Happy New Year! We always like to kick start the year with a reset - and today's guest will help us get the fresh start we all strive for. Dr. Julia DiGangi is the author of Energy Rising: The Neuroscience of Leading with Emotional Power. She is a neuropsychologist who works with businesses and entrepreneurs to help them harness their power, and keep their mindset fresh. And for her, great leadership starts when we understand the human brain! Whether you’re building your company up through growth and innovation or by investing in your culture, being in business often means striving for performance. But is there a science to good leadership? Research in cognitive psychology shows there might be. In today’s episode, Dr. DiGangi joins our new host Ari Marin to decode the clever machinery of the brain, and unlock new potential! Together, they discuss our cognitive ability to recognize patterns and our natural aversion to uncertainty; they unpack how we can reshape our behaviors to undo fear-based nervous habits; and they reveal that focusing on identity can move organizations towards better cooperation. Dr. DiGangi shares her invaluable research and wealth of knowledge on corporate leadership to help us tap into our brain power. So tune in with Julia and Ari today, and get ready to adopt a whole new performance mindset. Highlights: Understanding how the brain works (3:00) Anxiety as a reaction to uncertainty (4:37) Cognitive strategies: why we'd rather choose physical pain (6:05) Building leadership from the energy of emotion (8:25) “Working” and “overworking” as different nervous responses (11:34) Why identity is the best response to uncertainty (12:54) The emotional math of our professional lives (15:12) Reframing micromanagement as a fear reaction (16:45) Recent changes in the conversation around mental health (18:34) The impact of technology on emotional intelligence (20:28) The creativity of leadership (22:24) Speaking the language of emotions (24:11) “The greatest asset that companies have today is relational intelligence” (26:23) Staying optimistic for the future of collaboration (29:12) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Dr. Julia DiGangi Website Dr. Julia DiGangi X (Twitter) Dr. Julia DiGangi LinkedIn Dr. Julia DiGangi Instagram Book - “Energy Rising: The Neuroscience of Leading with Emotional Power” Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Natalie.Barron@cadencebank.com, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com, or danielle.kernell@cadencebank.com.

When he opened his food distribution business back in 2006, Don Coenen started with three semi-trucks in a crowded market. Nearly 20 years later, his company Don's Cold Storage and Transportation is a multi-million dollar corporation, open for business 365 days a year. More than a profitable operation, it’s a business that has provided a livelihood for countless people in Arkansas, Missouri and beyond. So how do you achieve this kind of growth? What does it take to turn the dream into a reality? And is reality just as glorious as it seems? Today, our host Ari Marin sits down with Don – a loyal Cadence Bank customer – to answer these questions and hear all about his journey through the food distribution industry. From Don’s early inspirations and mentors, to his passion for business, we’ll also learn about his goals for the future. We’ll see that Don’s Cold Storage is not just a logistics company. It’s the product of a dream, a resilient financial strategy and a culture of wellness built with intention and purpose. Join us in conversation to hear Don Coenen’s inspiring tale of grit, and discover a whole new world: the buzzing world of Don’s Cold Storage. Highlights: Introducing Don’s Cold Storage and Transportation (0:35) A typical day in Don Coenen’s life (3:28) Northwest Arkansas: a thriving place for business (5:15) Rethinking the economy of “scale” (07:08) Why the food sector is a resilient industry (8:31) The early days of Don’s Cold Storage (10:13) Hard earned financial lessons (13:09) Don’s growth mindset: don’t back down, double down (15:27) Challenges and opportunities during the Covid pandemic (16:52) Unpacking Don’s business culture (18:18) The benefits of promoting from within (20:21) The importance of self-care and employee support (21:36) Why Don’s Corporation is more than a workplace (24:51) How Don flies the company flag (26:26) Future goals for Don’s Cold Storage and Transportation (28:22) Don’s final word: “The future is coming anyway” (31:05) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Cadence Bank YouTube Don’s Cold Storage and Transportation Website Don’s Cold Storage and Transportation LinkedIn Don Coenen LinkedIn Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

