Conversations on Conversations

A Conversation on Style with Elsa Isaac

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and stylist Elsa Isaac as they explore how the clothes we wear can influence not just how others see us, but how we feel about ourselves. Learn how to reconnect with your style, play with your wardrobe, and show up powerfully as your most authentic self.
About Our Guest
Elsa Isaac is a personal wardrobe stylist for ambitious women professionals, who believes style is really all about self-expression. A seasoned pro with 20+ years in the fashion industry, the east African-born stylist has built quite a noteworthy portfolio, working her style magic on everyone from Rachel Rodgers and Lenny Kravitz, to Katie Couric and Marion Jones. Nowadays, she helps successful career women + entrepreneurs revamp their wardrobes + create show-stopping ensembles that flatter their unique body shapes and lifestyles. Elsa resides in NYC with her husband and son, and is the host of the Get Styled Podcast.
Links and Resources
Website: https://elsaisaac.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/elsaisaac
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elsaisaac
Get Styled Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-styled/id1743069176

A Conversation on Modern Masculinity with Lawrence Weinrauch

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Lawrence Weinrauch as they explore the evolving landscape of modern masculinity. From breaking free of rigid expectations to owning your authentic self, this episode offers thought-provoking insights on how to show up more fully in life.
About Our Guest
Lawrence Weinrauch is the General Manager of Turtleford Coop, as well as the Mayor of Turtleford, in Saskatchewan. He is also a father to four of his own children and a stepdad to two more. In his spare time, Lawrence studies Contemplative Psychotherapy and spends time outdoors with his wife and their two dogs. A Buddhist practitioner, Lawrence is fascinated by the mind and the dynamics of human interactions.
Links and Resources
Email: lawrence.weinrauch@gmail.com

A Conversation on Imposter Phenomenon in Men with Dr. Julie Ressler

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Dr. Julie Ressler as they explore the imposter phenomenon in men. Topics including the impacts of family, gender, and culture, and how leaders can make a difference by embracing recognition and open conversations.
About Our Guest
Dr. Julie Ressler decided early on, around the age of 9, that she wanted to be a teacher, however exactly what kind of a teacher wasn’t established until later in life. Growing up in northeast Iowa, her passion for education and helping people grow and learn was influenced by her parent’s chosen professions of high school teacher and business owner. Observing these two amazing role models encouraged her to pursue a career as a teacher of adults-which in her words are “little kids” in bigger bodies.
Over the past thirty years, she has been a proud member of the Des Moines community working in banking and insurance in various corporate training roles. She is currently the AVP-Insurance Operations Training at Athene USA, where she leads a talented team of performance improvement professionals.
She earned a B.S. from Iowa State University and a master’s degree from Drake University, both in adult education. She’s certified in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Prosci Change Management. Julie completed her doctorate degree in educational leadership from Drake University, May of 2024.
Her greatest accomplishments include raising two daughters and a son. Lauren (29) is a school psychologist with the Juneau, Alaska school district, Madelyn (27), a graphic designer at Athene in Des Moines, and her 22-year-old son, CJ served as an Army Ranger and is currently pursuing a degree to serve as an anesthesia nurse practitioner.
Links and Resources
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/juliecmahlstedt
The Influence of Personal and Career Situations on Men's Experiences with Imposter Phenomenon by Julie C. Ressler: 
Clance Imposter Scale: paulineroseclance.com/pdf/IPscoringtest.pdf
Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome by Ruchika Tulshyan and Jodi-Ann Burey: hbr.org/2021/02/stop-telling-women-they-have-imposter-syndrome

A Conversation on Legacy Leadership with Robert Craven, Jr.

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and Rob Craven Jr. as they discuss the challenges and rewards of sustaining a family business for over a century. Rob reflects on the leadership lessons he’s learned while honoring the legacy of those who came before him.
About Our Guest
Robert Craven, Jr. was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the surrounding suburbs. A graduate of Episcopal Academy, he earned a Bachelor's degree from Syracuse University’s School of Management in 1973.
Robert joined the family business, F.A. Davis Co., working part-time before college. After graduating, he became a full-time college textbook representative, later promoted to National Sales Manager. In 1981, he took on the role of Editor in Chief and COO, and in 1989 was named President. Under his leadership, the company’s annual sales grew from $3 million to $50 million.
Outside of the publishing industry, Robert has been an active parent, coaching his children's sports and serving as Treasurer for 13 years on the Board of Trustees at the Russell Byers Charter School. He and his wife, Michelle, have been married for 43 years and have three children and four grandchildren.
Links and Resources
Website: www.fadavis.com

A Conversation on Play, Curiosity, and Neurodivergence with Lauren Yee and Maddy Gabor

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guests Lauren Yee and Maddy Gabor as they explore neurodivergence in the workplace. Together, they discuss how play, curiosity, and clear communication can transform team dynamics and create inclusive spaces for everyone to thrive.
About Our Guests
Lauren Yee and Maddy Gabor are co-founders of Betterment Works, a playful professional development company on a mission to strengthen businesses and teams by helping people feel, connect, and do better at work.
Lauren is a process-driven problem solver who believes that curiosity, consistency, and connections are the greatest drivers of great things. She is also an extroverted Hufflepuff who loves puzzles, pizza, and fun questions! She studied design and psychology, has been managing people, projects, and clients since 2005, and previously helped grow the largest LEGO-inspired learning through play company in the United States.
Her experience from a decade of working with kids, informs her perspective and focus on how play, curiosity, and inclusion can improve productivity, innovation, teamwork, and leadership.
Maddy is an impact-obsessed, life-long learner with a passion for leadership, data, and play. As a neurodivergent executive, she is well-versed in the struggles of focus, productivity, time management, and leadership; and her facilitation and content are informed by that experience. Driven by a dedication to understanding and an unending belief in human betterment, Maddy envisions more empowering, engaging, and compassionate workplaces for all. Using play and analytics as the tools and her values as the compass, she pursues this vision relentlessly.
An expert in the practical applications of learning through play, Maddy facilitates playful professional development and consults on organizational betterment projects.
Links and Resources
Website: www.bettermentworks.com
Lauren Email: Lauren@bettermentworks.com
Maddy Email: Maddy@bettermentworks.com

