When is Now
Tomorrow Starts Today
Jenn Beatty
I'm excited to have Jenn Beatty join me on this episode! She's a doctoral student at the University of Washington in St. Louis in the Diversity Science Lab. There she researches interventions for long-term bias reduction, power dynamics, and intergroup relations. Jenn’s research is not only implicit bias, but correcting for it. Because it’s not enough to know you’re biased, it’s what you do with that information afterward.
We start by talking about her growing up in Los Angeles, and how childhood experiences can shape our narratives into adulthood. We also dive into the nuance and nature of objectivity, soft skills and why that's a terrible term for them, how you know you're intelligent, who gets to decide that, and more. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!
When is Always Now
Kelley Kali
This week I'm so excited to have Kelley Kali on the show! She is an LA native, Howard University & USC School of Cinematic Arts MFA, and has directed, written, and produced award-winning films. Recently, she was selected as a recipient of the 2021 Academy Gold Fellowship for Women in directing. In 2018, Kelley wrote, directed, and produced LALO’S HOUSE, which went on to win the 45th Annual Student Academy Award and was in consideration for the 91st Annual Academy Awards.
She wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the original feature film, I’M FINE (THANKS FOR ASKING), which was an early pick for narrative competition at the 2021 SXSW Film Festival. It went on to win a Special Jury Recognition for Multi-Hyphenate Storyteller (an award they created for her). She recently finished directing the feature film JAGGED MIND for 20th / Hulu and is in post-production for the MPI and BET Original Feature Film, KEMBA, based on true events.
In this episode, we'll give you a peek into the filmmaking industry. We'll discuss the difference between urgency vs emergency, the role psychological safety plays in creating the best work possible, and how a great team, grit, and a stimulus check turned into an award-winning film.
Courage of Vulnerability
Devon Still
This week I'm excited to have Devon Still on the show! Devon is many things. An author, speaker, coach, thought leader, and former NFL professional athlete to name a few. He also hosts the popular podcast "REALationships" with his wife, Asha Still. Devon and his daughter Leah created the Still Strong Foundation after Leah won her battle with cancer in 2015, and through the foundation, they provide assistance to other families whose children are battling cancer.
Devon and I met as classmates at UPenn in the Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program, where he was the star pupil in our cohort. Devon is a special guest, not just because of his accolades and philanthropy, but also because he is the catalyst behind this podcast. We'll discuss that in this episode, and also talk about gratitude, resilience, and subjective well-being.
This week I'm honored to have John Paul Stephens as a guest! He is researcher, educator, author, speaker, and an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at Case Western Reserve University. His work focuses on coordinating collective work & how it intersects with beauty, embodiment, emotion and adaptation. He was also my personal advisor for my final work at UPenn.
In our conversation we discuss how to be a great leader when your teams are transient, similarities between the film industry and construction business, a simple change leaders can make to break down barriers, and why you never want to lie to get ahead.