What does it take to create workplaces where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and innovate without fear of failure? Well, the answer can be summed up in two words: psychological safety. Psychological safety is not just a trend or a culture that is “easy” on employees. It's a business philosophy that seeks to empower teams and boost performance. So in this episode of In Good Companies, we’re diving into the increased attention being paid to psychological safety in the workplace — what it is, why it matters and how to build it into your organization’s DNA. To open this important conversation, we’re bringing in a mental health advocate with 30 years experience in the field: Kathy Pike, CEO of the non-profit One Mind at Work. With a career spanning academia and the private sector, Kathy brings a global perspective to the challenges and opportunities of workplace well-being. Together with our host Ari Marin, they break down why psychological safety should be treated as a strategic business priority, and explore practical ways to embed it into leadership and operations. They also discuss the benefits of psychological safety for attracting talent, improving team performance, and shaping the future of work. Make room for humanity and tune in to unlock the full potential of corporate well-being for your business. Highlights: What Psychological Safety really means (1:09) Why we’re talking more about mental health in the workplace (3:36) “Mental health and well being is a strategic imperative for the future of work” (5:59) Psychological Safety to improve your leadership and performance (8:11) The Mental Health at Work Index (10:11) Proving the benefits of Psychological Safety (12:16) Examples of company initiatives that promote Psychological Safety (14:36) Questions leaders should ask to assess Psychological Safety (17:32) “Being kind means being prepared to have difficult conversations” (19:57) Diversity as a contributor to Psychological Safety (21:48) Mental health support: the challenge of remote work (23:44) How workplaces are evolving and what it means for social connection (26:51) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Cadence Bank YouTube Kathy Pike Website Kathy Pike LinkedIn One Mind at Work Website One Mind at Work YouTube The Mental Health at Work Index Article - One Mind's Mental Health at Work Index Article - The Hybrid Work Model and Loneliness in the Workplace Book - The Return of Kindness, by Bonnie Hayden Cheng Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

Over the last decade, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investments have exploded; as evidenced by global market projections, which predict 40 trillion dollars in ESG assets by 2030. That will not only reshape our financial markets, but also our consumer choices, our recruitment prospects, the range of our suppliers, and even our leadership strategies. So how do we seize that opportunity for change? What new possibilities does ESG open up? We answer these questions with two of the leading voices from EY Sustainability: Marie Johnson and Brandon Sutcliffe. Every day, these two experts in Business and Financial Sustainability help companies integrate ESG goals into their core strategies and operations. From stakeholders to customers, they show leaders how to reach the next stage of their development. Today, they bring their wisdom to In Good Companies and help us see how Environmental, Social, and Governance goals can add value to our businesses. They undo misconceptions around sustainability, share strategies to implement effective reporting, and lift the veil on what will drive the transition towards ESG practices. Spoiler alert: it involves your stakeholders, your clients, your governance, and a component of education. To round up their conversation with Ari, Brandon and Marie will also discuss the development of ESG regulations and help us prepare for the future by asking: what’s next? No matter where you’re coming from, sustainability is part and parcel of everyone’s business, so get ready to answer the bell. Highlights: Introducing EY Sustainability, with Marie and Brandon (1:47) What does ESG look like for day-to-day business? (3:41) A home-based approach for small businesses (7:07) Middle market considerations: balancing sustainability and growth (8:37) How large corporations focus on capital deployment (10:05) Who or what can drive the transition towards ESG? (12:16) ESG as a strategy for long-term value (14:20) Do’s and dont’s of ESG reporting (16:06) Breaking out of the “sustainability silo” (18:34) How to turn ESG practices into business as usual (19:57) Reframing perceptions around sustainability: a “bottomline” argument (21:56) A tour around the world of ESG legislation (24:06) Why public-private partnerships could change everything (25:42) 10 years ahead, what’s next for ESG? (27:55) Embracing sustainability as a business opportunity (29:01) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Cadence Bank YouTube EY Sustainability Marie Johnson EY Website Marie Johnson LinkedIn Brandon Sutcliffe EY Website Brandon Sutcliffe LinkedIn Bloomberg - “Global ESG assets predicted to hit $40 trillion by 2030” Microsoft - “Closing the Sustainability Skills Gap: Helping businesses move from pledges to progress” Article - “ESG regulation in 2024: Everything you need to know” Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

Artificial Intelligence is the technology on everyone’s minds. Whether it’s using Chat GPT for content creation, or bringing in new tools to process our data differently. We have all started interacting with AI and we all stand to gain from it. Contrary to popular belief, a recent survey by McKinsey shows that AI would not threaten but create millions of new jobs. So how do we integrate this technology into our companies? Answering this question on In Good Companies is Bob Trotter, executive partner at Gartner, and self-labeled “Fintech Evangelist.” Bob is someone who believes in the power of new tools to improve people’s lives. Over the last 25 years, he has developed his IT expertise with companies like EY or ThyssenKrupp. At Gartner, he works with CIOs and CTOs for banking and financial institutions, helping them with their strategy and tech modernization and leveraging emerging technology like artificial intelligence. In this episode, Bob joins our host Ari Marin to discuss everything AI: from backend tasks, to product personalisation and planned integration. We find out how to use this new technology, and address the big questions that are permeating the business world. Why Artificial Intelligence? What does it mean for the future of business? And how can we start using it to our advantage, now? Join Bob and Ari today, and get ready to hack the AI business mindset. Highlights: Why should we be paying attention to AI? (2:55) How the launch of Chat GPT changed access to Artificial Intelligence (4:15) AI’s talents: customization and authorship at scale (5:42) Companies should define their AI “ambitions” (7:00) The importance of identifying good data (8:20) AI to enhance customer facing and operation services (9:54) Addressing fears around data security (12:52) Breaking the myth of AI replacement (14:46) AI will change our business models (17:17) Tips to make AI technology accessible for your teams (20:03) What is the current legal framework around AI? (22:42) “We are still at the beginning of a tremendous journey” (25:00) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Cadence Bank YouTube Gartner Website Gartner LinkedIn Bob Trotter LinkedIn McKinsey Global Institute - “Generative AI and the future of work in America” Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

