Host Julie Harris Oliver welcomes executive coach and two-time founder Connie Liu (CEO of Tandem) to discuss humor's role in work, leadership, and coaching. Connie shares that her path to coaching began after hiring an executive coach during her transition out of her first company, valuing coaching as a place to be fully honest without "curating" for others. They explore humor as a release valve that extends emotional runway, reduces high-stakes pressure, and increases creativity—especially through improv's "yes, and" approach and design-thinking environments that normalize risk and riffing on bad ideas. Connie describes using standup comedy as a counterbalance to founder seriousness and as a way to practice levity, while both reflect on when humor is welcomed or risky at work, including for women and in highly serious roles.

00:00 Welcome and Format

00:35 Meet Connie Liu

01:09 Connie's Coaching Origin

02:31 Why Humor at Work

04:10 Standup as Counterbalance

06:09 Humor as Release Valve

07:15 Making Humor Feel Safe

09:07 Creativity and Yes And

13:40 Dog Interruption Reset

14:12 Lightening the Room Fast

16:03 Can You Teach Funny

16:23 Rule of Three Parenting

17:53 Sarcasm and Pranks Roots

18:36 Back to Executives

18:45 Personality on Calls

19:25 Creating vs Reporting

20:22 Finding the Right Balance

21:07 Sales Stories That Land

21:51 Standup Fear and Dares

22:49 Bombing and Getting Hooked

24:14 Comedy Style and Influences

24:57 Work Persona and Gender

28:41 Founder Seriousness vs Humor

30:18 Keeping Perspective at Work

31:37 Key Takeaways and Farewell

Julie Harris Oliver interviews executive leadership coach and OD consultant Brian Duggan about helping senior leaders make fewer, better decisions. Brian shares his path from theater directing to coaching and introduces research citing that senior leaders make 70–80,000 decisions per year, with up to half being low-importance or low-impact. He outlines the "Five V Role Model" stances leaders can take—Vote, Voice, Vision, Void, and Veto. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, this episode is packed with insights that can transform your approach to decision-making and organizational impact.

00:00 Welcome to Deep Work Out Loud + Meet Julie & Brian

01:42 Brian's Accidental Path from Theater Director to Coach

04:06 Why Theater Skills Translate to Coaching & OD Systems Thinking

05:51 The Leadership Problem: Senior Leaders Making Too Many Decisions

07:32 McKinsey Decision Overload + Two Common Stances: Vote & Voice

11:14 The Better Shift: Leading Through Vision (and Developing People)

15:23 Reputation, Intention, and How Leaders Choose to Show Up

16:33 The Counterintuitive Stance: Intentional 'Void' and Role Boundaries

21:47 Void Needs Vision: Context Over Details, Trust Over Rumors

25:19 Matching Stances to Level: Apple Store Stories on Autonomy & Escalation

29:32 When Execs 'Voice Down': The Cost of One Comment (The Color Story)

30:44 Fixing the Process: Getting the Right Voices at the Right Time

31:46 The Two Questions: What Only I Can Do vs. What I'm Supposed to Do

32:35 Personal Burnout Story: Over-Voicing, Over-Doing, and Resentment

37:29 Making It a Shared Language: Bringing Voice In Early (and Using It)

39:17 Gen Z, Disillusionment, and Clarifying Vote vs. Voice

41:31 How to Ask for Feedback: Criteria, Context, and Engagement Survey Traps

44:40 From Work to Life Roles: Introducing the 'Five Stances' Framework

45:32 Level, Zones, Lanes: The Targeting System Behind Your Role

48:09 The Fifth V—Veto: When to Overrule (and Why It's Dangerous)

51:12 A Real Veto Scenario: Hiring Freeze, Rescinded Offers, and Hard Calls

53:43 Wrap-Up: Positive Conflict at the Top + The 'Five V Role Model'

55:49 Closing & Listener Invitation: Clarify Your Roles and Communicate Vision

In this episode of Deep Work Out Loud, Julie Harris Oliver is joined by leadership strategist and executive coach Laura London (founder of Calocedrus Partners, former McKinsey leader) for a candid, coach-style exploration of forest therapy—and why Laura believes it's a practical tool for leadership right now. They unpack what "forest therapy" means, how sensory awareness connects to nervous system regulation, and why slowing down can be harder than it sounds. Julie brings real skepticism, including a vivid story of an experience in nature that left her feeling unsafe, and Laura helps examine the protective story that followed—and what it might be costing. Along the way, Laura shares how the practice became personal through her family's experience with sensory processing disorder (SPD), and Julie describes a small experiment she's trying to bring more quiet, presence, and reset into everyday life.

