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Elevate Your Leadership Journey Through Authentic Conversations with Business Leaders
In business, balancing acts are everywhere. Join Dr. Andrew Temte for The Balancing Act Podcast—an award-winning leadership development podcast featuring authentic, in-depth conversations with accomplished business leaders, senior executives, entrepreneurs, and industry experts who share the real stories behind their professional success.
What You'll Discover:
Each episode explores the critical skills and balancing acts that define exceptional leadership through engaging conversations covering:
- Leadership development and executive management strategies
- Organizational health, trust, and workplace accountability
- Employee engagement and team performance optimization
- Communication skills and business transformation
- Financial acumen and business decision-making
- Career acceleration strategies and professional growth
- Continuous improvement and lifelong learning principles
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
- Emerging trends in AI, technology, and workforce development
The Balancing Act Format:
Every episode features four powerful segments:
- Origin Stories - Discover how today's leaders began their professional journeys
- Rocket Booster Moments - Learn about the pivotal events that accelerated their careers
- Deep Dive Conversations - Explore timely business topics with actionable insights you can apply immediately
- Lightning Round Questions - Quick-fire questions that reveal your guests' perspectives on leadership, success, and life
With over 200 episodes, The Balancing Act examines business challenges from multiple perspectives, giving you comprehensive insights into the skills that drive workplace success.
Your Host:
Dr. Andrew Temte is the former CEO of Kaplan Professional and bestselling author of "Balancing Act: Teach, Coach, Mentor, Inspire" and "The Balanced Business: Building Organizational Trust and Accountability through Smooth Workflows." As a thought leader on leadership development, organizational health, and corporate learning, Andy brings deep expertise in professional education and business management to every conversation. He holds a PhD in finance from the University of Iowa and the CFA designation, with over 15 years of university teaching experience.
Who Should Listen:
Perfect for aspiring leaders, mid-level managers seeking executive roles, C-suite executives refining their approach, entrepreneurs building their businesses, and anyone committed to continuous improvement and professional growth.
New episodes weekly. Subscribe today and elevate your leadership journey.
Episodes

Oct 10, 2024
Oct 10, 2024
33 min
How can leaders make coaching resources available for everyone in an organization? How can artificial intelligence be used to enhance coaching outcomes?
To help answer these questions, we have James Lawrence joining us. James is the CEO and co-founder of Happy Companies. Happy delivers plug-and-play AI-enhanced coaching solutions and aims to revolutionize the world of work by empowering people, teams, and organizations.
Tune into episode 162 to hear James's story, his "rocket-booster" moment, and his thoughts about AI-enhanced coaching solutions that are woven into the flow of work.
Learn more about James and Happy Companies at: https://happycompanies.com/.
Learn more about Andrew Temte at: www.andrewtemte.com.

Oct 3, 2024
Oct 3, 2024
29 min
How can leadership "magical thinking" impact business performance? How can leaders strike the appropriate balance between realism and big dreams for the future of their organization? What are the benefits of focusing on people when contemplating a merger or acquisition?
To help answer these questions, we have Jonathan Bennett joining us today on The Balancing Act Podcast! Jonathan is strategic advisor and executive coach at ClearlyThen in Peterborough, Ontario. He was also the founder and CEO of Canadian management consulting firm Laridae and is the author of seven books.
Tune into episode 161 to hear Jonathan's story, his "rocket-booster" moment, and his thoughts about leadership excellence in mergers and acquisitions.
Learn more about Jonathan at: https://clearlythen.com/.
Learn more about Andrew Temte at: www.andrewtemte.com.
Buy The Balanced Business on Amazon at:https://www.amazon.com/Balanced-Business-Organizational-Accountability-Workflows/dp/1637557507/
Buy Balancing Act on Amazon at:https://www.amazon.com/Balancing-Act-Teach-Mentor-Inspire/dp/1506276644/
#changemanagement #leadershipdevelopment

Sep 26, 2024
Sep 26, 2024
32 min
What does it mean to be mentally strong? How can you reduce feelings of imposter syndrome in the workplace? What does it take to find meaning and purpose in a large corporate environment?
To help answer these questions, we have Scott Mautz joining us today on The Balancing Act Podcast! Scott is a former P&G executive, and is a sought after keynote speaker and leadership consultant. Scott is the author of multiple books, his most recent works are Leading from the Middle, and The Mentally Strong Leader.
Tune into episode 160 to hear Scott's story, his "rocket-booster" moment, and his thoughts on the value of developing mental resilience in our workforce.
Learn more about Scott at: https://scottmautz.com/. Pick up The Mentally Strong Leader on Amazon today.
Learn more about Andrew Temte at: www.andrewtemte.com.

Sep 19, 2024
Sep 19, 2024
32 min
Do human (soft) skills matter in the construction industry? How can improved communication and active listening boost productivity? How can you become the promise you're intended to be?
To help answer these questions, we have Jesse Hernandez joining us today on The Balancing Act Podcast! Jesse is the founder of Depth Builder, LLC, a consulting firm focused on helping leaders in the construction industry improve communication and enhance problem-solving skills. He is also the author of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be.
Tune into episode 159 to hear Jesse's story, his "rocket-booster" moment, and his thoughts on the transformative impact human skill development can have on any business -- especially in industries where doing so has not been a historical priority.
Learn more about Jesse and Depth Builders at: www.depthbuilder.com.
Learn more about Andrew Temte at: www.andrewtemte.com.

