Explore every episode of the podcast The LeaderLab: Powered by LifeLabs Learning
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Why Your Team Isnât Giving You Honest Feedback - and How to Change That with Dr. Dossier Harps | 09 Sep 2026 | 00:14:04 | |
How do you get honest feedback when people may be reluctant to give it? In this episode of The LeaderLab, Dr. Dossier Harps joins Micaela Mathre to explore Pulling for Feedback: asking deliberate, specific questions instead of waiting for someone else to speak up. They discuss why critical feedback can trigger defensiveness, how hierarchy shapes what leaders hear, and why asking is only part of the skill. How a manager responds can determine whether someone feels safe being honest again. The conversation also looks at how AI can help prepare better questions, why it canât replace a willingness to learn, and how withholding constructive criticism can leave employees without the information they need to grow. For People, HR, and L&D leaders, this episode offers practical ways to help managers seek useful input, respond with curiosity, and make feedback a regular part of how they lead. Workshops: Programs: Read:
Resources: Watch: | |||
| More Asking, Less Telling: Manager Habits for a Faster-Changing Workplace | 31 Jul 2026 | 00:37:12 | |
AI can accelerate insight, sharpen thinking, and remove friction from how work gets done. But it cannot replace the trust, reflection, feedback, and human connection that help people grow. In this episode of The Leader Lab, Megan Wheeler, Director of People Development at Articulate, joins Micaela Mathre to explore what leadership development needs to look like in an increasingly remote and AI-enabled workplace. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in organizational psychology, facilitation, coaching, and leadership development, Megan shares what she learned moving from studying and teaching leadership to leading teams herself. One of her biggest lessons: skills training alone is not enough. For new behaviors to stick, they must be reinforced by organizational systems and modeled consistently by senior leaders. Megan also takes listeners inside Articulateâs approach to developing managers in a fully remote organization, including why the company brought leaders together in person to practice coaching, feedback, psychological safety, and cross-functional problem-solving. Tune in to learn:
A grounded conversation for People, HR, and L&D leaders designing the next generation of manager development. Workshops: Programs: Read:
Resources: Watch: | |||
| Preparing for a Defining Moment: The Obama Foundation's Investment in Leadership | 17 Jun 2026 | 00:44:10 | |
How do you create a culture where learning becomes part of the way people work? In this episode of The Leader Lab, Patrick Choquette, Director of Learning & Development at The Obama Foundation, shares lessons from a career spanning public service, education, international development, and leadership development. From teaching in Ghana as a Peace Corps volunteer to leading learning programs across global teams and mission-driven organizations, Patrick explores what it takes to create environments where people grow, managers thrive, and learning becomes part of everyday work. He shares why managers represent the highest ROI for organizational development, how strong systems create better learning outcomes than standalone training programs, and why AI may be one of the most powerful learning reinforcement tools available today. đ§ Tune in to learn:
A practical conversation for People leaders, L&D professionals, and executives building stronger managers and more adaptive organizations. Workshops: Programs: Read:
Resources: Watch: | |||
| Give Feedback That Lands: The Playing Cards Method with Kathy Pearce | 27 May 2026 | 00:17:16 | |
What makes feedback useful instead of just emotional? In this Skills Spotlight episode of The Leader Lab, Kathy Pearce, Facilitator at LifeLabs Learning, joins host Micaela Mathre to unpack the Playing Cards Methodâ˘, one of LifeLabsâ most memorable frameworks for turning blurry feedback into clear, actionable communication. Using the four suits in a deck of cards, Kathy explains how Hearts and Clubs represent vague praise and criticism, while Diamonds and Spades point to the specific behaviors someone should keep doing or change. Kathy shares practical workplace examples, including how managers can give clearer feedback about AI-generated work, why public Diamonds can create ripple effects across teams, and how âDiamond Daysâ help organizations build stronger feedback habits. đ§ Tune in to learn:
A thoughtful, practical conversation for managers, People leaders, and teams who want feedback to create clarity instead of confusion. | |||
| How SonderMindâs VP of People Is Scaling Managers, Culture, and AI Readiness | 15 Apr 2026 | 00:49:11 | |
What does it take to scale teams, culture, and leadership at the same time? In this episode of The Leader Lab, Sara Marzitelli-Sanchez, VP of People at SonderMind, shares how sheâs helping leaders grow alongside their organizations by focusing on manager development, human-centered leadership, and practical AI adoption. From her unconventional path into HR to her belief that âpeople are complex beings,â Sara explains why the fundamentals of People leadership stay consistent across industries, and why this role is more industry-agnostic than most think. She also shares how meeting every employee helps her build trust (and make HR feel less âscaryâ), how it gives her a 30,000-foot view of the business, and how that insight shapes smarter People strategies. đ§ Tune in to learn:
A practical, grounded conversation for People leaders building resilient, scalable teams in a fast-changing world. | |||
| From âWar for Talentâ to âWar on Talentâ: Change, and Executive Alignment in NerdWalletâs AI Shift | 11 Mar 2026 | 00:48:29 | |
What does it take to lead people well when the rules of work keep changing? In this episode of The Leader Lab, Lynee Luque, Chief People Officer at NerdWallet, shares how sheâs navigating AI adoption, organizational change, acquisitions, and remote-first leadership, while keeping the human side of work at the center. Hear how Lynee approaches leading through ambiguity, why copying and pasting playbooks rarely works, and how People teams can act as the testing ground for change before it scales across the organization. đ§ Tune in to learn:
A thoughtful, practical conversation for People leaders building resilient, adaptive teams in a fast-changing world. | |||
| Inside Fabletics: How L&D is Preparing for an AI-First Future with Will Feng | 24 Nov 2025 | 00:48:06 | |
Whatâs the role of L&D in the age of AI? In this episode of The Leader Lab, Will Feng (VP of People, Fabletics) shares how TechStyle Fashion Group is rethinking learning, from the ground up. Hear how theyâre developing human skills, engaging middle managers, and building an âAI-first mindsetâ across brands. đ§ Tune in to learn:
A practical, real-world conversation for People leaders shaping the future of work. | |||
| AI in Learning & Leadership: Why Human Skills Still Win with Priscila Bala and Michelle King | 17 Sep 2025 | 01:12:16 | |
AI is transforming how we learn at work, but it canât replace human connection or the practice it takes to turn knowledge into lasting skills. In this episode of The LeaderLab, LifeLabs CEO Priscila Bala and Facilitation Manager Michelle King share why people skills remain essential in the age of AI. They discuss the risks of relying too heavily on technology in leadership development and why live, human-centered learning is critical for building trust, collaboration, and resilient teams. | |||
| How to Lead Through Change Using the CAMPS⢠Check with Brendon Nimphius | 18 Jul 2025 | 00:12:57 | |
Change is hard, especially on the brain. In this episode, LifeLabs Learning Facilitaton Manager Brendon Nimphius introduces the CAMPS Checkâa science-backed framework that helps leaders anticipate the psychological impact of change. Learn how to use Certainty, Autonomy, Meaning, Progress, and Social Inclusion to listen better, lead more effectively, and reduce resistance. Whether you're navigating a reorg, new process, or cultural shift, this episode will give you simple, actionable tools to lead through change with clarity and care. CAMPS Resources: Article: Whatâs Your CAMPS Score? Article: CAMPS: The Best Model for Leading Change at Work Workshop: Effective 1-1s Video: CAMPS Video Leading Change Resources: Playbook Leading Change In Uncertain Times Workshop: Leading Change Article: Decoding the Secrets to Change Resilience Template: Change Checklist | |||
| Harryâs & Flamingo: âItâs Us, Weâre the Problemâ with Kristen Correa Blanco, Head of People | 10 Jun 2025 | 00:46:12 | |
In this Episode What if the biggest blockers to collaboration and innovation... were the leaders themselves?
