What’s Possible w. Ilene Schaffer – Détails, épisodes et analyse

What if the way we talk to people is the thing that most shapes whether they feel heard, valued, and understood?

In this episode of What’s Possible, Ilene Schaffer sits down with communication scientist and author Dr. Haesun Moon to explore the extraordinary power of ordinary words, and how small shifts in language can transform coaching, leadership, and everyday human connection.

Dr. Moon shares insights from her groundbreaking research, including:

• Why rapport isn’t something you build, it’s something you preserve
• How complaining reveals what people value and want to protect
• The difference between describing and explaining, and why descriptions unlock connection
• How to tune into “dreams and dreads” to understand what truly matters to others
• Practical coaching tools like calibration, formulation, and preserving language

Whether you’re a leader, coach, HR professional, or anyone longing for deeper communication and stronger relationships, this episode offers a fresh, research-backed approach to connecting with others in a fast-moving world.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

We’re obsessed with time management—but what about energy management? In this episode of What’s Possible, Ilene Schaffer and ‪Christian Van Nieuwerburgh unpack practical strategies to sustain and recharge your energy throughout the week.

Through tools like energy audits, color-coding your calendar, and creating “replenishment wheels,” Ilene and Christian show how small shifts can prevent burnout and keep you thriving. They share real-world examples—from choosing a motorcycle ride over email, to finding micro-moments for music or walking—that restore energy even on the busiest days.

You’ll learn:

• How to identify activities that drain vs. replenish you
• Why planning energy boosts in advance matters more than waiting until you’re depleted
• The science of flow and reciprocity in energizing work
• Quick, everyday rituals to refuel your mind, body, and spirit

If you’ve ever felt the “fuel light” come on in your life, this episode offers practical ways to refuel before you hit empty.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

What if leadership is not just about skills, but something deeper? In this episode of What’s Possible, host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Dr. Max Klau, author, coach, developmental psychologist, and founder of the Center for Courageous Wholeness, to explore the future of leadership through the lens of servant leadership.

Dr. Klau’s new book, Developing Servant Leaders at Scale: How to Do It, and Why It Matters, offers a powerful methodology for building leaders who serve with humility, courage, and wholeness. Drawing on two decades of designing transformational leadership programs at City Year and the New Politics Academy, Max shares his insights on the interconnectedness of inner development and systems change.

You’ll learn:

• What servant leadership really means in today’s world—and why it’s needed now more than ever
• How to confront your shadow mission and align with your true purpose
• The flame model of leadership (Be, Know, Do) and why the “Be” is the most overlooked capacity in organizations
• How to build developmental organizations where growth, wholeness, and service are woven into the culture
• Practical ways leaders can invite teams into this deeper work without resistance or fear

If you’re a leader, coach, or professional curious about how inner growth fuels outer impact, this episode will inspire you to reimagine leadership as a dual journey of serving others while becoming more whole yourself. 

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

How can a mere 2-3 minutes of mindfulness reshape your leadership capabilities? In this episode of What’s Possible, host Ilene Schaffer engages in a discussion with executive coach Sandeep Kulshrestha about the nuanced realm of present-moment awareness and its profound impact on relationships and leadership.

With over two decades of HR leadership and coaching prestigious clients like VMware and the World Bank, Sandeep is a thought leader in driving personal excellence and steering transformative change. At the core of his success lies a consistent practice of mindfulness and daily gratitude.

Sandeep shares actionable tips for listeners, advocating practices like intention setting and dedicating daily moments to pause and be present. He also shares how we can shape positive environments through the transformative power of small actions like openness, active listening, and empowering individuals to explore their strengths.

This episode is an invitation for leaders, both seasoned and emerging, to infuse intentionality into their leadership journey and create workplaces that transcend routine, fostering genuine connection and growth.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

Inevitably, we encounter challenges in the workplace, but it's not about avoiding struggle—it's about facing it with resilience. Let's delve into why some workplaces turn "toxic" and how we have the power to instigate change.

Michael Dickerson is a licensed mental health professional, educator, and the author of "Struggle Well at Work." After seeing the positive well-being results of evidence-inspired interventions in his workplace and other organizations, he became a passionate advocate for the transformative potential of positive psychology.

He shares invaluable tips for individuals and leaders alike to create positive experiences, cultivate a culture of wellbeing, and struggle well. Plus, learn how organizations have improved employee wellbeing by addressing issues like childcare and promoting EAP resources.

This episode is not just a conversation; it's a roadmap for anyone seeking to harmonize work and mental health.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

Let’s de-stress in 10 minutes or less.

