Shows
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Are Non-Linear Careers The New Linear?Emil Kang became the head of one of the largest orchestras in the U.S. at 31. He went on to direct arts grantmaking at The Mellon Foundation, where he helped imagine Creatives Rebuild New York, a $125 million workforce development initiative during the heart of the pandemic. Now he's an arts consultant, writer, and educator based in New York City, and his Substack, The Reprise, has become required reading for people working in and around arts institutions.In this episode, host Tim Cynova and Emil trace what all those vantage points reveal about careers, hiring, and the institutions...
2026-07-2839 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Hiring with Intention: An Executive Search Case StudyMost hiring processes were built in a different era, carried forward by inertia without much consideration, and optimized for the organization’s convenience rather than a candidate’s experience.This episode is about what happens when a team decides to proactively reimagine that dynamic.WSS host Tim Cynova is joined by Katrina Donald (Ever-so-curious), Julie Mae Lopez (People Power Solutions), and guest host for the episode, Jodi Cobalt (Yerba Buena Center for the Arts). The four of them collaborated on a search at YBCA in 2022-23 for an executive-level Head of External Relations role. This epis...
2026-05-3056 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Unhooking from NormsWhat happens when the people an organization exists to serve are also the ones designing it? On this episode, host Tim Cynova is in conversation with Lu Zhang, Gregory Sale, and Diya Vij of A Blade of Grass to discuss what it looks like to approach your organization as a living experiment.A Blade of Grass supports socially engaged artists through a grants program, an in-fellowship cohort, and a digital publication called Landscapes. But their work goes well beyond their program design. They're actively questioning whether competition-based, project-focused philanthropy actually serves artists. They pay their...
2026-05-1553 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Inside the SearchWhat does an executive search actually look like from the inside?This episode brings together two people who know the process from different vantage points: Pamela Bol Riess, CEO of PBR Executive Search, and Deeksha Gaur, Executive Director of Theater Development Fund, who was a candidate in a search Pamela led in 2023.Together, we discuss how executive hiring really works right now — what search committees are actually evaluating, why the boldest candidates tend to win, and how to show up in a competitive market without losing yourself in the process.In this conversation:...
2026-04-2846 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Hiring in the Age of A.I.Artificial intelligence isn’t just changing how we work—it’s reshaping how we hire.In this episode, hosts Tim Cynova and Katrina Donald explore the impact of AI on hiring practices. Joined by their unique, algorithmic guest—Chad Geepet (pronounced GPT 😉), part thought partner, part mirror, and all algorithm—they unpack what AI is really doing to hiring systems, not just in headlines but in the messy middle where résumés, interviews, and algorithms now mingle.Drawing on eight recent studies and articles, they explore:Learning to Speak Algorithm: How job seekers and employers a...
2025-10-281h 04
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Building Justice: Rethinking Construction, Climate, and CareConstruction sits at the intersection of some of today’s most urgent challenges—workforce shortages, climate change, housing insecurity, and culture change. It’s also where solutions are being built, literally and figuratively.In this episode, host Tim Cynova continues the Climate Justice HR series with Mel Baiser and Kate Stephenson, co-founders of HELM Construction Solutions, a people- and planet-forward consulting firm helping construction companies transform their culture, strengthen business resilience, and lead on climate action.They explore:What it means to embed justice, care, and clarity into hiring, leadership, and everyday operations.Why constr...
2025-10-1558 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Deep Democracy at WorkNonprofit teams. City governments. Unionizing workplaces. Pet pics in the team Slack thread. No matter the setting, one thing is certain: conflict is going to show up.But what if conflict isn’t the problem—it’s the way we relate to it that matters?In this episode, Tim Cynova is joined by facilitators, coaches, and organizational practitioners Navida Nuraney and Camille Dumond to explore the Lewis Method of Deep Democracy, a practical and surprisingly playful framework for navigating disagreement, surfacing unspoken truths, and building real relational capacity in teams.We explore what makes...
2025-09-1747 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Nonprofit Governance in Uncertain TimesIn this episode, host Tim Cynova is joined by E. Andrew Taylor—professor, researcher, consultant, board chair, and longtime colleague—to explore the messy, meaningful, and often misunderstood world of nonprofit boards. Together, they take a fresh look at what boards are really for, why bylaws matter more than most people realize, and how values-based governance can meet the challenges of an unpredictable world.Dispelling common myths, Andrew reframes the governing board as a servant leader to the public it represents. The conversation spans recent high-profile governance stories at institutions like OpenAI and the Kennedy Center for the...
2025-09-0943 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Thera-Coaching Through UncertaintyIn this episode of the Work Shouldn’t Suck podcast, host Tim Cynova is joined by Chantel Cohen—licensed therapist, executive coach, and founder of CWC Coaching and Therapy—for a powerful conversation at the intersection of career and mental wellness.Chantel works with entrepreneurs and corporate leaders to help them navigate the messy, magical overlap of identity, leadership, stress, relationships, and purpose. Through coaching and therapy, she supports individuals and teams in showing up more fully—for themselves, for each other, and for the work they believe in.We explore:Why founders and professi...
2025-08-2828 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Hiring as Improv: Embracing the Unscripted in Job SearchesIn this episode, we explore what it means to approach hiring as improvisation—especially from the perspective of job seekers navigating ambiguous, pressure-filled, and often inequitable processes.Joining host Tim Cynova are two brilliant minds who live at the intersection of the performing arts and organizational transformation: Courtney Harge, founder of CHarge Advisory Hub and Kate Stadel, General Manager of Arts at YMCA Calgary. Both bring deep experience in theater and arts leadership—and share how their training has shaped how they build teams, lead organizations, and show up in interviews.We explore:Why job...
2025-08-2145 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Co-CEO Chronicles: Navigating Growth, Change, and ComplexityDiscover the real-world lessons of co-leadership in this two-part conversation with Americans for the Arts’ interim Co-CEOs, Suzy Delvalle and Jamie Bennett.Recorded at the start and end of their nine-month shared leadership journey, host Tim Cynova explores how they divided responsibilities, built trust, navigated challenges, and embraced the benefits of having two leaders at the helm. From the decision to take the roles together, to the cultural shifts and surprises along the way, this episode offers candid insights for executives, boards, and organizations exploring interim leadership, shared power, and values-driven change.We explore:Ho...
2025-08-181h 11
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Socrates Sculpture Park: Exploring Art, Community, and ExperimentationIn this on-location episode, host Tim Cynova visits Socrates Sculpture Park, a creative haven on along New York City’s East River. Once a landfill, Socrates is now a vibrant public space where artists and community members come together to imagine what’s possible. Co-Directors Katie Dixon and Shaun Leonardo join Tim to reflect on the park’s origins, its role in a rapidly changing neighborhood, and the creative and civic experiments it cultivates every day.Together, they explore what it means to lead an arts organization in uncertain times, how their version of co-leadership works in practi...
