SmikleSpeaks
Self-Improvement
About
Joanne L. Smikle, PhD is a respected authority on leadership and organization development. She provides learning that helps you soar! Each episode prepares you to lead in our ever-evolving world. Subscribe today...content is updated all of the time! Get more relevant tools from The SmikleSpeaks YouTube Channel and the library at smiklespeaks.com. Contact Joanne for assistance with your individual and organizational development.
Episodes
- Leadership Communication Competencies
This episode of SmikleSpeaks focuses on leadership communication competencies. It provides a review of basic communication skills and strategies for leaders to improve their ability to create meaningful dialogue.
- Professional Joy, Featuring Steven H. Cady, PhD, Pt. 2
This episode of SmikleSpeaks features Dr. Steven H. Cady, who presents strategies to achieve professional joy and maximize working hours. This is part two of an exploration into finding deep satisfaction in careers.
- How Leaders Create Conflict
This episode of SmikleSpeaks discusses how leaders can create conflict. It explores the reasons and methods behind leaders acting as conflict creators.
- Professional Joy, Featuring Steven H. Cady, PhD, Pt. 1
In this episode, Dr. Steven Cady shares his insights on attaining professional joy. He discusses how to experience fulfillment and joy in careers.
- Improving Leadership Communication Skills
This episode discusses improving leadership communication skills. It highlights why effective communication is essential for leaders to convey vision, build trust, and motivate teams, ultimately impacting organizational performance and tea…
- Next Chapters, Featuring Dr. Portia Rawles, Pt. 3
Dr. Portia Rawles returns to discuss her career trajectory, including her leadership in mental health and academia. She is the author of two Amazon bestselling books.
- I Can't Hear You...Communication Mistakes
This episode of SmikleSpeaks discusses 15 common communication mistakes. It explores why these mistakes occur and offers potential solutions.
- Next Chapters, Featuring Dr. Portia Rawles, Pt. 2
Dr. Portia Rawles joins SmikleSpeaks again to discuss her career evolution, from leading a mental health organization in Virginia to her current role as a faculty member at Saybrook University. She shares insights into her journey and the…
- Empathetic Leadership
This episode of SmikleSpeaks focuses on empathetic leadership, discussing compassion for oneself and others. The podcast has been recognized as a top Organization Development podcast in 2025 and 2026.
- The Journey Into Leadership
This episode of SmikleSpeaks explores the journey into leadership, focusing on essential skills, mindset, and influence. It covers strategies, challenges, and sustaining growth for both aspiring and experienced leaders.
- Next Chapters, Featuring Dr. Portia Rawles Pt.1
Dr. Portia Rawles discusses her career path, including her time in the fire service and her work as a clinical psychologist and CEO. She also talks about writing two bestselling books.
- Next Chapters, Featuring Ben Utecht, Pt. 4
In this episode, Ben Utecht discusses his experiences with traumatic brain injuries. He also emphasizes the need for further research into brain health and the treatment of brain diseases.
- Brain Matters, Featuring Dr. Will Mantyh, Pt. 3
Dr. Will Mantyh, a researcher and clinician, discusses brain diseases, brain health, current research, and misconceptions. This episode of SmikleSpeaks focuses on brain matters with Dr. Mantyh.
- Critical Thinking
This episode discusses critical thinking and its manifestation in decision-making. It examines the accomplishments of a critical thinking leader.
- Next Chapters, Featuring Ben Utecht, Pt. 3
Ben Utecht, a former NFL Super Bowl champion, discusses his journey as a brain injury survivor and his advocacy for creating healthy organizational cultures. He shares his experiences as a husband and father, father.
- The Fear of Missing Out, Featuring Dr. Jennifer Douglas
Dr. Jennifer Douglas is featured in this episode of SmikleSpeaks. She discusses the fear of missing out and how setting boundaries can enrich one's life with focus.
- Health is Wealth
The SmikleSpeaks episode "Health is Wealth" was inspired by a conversation between Cricket and Nicky. This episode features witty banter from these individuals.
- New Year, Wonderful You!
The episode 'New Year, Wonderful You!' from SmikleSpeaks encourages listeners to celebrate themselves and embrace the new year with optimism, rather than focusing on resolutions or regrets.
- The Year in Review
This episode of SmikleSpeaks reviews the past year, noting the podcast's #1 ranking on Feed Spot's Top 10 Organizational Development podcasts for 2025 and its dedicated attention to Brain Matters.
- Brain Matters, Featuring Dr. Will Mantyh, Pt. 2
This episode of SmikleSpeaks features Dr. Will Mantyh, who discusses brain diseases, research, and cures.
- Fear of AI
The SmikleSpeaks episode "Fear of AI" discusses concerns about artificial intelligence, such as job displacement and ethical dilemmas. It also explores how to utilize AI favorably and establish boundaries for its use.
- Resilience is not...
This episode clarifies the concept of resilience by discussing common misunderstandings. It aims to develop a clearer understanding of what resilience truly entails by exploring what it is not.
- Brain Matters, Featuring Teresa Eyet, Pt. 3
This episode is the third part of a conversation with Teresa Eyet about her experience with early onset Alzheimer's. The discussion explores discovery and acceptance related to the condition.
- Brain Matters, Featuring Teresa Eyet, Pt. 2
This episode of SmikleSpeaks features Teresa Eyet, who discusses her acceptance of an Alzheimer's diagnosis. This is the second part of a three-part series.
- Brain Matters, Featuring Teresa Eyet, Pt. 1
In this episode, Teresa Eyet shares her experiences and insights on Brain Matters, following her diagnosis with early onset Alzheimer's. This is the first part of a three-part series.
