Libsyn Directory

042 - Say “Yes, And!” to READY, Set, Change with April Callis-Birchmeier

Release Date: 10/27/2025

043 - Say “Yes, And!” to Navigating Chaos with Maartje van Krieken

Yes, And! With Avish Parashar

When everything feels messy, most leaders reach for more tactics and more meetings. In this conversation, I sit down with Maartje van Krieken - engineer, skipper, crisis strategist, and host of The Business Emergency Room Podcast - to talk about how to triage chaos, make cleaner decisions, and realign people and processes without burning everyone out. We cover her “coat rack” process metaphor, the emotional side of chaos (and why emotion = people still care), and a simple way to de-risk the options you’ve been carrying around in your head. If you’re navigating growth, change, or just...

042 - Say “Yes, And!” to READY, Set, Change with April Callis-Birchmeier

Yes, And! With Avish Parashar

In this conversation with change-management expert April Callis-Birchmeier (CCMP™, PMP®, CSP®), we unpack her R.E.A.D.Y. framework from her READY, Set, Change! Book and framework and translate it into practical moves you can make this quarter. We cover how to turn corporate buzzwords into relevant, relatable stories, why one accountable executive sponsor changes everything, what “just send an email” thinking gets wrong, and how to handle resistance as a signal that people are finally engaging. April also shares the behind-the-scenes story of Michigan’s Healthy Michigan Plan rollout...

041 - Say “Yes, And!” to Living UNMUTED with Rachel Druckenmiller

Yes, And! With Avish Parashar

I sat down with keynote speaker, leadership trainer, and singer-songwriter Rachel Druckenmiller to explore what it really means to live and work UNMUTED. Rachel shares how she invented roles inside a corporate job, navigated a near-career-ending pivot right before the pandemic, and eventually brought her voice - literally - onto the keynote stage. We talk about borrowing others’ belief when your own is shaky, her V.O.I.C.E. framework, building self-concept clarity, and practical ways to start expressing more of who you are at work. She also tells the powerful backstory behind her original...

040 - Say “Yes, And!” to the LEADOUT Advantage with Scott Cooksey

Yes, And! With Avish Parashar

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Cooksey, CSP, founder of Leadout Performance Group, to talk about building teams that can adapt and win, especially when the plan meets reality. Scott explains why most “one-and-done” trainings fail, how to diagnose the real problem behind symptoms like conflict, and how leaders can modernize their playbook for a world reshaped by COVID and AI. We cover his Tour de France model for team strategy (sprinters, climbers, and support), what a useful return-to-office looks like (create experiences you can only have in person), and the role of empathy...

039 - Say “Yes, And!” to Keeping It Human with Kathy Klotz Guest

Yes, And! With Avish Parashar

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with fellow improviser and change-maker Kathy Klotz-Guest. Kathy’s career path is anything but boring. She went from being a rare female leader in Silicon Valley tech to blending her love of improv and comedy into transformational work with corporate teams. We talk about her journey, the power of “yes, and” in leading change, why vulnerability and honesty matter more than ever in the age of AI, and how embracing fun isn’t just good for morale - it’s good for business. If you're a leader navigating uncertainty, this conversation...

038 - Say “Yes, And!” to Cheering On Others with Jan Spence

Yes, And! With Avish Parashar

I had a blast talking with Jan Spence, a Certified Speaking Professional and TEDx speaker whose journey from professional women’s full‑tackle football to international keynote speaker is unforgettable. Jan shares how turning a sea of competitors into teammates through simple encouragement sparked her “Cheer Leadership®” philosophy. We dive into actionable tools - from ‘putting on that Teflon raincoat’ to overcoming fear, to using ‘A‑B‑or‑C’ goals to build momentum. Plus, we explore how small gestures - handwritten notes, energy boosts, meaningful check‑ins, etc. - can...

037 - Say “Yes, And!” to Navigating the Future of Creativity and AI with Nye Warburton

Yes, And! With Avish Parashar

In this episode, I connect with my old friend Nye Warburton, someone I’ve known since our college improv‑comedy days. Nye’s journey has taken him from animating features like Monster House and Battleship to chairing an Interactive Design & Game Development department of a college and writing provocative essays about AI, blockchain, and creative technology. We talk about the pressures of entertainment, how to treat uncertainty as play, the importance of iteration over perfection, and why every creator should ship something - even if it’s rough. If you’re navigating...

036 - Say “Yes, And!” to Unstoppable Momentum with Kim Becking

Yes, And! With Avish Parashar

What if the chaos and uncertainty in your life could become the very fuel that propels you forward? In this episode, resilience and adaptability expert Kim Becking shares her powerful Unstoppable Momentum™ framework for navigating change with grit, grace, and purpose. A stage-3 breast cancer survivor, former attorney, and bestselling author, Kim brings real-world experience and deep research to the conversation—showing how to stop, shift, and reframe challenges into catalysts for growth. You’ll learn: Why acknowledging your emotions is the first step to building real resilience How...

035 - Say “Yes, And!” to EPIC Connections with Riaz Patel

Yes, And! With Avish Parashar

I had the privilege of sitting down with longtime friend and Hollywood veteran, Riaz Patel. Trained in psychology at UPenn and raised in a world where he was rarely the "norm," Riaz has built a career around authentic transformation - first on TV, and now live onstage. In this episode, we dive into: His creative process behind TV hits like How to Look Good Naked Why "authentic transformation" matters more now than ever The EPIC system and how it underpins his live experience, ConnectEffect Practical tips on how listening can build real connection in business, parenting, and...

034 - Say “Yes, And!” to Resetting with Penny Zenker

Yes, And! With Avish Parashar

In this episode, I talk with Penny Zenker—the Focusologist—about her Reset Mindset approach. We dive into what exactly a reset moment is, explore her three‑step framework (Step Back, Get Perspective, Realign), and apply it to everyday life—from emotional triggers to workplace pivots. Penny also breaks down how to ask powerful questions like “What else?” to shift thinking, how to scale reset practices, and why it matters now more than ever. Key Takeaways Recognize Reset Moments: These are small or large interruptions—your alarm, emotional trigger, organizational shift—telling...

More Episodes

Key Takeaways

R.E.A.D.Y. in brief: Relevant/relatable messaging; Engage leaders as sponsors; Advanced, multi-channel communication; Develop support & training; “Y = Why” to address resistance and cement adoption.
Story beats slide decks. Use everyday metaphors and images to explain benefits; tailor stories for execs vs. frontline.
One real sponsor > many names. The accountable “throat to choke” must be visible, vocal, and equipped weekly with talking points.
Kill “just send an email.” Over-reliance on email reduces attention; combine channels (leaders’ voice, signage, pop-ups, text, live touchpoints).
Vendor training ≠ your training. Customize to your workflows so people know what to pick and why.
Welcome resistance. It’s engagement; loop back to the Why and pair mindset shift with behavior change.

Relevant Links

April’s site & training: Springboard Consulting (book, courses, CCMP™ prep). Springboard Consulting
Book: READY, Set, Change! Simplify and Accelerate Organizational Change. Amazon

Key Takeaways

Relevant Links

TOPICS