Episodes

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb dive into the complex world of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Deb shares her personal story of being hired as part of a quota system and the struggles she faced in proving her competence in a male-dominated field. Ron reflects on his own challenges as an engineer, addressing the dynamics of fairness, inclusion, and the business implications of DEI policies. The conversation explores the true purpose behind DEI initiatives, the fe...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the concept of continuous learning, its necessity to adapt to change, and the impact of continuous learning on career development. They emphasize the importance of individual responsibility in continuous education and offer practical advice on how to embrace a learning mindset. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb delve into chaos—both internal and external—and discuss strategies for creating peace. Ron and Deb dive into the aftermath of an election, highlighting the chaos that often follows such significant events and questioning how we can foster peace amidst the turmoil. The conversation explores the psychological aspect of managing turmoil by understanding and changing our mental narratives to foster calmness and resilience. Emphasizing the powe...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb delve into the timely topic of collaboration amidst personal differences. They explore the fear of being wrong and the importance of creating a safe space for dialogue both in personal settings and the workplace, highlighting the value of diverse opinions as a means of fostering innovation. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cul...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron dives into leadership development and the costs associated with leadership training. He emphasizes the significant returns on investment that can be garnered from proper leadership development programs. Ron shares personal insights and experiences, discussing the nuances of training leaders, why investing in leadership training is crucial, and the potential losses faced without it. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' ...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb dive deep into the topic of ghosting, focusing on both personal relationships and professional settings. They explore its impacts, possible reasons behind it, and the consequences of ghosting for both job seekers and employers. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a divers...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb dive into common challenges faced in workplaces such as lack of communication, misaligned goals, and personal conflicts. They explore how these issues stem from the different 'stories' or perspectives individuals hold, and the transformative potential of aligning individual stories with shared organizational goals. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shap...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb dive into the world of team building exercises. They discuss their personal experiences with traditional team-building methods, highlighting the common issues and limited long-term impact of such activities. They also share a program focused on trust-building and self-discovery, that has proven to create strong, cohesive teams that carry their newfound skills beyond the workplace. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb delve into the profound yet often overlooked importance of active listening in communication. Whether it’s your peers, colleagues, or loved ones, actively listening has the power to transform your relationships and interactions. Deb and Ron engage in a lively conversation about what it means to actively listen and the impact it can have on your life. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve ...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore how to hire employees with dignity. They dive into aspects like defining the role, understanding company culture, and ensuring that both employers and candidates engage in meaningful conversations. This conversation is a must-listen for employers looking to refine their hiring practices and for job seekers striving to find the right cultural fit. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we de...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb dive into an often overlooked but critical issue in workplace dynamics: the cost of bad relationships at work. From emotional stress to reduced productivity, a toxic relationship can have a wide-ranging impact. Together they explore these hidden costs and offer practical solutions for transforming negative relationships into positive, collaborative partnerships. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, whe...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb discuss the delicate process of firing someone with dignity. They explore why it's important that a termination should never come as a surprise, emphasize the importance of performance improvement plans, and outline how maintaining dignity benefits both the employee being let go and the organization. Whether dealing with a toxic employee or someone who simply doesn’t fit, the conversation highlights how to manage exits in a way that uphold...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb, together with guests Eric Stiller and RJ Radobenko, explore a roadmap for leaders looking to integrate distinct groups into a cohesive, high-performing unit. They dive deep into the challenges and strategies involved in merging corporate cultures to achieve extraordinary business results. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cult...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore what it means when an organization's culture changes, how it can affect employees' experiences, and the various reactions people might have towards these changes. They discuss the tangible implications of culture change, such as not knowing coworkers in a rapidly growing company and the different options individuals have in responding to these changes. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron, Deb, and guest Nicole Edwards from San Pedro Fish Market, discuss her different approach to HR. She views her job as a coaching and supportive role rather than just administrative, emphasizing the value of treating employees as family to foster a positive company culture. Nicole also elaborates on her strategies for leadership development, team management, and the crucial differences between managers and leaders. Embark on a transformative journ...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb delve into the complexities of getting promoted, challenging conventional wisdom and debunking tips as not necessarily paths to advancement. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array of guests, explore the realms of self-talk and collective storytelling, uncover...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron, Deb, and guest Justin Steinbach dive deep into creating a positive workplace culture through empathetic leadership, fostering a team environment that encourages open communication, and investing in employees' personal growth. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array o...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron, Deb, and guest Eric McDermott delve into the complex and often misunderstood concept of organizational culture. Eric offers profound insights into creating, maintaining, and transforming culture within organizations. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array of guests,...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb delve into the intricacies of promotions in the workplace. They explore the conventional promotion paths and the incongruities often found in them, the importance of recognizing individual capabilities and the necessity for managers and leaders to pay attention to and nurture the skills of their team members. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping ou...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron, Deb, and guest Luigi Resta, the CEO of R Plus Energies, discuss fostering a people-centric work culture, and overcoming challenges in the renewable energy sector. Luigi shared insights into his eclectic upbringing and the challenges with infusing ‘family’ into business culture at R Plus Energies. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cult...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron, Deb, and guest Mike Ungaro, CEO of San Pedro Fish Market, discuss ideal practices for organizational changes and employee management to foster a more conducive working environment. Mike gives examples of the cultural shifts happening within the various outlets of his enterprise and the different management strategies implemented at each location. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the po...

In this episode of ‘The Story in Your Head,’ Ron, Deb, and guest Mike Ungaro, CEO of San Pedro Fish Market, discuss the transformation of his family-owned business, giving insights about the importance of organizational culture, highlighting its role in creating a cohesive, effective team. He explains how his philosophy of family, culture of hard work, and core values have contributed to the company's success. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we de...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb delve into the concept of love in this Valentine's Day discussion. They explore how love impacts personal relationships, self-perception, and even company culture. They discuss how love is an internal creation, not an external event, and suggests that consciously choosing to love can create a sense of peace and belonging. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives ...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb dive into the topic of switching roles and explore the dynamics involved in becoming a boss, leading former peers, and setting the stage for success in your new position. “The Story in Your Head” is the best business culture podcast, that shares stories through host interactions and interviews with guests so people will create space to learn about themselves, build authentic connections, produce opportunities to gain knowledge, and get ou...