The 2020 pandemic has drastically changed the business landscape and put the medical aviation industry under the spotlight. When COVID hit, air services became an essential service to give access to healthcare across urban and rural areas alike and they have remained at the forefront of business preoccupations since. Case in point: in 2022, NASA launched a new mission to research and gather data on advanced air mobility. If they reach their ambitions, in five years technologies like air taxis and drones will be integrated into public services. So today, we get to the heart of the medical aviation industry, to understand where it’s been, where it’s going, and how to navigate the changes ahead. And we hear the story of Metro Aviation, the largest private air medical operator in the United States and a family business like no other. With Todd Stanberry, Vice President and Co-owner, we dive into 40 years of business history and build a roadmap for a dense and fast-changing business landscape. We discuss strategies to hone your business expertise and keep a competitive edge, and find out how to balance business tradition with leadership development and technological integration. Tune in with host Ari Marin and Todd today and get ready for take off. Highlights: The early days of Metro Aviation (3:39) How Mike Stanberry booked his first jobs (6:51) Metro’s launch into air medical services (8:51) When Todd joined the family business (11:13) Navigating a dense market – the case of medical aviation (14:38) Specialization as a competitive edge (18:41) Metro Aviation’s completion expertise (20:56) How to balance traditional leadership while embracing the future (22:55) Connecting with the talent inside your ranks (25:08) “I don't have a crystal ball, but I can tell you what needs to change.” (27:49) The future of aviation is electric (29:35) Todd’s personal aspiration for years to come (31:45) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Cadence Bank YouTube Todd Stanberry LinkedIn Metro Aviation LinkedIn Metro Aviation Website Metro Aviation Business News Article: “Metro’s Todd Stanberry on the future of the company and the HEMS sector” Article: "Metro Aviation signs for 20 BETA eVTOLs" Research: Nasa’s Advanced Air Mobility Mission Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

80% of the jobs that will exist in the next decade were not invented 5 years ago. So if you're a young entrepreneur, how do you know where to start? What skills do you need to get some skin in the game? The future of work will change the nature of business education, so in today’s episode, we’re hitting the books with our new guest Dr. John Torrens. John is an award winning professor at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. He has been teaching, mentoring and coaching entrepreneurs for 15 years. A perfect blend of business and education, John has also built two successful speech therapy practices. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Sprout Therapy Group, a multidisciplinary practice providing speech-language and specialized physical therapy for infants and children. From his own entrepreneurial path, to the core skills that emerging leaders will need, today John takes us on a journey to build the future of entrepreneurship. Together, we answer fundamental questions like: what practices are gaining traction in MBAs across the board? Where should we look for new opportunities? And what can we expect from the next generation of founders? Take out your notebooks and get ready for a lesson in business education with our host, Ari Marin, and John Torrens. Highlights: John’s background and professional journey (2:43) Early experiences with talent recruitment (4:27) “Every course I took, I used my business as the lab experiment.” (6:54) Business Education: from “doing” to teaching (8:14) A new growth mindset for entrepreneurship (9:56) Learning from the next generation of entrepreneurs (11:28) Current changes in cultural vision (13:52) Enhancing well-being as a risk-mitigation strategy (16:08) How ADHD changed John’s approach to leadership (18:03) Encouraging entrepreneurial ideas inside your company (21:25) “Entrepreneurship is opportunity driven, not resource constrained” (22:47) Education through network building (24:17) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn John Torrens Website John Torrens Instagram John Torrens LinkedIn John Torrens Syracuse University Website Sprout Therapy Group Website Ted Talk - “John Torrens: ADHD as an Entrepreneur’s Superpower” Research - “Realizing 2030: A Divided Vision of the Future” by Dell Technologies Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

