Bob Kulhan, known as a master improviser, is the Founder and CEO of Business Improv and adjunct professor at Duke Fuqua School of Business and Columbia Business School. He is also the author of the book “Getting to Yes And: The Art of Business Improv.”

With more than 27 years of studying, performing, and teaching improv, he works with blue chip companies like Mazda, CISCO, Pepsi, Ford Motor Company, Glaxo Smith Kline, and Bristol Meyers Squibb.

Today Bob speaks with Dr. Karen about how to bring empathic communication, relationship building, and Psychological Safety to today’s virtual, hybrid, and face to face workplaces.

Reach Bob Kulhan at www.businessimprov.com

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Deke Copenhaver served as Mayor of Augusta, Georgia from 2005-2014.  As mayor he helped recruit over $1 billion in investment to the local economy and created thousands of jobs by building on the strengths of Augusta’s diverse labor force and bringing in major employers such as Automatic Data Processing, T-Mobile, Starbucks, and Unisys. Among many other awards and honors, Deke has on seven occasions been recognized as one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s “100 Most Influential Georgians”.

As Principal of Copenhaver Consulting, LLC, a niche consulting firm in Augusta, Georgia, Deke serves the needs of businesses, nonprofits, and local governments. He is the author of the Forbes Books Amazon #1 bestseller “The Changemaker: the Art of Building Better Leaders” and he hosts “The Changemaker” podcast.

As a Founding Partner of Starts With Us, a newly established national nonprofit, Deke inspires a movement to foster the daily habits of curiosity, compassion, and courage.

Today he speaks with Dr. Karen about how to use listening, curiosity, positive grass roots leadership, and Christian values to create powerful communities that transcend polarization, blind tribalism, and dehumanization.

Contact Deke at www.copenhaverconsulting.com

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Songwriter, recording artist, and author Dennis Welch is a master storyteller. With over 500 songs, two books, and many concerts, Dennis creates a place to find yourself and love.

Wurld records released his newest recording project, “If I Live to Be a Hundred.” His previous collection, “What Love Makes Us Do” also produced by Little River Band Guitarist Rich Herring, made the first grammy ballot in five categories.

Privileged to write with some of the great songwriters: Allen Shamblin, Monte Warden, Fletch Wiley, Will Callery, and Lenny Cochrun, Dennis joins Dr. Karen today to talk about creativity, inspiration, calling, God’s blessings, and cautionary tales for executive leaders.  Also hear five songs from the new release!

Contact Dennis at DennisWelch1956@gmail.com

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Peter H. Christian served as an executive for Crayola Corporation. After 17 years with Crayola, he then became a founding partner of espi, Enterprise Systems Partners, Inc.

The author of two Amazon best-selling books, “What About the Vermin Problem?” and “Influences and Influencers” Pete has worked with more than 300 clients to realize millions of dollars in cost reductions and profit improvements in multiple areas such as business development, operations, IS selection and implementation, supply chain, and Project Management.

Today, with unusual candor and vulnerability Pete talks to Dr. Karen about what he has learned and how his Christian values have helped him to navigate corporate culture and organizational politics. He also shares how to exit a company on the best of terms even in challenging circumstances. 

Reach Pete at Petechristianbooks.com; phchristian53@gmail.com

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Lani Donaldson is the CEO of Engaged Educators and the Founder of UP Academy, an innovative independent private school in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Her mission is to create learning environments that are academically rigorous, nurturing, and adaptable. With a profound passion for transforming education, Lani champions a dynamic, student-centered approach that prepares students not just for exams but for life and the complexities of the modern world.

She also partners with corporate clients to develop corporate education resources and collaborates with global partners to develop culturally relevant curriculum for other countries. Lani also mentors educators, collaborates with parents, and influences educational policies in the larger community.  

Lani believes in the power of personalized education and the importance of developing each student’s unique strengths and potential. She continues to push the boundaries of conventional education to create a world where every student thrives.

Today she speaks with Dr. Karen about the preparation students need for the workplace, recommended collaborations between businesses and schools, the value of diversity, the roles of AI and other technology, and success factors such as emotional intelligence, compassion, and creativity. Stay tuned for her upcoming series, ‘The Chameleon Papers,’ that champions and celebrates student well-being and holistic and flexible development.  

Contact Lani Donaldson at Lani@UpAcademy.ca; Lani@engagededucators.com

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Tim Hoerr is the CEO and Founder of Serra Ventures, a venture capital firm that manages $140 million dollars in early stage high technology company investments with the support of more than 250 limited liability partners. He is also the author of “Risking It: An Intersection of Faith and Work” and “Thank God It’s Monday! A Tool Kit for Aligning Your Lifevision and Your Work.”

Dr. Karen speaks with Tim about how his Christian values facilitate the best triple win decision-making, his own entrepreneurial journey buying and selling multiple significant businesses, and how God used a “wilderness” experience to increase his humility and empathy.

Reach Tim at: Tim@serraventures.com

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Pastor Troy Gramling has led South Florida based Potential Church for over two decades. Through his leadership the Church has experienced remarkable growth and blossomed into a vibrant congregation of over 20,000 members in the United States and Latin America. Pastor Troy has an unwavering commitment to his vision to partner with people to reach their God potential.

Before answering his pastoral calling, Pastor Troy honed his skills as a college basketball player and later as a coach, where he sharpened the values of teamwork, discipline, and dedication, that he now imparts to his congregation.

The author of the book, “Potential: The Uncontainable Power of God Within You,” Pastor Troy is known for his creative, innovative, and unconventional teaching methods that reach people from all backgrounds.

Today, in his conversation with Dr. Karen, Pastor Troy shares examples relevant for executive business leaders on how to move past fear to creativity, how to lead and live with authenticity and vulnerability to best develop others, and how to think at least three generations ahead to create lasting legacy.

Reach Pastor Troy at TroyGramling.com

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Larry Mandelberg, the author of “Businesses Don’t Fail, They Commit Suicide” is a serial entrepreneur with more than 150 years of inherited business knowledge from his family’s businesses. As a consultant, speaker, prolific writer, and Change Catalyst, Larry specializes in solving intractable business problems.

In this episode he speaks with Dr. Karen about the reasons businesses fail and the five research based processes for implementing change. The fifth process is Reinforcement. Join Dr. Karen and guest Larry Mandelberg for the other four change processes and more.

Go to mandelberg.biz to reach Larry Mandelberg

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Rick Gang is the CEO and co-founder of Holistic HomeCare Associates based in Riverdale, New York. Fueled by the chaos of trying to hunt down top-notch caregivers in the jungle of traditional home care agencies, Holistic reinvented home care. They make hiring a breeze, the family the boss, and weave ethical and compassionate high quality into every fiber of the process. 

As a seasoned home care expert with nearly four decades of experience in home care management, Rick speaks with Dr. Karen about his business growth and learning journey through change, innovation, agility, flexibility, and reinvention. He also shares how he uses technology and outside advisement to bring the best solutions to his clients and exponential growth and profitability to his company.

Listen today to hear how Rick ensures he and his team meet every client with white-glove service, deep understanding of the home care landscape, kindness, and a smile. Use these same executive leadership insights for accelerated success and profitability in your business.

Contact Rick Gang at HolisticHomeCareAssociates.com (646-240-4888)

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