Episodes

  • From Insights to Action

    From Insights to Action
    May 13 2026
    Becoming the CEO of your life is one thing when you're planning for the future, but it's another thing entirely to execute that plan. In our season finale, we focus on how to move from inspiration to integration by turning the insights from this season into a clear, personal operating system. In this episode, we hear from Nicole Johnston, a Tippie alum, advisory board member, and leadership coach. As an expert in helping high-achievers bridge the gap between theory and execution, Nicole shares how to operationalize your vision and stay the course when things get complicated. She discusses how to take the "CEO" mindset and apply it to the practical realities of your work and life. Later in the show, we'll hear from Tippie student Keegan Schaeffner. Keegan’s story explores the importance of finding your voice and the leadership lesson she learned about the power of self-advocacy during her very first job. And finally, we will bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you. Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:43) Overcoming the overwhelm of advice (03:03) Turning big goals into small actionable steps (07:26) Using an opportunity cost mindset to say no (12:25) How to conduct a personal time audit (16:10) Breaking the busyness myth to lead strategically (19:30) Creating time for innovative thought and outside interests (22:30) Student Story: Keegan Schaeffner on the power of self-advocacy (26:13) Final TIP-pie: Using the PECK acronym to lead your life (27:41) Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Leading the Tippie of Tomorrow

    Leading the Tippie of Tomorrow
    May 6 2026
    Being the CEO of your life requires the ability to look at the horizon while keeping your feet on the ground. In this episode, we explore how to maintain a vision for long-term planning while still navigating the immediate, often noisy demands of day-to-day leadership. In this episode, we hear from Amy Kristof-Brown, the Henry B. Tippie Dean of the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business. A professor and expert in person-environment fit, Amy shares how to lead the “Tippie of tomorrow” today by balancing strategic goals with the realities of current management. She discusses the challenge of self-leadership and how to stay focused on your highest priorities even when short-term fires are constantly competing for your attention. Later in the show, we hear from Tippie student Brynn Pietzsch. Brynn’s story takes us back to a pivotal leadership lesson she learned at a young age, exploring how those early experiences shape the way we manage ourselves and others today. And finally, we will bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you. Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:33) Self-leadership and the corporate athlete (05:23) Energy management for long-term commitment (07:06) Building confidence and the power of sharing ideas (08:54) Developing empathy and active listening (10:34) Balancing a major capital project with day-to-day operations (15:59) Vision for the Tippie of tomorrow (18:58) Student Story: Brynn Pietzsch on early leadership lessons (24:17) Final TIP-pie: Bringing your best self to work (25:32) Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 mins
  • Investing in Your Vision

    Investing in Your Vision
    Apr 29 2026
    As you step into the role of CEO of your life, you have to decide where to double down. In this episode, we explore how to apply a high-level, managerial mindset to your resources, ensuring that you're investing in the right things. Carolyn Reddick joins us to bridge the gap between financial discipline and personal fulfillment. Carolyn is an Associate Professor of Practice in Accounting at Tippie, bringing her CPA experience from PwC to the classroom. She is an expert in helping leaders think like investors when it comes to priorities and vision. She shares how to navigate the trade-offs of daily life with more clarity and purpose. Later in the show, we hear from Tippie student Raffay Malik. Raffay’s story explores the weight of big ambitions and the moment he realized that pursuing a dream requires more than just passion. And finally, we will bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you. Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:30) Meet Carolyn Reddick (03:07) Managerial accounting in daily life (05:31) The importance of tracking and measurement (07:52) Relevant vs. irrelevant costs in decision-making (10:34) The three buckets of compensation (13:43) Carolyn’s career pivot and value alignment (17:12) Student Story: Raffay Malik on pursuing big dreams (23:55) Final TIP-pie: Auditing your time and values (26:51) Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 mins
  • Saying No Strategically

