The John Poelstra Show
Bringing order to chaos and clarity to confusion
Recent Episodes
133
April 21, 2025
133: How to Handle a Demanding Boss Without Burning Out
A previous client asks for help navigating their own burn out while dealing with a demanding boss. Here’s my advice on managing stress, dealing with demanding bosses, and finding sustainable ways to recharge. I look at the importance of questioning assumptions, setting boundaries, and experimenting with new approaches to reclaim control over one’s work-life balance. Considerations You can’t keep pumping air into the metaphorical balloon; it will eventually pop Does constant pressure need to
132
March 21, 2025
132: Not Your Mother’s Library with Sarah Johnson
Sarah Johnson is a library science educator and social worker. She joins me to explain the evolving role of public libraries in modern society. Sarah highlights how libraries have transformed from quiet book repositories into vibrant community hubs addressing diverse needs, from providing Wi-Fi and e-resources to offering social services like legal aid, health information, and even showers for unhoused individuals. Sarah explains that libraries are often the last free public spaces where people
131
Dec. 6, 2024
131: Career Coaching Isn’t a Crystal Ball with Tammi Scott
Tammi Scott joins me to discusses career coaching. Tammi explains that she and her business partner, Elisa, are launching Empowered Careers Group, LLC, which offers a comprehensive career coaching program. We explore various aspects of career coaching, including its definition, approach, and benefits. Tammi emphasizes that career coaching is not about providing a “crystal ball’ solution,” but rather a process of self-discovery and strategic planning. This conversation also touches on the role
130
Sept. 7, 2024
130: Katherine Krupka’s Path from Diplomacy to Healing
Katherine Krupka shares her unconventional journey from the Russian Embassy to energy healing. She’s an energy healer, interfaith minister, coach and Executive Director of the Energy Medicine Professional Association. Our conversation reveals Katherine’s fascinating background, including her adventures working at the embassy in Moscow during the fall of the Berlin Wall, her involvement in privatization efforts with the World Bank and consulting projects with oligarchs in Russia. Katherine sha
129
Aug. 19, 2024
129: Fusing 40 Years of HR, Leadership Development and Life Lessons with Mark Rumbles
Mark Rumbles reflects on his career of 40 years, what he’s learned in the leadership development space and what’s next for him. Mark recently retired after 40 years in HR and leadership development. Mark and I discuss his career journey, the concept of retirement, and insights gained from his extensive experience developing leaders. This conversation touches on various topics, including mentorship, career planning, motivation, and the challenges of leadership development. Mark shares his persp
128
Aug. 3, 2024
128: Demystifying AI with Doug Hunter
Doug Hunter and I discuss artificial intelligence (AI), including how it works, its impact on various aspects of life and work and how to get started with it. Doug provides an overview of AI, distinguishing between classical AI and the more recent generative AI. Doug also explains how AI works on probabilities and patterns, and discusses its current capabilities and limitations. Our conversation covers the potential applications of AI in fields such as marketing, customer service, education, a