Shows
The Fosgail MindsetEpisode 8: Embracing the Value of Sharing - A Conversation with Jessica ZairoIn this special extended episode, host Myka Kennedy Stephens sits down with Jessica Zairo to explore how embracing the value of sharing can positively impact communities. Drawing heavily on Jessica's experiences with open-source software support and development, particularly with the Koha integrated library system, this conversation highlights the power of collaboration, reciprocal giving, and community building in the library world.
Jessica Zairo serves as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at ByWater Solutions, where she builds relationships with libraries and open-source communities. Her career spans various roles in library and information services, including:
- Member services coordinator...
2025-10-0541 minThe Fosgail MindsetEpisode 7: Is Sharing Really a Virtue in Leadership?In this episode of The Fosgail Mindset, host Myka Kennedy Stephens explores the nuanced role of **sharing** as a leadership virtue. Drawing from life experience, organizational theory, and research, Myka challenges both the old command-and-control mindset and the pitfalls of excessive, boundary-less sharing. Discover why the real answer lies in **collaborative leadership**, a balanced approach where intentional communication, clear expectations, confident guidance, and continual professional development foster empowered, adaptive teams.
Listeners will hear practical strategies for navigating the middle ground between withholding and oversharing, gain actionable tips on fostering collaboration without sacrificing authority, and learn why investing...
2025-09-1215 minThe Fosgail MindsetEpisode 6: Invitation to CreativityIn this episode of The Fosgail Mindset, host Myka Kennedy Stephens sits down with Neil Mackinnon, a seasoned leadership and executive coach whose journey from professional musician to creative industry leader offers a wealth of inspiration. Neil discusses powerful lessons from his transformative 12 years at London’s Southbank Centre. Together, Myka and Neil unpack what genuine creativity means in practice; not just as a spark of inspiration, but as an engine for cultural change, social activism, and bold organizational transformation. Neil reflects on his career across leadership and executive coaching, and the importance of letting strong ideas lead the wa...
2025-08-0441 minThe Fosgail MindsetEpisode 5: Advocacy as a Path to Realize PotentialHave you ever wondered how to engage elected representatives to advocate for a cause you feel passionately about? In this special extended episode of The Fosgail Mindset, Myka Kennedy Stephens sits down with author and non-partisan activist Cynthia Changyit Levin to explore how advocacy can unlock personal and collective potential, even amid uncertainty and political polarization. Cynthia shares her journey from new mom to seasoned advocate, offering practical strategies for engaging in effective, bridge-building activism—whether you're new to advocacy or a seasoned organizer. The conversation highlights the power of community, the importance of organizing, and the unique strengths th...
2025-06-1555 minThe Fosgail MindsetEpisode 4: Framing Potential with Purpose and PossibilityThis episode explores the nuanced relationship between potential, possibility, and purpose, and how understanding these concepts can empower individuals and organizations—especially in libraries, theological education, and higher education—to cultivate professional wellbeing and inspire positive change.
Quote of the Episode: “Potential is, full stop. And potential will always be there no matter which choices we're presented with and which decision we ultimately make. Potential, that extant capacity to become something in the future, persists and changes shape as our future changes shape through our choices and decisions.”
Key Themes:
Potential vs. Possibility: Myka distingu...
2025-06-1117 minThe Fosgail MindsetEpisode 3: Fostering Growth in LeadersIn this extended episode, Kelly Campbell and I have a conversation about the Leadership Development for Theological Librarians program that we co-facilitate. This has been a unique opportunity for theological librarians to grow in self-awareness and connect with other librarians in a 10-month cohort experience that combines mentoring workshops, 1:1 executive coaching, and an in-person retreat experience in Atlanta. Funding for the first two years of this program was generously provided by the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion.
Hosted by Myka Kennedy Stephens. Recorded April 22, 2025 with Descript.
Read the companion blog...
2025-05-0637 minThe Fosgail MindsetEpisode 2: Disruption as Opportunity for GrowthIn this episode, I share a personal story that illustrates how disruptive changes—invited or not—can become catalysts for growth and self-discovery. Reflecting on both the challenges and unexpected gifts of disruption, listeners are invited to consider how experiences of disruption can help us to clarify our priorities, anchor ourselves in the present, and transform chaos into creative opportunity.
Read the companion blog post: https://www.fosgail.org/blog/2025/05/04/2025-05-04_disruption_as_opportunity/
To sign up for the Fosgail Field Notes newsletter: https://www.fosgail.org/discover-more/newsletter/
To join the Fosg...
2025-05-0512 minThe Fosgail MindsetEpisode 1: Starting With Intentionality When Confronted With Chaos and UncertaintyDiscover how embracing an attitude of intentionality can transform your responses to chaos and uncertainty. In this episode, I reflect on how to shift from a state of reactivity and stress to a state of response-driven action.
