Welcome back, improve it! Fam and Happy Wednesday! How have you been using LinkedIn lately? If you’re trying to figure out how to connect successfully via this networking platform, then this is the perfect episode for you! Using this social outlet earlier in your career is a great way to help others. Listen in and hear from an amazing Sales Coach and LinkedIn expert, Leah Neaderthal, on how to keep a consistent mindset and expand your network using the one and only, LinkedIn! Show Links: Send us a voice message here! Want to get Hybrid Hype? Download your free worksheet here! Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a review! Connect with Leah Neaderthal: Website: Smart Gets Paid Podcast: The Smart Gets Paid Podcast Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Erin Diehl: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected] “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won’t miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)

Happy Wednesday, improve it! Fam! Let’s take a minute to reflect and take a quick assessment on how you’re currently showing up for your team: Are they engaged? How do you engage with them during virtual meetings? Do you give them the time and opportunity to take some space? In today’s episode, we’re exploring the answers to these questions and providing tangible action steps to better team engagement. And, lucky for you, Erin is going to let you in on a little secret. Listen now to hear five hacks on how to have a highly engaged Zoom meeting!   Show Links: Need a Ring Light? Send us a voice message here! Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a review! Want to get Hybrid Hype – Download your free Hybrid Hype Worksheet Here!   Connect with Erin Diehl: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]   “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won’t miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)  

Happy Wednesday, Improve it! Fam! How can you reconnect with the people in your organization? How can you not only make their lives more meaningful, but match that meaning to their work? In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Human Resource expert, Cassandra Rose, who will guide you through these questions and provide tangible, actionable answers. She’s going to talk about how to turn this great resignation into the great re-engagement and what success looks like when you’re there. We hope your notebook is ready and your coffee is hot – this show is packed with all the re-engagement goodies! Show Links: Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a review! Wanting a specific topic or guest on the show? Leave us a voicemail and tell us! Connect with Cassandra Rose: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mscassandrarose Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mscassandrarose Twitter - https://twitter.com/MsCassandraRose Website - www.meritarc.com Connect with Erin Diehl: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected] “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won’t miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)

Need help spurring innovation, seeing things with a new set of eyes, or looking at the way you work differently? Then we’ve got a quick show for you. On today’s minisode, one of our improve it! facilitators, Shadee Vossoughi, is here to talk to us about how improv is a great tool for spurring creativity in the workplace. About the Guest: Shadee Vossoughi is an Iranian American actor, writer, and veteran improviser based in Chicago, IL. After receiving her BFA in Acting from Southern Oregon University, Shadee moved to Chicago to study comedy. Shadee has trained, performed, and coached at some of the top comedy institutions in Chicago, including The Annoyance Theatre, iO Theater, and The Second City. Shadee was a recipient of the NBCUniversal Second City Bob Curry Fellowship in 2018. Shadee is represented by Stewart Talent Chicago. Connect with Shadee Vossoughi: Instagram: @shadeev Twitter: @shadee_v Email Erin: [email protected] “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won’t miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)

Welcome back, Improve it! Fam. Today’s episode includes the good type of F-bombs (and we’re not talking swear words!). What does that mean? Our host, Erin Diehl deep dives into reframing this “F-word” and how senior leaders, women's groups, associations, emerging leaders, corporations, teams, entrepreneurs, and more can use it as a tool for success! Listen in to hear what these F words could be and how it can help you in the workplace! We hope your notebook is ready and your coffee is hot – this show is packed with everything you didn’t know you needed today! Show Links: SEND US A VOICE MESSAGE: SpeakPipe Us! Episode 64: From Failed it! To Improve it! Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a review! Connect with Erin Diehl: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected] “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won’t miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)

Happy Wednesday, improve it! Fam. On today’s episode you’ll hear from Career Coach, Podcast Host, and HR enthusiast, Ricklyn Woods, to talk about the number one thing you must do as a leader in 2021. If you're looking at the title and you're saying, oh my gosh, I'm not in human resources, but I am a leader. This applies to you. If you are not in human resources at all, and you are not a leader stay tuned because this applies to you. And also if you aren't either of these things, but know someone who is, this show is going to give you so much appreciation for the people that you know - who are the heartbeat of our organizations, HR leaders. In today’s episode you will hear Ricklyn discuss: The challenges HR leaders go through today The steps on how to overcome these challenges The number one thing you can do as an HR leader What success looks like in 2021 for a HR leader We hope your notebook is ready and your coffee is hot – this show is packed with goods! Show Links: Side Hustle Pro Podcast Own Your Career Book Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a review!   Connect with Ricklyn Woods: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricklynwoods/com   Connect with Erin Diehl: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]   “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won’t miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)  

Welcome back, Improve it! Fam. On today’s episode you’ll hear from one of Engagedly's top 100 Global HR influencers of 2021, Vivian Blade who’s ready to bring those question to life as well as share some insightful snippets on... The five stages of internal crises and the ways we respond Three action items on how to handle trying times as a leader What successful leadership looks like during crisis How to focus on your human capital We hope your notebook is ready and your coffee is hot – you're not going to want to miss this episode! Show Links: Dare to Lead by Brene Brown Atomic Habits by James Clear Radical Candor Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a review!   Connect with Vivian Blade: https://vivianblade.com https://ResilienceReady.today https://InfluenceWithScale.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivianblade/ https://twitter.com/VivianBlade Email: [email protected]   Connect with Erin Diehl: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]   “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won’t miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)

Improve it! fam, are you looking for a tangible team building exercise that can help your team show up for each other in a more meaningful way? We’ve got your back. On today’s minisode, our improve it! Director of Talent, Cristy Mercier, is here to talk to us about how improv is a great teaching tool for team building and how she’s witnessed it transform teams time and time again.   About the Guest: Empirical evidence has shown that improvisational training has the ability to improve an employee’s trust, teamwork, communication, presentation skills, creative problem solving, and can improve a company’s overall corporate culture. No one knows that better than Cristy Mercier, she’s studied and performed this amazing art form at many institutions, some of which are The Second City, the iO Training Center, the Annoyance, and Comedy Sportz . As the Director of Talent for improve it!, Cristy has conducted workshops across the country, leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees’ skills in corporate settings, facilitating sessions for clients such as Exelon, Motorola Solutions, Groupon, Elkay Manufacturing, Accenture, The PrivateBank, Quicken Loans, Milhouse Engineering, Crowe Horwath, and many more.   Connect with Erin Diehl: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]   “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won’t miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)

Welcome back, Improve it! Fam. We have some questions for you to ponder: How do you work? What is it that makes you tick? What is it that sets you off or brings you down? Are you mindful of this? On today’s episode you’ll be hearing double! We have a guest whose name is also Erin and she’s going to rock your socks when it comes to battling burnout. Get ready to hear some juicy insight on... Setting boundaries in your business Respecting and honoring yourself at work Protecting your mindset, and more! Take out your notes, press play, and jot down three action items you can implement to create a burnout battle plan for yourself. Enjoy!   Show Links: Send your morning routine to [email protected] or DM Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram! Join our public workshop - September 21st @ 11a CST Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a review! Year of Yes Book   Connect with Erin Coupe: Website: http://www.erincoupe.com LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-coupe Instagram: @authenticallyEC Email: [email protected]   Connect with Erin Diehl: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]   “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won’t miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)

