Coffee & Change

Hosted by Bill Kirst

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185

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Jul 2026

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About the show

Bill Kirst, an organizational change leader, supports organizations and clients navigating change in order to thrive, to overcome personal obstacles and to reach their full potential. Bill's blended approach has been cultivated over many years by consulting with individuals and offering leadership in military service. In his podcast, Bill talks with a diverse set of guests on the topic of leading change in today's ever-changing world. Brew up a cup of coffee, or tea, and enjoy the listen. *Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this podcast are personal and belong solely to the podcast owner and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity.

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60 recent

July 9, 20261 hr 5 min

Episode 170: Lead By Design with David Pearlman

This is a book launch-week conversation. David Pearlman joins to mark the release of his first book, Lead by Design: The Human Side of Leadership in an Age of Change. Rather than a standard author interview, Bill and David walk through how the book actually came together over two years — the writing process, the developmental editing partnership between two people who'd never met in person, but walked the same paths, and the personal story at the book's center. They close with reflections on what happens after a book ships: reader reactions, speaking invitations, and what David calls "the riches" that follow publishing something honest. David Pearlman spent roughly 23-24 years across Great Plains Softward and Microsoft, moving through about sixteen roles — people strategy, product, and large-scale fielding — with his last 18 years focused on the public sector: healthcare, K-12, and higher education. Along the way he served as chief of staff and spent time in the Army, active duty and reserves. He's currently at Adobe, working at the intersection of education, healthcare, and AI. Lead by Design is his first book. Visit: www.thedavidpearlman.com to order his book.

July 1, 20261 hr 0 min

Episode 169: Rethinking Resistance with the Neurological Nomad

Travis Hahler is Senior Director of Global Strategy & Transformation at Salesforce, where he leads teams through large-scale organizational change. Alongside his corporate work, Travis is a keynote speaker and the author of Rethink Resistance: Embracing Neuroscience to Lead Transformational Change, published by Fast Company Press. Travis joins to unpack what happens neurologically when people encounter change — and why most leaders are misreading the signals. Drawing on his book Rethink Resistance, Travis makes the case that resistance isn't a problem to overcome. It's data. The conversation moves from the science of six neurological barriers to change, to the surprisingly practical value of body language, to an unexpected live tarot card reading that turns out to be a fitting metaphor for the whole conversation: if you know what to look for, you can see what's coming. Travis also addresses the AI transformation moment head-on — arguing that how companies are currently introducing AI mirrors one of the most primal threat responses in the human brain, and that leaders who don't understand that are setting their organizations up to fail. Bonus: Resistance Tarot Card Giveaway During the episode, Travis revealed that he's creating a physical deck of Resistance Tarot Cards — a tangible extension of the frameworks in his book. If you purchase Rethink Resistance and send Travis proof of purchase, you'll be entered into a drawing to receive a packet of the cards. This was unplanned, unscripted, and announced here first. To enter: buy the book, then reach out to Travis directly via his website or LinkedIn with your purchase confirmation. Links & Resources Book — Rethink Resistance: linktr.ee/theneurologicalnomad Travis's Website: travishahler.com Book Page: travishahler.com/book Podcast Snippets: travishahler.com/podcast LinkedIn — The Neurological Nomad: linkedin.com/company/the-neurological-nomad

June 17, 20261 hr 4 min

Episode 168: Uncharted Moments with Jeff & Brad Ton

In this episode, Father and Son Jeff and Brad share a deeply personal conversation about family, authenticity, and the uncharted paths that shape us. They explore themes of love, integrity, vulnerability, and purpose across generations, illustrating how moments of stillness and authenticity define our true journey. Key Topics: The significance of intergenerational connection and storytelling How authenticity and integrity shape leadership and creativity The transformative power of love stories and life's uncharted moments The role of vulnerability and intimacy in building human connection Lessons from water’s stillness teaching patience and listening The importance of purposeful work and the journey over results Building resilience through discipline and emotional awareness How embracing vulnerability enhances leadership and personal growth The profound impact of family, love, and shared stories on legacy Resources & Links: Connect with Brad Ton: Brad Ton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradton/ Jeff's latest book "Uncharted Moments" available on Amazon Connect with Jeffrey S. Ton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtonindy/ Website: jeffreyston.com

