Conversations on Conversations

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

A Conversation on Resourcing Yourself with Shanté Gordon

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Shanté Gordon as they explore the importance of proactive resourcing, community, and living with authenticity to prevent and navigate burnout.
About Our Guest
Shanté Gordon, a dynamic DEI Strategist, Executive Coach, and Trauma-Sensitive Wellness Facilitator & Yoga Teacher (RYT-500), boasts a rich, multi-disciplinary career spanning decades. Armed with an Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences degree from Northwestern University, she began in supply chain management, where she uncovered workplace disparities around gender, race, and privilege. Transitioning to marketing, Shanté climbed the ranks in iconic music labels, online retailers, and fitness brands, until burnout prompted a recalibration towards a more balanced life. This shift led her to wellness, a journey that now profoundly informs her DEI strategy. As a DEI strategist at The Norfus Firm, Shanté adeptly merges mindfulness and trauma sensitivity with change management expertise, crafting tailored solutions for organizations ranging from small arts non-profits to major healthcare companies and most industries in between. Her unique approach centers on aligning organizational values with culture while maintaining a people-centric and data-driven focus. Beyond titles and industries, Shanté's true passion lies in connecting the dots within others' narratives. Whether coaching individuals or steering organizations, she finds joy in unlocking their potential and guiding them towards their goals. Shanté is a catalyst for transformation, committed to making workplaces environments where everyone can thrive.
Links and Resources
The Norfus Firm Website: www.thenorfusfirm.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shantegordon
Instagram: www.instagram.com/shantesgordon

A Conversation on Navigating Neurodivergence with Amy Myers and Luke Mohlenhoff

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guests Amy Myers and Luke Mohlenhoff for a candid conversation on how ADHD and anxiety impact their daily lives, relationships, and work, offering insights on navigating neurodivergence with compassion and support.
About Our Guests
Amy Myers brings over two decades of program management expertise to her role as our Chief of Staff. Her passion for connecting with clients while working together to “cross the Ts and dot the Is” makes her partnership personally rewarding on many levels (she loves a good Excel tracking sheet!). Amy’s background includes work in public education, government, and non-profit arts organizations. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Grinnell College, inspiring her lifelong interest in others’ stories and experiences. Fun Fact: In her free time, Amy lives vicariously through PBS baking shows and America’s Test Kitchen. She enjoys trying new dishes, but believes recipes are “only a suggestion.” Her husband and cat beg to differ. #oliveoilbrowniefail
Luke Mohlenhoff is a Senior Vice President at West Bank and manages the Residential Construction and Land Development team.  Luke has been with West Bank since 2011 and has over two decades of experience in the banking industry.  He has specialized in residential construction and land development banking since 2007. Luke actively contributes to professional organizations, as an 11 year board member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines, a 10 year board member of the Westbancorporation Foundation and more recently, as a two year board member of CREW Iowa (Commercial Real Estate Women). His motivation to pursue a career in construction and development banking comes from the contributions that this specialization has in transforming the Des Moines metropolitan area.  He has a particular passion for affordable housing initiatives and making housing more affordable for all, regardless of income level. A graduate of Albion College with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and English, he also earned an Elementary Teaching Certificate from Eastern Michigan University.  He was born in Connecticut and has lived in multiple states, but considers Jackson, Michigan his home town.  He has lived in Des Moines for the past 22 years with his wife, Amy Myers, and their cats, Teddy Bear Roosevelt and Chloe “Chloe-Bear” Warwick.   Luke is an avid golfer and his current golf handicap is mid-range irons.
Links and Resources
Amy Email: amy@sarahnollwilson.com

A Conversation on Living with Alzheimer's with Rebecca Christian and Kate Thompson

Join Sarah Noll Wilson as she speaks with Rebecca Christian and Kate Thompson about their experience, as mother and daughter, living with Rebecca's Alzheimer's diagnosis. Together, they explore the power of connection, humor, and self-advocacy in overcoming the challenges of memory loss.
About Our Guests
Rebecca Christian is a freelance writer who splits her time between Iowa and Toronto. Her work includes plays, books, poems, magazine articles, newspaper op-eds and articles, and a regular newspaper column for the Telegraph Herald in Dubuque for the last 35 years. She considers her best work to be silly stories and songs she has written for her friends, three children, seven grandchildren, three stepchildren and four stepgrands. She has Early Alzheimer's and is burning the candle brightly before the flame flickers out.
Kate Thompson is a neurodiversity consultant who has worked with a variety of businesses, including libraries and public health organizations, to improve the environment for all employees. She was a member Iowa’s Olmstead Consumer Services Taskforce, which helps enforce the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA), an adjunct faculty member at Des Moines Area Community College, and a contributor to the American Library Association’s book “Library Programming for Autistic Children and Teens.”
Links and Resources
Kate Email: katecthompson@icloud.com
Kate LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kate-thompson-50310
Alzheimer’s Association: www.alz.org
National Institute on Aging (NIA) - Alzheimer’s Disease: www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers

A Conversation on Intelligent Failure with Dr. Amy Edmondson

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and Brandon Springle as they sit down with Dr. Amy Edmondson to discuss her groundbreaking research on psychological safety. Uncover the critical role of high-quality conversations and the powerful impact of embracing intelligent failures for organizational growth.
About Our Guest
Amy C. Edmondson, the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School, is a management scholar best known for her research on psychological safety and team learning. She has been recognized by the biannual Thinkers50 global ranking of management thinkers since 2011 and was ranked #1 in 2021 and 2023. She is the author of eight books and more than 100 academic articles. Inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2024, her most recent book, Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well, won the Financial Times and Schroders Best Business Book of 2023. Edmondson received her PhD in organizational behavior, AM in psychology, and AB in engineering and design from Harvard University.
Links and Resources
Website: www.amycedmondson.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amycedmondson
X: x.com/AmyCEdmondson
Instagram: www.instagram.com/AmyCEdmondson

Episode 100: A Milestone Conversation on Conversations

Join Sarah Noll Wilson as she celebrates the show's 100th episode with a deep dive into the evolving nature of workplace relationships. Guests Gilmara Vila Nova-Mitchell, Dr. Teresa Peterson, and Brandon Springle share insights on building connections in virtual settings, fostering inclusion, and the vital role of empathetic leadership in creating supportive work environments.
About Our Guests
For almost two decades, Gilmara Vila Nova-Mitchell has been helping organizations and leaders become more effective and inclusive through her engaging diversity and inclusion professional learning sessions, leadership development programs and equity & cultural proficiency coaching. Gilmara has worked with HR managers, chief diversity officers, and other leaders to create more inclusive work environments. Gilmara has collaborated with organizations from the private and public sector, in a variety of industries. Gilmara has supported organizations develop strategic plans, create equity driven monitoring tools, create more inclusive cultures, and learn more about equity-driven leadership. Born in Brazil, Gilmara moved to the United States in 2001. She holds a Bachelor of Multicultural Education from FUMEC University (Brazil) and a MSE in School Counseling from Drake University. Gilmara has a focused her doctoral studies in Organizational Behavior with a focus on trust in the workplace.
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.
Brandon Springle is a dedicated HR (Human Resources) Leader with over 15 years of evolving experience working in multiple industries including Manufacturing, Background Screening, Health Insurance, and Sports & Entertainment. Brandon currently serves as a Divisional OD and Success Director at Shaw Industries where he has spent the past 9+ years. Brandon is a certified psychological safety coach using the “4 Stages of Psychological Safety” framework. Brandon is also certified as a Change Manager with intimate knowledge of the ADKAR process. Brandon is a senior leader focused on providing an amazing experience at all levels through a service-oriented approach that is rooted firmly in psychological safety. Brandon recognizes that there is power in aligning individually diverse talents to a shared vision where success is dependent upon the collective brain trust of the “team”. More than anything, Brandon loves to see people thriving as opposed to simply surviving. Brandon enjoys spending time with his wife and four children in his personal time. Brandon enjoys his hobbies which include reading, writing, music production, and all things basketball.
Links and Resources
Website: www.sarahnollwilson.com
Gilmara LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gilmara-vila-nova-mitchell
Gilmara Email: gilmara@sarahnollwilson.com
Teresa LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-peterson-EdD
Teresa Email: teresa@sarahnollwilson.com
Brandon LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bspringle

A Short Message from Sarah

Hello listeners! We are taking a short summer break... just a little bit earlier than originally planned. Sarah is here to bring you up to speed on her unexpected hiatus, set the stage for our upcoming special Episode 100, and share a few thoughts that have been on her mind in the meantime. Stay tuned for updates, and we'll be back with more soon!
Thank you as always for being a part of our conversation!