Happy Wednesday, improve it! Fam! Thanks for tuning back in for another packed episode. How do you feel when someone gives you feedback? Are you still having those candid conversations in this virtual world? Listen in on while Erin gives you three reasons (inspired by improv, of course!) why candid conversations should still exist in a virtual world.   Show Links: Send your morning routine to [email protected] or DM Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram! Join our public workshop - September 21st @ 11a CST Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a review!   Connect with Erin: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]   “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won’t miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)

Happy Wednesday, improve it! Fam! It’s the final episode of our hybrid work series, and lucky for you, you get to hear from special guest, Matthew Confer. As you enter the new and improved world of hybrid work, this inspirational leader talks to us about: How you can make hybrid work effective for your employees The pros and cons of virtual and in-person work How to guide your team to go back into office. Enjoy and let us know what you think!   Show Links: Send a screenshot of your review to [email protected] to receive a free gift from Erin! Get your Hybrid Hype Handout – follow along with us in the series!   Connect with Matt Confer:   Matthew Confer is the Vice President of Strategy at Abilitie, a Leadership Development company based in Austin, Texas that provides immersive business simulations to a global client base that includes over 50 members of the Fortune 500. In the past three years alone Abilitie’s leadership programs have been delivered to over 20,000 corporate professionals in more than 30 countries. Matthew has spoken on the topic of decision making at the TEDx Conference and he osts the Learn To Lead Podcast where he speaks with authors, professors, creatives, and business leaders about their leadership journey and how they are working to develop the leaders of tomorrow.   LinkedIn Learn to Lead Podcast Twitter TedX Talk   Connect with Erin: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]   “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won’t miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)

Happy Wednesday, improve it! Fam! We’re back with a series you don’t want to miss. Erin, your hybrid hype woman, is sharing four weeks of awesome tips and tricks as you enter the new and improved world of hybrid work. Listen in to week two of this series because improve it! Fam, this one is All. About. You. Tune in to the secrets of self-care as you work from home and/or in office during uncertain times.   Show Links: Send your morning routine to [email protected] or DM Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram! Get your Hybrid Hype Handout – follow along with us in the series! Join our public workshop - September 21st @ 11a CST Episode 10 - Morning Routine Holy Basil Leaf Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a review!   Connect with Erin: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]   “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won’t miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)

Happy Wednesday, improve it! Fam! Our series is back and with a very special guest, Kim Magnus. As you enter the new and improved world of hybrid work, this inspirational leader shares what motivates her and her team, how to be an autonomous leader, as well as her handy dandy leadership toolkit she created. Listen in to week 2 of this series and learn the why and how on creating an engaging and cultivating company culture as you work from home and in office! Enjoy and let us know what you think.   Show Links: Send a screenshot of your review to [email protected] to receive a free gift from Erin! Get your Hybrid Hype Handout – follow along with us in the series! Listen to Episode 10 - Own Your Mornings Book: 100x Leader   Connect with Kim Magnus:   Kim is a passionate sales & marketing professional who has held leadership roles in the toy and beer industries working for companies like Mattel, Heineken, and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Currently, Kim is the Canadian country manager for The NPD Group. As a global research company, The NPD Group partners with many retailers you shop at and most of the brands you buy, combining data, industry expertise, and prescriptive analytics to help them grow their businesses. Kim is privileged with the opportunity to coach, motivate and inspire the Canadian NPD office. Kim is a self-proclaimed CIO (chief inspiration officer) who has been blessed with fellow leaders that truly believed in her throughout her career and companies who invested in her providing opportunities to gain experience and perspectives across North America.  She is a recovering workaholic who has learned the value of living life both intentionally and authentically. Always embracing change, Kim recognizes the importance of being uncomfortable to make your comfort that much better. Her approach to lifelong learning transcends her personal and professional networks. Kim has been described as an inspirational leader who thrives by enabling others to believe in themselves. There is no shortage of positive energy and Kim’s enthusiastic style is very contagious to all she connects with.  Kim’s leadership style is anchored in empowering her people to drive organizational excellence. She is truly a growth agent helping others maximize their potential to live their best lives! When she’s not sporting her yoga pants & business top, Kim is a proud mom of two teenagers and two fur babies. She married her high school sweetheart, Brad. As a family they can be found on the golf course, on the lake or battling over whose turn it is on the peloton. #inspire#empower#grow   LinkedIn Website Twitter Instagram Pronoun LinkedIn Post   Connect with Erin: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]   “I love this podcast and I love Erin!!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast! This helps Erin support more people – just like you – move toward the leader you want to be. Click here, click listen on Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let Erin know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. That way you won’t miss any juicy episodes! Thanks in advance, improve it! Fam :)

Happy Wednesday, improve it! Fam! We’re here with a series you don’t want to miss. Erin, your hybrid hype woman, is excited to share four weeks of awesome tips and tricks as you enter the new and improved world of hybrid work. Listen in to week 1 of this series and learn the why and how on creating an engaging and cultivating company culture as you work from home and in office! Enjoy and let us know what you think.   Show Links: Send a screenshot of your review to [email protected] to receive a free gift from Erin! Rocket Fuel Book Get your Hybrid Hype Handout – follow along with us in the series!   Connect with Erin: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]

It’s that time of week, improve it! Fam! New episode Wednesday with inspirational guest, Madison Butler! Authenticity is at the root of this episode, and today you’ll hear about... What it means to be a recovering recruiter Madison’s views on conventional leadership and how she broke the mold and became the blue haired unicorn How to show up more authentically to your team and to yourself! Enjoy and don’t forget to leave us a review! Connect with Madison Butler: Madison Butler is a New Englander at heart but moved to Austin in 2017. Her work is focused around creating equitable spaces and creating scalable strategies to achieve psychological safety. She is an outspoken advocate for mental health, destigmatizing trauma, DEI and the ability to be "human at work". She is passionate about facilitating hard conversations through storytelling, data and tough empathy. Madison is committed to deconstructing the status quo and rebuilding corporate America, one organization at a time. Her mission is to ensure that no one ever feels like corporate spaces were not made for them, and they can live, work, and exist out loud. She is a start-up enthusiast and is passionate about building inclusive teams from the ground up with early stage companies. Madison is committed to helping change the narrative around what it looks like to be “human at work”, and hoping to help alleviate unconscious bias in corporate America.   LinkedIn Website Twitter Instagram Pronoun LinkedIn Post   Connect with Erin: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]

Happy Wednesday, improve it! Fam! We’re back with an exciting episode for you. Erin reveals that she truly is an improv rap goddess on top of all her other talents. In this amazing episode, Erin answers the commonly asked question, “What are some fun and unique icebreakers that I can use for my team meetings?” Well ladies and gents, it’s your lucky day because we’re dropping it right here, right now. Listen in and implement these icebreakers during your next in-person or virtual meeting or event! Enjoy and let us know what you think.   Connect with Erin: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]