May 31, 202645 min

Episode 167: Design & Change with Todd LeMieux

Todd LeMieux is an artist, art director and graphic designer based in Springfield, MA, with a career spanning multiple decades across agencies, corporate environments, higher education, and independent practice. He specializes in logos and branding, with deep experience in music industry work — including album reissues for major labels and a logo for a Warner Music digital imprint that was cast in metal and embedded in the floor of their Midtown Manhattan offices. He has taught graphic design at the college level, been published in books and magazines, and received industry recognition for his work. Portfolio: Todd LeMieux on Behance LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/toddmlemieux I met Todd at a celebration of life — a fitting origin point for a conversation about work that endures. Todd reflects on a career that began in traditional agency environments and evolved through every major wave of technological change in the design field. His perspective is grounded: he loves the work, has watched tools come and go, and holds a clear-eyed view of where human skill still matters. The episode closes on the question of where human designers will continue to thrive. Todd's answer: the humanity is already in the question.

May 30, 202654 min

Episode 166: Human Potential with Jason P. Carroll of Aptive Index

What if the resume — that document we've built our entire hiring process around — is the wrong place to start? Jason P. Carroll makes a compelling case that it is. Drawing on research from the 1980s and 90s, he points out that prior skills, experience, and formal education have almost zero predictive value for success in a new role. Add AI-generated resumes to that picture, and the traditional hiring process starts to look like a relic. Jason's company, Aptive Index, approaches the problem differently. Rather than measuring what someone has done, it measures what drives them — motivators, emotional resonance, internal activation, cognitive style. The platform pairs that psychometric data with Aria, a behavioral AI that knows your team's profiles and can guide everything from hiring decisions to conflict resolution to job description writing. The conversation takes some unexpected turns. Jason shares stories of clients using Aria as a personal growth tool — including two CEOs who credited it with saving their marriages. He talks about a CEO forum where Aria identified, in real time, that one member felt like an outsider in the group — and was right. And he opens up about a B2C mental health companion product he's developing but hasn't launched yet, and why he's looking for the right co-founder to help bring it to life. Running through all of it is a theme that fits squarely in the Coffee and Change ethos: self-awareness as the foundation for change — in how we hire, how we lead, how we relate to the people around us, and ultimately how we understand ourselves. Curious what Aptive Index would reveal about you? Jason has set up a dedicated link for Coffee and Change listeners to take the assessment and get a preview of Aria: https://assessment.aptiveindex.com/s/sH5bgSZVQVy0 The assessment takes about ten minutes. At the end, you'll get a preview of Aria and the chance to ask her a few questions based on your results. Connect with Jason Aptive Index: aptiveindex.com B2C / Mental Health Companion (coming soon): aria.com — Jason is actively looking for a co-founder with B2C experience. If that's you, reach out.