Hosted by Myka Kennedy Stephens. Recorded April 9, 2025 with Descript.
Read the companion blog post: https://www.fosgail.org/blog/2025/04/09/2025-04-09_starting-with-intentionality/
For more information about my book, Integrated Library Planning: https://www.fosgail.org/discover-more/books/
To sign up for the Fosgail Field Notes newsletter: https://www.fosgail.org/discover-more/newsletter/
...
2025-04-1014 min
New Books in EducationMyka Kennedy Stephens, "Integrated Library Planning: A New Model for Strategic and Dynamic Planning, Management, and Assessment" (ACRL, 2023)Many library project plans, from small projects to institution-wide strategic planning committees, follow a linear trajectory: create the plan, do the plan, then review the outcome. While this can be effective, it also sometimes leads to disregarding new information that emerges while executing the plan, making the outcome less effective. Planning processes can also feel forced and predetermined if stakeholder feedback is not seriously considered. When this happens too many times, people stop offering their honest opinions and new ideas because they have learned that the planners do not really want to hear them.Integrated Library Planning...
2023-06-1944 min
New Books in Library ScienceMyka Kennedy Stephens, "Integrated Library Planning: A New Model for Strategic and Dynamic Planning, Management, and Assessment" (ACRL, 2023)Many library project plans, from small projects to institution-wide strategic planning committees, follow a linear trajectory: create the plan, do the plan, then review the outcome. While this can be effective, it also sometimes leads to disregarding new information that emerges while executing the plan, making the outcome less effective. Planning processes can also feel forced and predetermined if stakeholder feedback is not seriously considered. When this happens too many times, people stop offering their honest opinions and new ideas because they have learned that the planners do not really want to hear them.Integrated Library Planning...
2023-06-1944 min
Scholarly CommunicationMyka Kennedy Stephens, "Integrated Library Planning: A New Model for Strategic and Dynamic Planning, Management, and Assessment" (ACRL, 2023)Many library project plans, from small projects to institution-wide strategic planning committees, follow a linear trajectory: create the plan, do the plan, then review the outcome. While this can be effective, it also sometimes leads to disregarding new information that emerges while executing the plan, making the outcome less effective. Planning processes can also feel forced and predetermined if stakeholder feedback is not seriously considered. When this happens too many times, people stop offering their honest opinions and new ideas because they have learned that the planners do not really want to hear them.Integrated Library Planning...
2023-06-1942 min
New Books in Higher EducationMyka Kennedy Stephens, "Integrated Library Planning: A New Model for Strategic and Dynamic Planning, Management, and Assessment" (ACRL, 2023)Many library project plans, from small projects to institution-wide strategic planning committees, follow a linear trajectory: create the plan, do the plan, then review the outcome. While this can be effective, it also sometimes leads to disregarding new information that emerges while executing the plan, making the outcome less effective. Planning processes can also feel forced and predetermined if stakeholder feedback is not seriously considered. When this happens too many times, people stop offering their honest opinions and new ideas because they have learned that the planners do not really want to hear them.Integrated Library Planning...
2023-06-1944 min
New Books in CommunicationsMyka Kennedy Stephens, "Integrated Library Planning: A New Model for Strategic and Dynamic Planning, Management, and Assessment" (ACRL, 2023)Many library project plans, from small projects to institution-wide strategic planning committees, follow a linear trajectory: create the plan, do the plan, then review the outcome. While this can be effective, it also sometimes leads to disregarding new information that emerges while executing the plan, making the outcome less effective. Planning processes can also feel forced and predetermined if stakeholder feedback is not seriously considered. When this happens too many times, people stop offering their honest opinions and new ideas because they have learned that the planners do not really want to hear them.Integrated Library Planning...
2023-06-1944 min
The Library is OpenThe Library is Open Podcast with Myka Kennedy StephensWe are happy to announce our newest session for The Library is Open Podcast! Today’s session features an interview with Myka Kennedy Stephens, Seminary Librarian and Assistant Professor at the Lancaster Theological Seminary... Read more »
The post The Library is Open Podcast with Myka Kennedy Stephens appeared first on The Library is Open.
2017-05-0828 min
The Library is OpenMyka Kennedy Stephens - The Library is Open ep. 6 -We are happy to announce our newest session for The Library is Open Podcast! Today’s session features an interview with Myka Kennedy Stephens, Seminary Librarian and Assistant Professor at the Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Myka has been working in libraries for more than a decade and has a strong background in library leadership and open source information systems.
Over the last 3 years at Lancaster Theological Seminary Library, Myka has developed and implemented several innovative library services including embedded library services, seminary archives, library systems administration, and open source initiatives. In this podcast we will be...
2017-05-0828 min