In today’s episode, Bob ’n Joyce unpack an article Joyce wrote years ago on a powerful OD technique she used to assess organizational wellness. Culture can feel fuzzy and hard to diagnose, but this simple inquiry tool makes it concrete, practical, and actionable for leaders, coaches, and OD practitioners.
You’ll hear when this tool is most valuable—such as during a leadership transition, when performance is slipping, or when an organization has lost its competitive edge—and then we walk through the roadmap step by step.
Joyce’s Diagnostic Roadmap Includes:
Getting a Balcony Perspective
Identifying the Tolerable Range of Distress
Patterns of Work and Work Avoidance
There’s a lot to unwrap (pun fully intended), so settle in, grab a healthy snack, and join us for a lively conversation on diagnosing culture in a way that actually helps organizations heal and grow.
In today’s episode, Bob ‘n Joyce are joined by Alfredo Borodowski for an energizing and insightful conversation on positivity, resilience, purpose, and happiness. Alfredo takes us on a journey through the evolution of positive psychology—from its early days 25 years ago to today—showing how the science of positivity can transform people and organizations.
Alfredo’s passion for human fulfillment and doing good is a much-needed message in today’s world. One of his great gifts is making the complex simple and the abstract concrete and actionable. He also shares his personal struggle with mental illness and how that challenge revealed his life’s purpose.
Grab a pen and notebook—this episode is packed with practical ideas you can use immediately.’
A Sample of Today’s Conversation
• The 24 character strengths at the core of what motivates each of us.
• Why understanding and applying your signature strengths makes you nine times more likely to achieve fulfillment and high performance.
• How purpose, pleasure, and strengths intersect to unlock full potential.
• Why objectives end but purpose never does.
• A simple definition of purpose: Giving the best of yourself for the benefit of others.
• The Purpose Factor—an assessment that provides a 50-page personalized description of your life’s purpose.
• The four factors companies need to thrive in the future: self-confidence, hope, optimism, and resilience (also known as Psychological Capital).
About Our Guest
Alfredo Borodowski, PhD, MSW, is an organizational consultant and positive psychology expert who has devoted his career to guiding organizations through profound cultural shifts. He brings practical, immediately applicable strategies to every engagement.
Alfredo's Upcoming Book: The Human Upgrade: The New Resilient Leadership for Peak Performance in the AI Revolution
In this powerful new book, Alfredo Borodowski shows how individuals, teams, and entire organizations can thrive—rather than just survive—amid rapid technological change. Day-to-day routines, AI-driven disruption, global uncertainty: all turn into opportunities when you harness clarity, purpose, resilience, and mental focus. Through real stories, neuroscience-informed practices, and practical exercises, The Human Upgrade offers a roadmap for building adaptive minds, purposeful workplaces, and high-performing lives. It’s for athletes, executives, creators — anyone who wants to turn pressure into possibility.
Expected release: early 2026 (pre-order available at positiveab.com).
In this episode, Bob ‘n Joyce explore how the words we think and speak shape the world we live in. Our language can either unlock new possibilities or quietly reinforce the status quo. And in a world that’s often dripping with negativity, it’s easy to get swept up and mirror the tone around us. The same dynamic plays out inside organizations: the prevailing language can propel a culture forward… or keep it stuck.
Key Takeaways:
• Choosing our words consciously — what we call activating language — can bring new possibilities into being that wouldn’t emerge on their own.
• The words we use about ourselves influence how we show up and how others experience us.
• Most of us toss out language without realizing its impact.
• The dominant language inside an organization is a direct signal of the health of its culture.
Join us as we unpack how language shapes personal and organizational wellbeing.
Come on in. Grab a snack. Welcome!
Today, Bob ’n Joyce welcome Bernie Youngblood — a force of nature who brings passion, candor, and a deep sense of purpose to everything he touches. A self-described “accidental entrepreneur,” Bernie has launched eight companies, reinvented industries, and built a career anchored in one simple belief: doing good and doing well should go hand-in-hand.
Bernie doesn’t dodge hard questions. In fact, he runs straight at them. In this conversation, he challenges conventional thinking and offers a perspective that every leader — from scrappy founders to seasoned execs — needs to hear.
We cover a wide terrain, including:
• The biggest mistake startup CEOs make
• Why the world needs more people willing to speak truth to power
• Why it’s never just about the money
• How organizations can win by putting purpose, wellness, and culture first
• The myth of scarcity
• Staying hopeful in chaotic times
Bernie is a provocateur in the best sense — someone who shakes people awake, pushes for better, and reminds us that leadership is ultimately about impact.
