In this episode of ReImagining the Workplace, Jessica is joined by Valerie (Val) Jensen, the Founder of the Prospector Theater, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to providing competitive and inclusive employment to people with disabilities through the operation of a first-run movie theater. Val sets out the wide array of roles that employees - called prospects - perform at both the Prospector Theater and Val's Gemstone Farm. She also describes how she and her team tap into prospects' strengths and passions - which they call "sparkle" - empowering them to shine. Val also discusses the Prospector Theater's educational initiatives, including their service learning programs, which are custom-designed programs for businesses, schools, and other groups that educate participants about people with disabilities and showcase the vast talent that exists within this population. Jessica also has conversations with four prospects - Ali Wood, Joe Gillotti, Sam Furniss, and Rachel Wise - who describe the impact of meaningful employment on their lives.

In this episode of ReImagining the Workplace, Jessica is joined by Rudhir Krishtel, founder of Krishtel. Through keynotes, workshops, and coaching, Rudhir and his team ignite transformational change in our workplaces by opening the door to collective dialogues about issues that arise at the intersection of leadership, well-being, and diversity, equity and inclusion. A former practicing attorney who wore stress as a badge of honor, Rudhir shares the wake-up call that changed his perspective, the meaningful conversation that gave him permission to take a pause from his busy life, and how spiritual practices such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, inform his work. Renowned for his ability to seamlessly navigate difficult conversations, Rudhir shares several stories that illustrate how he creates the safe spaces that are the cornerstone of transformational work.

In this episode, Jessica is joined by Gary Hirsch, Co-founder of On Your Feet, which uses storytelling and improvisation to help companies pursue their business objectives. Gary is also the founder of Botjoy, a global art movement designed to spread joy throughout the world using tiny robots painted on the backs of dominos. Whether creating robots through his Botjoy initiative, or delivering innovative training programs through On Your Feet, Gary is passionate about bringing people together and creating experiences that are playful, interactive, and engaging, and that ultimately lead to better results. Gary shares the heartwarming personal story that was the catalyst for his drawing and ultimately his Botjoy initiative, and sets out how he uses the tenets of improv to design and facilitate training programs that teach valuable skills, while igniting joy.

In this episode, Jessica is joined by Heidi Rosenfelder and Jamie Woolf, the Co-Founders of Creativity Partners. Heidi and Jamie draw on their vast experience working at Pixar Animation Studios, and many other organizations, to conduct cutting edge team culture assessments that uncover hidden problems, and work with leaders and teams to build productive, humane, and innovative workplace cultures that support their organization's strategic goals. Passionate about infusing creativity and art into the workplace, Heidi and Jamie discuss the transformative impact of engaging in art, and share some of the innovative programs they have designed to build connection, bolster engagement, spark imagination, and bring joy and humanity to the workplace.

In this episode of ReImagining the Workplace, Jessica Cherry is joined by executive coach, award-winning entrepreneur, and Forbes contributing writer Bonnie Marcus. A passionate advocate for women's advancement in the workplace, Bonnie addresses the "double whammy" of gendered ageism and the unique challenges that it creates for women over 50 in the modern workplace. Bonnie highlights the tremendous toll that gendered ageism takes on women who, despite continuing to get great results, are often undervalued and relegated to the sidelines as they age. Bonnie emphasizes the need for women in this cohort to understand their value, state their ambition, be politically savvy, and adopt a badass mindset. She also shares tools from her book Not Done Yet that are designed to empower women over 50 to reclaim their confidence, own their age, and step into their workplace power.

In this episode, Jessica is joined by Richard Martin, CEO of the Mindful Business Charter, which is a framework for reducing unnecessary stress at work by establishing healthier and more effective ways of working. A former senior partner in an employment law firm, Richard describes the day his world fell apart due to a massive breakdown following a period of prolonged stress, and how he picked up the pieces, ultimately embarking on a fulfilling new career helping businesses nurture their employees' mental health. Applying the four pillars of the Charter, Richard highlights straightforward ways we can alter our day-to-day behaviors to reduce stress and create kinder, fairer, and more productive workplaces.

In Part 2 of this 2-part episode of ReImagining the Workplace, Jessica Cherry is joined by Cheryl Stallworth and Melissa Dougherty, co-founders of ShedLight, a social impact consultancy. Cheryl and Melissa discuss the role of corporations in addressing the complex web of challenges we are currently facing in our country. They address the backlash that many corporations and brands experience when entering the fray on polarizing social issues, and provide strategies for mitigating that risk. They also provide several examples of corporations that are having a positive social impact, while achieving their growth goals.

In Part 1 of this 2-part episode of ReImagining the Workplace, Jessica Cherry is joined by Cheryl Stallworth and Melissa Dougherty, the co-founders of ShedLight, a social impact consultancy. Cheryl and Melissa discuss why they believe that revealing the untold stories of American life is a crucial part of healing our divided nation. They share insights from community and business leaders, social activists, and other changemakers who they have met during road trips and who are driving change in ways that matter within their communities. They also share stories from everyday Americans to help companies and others better understand the challenges that people are facing.