Jazzed About Work

Hosted by WOUB Public Media

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Episodes

198

Latest episode

Jul 2025

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About the show

Jazzed About Work features lively, informal conversations about everything it takes to create a resilient and rewarding career. In each episode, host Beverly Jones interviews experts who can share their knowledge and workplace stories. Jones is an executive coach whose new book, “Find Your Happy at Work,” is a guide to moving past boredom and frustration and finding ways to flourish in your career. Bev and her guests discuss leadership, career development and the link between well-being and job success. Often guests go beyond the research and get personal, as they talk about their own professional paths. Every show blends good stories with practical suggestions for navigating your work life.

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60 recent

July 2, 2025Episode 19837 min

Laura Hamill says a powerful culture can bring human values to the workplace

Today’s returning guest is Laura Hamill, an organizational psychologist who has helped many companies create environments where both employees and the business can thrive. Laura will tell us about her thought-provoking new book, The Power of Culture – Bringing values to life at work. It describes “culture” as the collective set of reasons why employees behave the way they do. Laura suggests that effective leaders support a culture that treats workers with compassion. She says improving a culture starts with spotting patterns in the way people actually behave. And she emphasizes that while culture needs to be aligned with the organization’s strategy, it is also important that cultural attributes reflect “human values,” like integrity and kindness. For more see: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurahamill/recent-activity/all/ And: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Power-of-Culture/Laura-Hamill/The-Economist-Edge-Series/9781639367283

May 23, 2025Episode 19734 min

Training show dogs means understanding their emotions, says top handler Kelly Marquis

Have you ever wondered about the difference between dog training and dog handling? Our guest today is Kelly Lyn Marquis, a top, all-breed dog handler. She explains that “handling” involves connecting with a dog’s energy and emotions, perhaps helping the canine to feel calm or energetic. Kelly tells us about her recent book, Behind the Scenes of Best in Show: Intimate Moments with Masters, Handlers and Their Show Dogs. She describes what it takes to build a career as a handler in the competitive sport of dog shows. And she shares some of the ways dogs have taught her lessons, helping her to create her second career, as a “Canine Connection Life Coach.” Kelly says she uses canine wisdom to help dogs and people reach their highest potential. For more see: https://www.winall.us/

February 13, 2025Episode 19635 min

Leaders must become more adaptable, says career expert Kevin Eikenberry

Today we welcome one of our favorite guests: internationally known leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry. He addresses issues related to managing remote and hybrid teams, then focuses on his intriguing new book, “FLEXIBLE LEADERSHIP: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence.” Kevin says that in today’s complicated work environment, leaders should -- and can -- learn how to adapt to constant change. He says becoming a more flexible leader requires 3 steps: change your mindset, learn new skills, and build different habits. And he describes one way to become more adaptable starting today. For more about Kevin’s book see: https://kevineikenberry.com/flexible-leadership/ KevinEikenberry.com/gift

November 27, 2024Episode 19534 min

Siobhan McHale says leaders can learn change management from honeybees

Today’s guest, leadership expert Siobhan McHale, says it may look like bees are just buzzing around, but actually a honeybee colony gets things done by creating a sophisticated eco-structure. Each bee has a specific job, and each remains tightly connected with the rest of the hive, for the good of all. Inspired by the bees’ shared wisdom, Siobhan has written a fascinating book, The Hive Mind at Work, about how leaders can harness the power of group intelligence to create meaningful and lasting change. She explains how leaders are more likely to succeed if they understand that every person is connected and interacting with all their colleagues. She says group dynamics are a powerful element of human organizations, and understanding how they shape routine processes is a key to creating change. And she described her instructive framework, the Nine Laws of Group Dynamics