A Conversation on Inclusivity and Empathy with Courageous Fire

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Courageous Fire as they delve into the challenges faced by Black women in predominantly white spaces. Courageous shares insights into her journey of embracing authenticity and self worth, highlighting the power of vulnerability, trust, and empathy in building inclusive spaces.
About Our Guest
Courageous Fire is a Black woman and diligent part of the workforce who learned it was important to have a safe space to do safety planning, what it looked like to get help outside the workplace during the crisis of domestic violence, how far reaching the cost of DV is to health, how disruptive it is to work performance, how expensive it can be for years into the future, and how uniquely this health, economic, social justice issue specifically impacts Black women.
Once Courageous executed her plan to free herself and her daughters, she began to furiously RESEARCH. She wanted to find and/or create the best solutions. She wanted to know if she could find employer partners to create spaces within the work environment for safety planning if she provided the training and materials. She wanted to know if they realized how much money she could save them in employee absenteeism and healthcare costs if she provided them with cultural resources for their Black women employees. And she wanted to teach them how to utilize their position in Black women DV victim-survivor’s lives to be disruptors of the oftentime end result of DV - homicide.
She began Courageous Fire, LLC nearly 5 years ago to educate with a concentration on two distinct groups - Centers of Trust and Centers of Must - to increase the spaces where Black women can be treated with dignity, compassion, and stop being refused services or having services terminated for showing up fully as a Black woman during crisis. Courageous has always known her work would need to broaden to mitigate the harm of systems holding Black women accountable for the perpetrator’s violence against them and their children. That’s why she is moving toward those state-operated systems in her collaborative work with organizations such as Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Children and Families of Iowa, and Safe and Together Institute to make that happen.
Nearly 5 years later, Courageous has successfully charted relationships with over 30 organizations to increase safe spaces for Black women. These places in Iowa include many cities: Waterloo, Dubuque, Davenport, Iowa City, Decorah, Cedar Rapids, Ankeny, and Des Moines, as well as Illinois and New York. In this time she has 1 organization that has set up a place for safety planning, but she knows there are many more needed.
Courageous is a consultant, trainer, and women’s empowerment speaker who comes with 12+ years of curriculum development and delivery experience, 6+ years as a motivational speaker, and 5+ years of independent studies in historical and systemic racial impact on Black women in DV. She often says her approach is never “shame on you!” which closes people down, but instead it is one of “did you know?” to give people a safe place for consideration. Courageous is aware that there is a temptation to assume how a Black woman will “teach”, but experience has shown her that knowledge, authenticity, and comfort with who she is creates a safe for her audience to be comfortable with themselves while they learn, question, seek, discard, relearn, and grow. She comes ready to invite everyone that attends that level of #permission.
Links and Resources
Website: www.cfirellc.com/home
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cfire
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cfire_llc
Shared Sisterhood: How to Take Collective Action for Racial and Gender Equity at Work by Tina Opie and Beth A. Livingston : https://a.co/d/dzMZaMD

A Conversation on This Moment in Leadership with Stephanie Chin

Join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Stephanie Chin for a wide-ranging conversation with insights on leadership, personal growth and experimentation, and the complex challenges of creating diverse and inclusive workplaces.
About Our Guest
Stephanie Chin has spent the past two decades as a nonprofit leader, including working for the United Way network both globally and locally and at SRI International, Inc. She believes that we all do better when we all do better and her life’s mission is to help everyone operate near their potential while expanding it, by their own definition. She led day-to-day operations of MyFreeTaxes at United Way Worldwide, expanding the number of free tax filers from 50,000 to over 200,000 in two years, and promulgated an inclusive approach to project management at SRI International, Inc., leading a cross-division project management leadership team on the implementation of the new financial planning system. She approaches poverty fighting with a race conscious lens and advocates for equitable practices and systems change and contributed to United Way Worldwide’s Equity Framework. Chin’s new venture, Spicy Conversations, will help clients improve inclusive leadership practices and focus on behavior and systems change that makes a difference.
Chin has a Bachelor of Arts from University of California, Berkeley, a JD/MBA from Emory University, has a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma, and coaching training from Co-Active Training Institute.
Links and Resources
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemchin
LinkedIn (company): www.linkedin.com/company/spicy-conversations
Schedule a conversation with Stephanie: https://calendly.com/spicyconversation
The Culture Map by Erin Meyer: www.erinmeyer.com/book
Becoming Powerful Makes You Less Empathetic (HBR article): www.hbr.org/2015/04/becoming-powerful-makes-you-less-empathetic
Asch Conformity Experiments (Wikipedia): www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asch_conformity_experiments
The Push and Pull: Declining Interest in Nonprofit Leadership: www.buildingmovement.org/reports/push-and-pull-report