About the guest: Kristen Correa Blanco, Head of People for Global Harry's and Flamingo. Harryâs is shaking up the consumer goods industry by putting people first and meeting real, unmet consumer needsâand Kristen is at the heart of that mission. She leads the global business unit, overseeing 400 people across the US, Canada, and the UK. With nearly 15 years of experience in fast-paced, high-growth environments, Kristenâs a trusted partner to executive leadership, driving talent and culture strategies that align with business goals and fuel organizational success. Before joining Harryâs, Kristen played a pivotal role as an HR Business Partner at Squarespace, helping shape talent strategies during a time of rapid expansion. Sheâs also held key roles at Equinox and New York Life Insurance. Kristenâs expertise spans coaching, talent development, change management, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. "Usually if youâre feeling that tipping point, someone else is too. Saying out loud that you see somethingâor donât feel greatâprovides relatability. It accelerates change." â Kristen Correa Blanco, Head of People at Harryâs and Flamingo Here's a few LifeLabs workshops the Harrys team enjoyed: Resources: Leading Change Playbook - Our Leading Change in Uncertain Times Playbook is a comprehensive resource for guiding your entire team through the change process. It covers the three layers of organizational change Performance Review Playbook - This playbook is designed for People Ops Leaders building or revamping their performance review systems. In it, weâll flag common pitfalls and outline concrete steps to take right away. Articles: Deal Out Better Feedback at Work With The Playing Cards Method⢠The rise of feedback: Why feedback skills have become urgent | |||
| Weâre Back: Tipping Point Skills⢠& Leader Stories | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:01:01 | |
The LeaderLab Podcast is back â with a fresh twist. Originally launched over five years ago by a passionate group of Labmates at LifeLabs Learning, this podcast quickly became a go-to resource for bite-sized leadership skills. Now, weâre relaunching with the same beloved format â short, practical episodes â plus a new layer: candid conversations with senior people leaders. You'll hear from LifeLabs facilitators teaching our signature Tipping Point Skillsâ˘, and from real-world changemakers tackling todayâs toughest leadership challenges. Still quick. Still actionable. Now with even deeper insight. | |||
| Grow Kind: The Leader Level Wrap Up | 07 Nov 2022 | 00:23:50 | |
When we look at change in the workplace, it can often be challenging to navigate. As a leader, there are ways to guide your team in an empowering and empathetic way. Join us for this special panel-style conversation on Grow Kind Leadership in times of uncertainty. Want training for your team? Get in touch with us to find out which learning experiences are right for your team. [Music by Blue Dot Sessions] | |||
| Grow Kind: Easy Focus | 03 Oct 2022 | 00:11:54 | |
In this weekâs episode of The LeaderLab, we continue our discussion about how leaders can play an active role in helping their teams and people through periods of growth in the kindest way possible. We invite Annie-Rose London, a Facilitator at LifeLabs Learning, to explain how leaders can harness the power of easy focus to quickly create space for their teams to think, feel, and connect by using the "I could talk abouts" primer. | |||
| Grow Kind: Data Dive | 29 Aug 2022 | 00:11:29 | |
In this weekâs episode of The LeaderLab, we continue our discussion about how leaders can play an active role in helping their teams and people through periods of growth in the kindest way possible. We invite Rachel Glick, Director of Consulting & Team Enablement at LifeLabs Learning, to explain how leaders can take a look beneath the surface of their teamâs data to uncover the inputs contributing to performance outcomes using a Data Diiiive (and no, thatâs not a typo â find out what the four Iâs stand for by listening to the full episode). | |||