November 26, 2024Episode 19442 min

Kory Kogon shares tips for managing projects

At work, and maybe at home, it can feel like we’re juggling far too many projects. And some of them aren’t as successful as we’d like. Today’s guest is Kory Kogon, vice president of content at FranklinCovey, a top international leadership and productivity company. Kory is an expert on matters like creating organizational cultures that build confidence and promote success. And she is a bestselling author. Here she tells us about her recent book, an updated, easy-to-read edition of Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager. Kory explains the 5 phases of an effective project, and she shares practical tips for designing and implementing projects that will help you manage challenges and move forward

October 4, 2024Episode 19335 min

Craig Butler describes his rewarding career, serving the environment and the public good

Today’s guest is Craig Butler, a respected leader in the effort to care for the nation’s natural resources and environment. Craig’s work as a public servant includes 6 years has head of the Ohio EPA. While there, he developed initiatives that have become national models for protecting drinking water standards and watersheds. He is now CEO of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, a large and unusual entity that for 90 years has been conserving water, preventing floods and supporting recreation resources for millions of people in Ohio. Craig describes why he chose public service and how he found opportunities. He talks about the power of collaboration and how getting things done may require working in partnership with other organizations. And he suggests how you might start a career focused on the environment, whether you are just now joining the work force, or are seeking a professional transition path.

August 7, 2024Episode 19246 min

Expert EEO attorney Arlean Leland says working hard & inviting others to the table can bring success

Today’s guest is a widely respected government attorney, and my friend, Arlean Leland. She recently retired from an impressive Federal career, including more than two decades as Associate General Counsel for Civil Rights, Labor and Employment, at the powerful Department of Agriculture. Over the years her accomplishments brought many accolades, including multiple honor awards from both the USDA Secretary and the President of the United States. Arlean tells us about her life and career, starting with her modest beginning as the child of a teen mom. She describes how hard work, strong values and connecting with other people helped build her career. She says she knows what it’s like to be the only person of color in the room, and that experience has strengthened her belief in never treating people as invisible. We discuss the crisis surrounding some DEI and EEO programs, and Arlean shares tips for creating inclusion and diversity policies that will make your team stronger. For more see: https://exe-coach.com/about/

July 31, 2024Episode 19133 min

Erin Lewellen says immersive, nonprofit experiences can change careers

Our returning guest today is Erin Lewellen, CEO of Tilting Futures, a nonprofit that creates immersive programs to prepare young people for careers that might impact global issues. The organization -- which was once known as Global Citizen Year -- has found ways to thrive, despite major challenges, like COVID. Recently, Tilting Futures expanded its efforts to help Gen Z students develop skills, build optimism and get ready to change the world. Erin will talk about how her team evolved, including by gathering great data and building new partnerships. And she will describe some of the lessons they’ve learned through their 2000+ alumni. Finally, we’ll talk about how new experiences, and curiosity about other people, can change your life, wherever you are in your career. For more see: https://tiltingfutures.org

July 17, 2024Episode 19039 min

Kim Scott shares tips for a collaborative, healthy workplace

Our guest today, Kim Scott, is a popular expert on creating a more positive and respectful workplace. Kim helps leaders to create cultures where everyone does their best work and enjoys working together. Earlier, she was an executive coach at tech firms like Dropbox and Twitter, as well as a faculty member at Apple University. Here, Kim will tell us about her new book, Radical Respect – How to Work Together Better. It’s about creating organizations that support both belonging and individuality. Kim also will share practical tips about how to deal with bias, prejudice and bullying. For more see: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimm4/

June 26, 2024Episode 18936 min

These judges take the mystery out of legal procedures

This episode features two retired judges are committed to decoding legal jargon and taking some of the mystery out of the legal system. Judge Tom Hodson and Judge Gayle Williams Byers – sometimes known as around WOUB at “The Judicial Twins” – are both teachers of judges. And now they have launched a podcast that explains prominent cases and everyday judicial procedures in language that the rest of us can understand. In their Next Witness…Please podcast, they don’t indulge in stodgy lectures. Instead they offer insightful comments and explain courtroom developments in plain English, and even with a dash of humor. For more see: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1248539126/next-witness-please https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-hodson-797365284 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayle-williams-byers-a596216