2025-06-1039 min
FARSIGHT ChatsEP23: Values Based CoachingOriginally released on Tim Cynova’s podcast, Work Shouldn’t Suck, this episode of FARSIGHT Chats, delves into the significance of coaching in fostering leadership skills, particularly through the lens of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-oppression (EDIA). Host of FARSIGHT Chats, Farah Bala, shares her personal and professional journey, emphasizing the importance of values-based coaching. The conversation includes insights on the distinctions between coaching, mentoring, and therapy, as well as the role of identity in coaching relationships. Farah discusses the necessity of continuous self-care for coaches and the impact of a diverse perspective in coaching. She also provides guidance on s...
2025-06-0748 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Democracy and Creative PracticeIn this episode of Work Shouldn’t Suck, host Tim Cynova connects with the ever-awesome Shannon Litzenberger to explore the intersections of democracy, creative practice, and collective thriving. Together, they dive into how artistic methodologies can expand leadership frameworks and help shape more caring, equitable communities.In this episode:How creative practice informs leadership and systems changeThe importance of mutual care and collective thrivingSensory attunement, attentional awareness, and improvisational leadershipDisrupting default systems and embracing world-making as a practiceFresh from the national tour of her production World After Dark and moments away from presenting at...
2025-02-2549 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Climate Justice HR | Part 1In this episode of the Work Shouldn’t Suck podcast, host Tim Cynova begins an exploration into the crucial intersection of Human Resources (HR) and climate emergencies. Recorded amidst recent natural disasters, the discussion explores how workplaces can prepare for and respond to climate-related challenges, underscoring the importance of planning for the unexpected, building resilient systems, and supporting employee well-being in the midst of these emergencies.Joining the conversation are Jenna Ringelheim and Jillian Wright, bringing their insights on meaningful HR and organizational design practices rooted in equity, anti-racism, and compassion. They emphasize the importance of proactive pl...
2025-01-1748 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Startups & ScalingIn this episode of Work Shouldn’t Suck, host Tim Cynova is rejoined by co-host Lauren Ruffin and special guest Adam Huttler, the founder of Fractured Atlas and current head of product and technology at MonkeyPod, another company he founded. Together, they dive into the nuances of starting and scaling organizations, drawing from their shared experiences at Fractured Atlas and beyond.The conversation explores the intricacies of startups and scaling, including the critical transition points, calibrating risk between staff and boards, the importance of intellectual honesty, and the role slack plays in supporting a culture of learning....
2024-11-1455 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Embodying Shared LeadershipIn this episode, host Tim Cynova dives back into the world of shared and distributed leadership with three leaders of Bridge Live Arts, a Bay Area-based nonprofit dedicated to equity-driven live art. He's joined by Cherie Hill, Hope Mohr, and Rebecca Fitton as they unpack the unique journey of implementing a distributed leadership model at BLA as it transitioned from Hope Mohr Dance.The team shares the origins of the distributed leadership model, how their particular model works, how engaging with community informs and evolves the model, some of their “ahas” and lessons learned along the way, and...
2024-10-3142 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.On Creative AdministrationSeason 6 of the WSS podcast here!In our inaugural episode of the season, host Tim Cynova is joined by Katy Dammers, Indira Goodwine-Josias, and Christy Bolingbroke as they explore reimagining of value-centered workplaces through Creative Administration. In organizations dedicated to creative expression and innovation, why is it that so many have workplace practices and policies that are dusty?The spirited discussion dives into the challenges and opportunities within the creative sector to rethink “traditional” approaches, asking when it might be better to reinvent the wheel or even asking if a wheel is what’s needed. The co...
2024-10-2549 min
FARSIGHT ChatsIntro to FARSIGHT ChatsIn Episode 00, we welcome you to FARSIGHT Chats: Leadership Wisdom for Today's World with Farah Bala! Join host, Farah Bala, Founder & CEO of FARSIGHT, as she brings together today's thought leaders to discuss essential topics around our society and culture that impact the workplace. Tune in each month to expand your own understanding and perspectives around having an EDIA leadership mindset (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Oppression) that fosters healthy work culture where everyone feels included and can thrive! Stay connected with FARSIGHT:LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebookJoin our Mailing ListExecutive Producer & Host | Farah Bala...
2024-06-2103 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Values-Based CoachingIf you’ve ever wondered about the ins-and-outs of executive coaches – how does it work, how do you find one; I’m not an “executive,” is it still for me? – this is an episode for you!Host Tim Cynova is in conversation with Farah Bala, a certified executive coach and founder of Farsight, an agency dedicated to leadership and organizational development with a focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-oppression practices. Their conversation covers a lot of ground, from the philosophical to the practice, with some highlights from the discussion below.Episode Highlights04:15 The Essence and...
2024-04-2350 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Navigating The In-BetweenIn this episode, host Tim Cynova interviews Ann Le and Meg Buzzi, authors of the book "The In-Between: A Companion for Uncertain Times." The discussion brings in many of the challenges of work in the current chaotic and uncertain landscape, and offers insights on how individuals, teams, and organizations can stay engaged and motivated. At the heart of the discussion, Ann and Meg invite listeners to rethink their relationship with work and explore new possibilities.Episode Highlights:03:18 The Genesis of The In-Between: A Book for Uncertain Times05:06 Unpacking Work Culture: Insights from The In-Between08:00 Navigating Work...
2024-04-0933 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Gen Z in the WorkplaceIn this episode, Tim Cynova is in conversation with Tammy Dowley-Blackman, an entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience in leadership and organizational development. A differentiator for Tammy in this work comes in that she’s sat in many of the proverbial seats at the table: serving as a CEO and key decision-maker, a board member, a sought-after consultant, a leadership development content creator, and a key partner to corporations, government entities, nonprofits, and philanthropic institutions.Episode Highlights:The needs and expectations of Gen Z in the workplace,The impact of the pandemic on work and how organizations ca...
2024-03-2645 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Wage Transparency & Equity, Part 2In this episode, Tim Cynova and Katrina Donald delve into the complex world of wage transparency and equitable compensation, and explore how organizations can navigate these challenges to create fair and inclusive workplaces.They explore the need for organizations to list salaries for roles, both internally and externally, as well as the implications wage transparency laws are having across the U.S. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by organizations in creating consistency and fairness in their compensation approaches, particularly when considering factors like internal versus external experience and equity. Tim and Katrina also emphasize the...
2024-02-0237 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.One More Conversation with Diane RagsdaleThis week, the world lost an amazing light of a human: Diane Ragsdale. This episode is a previously lost and unreleased conversation that host Tim Cynova recorded with Diane at the Banff Centre in February 2020, a few weeks before the world shut down for the global pandemic... and they promptly forgot they even recorded this conversation together.Originally intended to be titled, "Investing in Personal and Professional Growth," the conversation explores Diane's thoughts on the role of the arts and artists in society, the role arts management and leadership programs can and should play, and...