00:00 Welcome to Deep Work Out Loud + Meet Laura London

01:13 Laura's Journey: From Early Work Curiosity to McKinsey & Coaching

04:28 Today's Topic: What Is Forest Therapy (and Why It Matters Now)

05:53 The Science: Senses, Nervous System Regulation & the AI Age

08:42 Laura's Personal Story: Fragility, Authenticity, and Finding Relief in Nature

10:50 Sensory Processing Disorder & the 5-4-3-2-1 Nature Practice (with Her Son)

15:01 Forest Bathing vs. Forest Therapy: Guided Walks, Principles, and Slowing Down

18:24 Julie the Skeptic: "Nature Will Try to Kill You" + A Beach Injury Story

21:22 Coaching the Reframe: Protection vs. Limitation, Awe, and Belonging in Nature

27:50 Small Experiments: Dog Walks Without Headphones + Why Quiet Isn't Wasted Time

31:31 Leadership Takeaways: Regulated Leaders, Contagious Emotions, and Practical Tips

35:31 Where to Find Laura + Final Invitation to Try Nature This Week

Find Laura HERE

Find Julie HERE

In this episode of Deep Work Out Loud, Julie Harris Oliver is joined by Krista Johnson, an organizational psychology practitioner and executive coach. The discussion delves into the significance of heart wounds in leadership, explaining how unresolved emotional imprints from past experiences can impact present behavior. Krista outlines methods to identify and manage these heart wounds, emphasizing the importance of presence, emotional regulation, and reflective practice in leadership. They explore the challenges of navigating corporate environments while maintaining personal well-being and the transformative power of heart-centered leadership. The conversation underlines the critical need for developing personal agility and emotional competence in today's rapidly changing world.

00:00 Introduction to Deep Work Out Loud

00:33 Meet Krista Johnson: Organizational Psychology Practitioner

01:36 The Concept of Fierce Conversations

02:12 Krista's Journey to Coaching

03:36 Heart Wounds and Leadership

04:13 Understanding and Identifying Heart Wounds

06:14 Impact of Heart Wounds in Professional Settings

09:14 Healing and Managing Heart Wounds

12:11 The Importance of Presence and Emotional Regulation

25:52 Practical Techniques for Emotional Regulation

32:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Find Krista here www.kristajohnsoncoaching.com

Find Julie here www.julieharrisoliver.com

In this episode of Deep Work Out Loud, host Julie Harris Oliver sits down with Dr. Lauren Collier, a professional coach and founder of the Friendship Project. They discuss the challenges and strategies for forming meaningful adult friendships, particularly for women experiencing life transitions. Dr. Collier shares her journey from social work to coaching and introduces her initiative to create intentional friendship circles. Through an eight-week learning journey, she aims to facilitate deeper connections and combat social isolation. The discussion covers the importance of alignment, affinity, and shared experiences in building lasting relationships. The episode also touches on the impact of the pandemic on social skills and the importance of intentionality and openness in fostering friendships.

