Marcy Syms is a pioneering businesswoman and advocate for respect in leadership.

She's seen leadership fads come and go.

She was a CEO when people still thought "women shouldn't do that sort of thing"

And she's done something many folks have never had to endure - shuttering her family's business while making her key creditors whole - an act deeply in line with her core value of respect.

Marcy shares insights from her journey in the retail industry, her experiences with leadership dynamics and her advocacy for the Equal Rights Amendment - something she hopes to see made part of the constitution while she's still around to enjoy it!

Why Respect?

🗝️Respect drives sustainable growth - respect for your team allows them to feel empowered to be the face of your business and to build the processes and systems that make growth sustainable.

🗝️Giving respect helps you get respect - starting first, leading the conversation with respect at the core helps get things done, especially in times of stress and turbulence.

🗝️Respect is outer behavior and inner work - to make it a core habit and your default behavior takes strategic reflection and personal growth.

Check out the full conversation 👇

🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3QzcPAW

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📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@danielstillman-TCF-podcast

🌐more episodes at https://theconversationfactory.com/listen

And please subscribe on Spotify or iTunes!

Also! support the podcast with

a monthly contribution here: https://theconversationfactory.com/conversation-factory-insider

or a one-time donation here.: https://dastillman.gumroad.com/l/dscoffee

Don't have time to watch or listen to the full episode? To learn more about leading conversations more powerfully and beautifully, watch these short clips 👇

👀make respect a habit and start from within

https://youtu.be/tmURMgvcnIs

👀How to Respond to Disrespect with Dignity and Strategy

https://youtu.be/f21aAalKGLU

👀To Scale you need to Respect your team

https://youtube.com/shorts/HczFY9-ASFw

👀Leadership Balances Top Down Strategy and Bottom up Insights

https://youtube.com/shorts/57yWfiQtykw

👀Know your board as humans

https://youtu.be/eH5Mv95iunE

One Takeaway to not forget: Fight for the ERA! Marcy shares how she sees the ERA as the ultimate sign of respect and continues to fight for women's full inclusion in the constitution. Watch here: https://youtu.be/YAbEAqIVxzU

Key Links:

Marcy's book: Leading with the Respect

Marcy's website

Download free chapters from Good Talk and master the art of conversations big and small: https://www.danielstillman.com/good-talk

Listen now 👇

🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3QzcPAW

🍎 Apple: https://apple.co/4ifh6pb

And please subscribe on Spotify or iTunes!

Also! support the podcast with

a monthly contribution here: https://theconversationfactory.com/conversation-factory-insider

or a one-time donation here: https://dastillman.gumroad.com/l/dscoffee

Full show notes: https://theconversationfactory.com/listen

SUMMARY

In this conversation, Adam Kahane discusses the complexities of transforming systems, emphasizing the importance of understanding systems thinking, collaboration, and the role of individual contributions. He shares insights from urban transformation examples, the significance of culture, and the necessity of engaging with systems responsibly. Kahane introduces seven habits for transforming systems, highlighting the importance of finding cracks as opportunities for change and the balance between closeness and distance in understanding systems.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Systems can't be transformed without understanding them.

Transformation requires many people to do many things.

You can't just change a system by force.

Look for what's unseen in a system.

Forget your perfect offering; there's a crack in everything.

Acting responsibly is crucial for transformation.

We all have bells we still can ring.

Engaging with the system is a collective activity.

You can make wiser decisions by understanding others.

Change how you think, change how you are.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Understanding Systems for Transformation

02:29 The Role of Collaboration in System Change

05:05 Insights from Global Examples

07:46 The Importance of Proximity in System Change

10:10 Cracks and Leverage Points in Systems

12:46 The Journey of Transformation in South Africa

24:31 The Journey of Collective Engagement

24:55 Radical Engagement: Understanding System Transformation

26:13 The Role of Outsiders vs. Insiders

27:41 Spotting Cracks: Micro Interactions in Systems

28:46 The Art of Persuasion vs. Convincing

30:29 Granular Habits for System Transformation

31:41 Relating in Three Dimensions

33:43 Understanding the Seven Habits

39:32 Acting Responsibly in Systems

43:21 Finding Light in the Cracks

LINKS

Learn more about Adam's work at www.reospartners.com , www.reospartners.com/adamkahane and find him on twitter/X at @adamkahane

Get free chapters of my book, Good Talk, and master the art of conversations big and small: https://www.danielstillman.com/good-talk

Please support the podcast!