2024-01-1551 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Decolonizing the BylawsWhy and how do you decolonize an organization's bylaws?In this episode, host Tim Cynova connects with three leaders from the U.S.-based nonprofit Dance/USA about their recent and ongoing work to decolonize their organization. Joining the discussion are Kellee Edusei, Executive Director of Dance/USA, and Holly Bass and Jim Leija, two members of the Board of Directors who co-lead the process to decolonize their organizational bylaws.We discussed the what, why, and how of the process Dance/USA engaged in over the past couple of years.Visit Dance/USA...
2023-10-2640 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Inclusivity & Innovation in Leadership InitiativesHow do we support leaders in the cultural sector?In this episode, host Tim Cynova has a fun and fascinating conversation with Gail Crider (President & CEO) and Kristina Newman-Scott (Board Chair) of National Arts Strategies (NAS), an organization dedicated to building and supporting a community of arts and culture leaders who drive inspiring change for the future. We dive into the transformative work they've been doing to create more inclusive and innovative spaces and approaches within the sector through their programs and offerings.Episode Highlights:Introduction to our guests from National Arts Strategies and...
2023-09-0634 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Unlimited Paid Time OffIn this episode, we explore unlimited paid time off policies: what they are, what they aren't, and items to consider when implementing this type of approach to PTO.Katrina Donald takes over hosting duties and turns the interviewee's microphone unusually in Tim Cynova's direction as they discuss Paid Time Off and his experience transitioning an organization to an Unlimited Paid vacation day policy.Katrina Donald based in Treaty 7 Territory, Katrina (she/her) is the principal consultant at ever-so-curious. She believes that listening and sensemaking practices bring us into community, reveal pathways forward, encourage and embolden u...
2023-05-1639 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Wage Transparency & EquityIn this episode, podcast co-hosts Tim Cynova and Lauren Ruffin discuss recent pay transparency law changes that require companies to disclose pay ranges, as well as the laws’ potential to shift power and information sharing in workplaces. They explore the importance of clearly defining job requirements and the benefits of fixed-tier compensation to ensure equal – if not entirely *equitable* – pay. Lauren addresses the issues of location-based pay adjustments and speculates that increased transparency may lead to more organizations unionizing. Tim highlights the ongoing reevaluation of work's value and the need for businesses to adapt to Long COVID by creating more i...
2023-04-2029 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Sunsetting OrganizationsWhether you refer to it as "sunsetting" or "supernova’ing," what’s true is that there are few resources to guide those wanting to intentionally shutdown an organization’s operations. While a multitude of resources exist dedicated to starting and scaling ventures, the same can’t be said when one finds themself on the other end of the organizational life cycle. In this episode, host Tim Cynova connects with guests who were tasked with leading companies through this final phase. We’ll hear how they came to the decision, how they approached the work, and what resonates for them a...
2023-02-151h 22
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Into the future with Yerba Buena Center for the ArtsIn this episode, we’re exploring uncertainty, transitions, and moving forward in ambiguity – something most of us probably feel like we’re getting pretty used to having lived the past several years amid a global pandemic.We’ll be exploring how these things show up in organizations, and in one organization in particular – San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. And we’ll discuss how they’re approaching this in their evolving work.To learn more about their Head of External Relations search, visit: https://www.workshouldntsuck.co/ybca-er.SARA FENSKE BAHAT is a conne...
2022-12-2947 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism Ep13: Conversation with a Peer Support CircleIn this special bonus episode of "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim talks with Noah Becker, Kevin Eppler, Colin Lacey, and Shannon Mudd, four members of a peer support circle that's part of the larger racial affinity group White Men for Racial Justice (WMRJ). This group of guys meet regularly to support, challenge, and hold each other accountable as they seek to live into their values and desire to help co-create an anti-racist, equitable, and just world.After nearly two years of meeting weekly on Zoom, they finally had the opportunity to meet in 3D in...
2022-09-1346 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism Ep12: Conversation with Jared FishmanIn episode twelve of the 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim interviews Jared Fishman, a civil right lawyer and Founding Executive Director of Justice Innovation Lab, a company building data-driven solutions for a more equitable, effective & fair justice system.This series was created to be a resource for white men who might be wrestling with questions like, “What’s my role in anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and justice work as a white man with power and privilege?” and “How might my personal commitment to do this work manifest itself in the organization I help lead?”
2022-09-0940 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism Ep11: Conversation with Ted & Rooney CastleIn episode eleven of the 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim interviews Ted Castle (Founder & President) and Rooney Castle (Vice President) of Rhino Foods, the birthplace of the iconic cookie dough that goes into Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream.This series was created to be a resource for white men who might be wrestling with questions like, “What’s my role in anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and justice work as a white man with power and privilege?” and “How might my personal commitment to do this work manifest itself in the organization I help lea...
2022-09-0444 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism Ep12: Conversation with Jared FishmanIn episode twelve of the 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim interviews Jared Fishman, a civil right lawyer and Founding Executive Director of Justice Innovation Lab, a company building data-driven solutions for a more equitable, effective & fair justice system.This series was created to be a resource for white men who might be wrestling with questions like, “What’s my role in anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and justice work as a white man with power and privilege?” and “How might my personal commitment to do this work manifest itself in the organization I help lead?”
2022-08-2401 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism Ep11: Conversation with Ted & Rooney CastleIn episode eleven of the 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim interviews Ted Castle (Founder & President) and Rooney Castle (Vice President) of Rhino Foods, the birthplace of the iconic cookie dough that goes into Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream.This series was created to be a resource for white men who might be wrestling with questions like, “What’s my role in anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and justice work as a white man with power and privilege?” and “How might my personal commitment to do this work manifest itself in the organization I help lea...
2022-08-2401 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism Ep10: Conversation with Kit HughesIn episode ten of the 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim interviews Kit Hughes, Co-Founder and CEO of Look Listen, a consulting company working at the intersection of creativity, data, and technology.This series was created to be a resource for white men who might be wrestling with questions like, “What’s my role in anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and justice work as a white man with power and privilege?” and “How might my personal commitment to do this work manifest itself in the organization I help lead?”Are you new to the series...
2022-06-2337 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism Ep9: Conversation with David ReuterIn episode nine of the 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim interviews David Reuter, Partner at LLR, a private equity firm based in Philadelphia investing in technology and healthcare businesses.This series was created to be a resource for white men who might be wrestling with questions like, “What’s my role in anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and justice work as a white man with power and privilege?” and “How might my personal commitment to do this work manifest itself in the organization I help lead?”Are you new to the series? Check out...
2022-06-2136 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism Ep8: Conversation with Marc MannellaIn episode eight of the 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim interviews Marc Mannella formerly CEO of KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools and currently a consultant working with clients that range from professional sports teams, to charter schools, to non-profits.This series was created to be a resource for white men who might be wrestling with questions like, “What’s my role in anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and justice work as a white man with power and privilege?” and “How might my personal commitment to do this work manifest itself in the organization I help lead?”