Happy Wednesday, improve it! Fam! Thanks for tuning back in. We are so excited to give you today's episode all about improvisation and how it can improve your company morale. There is so much to discuss team in this show from the actual definition of improv, to how it relates to your company, to how it relates to company morale, and even a tangible exercise on how to use improv today to boost morale, collaboration and connectivity. Can’t wait for you to hear!   Connect with Erin: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]

Failed it! Fam, we’re changing up our name! We’re thrilled to share we’ve rebranded our beloved podcast to The improve it! Podcast. So, improve it! Fam, are you a leader or change maker inside of your business, organization or corporation? Are you looking for new, innovative ways to drive morale through the roof? Are you looking for fun, exciting icebreakers, team-building exercises, and activities that will foster team growth, friendships, loyalty, and completely transform your organization from the inside out? Have you been searching for a fun and unique way to create change? If so, listen in to the brains and history behind this exciting change! Resources: Episode 63 Episode 1 Episode 27   Connect with Erin: Instagram LinkedIn improve it! TikTok Improve it! Instagram Improve it! Facebook improve it! website Book a Laugh Break Book a Workshop Sign up for Daily 5 Challenge Email Erin: [email protected]

Failed it! Fam, you’re in for a special treat. In today’s episode, we’re sharing some of the highlights of our greatest moments we’ve had on the show thus far. Tune in and listen as we celebrate the fails past and those to come with Erin!   Links from show discussions: Episode 11 with Jai Brown Episode 42 with Rich Robles Episode 43 with Ravyn Miller Episode 58 with Betsy McCann   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

Failed it! Fam – Are you trying to grow swiftly in your career? On today’s minisode, our Podcast Manager, Rachel Oliveros, is back again to talk to us about how she was able to set herself up for growth in her career using the yes, and mentality. Listen in to hear the steps it takes to really help you climb the ladder quickly!   About the Guest: Rachel Oliveros is a Loyola University Chicago alumni where she majored in Marketing and studied abroad in Rome. Rachel has had a history with improve it! prior to working on the podcast, starting as an intern to a Client Services Associate. And now, as the Podcast Manager of failed it!, she works closely with Erin to do all things podcast and help listeners understand that you must fail in order to improve. On top of being creative with show graphics and communicating with inspiring podcast guests, she also enjoys working in Digital Advertising Sales with ViacomCBS. Reach out to her if you're interested in being a guest on The failed it! Podcast!   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“So my goal is, my parents have always taught me, that whatever you want for yourself and your family, you need to also want the same for your friends and for your coworkers and for your community.” - Amena Karim   Failed it! Fam, we'd like to introduce you to our guest, Amena Karim, an award-winning health equity activist who truly leads with conviction when it comes to what she believes in and supports. She has worked with startups and tech companies to raise money for BIPOC communities.   In today’s episode, Amena talks to us about: Her role in helping BIPOC communities Creating Feeding South Shore/Chicago Families Using tech companies to help disenfranchised communities Putting implementation and action into what you support   Links from show discussions: Amena’s Accomplishment Contact improve it! To Drop Some F-Bombs   About the Guest: Amena is an award-winning health equity activist, a master relationship builder in Brazil oriented leader with an evidence-based orientation with more than 15 years of experience at technology marketing and community engagement, she has demonstrated experience working with startups and enterprise technology organizations, where she is accustomed to wearing many hats. Now in 2020, she raised more than $500,000 to support food insecure, BIPOC communities.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

“We compare the worst of ourselves to the best of others. We are so much tougher on ourselves than we are on our friends." - Erin Diehl   Failed it! Fam, are you a leader who constantly compares yourself to someone else? Well, leading is a mental game. We are only as strong as our weakest thought, and you have other eyes and ears looking to you for guidance. And if your weakest thoughts are the loudest thoughts in your ear, how are you going to lead your peeps? How are you going to build up your team? In today’s episode, Erin talks to us about: The comparison spiral Triggers and how to quiet your mind when they show up unannounced Exercises to help overcome “comparisonitis”   Links from show discussions: Book a Workshop with improve it!   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

Failed it! Fam – Have you heard of Yes, And? On today’s minisode, our improve it! Lead Facilitator-  Rosie Moan, is here to talk to us about the importance of Yes, And within your team. Listen in to hear how it can open up a safe space for your team to explore new ideas, boost creativity and enhance morale. Yes it works, AND we are here to spill the beans on how!   About the Guest: Empirical evidence has shown that improvisational training has the ability to improve an employee’s trust, teamwork, communication, presentation skills, creative problem solving, and can improve a company’s overall corporate culture. No one knows that better than Rosie Moan, a North Carolina native with a Midwest heart. She has lived in Chicago since 2011 and in that time has trained at Second City, iO (formerly Improv Olympic), and the Annoyance theater. On top of regularly performing and teaching at all three, she is also an on-camera coach and actor mentor. Outside of the stage, she has 7 years of Corporate experience, 5 of which are in recruiting. Rosie has trained thousands of corporate professionals all over the country and can say with confidence, she is a master of the chicken dance. Rosie has conducted workshops with improve it! across the country leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees’ soft skills in corporate settings, including PepsiCo and American Marketing Association. improve it! has worked with clients such as United Airlines, Motorola Solutions, Groupon, Deloitte, The PrivateBank and the Illinois CPA Society. improve it! earned the Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award in 2014 and has been nominated for the Chicago Innovation Award for the past four consecutive years. Rosie will be sharing her thoughts on how to effectively communicate by using the methodologies of improvisation. We invite you to join us for this unforgettable experiential learning opportunity! Favorite improv quote: “Change is the only constant. Learn to surf your life instead of planting your feet.” - Amy Poehler     About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“Instead of spending time trying to find yourself, you should use that time to create yourself.”  - Mark Metry Failed it! Fam, we'd like to introduce you to our guest, Mark Metry. Mark is a Forbes featured keynote TEDx speaker, host of a global top 100 podcast, bestselling author, documentary series cast member. Once upon a time, he couldn't make direct eye contact with anyone and barely had friends, due to various issues like mental health, social anxiety, being a first generation immigrant, experiencing poverty, and more. Now, he dedicates his life to being of service to others by making an impact in the industries of mental health, careers and personal branding, speaking, and documentary filmmaking. In today’s episode, Mark talks to us about: Entrepreneurship at a young age Overcoming social anxiety Shifting negative thoughts and fine tuning them to positive, actionable steps forward   Links from show discussions: Four Hour Cookbook Book a Laugh Break with improve it!   About the Guest (in his words):. As a 23 year old, I've been featured on over 250+ podcasts and media like Forbes, Mindvalley, Influencive, Inc Magazine, Huffington Post, Fearless Motivation, Spartan and many others. My podcast, Humans 2.0. In total, my thoughts, views, podcasts, and videos have been viewed over 50+ Million times. My podcast hit #96 of the top podcasts in the world with Tim Ferriss, NPR, Lewis Howes & Gary Vaynerchuk. I am an international (virtual) speaker at conferences, schools, and Fortune 500’s delivering meaningful & transformative current edge applicable knowledge through speaking engagements, panels, host, MC, workshops, and more. I am a podcast strategist consulting funded start-ups, founders, entrepreneurs, creators and organizations to sustainably start, grow & brand build their way through the competition in the age of vanity metrics with marketing experience for over 13 years and accumulation of over 100M+ overall impressions. Over the past several years I have dedicated time to teaching professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to learn how to optimize and maximize their LinkedIn results and teach a Linkedin Training 2.0: https://bit.ly/2RwZtYw   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