    Saying No Strategically
    Apr 22 2026
    Being the CEO of your life means recognizing that every “yes” you give is a “no” to something else. To protect your vision and your energy, you must learn the high-level art of setting boundaries without burning bridges. In this episode, we will hear from Michele Williams, an Associate Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business and the John L. Miclot Fellow in Entrepreneurship. Michele is an expert on the “people side” of business, specifically how trust and collaboration work across boundaries. Today, she shares how to navigate difficult professional requests and why saying no strategically is actually an act of leadership that preserves trust and long-term results. Later in the show, we will hear from Tippie student Aaron Wendel, whose Story Lab story takes us back to a pivotal choice to walk away from a lifelong sport. Aaron shares how saying “no” as a sophomore in high school paved the way for future success in baseball, a shift in his college major, and a clear-eyed approach to his early career. And finally, we will bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you. Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:46) Why is saying no so hard? (03:52) No as a strategic tool for the CEO of your life (06:00) Reframing no as a solution to a problem (08:51) Strategic boundaries and relationship building (15:05) The yes audit and discerning opportunities (23:07) Student Story: Aaron Wendel (27:23) Final Tip(pie) and Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 mins
  • Expanding Your Interests

    Expanding Your Interests
    Apr 15 2026
    Being the CEO of your life means recognizing when your "discipline box" has become too small. Here is how to look beyond your primary field of study to find the fresh perspectives that fuel true leadership. In this episode, we will hear from Alexandra Nica, an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Economics Department at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business. Originally from Romania, Alexandra explores the intersection of economic logic and creative thinking. Today, she challenges the “stay in your lane” mentality, sharing why intentionally seeking out diverse interests is the key to solving complex problems. Later in the show, we will hear from Tippie student Kyleigh Selepa, whose story takes us through the realization that her current path wasn't the right fit—and how an unexpected, close-to-home source helped her find a new major and a true calling. And finally, we will bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 mins
  • Balancing Your Life Portfolio

    Balancing Your Life Portfolio
    Apr 8 2026
    Being the CEO of your life means managing your most valuable resource—your time. Here is how to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace without losing sight of the life you are trying to build. In this episode, we will hear from Beth A. Livingston, the Ralph L. Sheets Associate Professor in Industrial Relations at the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business. After receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Florida and spending 8 years at Cornell University, Beth moved to the Midwest to continue her research on the management of work and family. Her work has been highlighted in the New York Times, NPR, and the Harvard Business Review, and she is the co-author of the book Shared Sisterhood. Today, she is helping us audit our own “work-life portfolios.” Later in the show, we will hear from Tippie student Jack Cantorna, whose Story Lab story explores the high-stakes reality of finding balance from a state of total imbalance. And finally, we will bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Building Habits That Stick

    Building Habits That Stick
    Apr 1 2026
    Vision without action is just a dream. Here's how to build the daily habits that turn where you want to go into where you actually end up. In this episode, we'll hear from Tippie's Rob Rouwenhorst, an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Marketing Department specializing in behavioral science. Rob has advised organizations like General Motors, HON, and Transamerica — but what he's most passionate about is helping people become better versions of themselves through the power of habits. Later in the show, we'll hear from Tippie student Charlie Maxwell, whose Story Lab story is a lesson in what happens when you skip the prep — and what that taught him about planning, habits, and showing up ready. And finally, we'll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • Defining Your Vision

    Defining Your Vision
    Mar 25 2026
    To be the CEO of your life, you have to know where you're taking it. What is your vision — and how do you build one worth following? In our season four premiere, we'll hear from Tippie's Amy Colbert, a Professor of Management & Entrepreneurship and University of Iowa Distinguished Chair. Amy's research explores how people connect with their work in ways that motivate and sustain them, and what it takes to lead effectively. She's also deeply interested in identity transitions — the subject of her own Substack, Who Am I Now? Later in the show, we'll hear from Tippie student Michael Mannion, whose Story Lab story explores what happens when life doesn't go according to plan — and what it means to redefine your vision and start again with greater clarity and purpose. And finally, we'll bring it all together with a Final Tip(pie) just for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 mins