How do you keep track of what is happening inside your company? Do you have a newsletter? Messaging channels like Slack or a go-to person for all questions? How does information reach you? If you feel lost in the maze of internal communication, you’re not alone. Research by Gallup found that 74% of employees believe they’re missing out on work news and company information. So in this episode, we dive into the world of internal communication and find out how and why keeping our teams informed can help us reach our goals both now and for the future. Our guest John Korinek answers the big questions and shows us how streamlining communication can affirm your company values, help you retain talent and make better financial decisions. John is the president and CEO of PartnerComm Inc., an internal communications consulting firm that has been helping organizations identify opportunities and create strategies for their employees for 30 years. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Communication and has worked with companies such as Cisco, Kellogg, PepsiCo, Nordstrom, Burger King, BNSF, Nestlé and many more. Decades in business have earned him a wealth of insights and business tales, which he shares with us today. Join Ari & John in conversation to get creative with your team communication, build effective strategies and manage new cultural challenges in a rapidly changing landscape. Highlights: How John and his wife started PartnerComm Inc. (2:19) The purpose of Internal Communications (4:08) Communication as a financial decision (6:23) Think, know, feel, do: a foundational principle (8:13) Diversifying communication to widen your reach (10:25) “Employees have competing messages; we've got to break through the clutter” (12:44) Creativity and collaboration to enhance communication (14:57) How John practices Internal Communications in his business (17:15) Bottoms up communications to fight for talent (19:34) Flexible work & productivity: new challenges in Cultural Communications (21:03) “Change management starts with transparency” (24:14) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Partner Comm Inc. Website Partner Comm Inc. LinkedIn John Korinek LinkedIn Research: Gallup - “Companies Are Missing on Opportunities for Growth and Revenue” Article: Oak Engage - “21 Scary Internal Communications Statistics” Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

In Good Companies is back! And for Season 6, we’re doing a deep dive into the future of work. Because business will look different in 2050, and if we had to take an educated guess, it seems that technology is going to be a driver of change. In 2024, 86% of organizations have maintained or raised their IT budgets. We all sense that digital tools can help us secure the future of business; we’re just not sure how to use them to our advantage. So today, we speak with a leading voice in the field of technology and entrepreneurship: Shuo Chen, Silicon Valley connoisseur, faculty professor at UC Berkeley and Stanford University, and partner at IOVC, an investment firm focused on early-stage startups that drive the future of work. In this episode, Shuo shows us how tools like AI and Blockchain can revolutionize business. She demonstrates how technology will eliminate repetitive tasks, streamline our processes, redirect our attention to cultural human questions, and afford us more time to hone our leadership skills. Shuo shines a light on a new, diverse generation of self-starters who are taking their seat at the business table. And she breaks down how technology is changing the nature of entrepreneurship; opening up new career paths going forward. So join Shuo Chen and our new host Ari Marin, to get into the nuts and bolts and launch your company into the future! Highlights: A brief history of AI & Blockchain (4:16) Why AI & Blockchain are a powerful combination (6:44) How technology can augment workflows and improve decision making (8:08) Breaking down the “Human VS Technology” myth (10:00) “80% of the jobs available in 2030 were not invented 5 years ago” (11:03) Ways in which technology will change existing roles (12:20) A happy middle: how to juggle automation and personalisation (14:12) Using tech to make different leadership styles possible (15:09) Transformations in the world of entrepreneurship (16:42) FinTech and changes at play in venture funding (18:17) Fractional founders: how Shuo seeded her career (19:41) Debunking the taboo of building fractionally (21:58) Linking together technology, diversity and inclusion (23:41) How widespread access to information can create more fruitful discussion (25:33) “Resistance is a healthy part of technological development” (26:38) A final word from Shuo on the Future of Work (28:26) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Shuo Chen X (Twitter) Shuo Chen LinkedIn IOVC Website Research - “State of the CIO Survey” by Foundry Research - “Realizing 2030: A Divided Vision of the Future” by Dell Technologies Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

Are you a business executive ready to take your company to the next level? Or, an entrepreneur who wants to set their sights on the future? Then stay tuned for Season 6 of In Good Companies, coming to you on October 15th! This season, we're talking about the future of work and helping you build a career for 2030. From AI to ESG, our expert guests are back behind the microphone to cover the hottest topics in the world of business with our new host, Ari Marin. Tune into Season 6 and get ready for the future, whatever it holds. Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Cadence Bank YouTube Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

December is often a busy month, so whether you’re working through it, reuniting with loved ones or cooking up a storm… Consider this your reminder to take a minute and breathe! For the next two weeks, In Good Companies is taking a holiday break to rest and celebrate. We’ll be back in January, with some brand new episodes, as well as a couple of old favorites we picked out just for you. Between business success stories, discussions on corporate well-being and an exclusive look into the trends that will define 2025, we’re not done bringing you the best experts to talk about everything business. So stay with us! We wish you all the best this holiday season and beyond. Thank you for being a part of In Good Companies. Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Cadence Bank YouTube Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Natalie.Barron@cadencebank.com, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com