“Seeing is believing y’all. So you have to see what it is you want in order to believe it.”  - Erin Diehl Failed it! Fam, you were absolutely meant to hit play on today’s episode. What is one thing you want to cultivate, manifest, and bring into existence in your life? Listen in as Erin takes us through her five step plan on how to get what you want! In today’s episode, Erin talks to us about: The 5 step process to ask for what you want - TODAY Changing your perspective to seeing is believing How to use failure improvisation   Links from show discussions: Vision Setting Episodes Episode 34 Episode 36 Episode 38 The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron Asana Book a Virtual Workshop with improve it!   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

“It’s one of those moments where it was like, we did very little, but also like that’s the impact you have is that you make a space for someone else to exist.” - Betsy McCann Failed it! Fam, happy pride month! On today’s episode we have Pack at Embroker’s Vice President of People Operations with us, Betsy McCann! Listen in as she tells us how she helps her peers create a better and safer workplace for individuals at work, and the importance of celebrating and accepting the LGBTQ+ community as the workplace shifts and evolves. In today’s episode, Betsy talks to us about: Disrupting HR + transgender employees Inclusivity and how to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities at work Workplace evolution A Disney reference that will blow your mind   Links from show discussions: How to Talk to your Trans Employees Book a Virtual Workshop with improve it!   About the Guest: Dr. Betsy McCann (she/her) is an enthusiastic optimist birthed in the tender fires of the Midwest. Growing up as a queer kid on a farm in a small town, she learned a lot about loving nature, raising pigs, and the necessity of authentically loving yourself. Currently residing in Salt Lake City’s mountain paradise, Betsy enjoys hiking, bicycles, and ice cream. On her journey she has been a speech coach, taught pit composting in Guatemala, and has used her time in the pandemic to fall more in love. Currently, she spends her days with the Pack at Embroker as Vice President of People Operations where she fails every day and is thrilled to be creating magic while building the future of Insurtech.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

Failed it! Fam – Why so serious? On today’s minisode, our very own improve it! Facilitator, E.J. Cameron, is here to talk to us about why creating a connection with your team through laughter is so important in the work place and beyond!   About the Guest: (Pronouns: He/Him/His) He's lived in Chicago for nine years, where he has graduated from and performed at The Second City, iO and Comedy Sportz. He was a recipient of The Second City Training Center’s Bob Curry Fellowship in 2016 before joining the cast of the e.t.c.’s 43rd revue, Grinning from Fear to Fear and e.t.c.'s 44th revue. Prior to moving to Chicago, E.J. received his BFA in Acting at Columbus State University (not Ohio!) and performed with multiple troupes. He is represented by Paonessa Talent and is an avid pro-wrestling fan who loves the color purple. Follow @Ej_Cam19 on Twitter and Eeeezeejeeezus19 on Instagram!   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“Failure is not for the weak at heart. It's not, you have to own your failures in persevere through it because they allow you to grow.” - Lisa Stokes Failed it! Fam, on today’s episode we have a sports and entertainment expert with us, Lisa Stokes! Listen in as she tells us stories of overcoming setbacks in her career, how 2020 was the hardest year of her professional and personal life, and how hardships can lead to some of your greatest gifts. In today’s episode, Lisa talks to us about: A day in the life of a sports business professional When life throws you unexpected hardships Resilience and perseverance   Links from show discussions: F Words at Work with improve it! Instagram & Twitter: @LisaAStokes NeverLoseYourCape.com   About the Guest: Lisa Stokes has been in the sports and entertainment world for over 15 years as a Director of Casting, Talent Booking and Athlete Marketing. With two years in non-profit public relations and 13 years at ESPN, she has extensive experience within all areas of television and film talent procurement, celebrity and athlete booking, as well as influencer castings. Through her career, Lisa has built a large team and managed many areas of the sports business world. Lisa works with agents, PR firms, publicists, production companies and movie studio clients on a regular basis. You can see her work in commercials for Sony Pictures, Netflix, Land Rover, Universal Pictures, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Kellogg and other major national companies and brands (campaigns can be seen in the “My Portfolio” tab). Negotiating and executing all talent contracts and strategies is also one of her seasoned skills. Lisa also was the casting director and booker for ESPN’s high acclaimed annual espnW Women + Sports Summit. In Lisa’s previous roles, she ran the talent content booking department for seven years, securing guests for all ESPN television shows. This also included visitors to ESPN who go through the “Bristol Car Wash,” the somewhat tongue-in-cheek term for the often-hectic schedule sports and entertainment celebrities undertake in appearing all over ESPN family of digital, social and linear networks. Lisa also worked for the Women’s Sports Foundation in public relations, managing logistics of events such as press conferences, satellite media tours and professional and Olympic athlete appearances. She also wrote stories for and edited publications, was a ghost writer for the CEO, president and founder, and worked with the media on increasing the foundation’s profile.Lisa graduated summa cum laude from Georgetown University with a graduate degree in Sports Business Management and Boston’s Suffolk University with a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism.  Lisa is also graduate school professor at NYU and Georgetown University. The former college hooper also coached basketball at every level for 15 years. She resides in the Boston area with her husband and three young children.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

“I wasn't responsible for my blindness, but I had to be accountable for my life and its outcomes. It's my life. I have to own it. It's your life. You have to own it.” - Chad Foster   Failed it! Fam, on today’s episode we have inspirational speaker, Chad Foster with us! He truly took lemons and made lemonade with the visual impairment he acquired in college. With his blindness, he has done so much more than thought possible – a Harvard Business School Leadership Program graduate who climbed the corporate ladder and only wants to share his story so people don’t have to go through what he’s gone through to learn what he’s learned. Please give a warm welcome to Chad Foster! In today’s episode, Chad talks to us about: Living life blind Overcoming challenges through resilience “Ambitionitis” #SargeTheGuideDog   Links from show discussions: Book an improve it! Virtual Workshop https://chadefoster.com/ https://www.facebook.com/FindChadEFoster https://www.instagram.com/FindChadEFoster https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadfoster https://twitter.com/ChadEFoster Blind Ambition Book   About the Guest: Chad Foster is a husband, a father, and an avid snow skier who is not just competing with his condition, he is competing with the world's most successful people. Chad believes he is not successful in spite of being blind, but rather he is successful because he is blind. He embraced his problem and turned it in to a solution. Can you imagine going blind as a teenager? When most people were preparing for the adventure of adult life, Chad Foster was watching the world he grew up in fade to black, but that didn't stop him from becoming the first blind person to graduate from the Harvard Business School Leadership Program and climbing the corporate ladder as a successful sales executive throughout his career. His financial strategies and decisions have resulted in the creation of countless jobs. Billions of dollars in revenue industry leading growth and best in class margins. He works at Red Hat, one of the most innovative tech companies and the world's largest open source software company, which was recently purchased by IBM for 34 billion. With determination, ambition and drive, he created what Oracle said would be impossible. He gave millions of people the ability to earn a living by becoming the first to create customer relationship software for the visually impaired. While with speaking invites from London to Beijing and the Atlanta Opera commissioning an opera inspired by his life story, Chad inspires people to overcome their own blind spots.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

