Say It Skillfully® – Details, episodes & analysis

Trisha Cunningham, President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, joins Molly Tschang on the Say It Skillfully podcast to share her inspiring journey from corporate leadership to nonprofit work, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, self-discovery, and mission-driven leadership. Trisha discusses her early life challenges, the importance of education, and the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership style. She talks about her work at the North Texas Food Bank, highlighting the need for strong governance and effective practices to serve the community better. Trisha reflects on her personal growth, the significance of listening as a leader, and the impact of her experiences on her current role. 

Ganesh Iyer, CEO of Etnyre International, joins Molly on the Say It Skillfully podcast to share his inspiring journey from a humble upbringing in India to navigating the corporate world and becoming a CEO. He discusses the importance of putting people first in business, the challenges of leadership, and the philosophy of optimizing profit while improving lives. Ganesh reflects on his experiences, the lessons learned from mistakes, and the significance of work-life integration. The conversation emphasizes the value of kindness, adaptability, and the pursuit of meaningful work.

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Here is Episode 206 for you – respected Canadian Armed Forces Officer Kelly Williamson’s unlikely journey inspires us to live up to our own potential. Kelly joins the show to share her story, starting with the massive change of scenery brought about by joining a military college after graduating from a performing arts high school. Hear captivating stories and insights from her journey throughout the process of attending military school and becoming an officer for the Canadian Armed Forces. She shares first-hand accounts of assisting with humanitarian aid in Afghanistan in 2011, Haiti in 2010, and Nepal in 2015. Don’t miss hearing lessons that Kelly learned along her amazing career, including the necessity of not being too proud to ask for help, and accepting that you might not “fit the mold.”

Molly’s thought for the week (Thanks, Kelly): “Be kind, be brave, be you.”

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 117 is the 21st monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field—helping everyone live to their full potential. In hearing the life journeys of people you might not otherwise encounter, listeners gain empathetic understanding for what may be a very different experience of what it means to grow up, go to school, struggle, work and live in our world. The aim is for you to see a bit of yourself in these journeys, and embrace—we’re more similar than not. In this episode, we are given a front row seat to the journey of Molly’s friend Peter Tavernise, whose tiger-like courage and self-assuredness inspires. Peter grew up a “military brat”, learning early the importance of serving others from his Air Force father and mother, who taught underprivileged students, some in extreme poverty. After college, Peter saw the possibilities of the Internet for nonprofits. Joining the “Circuit Riders” volunteer brigade, he introduced the Internet to many nonprofit executive directors from Florida to Chicago. He found his dream job at Cisco to literally “transform the nonprofit sector through the use of the internet.” He shares the best and worst as Executive Director of the Cisco Foundation from creating engaging math games for kids and creating Covid internet solutions to reconnecting regions after natural disasters. Peter opens up about the decline of his health—years of symptom after symptom cascading in—all the while test results not showing what exactly was wrong. After a former marine said, “You look like a prisoner of war,” he began to work from home. Peter was suffering and “begging the universe for just 5 minutes a week where I didn’t feel like I was going to die.” After 7 years and 32 different health professionals, one doctor finally cracked the code, and so began his road to recovery. Hear how he went from catastrophizing everything—fixated on relentless pain—to resilience, the power of somatics and invaluable life lessons. A few gems:
If you can’t change your circumstances, you must change who and how you are within them
When discouraged, encourage others
It’s important to have an answer to “what’s next?”
Like a plant needs water, sunlight and soil; people need safety, belonging and dignity
Treat yourself as you would anyone else you care deeply about
Peter’s past has indeed served its purpose; he inspires us all to know no boundaries and to commit to safety, belonging and dignity, so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true and best selves. Molly’s thought for the week— Peter:
May I be well, may I be healthy, may all beings be well, may all beings be healthy.