2022-04-2542 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism Ep7: Conversation with Raphael Bemporad & Bryan MillerIn episode seven of the 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim interviews Raphael Bemporad (Founding Partner) and Bryan Miller (Chief Financial Officer) of BBMG, a branding and social impact consultancy.This series was created to be a resource for white men who might be wrestling with questions like, “What’s my role in anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and justice work as a white man with power and privilege?” and “How might my personal commitment to do this work manifest itself in the organization I help lead?”Are you new to the series? Check out...
2022-04-1048 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism Ep6: Conversation with Sydney SkybetterIn episode six of the 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim interviews Sydney Skybetter choreographer and founder of the Center for Research on Choreographic Interfaces that convenes experts in dance, performance, computer science, kinesiology, anthropology, social justice, and design to explore the relationship between bodies, movement, and emerging technologies.This series was created to be a resource for white men who might be wrestling with questions like, “What’s my role in anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and justice work as a white man with power and privilege?” and “How might my personal commitment to do this...
2022-04-0540 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Values-Based Hiring: Re-Imagining the Search ProcessIn this episode, we dive into re-imagining the hiring process, in particular, how it might be designed if we dusted off executive search to co-create a process that centers our values of equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and anti-oppression.Find out more about Work Shouldn't Suck's hiring-based offerings here, including full-service executive search, our hiring process consultation, and our brand new values-based hiring course launching this April.JAMIE GAMBLE (Guest Host) Jamie Gamble is the Principal Consultant of New Brunswick based Imprint Consulting, and since 2002 has served organizations involved in the arts, climate change, environmental protection, economic dev...
2022-03-281h 05
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism Ep5: Conversation with Ron CarucciIn episode five of the 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim interviews Ron Carucci, an author and Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Navalent, a firm that works with CEOs and executives who are pursuing transformational change for their organizations and industries. This series was created to be a resource for white men who might be wrestling with questions like, “What’s my role in anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and justice work as a white man with power and privilege?” and “How might my personal commitment to do this work manifest itself in the organization I help lea...
2022-03-2342 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism Ep4: Conversation with Jay Coen GilbertIn episode four of the 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim interviews Jay Coen Gilbert, CEO of Imperative21 and Co-Founder of B Lab.This series was created to be a resource for white men who might be wrestling with questions like, “What’s my role in anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and justice work as a white man with power and privilege?” and “How might my personal commitment to do this work manifest itself in the organization I help lead?”Are you new to the series? Check out episode 54 where podcast co-hosts Lauren Ruffin and...
2022-03-1951 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism Ep3: Conversation with John OrrIn episode three of the 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim interviews John Orr, Executive Director of the Philadelphia-based Art-Reach.This series was created to be a resource for white men who might be wrestling with questions like, “What’s my role in anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and justice work as a white man with power and privilege?” and “How might my personal commitment to do this work manifest itself in the organization I help lead?”Are you new to the series? Check out episode 54 where podcast co-hosts Lauren Ruffin and Tim Cynova int...
2022-03-1749 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism Series IntroductionIn this episode, co-hosts Tim Cynova and Lauren Ruffin introduce a new 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," where Tim interviews white men in positions of leadership whose companies are engaged in understanding how racism and oppression are at play in their organizations and the work they do.Download the accompanying series study guide.Series guests include:David Devan, General Director & President, Opera PhiladelphiaJohn Orr, Executive Director, Art-ReachJay Coen Gilbert, Co-Founder, B Lab; CEO, Imperative21Ron Carucci, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, NavalentSydney Skybetter, Associate Chair & Senior Lecturer, Theatre Arts & Performance Studies Department...
2022-03-1718 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Re-Imagining the Role of the Art CenterThis conversation was recorded as part of Work Shouldn't Suck's Ethical Re-Opening Summit that took place on April 27, 2021.What does it look like to co-create a future where everyone thrives? We explore re-imagining the role of the art center as a canvas and place to play and explore, and how to transform society by transforming organizations and the systems and structures that built and sustain them.GuestDEBORAH CULLINAN Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) CEO Deborah Cullinan is one of the nation’s leading thinkers on the pivotal role artists and ar...
2022-01-1343 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Alternate Power and Decision Making ModelsThis conversation was recorded as part of Work Shouldn't Suck's Ethical Re-Opening Summit that took place on April 27, 2021.There are a multitude of ways to share power, decision making, and leadership in organizations. In this episode, Aja Couchois Duncan, Hop Hopkins, Lauren Ruffin, and Jason Wiener explore several, as well as discuss what companies should keep in mind as they consider different ways of participatory leadership.Resources mentioned during session:“Racism Is Killing the Planet” by Hop HopkinsSolidarity Not Charity - Grantmaking in the Solidarity EconomySustainable Economies Law Center’s Nonprofit Democracy NetworkUnited States Federa...
2021-12-2744 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Policies and Practices for Hybrid Org ArrangementsThis conversation was recorded as part of Work Shouldn't Suck's Ethical Re-Opening Summit that took place on April 27, 2021.How do you create and maintain equitable policies and practices when your team works across differing onsite and remote arrangements?Resources mentioned during session:Results-Only Work EnvironmentThe People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB)Team Dynamics’s Behave podcastADDAM GARRETT serves as Operations Manager for the National Performance Network. Addam joined NPN in the summer of 2016 and has over 15 years of experience in education, program planning, and communications. He manages day-to-day organizational acti...
2021-12-1345 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Liberating WorkplacesThis conversation was recorded as part of Work Shouldn't Suck's Ethical Re-Opening Summit that took place on April 27, 2021.Co-host Lauren Ruffin facilitates a discussion with Vanessa Roanhorse and Syrus Marcus Ware on how organizations can center those most vulnerable to craft workplaces where everyone can thrive. Their discussion explores recently announced changes at Basecamp, and also the workplace re-opening survey conducted by Work Shouldn't Suck in Spring 2021.Resources mentioned during this episode:Beyond Survival: Strategies and Stories from the Transformative Justice Movement, Ejeris Dixon (Editor); Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha (Editor)“Changes at Basecamp” by Jason Frie...
2021-12-0239 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Employment Law and COVIDThis conversation was recorded as part of Work Shouldn't Suck's Ethical Re-Opening Summit that took place on April 27, 2021.Coming off a year that has echoed sentiments of feeling out of control, leaders from across sectors and industries have questions about employment law, safety, and other areas impacting how we earn a living in the wake of COVID. Those in smaller organizations or independent contractors also struggle with keeping up to date with worker-related rights and legislation. Panelist Andrea Milano, special counsel at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, brings attention to the importance of knowing the different standards and...