“Celebrating is so good for the soul. Celebrating the fails reminds everyone that they're human, that they're trying, and that they can come up with solutions to make the place they work, a place that they want to come to for years to come.” - Erin Diehl Do you lead a team at work and are prepping to go hybrid? In this episode, Erin reflects back from when the pandemic started to now and how much change we’ve endured. Listen in as she provides tips on how to lead rock star remote or hybrid teams! In today’s episode, Erin talks to us about: improve it!’s evolution Helpful tips for leaders during this time The importance of celebrating wins and losses   Links from show discussions: Book an Improve it! Laugh Break Minisode 1: How to Throw a Failure Party   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

Failed it! Fam – Are you confident in your career? On today’s minisode, our improve it! Director of Talent, Cristy Mercier, is here to talk to us about owning your confidence at work and how it can benefit you both professionally and personally.   About the Guest: Empirical evidence has shown that improvisational training has the ability to improve an employee’s trust, teamwork, communication, presentation skills, creative problem solving, and can improve a company’s overall corporate culture. No one knows that better than Cristy Mercier, she’s studied and performed this amazing art form at many institutions, some of which are The Second City, the iO Training Center, the Annoyance, and Comedy Sportz . As the Director of Talent for improve it!, Cristy has conducted workshops across the country, leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees’ skills in corporate settings, facilitating sessions for clients such as Exelon, Motorola Solutions, Groupon, Elkay Manufacturing, Accenture, The PrivateBank, Quicken Loans, Milhouse Engineering, Crowe Horwath, and many more.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

“Start right now. Don't wait for anything to happen. Don't wait for the next car, the next house, the next relationship. Don't wait for something else to happen for you to start pursuing your dreams, to take one step towards your dreams.” - Sara Safari   Failed it! Fam, today we have an inspirational and passionate woman who converted sadness and darkness into a powerful, positive experience to help raise awareness, donate, and fight a cause that’s so important. Please give a warm welcome to Dr. Sara Safari! In today’s episode, Dr. Safari talks to us about: Outfluencer v. Influencer Not letting fears make decisions Women empowerment   Links from show discussions: Improve it! Five Day Challenge - scroll to the bottom and enter your email! http://www.sarasafari.com/ Climb Your Everest | Sara Safari | TEDxIHEParis Sara’s Instagram http://sarasafari.com/iwanttoclimbmyEverest/ Would you like to join Sara to the entire trip to Nepal?! Contact her at [email protected]!   About the Guest: Dr. Sara Safari is an author, speaker, mountain climber, college professor, Electrical Engineer and advocate for women empowerment. She has received the award for The Global Citizen from United Nations Association in 2015. She is a board member and director of development in Empower Nepali Girls foundation. She also has received the award for Outstanding Practice with Broad Impact in the area of women and leadership from International Leadership Association in 2017. Sara will be the first Iranian in history to climb the Seven Summits, the seven highest peaks in each continent. She is climbing to raise funds for seven organizations who are empowering women.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

“Matrescence is a very big deal and it changes you forever, personally and professionally, so any support that I can give to those women, I want to continue doing that.” - Christine Michel Carter  Failed it! Fam, today we have a parent, teacher, entrepreneur, speaker, author, and multi-passionate person. Please give a warm welcome to Christine Michel Carter!   In today’s episode, Christine talks to us about: Being a working mom A balanced, fluid workforce Advocating for others   Links from show discussions: Celebs on Sandwiches Improve it! F Words at Work Mom AF Book Christine’s Facebook Christine’s Website Twitter and Instagram: @cmichelcarter   About the Guest: Best-selling author Christine Michel Carter is the #1 global voice for working moms. Her writing has reached parents and working families in more than 150 countries. At home she’s Mommy to Maya and West, the two cutest damn kids on the planet. Featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post, Christine contributes to ForbesWomen as a senior contributor. She has written hundreds of articles with over one million views for several publications, including TIME and Parents. Christine’s insights have been included by other authors in their books. Her own best-selling children’s book Can Mommy Go To Work? was ranked as an “empowering book” and a “life changing book to guide feminist parenting.” Her book MOM AF is a sister circle in a book, inspired both by Carter’s life and her published articles. Christine clarifies misconceptions about working mom consumers and multicultural consumers for brands and serves as an amplifier of their personal truths. From delivering consumer insights and brand marketing content to helping HR and diversity teams attract and retain these hardworking professionals, Christine works with advertising agencies, research firms and companies to ensure they’re at the forefront of the minds of female consumers. Christine also works to advance policies on a range of health issues that affect women and families. She does this particularly through collaborations with other organizations focused on eliminating racial disparities in maternal health, addressing the social determinants of health, and a range of women’s health policy issues. Christine has worked with the Congressional Caucus on Black Women & Girls, the Fam Tech Founders Collaborative, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on maternal and child care related issues. She has also received a Congressional Citation from the U.S. Senate for going “above and beyond in ensuring that Black Moms and Moms of Color have access to important health information for their children and families.” In addition to interviewing former Senator and the first female Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris, Christine has also worked on her maternal initiatives. Christine is the founder of Mompreneur and Me, the nation’s first free mommy and me professional development event. Christine’s co-hosted conference, The State Of Black Mothers In America, is the largest global conference for Black mothers. As an executive committee member of Mom Congress, Christine wants Black mothers around the world to stop suffering in silence.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

Failed it! Fam – Are you currently feeling defeated as a leader? You’re in luck, because on today’s minisode we have our improve it! Lead Facilitator, Catharine Savag on to talk through tips and tricks on how to change your mindset through improv.   About the Guest: Originally from Massachusetts, Catharine Savage is a graduate from Brown University with a degree in History and Gender Studies. She has trained at iO and The Second City and is a performer with The Second City's National Touring Company. Off the stage, she has five years of corporate experience, having worked in sales enablement and management/technology consulting. She loves bringing levity to the office and finding ways we can be better people at our jobs. Catharine has conducted workshops with improve it! across the country leveraging improvisational techniques to improve employees’ soft skills in corporate settings, facilitating sessions for clients such as HUB International, Quicken Loans, Embarc Chicago, Vantage Leadership Consulting, Motorola Solutions, Elkay Manufacturing, PepsiCo, and many more.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award.   This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl.   You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