| Grow Kind: Vision Statements | 15 Aug 2022 | 00:10:57 | |
In this weekâs episode of The LeaderLab, we continue our discussion about how leaders can play an active role in helping their teams and people through periods of growth in the kindest way possible. We invite Massella Dukuly, Director of Team Enablement at LifeLabs Learning, to explain why using vision statements is one of the best ways to get people on board with, and even excited about, change. | |||
| Grow Kind: Reasoning Questions | 01 Aug 2022 | 00:09:20 | |
Now that weâve learned what it takes to grow kind from a systems level, itâs time to get a little more granular. In this series, we'll discuss how leaders can play an active role in helping their teams and people through periods of growth in the kindest way possible. In this episode of The LeaderLab, we invite Victoria Chen, Facilitation Lead and Leadership Trainer, to demonstrate how leaders can use reasoning questions to create perspective and promote productive dialogue by understanding the âwhyâ behind somebodyâs âwhatâ. | |||
| Grow Kind: A Quick Update from the LeaderLab | 25 Jul 2022 | 00:00:52 | |
We're taking a tiny break to Grow Kind and bring you new and exciting content on August 1st! | |||
| Grow Kind: Systems Level Wrap Up | 11 Jul 2022 | 00:24:59 | |
When we look at growth from a systems level, itâs essential that we intentionally consider the people that growth will impact the most. In this special episode of The LeaderLab, we welcome back a few incredible guests from our systems-level Grow Kind series to discuss how the âgrow kindâ mission came to be at LifeLabs Learning, what weâve learned about growing kind so far, and what companies can do to grow in a way that benefits the business while still being people-centered, empowering, and energizing. Want to help your organization grow kind? Get in touch with us to find out which learning experiences are right for your team. [Music by Blue Dot Sessions] | |||
| Grow Kind: Reinforcing Organizational Ethos | 27 Jun 2022 | 00:11:11 | |
As your company grows, how do you maintain its purpose, mission, and values across teams at scale? Joie Lim, LifeLabs Learningâs Impact Lead, joins The LeaderLab this week to talk about how leaders can protect an orgâs ethos by reinforcing the behaviors that align with the companyâs ideal identity. | |||
| Grow Kind: The FAIR Framework for Inclusive Growth | 13 Jun 2022 | 00:11:11 | |
How can you ensure the systems and practices that are scaling alongside your business stay as inclusive and anti-biased as possible? This week, Vanessa is joined by Ashley Schwedt, LifeLabs Learningâs Director of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-bias), to discuss one of her favorite tools: a DEI checklist for systems that we refer to as the FAIR framework. Want to help your organization grow kind? Get in touch with us to find out which learning experiences are right for your team. | |||
| Grow Kind: The 4D Model of Knowledge Management | 30 May 2022 | 00:11:20 | |
How does your company convert information into knowledge thatâs accessible org-wide? The LeaderLab invites Brian Dann, certified Knowledge Manager, and Katya Davydova, author and leadership facilitator, to share the 4D Model of Knowledge Management. Brian, Katya, and Vanessa discuss how this tool helps companies organize, socialize, and deepen their knowledge base at scale even during times of rapid growth. Want to help your organization grow kind? Get in touch with us to find out which learning experiences are right for your team. [Music by Blue Dot Sessions] | |||
| Grow Kind: Prioritizing Purposefully | 16 May 2022 | 00:11:52 | |
Is your company intentionally and accurately prioritizing the needs of the business? The LeaderLab invites Robyn Long, LifeLabs Learningâs Chief of Staff and Business Operations Strategist, to share one of her favorite calibration tools with our listeners: the Business Priority Score (BPS) system. Robyn and Vanessa discuss how this tool helps companies grow sustainably as they scale by clarifying company-wide goals and taking action on the highest-priority projects first.  Want to help your organization grow kind? Get in touch with us to find out which learning experiences are right for your team. [Music by Blue Dot Sessions] | |||