2021-11-2342 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Intentionality and Environmental ImpactsThis conversation was recorded as part of Work Shouldn't Suck's Ethical Re-Opening Summit that took place on April 27, 2021.This past year saw the environmental impacts of the workplace shift dramatically. For many, travel for work was completely erased, both commuting and related business travel. Conferences that traditionally attracted hundreds or thousands of in-person attendees shifted to online offerings. As we consider how to reopen our workplaces, how can we do that in intentional ways that center our impact on planet and people?Resources mentioned during session:Howlround’s Climate Change resourcesCarbon emissions calculator for st...
2021-11-1047 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Mental Health and Well-Being Amid a Global PandemicThis conversation was recorded as part of Work Shouldn't Suck's Ethical Re-Opening Summit that took place on April 27, 2021.How can we and our organizations acknowledge and support the well-being of everyone as we continue to live and work through a global pandemic?Resources mentioned during session:Project Include’s Remote Work Report & Executive Summary“What Does It Mean to Be a Manager Today?” by Brian Kropp, Alexia Cambon, and Sara Clark via Harvard Business Review“Measuring Loss: The Inequities in Remembrance” by Sophia Park“Prioritizing wellbeing in 2020” by Joann Lee Wagner“Working While Grieving” Work Shouldn’t Suc...
2021-11-0448 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.New(ish) to Organizational Anti-Racism WorkThis conversation was recorded as part of Work Shouldn't Suck's Ethical Re-Opening Summit that took place on April 27, 2021.This unprecedented time has become a time of learning (and relearning) for many. But what is the process for turning knowledge into action in and out of our organizations? Thinking about organizational anti-racism work begins with a clear understanding of what “the work” is. Task forces, caucuses, book clubs, consultants? So many options. Our guests discuss different approaches to doing "the work" in our organizations.Resources mentioned during episode:Change.org’s Reflect & Reset“What Does It Mean...
2021-10-2342 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Inclusive Hiring PracticesThree members of the Toronto-based company Generator discuss their approach to inclusive hiring practices as recently demonstrated during their call for new organizational leadership. While the search has concluded with their recent appointment, you can still check out the archived position posting here. Two consultants mentioned during the episode include: Zainab Amadahy and Angela Sun.SEDINA FIATI is a Toronto based performer, producer, director, creator and activist for stage and screen. Proudly Black and queer, Sedina is deeply invested in artistic work that explores the intersection between art and activism, either in form or structure...
2021-10-061h 03
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Race-based Caucusing in the WorkplaceCourtney Harge (CEO, OF/BY/FOR ALL) and Nicola Carpenter (Director of People Operations, Fractured Atlas) sit down with Tim Cynova to answer the 30 questions they most frequently receive when speaking with individuals and organizations about race-based caucusing in the workplace.Want to learn more? Join them for their brand new course "Race-Based Caucusing in the Workplace: The Why & How" taking place in October 2021. To find out more visit: https://www.workshouldntsuck.co/courses2/caucusingWhat is anti-racism, anti-oppression work, and in particular, anti-racism, anti-oppression work in the workplace?What does accountability look like for anti-racism...
2021-09-2148 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Journey Towards Anti-Racism EP2: Conversation with David DevanIn episode two of the 12-part podcast series, "White Men & the Journey Towards Anti-Racism," Tim interviews David B. Devan, General Director & President of Opera Philadelphia.This series was created to be a resource for white men who might be wrestling with questions like, “What’s my role in anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and justice work as a white man with power and privilege?” and “How might my personal commitment to do this work manifest itself in the organization I help lead?”Are you new to the series? Check out episode 54 where podcast co-hosts Lauren Ruffin and Tim Cynova...
2021-08-2435 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Ethical Re-Opening SummitA year ago, many organizations flipped the switch to being entirely virtual workplaces almost overnight. As the world begins to re-open, we can't simply un-flip that switch. We're still living through the uncertainty of a global pandemic.In this episode, co-hosts Lauren Ruffin and Tim Cynova discuss the upcoming Ethical Re-Opening Summit that they're producing on April 27, 2021. They'll be previewing some of the speakers and sessions, as well as discussing their hopes for the convening.The summit brings together people who for years have been actively thinking and designing organizations to create inclusive and equitable...
2021-04-2225 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.The Work Towards Anti-RacismIn the journey towards becoming an anti-racist organization, the team at Fractured Atlas talk a lot about doing the work. But what exactly do they mean by "the work?" Is reading part of the work? Are workshops in diversity, equity, and inclusion part of the work?In this episode we sit down with three members of the team who are deeply engaged in the work personally and professional to discuss this question. We're joined by Nina Berman, Courtney Harge, and everyone's favorite podcasting co-host, Lauren Ruffin. Read more about Fractured Atlas's journey towards anti-racism at www.workshouldntsuck...
2020-10-2239 min
Better Life LabCrisis Conversations: Woke at Work?After the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police sparked a racial justice reckoning, many American organizations put up Black Lives Matter signs. Many put out statements committing to tear down structural racism and build diverse, equitable and inclusive cultures at work. The trick is — how exactly do you do that? These business and organizational leaders have some ideas.Host:Brigid Schulte, Director, Better Life Lab at New AmericaGuests:Melonie Parker, Chief diversity officer at Google, whose team produced the 2020 Diversity Annual ReportAns...
2020-08-2227 minBetter Life LabCrisis Conversations: Woke at Work?After the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police sparked a racial justice reckoning, many American organizations put up Black Lives Matter signs. Many put out statements committing to tear down structural racism and build diverse, equitable and inclusive cultures at work. The trick is — how exactly do you do that? These business and organizational leaders have some ideas.Host:Brigid Schulte, Director, Better Life Lab at New AmericaGuests:Melonie Parker, Chief diversity officer at Google, whose team produced the 2020 Diversity Annual ReportAns...
2020-08-2227 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Ashara Ekundayo, Esteban Kelly & Syrus Marcus Ware!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guests Ashara Ekundayo, Esteban Kelly & Syrus Marcus Ware. [Live show recorded: June 8, 2020.]ASHARA EKUNDAYO is a Detroit-born independent curator, creative industries entrepreneur, cultural strategist, and founder working across arts, community, government, and social innovation spaces. Through her consulting company AECreative Consulting Partners, LLC she designs and manages multidimensional international projects and fosters collaborative relationships through the use of mindfulness and permaculture principles to bring vision to life and create opportunities “in the deep end,” often with unlikely allies. Her creative arts practice epistemology requires an embodied commitment to r...
2020-07-0341 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Oscar Abello & Vanessa Roanhorse!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guests Oscar Abello & Vanessa Roanhorse. [Live show recorded: June 5, 2020.]OSCAR PERRY ABELLO is Next City's senior economics correspondent. He previously served as Next City’s editor from 2018-2019, and was a Next City Equitable Cities Fellow from 2015-2016. Since 2011, Oscar has covered community development finance, community banking, impact investing, economic development, housing and more for media outlets such as Shelterforce, B Magazine, Impact Alpha, and Fast Company. VANESSA ROANHORSE is an inclusive solutions-driven problem solver committed to liberating all peoples and delivering impactful mechanisms for so...
