This week's guest is Jennifer Fitzpatrick, CSP, who discusses the importance of recognizing and accommodating introverts in healthcare settings. Her company works with healthcare and senior living organizations to improve patient and family caregiver experiences, recruitment, and retention

Take Breaks and Be Flexible

• The impact of burnout, particularly post-COVID, and the necessity for healthcare leaders to provide breaks to retain employees.

• Some in hospitals mention resorting to going to their cars or chapels for privacy, highlighting the lack of suitable break spaces in healthcare settings.

• Examples of positive changes include allowing mental health days and communicating clear role expectations.

• Healthcare leaders need to permit breaks to prevent burnout and improve overall performance.

• The importance of flexible work schedules and other accommodations to improve employee satisfaction and retention.

Patients and Providers are Teams

• The importance of patient advocacy suggests that patients complete reviews and politely request accommodations to enhance their healthcare experiences.

• Healthcare must be more open to disruption and change, emphasizing that treating employees well leads to better patient care and fewer complaints.

• Encourage patients to think of themselves as part of a team with their healthcare providers, working together for the best possible outcomes.

• Don’t make assumptions about people's introversion or extroversion; ask directly to understand their needs.

About the Guest:

Jennifer L. FitzPatrick, MSW, LCSW-C, CSP, is a respected speaker, consultant, and author with deep expertise in caregiving, aging, and healthcare education. She is the founder of Jenerations Health Education, Inc., and one of fewer than 800 professionals worldwide to hold the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation. A former gerontology instructor at Johns Hopkins University, Jennifer brings a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world experience to her work.

She is the author of two impactful books—Reimagining Customer Service in Healthcare and Cruising Through Caregiving: Reducing the Stress of Caring for Your Loved One. Jennifer’s insights have been featured on ABC, CBS, SiriusXM, and in major outlets like Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Redbook, and Fast Company.

In addition to speaking and writing, she serves on several prominent boards, including Seth and Lauren Rogen’s nonprofit Hilarity for Charity (HFC), Salisbury University’s School of Health & Human Services, and Lifespan’s Beacon Institute.

In this week’s episode, Jennifer Kahnweiler speaks with renowned business relationships strategist Andy Lopata about the intersection of networking, mentoring, and introversion. Together, they explore how introverts can harness their natural strengths—like listening and thoughtful reflection—to build powerful professional relationships.

Andy shares his journey into business networking, which began with a family business and evolved into a global platform for relationship-building and mentoring. Drawing from his newest book, The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring, co-authored with Ruth Gotian, Andy offers insights on developing strategic mentoring relationships and how introverts can thrive in these settings.

The episode also touches on the role of authenticity in social media, the use of AI in professional development, and actionable tips for introverts looking to build meaningful networks.

• Andy's personal and professional journey in networking
  
  

• Strategic mentoring: principles and practical guidance
  
  

• The strengths introverts bring to networking and relationship-building
  
  

• Andy’s 24-7-30 follow-up method for building connections
  
  

• Navigating authenticity and consistency on LinkedIn
  
  

• Using AI for productivity and communication
  
  

• Finding your voice online—without obsessing over engagement metrics
  
  

Andy’s Book: The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring co-authored with Dr. Ruth Gotian

→ A practical guide for building and sustaining mentoring relationships with intention and impact.

Andy interviewing Jennifer on his podcast,

• Andy Lopata’s website: https://lopata.co.uk/
  
  

• 7 Reasons Not To Accept LinkedIn Connection Requests From Strangers

Connect with Andy on LinkedIn

“Introverts often make the best networkers—not by working the room, but by listening, engaging deeply, and following up with intention.” – Andy Lopata

For nearly 25 years, Andy Lopata, a self-defined Ambivert, has specialized in professional relationships and networking. The Financial Times called him ‘one of Europe’s leading business networking strategists,’ and the Independent and Forbes.com called him a true master of networking.

A very experienced international speaker and podcast host, Andy is the author of five books, has been quoted in a number of other business books, and is regularly quoted in the international press. Andy’s sixth book, ‘The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring’, will be published in spring 2024.