How much better would the world be if everyone loved going to work? How much more engaged would we be? How much more efficient? That’s the vision of Mohammad Anwar and Chris Pitre (Softway Solutions and Culture+), two co-authors of the Wall Street Journal-bestseller Love as a Business Strategy. They want to revolutionize the way companies do business, by putting people at the center of every decision. But this idea didn’t come out of nowhere. It was born from the real life transformation of their company, Softway Solutions. While we're taking a well-deserved Thanksgiving break, we’re telling that story: how a leader learned to appreciate his team and, in doing so, transformed his company and himself. This episode is a "best of" re-run from Season 3 and is worth every minute! Mohammad founded Softway Solutions when he was 20 years old, and he’d grown the business to over 300 employees since its inception. But by 2015, the company had developed a toxic culture, and Mohammad was known for his unprofessional outbursts. With the business struggling, morale was low. Two weeks after Chris was hired, Softway Solutions laid off a third of its workforce by gathering them in a conference room and telling them all at once. Mohammad didn’t know if the business would last another month. But then he had a realization, and together he and Chris went on a journey to institute a “culture of love.” Through slow, quiet work, Mohammad changed his behaviors and made Softway Solutions a place that employees loved. Success soon followed. Now, they help other businesses change their own cultures. On this episode, we’ll explore the leader’s role in a culture of love: their responsibilities, behaviors and how they stand to benefit. So, join us, as we answer the question: “What’s love got to do with it?” Highlights: Meet Mohammad Anwar & Chris Pitre (1:12) What is “love as a business strategy”? (2:22) The origins of Softway (3:23) The infamous “Dirty fridge” email (5:44) Softway’s darkest day (9:39) Why it’s hard to be a leader (12:02) Mohammad’s epiphany (15:07) Misconceptions about the culture of love (17:21) Perks are not culture (20:21) Culture eats strategy for breakfast, but behaviors eat culture for lunch (21:29) Redefining leadership (23:11) Changing behavior (26:30) Trickle-down culture (28:21) The role of forgiveness (30:15) Softway’s turnaround (31:35) No excuses (35:54) Seneca Leaders (38:28) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank Twitter Cadence Bank LinkedIn Mohammad Anwar LinkedIn Chris Pitre LinkedIn Seneca Leaders Love as a Business Strategy - Book Love as a Business Strategy - Podcast Softway Website Culture+ Website Season 3 Episode 6 - All You Need Is Love: The origins of “Love as a Business Strategy” Season 3 Episode 7 - Everlasting Love: Sustaining a Culture of Love Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, eydie.pengelly@cadencebank.com or danielle.kernell@cadencebank.com.

To conclude our Sea Suite series and help you get back to work on a high note, we’re bringing you an episode about joy. Recent research by Oxford University found that workers are 13% more productive when they’re happy. And yet, another study by BCG found that most company leaders aren’t building their strategies around how their employees feel at work. So joy? It’s a real business question. In this episode, we are joined by designer and joy specialist Ingrid Fetell Lee, to find out how to make our workplaces, our jobs, and ourselves more joyful. A former design director for IDEO, Ingrid is a self-starter with a decade’s worth of research into the science of joy. Her findings made it into a book: Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness. Today, she helps us answer the hard questions: how do we get to feel joyful? Our surroundings, the objects in our homes, the things and people we interact with every day… Why do they influence our emotions? And crucially: what does that mean for our companies? Together, we discuss how to make our workplaces more enjoyable and productive, and what joy means for leadership, teamwork and our business philosophy. Join Ingrid and Ari to spread joy today and make it an integral function of your organization. Highlights: When Ingrid first stumbled upon Joy (2:45) Universal joyful patterns (4:54) The evolutionary explanation for joy (7:32) The difference between joy and happiness (9:33) The Aesthetics of Joy in the Workplace (10:29) How physical space can impact our mental health (13:32) The branded environment: “No one wants to work inside the corporate logo” (15:30) The case of joy contagion at Coca-Cola (16:34) Adopting a new joyful leadership (18:56) “The biggest mistake that I've seen employers make is inconsistency” (20:56) Undoing the corporate bias against joy (22:03) Signs that we have changed our team for the better (23:23) Finding joy while working remotely (25:57) Embracing joy in the present (27:46) Gen Z: a new philosophy of joy (29:27) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn The Aesthetics of Joy Website The Aesthetics of Joy Instagram Ingrid Fetell Lee X (Twitter) Ingrid Fetell Lee LinkedIn Ingrid Fetell Lee Instagram Ingrid Fetell Lee Pinterest Ted Talk: “Where Joy Hides and How to Find It” Research: Oxford University - “Happy workers are 13% more productive” Research: BCG - “Joy at work matters more than you realize” Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Natalie.Barron@cadencebank.com, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com, or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