Here we go. Come on in. Grab a snack. Welcome.
About Our Guest
Bernie Youngblood is an 8x founder, CEO, marketer, and change agent who helps organizations win by putting purpose, wellness, and culture at the center of their strategy. After starting his career in finance, Bernie found his true calling in sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship — leading national campaigns, driving corporate spin-offs, building startups from the ground up, and helping Fortune 500 companies rethink how they go to market.
Today, he splits his time between two missions: transforming workplace wellness as Director of Partnerships at HOTLOGIC®, and leading ThinkPartners, a boutique firm that connects for-profits, nonprofits, and artist communities to ignite purpose-driven growth. He also hosts Unboxing the Office, a podcast exploring corporate culture with honesty and humor.
Bernie’s work is rooted in a simple conviction: thriving people build thriving companies.
In today’s episode, Bob ‘n Joyce dive into the pitfalls that often accompany the perceived benefits of outsourcing HR services. While outsourcing can seem like a smart move, especially on paper, it often brings unintended consequences—many of them negative—despite the best intentions and solid rationale.
We’re not anti-outsourcing, but we’ve seen the chaos that can result when the process isn’t managed well. The good news? With the right approach, much of that chaos can be avoided.
Here are a few of our thoughts on making outsourcing work for you rather than against you:
• Pain points are inevitable with any major change—but a thoughtful process can minimize them.
• When the primary rationale is purely financial, that’s often a recipe for trouble.
• If the risk-reward stakes are high, start small: a pilot phase can be a powerful learning tool.
So come on in, grab a snack, and join us for a candid conversation about how to keep outsourcing from turning into an out-of-control adventure.
In today’s episode, Bob ‘n Joyce welcome Bishop Kevin Foreman — a powerhouse of purpose, energy, and impact. A success coach, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and founding Pastor of Harvest Church, Bishop Foreman has spent his life helping people rise above their circumstances and lead with intention.
From the moment the conversation starts, it’s clear Bishop Foreman sees leadership not as a title, but as the art of developing people and building cultures where others can thrive. Drawing on his experience leading both faith-based and entrepreneurial organizations, he shares practical wisdom on aligning vision, purpose, and performance — with humor, humility, and heart.
From his roots in Orange Mound, Memphis, to creating a dynamic movement that blends spiritual growth with personal and organizational transformation, Bishop’s story is a masterclass in how leadership can shape lives and communities.
Get ready for a high-energy, high-impact conversation that will leave you inspired to live — and lead — with purpose.
Come on in. Grab a snack. Welcome!
Guest Bio:
Known as “The People’s Bishop,” Bishop Kevin Foreman is the founding Pastor of Harvest Church, a success coach, author, and philanthropist dedicated to helping people and organizations reach their potential. From humble beginnings in Orange Mound, Memphis, he built a movement centered on transformation and wholeness. He is also the founder and chancellor of Harvest Bible College and the creator of #FitHarvest, a wellness initiative encouraging people to live in “shalom” — where nothing is missing, nothing is lacking, and all is well.
In today’s episode, Bob ‘n Joyce welcome Steve Jaffe, author of The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery, for a powerful conversation about turning job loss into personal growth. Steve shares lessons from his 22-year journey through multiple layoffs—how his early struggles gave way to resilience and insight over time.
His book guides readers through the stages of grief that often follow a layoff and offers practical tools for navigating job searches and interviews with renewed confidence. Together, we explore how layoffs reveal the true values and culture of an organization—a theme we’ve revisited often (most recently in Episode 189, Letting Employees Go – Do It Right or Pay the Price).
Come on in. Grab a snack. Let’s talk about how to handle one of the toughest transitions in work and life—with honesty, compassion, and purpose.
About Steve Jaffe
Steve Jaffe brings 25 years of advertising and marketing expertise and deep experience with career transitions into his consulting practice. As the author of The Layoff Journey and a seasoned executive who worked on the iconic “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” campaign, Steve offers unique insights into professional perseverance, rebuilding after sudden change, and authentic leadership.
Connect with Steve:
📧 steve@thestevejaffe.com
🔗 linkedin.com/in/jaffesteve/
📸 instagram.com/stevejaffethelayoffjourney/
The world feels broken — and so do many workplaces. In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce explore how a systems-based approach to Organization Development can help leaders respond with intention. When uncertainty and disruption are the norm, creating safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported isn’t optional — it’s essential. Together, they unpack how OD principles equip leaders to build trust, foster connection, and create the conditions where people and organizations can truly thrive.