May 23, 202614 min

Episode 165: Commencement & Change

Celebrating the Power of Inner Knowing and Witnessing: A Commencement Reflection In this episode, Bill Kirst shares a deeply personal story stemming from his own journey of trusting inner knowing, the significance of witnessing others’ moments of achievement, and the profound impact these experiences have on our lives. If you've ever hesitated to step into your purpose or doubted your ability to influence others positively, this episode offers clarity and inspiration. In this episode: Bill’s reflective story from his time as a student and how a gut instinct shaped his future The importance of trusting inner guidance even when it defies logic or societal expectations How the act of witnessing others’ joys and struggles can transform our own perspective The significance of showing up with heart, especially in moments of celebration and transition Lessons on leadership and presence during meaningful stages like commencements The call to listen to your inner whisper, no matter how small or unconventional it seems Why sharing your story can be a gift to others, fostering connection and change The legacy of honoring memories and passing the torch of purpose Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Reflecting during graduation season 00:05 - A personal story: trusting my inner knowing at Johns Hopkins University 01:08 - Childhood memory of making a bold decision based on intuition 02:09 - The emotional power of trusting your internal guide 03:27 - The impact of witnessing a significant event through graduation 04:24 - Being tapped to represent alumni and what it felt like 05:09 - Preparing with heart versus perfection for a commencement speech 06:13 - The importance of leading with authenticity and compassion 07:19 - Walking through graduation; reliving a 26-year-old memory 08:17 - The experience of being on stage and the significance of presence 09:02 - The emotion of graduation: pride, tears, and shared achievement 09:49 - Wondering about peers and their journeys since graduation 10:10 - Connecting beyond the stage—shared human experience 11:03 - Witnessing tears, pride, and bittersweet emotions 12:26 - Reflecting on the journey from a student to a speaker 13:25 - The emotional power of honoring dreams and memories 14:25 - Encouragement: Seize opportunities to speak and inspire 14:32 - Celebrating the class of 2026 and embracing inner whispers

April 23, 202621 min

Episode 164: The Questions that AI Asked Me About My Book on AI

When is the last time you let AI ask you questions? What sensations arose in you when you reflected on these questions, and what came up in as you reached for an answer? I have been reflecting on some probing questions asked of me, by AI, when nudged by a human in a recent book talk. This all stemmed from a book I wrote and published in August 2025 titled: "Leading Change in the Era of AI." Enjoy the listen and let me know what comes up in you as you reflect, listen and discern. Here is to the messiness of being human.

March 21, 20261 hr 9 min

Episode 163: CULTURE FIRST with Jon Becker

Culture First: 9 Leadership Practices That Build Elite Teams (New Book Launch) In this episode, Jon returns to the show, 60 episodes since his inaugural, to dive into the core principles of cultivating culture within organizations, emphasizing how intentional leadership and storytelling shape resilient and high-performing teams. His insights are rooted in decades of experience across elite tactical units, law enforcement, and corporate environments, offering practical guidance for leaders seeking to make a lasting impact. In this episode: - How external factors like societal shifts and crises reveal the true state of organizational culture - The role of storytelling in embedding values and creating shared purpose - The importance of intentional culture building and how it influences team effectiveness - Lessons learned from elite units that apply across industries - The necessity of humility, vulnerability, and authenticity in leadership - Strategies for creating environments where individuals and organizations thrive - The impact of media, social media, and societal narratives on collective well-being - Practical steps to assess and develop a strong, purpose-driven culture Resources & Links: Culture First: 9 Leadership Practices That Build Elite Teams (Pre-order April 1, Release May 15) Official book website with assessment tools and insights: culture-first.org

February 17, 20261 hr 1 min

Episode 162: Change the Frame with Adrian Nuno

There is a film that Adrian Nuno and I both saw for the first time on a big screen as kids. Same film, different theatres, different states. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Neither Adrian or I knew it then, but that movie quietly did something to us. It planted somewhere deep in our chest, the idea that a story told with honesty and heart could make a complete stranger feel less alone in the world. It was never hope, mistaken for a naivete. The connection was magical. That was, in fact, the whole point. We were living through a moment that is testing that belief. And I think the people best equipped to help us find our way back to our humanity are the ones who never stopped making things filmmakers, storytellers, authors, poets, all artists who refuse to look away. Adrian Nuno is one of those people, and I'm so glad I got to have this conversation with him. Enjoy the listen.

February 9, 202651 min

Episode 161 : Third Culture Kids & Change with Trish Shankar

Trish Shankar is a fellow Third Culture Kid and joins the podcast to share an understanding of what that means in today's world. Trish is a Marketer at Microsoft and also happens to be a neighbor. We have gone for walks and had great dinners and unpacked all the connections and power of community in our worlds of change. The world is smaller than we think and this conversation captures the mosaic and mystery of change. Enjoy the listen.