According to a 2023 poll, nearly 50% of small business owners felt stressed about their finances. So at In Good Companies, before we return to work, we want to learn more about our money feelings. Where do they come from? Are they serving us well? And how can we gain confidence in our potential, to build a healthier relationship with our finances? Our guest Saundra Davis thinks about these questions every single day. Saundra is a Financial Planner and Coach, the Director of Financial Programmes at Golden Gate University, and the founder of Sage Financial Solutions, a non-profit offering support and education to people from all backgrounds. And in today’s episode, she joins Ari for an honest, vulnerable and insightful conversation on financial well-being. Together, they recall how Saundra launched her career after having made every mistake possible in her first business. They spell out the link between trauma and behavior and explain why a good financial plan starts with understanding our needs and values. Working through Saundra’s “Continuum of Financial Well-being”, they also cover what professional support looks like in practice; how to avoid some typical budgetary mistakes when launching a new venture; and how to assess if you’re coping well with your current financial situation. Join them to hit reset and align your dollars, your cents and your values with your business vision. Highlights: “There's no aspect of our lives that money doesn't touch” (3:01) The impact of money feelings on business decisions (4:36) How to recognize an unhealthy financial mindset (6:04) Understanding the "Continuum of Financial Well-being" (8:03) Financial wellness: a subjective question (10:37) Typical financial challenges when launching a new venture (13:50) Financial stress: how we can look out for each other (16:23) Why building trust with your Financial Planner matters (18:28) Financial support starts with your needs (21:25) Money wellness as an investment into the future (23:12) Saundra’s go-to resources for financial support (25:08) “Know where you are; know you're going; build a plan to get there “ (26:39) No Shame Zone: Saundra’s new money mindset (28:18) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Saundra Davis LinkedIn Saundra Davis Golden Gate University Sage Financial Solutions Website Sage Financial Solutions Instagram Article - “Half of Small Business Owners Experience Poor Mental Health” Resource - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Well-being Questionnaire Resource - Financial Therapy Association Resource - Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Natalie.Barron@cadencebank.com, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com, or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

Whether you’re building your company up through growth and innovation or by investing in your culture, being in business often means striving for performance. But is there a science to good leadership? Research in cognitive psychology shows there might be. Our guest today is Dr. Julia DiGangi, author of Energy Rising: The Neuroscience of Leading with Emotional Power. She is a neuropsychologist who works with businesses and entrepreneurs to help them harness their power, and keep their mindset fresh. And for her, great leadership starts when we understand the human brain! In today’s episode, Dr. DiGangi joins our new host Ari Marin to decode the clever machinery of the brain, and unlock new potential! Together, they discuss our cognitive ability to recognize patterns and our natural aversion to uncertainty; they unpack how we can reshape our behaviors to undo fear-based nervous habits; and they reveal that focusing on identity can move organizations towards better cooperation. Dr. DiGangi shares her invaluable research and wealth of knowledge on corporate leadership to help us tap into our brain power. So tune in with Julia and Ari today, and get ready to adopt a whole new performance mindset. Highlights: Understanding how the brain works (3:00) Anxiety as a reaction to uncertainty (4:37) Cognitive strategies: why we'd rather choose physical pain (6:05) Building leadership from the energy of emotion (8:25) “Working” and “overworking” as different nervous responses (11:34) Why identity is the best response to uncertainty (12:54) The emotional math of our professional lives (15:12) Reframing micromanagement as a fear reaction (16:45) Recent changes in the conversation around mental health (18:34) The impact of technology on emotional intelligence (20:28) The creativity of leadership (22:24) Speaking the language of emotions (24:11) “The greatest asset that companies have today is relational intelligence” (26:23) Staying optimistic for the future of collaboration (29:12) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Dr. Julia DiGangi Website Dr. Julia DiGangi X (Twitter) Dr. Julia DiGangi LinkedIn Dr. Julia DiGangi Instagram Book - “Energy Rising: The Neuroscience of Leading with Emotional Power” Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Natalie.Barron@cadencebank.com, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com, or danielle.kernell@cadencebank.com.

This August, In Good Companies is back with a special series to relax, reset and dive back into business. And while summertime is an ideal season to press pause and step out of the office, for some of us, the need for a break is pressing. In 2024, 38% of US employees report having experienced burnout; a phenomenon recognized by the World Health Organisation as an occupational issue. So how do we change our systems and habits to enhance well-being at work, and avoid burnout? When it comes to our corporate lives, what can we do to stay motivated, productive and healthy in the long term? We answer these questions with Paula Davis, a burnout recovery and well-being expert, and CEO of the Stress & Resilience Institute. In this episode, our new host Ari Marin speaks with Paula about what burnout feels like and how to recognize it before it’s too late. Together, we strategize recovery and discuss how to undo stigma, and to open up conversations on mental health inside our companies. Throughout, Paula will share her experiences of triumph over chronic fatigue; proving that burnout is not the end of the road, but a fork in it. So tune in with Paula and Ari, to start a new conversation today and find your path to stress resilience. Highlights: Paula’s own experience with Burnout (2:19) How habits, values, or preconceptions contribute to Burnout (5:05) Taking the time for recovery (7:07) Recognizing early signs of Burnout (9:12) An exercise to notice symptoms (13:03) A “me” and a “we” approach to Burnout (15:27) The “core six” drivers of chronic stress (17:12) How to tackle motivation from generation to generation (19:55) Strategies for recovery and prevention (22:15) Paula’s go-to resources for education (25:45) Breaking the stigma around Burnout (26:59) Using flexibility for professional empowerment (29:41) Burnout as a constructive journey (33:04) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn The Stress & Resilience Institute Website Paula Davis LinkedIn Paula Davis in Forbes World Health Organisation - “Burnout as an ‘occupational’ phenomenon” Spill - “Burnout Statistics You need to know for 2024” Book - Nick Patrie’s “Work Without Stress” Ted Talk - Dr Kelly McGonigal’s “How to Make Stress Your Friend” Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Natalie.Barron@cadencebank.com, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com, or danielle.kernell@cadencebank.com.

