Welcome to Season 2 of the I'm IN! Podcast, and welcome to the Creative Genius Revolution.

This season, I'm on a mission to democratize creativity and help everyone recognize their creative gifts.

Here's what I've learned after years of research and thousands of conversations: most people don't think they're creative. They've been told by a teacher, a boss, or a culture that defines creativity too narrowly that it's just not their thing.

That’s simply not true. And this season, I'm going to prove it.

In this kickoff episode, I share why creativity is so much bigger than art, why human creativity matters more than ever in the age of AI, and what's ahead as we explore the 12 Types of Creative Genius™ together.

If you've ever thought "I'm not creative," this episode is your invitation to think again. It's time to become a creative force of nature.

In this episode:

Why I'm starting a Creative Genius Revolution

The difference between human creativity and AI "pseudo-creativity"

What's coming in Season 2: discovering YOUR creative genius type

Why the world can't afford for your creativity to stay hidden

Take the 12 Types of Creative Genius™ Assessment: www.thehodges12.com

Connect with Heather:

Website: www.HeatherHodges.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-l-hodges-phd-07400a142/

In this episode, we explore the heart of deep listening with leadership coach Jon Mullican, founder of the Mullican Leadership Group. Jon is a self-proclaimed Listening Evangelist. He has spent a lifetime learning how to truly pay attention beginning in his years at the US Naval Academy, as a nuclear power officer aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, in corporate leadership, and across his work in churches and nonprofits. He’s discovered listening is one of the greatest gifts we can offer another human being.

Jon shares a powerful acronym to help us prepare ourselves for meaningful listening moments: CLEAR
Clear your mind
Limit distractions
Expect an exceptional encounter
Allow time for silence (and ask God to bless the encounter)
Remember your purpose

This simple framework invites us to be intentional, grounded, and most importantly, fully present.

Together, we talk about what it means to be devoted to being present with someone, and how that devotion builds trust, psychological safety, influence, and genuine human connection.

If you’re someone who leads, influences, mentors, or simply wants to show up more fully for the people in your life, this conversation will give you tools, stories, and inspiration to listen in a different way.

Where to find Jon:
Mullican Leadership Group

https://www.mullicanlead.com

If you’ve ever been in a meeting where ideas get stuck or only a few voices dominate, this episode will flip your perspective on what collaboration can look like.

Dr. Denise Meyerson joins me to explore LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, a creative facilitation method that helps teams think deeply, communicate openly, and solve problems more playfully. Using LEGO bricks as a language for thinking and storytelling, this method helps people surface insights, align around strategy, and connect in ways that traditional meetings rarely achieve.

Dr. Denise is a global pioneer and master trainer in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and trains facilitators and leaders all over the world in how to use this hands-on approach to unlock creativity, innovation, and team alignment.

In this episode, we explore:

· What makes LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® “serious” and why it works so well

· The psychology behind creative facilitation

· Real-world applications in leadership, innovation, and strategy

· How to become a certified facilitator and bring this method into your own work

To connect with Dr. Denise Meyerson or to become a Certified Facilitator visit:

https://seriousplaybusiness.com/

Welcome back to the Enneagram Series! Today we’re wrapping up this solo series by exploring Type 7, The Enthusiast, The Epicure or The Enthusiastic Visionary.

Sevens bring joy, energy, and possibility wherever they go. They are spontaneous, optimistic, and endlessly curious. They are always looking for what’s next. But beneath that enthusiasm lies a deep desire to avoid pain and a fear of being deprived or limited.

In this episode, Heather explores:

· What drives Enneagram 7s: their Basic Fear, Desire, and Motivation

· How the passion of gluttony shows up as an insatiable hunger for experiences

· The difference between 7s with a strong 6 wing and 7s with a strong 8 wing

· What 7s look like at work; their strengths, blind spots, and leadership style

· How 7s handle stress (Type 1) and growth (Type 5)

· Practical tips for 7s to grow in self-awareness, emotional depth, and follow-through

Whether you’re a 7 yourself or have a 7 in your life or workplace, you’ll come away with a new appreciation for the joyful, visionary spirit they bring, and a deeper understanding of how to support their growth journey.

