Positivity Strategist

This episode is Part I of a two Part show.  Robyn Stratton-Berkessel interviews Kathy Becker. Both are Appreciative Inquiry Practitioners and professional colleagues. In Part I, Robyn interviews Kathy demonstrating the Appreciative Inquiry Discovery Interview.  In Part II, roles are reversed and Kathy interviews Robyn. We talk about our high peak experiences using the Appreciative Inquiry approach which has been used globally for almost 30 years.  Appreciative Inquiry has been called a positive revolution in change.  It seeks to inspire, mobilize, and sustain, employee engagement and collaborations. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps39 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps39)  

In this episode, Natalie Shell shares her experiences and insights about writing and publishing her book, The Wedding Virus and Other Snippets, the benefits of "chick lit", the power of design, and decluttering your life. Positivity Strategist host Robyn Stratton-Berkessel and guest Natalie also discuss the value of stories and the role positivity plays in decluttering. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps38 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps38)  

In this episode, Taffy Williams shares his experience, learnings and insights about what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur today.  Mindset is a big part of it.  Having flexible, positive mindsets are key to playing well in this space.  Organizational cultures that value  optimism, opportunities, possibility, resilience, joy, excitement, interest, imagination and creativity enable entrepreneurial characteristics to flourish. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps37 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps37)    

Dr. Mark Goulston, author of many books shares heartfelt stories of what deep listening can do to change you, others and the world. The conversation is personal and moving, with excellent strategies for feeling heard and bringing care and kindness into all situations. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps36 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps36)  

When it comes to growing yourself and your business, to hold the belief that you have to do it all is truly not helpful.  It's smart to identify the kinds of support you require to move your business forward.  Being in a state of overwhelm is a situation too often faced by women and can hold you back. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps35 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps35)  

There are leaders lurking in every organization. Suzanne Daigle continues to be inspired by the stories of ordinary people achieving extraordinary things. She shares stories where she's witnessed determination, leadership and passion in action. Reinventing organizations through self-management are the next strategic frontier for sustainable success in business. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps34 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps34)  

A warm conversation with entrepreneur Andy Hayes, owner of Plumdeluxe about savoring every moment of life while we can - like sipping tea. We talk and laugh and contrast life in the cubicle the world over, and insights about life in the open where we can be productive and playful and industrious. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps33 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps33)  

Host, Robyn Stratton-Berkessel with co-host Jennifer Hom, interviews a number of speakers for the TEDx Navesink event in Monmouth County, NJ. The theme of this event is "Accelerators".  Some of the talk titles include: "Growing up in a Pornified Culture"; "Break Ups Don't Have to Leave you Broken"; "Sanctioned Addiction"; "What is Rape's Brand"; "The Power of Impatience", "Race: Climate Change vs. Smart Money"; "Radio for an Empowered Generation"; "Shattering Records and Glass Ceilings".  Listeners will get a sense of the scope and quality of these talks. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps32 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps32)  

Workplace culture determines how well people support and serve each other, internal to the organization and external. Buffer, the software company that helps us share and schedule our posts, images and tweets across the various networks has a culture that truly walks the talk of positivity, transparency and self-improvement. Carolyn Kopprasch of the Happiness Team at Buffer shares her experience of working at Buffer and what she loves about it.  For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps31 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps31)  

Positivity Strategist Podcast guest Stephan Thieringer is truly a global citizen. From his own experience as an executive and entrepreneur in hospitality, venture capital, tech startups, mergers, and acquisitions, he now focuses on executive development, leading in the field of radical self-awareness and values development. His business tag line is"Because Building a better You is Good for Business." For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps30 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps30)

How applied improv and humor is a proven benefit in organizations to help grow leadership and teamwork.  Keynote speaker and humorist Izzy Gesell, a self-proclaimed organizational alchemist reveals some of his best stories, his tips, and techniques. After working with Izzy, people experience more confidence, spontaneity, and effectiveness. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps29 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps29)  

It is often a past loss that propels women to become innovative trailblazers, mentors, and leaders. If they are able to find solutions to deal with their losses then they can problem solve anything. To build a business, leaders have to build their resilience. Guest, Barbara Rubel shares her FABULOUS Principle is an acronym for eight core competencies that influence women entrepreneurs to grow from their experience of loss into resilient leadership. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps28 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps28)    

Achim Nowak talks with ease and elegance about human interaction and how energy is infectious. His 2013 book, "Infectious: How to Connect Deeply and Unleash the Energetic Leader Within" is all about that. His new book, "The Moment: 4 Keys to a Momentous Life" goes even deeper to help us appreciate that the choices we make moment to moment can lead us to make a huge difference in the world. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps27 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps27)

Positive Psychology Program is an awesome website created by Seph Fontane Pennock.  It is a fantastic resource for those interesting in learning about positive psychology  - what's out there, who's doing it, how to learn about it and so on.  In this episode, Positivity Strategist host, Robyn Stratton-Berkessel talks to Seph about his intention, his experiences and his aspirations in the field of positive psychology in general, and Positive Psychology Program specifically. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps26 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps26)  

Heart-centered leadership has come mainstream - it's not just a trend but a necessity for organizations to flourish in our fast-paced complex world. Two authors Susan Steinbrecher and Robyn Stratton-Berkessel talk about what happens when we embrace heart-centered leadership. People respond better in all kinds of ways and organizations benefit through better performance, improved engagement and accelerated leadership development. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps25 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps25)

Finding inspiration by removing blocks that get in the way of your life's purpose is the message of Jade Inspiration, host  of "Right on Baby - the Inner Growth Show." In her conversation with Robyn Stratton-Berkessel, she shares her personal story of overcoming trauma to finding inspiration and her pathway life's purpose. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps24 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps24)  

Filmmaker Michele Mitchell provides an amazing backdrop for her latest film, "The Uncondemned," which documents the first time that lawyers and activists prosecuted rape as a crime against humanity.  How and why this topic was on Michele's radar is fascinating.  Her own vulnerability and excitement in researching and telling these stories are to empower not only the victims of rape to speak up, but also empowers all of us to open up more conversations in broader contexts so we can bring the uncondemned to justice. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps23 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps23)  

Reflections on the high points of making a podcast in her professional area of expertise, Positivity Strategist host, Robyn Stratton-Berkessel shares that she loves laughing with her guests and co-creating new connections and insights. She also talks about what excites her about positivity and the tools to bring more of it into our world. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps22 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps22)

Optimizing human experience to create improved performance, meaningful relationships and a better world is the goal of many personal and organizational change methodologies. NLP and Appreciative Inquiry are two such methods that address negativity and dysfunction. Guest Andy Smith explores these subjects in this episode with host Robyn Stratton-Berkessel. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps21 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps21)

Susan Mazza, creator of the highly acclaimed blog, "Random Acts of Leadership" shares insights and stories on the topic of leadership with Positivity Strategist host, Robyn Stratton-Berkessel.  This episode is a personal conversation between two friends as they share experiences and exchange ideas about leadership. It's an example of a truly generative conversation. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps20 (http://positivitystrategist.com/ps20)