A Year-End Message from Sarah

Sarah shares a quick update on the upcoming schedule for the podcast, as well as some big, exciting changes we have in store for the show in 2025!

A Conversation on Emotions in the Workplace with Vanessa McNeal

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Vanessa McNeal as they explore the role of emotions in personal and professional growth, sharing insights on how expressing feelings can unlock greater fulfillment and productivity.
About Our Guest
Vanessa McNeal is a nationally acclaimed Speaker, Life Coach, and Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker. With a Master's Degree in Social Work, Vanessa is a leading voice on topics of well-being, leadership development, and fostering a culture of belonging and care in the workplace and beyond. Her impactful presentations have resonated with audiences ranging from women’s empowerment events and university lecture halls to prestigious military institutions such as the National Guard and Air Force. Vanessa's mission is to inspire and ignite positive change, empowering individuals and organizations to reach their highest potential. Vanessa's dedication and influence have earned her numerous accolades, including the Inspiring Women of Iowa Award and the Statement Maker Award, highlighting her as a transformative force in the field of personal and professional development.
Links and Resources
Website: www.vanessamcneal.com
Email: info@vanessamcneal.com

A Conversation on Workplace Investigations with Susan Arduengo

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Susan Arduengo for an exploration of workplace investigations. Susan shares insights from her experience, including the importance of transparency, unbiased listening, and creating a safe and supportive environment for employees.
About Our Guest
Susan Arduengo is a California licensed attorney and an Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder who conducts impartial, thorough, high quality workplace investigations throughout California. Susan has investigated a broad range of allegations in private and public sector workplaces including for non-profits and higher education. Susan has also conducted investigations into allegations against elected officials and sworn personnel including Firefighters’ Procedural Bill of Rights Act (FBOR) and Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBR) matters. Susan is also experienced in conducting investigations in unionized workplaces. Before focusing on investigations, Susan practiced as an employment litigator and she litigated matters involving wage disputes, allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and class action litigation in both state and federal courts. A native Floridian, Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida and a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. While in law school, Susan clerked for the United States Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida and the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida. From there, Susan began her law career in Chicago, Illinois before relocating to California.
Links and Resources
Email: susan@arduengoinvestigations.com
Website: www.arduengoinvestigations.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susan-arduengo-81092412
Harvard’s Implicit Association Tests (IAT): implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/index.jsp

Revisiting a Conversation on Avoidance with Dr. Teresa Peterson

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and Dr. Teresa Peterson as they celebrate the release of the Don't Feed the Elephants! Workbook by exploring fresh insights and perspectives on the challenges of starting tough conversations. Topics range from overcoming avoidance to crafting impactful opening statements that set the tone for honest dialogue.
About Our Guest
Dr. Teresa Peterson is the Director of Learning and Development for Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc. In her daily work, she serves as Sarah’s key content collaborator. Teresa enjoys facilitating, researching, and is passionate about applying best practices for learning to make our experiences meaningful, engaging, and accessible for all types of learners. Teresa holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Northern Iowa and brings over twenty years of experience teaching, facilitating, and leading to our team. Our clients love Teresa’s grounded energy, depth of thought, and ability to listen deeply.
Links and Resources
Email: teresa@sarahnollwilson.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-peterson-EdD
Don’t Feed the Elephants! Workbook: www.theleadercampus.com

A Conversation on Inclusive and Sustainable Leadership with Tiana Sanchez

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Tiana Sanchez as they examine the role of consistency and integrity in leadership, with real talk on how organizations can truly uphold commitments to diversity and inclusion.
About Our Guest
Tiana Sanchez, CEO and Founder of TSI, LLC, a Woman-Owned Small Business, brings over a decade of expertise as a Corporate Trainer and Business Consultant to leaders in the public and private sectors. With a #1 best-selling authorship and a globally recognized podcast, Tiana has earned acclaim for her insights, including a KTLA Morning News feature on workplace empathy. As an Award-Winning Executive Coach, she utilizes her diverse management background in Retail, Food and Beverage, and Finance to elevate people development. Leading Tiana Sanchez International, named "Best Executive Coaching" Program by HR.Com, Tiana specializes in delivering world-class leadership programs, keynotes, and seminars. Her tailored Diversity Audits and Pulse Surveys empower organizations with equitable practices, showcased through partnerships with renowned entities like Sempra, Metropolitan Water District, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and various government agencies. Tiana's impactful workshops at esteemed educational institutions underscore her commitment to elevating organizational effectiveness. Armed with a Psychology and Business Management background, Tiana is a sought-after speaker, contributing author, and dedicated advocate for sustainable leadership development.
Links and Resources
Website: www.tianasanchez.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tianasanchez
Instagram: www.instagram.com/likearealbosslady
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TianaSanchez
The New C-Suite: Civil Leadership in Action:  https://a.co/d/7KLVQGU