“The fact we wear so many hats and still manage to get so many things accomplished should allow anyone to feel more confident about themselves.” - Erin Diehl Failed it! Fam, first and foremost, Happy (early) Mother’s Day to you or your loved ones. We’re dedicating this episode to all the mothers, those who have mothers, or the special individuals in your life who act like a mother. On today’s episode, our host, Erin Diehl, is sharing the importance of achievable parenting skills you can incorporate anywhere. Listen in as Erin talks to us about "soft skills” parenting in a pandemic.   Links from show discussions: Improve it!’s Virtual Trainings Episode 49 - Failures in Fertility: Why our Fertility Stories Matter Episode 51 - Leaders, It's Time to Talk About Infertility: with Dr. Angie Beltsos of Vios Fertility   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

“We have an opportunity on social media to empower and educate and to really just kind of loosen it up a little bit so people can hear some of the opportunities to become parents.” - Dr. Angie Beltsos   Failed it! Fam, we have an incredible, selfless guest who helps bring humans into the world. Literally. She recognizes the power of social media to help educate and normalize infertility. Please give a warm welcome to Dr. Angie Beltsos!   In today’s episode, Dr. Beltsos talks to us about: How she educates and normalizes infertility on social media Three forces to take leadership to a new dimension in culture The importance of creating safe spaces internally and externally How to share your “gifts” with the world     Links from show discussions: Episode 49 Improve it! Laugh Break Conscious Leadership Book Beltsos’ Website Beltsos’ Instagram Beltsos’ TikTok Vios Fertility Instagram Vios Fertility Facebook Vios Fertility YouTube   About the Guest: Angeline N. Beltsos, MD is the CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Vios Fertility Institute. She is double board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI). Dr. Beltsos completed medical school at Michigan State University. Shen then went on to do her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Loyola University in 1995 followed by a fellowship in REI at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, completed in 1997. Dr. Beltsos is also part of the Clinical Research team at Vios and participates in a number of research projects and scientific publications. She has received numerous awards in teaching and has been honored as “Top Doctor” from Castle Connelly for several years. She is a popular speaker, both nationally and internationally, and a frequent media resource on the topic of infertility. Dr. Beltsos is the executive chairperson for the Midwest Reproductive Symposium International, an international conference of fertility experts. She helps educate future OB/GYN doctors as the previous REI Division Education Director for the Obstetrics and Gynecology residency programs of Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Lutheran General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital Chicago, and Mercy Chicago. She is also a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Illinois at Chicago. She continues to mentor REI doctors as well as students of all stages of education.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

Failed it! Fam – Have you ever thrown your team a failure party? What is a failure party? Why should you throw one? Welcome to our first of many minisodes on the failed it! podcast. Today we have our Podcast Manager, Rachel Oliveros, on to talk through the importance of these fabulous failure parties, as well as what to expect from these mini episodes moving forward. Welcome to failed it! (minisodes).   About the Guest: Rachel Oliveros is a Loyola University Chicago alumni where she majored in Marketing and studied abroad in Rome. Rachel has had a history with improve it! prior to working on the podcast, starting as an intern to a Client Services Associate. And now, as the Podcast Manager of failed it!, she works closely with Erin to do all things podcast and help listeners understand that you must fail in order to improve. On top of being creative with show graphics and communicating with inspiring podcast guests, she also enjoys working in Digital Advertising Sales with ViacomCBS. Reach out to her if you're interested in being a guest on The failed it! Podcast!   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

“We have to embrace all of who we are, the mistakes, the good part, the bad part. I mean, it is who we are. I think there's some valuable lesson. There is some source of inspiration that can help another person.” - Dionna Griffin Failed it! Fam, we have an amazing guest who is such a light in the improv world. Get ready to hear the crazy journey that Dionna Griffin went through as she strived to overcome failure by embracing her true self. In today’s episode, Dionna talks to us about: How fearing a huge pivot in her life was exactly what she needed How a stint in jail changed her life The importance of sharing failures   Links from show discussions: Improve it!’s Laugh Break Dionna Griffin’s Website Dionna Griffin’s Instagram   About the Guest: Dionna Griffin-Irons is a writer, comedy producer, and the longtime former Director of Talent Diversity and Inclusion for The Second City U.S. and Canada.  She’s delighted to share her story on the "You Failed It" podcast. For two decades, she's used her inclusion and belonging strategy "finding your truth voice" in boardrooms, prisons, shelters, classroom spaces, and stages, to create personal transformation around leadership, empathy, and resilience. As an instructor and consultant, Griffin-Irons has facilitated 200+ workshops to corporations, organizations, and students around the globe including Embassy Norway and Latvia, using improvisation as a creative tool for social change. Her work has been featured on ABC, NBC, American Theatre Magazine, Diversity Journal, and with University of Chicago's TEDx, The Incredible Unknown.   Griffin-Irons teaches at DePaul University in the Computer Digital Media program, core faculty with Story Studio Chicago, Chicago Dramatists, and The Second City Film School nurturing the next wave of storytellers. Her signature class "Telling Your Truth" has helped students and professionals who fear the writing process, go from one page to 15 pages in a month. #slaytheegoandwrite   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

  “We all carry the weight of overwhelmed differently, friend. You are not failing. You will persevere.” - Erin Diehl Today, we’re getting personal. This podcast serves as a safe space for many to be their truest, most vulnerable self and we hope you feel a little less alone and a little more understood after listening. On today’s episode, our host, Erin Diehl, is sharing her infertility story. While it’s a topic not many talk about, we hope you leave this episode knowing you’re not alone and that your voice, indeed, does matter! In today’s episode, Erin talks to us about her infertility journey through: The Past The Present The Future     Links from show discussions: Improve it!’s Zoom Fatigue Mini-Course   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

