Episodes

  • Win Together: How to Set Your Manager Up to Succeed

    Win Together: How to Set Your Manager Up to Succeed
    Sep 16 2025
    What if the secret to your own career success was… making your manager wildly successful? It’s not our first impulse, especially when the relationship is strained. But what could you accomplish if you were both fully committed to helping each other win? In this episode of Owlcast, hosts David Morelli and William Oakley dive into the counterintuitive but powerful strategy of proactively helping your manager succeed. Tune in to explore a powerful mindset shift that can transform your career, your team, and how you feel at work every single day.

    Key Topics:
    · Invest, Don't Transact: Shift your mindset from keeping score of daily exchanges to making a long-term investment in your relationship with your manager. This investment often pays off in career growth, promotions, and a better work environment.
    · Reciprocity Is Human Nature: When you genuinely offer to help someone succeed, their natural human instinct is to reciprocate. Initiating this "I've got your back" approach can transform a strained dynamic into a powerful alliance.
    · Focus on 'Who,' Not 'What': Instead of focusing on what you're not getting from your manager, focus on who you want to be in the relationship. Committing to being a kind, supportive, and helpful person puts you in control, regardless of their immediate reaction
    · Leadership Is Lonely: Managers and leaders often feel isolated and under immense pressure. An employee who offers genuine support becomes a trusted ally, gaining more influence, trust, and insight into bigger-picture conversations.
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Strategist Thinking Amidst Execution Pressure with Mary Rapaport

    Strategist Thinking Amidst Execution Pressure with Mary Rapaport
    Sep 9 2025
    Ever feel like you're stuck in the weeds, too busy with daily tasks to think about the big picture? In this episode of Owlcast, we dive into the world of strategic thinking amidst execution pressure. Join host David Morelli and co-host William Oakley as they speak with Mary Rapaport, founder of The Strategic Playground. Mary shares her unique approach to "democratizing strategic thinking," showing how it's not just for the C-suite. Learn why we get stuck in a "doing" mindset, the telltale signs of a strategic thinking gap, and how you can start cultivating this critical skill today—all without adding a single minute to your workweek.

    You’ll explore how:

    • Strategic thinking is a priority, not a time issue. The excuse "I don't have time for strategic thinking" is often a reflection of how we prioritize tasks and a deeply ingrained cultural bias toward rewarding execution over ideas.
    • A "strategic thinking gap" can be identified. Warning signs include being disconnected from the company's overall strategy, constantly fighting the same problems, and an absence of genuine "Aha!" breakthroughs.
    • Strategic thinking can be democratized. It's not a skill reserved for executives. Anyone at any level can cultivate a strategic mindset by connecting their daily work to the company's broader goals and asking questions that challenge assumptions.
    • Strategic thinking is a definable skill. It involves being future-focused, understanding how different parts of a system are interconnected, incorporating external perspectives and data, and being willing to adapt.
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    54 mins
  • Buzzword Bingo – Poking fun at corporate clichés

    Buzzword Bingo – Poking fun at corporate clichés
    Sep 2 2025
    We’ve all heard them, we’ve probably used them, but no one likes them!

    In this episode, David Morelli and William Oakley provide a sharp and humorous look at the world of corporate jargon. Listen as they “circle back" on the most common business buzzwords and phrases, discussing not only their origins and how many are used incorrectly, but also the possible psychological reasons behind their use. The episode explores the dangers of using these terms too often, highlighting how they can create a barrier to clear communication and be perceived as a lack of authenticity. It also delves into how people often use jargon as a crutch, driven by imposter syndrome or a fear of looking foolish, and encourages a shift toward more direct and genuine communication in the workplace.

    You’ll explore:

    · The most used buzzwords that you’re likely to hear in the corporate space.
    · How many of these jargon phrases are actually used incorrectly.
    · How jargon can be a barrier to communication and may impact morale.
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    49 mins
  • Story Power: Driving Compelling Narratives in Business and Life with G. Riley Mills

    Story Power: Driving Compelling Narratives in Business and Life with G. Riley Mills
    Aug 26 2025
    Story Power: Driving Compelling Narratives in Business and Life with G. Riley Mills

    Emmy Award–winning writer and producer G. Riley Mills has taught leaders worldwide how to use storytelling to engage audiences, inspire action, and shape organizational culture. In this episode, we break down exactly how to make your stories unforgettable. Packed with real-world examples and practical tools, this conversation will help you turn dry information into captivating narratives, connect with any audience, and lead with authenticity and impact.

