind views these patterns as vital for our survival. You'll learn the importance of making small, consistent changes to create new pathways in your brain and gradually shift your identity to align with your desired behaviors. Listen and you'll be better able to identify your own ruts, outline new habits to replace them, and how to be patient and persistent in making these changes. Will you join us this summer? Registration for the Supervisor Strengths Institute and Strengths Accelerator Academy are open! Take advantage of Early Bird Rates and get $150 instant savings through April 30, 2026.  Strengths Accelerator Academy https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/acceleratoracademy Supervisor Strengths Institute https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/Institute If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader seriously. You want to be more effective. You want to lead your team to greater success. And you probably want less stress. This podcast has great information and tips to get you started. But if you’re ready for the next step – one that will give you the guidance and structure to take you to the next level of success – Strengths University has you covered.  Have questions? Email Anne at anne@strengthsuniversity.org or set up a meeting with her HERE. Want more information about Strengths University? Check out our website at https://www.strengthsuniversity.org/

    22 min
  5. JAN 28

    How to Get Better Outcomes with 80% Less Effort

    You know too much stress decreases your productivity and your ability to effectively solve problems. Yes, you can focus on stress management to help curb its effect, but what do you do about all the things on your plate? Afterall, it's that increased workload that's contributing to your stress problem. In this episode, you'll learn about a tool that can help you better prioritize, achieve goals, manage your energy, and focus on the right habits, so you can use up to 80% less effort to get even better outcomes.  Will you join us this summer? Registration for the Supervisor Strengths Institute and Strengths Accelerator Academy are open! Take advantage of Early Bird Rates and get $150 instant savings through April 30, 2026.  Strengths Accelerator Academy https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/acceleratoracademy Supervisor Strengths Institute https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/Institute If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader seriously. You want to be more effective. You want to lead your team to greater success. And you probably want less stress. This podcast has great information and tips to get you started. But if you’re ready for the next step – one that will give you the guidance and structure to take you to the next level of success – Strengths University has you covered.  Have questions? Email Anne at anne@strengthsuniversity.org or set up a meeting with her HERE. Want more information about Strengths University? Check out our website at https://www.strengthsuniversity.org/

    32 min
  6. JAN 14

    The ONE Thing That Will Change 2026 for You

    When I left you in 2025, I challenged you to do a quick wrap up of the year. Now, I know some of you had zero energy to do any such thing, but in that wrap up, my last question for you to ponder was, "What’s the ONE thing you could upgrade in 2026 that would give you the biggest return on your investment?" In this episode, we’re going to focus on that ONE thing and how you can effectively put that thing into action.  Will you join us this summer? Registration for the Supervisor Strengths Institute and Strengths Accelerator Academy are open! Take advantage of Early Bird Rates and get $150 instant savings through April 30, 2026.  Strengths Accelerator Academy https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/acceleratoracademy Supervisor Strengths Institute https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/Institute If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader seriously. You want to be more effective. You want to lead your team to greater success. And you probably want less stress. This podcast has great information and tips to get you started. But if you’re ready for the next step – one that will give you the guidance and structure to take you to the next level of success – Strengths University has you covered.  Have questions? Email Anne at anne@strengthsuniversity.org or set up a meeting with her HERE. Want more information about Strengths University? Check out our website at https://www.strengthsuniversity.org/

    18 min
  7. 12/17/2025

    A Quick Year End Wrap Up in 3, 2, 1

    As we wrap up 2025, it’s a good idea to take the time to reflect on the year. And if you’re already thinking, nope! I have neither the time nor energy for such pursuits, just hold on to your horses. I’m going to make this as quick and painless for you as possible. The benefit of doing this is a better 2026. The cost of skipping it means 2026 might just be a rerun of 2025. And I don’t think anyone can afford that, so be sure to check out this episode.  Will you join us this summer? Registration for the Supervisor Strengths Institute and Strengths Accelerator Academy are open! Take advantage of Early Bird Rates and get $150 instant savings through April 30, 2026.  Strengths Accelerator Academy https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/acceleratoracademy Supervisor Strengths Institute https://learn.strengthsuniversity.org/Institute If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader seriously. You want to be more effective. You want to lead your team to greater success. And you probably want less stress. This podcast has great information and tips to get you started. But if you’re ready for the next step – one that will give you the guidance and structure to take you to the next level of success – Strengths University has you covered.  Have questions? Email Anne at anne@strengthsuniversity.org or set up a meeting with her HERE. Want more information about Strengths University? Check out our website at https://www.strengthsuniversity.org/

    8 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

My Circus, My Monkeys supports supervisors on every level working in education or any field focused on growth and development. Discover how to manage the chaos by learning essential supervisor skills, increasing employee engagement, and using the CliftonStrengths framework to empower you and your team. We’ll dive into the latest research in fields like psychology, sociology, neuroscience, education, and beyond to help you maximize yourself and your team to make an even bigger impact on your students and clients lives. Just as importantly, you’ll improve your own sense of well being as you decrease the chaos and stress and increase the balance in your life.