| Grow Kind: A Conversation with LifeLabs Learning CEO Priscila Bala | 25 Apr 2022 | 00:25:51 | |
The LeaderLab Podcast is BACK for a brand new season! To kick things off, The LeaderLab invites listeners into an intimate conversation with LifeLabs Learningâs new CEO, Priscila Bala. Vanessa and Priscilaâs conversation spans both the personal and organizational as the two discuss the journey of change leadership and the vision weâve identified to shape the companyâs evolution as we enter a phase of intentional hypergrowth: growing kind. | |||
| Learning at LifeLabs: A Conversation with our Co-Founders | 10 Oct 2021 | 00:22:56 | |
Our mission at LifeLabs Learning is to help people master lifeâs most useful skills â and since we spend half of our lives at work, we like to think of the workplace as a practice lab for these skills. | |||
| SuperInfluence WrapUp | 08 Sep 2021 | 00:27:37 | |
SuperInfluencers are wildly impactful. In this special episode of the LeaderLab, we invite our guests back into the lab to share more about the pivotal skills SuperInflueners use to catalyze outcomes in their organizations. | |||
| SuperInfluence: The Gap Analysis | 23 Aug 2021 | 00:10:03 | |
Do you ever feel like your ideas aren't taken seriously? Or that it's hard to feel a sense of progress or accomplishment? Learn how SuperInfluencers use the gap analysis to strategize about what gets done and how to measure if it's been successful. Wanna dig a bit deeper? Check out the research referenced in this episode: | |||
| SuperInfluence: Using Need-Forward Questions | 09 Aug 2021 | 00:08:43 | |
Feeling stuck or noticing others getting in their own way? Learn how SuperInfluencers use the transformative Need-Forward skill to create positivity and progress for themselves and others.
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| SuperInfluence: Creating Conviction & Connection | 26 Jul 2021 | 00:10:44 | |
We often go into conflicts trying to persuade others to see things our way, which can lead to tension or even resentment. Learn what SuperInfluencers do differently to transform conflicts into fruitful conversations.
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| SuperInfluence: Make the Ask | 12 Jul 2021 | 00:11:20 | |
SuperInfluencers are able to impact the behaviors of others without relying on authority. Learn one often overlooked SuperInfluencer skill in this episode.
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| SuperLeaders Wrap-up | 28 Jun 2021 | 00:25:02 | |
Cultivating SuperLeaders is integral to an organizationâs success, but how does it happen? Listen to this special episode of The LeaderLab where we invite our SuperLeader guests back into the lab for a deeper dive into this very important topic. | |||
| SuperLeaders: RESpond | 14 Jun 2021 | 00:10:24 | |
When defensiveness shows up, conversations shut down. Learn the SuperLeader skill that will help you connect instead. | |||
| SuperLeaders: Celebration | 31 May 2021 | 00:09:37 | |
One thing SuperLeaders do differently is celebrating wins - but not the kind of wins you think. Tune into this episode of The LeaderLab powered by LifeLabs Learning to find out what type of wins matter most. Want to dig a little deeper? Check out the research our guest referenced in the episode: Teresa Amabile and Small Wins: https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=40244 Hedonic Treadmill: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/hedonic-treadmill Job Crafting: https://hbr.org/2020/03/what-job-crafting-looks-like | |||
| SuperLeaders: Role Modeling | 17 May 2021 | 00:10:35 | |
Want your team to pick up new behaviors faster and more holistically? Listen to this episode of the LeaderLab powered by LifeLabs Learning to discover one SuperLeader tool that makes all the difference.
