Rerun: Why Joy is a Leadership Strategy, Not a Soft Skill feat. Nicole Van Valen
PSM: Professional Services Marketing
Release Date: 03/13/2026
Re-Run: The Practice Of Presence: Leadership That Sticks
PSM: Professional Services Marketing
Re-Run: Executive presence might sound like a buzzword, but in this episode of the PSM Show, Damion Morris and Deirdre Booth get to the heart of what it really means. They break it down into practical, learnable elements: composure, communication, and appearance. Through honest conversation and real examples, they show how presence is not about being polished or loud—it’s about showing up with consistency, clarity, and intention. They explore how poise under pressure signals confidence, why language shapes perception, and how your physical presence—including in virtual...
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Re-Run: Episode 268 - Just Show Up: Building the Life You Want With Discipline
PSM: Professional Services Marketing
**Recorded live at the 2024 SMPS Pacific Regional Conference in Portland, Oregon** Ryn (Kathryn) Bennett, MPH, is a non-binary 40 under 40 award winner, world-record-holding strongman competitor, celebrated TEDx and Ignite speaker, and advocate for developing mental toughness. They are the author of Productive Pain, a personal memoir and inspirational guide. With a background in social and behavioral health and process improvement, Ryn's professional career spans industries including tech, healthcare, and engineering/construction. Ryn used the mental fortitude and tenacity they learned in the...
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Re-Run: Episode 272 - Optimizing Your Professional Conference Experience
PSM: Professional Services Marketing
Frank and Deirdre share their insights on making the most out of your professional conference experience. They discuss strategic networking, setting realistic expectations, and engaging effectively with speakers. You'll also learn about the importance of taking notes and adhering to proper conference etiquette, especially during the final keynote session. Whether you're new to conferences or a seasoned pro, this episode is filled with valuable tips to enhance your participation and takeaway. Music by RomanSenykMusic on Pixabay.
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Rerun: Why Joy is a Leadership Strategy, Not a Soft Skill feat. Nicole Van Valen
PSM: Professional Services Marketing
In an industry built on deadlines, pursuits, and constant pressure, resilience is often framed as grit and endurance. But what if that mindset is actually driving burnout? In this episode of The PSM Show, Deirdre Booth sits down with Nicole Van Valen, founder of Keen Insights and author of The Joyful Leader, to reframe how AEC firms think about resilience, leadership, and performance. Drawing from her background as a licensed marriage and family therapist and corporate leader, Nicole explains why joy is not a perk or personality trait, but a practical tool that supports focus, steadiness, and...
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AMA: Getting Seller-Doers to Buy In Without Overstepping feat. Rachel Charlton
PSM: Professional Services Marketing
This episode is an Ask Me Anything with Rachel Charlton of Sticky Communications, and the questions go straight to the stuff AEC marketers deal with in real rooms. We talk about what buy-in actually is, why it rarely shows up “as a stage” in the pursuit process, and how marketers build credibility with technical teams before the fire drill starts. From interview prep and slide strategy to role clarity and change management, we break down what it looks like to lead with the client’s perspective, build a coalition inside the firm, and move ideas forward without turning every meeting...
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Tell Me More: Empathy, Headlines, and the Stories Firms Choose
PSM: Professional Services Marketing
When the world feels heavy, polished stories stop working. The ones that land are the honest ones — the ones that start with trouble. In this episode of The PSM Show, hosts Damion Morris and Deirdre Booth sit down with writer and strategist Joel Hoekstra for a “pull up a chair” conversation about why the best AEC stories don’t begin with brilliance or technical expertise — they begin with friction, uncertainty, and what wasn’t working. Joel shares how he helps marketers draw human-centered narratives out of highly technical subject matter experts, why empathy consistently...
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RERUN: Where Strategy Meets Action feat. James Hatch
PSM: Professional Services Marketing
What does strategy really look like inside a construction firm that wants to grow on purpose, not by accident? In this episode of the PSM Show, host Damion Morris talks with James Hatch, Chief Strategy Officer at Kovac Building Enclosures, one of the top glazing contractors in the country. James shares how his path through architecture, estimating, finance, and business development shaped the way he leads strategy today – and why he sees the CSO as the "agent of change" inside the firm. They dig into what it takes to keep the "periscope above the water," choose the right pursuits, and build...
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PSM Unscripted: Starting the Year with Perspective
PSM: Professional Services Marketing
In this unscripted conversation, Deirdre Booth and Damion Morris step away from the usual format and start the year with an honest check-in. They talk candidly about growth, ambition, balance, connection, leadership, and what changes when career wins stop being the only measure of success. This episode sets the tone for the season ahead with real reflection, lived experience, and the kind of perspective that comes from years in the industry and life beyond the job title.
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Why Joy Is a Leadership Strategy, Not a Soft Skill
PSM: Professional Services Marketing
In an industry built on deadlines, pursuits, and constant pressure, resilience is often framed as grit and endurance. But what if that mindset is actually driving burnout? In this episode of The PSM Show, Deirdre Booth sits down with Nicole Van Valen, founder of Keen Insights and author of The Joyful Leader, to reframe how AEC firms think about resilience, leadership, and performance. Drawing from her background as a licensed marriage and family therapist and corporate leader, Nicole explains why joy is not a perk or personality trait, but a practical tool that supports focus, steadiness, and...
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Where Strategy Meets Action
PSM: Professional Services Marketing
What does strategy really look like inside a construction firm that wants to grow on purpose, not by accident? In this episode of the PSM Show, host Damion Morris talks with James Hatch, Chief Strategy Officer at Kovac Building Enclosures, one of the top glazing contractors in the country. James shares how his path through architecture, estimating, finance, and business development shaped the way he leads strategy today – and why he sees the CSO as the “agent of change” inside the firm. They dig into what it takes to keep the “periscope above the water,” choose the right pursuits,...
info_outlineIn an industry built on deadlines, pursuits, and constant pressure, resilience is often framed as grit and endurance. But what if that mindset is actually driving burnout?
In this episode of The PSM Show, Deirdre Booth sits down with Nicole Van Valen, founder of Keen Insights and author of The Joyful Leader, to reframe how AEC firms think about resilience, leadership, and performance. Drawing from her background as a licensed marriage and family therapist and corporate leader, Nicole explains why joy is not a perk or personality trait, but a practical tool that supports focus, steadiness, and long-term sustainability.
The conversation explores how AEC marketers and business development professionals can regulate stress in high-pressure environments, why middle managers play a critical role in shaping culture, and how tools like the Ready, Set, Go model and the Joy Menu help teams reset without stepping away from their responsibilities.
This episode offers grounded, actionable insights for leaders who want to protect their people, strengthen trust, and build teams that can perform consistently over the long game.
Nicole Van Valen:
Nicole Van Valen, M.S., L.M.F.T., SHRM-SCP is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and published author of The Joyful Leader®. With over 25 years of experience spanning healthcare, behavioral health, and entertainment, she equips executives and organizations to manage stress, build resilient cultures, and lead with empathy, clarity, and impact.
Nicole is the Founder and CEO of Keane Insights®, where she Nicole integrates neuroscience, mental health expertise, and leadership development to transform workplaces into high-performing, engaging environments. Nicole is also a recurring mental health expert for CBS 4 News Miami and has been featured in SUCCESS Magazine for her thought leadership on resilience and workplace performance.
A former Miami Dolphins Cheerleader and Miami HEAT Dancer, Nicole brings dynamic energy and authenticity to every stage—championing transformation through joy and proving that resilience isn't just a mindset; it's a strategic advantage.