Andy is a former President of the Fellows Community, a two-time Board Member of the Professional Speaking Association UK & Ireland (PSA), and a Fellow of the Learning and Performance Institute and a Member of the Meetings Industry Association and Association of Business Mentors. He is also among just 32 recipients of the PSA’s top honour, the ‘Award of Excellence’.

This episode delves into the theme of overcoming loneliness with guest Pierre Lehu, who shares insights from his new book called The Joy of Connections co-authored with the late Dr. Ruth Westheimer (Dr. Ruth) and Allison Gilbert. The conversation touches on Pierre's personal experiences with loss, Dr. Ruth's impactful career, and practical advice. 'The Joy of Connections: 100 Ways to Beat Loneliness and Live a Happier, More Meaningful Life.'

In this heartfelt episode of Introvert Ally, Jennifer speaks with Pierre Lehu, longtime collaborator and co-author with the legendary Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Known worldwide for her candid conversations about sex, Dr. Ruth last campaign was to serve as a powerful advocate against loneliness. Pierre shares stories of their decades-long partnership, her surprising path to television fame, and her deeply personal experiences as an orphan of the Holocaust.

Listeners get an intimate glimpse into the making of their latest book on loneliness, including Dr. Ruth’s final contributions and enduring message: “Look in the mirror and admit that you’re lonely.” Together, Jennifer and Pierre explore how Dr. Ruth’s extroverted nature helped her overcome grief and isolation, and how small, everyday interactions can reduce loneliness across all ages and personality types. Introverts can take lessons from the practical suggestions he shares.

• The Origins of a Sex Talk Pioneer: How a publicity mix-up led to Dr. Ruth landing her own radio show—and a cultural shift.

• A Life Rooted in Loss: Dr. Ruth was an orphan of the Holocaust, and she built her chosen family through deep, lasting connections.

• A Legacy of Connection: From frequent phone calls to global media appearances, Dr. Ruth’s need for connection fueled a dynamic career.

• Loneliness as a Universal Issue: Why older adults may actually be less lonely than younger people today—and what that teaches us.

• Introverts and Extroverts: Dr. Ruth was no introvert, but her story still resonates with anyone who struggles to step outside themselves.

• Tips from the Book:

  • Sit at the bar instead of a table when dining alone.

  • Join classes or meetups—especially those where you can share your strengths.

  • Face-to-face conversation remains essential, especially in a remote-work world.

“She didn’t grow up a celebrity, so she never tired of people coming up to her—she loved it.” Pierre Lehu
“Loneliness isn’t just for seniors—young people today face even greater challenges in finding meaningful connection.” Pierre Lehu and Dr. Ruth
“Admit you’re lonely. That’s the first step to connection.” – Dr. Ruth

• Reflect on your current connections. Are you lonely? What’s one small action you can take to reach out or join a group?

• Try a new social activity, such as a class, a language meetup, or even sitting at the bar instead of a table.

• Consider the introverts and extroverts in your life—how do their social needs differ, and how can we foster more connection?

Pierre A. Lehu has authored/co-authored 30 published books. Lehu began helping Dr. Ruth Westheimer (Dr. Ruth) write her syndicated column and the first book he co-authored with her was Sex for Dummies. He has done public relations for a long list of entertainers. He is also a photograher and playwright. A widower, he lives in Brooklyn, NY. His latest book, co-authored with Dr Ruth and Allison Gilbert is called the Joy of Connections:100 Ways to Beat Loneliness and Live a Happier, More Meaningful Life.

🎧 Episode Summary

In this episode of Introvert Ally, Jennifer sits down with Carrie Wheeler, a seasoned technology and operations executive and current CEO of Liquid Web. Carrie shares her professional journey from pre-med to business to becoming a key global tech and operations leadership player. With deep insight into what it means to be an introverted leader in a male-dominated industry, Carrie discusses how embracing her personality has contributed to her leadership success.

Listeners will take away powerful lessons on authenticity, emotional intelligence, and how to create space for quieter voices in both in-person and remote workplaces.