- Next Chapters, Featuring Ben Utech, Pt. 2
This episode of SmikleSpeaks features Ben Utecht, Chief Culture Officer at True North Private Equity. He discusses his experiences transforming organizations and sustaining company culture, focusing on affirming, person-centric, and result…
- The Dangers of Comparison, Featuring Dr. Jennifer Douglas
This episode of SmikleSpeaks features Dr. Jennifer Douglas. She discusses the dangers of comparison, particularly in the context of social media and its impact on mental health and wellness.
- Encourage, Equip & Empower
This SmikleSpeaks episode discusses fundamental leadership responsibilities. The host expands on the concepts of encouraging, equipping, and empowering, inspired by a sermon from retired Bishop Frank Madison Reid, III.
- Leadership Without the Title
This episode of SmikleSpeaks explores how individuals can lead effectively without formal titles or authority. It discusses the concept of referent power, where people willingly follow leaders due to admiration and respect, enabling them t…
- Brain Matters, Featuring Dr. William G. Mantyh, Pt. 1
Dr. William G. Mantyh, a behavioral neurologist, discusses neurodegenerative diseases, their early detection, and accurate diagnosis. He specializes in Alzheimer's disease and other causes of cognitive or behavioral loss, as well as resear…
- Next Chapters, Featuring Ben Utecht, Pt. 1
Ben Utecht, author of "The Champion's Creed," joins SmikleSpeaks to discuss his book on transforming organizational culture. Utecht shares insights from his experiences as a former Indianapolis Colt and singer, briefly, as a singer, now fo…
- Repairing Trust on Teams
This episode of SmikleSpeaks discusses how to repair broken trust within teams. It focuses on strategies to rebuild trust after unintentional breaches occur in collaborations.
- Brain Matters, Featuring Matt Picard, Pt. 3
Matt Picard shares his story of recovery from post-concussive syndrome due to sports injuries. He also details his work to promote brain health research through the Picard Research Fund, the Heads Together Gala, and the American Brain Foun…
- Conquering Self-Doubt, Featuring Dr. Jennifer Douglas
In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Douglas discusses conquering self-doubt. She is a clinical psychologist and author of "Freedom From Perfection."
- How do leaders build trusting relationships?
This episode of SmikleSpeaks explores how leaders can build trusting relationships with their followers. It discusses strategies for leaders at all levels to foster trust.
- Beating Burnout, Featuring Dr. Carrie Hersh, Pt. 3
Dr. Carrie Hersh, an expert in MS and neuroimmunology, discusses burnout on SmikleSpeaks. The conversation covers the causes and cures of burnout.
- The Future of Higher Education, Featuring Dr. Michael Horowitz, Pt. 3
Dr. Michael Horowitz, Chancellor of The Community Solution Education System, discusses the future of higher education. He leads a system of six colleges and universities that collectively educate over 13,500 students annually.
- The Future of Higher Education, Featuring Dr. Michael Horowitz, Pt. 2
This episode of SmikleSpeaks features Dr. Michael Horowitz, Chancellor of The Community Solution Education System. He discusses the future of higher education and his passion for creating innovative learning environments.
- Beating Burnout, Featuring Dr. Carrie Hersh, Pt. 2
Dr. Carrie Hersh discusses burnout, its causes, and prevention during her appearance on SmikleSpeaks. She shares her personal story of recovery and her work at the Cleveland Clinic.
- How it All Happened
This episode of SmikleSpeaks details the origins of the podcast. The host also shares information about how their career began.
- The Future of Higher Education, Featuring Dr. Michael Horowitz, Pt. 1
Dr. Michael Horowitz, a leader in education, joins SmikleSpeaks to discuss the future of higher education. He founded The Community Solution Education System to unite colleges and universities for student success and community impact.
- Beating Burnout, Featuring Dr. Carrie Hersh, Pt. 1
Dr. Carrie Hersh shares her personal journey through burnout to wellness. She is a specialist in multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
- The World of Work, Featuring Brian Powell, Pt. 2
Brian Powell returns to SmikleSpeaks to discuss the complexities of the evolving world of work and potential solutions.
- See Something, Do Something, Featuring Allison DeHonney, Pt. 3
Allison DeHonney, creator of Buffalo Go Green and Urban Fruits and Veggies, discusses her efforts to address nutrition, health outcomes, and hunger. She shares how she is working to create sustainable positive change in Western New York.
- The World of Work, Featuring Brian Powell, Pt. 1
Brian Powell, attorney and HR executive, discusses issues and trends facing employers and employees across the globe. This is part one of his appearance on SmikleSpeaks.
- See Something, Do Something, Featuring Allison DeHonney, Pt. 2
Allison DeHonney, founder of Urban Fruits and Veggies and Buffalo Go Green, returns to discuss her work aiding urban and underserved communities in Western New York.
- Brain Matters, Featuring Matt Picard, Pt. 2
Matt Picard shares his personal experiences with brain health, including recovering from concussions and his family's encounters with glioblastoma. He discusses his efforts to raise funds and support research for brain health and neurologi…
- Next Chapters, Featuring Robb King, Pt. 2
Robb King discusses his transition from data sciences to founding Blume Theory Strategies. He shares insights into the preparation, early learning, and application of that knowledge in his new venture.
- See Something, Do Something, Featuring Allison DeHonney, Pt. 1
Allison DeHonney, founder of Buffalo Go Green and Urban Fruits and Veggies, discusses her work in urban gardening in Western New York and its impact on hunger, nutrition, and health.
- The Friendship Factor
This episode of SmikleSpeaks explores how to nurture relationships so that they last a lifetime. It serves as a refresher on known aspects of friendship.