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| SuperLeaders: Accountability | 03 May 2021 | 00:10:00 | |
Did you know that you can drive greater accountability on your team with four simple questions? Check out the first episode in our SuperLeaders series to find out how. | |||
| SuperLearning Wrap-Up | 19 Apr 2021 | 00:26:59 | |
How can one make SuperLearning a way of life as an individual, team, or organization? In this special episode of The LeaderLab, we invite our previous guests to not only wrap up the conversation on SuperLearning but take us further into this topic than we've gone before. | |||
| SuperLearning: Deliberate Practice | 05 Apr 2021 | 00:10:37 | |
Did you know that there's a specific kind of practice that allows you to learn faster and achieve more? Tune into the fourth episode in our SuperLearning series to discover how to use deliberate practice. | |||
| SuperLearning: Somatic Hooks | 22 Mar 2021 | 00:10:11 | |
Do you use your senses to help you learn something faster? Check out episode #3 in our SuperLearning series on The LeaderLab to find out how. | |||
| SuperLearning: Powerful Questions | 08 Mar 2021 | 00:09:42 | |
Do you know how to use questions to supercharge your learning? Tune into episode #2 in our SuperLearning series on the LeaderLab to find out how. | |||
| SuperLearning: Extraction Skills | 22 Feb 2021 | 00:08:24 | |
Did you know that there are techniques to help you learn faster and achieve more? Listen to this episode on extraction skills as your first step to becoming a SuperLearner. | |||
| Get Ready for Season 2! | 18 Jan 2021 | 00:00:43 | |
Happy 2021! Have a listen to hear what's up next in the new year for The LeaderLab powered by LifeLabs Learning! | |||
| Energy Management: Start and Stop Rituals | 28 Dec 2020 | 00:10:28 | |
Feeling like the lines between work and home are blurring? Do you find yourself working extra hours at night or on weekends? Learn about the tool of start and stop rituals on this episode of The LeaderLab powered by LifeLabs Learning. | |||
| Energy Management: Micro, Meso, and Macro Breaks | 14 Dec 2020 | 00:09:59 | |
Did you know that there are three types of breaks you should be taking to maintain your energy? Tune into this episode of the LeaderLab powered by LifeLabs Learning to learn more. | |||
| Energy Management: If-Thens | 30 Nov 2020 | 00:10:30 | |
Trying to manage your energy, but fall into the same old burnout boosting habits? Listen to this episode of the LeaderLab powered by LifeLabs Learning to learn how to use the power of If-thens to deliberately make better choices. | |||
| Energy Management: Job Crafting | 16 Nov 2020 | 00:11:01 | |
Feeling run down? Looking for a way to maintain or up your energy at work? Tune in to this episode of the LeaderLab to learn how job crafting will help you keep burnout at bay. | |||
| Difficult Conversations: Time Distance Cover | 26 Oct 2020 | 00:10:49 | |
Did you know that you can de-escalate a difficult conversation before it even happens? Learn about the Time Distance Cover technique in this episode. | |||
| Difficult Conversations: Affect Labeling | 13 Oct 2020 | 00:10:36 | |
Have your emotions gotten the best of you during a difficult time? Learn how affect labeling can help you self-regulate and advocate for what you need. | |||
| Difficult Conversations: The High Five Statements | 28 Sep 2020 | 00:09:15 | |
Ever at a loss for what to say during a difficult conversation? In this episode, learn the High Five Statements that you can apply to any challenging conversation to move from conflict to connection. Want to learn more? Head to LifeLabs Learning.com. | |||
| Difficult Conversations: Positions vs. Interests | 21 Sep 2020 | 00:10:43 | |
Do you dread conflict? Do you find yourself getting defensive vs working towards a win-win solution? Listen to this episode of LifeLabs Learning's podcast, The LeaderLab, to learn about the skill of uncovering underlying interests in a challenging conversation. | |||
| Adaptivity & Resilience: Two-hander | 14 Sep 2020 | 00:09:47 | |
Want to learn how to activate your internal locus of control? Join us to learn about the Two-hander and add it to your leadership toolkit. Join the conversation on Twitter @LifeLabsLearn or on LinkedIn. Want to learn more? Head to LifeLabsLearning.com! | |||
| Adaptivity & Resilience: Reframing | 07 Sep 2020 | 00:10:31 | |
Ever wondered how to turn the negative into the positive for yourself and others? Learn the leadership skill of reframing in this episode. | |||