Key Takeaway:
When Sevens slow down, stay present, and follow things through, their creativity and optimism become powerful forces for transformation.

If you missed earlier episodes in this Enneagram series, go back and listen to explore all nine types.

If you are interested in taking the iEQ9 Enneagram Assessment (note there is a fee) please visit: https://www.hodgesgroupintl.com/enneagramtest

Today’s guest knows what it takes to perform at the highest level. Steve Mellor went from being a world-ranked swimmer and coach of an Olympic athlete, to becoming an executive coach trusted by CEOs, entrepreneurs, and elite performers across the globe.

He’s the author of Shock the World: A Competitor’s Guide to Realizing Your Potential, and he brings a powerful message; that the pursuit of your optimal self begins not with perfection, but with purpose, self-awareness, and the courage to be growth ready.

In this episode, Steve and I explore what it really takes to build a mindset for sustained performance, how the principles of athletic excellence translate to leadership and business, and why the best performers never stop learning who they can become.

Whether you’re leading a team, chasing a big goal, or redefining what high performance means to you, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to keep reaching for your own version of greatness.

Steve’s story is a reminder that greatness isn’t about chasing perfection, it’s about showing up fully, courageously, and intentionally every day.

Connect with Steve Mellor:

https://growthready.com

Today, I’m joined by Jennifer Maxwell, Co-Founder and CEO of Maxwell TEC (Tech-Enabled Care), a company reshaping home care by blending technology, servant leadership, and data-driven insight.

Jennifer shares how she’s guided Maxwell TEC through a bold rebrand and built a culture where innovation is more than a buzzword, it’s a disciplined practice. We explore how visionary ideas become real-world impact, the lessons learned from initiatives that didn’t go as planned, and how leaders can sustain innovation in risk-averse environments.

Jennifer also looks ahead to the next wave of technology that will transform home care and healthcare overall as she reveals her “moonshot” vision for Maxwell TEC by 2030.

Key themes: leading innovation, culture and mindset, lessons from failure, and the future of tech-enabled care.

To connect with Jennifer Maxwell visit:

www.maxwelltec.com

Today’s guest is Bob Roth, an influential leader whose story beautifully bridges purpose, leadership, and the human side of home care.

Bob is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Cypress HomeCare Solutions, a family-owned agency built from a deeply personal experience of caring for his own mother. That journey inspired a lifelong mission to help others age with dignity.

Bob is an award-winning leader and a respected advocate for senior care, ethical leadership, and building people-centered organizations.

In this episode, Heather and Bob explore what it means to truly step into your full potential and lead from a place of purpose. They discuss the roots of Cypress HomeCare Solutions, how to preserve a strong family culture as an organization grows, and what it takes to mentor the next generation of compassionate leaders.

To connect with Bob Roth:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobrothchs/

Email:

bobroth@cypresshomecare.com

In today’s episode, Heather continues the Enneagram series with a deep dive into Type 6, The Questioner, Loyal Skeptic, or Devil’s Advocate.

Sixes are loyal, responsible, and deeply committed to security and trust, but they often wrestle with anxiety, self-doubt, and overthinking.

Heather explores how 6s show up at work and in relationships, their blind spots and fears, and their incredible capacity for courage and loyalty. Ultimately, the 6’s growth lies in learning to trust themselves, to take action even when the path isn’t certain, and to remember that the safety and courage they’re searching for already exists inside them.

Highlights include:

The Six’s basic fear, motivation, and need for security

How 6s manage fear through “worst-case scenario” planning

The Wing influences for the 6

How 6s respond under stress (Type 3) and in growth (Type 9)

Blind spots: overestimating risk, seeking reassurance, and analysis paralysis

Practical tips for growth, leadership, and self-trust

If you’re just joining this series, be sure to listen back to previous episodes and stay tuned as we continue to move through all nine numbers.

If you are interested in taking the iEQ9 Enneagram Assessment (note there is a fee) please visit: https://www.hodgesgroupintl.com/enneagramtest