In 2024, flexibility is the word in everyone’s business. In a recent survey, the British Standards Institution asked more than 900 leaders worldwide about their priorities for their companies going forward. The results found that flexibility and well-being were the main concerns across the board. But what does flexibility mean, in practice? Is it a new way to consider our office environment, or a whole new mindset for how we lead our teams? Our guest Jacob Morgan has spent the last 13 years thinking about these questions. Jacob is a futurist, a keynote speaker and the best-selling author of The Future of Work and The Employee Experience Advantage. He is also the host of his podcast, Great Leadership. Since leaving his corporate job 15 years ago, Jacob has contributed to countless organizations, helping them achieve better collaboration across the board. Today, he is a multi-hyphenated entrepreneur who shows leaders how to get ahead of new strategic and cultural challenges. So for our mid-season finale, Jacob opens the way into the future of work. From productivity to talent retention, we unpack how to adopt a flexible approach to leadership and collaboration. Together, we uncover how a proactive response to our shortcomings can bring our businesses forward, and keep our teams working well together. We also discuss Jacob’s professional journey, from his early experiences with corporate culture to his latest book, Leading With Vulnerability. Join Jacob Morgan in conversation, to embrace flexibility and find out how competence and connection pave the path to great leadership. Highlights: Jacob’s experience in the corporate world (3:14) Working flexibly as a serial entrepreneur (6:23) The changing nature of the office setup (7:49) Flexibility as a new business mindset (9:56) Solving the talent retention problem with mobility (11:36) Why businesses should focus on culture (15:02) One team, different ages, different perspectives (17:26) Leading with vulnerability (20:07) Competence & Connection: what vulnerability looks like in the workplace (22:00) Embracing the limits of collaboration (24:28) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Jacob Morgan Website Jacob Morgan X (Twitter) Jacob Morgan LinkedIn Jacob Morgan Podcast - Great Leadership Jacob Morgan Books - Leading With Vulnerability Jacob Morgan Books - The Future of Work Jacob Morgan Books - The Employee Experience Advantage British Standards Institution Survey - “Evolving Together - Flourishing in the Age Diverse Workforce” Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Natalie.Barron@cadencebank.com, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com, or danielle.kernell@cadencebank.com.

According to the national census, there are 16.2 million veterans in the U. S., with over 4 million under the age of 55 years old. Many come back from deployment with a whole life ahead of them, and savings ripe for investment. So where does this new life begin? Our guests today will show you the way. In honour of Military Appreciation Month, this week, we're bringing back a favorite episode from last season. Remember LDR Growth Partners? They're a veteran-founded, people-focused investment firm, which was built from the ground up over the last decade. Today, we speak with the men behind the success: Rich Sexton and Will Brame. Rich co-founded the firm in 2013, with two fellow veterans, after seven years of service overseas as an Airborne Ranger and an Infantry Officer. Meanwhile, Will’s background is in finance; he worked at JP Morgan for over a decade, before joining LDR as a partner in 2015. In this episode, Rich and Will give us a lesson in business ownership. They look back on the early days of LDR and its inception in Casper, Wyoming, to reveal how they found their space in the market. With touching authenticity, they discuss their passion for family-owned businesses. They show us how they collaborate with the companies they acquire, and bring their focus on people, first and foremost. And you will hear it at every turn: military leadership continues to inform their business philosophy today. So join Rich and Will on the front line, for a story of grit that will leave you inspired! Highlights: Rich’s story of grit: the origins of LDR Growth Partners (1:56) The deal that put LDR on the map (3:37) Finding a competitive edge between Casper and New York (5:48) Will’s story of grit: from the trading floor to private equity (7:15) Finding a niche with family-owned business (9:49) Every Partner plays their part (11:36) Why carrying a legacy is important (13:48) Understanding who you are working with (15:05) The untapped potential of manufacturing companies (18:08) Military leadership as a business philosophy (20:36) A roadmap to internal restructuring (23:28) How to bring in new leadership (25:09) “No plan survives first contact” (26:06) Collaboration at the heart of LDR (28:11) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank Twitter Cadence Bank LinkedIn LDR Growth Partners Website LDR Growth Partners LinkedIn Rich Sexton’s LinkedIn Will Brame’s LinkedIn Statistics - “U.S. Veterans 2021, by age and gender” If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Natalie.Barron@cadencebank.com, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com, or danielle.kernell@cadencebank.com.

