Curiosity at Work

#7 Curiosity in supporting storytellers with Jennifer Strachan

In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham is joined by Jennifer Strachan, CEO of inReach, a nonprofit organization that leverages the power of storytelling to reshape cultural narratives. Jennifer shares insights from her 25-year career in public and commercial media, including her experiences as an Emmy Award-winning producer. She discusses how inReach has navigated a major organizational shift, embraced a fully remote work model, and fostered curiosity among a diverse team.
Jennifer emphasizes the importance of understanding individual communication styles in remote settings, the role of values in defining workplace culture, and creative ways to build connections, such as sharing personal stories and images that bring joy. Tune in to explore how curiosity can drive transformation in both storytelling and organizational culture.
Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliepham2/
Curiosity Based
https://www.instagram.com/juliephamphd/
Produced by TitanMediaWorx.com
#CuriosityAtWork #Storytelling #RemoteWork #Leadership #OrganizationalCulture #Communication

#6 Curiosity in public housing with Rachael Steward

In this episode of Curiosity at Work,"Dr. Julie Pham sits down with Rachael Steward, the Deputy Director of Housing Operations at Seattle Housing Authority. Rachael brings a wealth of experience from her 20-year career in public service, including roles in higher education and public housing. She shares her insights on fostering curiosity in a diverse and dynamic workplace.
Rachael provides an in-depth look at the Seattle Housing Authority, which serves as the largest affordable housing provider in the city, housing around 37,000 people in 9,000 units. She discusses the operational challenges and opportunities in managing a workforce of nearly 900 employees, most of whom work on-site due to the hands-on nature of their roles in property management, maintenance, and community services.
Throughout the episode, Rachael emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and curiosity as a practice, which she instills in her team. She recounts a personal story that highlights the need for self-awareness and the value of admitting mistakes to foster a culture of mutual learning. Rachael also touches on the difficulties of practicing curiosity in a bureaucratic environment and how understanding the diverse backgrounds of team members can bridge communication gaps.
Join us for this enlightening conversation as Rachael Steward shares her journey and practical tips on how to cultivate curiosity and continuous improvement in the public housing sector.
Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:
LinkedIn: Julie Pham
Website: CuriosityBased
Instagram: Julie Pham, PhD
Produced by TitanMediaWorx.com
#CuriosityAtWork #PublicHousing #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #SelfAwareness #RelationshipBuilding #ClearCommunication #ContinuousLearning #SeattleHousingAuthority

#5 Curiosity in hunger relief with Amythst Shipman

In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham sits down with Amythst Shipman, Director of Project Management at Food Lifeline, Western Washington's largest hunger relief organization. Amy shares her experiences and insights on how curiosity plays a vital role in their mission to fight hunger.
Learn about the diverse roles within Food Lifeline, from warehouse employees to grant writers, and how they manage a hybrid work environment. Discover the challenges and creativity involved in coordinating a workforce of 120 staff and over 17,000 volunteers annually.
Amy emphasizes the importance of fostering self-awareness, building relationships, and clear communication within the organization. She shares stories of how bringing people along in her learning journey has led to shared insights and improved processes. Listen as she discusses the significance of passion and curiosity in their work, especially during the hiring process.
Explore how Amy navigates the complexities of hunger relief work, balancing immediate needs with long-term goals, and the continuous practice of curiosity. This episode offers valuable lessons for anyone interested in enhancing their workplace culture and leadership approach through curiosity.
Connect with Amythst Shipman:
LinkedIn: Amythst Shipman
Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:
LinkedIn: Julie Pham
Website: CuriosityBased
Instagram: Julie Pham PhD
Produced by TitanMediaWorx.com
#CuriosityAtWork #HungerRelief #Leadership #SelfAwareness #RelationshipBuilding #HybridWork #FoodLifeline #Mentorship #Coaching #WorkplaceCulture

#4 Curiosity with HR consultants with Mikaela Kiner

Join Dr. Julie Pham in this engaging episode of Curiosity at Work as she sits down with Mikaela Kiner, founder of Reverb, a people operations consulting firm. Mikaela shares her extensive experience in HR and entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights into cultivating curiosity, self-awareness, and clear communication in the workplace.
Tune in to learn how Mikaela's approach to curiosity and relationship building can inspire you to create a more connected and dynamic workplace.
Key Points:
Mikaela's professional background and the founding of Reverb.
Practical tips for giving and receiving feedback to enhance self-awareness.
Building and maintaining relationships in a hybrid work setting.
The role of psychological safety in fostering open communication.
Mikaela's personal experiences with remote work and how they inform her leadership style.
Don't miss this insightful episode packed with actionable advice for leaders and HR professionals looking to integrate curiosity into their workplace culture.
Connect with Dr. Julie Pham
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliepham2/
https://curiositybased.com/
https://www.instagram.com/juliephamphd/
Connect with Mikaela Kiner
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaelakiner/ 
https://reverbpeople.com/ 
Produced by TitanMediaWorx.com
 