🧠 Topics Covered

Career Journey:
From COBOL programmer to corporate translator and ultimately CEO, Carrie reflects on her transition across industries including oil, gas, telecom, and healthcare.

Upbringing & Personality:
Raised in a mixed introvert-extrovert household, Carrie shares how she navigated early freedom as an only child and adapted to workplace expectations.

Evolving Leadership Style:
Carrie discusses her shift from a reserved, stoic leader to one who embraces vulnerability and connection, with encouragement from her mentor Jim Geiger.

Supporting Introverts at Work:
Tips on encouraging introverted team members to speak up, including the strategic use of open-ended questions and gentle facilitation techniques.

Remote Team Engagement:
Strategies like mandatory cameras, huddles, and “hangout roulette” to maintain human connection in a hybrid work model.

Women in Tech & Meritocracy:
Carrie shares the progress she sees for women in operational roles and highlights the critical role of hard work and skill development.

Networking as an Introvert:
Carrie recommends LinkedIn as a low-pressure way for introverts to network and stay visible professionally.

💡 Key Takeaways

Introverted leaders thrive by leaning into their strengths—listening, reflection, and thoughtful communication.

Trust grows through authenticity, humility, and vulnerability.

Leaders must intentionally create room for introverted voices to be heard.

Remote work requires structured, human-focused engagement strategies to succeed.

📌 Resources & Mentions

Carrie Wheeler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-wheeler/

Liquid Web: www.liquidweb.com

Ms. Wheeler is the President of the Liquid Web Family of Brands which include Liquid Web, Nexcess, StellarWP and Modern Tribe.

Carrie is passionate about building products, services and comprehensive solutions for entrepreneurs, designers, developers and digital agencies who are building their business on the web. She brings more than 35 years of experience in high-tech across consulting (Accenture), Telecommunications (MCI, AT&T, Cbeyond) and Cloud Hosting (Liquid Web, CloudOne Digital).

In previous roles, she held leadership positions across a variety of organizational functions, including IT strategy, merger and acquisition planning and execution, customer operations, systems development, quality assurance, program management and capital management, and process definition and development.

Ms. Wheeler holds a Master's in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University and a bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Finance from Trinity University.

Ms. Wheeler is the Chair of the Board of Directors, Michigan Data Center Alliance and was recently recognized as the “10 Most Inspiring Women” 2022 by Outlook Magazine.

Previously, Ms. Wheeler has been recognized as the Georgia CIO of the Year, Enterprise Business; Atlanta Technology Professional of the Year, Finalist and Women in Technology’s Woman of the Year in Technology. Wheeler has also served as Board Chair, Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Education Collaborative and a Member of Georgia CIO Leadership Association.

Title: The Magic of the Stay Interview with Dick Finnegan

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Jennifer welcomes turnover expert Dick Finnegan to share his proven strategies for reducing employee turnover through one powerful tool: the stay interview. As CEO of C-Suite Analytics and author of The Power of Stay Interviews, Dick explains how five simple questions can dramatically improve retention, engagement, and trust between managers and employees.

Dick walks us through his journey from traditional HR to becoming a thought leader in employee retention. He reveals how turnover often hinges more on who manages employees than on where or what they do—and how stay interviews put the power to reduce attrition directly into managers’ hands. Introverted leaders are natural fits to plan and execute these critical discussions.

Listeners will learn why exit interviews come too late, how employee referrals and job previews drive better hiring outcomes, and why engagement surveys fall short of the individualized insight companies really need. In order to prevent introverts from quietly quitting, consider the proven strategies that Dick shared.

Key Topics:

• The five essential questions every manager should ask in a stay interview

• Why accountability for turnover should fall to managers, not HR

• The underestimated cost of losing employees (up to $18,700 per entry-level role!)