Welcome to a new series from Silicon Valley Change and What’s Possible. In these quick and impactful episodes, host Ilene Schaffer and Senia Maymin will share actionable tools to boost well-being. 

Senia, founder of Silicon Valley Change, shares the key of body awareness exercises, encouraging listeners to explore and play with stress sensations. Discover in-the-moment coaching techniques, from breathing exercises to active listening, for immediate stress relief and heightened self-awareness.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

In the echo of success rhetoric urging us to cultivate the brain, maintain a growth mindset, and sharpen our memory, there's an essential component often overlooked. Today, we’re talking about how harnessing the mind-body connection can transform your leadership skills. 

Lisa Zigarmi is an organizational psychologist and executive coach who talks the talk, but walks and runs it, too. She is a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review and Forbes and invests in her body with a love for yoga, running, and hiking.

But this goes beyond a wellness routine. Lisa shares how incorporating movement, sleep, and nutrition into our lives is a strategic approach to leadership excellence. As we explore this often-neglected dimension, we discover how tuning into our bodies can enhance decision-making, foster stronger relationships, ignite creativity, and act as a preventive measure against burnout. 

Join us to find out how we can decode the body-mind connection to make a transformational impact in your life - and work. 

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

After being laid off from his CMO role at a startup, Patrick Mork decided to reevaluate his purpose and values by engaging in exercises, coaching, and seeking feedback from others. The result? A powerful shift to a career as an executive coach and author. Patrick’s work now inspires the next generation of leaders in building purpose-driven companies that will leave a lasting positive impact on the world.

Known for his passion for driving purposeful change, Patrick shares insights from penning a book on career transitions called Step Back and LEAP. But his book isn’t just hearsay - Patrick is a Silicon Valley veteran and four-time chief marketing officer who led the team that launched the innovative Google Play brand in 2012. 

Here are some vital takeaways from our conversation: 

• The significance of psychological safety in fostering a healthy work culture that empowers people to take risks and ask questions.
• Prioritizing well-being as a cornerstone for personal and professional growth.
• Embracing failure as an essential part of the learning process.

To learn more about Patrick’s work, visit patrickmork.com.

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

In this episode, Lori and I explore the hidden impacts of gender bias in today's workplace and dive deep into the insidious implications of micro-moments and microaggressions. We discuss strategies that can effectively tackle gender bias and create a more inclusive and equal workspace. 

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize the instrumental role of allies and leaders in breaking gender bias.
• Equip yourself with effective solutions to confront gender bias head on.
• Engineer an office culture that promotes and practices fairness and inclusion.

Episode Resources:

• Purchase a copy of the book You Should Smile More co-authored by Lori Marcus and her colleagues to gain practical insights and strategies for navigating gender bias in the workplace.
• Connect with Lori Marcus on LinkedIn to stay updated on her latest insights and resources related to gender bias in the workplace.
• Learn more about Ilene Schaffer and Silicon Valley Change (SVC) here: https://www.svchange.com/ilene/
• Subscribe and follow the What’s Possible Podcast! 

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the lack of team performance and collaboration, despite your efforts to create high-performing teams through traditional processes, then you are not alone! You may have spent hours interviewing and selecting candidates, only to find that they struggle to work effectively together. Instead of the cohesive and productive teams you envisioned, there may be conflicts, misunderstandings, and a lack of trust hindering the achievement of desired results.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Delve into the fine art of team formation and its effects on performance enhancement.
• Appreciate how encouraging open conversation breaks down barriers in the team dynamic.
• Illuminate the pivotal role of intentionality in propelling a team towards its goals.
• Identify the potential pitfall of treating team integration as a one-off exercise.
• Recognize the immense benefits derived from a culture of sincere collaboration.

My special guest is Abigail Charpentier

Introducing Abigail Charpentier, a passionate advocate for profoundly transforming the team dynamic into a more encompassing, fulfilling experience. Abigail's immense knowledge in the realm of team formation and integration finds its roots in her decades-long career in Human Resources at esteemed organizations like Aramark and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. She hit the ground running with her hospitality journey, discovering early on that the thrill of creating seamless, behind-the-scenes orchestration was her true North. Now, as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Aramark, she aids an incredible 250,000 team members in exploring and maximizing their potential.

Learn more about Abigail here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-charpentier-b312a81/

Learn more about Ilene Shaffer and Silicon Valley Change (SVC) here https://www.svchange.com/ilene

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Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTube
Connect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.