00:00 Introduction to Deep Work Out Loud

00:39 Meet Dr. Lauren Collier

01:09 Lauren's Journey to Coaching

02:15 The Importance of Adult Friendships

02:48 Challenges in Making New Friends

04:11 The Loneliness Epidemic

04:58 Key Elements for Building Friendships

05:40 Cultural and Political Barriers

06:48 Intentional Friendship Building

09:46 Lauren's Friendship Circles Initiative

14:01 The Impact of the Pandemic on Friendships

17:12 Practical Steps for Building Friendships

20:16 Challenges and Solutions in Friendship Building

28:21 Conclusion and Contact Information

Find Lauren HERE

Find Julie HERE

In this episode of Deep Work Out Loud, host Julie Harris Oliver sits down with Ron Pratt, founder of the Altera Collective, to discuss the importance of alignment in our careers and lives. Ron shares his personal journey from a promising career in consulting and finance to founding his own coaching practice. They delve into the key elements of alignment—values, motivators, interests, and personality—and discuss how understanding these can lead to a more fulfilling and sustainable career. Ron also explains how leaders can use this framework to foster better relationships and environments for their teams. Tune in for insightful tips on diagnosing misalignment and practical advice for finding a career that truly fits.

00:00 Introduction to Deep Work Out Loud

00:35 Meet Ron Pratt: Career Journey and Insights

01:28 The Path to Coaching: Ron's Story

03:08 Exploring Career Misalignment

08:48 The Importance of Values in Career Choices

12:55 Frameworks for Career Alignment

18:59 Navigating Career Transitions in Challenging Times

19:59 Short-Term vs Long-Term Career Goals

20:58 Understanding Motivators

23:38 The Role of Interests in Career Satisfaction

25:19 Client Stories: Real-Life Applications

28:57 Framework for Career Alignment

33:07 The Importance of Alignment Beyond Career

35:54 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Find Ron HERE

Find Julie HERE

In this episode of Deep Work Out Loud, host Julie Harris Oliver sits down with Laura Rebell Gross, an experienced organizational leader and executive coach. They discuss the challenges and transitions faced by women, especially those in their 50s and 60s. Laura shares her insights on moving from a mission-driven career to coaching, focusing on helping women find joy and fulfillment while letting go of the relentless hustle. They explore topics such as identity shifts, finding purpose, setting boundaries, and creating new, meaningful traditions. Join them as they offer guidance and inspiration for adding purpose and reducing the hustle in your life.

00:00 Welcome to Deep Work Out Loud

00:30 Introducing Laura Rebell Gross

01:44 Shifting Focus: From Girls to Women

02:24 Navigating Life Transitions

04:39 Balancing Self-Care and Responsibilities

10:00 Rediscovering Passions and Joy

16:15 Creating New Traditions

18:35 Shifting Responsibilities and Attitudes

19:06 Holiday Stress and Gift Giving

19:54 Creating New Family Traditions

20:29 The Importance of Body Awareness

21:30 Transitioning Careers and Grieving Changes

23:14 Adjusting to a New Pace of Life

25:01 Rethinking Ambition and Hustle

27:43 Finding Purpose Without Hustle

32:43 Launching a Coaching Business

34:22 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Find Laura HERE

Find transcript HERE

Rediscovering Presence: Transforming Leadership and Life with Dr. Matt Kodsi

Or Multitasking is Cocaine

In this episode of 'Deep Work Out Loud', host Julie Harris Oliver sits down with Dr. Matt Kodsi, a former neurologist and Chief Medical Officer turned executive coach. They delve into the concept of presence in coaching and its dual aspects: external, being fully present for others, and internal, being truly present within oneself. Dr. Kodsi shares his journey from a multitasking, constantly busy executive to a more mindful and present leader and coach. They discuss the challenges and rewards of cultivating presence, both in personal relationships and professional settings. Dr. Kodsi also opens up about his personal experience with severe health issues and how it deepened his appreciation for being present. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of presence as a privilege and a pathway to meaningful interactions and stronger relationships, offering insights and practical steps for listeners to incorporate more presence into their daily lives.

00:00 Introduction to Deep Work Out Loud

00:33 Meet Dr. Matt Kodsi

01:15 The Journey to Coaching

02:28 Understanding Presence

04:14 The Illusion of Multitasking

08:42 The Impact of Presence on Relationships

10:03 Personal Transformation and Vulnerability

17:22 Practical Steps to Cultivate Presence

21:24 Reflections and Final Thoughts

29:04 Conclusion and Call to Action

Find Matt at bridgingjourneyscoaching.com