Great business often starts with a need that hasn’t been met. Whether you’re operating in an emerging field, or offering a new service within an established industry, a good niche holds unique potential for your company. Our guest Robert Brawner knows this from experience. As an environmental consultant and the founder of One Consulting Group, Robert was carrying out health and safety assessments, digging out landfills, and removing asbestos before climate change was on everyone’s mind. He started in his field in the 1990s, when environmental regulations were not a primary concern in real estate construction and development, and built two successful environmental consulting firms in Atlanta, Georgia. Thirty years later, his field is booming and he is still at the heart of the action, with a boutique business and clientele he has intentionally nurtured. So in this episode, Robert reveals how to identify a good business niche, and dig in! We unveil the strategies that helped him seed his company, and reflect on the forces at play within the environmental industry today. We draw lessons from Robert’s inspiring professional journey to find out how to keep business flowing even through changing partnerships and financial crashes. Tune in with Robert Brawner for a lesson in motivation and resilience. Highlights: Robert Brawner’s professional background (2:31) How to explore your niche and gather information (4:15) Unpacking the “Blue Ocean” strategy (5:52) Getting into Environmental Consultancy in Atlanta (7:07) How Robert became a partner at his first firm (8:43) Developing environmental consultancy in the commercial space (10:04) Growing your clientele within your niche (11:56) Switching gears before the 2008 financial crash (13:15) “When you leave a business relationship, don’t burn bridges” (15:05) Pivoting in the property development market after 2008 (16:45) How the Atlanta Beltline gave One Consulting Group a new lease on life (17:34) Property redevelopment: adapting & reusing building sites (19:50) The effects of climate change on Robert’s practice (22:08) Convenience, consistency, connection: the Japanese approach to client relationship (24:18) Advantages of keeping business at a boutique scale (27:22) “Now is a great time to grow” (30:02) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn One Consulting Group Website Robert Brawner LinkedIn The Atlanta Beltline Website Article - Why is Environmental Consulting Booming? Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Natalie.Barron@cadencebank.com, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com, or danielle.kernell@cadencebank.com.

Many corporate leaders share a capacity for reinvention, as proven by recent research by Deloitte. According to their 2024 CEO survey, 80% of CEOs can maintain vision and optimism, even when faced with global uncertainty. But what else makes a great CEO? In today’s episode, serial entrepreneur Jay B. Sauceda offers his own creative take on this question. Jay B. is the founder of Western Willow LLC and host of the Texas Country Reporter. Throughout his unusual career, he has launched and sold multiple businesses, jumping at every new opportunity to develop his vision and a creative approach to leadership. Now, he is a consultant and coach who helps chief executives and entrepreneurs gain traction toward their business goals. In today’s episode, Jay B. reflects on two decades of experience with honesty, insight and wisdom. We uncover how process documentation and feedback can help chief executives make better business decisions, and reflect on the importance of community in leadership. From building your team to assessing your needs as a leader, this episode is your-all-in-one guide to innovative leadership. So whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an executive needing inspiration, join Jay B. in conversation, to bring your business vision to life today. Highlights: Jay B. Sauceda’s entrepreneurial background (3:10) No one is CEO on day one (4:22) The benefits of joining an entrepreneur organization (6:01) “Every company has different CEO needs” (7:51) A creative approach to leadership (9:46) Knowing when to get out of the way (11:07) Why process documentation is critical (12:39) Examples of inspiring leadership: Patty McCord (14:40) A good CEO stays true to their method (17:22) Being nice vs. being kind (18:57) Feedback as an invaluable leadership tool (21:53) The importance of growing thicker skin (23:54) Using feedback to make business decisions (25:43) Trust, empathy and community in leadership (27:30) Links: Cadence Bank Website Cadence Bank X (Twitter) Cadence Bank LinkedIn Jay B. Sauceda’s Website Jay B. Sauceda’s X (Twitter) Jay B. Sauceda’s LinkedIn Jay B. Sauceda’s Instagram Texas Humor Instagram Book - Gino Wickman, Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business Book - Patrick Lencioni, Five Dysfunctions of a Team Research - Deloitte’s CEO Survey, Winter 2024 Feedback: If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Natalie.Barron@cadencebank.com, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com, or danielle.kernell@cadencebank.com.