2020-07-0247 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Elizabeth Streb!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Elizabeth Streb. [Live show recorded: May 12, 2020.]MacArthur “Genius” Award-winner, Elizabeth Streb has dived through glass, allowed a ton of dirt to fall on her head, walked down (the outside of) London’s City Hall, and set herself on fire, among other feats of extreme action. Her popular book, STREB: How to Become an Extreme Action Hero, was made into a hit documentary, Born to Fly directed by Catherine Gund (Aubin Pictures), which premiered at SXSW and received an extended run at The Film Forum in New York C...
2020-05-1527 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Darren Walker!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Darren Walker. [Live show recorded: May 11, 2020.]Darren Walker is president of the Ford Foundation, an international social justice philanthropy with a $13 billion endowment and $600 million in annual grant making. He chaired the philanthropy committee that brought a resolution to the city of Detroit’s historic bankruptcy and is co-founder and chair of the US Impact Investing Alliance.Before joining Ford, Darren was vice president at the Rockefeller Foundation, overseeing global and domestic programs including the Rebuild New Orleans initiative after Hurricane Katrina. In the 1990s...
2020-05-1424 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Bamuthi & Lisa Yancey!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guests Marc Bamuthi Joseph and Lisa Yancey. [Live show recorded: May 8, 2020.]LISA YANCEY is a strategist, social impact entrepreneur, community builder, and visionary who believes that people build legacies in a lifetime. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Lisa Yancey is the president Yancey Consulting (YC) and co-founder of SorsaMED and The We’s Match. With 18 years of practice, YC has served over 100 nonprofit organizations, grantmakers, and individuals. Advising across arts and culture, public space, and justice-based sectors, YC specializes in strategic organizational development, economic modeling, evaluation and assessments, bo...
2020-05-1032 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Alexis Frasz!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Alexis Frasz. [Live show recorded: May 7, 2020.]ALEXIS FRASZ sees culture as both a context for and a driver of social change. She is a researcher, strategist and advisor to partners in culture, philanthropy, and the environmental sector, helping design and implement strategies to drive transformative change. Her perspective on systems change draws on her background in cultural anthropology, Chinese Medicine, permaculture design, Buddhism, and martial arts. She is passionate about bringing arts and culture into greater solidarity with broader movements working for social, ecological, and economic...
2020-05-0926 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Danny Harris!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Danny Harris. [Live show recorded: May 6, 2020.]DANNY HARRIS, a passionate advocate for livable, walkable and bike-friendly cities, has been named the new executive director of Transportation Alternatives by the non-profit organization’s board of directors. He will officially assume this role on Sept. 3, 2019. Harris spent four years as program director with the Knight Foundation in San Jose, California, where he oversaw grantmaking related to placemaking, transportation, and affordable housing. He most recently served as senior vice president of Civic Entertainment Group in New York Ci...
2020-05-0728 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Diane Ragsdale & Andrew Taylor!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guests Diane Ragsdale & Andrew Taylor. [Live show recorded: May 1, 2020.]E. ANDREW TAYLOR, Associate Professor and Department Chair of the Performing Arts Department at American University thinks (a bit too much) about organizational structure, strategy, and management practice in the nonprofit arts. An Associate Professor of Arts Management at American University, he also consults for cultural, educational, and support organizations throughout North America. He recently completed a five-year sponsored research project for the William Penn Foundation on “Capitalizing Change in the Performing Arts.” Andrew is past president of the...
2020-05-0524 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Deana Haggag!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Deana Haggag. [Live show recorded: April 30, 2020.]DEANA HAGGAG is the President & CEO of United States Artists, a national arts funding organization based in Chicago, IL. Before joining USA in February 2017, she was the Executive Director of The Contemporary, a nomadic and non-collecting art museum in Baltimore, MD, for four years. In addition to her leadership roles, Deana lectures extensively, consults on various art initiatives, contributes to cultural publications, and has taught at institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and Towson University. She is on the Board...
2020-05-0327 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Edgar Villanueva!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Edgar Villanueva. [Live show recorded: April 28, 2020.]EDGAR VILLANUEVA is a globally-recognized expert on social justice philanthropy. Edgar serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Native Americans in Philanthropy, NDN Collective, and is a Board Member of the Andrus Family Fund, a national foundation that works to improve outcomes for vulnerable youth.Edgar currently serves as Senior Vice President at the Schott Foundation for Public Education where he oversees grant investment and capacity building supports for education justice campaigns across the United States.
2020-05-0127 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Cathy Edwards!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Cathy Edwards. [Live show recorded: April 27, 2020.]CATHY EDWARDS is Executive Director of the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), where she has served since January, 2015. She believes art has a unique role to play in engaging people and communities, and is committed to building opportunity and equity in the creative sector. NEFA invests in artists and communities and fosters equitable access to the arts, enriching the cultural landscape in New England and the nation. The organization administers an array of grant-making programs and professional services...
2020-04-3028 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Jamie Gahlon & Vijay Mathew!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guests Jamie Gahlon & Vijay Mathew. [Live show recorded: April 24, 2020.]JAMIE GAHLON (she/her/hers) is the Director and a co-founder of HowlRound. She is a co-creator of the World Theatre Map and New Play Map, oversees the HowlRound Journal and HowlRound TV, supports the work of the Latinx Theatre Commons, and co-administers The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s National Playwright Residency Program, and regularly produces theatre convenings around urgent field-wide issues. Prior to her work at HowlRound, Jamie helped launched the American Voices New Play Institute and th...
2020-04-2825 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Caroline Woolard!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Caroline Woolard. [Live show recorded: April 22, 2020.]CAROLINE WOOLARD employs sculpture, immersive installation, and online networks to imagine and enact systems of collaboration and mutual aid. Her work has been commissioned by and exhibited in major national and international museums, including MoMA, the Whitney Museum, and Creative Time. Recent scholarly writing on her work has been published in The Brooklyn Rail (2018); Artforum (2016); Art in America (2016); The New York Times (2016); and South Atlantic Quarterly (2015). Woolard’s work has been featured twice on New York Close Up (2014, 2016), a digital fi...
2020-04-2428 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Mica Scalin & Noah Scalin!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guests Mica Scalin & Noah Scalin, Another Limited Rebellion. [Live show recorded: April 21, 2020.]NOAH SCALIN is an artist, author, and activist. He founded Another Limited Rebellion in 2001 with the idea that he could make a living doing what he enjoyed and effect positive change in the world. Since then, Noah has traveled the world bringing his message of creative practice to everyone from incarcerated teenagers to Fortune 500 executives. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of The Arts, Noah started his career as the Art Director for Troma En...