💌 subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3QzcPAW

💌 iTunes: https://apple.co/4ifh6pb

or with a monthly contribution here: https://bit.ly/support-tcf-monthly

one-time donation here: https://bit.ly/support-tcf-once

Check out the episode page for the full transcript and video highlights.

Episode page: https://theconversationfactory.com/podcast/innovation-connection-and-conscious-leadership-with-othership-ceo-robbie-bent

AI Summary:

Introduction and Connection: Daniel Stillman introduces Robbie Bent, highlighting the connection through mutual acquaintance Robbie Hammond.

Inception of OtherShip: Robbie shares the story of starting with a backyard ice bath, fostering community connections without the influence of alcohol.

Innovative Experiences: Discussion on unique offerings at OtherShip, such as comedy nights and men's work sessions, blending wellness with entertainment.

Creativity and Experimentation: Robbie emphasizes the importance of allowing creativity to emerge through testing and iteration.

Challenges and Growth: Insights into the challenges faced in expanding OtherShip, including managing stress and maintaining personal well-being.

Community and Relationships: The role of community in personal and business growth, with Robbie working closely with his wife and friends.

Facilitating Conversations: The significance of open communication and addressing conflicts early in both personal and professional settings.

Future Aspirations: Robbie's excitement about expanding OtherShip and continuing to innovate in the wellness space.

Links

Othership - https://www.othership.us/

Follow Robbie Bent on Instagram | LinkedIn

IG: https://www.instagram.com/robbiebent/?hl=en

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiebent/

Get free chapters of my book, Good Talk, and master the art of conversations big and small: https://www.danielstillman.com/good-talk

Please support the podcast!

💌 subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3QzcPAW

💌 iTunes: https://apple.co/4ifh6pb

or with a monthly contribution here: https://bit.ly/support-tcf-monthly

one-time donation here: https://bit.ly/support-tcf-once

Check out the episode page for the full transcript and video highlights: https://theconversationfactory.com/podcast/join-or-die-behind-the-scenes-of-creative-collaboration

Key Chapters
00:00 Growing Up Together: A Family Legacy
02:58 The Birth of a Documentary Idea
06:02 Navigating the Journey: Challenges and Growth
09:02 The Lens of Community: A New Perspective
12:01 Conflict and Collaboration: The Art of Working Together
14:54 The Long Haul: Commitment and Transformation
22:15 The Transformative Power of Art
24:13 Inner Growth Through Creative Confidence
26:32 Finding Hope in Community Engagement
29:56 The Long-Term Commitment to Projects
31:20 Community Screenings as a Tool for Connection
34:10 The Role of Community in Film Distribution
36:20 Best Practices for Effective Gatherings
45:34 Identifying Barriers to Community Engagement
48:15 Building Community Through Shared Activities
49:26 The Importance of Civic Engagement
54:52 Convenience vs. Community
01:00:22 Bridging Political Divides
01:05:38 Lessons from the Past for a Hopeful Future

Get free chapters of my book, Good Talk, and master the art of conversations big and small: https://www.danielstillman.com/good-talk

Please support the podcast!

💌 subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3QzcPAW

💌 iTunes: https://apple.co/4ifh6pb

or with a monthly contribution here: https://bit.ly/support-tcf-monthly

one-time donation here: https://bit.ly/support-tcf-once

Check out the episode page for the full transcript and video highlights. https://theconversationfactory.com/podcast/founder-led-sales-with-parallel-health-ceo-natalise-kalea-robinson

We break down:

• The Importance of Deep and Authentic Conversations and unpack how Natalise fosters honest and open conversations and has worked to build a company culture that reflects these values.

• Intentional Co-founder Relationship Building: We talk about how Natalise and her co-founder, Nathan Brown, approached building a strong relationship intentionally by having regular in-depth conversations and retreats together in some of their favorite spots. She shares some of her favorite questions to bring into these co-founder conversations.

• Founder-Led Sales and CEO as Science Translator: Both Natalise and her co-founder Nathan are actively involved in explaining their product to both investors and consumers. We talk about how she approaches adapting her message for different audiences, always striving to put the science ahead of marketing.

• Highlighting the Potential of Phage Therapy: We dive into some of the science behind phage therapy and its potential as a precise and sustainable alternative to antibiotics.

• The Value of Open Feedback and Continuous Evolution: Natalise encourages feedback from all levels within her company and believes that good ideas can come from anywhere. She also emphasizes the importance of ongoing communication and alignment between co-founders.

