The Balancing Act with Andrew Temte, PhD, CFA

Mental Health at Work: Skills for Leaders and Teams | Melissa Doman

Why do leadership titles make it harder — not easier — to talk about mental health at work? 

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte speaks with Melissa Doman, MA — organizational psychologist, former mental health therapist, and author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work and her new book, Cornered Office: Why We Need to Talk About Leadership Mental Health. Melissa shares why awareness alone isn’t enough — people need conversational literacy to discuss mental health in the workplace. 

From coaching hyperventilating leaders behind closed doors to watching entire organizations transform their conversations over 18 months, Melissa makes the case that mental health is a core strategic business priority, not an optional wellness add-on. 

Tune in to episode 238 hear Melissa’s practical framework for starting these conversations — and why the quiet part needs to be said out loud. 

Career Growth Through Mentorship and an Open Mind | Bolaji James

How does a 16-year-old immigrant from Nigeria end up leading global trade marketing at Bose Corporation?

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte speaks with Bolaji James — Head of Global Trade Marketing & Retail Operations at Bose and a proud member of the very first cohort of the Kaplan Leadership Program. Bolaji shares the story of how a persistent transfer advisor and a challenge from his then-girlfriend (now wife) led him to write the essay that changed his life — and how the Kaplan Educational Foundation didn’t just offer a scholarship, but molded him into the leader he is today. From his emotional arrival at Morehouse College to the career lessons he carries into senior management at Bose, this conversation is a masterclass in the power of mentorship, an open mind, and asking for help.

Tune in to hear Bolaji’s story and learn why the best career advice often comes from simply asking one question: “What do you wish you knew?”

Leveraging AI to Enhance Human Connection | Allison Shapira

What does authentic leadership communication look like in the age of AI? In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Allison Shapira—opera singer turned keynote speaker, Harvard Kennedy School lecturer, and bestselling author of Speak with Impact and AI for the Authentic Leader. 

Allison shares her career rocket-booster moment—quitting a prestigious consulting job on day three to launch her own business—and reveals why the leaders who communicate most effectively are the ones who listen first. The conversation covers the fear of public speaking, the trust gap created by AI over-reliance, the hidden cost of corporate jargon, and why folk music taught her more about authentic leadership than opera ever did.

Tune in to hear Allison’s story and learn how to lead with your voice—authentically.

Stop Competing, Start Co-creating | Chris Deaver

In this episode of The Balancing Act Podcast, Andy sits down with Chris Deaver, the co-founder of BraveCore and the "quiet force" behind leadership initiatives at Apple and Disney. Chris shares how he helped these global giants navigate massive growth by moving away from "rock star" individualism toward a culture of co-creation.

Discover how to move beyond efficiency and effectiveness to embrace a future where humans and AI work together to build something super-abundant. Whether you are a mid-career manager feeling stuck or an executive looking to reduce friction in your organization, this episode provides a roadmap for leading with curiosity and bravery.

Chris is the co-author of Brave Together, a breakthrough leadership book featured in The Next Big Idea Club with Malcom Gladwell and Adam Grant. Through his consultancy, BraveCore, he helps leaders rethink their influence and build cultures where teams can do the impossible.

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The Evolution of ADA and FMLA | Rachel Shaw

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy speaks with Rachel Shaw, a nationally recognized ADA expert and president of Shaw HR Consulting, about the complexities of disability accommodation in the workplace. They discuss the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the cultural challenges surrounding these laws. 

Rachel shares her personal journey in HR, the importance of proactive planning, and how organizations can create a supportive environment for employees with disabilities. The conversation emphasizes the need for compassionate leadership and the value of understanding the modern workforce's needs.

Tune into episode 234 to hear Rachel's story, her career rocket-booster moment, and her thoughts on all things ADA and FMLA.

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Swiftynomics: The Intersection of Pop Culture and Economics | Misty Heggeness

In this episode of The Balancing Act podcast, host Andy speaks with Misty Heggeness - co-director of the Kansas Population Center, an associate professor of economics at the University of Kansas, and author of Swiftynomics: How Women Mastermind and Redefine Our Economy. 

They discuss Misty's journey in economics, her passion for increasing women's representation in the field, and her innovative teaching methods that incorporate pop culture to engage students. Misty shares insights from her research, the importance of valuing caregivers' contributions to the economy, and her personal growth journey centered around authenticity.

Tune into episode 233 to hear Misty's story, her career rocket-booster moment, and her thoughts on the complex economic lives of American women through the lens of pop culture.

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Empowering Diversity in STEM Careers | Dr. Eugene Manley

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Dr. Eugene Manley discusses his journey in STEMM education, the importance of diversity in the workforce, and the challenges of healthcare equity. He emphasizes the need for mentorship, early engagement in science for underrepresented populations, and the critical role of patient advocacy in addressing systemic biases in medical research. 

Dr. Manley is the Founder & CEO of the SCHEQ Foundation and comes to us with over 20 years of experience across engineering, molecular & cell biology, nonprofit strategy, and workforce development.

Tune into episode 232 to hear Eugene's story, his career rocket-booster moment, and his thoughts on STEMM education in underrepresented populations and healthcare equity.

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The Cost of Bad Hiring Decisions | Jason P. Carroll

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy speaks with Jason P. Carroll, a leadership strategist and entrepreneur, about the importance of self-awareness, the costs of bad hiring decisions, and the innovative Aptive Index assessment tool. 

They discuss the challenges of current pre-hire assessments, the role of technology in improving hiring practices, and the significance of understanding behavioral traits in leadership and team dynamics. 

Tune into episode 231 to hear Jason's story, his career rocket-booster moment, and his thoughts about pre-hire assessment tools and making better hiring decisions.

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Why Are We Still Talking About Culture? (with Rob Van Craenenbroeck)

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Rob Van Craenenbroeck, co-founder of Culture@Work, about the importance of organizational culture transformation. They discuss the unique approach of Culture@Work, the challenges organizations face in defining and maintaining their culture, and the impact of AI on work dynamics. 

Rob shares insights on mentorship for HR professionals and introduces Culture Camp, a new initiative aimed at enhancing business outcomes through proactive HR strategies.

Tune into episode 230 to learn more about the importance of organizational culture and the ever-changing world of work.

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The Art of Trust Building (with Michelle Reina)

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Michelle Reina, an expert in organizational trust. They explore the significance of trust in the workplace, the common pitfalls that lead to its erosion, and the essential role of leadership in fostering a high-trust culture. 

Michelle shares her journey in trust building, practical steps for leaders and mid-level managers, and the importance of self-reflection in maintaining trust. The conversation emphasizes that trust is a continuous process that requires intentional behavior and commitment from everyone in the organization.

Michelle is the co-founder of Reina Trust Building, and bestselling co-author of the groundbreaking Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace. More than three decades of research and practice have culminated in her new book, The Art of Trust Building (January 2026).

Tune into episode 229 to hear Michelle's story, her career rocket-booster moment, and her thoughts on building organizational trust.

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