    You’ll explore:
    • How to use the 3-step Pinnacle Method to deliver a message that resonates and inspires
    • The dramatic structure that makes stories compelling and memorable
    • Essential leadership story types and when to use each
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    1 hr
  • DEI Is Dead: Now What? With Eloiza Domingo

    DEI Is Dead: Now What? With Eloiza Domingo
    Aug 19 2025
    Episode 60: Prioritization Paradox – D.E.I. is dead. Now what?

    If you’ve heard the whispers – or shouts – that DEI is on its last breath, you’re not alone. But what if this moment is actually our greatest opportunity?

    In today's episode, David Morelli and William Oakley sit down with Eloiza Domingo, a powerful voice in the DEI space, to discuss navigating the current challenges and opportunities in diversity, equity, and inclusion. With over 25 years of experience, Eloiza shares her unique perspective on leading through chaos, turning crises into business opportunities, and fostering authentic conversations that strengthen organizational brands. Eloiza is passionate about improving the DEI industry as a whole and guiding individuals through their professional journeys, emphasizing that DEI is a journey of continuous growth and commitment. Learn more about Eloiza and her work at https://linktr.ee/eloizadomingo She also cohosts DISRUPT: The podcast and you can find out more here. https://linktr.ee/DisruptThePod


    You’ll explore:

    • Leading through crisis vs managing it.

    • Authentic conversations that can actually strengthen your brand.

    • Improving the DEI industry as a whole and guiding individuals through their professional journey.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Promotions are SO Yesterday: And what today's development looks like with Julie Winkle Giulioni

    Promotions are SO Yesterday: And what today's development looks like with Julie Winkle Giulioni
    Aug 12 2025
    In this thought-provoking episode of OwlCast, David Morelli sits down with Julie Winkle Giulioni, renowned author of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go and Promotions Are So Yesterday, to explore a powerful reframe of career development. Together, they unpack why traditional promotion-focused growth models often fall short, and how organizations can better engage and retain talent by honoring the multidimensional motivations of today’s workforce.

    Julie shares insights from her research and the multidimensional career framework she developed, offering practical ways leaders can support meaningful development, beyond the ladder climb. They discuss the critical role of psychological safety, how development is a relationship (not a task), and why both employees and managers must co-own the growth conversation. With examples from organizational practice and research, this episode delivers a refreshing roadmap for building sustainable engagement, performance, and fulfillment at work. Whether you're a manager looking to lead with intention or an employee seeking purpose beyond promotions, this episode will change the way you think about growth.
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    51 mins
  • Our New Cohost: Welcome to William Oakleys Wonderful World

    Our New Cohost: Welcome to William Oakleys Wonderful World
    Aug 5 2025
    In this special transition episode, David Morelli welcomes new cohost William Oakley to OwlCast and celebrates Alexandria Ravencroft’s remarkable contributions as she steps back to focus on new adventures. William shares his unconventional journey, from mascot instructor to internal coaching leader at Allstate, and how a passion for people and growth shaped every pivot along the way. Alexandria reflects on her own path, revealing how navigating neurodivergence and being an outsider led to a deep commitment to helping others feel seen, understood, and empowered.

    The episode explores the power of curiosity, embracing generalist talents, letting go of overthinking, and finding the courage to do the right thing, even when the path isn’t clear. It's a heartfelt conversation about identity, transformation, and passing the mic with gratitude. Whether you’ve been listening for a while or are just tuning in, this episode marks a new chapter, and a reminder that great leadership begins with knowing yourself and showing up fully.
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    57 mins
  • Episode 56 A Business Case for Leadership Development with Tina Robinson

    Episode 56 A Business Case for Leadership Development with Tina Robinson
    Jul 29 2025
    Why is leadership development still treated as a “nice to have” instead of a strategic necessity? In this energizing episode, David Morelli and Alexandria Ravencroft sit down with executive coach, speaker, and author Tina Robinson to explore the real ROI of investing in leaders. Tina shares her personal journey—from editing healthcare manuals to founding WorkJoy—and the hard-won lessons that inspired her upcoming book, Developing Your Business Leaders: A Guide to Investing at All Levels. Together, they challenge outdated thinking about performance, potential, and what it really means to grow great leaders. They break down how to connect people development to business strategy, why under-investing in middle managers is costing organizations more than they realize, and what leaders actually need to thrive. Whether you're a CEO, HR leader, or curious coach, this conversation offers a fresh, practical lens on why building better leaders is one of the smartest moves a business can make.

    Want to connect with Tina?
    Visit workjoycoaching.com
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    59 mins