Key Chapters

00:00 Exploring the Depth of Conversations

03:01 The Ambivert Spectrum: Understanding Social Dynamics

06:06 Creating Safe Spaces for Honest Conversations

09:01 Feedback Culture: The Art of Positive Feedback

11:57 Building Authentic Relationships in Business

14:57 The Journey of Co-Founders: Nathan and Natalise

21:01 Navigating Vulnerability in Professional Relationships

24:17 Navigating Co-Founder Relationships

30:14 The Art of Communication in Business

37:45 Understanding Phage Technology and Its Impact

46:02 Building Strong Co-Founder Foundations

Links

https://www.parallelhealth.io/

Parallel Health on TechCrunch: https://techcrunch.com/2023/09/20/parallel-health-takes-a-biotech-forward-approach-to-skincare-with-custom-phage-therapy/

Video Highlight Links

👀Giving Praise with powerful Specificity: https://youtube.com/shorts/5zwdVyJr_mc

👀Leaning into Difficult Cofounder Conversations: https://youtube.com/shorts/MjeDjSIUeDM

👀In Founder-Led Sales, the Marketing Serves the Science: https://youtube.com/shorts/fp6oKVhq-FQ

Master the art of conversations big and small - both inside yourself and in your teams and organization.

Get free chapters of my book, Good Talk: https://www.danielstillman.com/good-talk

Please support the podcast!

💌 Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3QzcPAW

💌 iTunes: https://apple.co/4ifh6pb

or with a monthly contribution here: https://bit.ly/support-tcf-monthly

or make a one-time donation here: https://bit.ly/support-tcf-once

For the full transcript, video highlights, and more show links, check out the episode page here: https://theconversationfactory.com/podcast/the-inner-work-of-leadership-with-carole-robin-phd

Every conversation - especially the hard ones - is an opportunity to learn more about yourself, to learn about another person and to learn about interpersonal dynamics - if you can set aside judgment and be open to curiosity. I'm SO excited to share this epic podcast conversation with the "queen of Touchy Feely" - Carole Robin, PhD. Carole taught the most popular elective at Stanford Graduate School of Business, Interpersonal Dynamics (mostly known affectionately as "Touchy Feely"!) for nearly 20 years and is co-author (with co-teacher David Bradford) of the excellent book Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends and Colleagues.

She has a vast reserve of wisdom to share. We discuss the importance of navigating vulnerability and intentional connection as an essential leadership skill and unpack some of her most powerful principles of effective communication. We also talk about Carole's conversations with her own personal AI, trained on all of her past writings and course notes…and how it helped her evolve how she tells her own story!

Building exceptional relationships is work that's done one conversation at a time. Carole's insights can help you unlock the potential in each conversation.

Key Moments

00:00 The Art of Greeting with Interpersonal Dynamics in mind

03:00 AI and Personal Narratives: The Evolution of Carole's Story in collaboration with her personal AI

06:01 Leadership Lessons: Emotions in Business

09:06 Vulnerability vs. Strength: The Leadership Paradox

12:04 Transparency in Leadership: The Balance of Sharing

14:58 Strategic Authenticity: Navigating Vulnerability

18:01 True and Kind: The Principles of Effective Communication

20:50 The Importance of Self-Care for Leaders

21:59 Navigating Emotions in Leadership

23:49 Vulnerability and Authenticity in Leadership

30:07 Self-Management and Emotional Discipline

32:59 Curiosity as Leadership superpower

37:57 The Work of Building Relationships

Download free chapters from Good Talk and master the art of conversations big and small

Please support the podcast by subscribing on Spotify or iTunes, making a monthly contribution here, or making a one-time donation here.

Check out the episode post for the full transcript and video highlights.

Dr. Anjan Chatterjee is a renowned professor and the founding Director of the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics. He's a leading expert on how our brains perceive beauty and art, and author of an engaging book on this topic: "The Aesthetic Brain: How We Evolved to Desire Beauty and Enjoy Art"

In this beautiful conversation, we explore:

• the intersection of beauty, conversation, and the human brain
  
  
• how our biological evolution has left us in a world that often feels disconnected from our innate ways of communicating
  
  
• the aesthetic qualities of conversations, the biases we hold toward beauty, and how cultural representations influence our perceptions
  
  
• the importance of awareness in mitigating biases
  
  
• how to embrace complex ideas, rather than simplify them

Links

Dr. Anjan Chatterjee and the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics (PCfN) online

PBS News Hour feature: 'Brains and Beauty' exhibit explores how the mind processes art and aesthetic experiences

The PCfN 2024 Year in Review

Dr. Anjan Chatterjee on Bluesky

The Aesthetic Brain: How We Evolved to Desire Beauty and Enjoy Art