Join our safe space. Come on in. Grab a snack. Welcome!
In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce sit down with Rita Ramakrishnan, executive coach and neurodivergent leadership expert. Rita shares her passion for working with neurodivergent leaders, along with her own story of being diagnosed with ADHD and autism as an adult.
Highlights from the conversation:
• How neurodivergent leaders can identify and leverage their unique strengths while creating strategies to navigate challenges—building a sense of cognitive ease.
• Why supportive communities and structures matter when living with ADHD.
• Examples of ADHD in the workplace—ranging from challenges like inattention and hyper-focus to strengths such as creativity and pattern recognition.
• The power of reframing clients’ experiences as strengths rather than burdens.
Rita’s openness, wisdom, and intuition shine as she shares both personal and professional stories that demonstrate her impact as a business leader and coach.
About Rita:
Rita brings 15 years of experience driving leadership development, behavioral change, and transformation across organizations of all sizes. She has served as a fractional Chief People Officer in startups, aligning people strategies with business goals.
She completed her leadership coaching training at Georgetown University, holds a team coaching certification from Brown University, and is pursuing a Master’s at the University of Pennsylvania focused on coaching modalities for neurodivergent leaders.
Rita is the founder of IKSANA Consulting, a coaching and human capital solutions practice.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.iksana.com
In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce call out those pushy political solicitations — the emails and texts that try to guilt or scare you into giving your time, talent, or money. Annoying? Absolutely. But there’s a bigger lesson here: organizations often use the same tactics when trying to win employee support.
Too many leaders skip the hard work of real dialogue and rely on one-way pitches. The result? Resistance, eye-rolls, and lost momentum.
Bob ’n Joyce share real examples of what works instead: “tilling the soil” through patience, active listening, and co-creating possibilities. The bottom line? Support isn’t something you force — it’s something you grow.
So Please come join us and don’t forget your snack or comforting drink.
In this Labor Day episode, Bob ’n Joyce shine a spotlight on the blue-collar heroes who keep our communities and organizations running. These men and women bring grit, skill, and pride to their work—whether they’re building, fixing, driving, or keeping the lights on. Too often their contributions are overlooked, yet without them the systems we rely on every day simply wouldn’t function.
We step back to honor the dignity of all work—not just what happens in corner offices or behind computer screens. Every paycheck, every community, every thriving business stands on the shoulders of people whose names we may not know, but whose impact we feel everywhere.
As OD and HR professionals, we have a responsibility to create cultures that celebrate, respect, and support these workers. Join us for a heartfelt conversation about why blue-collar work matters, what we can learn from it, and how we can give these unsung heroes the recognition they deserve.
So, grab a snack, pull up a chair, and let’s raise a toast to the backbone of our workplaces and our lives.
In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce share the hard-earned principles that helped their OD work actually stick. Too often, change efforts fail because the “rules of the road” are ignored. In past conversations, we may have made OD sound smooth and effortless — but the truth is, most of the tough work was anything but easy.
From preparing the ground before diving in to remembering that “thick skin” is essential, these guidelines come from lessons learned the hard way:
• Till the soil before leaping in
• Never underestimate the value of a good warm-up
• When in doubt, stop and check in with the group
• Drop “right” and “wrong” from your vocabulary
• Spend two-thirds of your time serving, which earns you one-third to push back
• Never assume you know better
• Grow some thick skin
Whether you’re leading your next leadership meeting or tackling a major change initiative, these rules will help smooth the road and improve your odds of success.
So come on in, grab a snack, and let’s hit the road together.
In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce explore the surprising benefits of resistance to change. Too often, resistance is seen as a problem to squash — but that only fuels it further. Instead, what if resistance is a signal worth listening to?
When we meet resistance with curiosity and inquiry, it becomes a powerful ally for successful change. Resistance is natural. It’s the system’s way of saying, “Not so fast.”
This conversation was sparked by The Seven C’s of Consulting by Mick Cope — a book we’re reading (and loving).
Here are a few flavors of resistance we dig into:
• Flavor of the day change – “Here we go again…”
• Imposed change – Done to us vs. done with us
• Dislike of surprises – “You’re doing what?”