• Realistic job previews and referrals as hiring game-changers

• How stay interviews foster connection, especially valuable for introverted employees

Action Items:

• 📘 Explore Dick’s newest book, Targeting Turnover

• 🗣️ Start stay interviews within your team or organization

• 💡 Share turnover cost data with leadership to gain support

• 🤝 Strengthen your employee referral program

Connect with the Guest:
Dick Finnegan – C-Suite Analytics | Author of The Power of Stay Interviews and Targeting Turnover

Guest: Carol Stewart, Founder of Abounding Solutions and Creator of the Quietly Visible Conference
Host: Jennifer Kahnweiler
Duration: ~28 minutes

In this episode, Jennifer talks with Carol Stewart, a leadership coach, author, and advocate for introverted leaders. Carol shares her journey from the UK Ministry of Justice to becoming a globally recognized voice for introverts. Her passion for coaching, combined with academic rigor and lived experience, helped her create impactful spaces—like the Quietly Visible conference—that champion introversion as a leadership strength.

Carol also opens up about the “introvert pay gap,” how introverts can thrive on LinkedIn, and what it takes to be an introvert ally in today's workplace.

• From Redundancy to Reinvention:
  Carol transitioned from a senior government role into coaching after her position was eliminated. She leaned into her strengths and passion for helping others grow, particularly during career transitions.

• Embracing Introversion as a Strength:
  Like many introverts, Carol once resisted the label due to common misconceptions. Through deeper research and reflection, she came to see introversion as a source of power and authenticity.

• The Introvert Pay Gap is Real:
  Carol discusses emerging research showing that extroverts tend to earn more over the course of their careers, in part due to workplace biases.

• Strategies for Allyship in Organizations:
  Allies can:

  • Acknowledge the extrovert ideal bias.

  • Design meetings that allow space for introverts to reflect.

  • Share agendas in advance.

  • Encourage diverse thinking styles.

• LinkedIn for Introverts:
  Carol recommends it as a platform where introverts can:

  • Share thought leadership at their own pace.

  • Build visibility without being in the spotlight.

  • Connect deeply and authentically.

• Social Justice and Personality Inclusion:
  Carol views personality style inclusion—especially for introverts—as a social justice issue. She urges organizations to expand inclusion efforts beyond visible characteristics.

Carol hosts a unique in-person and virtual conference for introverted leaders each September in London. With panels, masterclasses, and even a LinkedIn branding session, it’s a powerful experience for introverted professionals across the globe.

• Follow Carol Stewart on LinkedIn (search: Carol Stewart Abounding Solutions or Carol Stewart Quietly Visible)

• Visit her website: aboundingsolutions.com to sign up for her newsletter and learn about the 2025 Quietly Visible Conference

• Explore Carol’s work on leadership coaching, psychological safety, and inclusion

• Become an introvert ally by:

  • Noticing and addressing bias

  • Encouraging balanced participation in meetings

  • Valuing authenticity over performance

Overview

What does it take to lead confidently when everything feels uncertain? In this episode of Introvert Ally, Jennifer sits down with Kevin Eikenberry—leadership expert, longtime remote work researcher, and Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group—to explore the power of flexibility in today’s rapidly evolving workplace.

Kevin shares insights from his newest book, Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence, and offers a compelling case for why adaptability and contextual awareness are non-negotiable skills for leaders—especially those guiding remote or hybrid teams.

They dig into what introverted professionals need from their managers, how training is evolving to meet diverse learning needs, and why leaders must check in, not check out, when people are working from a distance. Plus, Kevin reflects on his roots growing up on an Indiana farm, his early career in agri-business, and how leadership has shaped him into a better human being.

Key Topics:

• The mindset shifts leaders need to navigate uncertainty

• How to meaningfully engage introverts in meetings and training

• Why context matters more than ever in leadership decisions

• The ongoing evolution of remote and hybrid work

• Kevin’s personal leadership journey and what continues to drive his work

About Kevin

Kevin Eikenberry is a globally recognized leadership thinker and the founder of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He’s spent over 30 years helping leaders in 53+ countries unlock their potential. He’s the author of multiple bestselling books including The Long-Distance Leader, From Bud to Boss, and Remarkable Leadership.

🎁 Download a free gift from Kevin: Click here
📝 Read Kevin’s blog: kevineikenberry.com/blog
🎧 Listen to Kevin’s podcast: The Remarkable Leadership Podcast