“We go through our professional lives and we don't know what people are carrying with them each day.” - Kathryn Janicek Failed it! Fam, do you get the feeling that you’re failing at everything recently? Or that you don’t feel present at home or work? You’re not alone. On today’s episode, we’re excited to introduce you to Kathryn Janicek. Listen in as she talks through her vulnerable experience during the pandemic on being a founder, entrepreneur and mother all at the same time, and how she’s successfully getting through it one day at a time. Get ready to hear some important bits of information in this inspirational episode! In today’s episode, Kathryn talks to us about: Building a business while going through IVF Feeling guilt personally and professionally during the pandemic Harnessing the power of listening What being a media trainer looks like Why Zoom Fatigue is real and what you can do to combat it Links from show discussions: Kathryn’s Website: kathrynjanicek.com Kathryn’s Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kathrynjanicek Kathryn’s IG: instagram.com/kathrynjanicek Improve it!’s Zoom Fatigue Mini-Course About the Guest: Kathryn Janicek helps you build the life you want to live. Through high-level media and public speaking training, she helps you: grow your business, make more money, attract more clients/fans/patients, move up in your career, increase your brand equity, be more confident and have a more fulfilling life by sharing your message. Kathryn is a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist. Her 25+ years experience as a media exec and spokesperson helps her clients find the confidence to say “yes” to more speaking and media opportunities and make sure their messages reach their audience. She trains teams and individuals on everything needed to perform the best on stage, in the media, in videos and in any interview situation. This includes: verbal communication, body language, messaging, breathing to perform stronger, wardrobe, makeup, hair, the mindset of how to become a great speaker, confidence and how to stand out. Clients include: Fortune 500 CEOs and Executives Healthcare Executives American Dental Association College of American Pathologists American Society of Plastic Surgeons Uber Zurich Chicago Bulls Hedge Funds Financial Firms Law Firms   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“Our brains only work best when we're cared for all around” - Aubrey Blanche   Failed it! Fam, we’re excited to introduce to you Aubrey Blanche. More love, less hate, more universal connection. We all want to live in a world that Aubrey can help cultivate. Get ready to hear some important bits of information in this inspirational episode! In today’s episode, Aubrey talks to us about: DEI & the “cookie metaphor” (you have to listen in to this one!) How the limits of America’s obsession with productivity is the anti-caring for the human organism DEI work: take rest, don’t quit   Links from show discussions: Stephen Colbert & Anderson Cooper Interview - Grief Check out improve it!’s Zoombie Toolkit Launching 3/29 for 2 weeks – stay tuned on learntoimproveit.com The Memo by Minda Harts book Aubrey’s 2019 Best Reads Diversity Rankings Article Aubrey’s Website URL Twitter: http://twitter.com/adblanche Medium: http://medium.com/@adblanche Linkedin: http://us.linkedin.com/in/adblanche   About the Guest: Aubrey Blanche is The Mathpath (Math Nerd + Empath), Director of Equitable Design & Impact at Culture Amp, and a startup investor, and advisor. She questions, reimagines, and redesigns the systems that surround us to ensure that all people access equitable opportunities. Her expertise covers talent programs and accessible product development to event design and communications. She is the inventor of the balanced teams approach and a culture of belonging, and the Balanced Teams Diversity Assessment in the Atlassian Team Playbook. She open sources these methods and releases thought leadership and tools to create positive change at aubreyblanche.com.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

“Remember that when they [your employees] feel heard, productivity rises and when productivity rises, not only does the organization, but so does the individual.” - Erin Diehl   Are you in an entry-level position at your dream company? Or are you a leader who needs guidance on investing in your employees? Failed it! Fam, grab your notebooks, because Erin is going to walk you through why investing in professional development matters, especially in today’s remote world. In today’s episode, Erin talks to us about: Her own personal realization of why professional development matters   Why feeling heard and “seen” within your organization leads to higher productivity, which leads to organizational and personal growth     Ways you can incorporate professional development in your life   Links from show discussions: Liz and Molly Instagram Graphic Check out improve it!’s Zoombie Toolkit Launching 3/29 for 2 weeks – stay tuned on www.learntoimproveit.com   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“So just be self aware if you love what you're doing within a corporate setting and figure out how you can be the best that you can be in serve in the best way and develop your skills and talents, to be able to take this company to the next level, the next level, the next level.” - Myles Berrio   What challenges or setbacks have you gone through to get to where you are today? What helped you get through them? Failed it! Fam, grab your notebooks, and give a warm welcome to the most selfless, and inspiring light - Myles Berrio. He is here to guide us through lessons on servant leadership, personal development and developing a mindset that helps you no matter what circumstances life throws your way. Myles is a published author, renowned photographer, and real estate investor who has endured many new setbacks as a new amputee from a drunk driving head on collision. Listen in as he shares his own experience of how failure is part of the process. Today’s episode will shine light on one incredible thing we all possess – our mindset. He inspires us to think if we can truly shift it to a positive place, how we will use our mentality to lead and serve others. In today’s episode, Myles talks to us about: The physical and emotional scars from his drunk driving collision and how he has preserved through   Failure, and why preparing to fail is a game changer   The importance of your mindset when it comes to overcoming failures and set backs   Links from show discussions:   Books/Audio by Tony Robbins, Jim Roan, John C. Maxwell, Darren Hardy, Les Brown Follow Erin Diehl (@keepinitrealdieh) and improve it! (@learntoimproveit) On Instagram Text Myles at 706-814-2821 if you’d like to chat with him   About the Guest: Myles Berrio is a published author, renowned photographer and real estate investor. Having started his entrepreneurial journey in college to escape from working 3 jobs as a full-time student, Myles has learned the art of, “It’s not about what happens to you but what you do with what has happens to you.” Having been the personal photographer for celebrities, the official photographer for commercial brands like UberEATS and Netflix, traveling the globe to countries like Belize, Malaysia, Singapore, Canada and many more, generating $100,000 in 6 months investing in real estate during the COVID pandemic, Myles continues to endure through failures and setbacks as a new amputee from a drunk driving head on collision. Myles is a father, a husband, mentor and more importantly a friend that encourages and empowers.   About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre.   When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!  