• Unpopular issues – The hard stuff nobody wants to face
• Fear of the unknown – The imperfect and uncertain
• Feeling inadequate – Not up to the challenge
• Lack of respect – Doubting the messenger
So don’t resist — come on in, grab a snack, and join us for the conversation.
In this episode, Bob ‘n Joyce pick up where they left off in Episode 204, exploring the infectious power of energy. Too often overlooked, energy shapes how we provoke, improve, and influence the people and systems around us. Each of us carries this superpower, capable of sparking positivity—or negativity—based on how we show up.
Every system is in constant flux, driven by the ebb and flow of energy. Today, we share practical ways leaders and OD practitioners can harness this invisible force to elevate individuals, teams, and entire organizations. It begins with learning to see energy at work, everywhere and all the time.
Tune in for an energy boost that’s guaranteed to lift your day!
In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce tap into the invisible but undeniable power of energy. What happens when we look at organizations — and even society — through the lens of energy? We see opportunities that are too often overlooked.
Fresh from a week-long immersion in healing energy at the Omega Institute, Joyce shares her big takeaway: blocked energy is everywhere, stifling creativity and slowing momentum. The challenge — and opportunity — for HR, OD, and all leaders is clear: unleash energy so people and organizations don’t just get by, but thrive.
Join us as we explore how to tap into this vital force to spark innovation, build prosperity, and create workplaces (and lives) that flow.
So grab a healthy snack and step into the conversation — the power is all around us.
In this episode, Bob ‘n Joyce shine the spotlight on Joyce and her winding journey to becoming an OD expert. It’s a story filled with unexpected turns, setbacks, resilience, and an unwavering drive to keep moving forward. From a high schooler more interested in socializing and boys to a leader in workplace culture transformation, Joyce shares how each step shaped her path.
Insights from Joyce’s journey:
• The power of knowing your “Why.”
• Trusting others when they point out your unique gifts.
• Accepting that careers are rarely neat or perfectly planned.
• How small choices create big changes over time.
• The courage to say “yes” and leap into discomfort.
Come ready to laugh, reflect, and be inspired by Joyce’s story. So grab some popcorn, pull up a chair, and join the conversation.
In this episode, Bob ‘n Joyce dig into the underrated superpower of knowing before doing. Before charging ahead, what if we paused to truly assess what’s needed? We share a playful, low-tech meeting check-in that opened the door to real talk—and it just might work wonders in your next gathering.
From informal gut checks to formal tools that steer hiring and change management, we explore how assessments help leaders tune in, not just dive in. You’ll also hear a few “ouch” moments when we skipped this step… and paid the price.
So come hang out with us as we assess the art of assessment. Bring your curiosity—and maybe a snack. Welcome in.
In this episode, Bob ‘n Joyce explore a simple yet powerful technique called “I want…”—a way to name our desires and aspirations out loud. As we cross the 200-episode milestone, we turn inward to uncover what we truly want from our work, and in doing so, open up new possibilities.
This candid conversation gets up close and personal, surprising even us with what surfaced. It’s a reminder that we often assume what others want—or even what we want—without asking or expressing it clearly.
The “I want…” exercise is a great tool for teams or families to explore their hopes and goals together. When spoken aloud, doubts give way to clarity and connection.
Bob ‘n Joyce break down how to use this technique at the end of the episode—give it a try and see what opens up!
Come on in. Grab a snack. Welcome!
Today marks a major milestone—our 200th episode! For over four years, we’ve shown up every Tuesday morning, come rain or shine. This ritual has been our anchor, carrying us through both the highs and the lows.
Lately, we’ve been talking a lot about finding an “island of sanity” in turbulent times. In many ways, this podcast has been ours—a space to think, laugh, question, and reconnect.
Here’s what we’re all about:
• Raw honesty and deep curiosity
• Stories that spark fresh thinking
• Celebrating competence and being fully alive
• Humor that helps lighten the load
Today, we raise a toast—to our steadfastness, our friendship, and to you, our listeners. Your support makes all of this possible.
So for the 200th time… come on in. Grab a snack. Welcome!
In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce dive into what it takes for organizations to stay grounded when chaos and uncertainty are no longer the exception—they’re the backdrop. As global and local challenges intensify, leaders face a new mandate: create environments where people can stay resilient, think creatively, and feel safe enough to perform at their best.
We explore:
This is a practical, hopeful conversation about leading with heart and strategy when the world gets wobbly. Grab a snack and come on in—welcome.