2020-04-2230 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Dave Archuletta!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Dave Archuletta, Chief Development Officer, New York Lives Arts. [Live show recorded: April 16, 2020.]DAVE ARCHULETTA Since 2015, Dave has served as Chief Development Officer at New York Live Arts, where he is responsible for leading the organization’s fundraising efforts including individual giving, special events, institutional funding, and fiscal sponsorship. He is also responsible for the management and development of Live Arts education initiatives such as its partnership with the local James Baldwin High School and work with youthful detainees on Rikers Island.Prior to jo...
2020-04-1926 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Kristina Newman-Scott!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Kristina Newman-Scott, President, BRIC. [Live show recorded: April 15, 2020.]KRISTINA NEWMAN-SCOTT serves as President of BRIC, a leading arts and media institution anchored in Downtown Brooklyn whose work spans a contemporary visual and performing arts, media, and civic action. She is the first immigrant and first woman of color to serve in this position and one of the very few women of color leading a major New York cultural institution.Under her tenure, BRIC embarked on an ambitious human-centered process in pursuit of clarity of...
2020-04-1633 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Gail Crider!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Gail Crider, President & CEO, NAS. [Live show recorded: April 14, 2020.]GAIL CRIDER is President & CEO of NAS. She facilitates strategy, program design and organizational alignment to values. She consults on strategy, leadership, planning and governance. Gail was Vice President and COO for over a decade and was instrumental in our transition from the National Arts Stabilization Fund to National Arts Strategies and providing the range of services offered today.Over the course of her career, Gail has been an entrepreneur, worked with a variety of...
2020-04-1526 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Syrus Marcus Ware!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Syrus Marcus Ware, a Vanier Scholar, visual artist, activist, curator and educator. [Live show recorded: April 13, 2020.]SYRUS MARCUS WARE uses painting, installation and performance to explore social justice frameworks and black activist culture. His work has been shown widely, including in a solo show at Grunt Gallery, Vancouver (2068:Touch Change) and new work commissioned for the 2019 Toronto Biennial of Art and the Ryerson Image Centre (Antarctica and Ancestors, Do You Read Us? (Dispatches from the Future)) and in group shows at the Art Gallery of Ontario...
2020-04-1528 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Mara Walker!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Mara Walker, Chief Operating Officer, Americans for the Arts. [Live show recorded: April 10, 2020.]MARA WALKER is the chief operating officer for Americans for the Arts and is responsible for the overall performance of the organization, working to ensure its resources are used effectively to accomplish the organization’s complex strategic plan. Prior to that role, Mara developed targeted programming to meet the needs of a growing constituency of organizations and individuals committed to using the arts to impact communities and lives. She was instrumental in the mer...
2020-04-1129 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Christy Bolingbroke!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Christy Bolingbroke, Executive & Artistic Director, National Center for Choreography at The University of Akron. [Live show recorded: April 9, 2020.]CHRISTY BOLINGBROKE Following a national search, Christy Bolingbroke was named the first Executive & Artistic Director of the National Center for Choreography located at The University of Akron. In this role, she provides both artistic and administrative leadership for NCCAkron, building upon her extensive experience in curatorial programs and external relations. Christy came to NCCAkron from the San Francisco-based ODC (founded at Oberlin College in Ohio in 1971...
2020-04-1029 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Deborah Cullinan!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Deborah Cullinan, Chief Executive Officer, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. [Live show recorded: April 8, 2020.]DEBORAH CULLINAN Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) CEO Deborah Cullinan is one of the nation’s leading thinkers on the pivotal role arts organizations can play in shaping our social and political landscape, and has spent years mobilizing communities through arts and culture. Deborah is committed to revolutionizing the role art centers play in public life and during her tenure at YBCA, she has launched several bold new programs, en...
2020-04-0926 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with F. Javier Torres-Campos!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Live with F. Javier Torres-Campos, Director, Thriving Cultures, Surdna Foundation. [Live show recorded: April 7. 2020.]Javier Torres serves as Program Director of the Thriving Cultures program overseeing a $9 million grantmaking portfolio seeking to advance the Foundation’s social justice mission. His career has been committed to building just and sustainable communities in partnership with artists and culture/tradition bearers.Prior to joining Surdna, Javier served as the Director of National Grantmaking at ArtPlace America. In his role, he was responsible for building a comprehensive set of...
2020-04-0929 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Aaron Dworkin!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Aaron Dworkin, Social Entrepreneur, Artist, Philanthropist, & Professor of Arts Leadership & Entrepreneurship. [Live show recorded: April 6, 2020.]AARON DWORKIN Named a 2005 MacArthur Fellow, President Obama’s first appointment to the National Council on the Arts and Governor Snyder’s appointment to the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, Aaron P. Dworkin served as dean of the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD), which is ranked among the top performing arts schools in the nation. He is currently a tenured full professor of arts leadership and en...
2020-04-0729 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Nina Simon!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Nina Simon, Spacemaker & CEO of OF/BY/FOR ALL. [Live show recorded: April 3, 2020.]NINA SIMON spend her days working on OF/BY/FOR ALL, a nonprofit she founded to make civic and cultural organizations of, by, and for everyone. If you like to read, check out her best-selling books "The Participatory Museum" and "The Art of Relevance." Both are available for free online or you can buy them for your very own. You can also read hundreds of posts on the Museum 2.0 blog, which...
2020-04-0528 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Laura Zabel!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Laura Zabel, Executive Director of Springboard for the Arts. [Live show recorded: April 1, 2020.]Lauren and Tim are hosting daily livestreamed chats in April 2020 to connect with leaders in “real time” — about their lives, their organizations, their sector, and the world — during this unprecedented time in our lives. We come together as humans, as community, to talk about the concerns, the hopes, the hurdles, and the promise this particular moment in history offers us. Find the complete list guests, previous videos, and transcripts at WorkShouldntSuck.co.LAURA...
2020-04-0527 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Christine Bader!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Christine Bader, co-founder of The Life I Want. [Live show recorded: March 31, 2020.]Lauren and Tim are hosting daily livestreamed chats in April 2020 to connect with leaders in “real time” — about their lives, their organizations, their sector, and the world — during this unprecedented time in our lives. We come together as humans, as community, to talk about the concerns, the hopes, the hurdles, and the promise this particular moment in history offers us. Find the complete list guests, previous videos, and transcripts at WorkShouldntSuck.co.Christin...
2020-04-0226 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Live with Jamie Bennett!Work. Shouldn't. Suck. LIVE: The Morning(ish) Show with special guest Jamie Bennett, executive director of ArtPlace America. [Live show recorded: March 30, 2020.]Lauren and Tim are hosting daily livestreamed chats in April 2020 to connect with leaders in “real time” — about their lives, their organizations, their sector, and the world — during this unprecedented time in our lives. We come together as humans, as community, to talk about the concerns, the hopes, the hurdles, and the promise this particular moment in history offers us. Find the complete list guests, previous videos, and transcripts at WorkShouldntSuck.co.Jamie Bennett...