#CuriosityAtWork #HRLeadership #SelfAwareness #RemoteWork #FeedbackCulture #WorkplaceRelationships #PsychologicalSafety #LeadershipTips

#3 Curiosity for tech startup innovators with Elizabeth Scallon

Join Dr. Julie Pham in an enlightening conversation with Elizabeth Scallon, a dynamic leader in the tech world. Elizabeth has an impressive background spanning higher education, startups, industry, and funding. Currently, she holds the title of Director of Corporate Incubation at HP, where she helps bring innovative ideas to life and make a significant impact.
In this episode, Elizabeth discusses her role in fostering curiosity at work, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, relationship building, and clear communication. She shares her experiences in the tech startup world, the value of early customer feedback, and the challenges of managing expectations.
This episode is packed with valuable lessons on leadership, the role of curiosity in innovation, and the continuous journey of professional growth. Don't miss this chance to learn from Elizabeth's wealth of experience and apply her insights to your own work environment.
About Elizabeth Scallon:
Elizabeth Scallon is the Director of Corporate Incubation at HP. With a rich career that includes roles at the University of Washington, Amazon's corporate venture arm, and WeWork, Elizabeth has a deep understanding of the tech startup ecosystem. She also founded Find Ventures, a nonprofit supporting entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds with early-stage funding.
Connect with Host Julie Pham:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliepham2/
CuriosityBased: https://curiositybased.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliephamphd/
Connect with Elizabeth Scallon:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethscallon/
https://x.com/E_Scallon
Produced by: TitanMediaWorx
#CuriosityAtWork #Leadership #SelfAwareness #WorkplaceCulture #TechInnovation #JuliePham #ElizabethScallon #RemoteWork #Startups

#2 Curiosity in municipal information technology with Jim Loter

In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham chats with Jim Loter, Deputy Chief Technology Officer at Seattle IT, about how curiosity drives innovation and fosters a positive workplace culture. With a rich background in higher education, local government, and libraries, Jim shares valuable lessons from his career.
Jim discusses the importance of self-awareness, his journey from self-criticism to recognizing strengths, and the power of one-on-one coaching. He emphasizes relationship building in a hybrid work environment, advocating for psychological safety and debunking myths about productivity and employee well-being. Learn about the strategies Seattle IT uses to create a supportive workplace, including their innovative annual learning conference.
Why Watch: Get inspired by Jim Loter’s insights on leadership, self-awareness, and fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation.
Guest Information: Jim Loter is the Deputy Chief Technology Officer at Seattle IT with extensive experience in technology leadership and public service.
Connect with Jim Loter:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimloter/
https://www.jimloter.com/
Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliepham2/
https://curiositybased.com/
https://www.instagram.com/juliephamphd/
Produced by TitanMediaWorx.com
Hashtags: #CuriosityAtWork #SelfAwareness #PublicService #WorkplaceCulture #TechLeadership #RelationshipBuilding

#1 Curiosity with managing municipal government with Joe Todd

Join Dr. Julie Pham as she has an insightful conversation with Joe Todd, a longtime public servant and the Deputy City Manager at the City of Bellevue. Joe is also the vice chair of the African American Commission for Washington State. In this episode, Joe shares his journey, experiences, and the values that guide his leadership style.
✨ Episode Highlights:
Building and nurturing enduring relationships at work
The importance of empathy and love in leadership
Navigating challenges as an African-American executive leader
The significance of transparency and clear communication
Fostering a culture of curiosity and continuous improvement
Joe reflects on his career, the influence of his parents, and the importance of being self-aware and authentic in the workplace. He offers valuable insights into how leaders can support their teams and create inclusive environments.
Connect with:
Julie:https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliepham2/ 
Joe Todd: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephctodd/ 
Produced by Titan Media Worx: This episode is part of Curiosity at Work, a podcast that delves into the journeys of inspiring leaders and the values that drive them. Stay tuned for more episodes featuring conversations that explore the intersection of leadership, empathy, and curiosity.
#Leadership #PublicService #Empathy #CuriosityAtWork #PodcastLife #JoeTodd #JuliePodcast #CityOfBellevue