In Episode 116, Molly is joined by Joel Press, who shares a heartwarming journey—struggles in learning as a kid to a storied 50+ year career as CPA and hedge fund pioneer! Joel grew up struggling in school—being held back, nearly put into special needs classes, kicked out… and only as an adult realized he had ADHD. He opens up about what it was like being called stupid and the long-lasting impacts of that being ingrained in him. Joel wasn’t always open about his ADHD, but has learned that sharing his story can be powerful for others. He believes, “if you expose your own weaknesses with others, it helps them recognize their own” and talks passionately of using his learnings and experience to mentor parents of children with learning disabilities. “Normal brains can’t understand an ADHD brain.” He encourages those with ADHD to trust their judgment and recognize how doing things differently than others is ok and to never doubt yourself. Joel attributes much of his success to lessons learned from his parents who, while not having formal higher education, were smart and taught him well. Working in his father’s seltzer water business, young Joel drove truck routes at 4:00 am, 6-days a week—work ethic never in question. As a high school senior, he was voted least likely to succeed. Believing in himself, Joel applied to college, but was told by a guidance counselor, “Don’t waste your time!” Joel and parents ended up convincing them to accept him,... ultimately, he graduated number two in his class in accounting! Joel’s career unfolded with a start in accounting, rising to partner and member of a top firm’s national management committee, then starting the Global Hedge Fund practice at Ernst & Young, and several entrepreneurial endeavors of his own. Don’t miss Joel recount his early years, known as a rebel rouser, and saying what he thought, not what he “should have”... helping him turn what could have been career-ending screw-ups into great “luck” (must hear 43:05). Though he’s met “every famous hedge fund person,” Joel’s groundedness and humility are front and center. “Doing the right thing is paramount, and integrity is everything” have kept him true to himself, even in tough times. And he’s open about being broke and his family life on the rocks, with divorce both the greatest tragedy and best thing that happened to him. Joel stresses the importance of “believing in yourself, knowing you’re going to make mistakes, listening to what other people have to say, and never looking back on a decision.” He talks about the meaning he finds in his mentoring and community work and also offers an inside look at the world of Wall Street, including thoughts on diversity. “Never smart enough to deviate from the truth” Joel speaks from the heart, as he only knows how—inspiring us all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true and best selves. More on Joel’s work today: https://pressmgmt.com

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. In Episode 115, Molly is joined by Tim Fitzpatrick. With three decades in the world of collegiate athletics, Tim shares how sports changed his life and can be a game changer for young people in school and life. Tim and his sister grew up lower, middle-class, and while his parents weren’t college-educated, they knew school would be the difference for their children. He speaks poignantly of the sacrifices his parents made, enabling him to attend private Catholic schools that created a rock solid framework of values and discipline that has served him his entire life. He reminisces of playing catch in the yard every night with his dad, his journey to being a college athlete and the realization that his ability to play sports was not a right, but a privilege. His career includes the athletics programs at many top-tier and NCAA Division 1 schools, including U.S. Coast Guard Academy, West Point, Texas A&M, Indiana University, University of North Carolina-Charlotte and University of Pittsburgh—holding numerous roles including athletic director. Tim gives us an insider perspective on the ever-changing world of collegiate athletics, the NCCA and how student-athletes are impacted by certain rules. Having raised millions of dollars and navigated these intense environments, he also talks about his own career transition that enabled him to leave the “rat race” and succeed on his terms. Don’t miss Tim’s perspective on the issues that youth sports are faced with in today’s world and an important lesson passed down from his father on being grateful. Join Tim and Molly for a thought-provoking conversation in an area with the potential to transform how young people feel about themselves.
Molly’s thought for the week:
“Don’t permit the pressure to exceed the pleasure.”
—Joe Madden, Manager of the Anaheim Angels Major League Baseball Team

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. In Episode 114 Christian calls in first with how to deal with a sensitive “elephant on the table” issue (it is the big boss!). Then Jason, soon to graduate from college, asks about the balancing act of “selling oneself” in an appropriate way. We also talk about preparing for interviews, including the “tell me about yourself” question, and the mindset that you are also interviewing the organization (11:50). Next, Veronica shows her vulnerability: recently promoted into a leadership role, she’s in new territory where influencing and collaborating across a broad set of stakeholders is crucial and requires a different skill set than executing on the work. Veronica and Molly delve into her “me-you-we” framework to help her in building strong relationships (32:15). Molly wraps with a scenario from The New York Magazine ethicist column (1/4/22) to provide the words to help someone diplomatically maintain appropriate boundaries in a professional relationship (49:30). Tune in to unpack these challenges and learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself!
Molly’s thought for the week: “A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the constant pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.” —Albert Einstein (in 1922 he wrote this and noted to the bell boy that it would someday be worth more than a tip—in 2017 the note sold for over $1.5 million)