2020-04-0227 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Investing in Self: Lisa YanceyWe're exploring different perspectives and approaches to personal and professional development and growth in our "Investing in Self" mini-series. We'll be sprinkling these episodes into the mix with our other upcoming episodes over the next several weeks.To start us off, in late January 2020, Lauren and I had the privilege to sit down with entrepreneurial strategist, consultant, multiple business owner, dancer, choreographer, law school graduate, and so much more awesomeness: Lisa Yancey.We covered a lot of ground in our conversation, including why self care isn’t selfish, discipline and mastery; approaching our life as th...
2020-03-2734 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Tournaments & Teams: Basketball, Business, & Beyond[Note: This episode was recorded in late February and early March 2020 before the global spread of COVID-19, and the subsequent cancellation of the NCAA tournament.]Basketball, business, and beyond! When you work with two of the BIGGEST college basketball fans, you sit down with them in advance of the NCAA March Madness tournament to talk teams. Basketball not quite your thing? Well, we also talk cycling teams, and business "superstars," and psychology.We explore the topic of building better work teams through the lens of sport. We'll talk competition and cooperation, rivals and allies, is it...
2020-03-2145 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Crafting Virtual WorkplacesWe're talking remote work arrangements. Specifically, we’re talking about what teams and organizations can do to introduce, experiment, and iterate on virtual work tools and arrangements, especially in light of things like the spread of COVID-19.We cover a wealth of topics from VPNs to video meetings; going virtual first to balancing life and work when they both are happening in the same space; setting up a space at home to how people work when no one is watching them. Our guests' advice in a nutshell: It's OK to be wrong, we only learn by trying to...
2020-03-141h 27
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.The Behavior DashboardWhat behaviors differentiate a Director from a Senior Director? What traits does a CEO need to demonstrate to be successful in their role that are similar or different from what an Admin Assistant needs?On this episode we're talking tools, specifically one called The Behavior Dashboard. We chat with Pallavi Sharma and Jillian Wright who lead the creation of The Behavior Dashboard. The Dashboard was developed by the team at Fractured Atlas to help staff articulate the often murky area of behaviors and "soft skills" that differentiate what’s necessary for someone to succeed and thrive at di...
2020-03-0633 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.What's in a Workplace"What’s in a Workplace?" dives into the physical and virtual components and connections that form the structures around how we work. And increasingly, these components are changing what work looks and feels like. We discuss Convention versus Invention, Creating workplaces with commitments to anti-racism and anti-oppression, and why do many creative sector organizations often seem to park their creative instincts when it comes to designing their organizations.Our guests on this episode: Rachel Casanova, Andrew Taylor, and Ramphis Castro discuss tools to help us in our daily work and then explore the philosophical when we think ab...
2020-02-281h 58
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Shared Leadership, Part 2In this Part 2 of our exploration into shared leadership models, we sit down with a team that lead the transition from a single founder/CEO model to a four-person, shared, non-hierarchical co-CEO leadership team.To catch up with the story already in progress... in Part 1, Mike Courville, Kelly Kienzle, Holly Sidford, and Russell Willis Taylor took us on an action-packed adventure of shared, or distributed, leadership models, what are they, what aren’t they, how they work, how you might evaluate different models, and might they be right for you and your organization.For Part 2, La...
2020-02-2046 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Shared Leadership, Part 1On this episode: "CEO Not *Necessarily* Required." We look at shared or distributed leadership models, what are they, what aren’t they, how they work, how you might evaluate different models, and might they be right for you and your organization.Mike Courville, Kelly Kienzle, Holly Sidford, and Russell Willis Taylor take us on an action-packed adventure. And, if after this episode you're still hungry for more about shared leadership, our next episode dives into part two of this adventure by chatting with the members of Fractured Atlas's four-person, shared, non-hierarchical leadership team.01:00 Mike Courville...
2020-02-151h 44
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Transparency, Accountability, & AlignmentIf you don't know where you're going — personally, professionally, as a team, as an organization — you'll have a hard time knowing if and when you ever get there. In this episode, we explore ways to create more transparency, accountability, and alignment in the workplace with tools like Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).Lauren and Tim then close out the episode with a discussion that includes, among a myriad of other things, creating fan fiction based on Patrick Lencioni's work.01:25 Erica Seldin & Nicola Carpenter38:50 Lauren RuffinErica Seldin is an organization designer and...
2020-02-0757 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Decade in ReviewIt's the end of a decade, and Lauren and I totally missed that's what everyone has been posting items about. In this episode, we sat down for a virtual fireside chat to record reflections on the past decade. Soft launch your new decade with a look back at ours...2010: Lauren (01:37); Tim (02:41)2011: Lauren (04:01); Tim (05:41)2012: Lauren (06:42); Tim (10:25)2013: Lauren (10:56); Tim (11:25)2014: Lauren (13:23); Tim (16:29)2015: Lauren (18:10); Tim (19:38)2016: Lauren (22:52); Tim (23:36)2017: Lauren (26:29); Tim (27:41)2018: Lauren (30:45); Tim (33:17)2019: Lauren (34.51); Tim (35:54)
2019-12-3141 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Workplace Journey in Anti-Racism & Anti-OppressionFractured Atlas is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting artists, creatives, and makers with the things they need to succeed and thrive. About five years ago, the organization committed itself to a journey of becoming an anti-racist, anti-oppressive organization. In this episode, we chat with Courtney Harge and Nicola Carpenter, two people who have been deeply involved in that work. We’ll explore some frequently asked questions they receive about the work and journey. We'll also discuss how unlimited vacation days, shared leadership, and fully virtual organizations can further this work, while at the same time creating new and di...
2019-12-2856 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Working While GrievingThe process of grieving in the workplace often goes undiscussed. This episode connects with people who have experienced the death of loved ones while working, and explores how we might improve this journey that most of us will confront during our careers.02:32 Sophia Park22:25 Melissa Haber 38:33 Jim Rosenberg 59:15 Lauren RuffinSOPHIA PARK is part of the External Relations team at Fractured Atlas. She studied neuroscience at Oberlin College, and conducted research in neurotoxicology and neurodegenerative disorders before pivoting into the arts. Before joining Fractured Atlas, she worked at The Me...
2019-12-201h 11
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.Meet Lauren RuffinIn this episode, Tim chats with Lauren Ruffin about the launch of a new AR/VR co-op, Black capitalism, Work as the new religion, Vocations & Callings, Figuring out physical mail distribution for an entirely virtual workplace, and at what point you might own too many bicycles.LAUREN RUFFIN has over 15 years experience in policy, marketing, non-profit management, business development, fundraising, and strategic planning in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. She is the Co-Founder of Crux and has served as Chief External Relations Officer for Fractured Atlas, the nation's largest association of artists and creators, since 2016. At Fractured...
2019-11-0221 min
Work. Shouldnt. Suck.The PilotPilot episode of the new Work. Shouldn't. Suck. podcast. What’s in store for this adventure? Listen to find out.
2019-10-3102 min