“Because of the women who have come before us, we have the power to lead and lead with conviction. We have the power to invest and hire women because as you can see – women are not only diverse problem solves, but we boost employee engagement, and prioritize social corporate responsibility.” - Erin Diehl   Happy March, failed it! Fam! This is very important month, Women’s History Month, and we are highlighting it in this episode! Erin speaks to her own experience as a woman, founder, leader, and entrepreneur. So grab your notebooks, and listen to why investing in women in your organization is extremely in today’s digital world.     In today’s episode, Erin talks to us about:   Women’s History Month and why it’s important to celebrate in a corporate setting   Statistics on female leadership to date   Three reasons why you should invest in female leaders     Links from show discussions:   Follow Rachel Cargle’s Instagram Account J’ai Brown’s Episode #11 Improve It Daily 5 Challenge     About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre.   When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl.   You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“Success does not come without hardship.” - Ravyn Miller   Where are you in your career journey? Does imposter syndrome stop you from being your best professional self? Does showing up authentically in your career scare you out of your (most comfortable) work from home pants?   If so, today’s episode is going to hit home. Failed it! Fam, grab your notebooks, and give a warm welcome to the most selfless, and authentic gal we’ve seen on LinkedIn, Ravyn Miller. She is a Senior Marketing Director at Medtronic with an impressive and unique background that spans from the boardroom to the pulpit. Listen in as she shares her own realization of how failing is part of the process, authenticity is her super power, and how you can lean into both. You’ll leave wanting to become a truer, more real version of YOU.   In today’s episode, Ravyn talks to us about:   How success is not linear   Why failing is a part of success, and why sharing those fails matters   The importance of being real and humble in your career journey   How failure drives innovation   Links from show discussions:   F Words at Work with improve it! Follow Ravyn on LinkedIn Listen to Ravyn preach on YouTube     About the guest: As the Sr. Marketing Director for Medtronic’s High Power Global Growth team, Ravyn Miller is responsible for creating and executing strategies that accelerate access for patients appropriate for CRT and ICD indications. Upon graduating with a dual Master’s in Business and Divinity from Vanderbilt University, she joined the company through their Leadership Development Rotation Program (LDRP). In her previous roles at Medtronic, Ravyn worked as the Commercial Marketing Director for Venous, led a cardiac and vascular group wide market development effort focused on reducing cardiac health care disparities for women and people of color, worked as a Health Policy Fellow in DC and was the National Implementation Leader for the Cardiac and Vascular Group (CVG) Strategic Solutions Organization.   During her tenure at Medtronic, she has earned several company recognitions, such as the Marketing Excellence Award, the Champion of Change and the Star of Excellence. In 2107, she was recognized by Diversity Inc. as one of the Top 100 Emerging Leaders Under 50 and in 2019, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal named her as a Women in Business Honoree, which annually recognizes 50 of the region’s most influential women in business and community. Prior to Medtronic, Ravyn was a Sales Representative with Johnson and Johnson DePuy in Houston, TX and Nashville, TN.   A selfless leader, Ravyn seeks opportunities to advocate on behalf of other people. As a member of Medtronic’s African Descent Network (ADN) Leadership Team, she helps shape strategies aimed at creating a diverse and inclusive work environment for all employees. She also serves as an advisory for the company’s Campus Leads for Vanderbilt University’s Owen School of Management. Outside of work, Ravyn serves on the Board of Directors for Be the Match and sits on the Advisory Board of the following organizations: Odonata Health, National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF), the University of Minnesota’s Venture Center Business Advisory Group and the Minnesota Orchestra’s Young People’s Symphony Concert Association. She is also a former member of the State of MN’s Health Equity Board.   Ravyn is an ordained minister, a sought after speaker on topics ranging from leadership to health equity and proudly embraces her self-proclamation of being a “brunch enthusiast.”     About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre.   When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl.   You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram here. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“The biggest lessons came from those moments when I failed.” - Rich Robles   Do you think about how you make other people feel? What if you were to focus on just that – how other people feel in your presence?   Failed it! Fam, grab your notebooks, and give a warm welcome to family man and hope dealer, Rich Robles. Rich is a D&I leader at Novant Health, with an impressive background in diversity and inclusion and learning and development. Listen in as he shares his own failure journey through the lens of his professional and personal life. You leave feeling empowered, inspired and in awe of this mans’ journey!   In today’s episode, Rich tells us all about:   The importance of connecting with your clients at a human level   Exercising empathy as a leader   Giving yourself a break for your own mental health and for your family   Embracing who you really are   Links from show discussions:   Improve it! Online Workshops Connect and engage with Rich on LinkedIn     About the guest: Rich is a senior director of diversity and inclusion at Novant Health.  In his role, Rich leads strategies and work that create a culture where people feel included, engaged and have a sense of belonging while achieving Novant Health’s goals.   Rich’s background includes both consulting and internal roles in the areas of organizational development, culture transformation, merger integration, and change management. He has led work for companies such as Motorola, PepsiAmericas, McDonald’s, Schering-Plough, Chicago Tribune Company, The Spiegel Group, and Exelon.  Rich worked at Bank of America where he held roles responsible for organizational design, culture change, and team effectiveness.  Prior to Novant Health, he was a senior consultant at The Center for Intentional Leadership where he helped clients create high-performing teams and cultures.   Rich received an M.A. degree With Honors in Industrial & Organizational Psychology from Roosevelt University and a B.A. degree in Psychology from Huntington University.   Rich is committed to the Hispanic community in Charlotte, and he has recently been appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hispanic/Latino Affairs. Additionally, Rich is a board member of Urban Promise and The Latin American Chamber of Commerce Charlotte.   Rich grew up in Guatemala City where he attended a military school before moving to the U.S. He resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife and four daughters. In his rare moments of spare time, he enjoys anything related to his favorite soccer team, FC Barcelona, traveling to other countries, and summers at the beach with his family.     About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre.   When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl.   You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram here. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“Anxiety sucks period. And it’s sometimes an invisible disease because no one can see the thoughts in our mind. We can. We control what we put in, so that what we put out is our truest potential.” - Erin Diehl   Do you consider yourself a perfectionist or people pleaser? Perhaps you have a bad case of imposter syndrome or suffer from social anxiety? If so, this episode is perfect for you, and know you are not alone. Today, Erin shares her experience with anxiety and how she has successfully kicked it to the curb. In today’s episode we will discuss: Naming and identifying your anxiety Erin’s five proven tips to help you overcome your anxiety Mindset shifts that reframe your way of thinking   Links from show discussion:   Sign up for the improve it! 5 Day Challenge (scroll to the bottom to put in info) Episode 15: My Failure Resume Breethe App Holy Basil Leaf   Failed it! Fam: If you liked today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to rate us and give us a review. Your review helps us share the #fails of the world, so we can all learn from these “gifts.” Week by week, we unwrap the stories of fails’ past and present, and we’ve got a lot more “giving” to do! Your support means the world.     About Erin Diehl:   Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award.   This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre.   When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl.   You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“If you're feeling frustrated or stuck or feel like you keep hitting walls on your projects, your initiatives, your ventures, you're always just that one more time away from having that incredible breakthrough and doubling down on what it is you were meant to contribute to your organization or to the world.” -Erin King   Are you stuck on team wait (aka waiting for the pandemic to be over) or are you using this time to innovate and bring forth new opportunities in this digital age?   Interesting concept, right?!   Failed it! Fam, grab your notebooks, and give a warm welcome to Erin King, Founder of Socialite Agency, Amazon Best-Selling Author and International Keynote Speaker to the show- as she shares insights that you didn’t know you needed until now!   In today’s episode, Erin tells us all about:   Team Wait v. Team Create   How your low light reel > highlight reel   How to delegate responsibilities to give you more time to focus on other priorities   How to embrace your superpowers   Links from show discussions:   Erin King’s Instagram Erin King’s Facebook Erin King’s LinkedIn Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Digital Persuasion Book by Erin King Limitless book by Laura Gassner Otting Erin Kings Book is out – June 1st Connect and follow us on Instagram - Erin & improve it! handles     About the guest: Erin King has helped clients from The Academy Awards to the United States Navy show up more powerfully from behind the screen using her award-winning “PUB” method.   She is the Amazon best-selling author of “Digital Persuasion” and started her first two companies--Jump Digital Media and PMS.com-before the age of 30.  She is the Founder of Socialite Agency, a social media firm which was featured in Forbes. Socialite’s clients include ABC/Disney, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, VISA, Siemens, Hitachi, Mutual of Omaha, Johnson & Johnson and dozens of others.  Her podcast, Highlights with Erin King, discusses big ideas from the best nonfiction authors in the world. Erin competed in the World Irish Dancing Championships and played NCAA Division 1 lacrosse but NOTHING has toughened up today’s communication expert like navigating the world of being a brand-new dog mom to a ten pound cavapoo named Stevie Nicks. Off-duty Erin is hiking/biking/surfing/snowboarding in either Laguna Beach or Jackson Hole with her fancy redneck husband Hartman. You might also find her hiding from all of the above behind the covers of a nice, good book.     About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre.   When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl.   You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram here. We can’t wait to connect with you online!