Sep 12, 2024
Sep 12, 2024
29 min
What is 'entrepreneurial spirit' and what does it look like in action? How do you establish the courage to change career tracks? What does it mean to 'make it' in the music industry?
To help answer these questions, we have Brett Westgrove joining us on The Balancing Act Podcast! Brett is a rising country music artist based in Nashville, is the owner of Brett Westgrove Music, and has a really interesting backstory as an entrepreneur and rocket scientist.
Tune into episode 158 to hear Brett's story, his "rocket-booster" moment, and his thoughts on his transition from rocket scientist to country music artist!
Follow Brett Westgrove on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4S5CyJcdTYYryQDym2m3sb
Learn more about Brett at: https://brettwestgrove.com/
To learn more about Andrew Temte, visit https://www.andrewtemte.com/
#countrymusic #leadershipdevelopment #musiccareer #countrymusicartists #risingstar #rocketscience

Sep 5, 2024
Sep 5, 2024
27 min
How does the United Way make an impact in your community? What are the benefits of a corporate partnership with your local United Way? How can you benefit personally from engaging with your local United Way?
To help answer these questions, we have Mary Kay Wolf joining us on The Balancing Act Podcast! Mary Kay is the executive director of the Great Rivers United Way in Western Wisconsin. Today we’re going to focus on the wonderful work of GRUW and the United Way around the world. Tune into episode 157 to hear Mary Kay's story, her "rocket-booster" moment, and her thoughts on a life of strengthening communities and giving back.
Learn more about GRUW and the United Way at: https://www.greatriversunitedway.org/ or https://unitedwayinc.org/ - there’s a “Give” button - please consider donating today.
Learn more about Andrew Temte at: https://www.andrewtemte.com
#giveback #unitedway #employeeengagement #corporateculture #philanthropy #communitysupport

Aug 29, 2024
Aug 29, 2024
26 min
What should hiring managers know about the employment priorities of Gen Z? How can we bust the myth that Gen Z is lazy? Is it really the case that "nobody wants to work anymore?"
To help answer these questions, we have Hannah Dannecker joining us on The Balancing Act Podcast! Hannah is managing partner at the Better Together Group of Companies, a portfolio of North American recruitment and staffing agencies. Hannah is also the author of Well $h!t: Time to Grow Up. Today we’re going to focus on learning more about Gen Z and the world of work.
Tune into episode 156 to hear Hannah's story, her "rocket-booster" moment, and her thoughts on demystifying Gen Z and their relationship with the world of work.
https://www.andrewtemte.com/

Aug 22, 2024
Aug 22, 2024
31 min
How can we make disaster recovery planning a higher priority in business? How can we make the most out of the disasters we face? What are the benefits of disaster preparedness and planning?
To answer these questions, we have Patrick Hardy joining us today on The Balancing Act Podcast! Patrick is a disaster preparedness specialist, keynote speaker, and adventurer. He is currently president at Hytropy Disaster Management and is the author of Design Any Disaster: The Revolutionary Blueprint to Master Your Next Crisis or Emergency. I had so much fun meeting Disaster Patrick and I predict you will too!
Tune into episode 155 to hear Patrick's story, his "rocket-booster" moment, and his thoughts on taking the drudgery out of disaster planning and making it more effective.
Learn more about Patrick Hardy at: https://disasterpatrick.com/
Learn more about Andrew Temte at: https://www.andrewtemte.com

Aug 15, 2024
Aug 15, 2024
31 min
How does skill building to support an avocation help support career success? What are the skills new marketing grads need to be successful as they enter the workforce? What makes working in a marketing agency environment a rewarding career choice?
To help answer these questions, we have Pat Watters joining us today on The Balancing Act Podcast! Pat is brand media director at the marketing agency Kolbeco and is the frontman for The Pat Watters band. Pat is a former colleague of mine from Kaplan and I’m thrilled to introduce him to you.
Tune into episode 154 to hear Pat's story, his "rocket-booster" moment, and his thoughts on country music, marketing, and the benefits of being multidimensional.
https://www.andrewtemte.com/

Aug 8, 2024
Aug 8, 2024
33 min
How can universities continue to build diversity in their student populations in a post-affirmative action world? How can we ensure successful outcomes for college entrants from historically underserved populations? How can we restore confidence in the value of higher education?
To help answer these questions, we have Nancy Lee Sanchez-Badillo joining us today on The Balancing Act Podcast. Nancy is VP for Institutional Advancement at Kingsborough Community College and is the former executive director of the Kaplan Educational Foundation, so her perspectives on this important subject are invaluable.
Tune into episode 153 to hear Nancy's story, her "rocket-booster" moment, and her thoughts on enhancing diversity on college campuses.
https://www.andrewtemte.com/