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 113 is the 20th monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field—helping everyone live to their full potential. In hearing the life journeys of people you might not otherwise encounter, listeners gain empathetic understanding for what may be a very different experience of what it means to grow up, go to school, struggle, work and live in our world. The aim is for you to see a bit of yourself in these journeys, and embrace—we’re more similar than not. Molly starts the new year with a strong, young voice. “Never-giving up” 16-year old GenZ Lea Wilson delights in bringing a smile to young and old alike. Born and raised in New York City, Lea was diagnosed with dyslexia in the 3rd grade. Discovering this was itself quite a roller coaster ride. She talks about navigating many different schools and observes that she was never taught to consider her dyslexia as a disability, but instead a way of learning and thinking differently, as in being “neurodivergent.” Continually in circumstances with people not familiar with what it’s like, she opens up about the disheartening feeling around not reading well, and about handling sensitive conversations that accelerated her own skillfulness and strong sense of self-advocacy. “Don’t take others’ words to heart–they’re telling more about them than you.” Lea’s passion for art and sports also play a huge role in her sense of self, and her thoughts on “boy crazy-friends” bring a chuckle. She lets us into the struggle she’s having after an unexpected surgery that’s cast some dark clouds around her and impacted her studies, the stress of college applications, and how she seeks guidance from her parents. Learn from her mantra, “Suck it up and ask for help when you need it!” Don’t miss this opportunity to bask in the “lightness” and courage of a very bright light. Lea inspires us all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard. Molly’s thought for the week (Thanks to her friend Bonnie Reuben): A life full and rich with love knows no bounds. It is only contained by the room the heart makes for it. Resources to help you #sayitskillfully!
—Take advantage of the wisdom of youth—you won’t regret it http://bit.ly/38i5sbU
—Self-confidence starts with you! http://bit.ly/2NyZxHN
—All Molly's videos by category here: https://sayitskillfully.com

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. In Episode 112, Molly is joined by Jillion Potter, captain of the 2016 USA women’s rugby team. When she was 5, Jillion’s parents split with a joint custody arrangement where her sister, twin brother and her moved each year. Adapting to different cities and different schools wasn’t an option. Jillion shares how sports were integral to her own groundedness, and an early, unpleasant example of how bias from her high school basketball coach—who kicked a player off the team for coming out—affected her emotionally. She recalls growing up very low income–living on food stamps, going paycheck to paycheck, standing by the oven for heat…all fueling her deep sense of empathy for others. Jillion shares her unique and unlikely rugby journey: being a complete beginner in college, meeting her wife Carol through the sport, and ultimately becoming an Olympic captain. As tough off the field as she is on, not only was Jillion able to recover from a career-ending type of neck injury, she also recounts her experience of overcoming cancer twice, not letting fear keep her from re-joining the Olympic team and deciding to raise a child despite her illness and uncertainty of the future. Jillion also dives into her transition to the corporate world, and what being a mother means to her. Tune in to hear how going with the flow and doing the absolute best she can led Jillion to succeed in multiple facets of life. Jillion inspires all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true and best selves.

Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. In Episode 111, Molly’s first caller, Alisha, is excited about the transition of her company to a new owner, but mindful that her team may not all share her gusto. Alisha and Molly talk about bringing her team together to be even more cohesive through the change, including helping those who are fearful due to poor past experience in acquisitions. Then Steven, honored to be an elected official in his town, is open about feedback he received: ”You come across as dismissive.” Keen to be in service to his community and to avoid “smartest one in the room syndrome,” Steven and Molly talk through what’s going on for him, and how to be authentic and productive as he starts off in this new chapter of public service (17:50). Gary then calls in very curious about the nature of communications across generations, specifically with one’s superiors and in social media, where caution seems thrown to the wind. His experience is that earlier-in-career professionals come across less constructively with bosses than they think. Molly shares examples of young people empowering themselves to overcome challenges of working through Covid. And they discuss how the boss, or parent, might handle helping younger folks consider actions resulting in a “forever” impact or consequences completely out of their control. And they have a lively chat about embracing feedback as the ultimate in teamwork (36:40)! Tune in to unpack these challenges and learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself.
Molly’s thought for the week: “It’s ok to disappear until you feel like you again.” —Allison Aars