The Balancing Act with Andrew Temte, PhD, CFA

244 episodes

How the Brain Learns at Work, with Dr. Tessa Forshaw
2026-05-07 | 36 mins.
What does cognitive science actually tell us about how adults learn at work — and why are most corporate learning programs still built on myths?

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Dr. Tessa Forshaw — cognitive scientist, co-founder of the Next Level Lab at Harvard University, and co-author of Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World (Wiley, 2025).

Tessa and Andy explore why learning takes effort (and why frictionless tools often don’t teach), what “innovation hesitation” is and how leaders can disarm it, why the apprenticeship model still matters, and what’s coming out of Harvard’s new Workforce Learning and Innovation Initiative.

Tune in to episode 244 to hear Tessa’s story and learn how to design learning that actually changes the brain — and how to lower the bar to innovation so your team can actually take the first step.

Dr. Forshaw is offering a discount for our listeners to Harvard Graduate School of Education's The Future of Workforce Learning and Innovation Certificate Program. Here's the discount code: BAP5 (5% off). The link is here: https://www.gse.harvard.edu/unbound/future-workplace-learning1600

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Leading Through Change with Dave Garrison
2026-04-30 | 32 mins.
What if the biggest untapped resource in your organization is the energy your team members are holding back?

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy speaks with Dave Garrison—CEO and co-founder of Garrison Growth, Harvard MBA, former CEO of NETCOM On-Line Communication Services (one of the first public internet companies), and author of The Buy-In Advantage: Why Employees Stop Caring and How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Give Their All.

Dave draws on 25 years of CEO and board experience—spanning the broadcast, wireless, and internet industries—to explain why traditional engagement metrics miss the mark and what leaders can do instead. The conversation explores the critical difference between compliance and genuine buy-in, practical tools for cascading strategic objectives through every level of an organization, and hard-won lessons from leading companies through hypergrowth.

Tune in episode 243 to hear Dave’s story and learn why creating a culture of buy-in doesn’t cost a dime—it just requires leaders willing to invite people in rather than tell them what to do.

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Work-Based Learning: Bridging Education and Industry with Stephanie Reisner
2026-04-23 | 38 mins.
What if the answer to the skills gap isn’t competing for talent—but developing it before graduation?

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte speaks with Stephanie Reisner—President and CEO of GPS Education Partners and co-author of Make School Work: Solving the American Youth Employment Crisis Through Work-Based Learning.

Andy and Stephanie dig into the mindset shift from buying talent to developing it, the power of mentorship in work-based learning, GPS Ed’s partnership with 3M to scale manufacturing career pathways, and the four A’s framework—authentic learning that develops aspiration, ability, and agency. Stephanie also offers pointed advice for school superintendents and parents navigating workforce readiness with their teens.

Tune in to episode 242 to hear Stephanie’s story and learn how communities, employers, and educators can build career pathways that actually lead somewhere meaningful.
De-Escalate Conflict in 90 Seconds | Doug Noll
2026-04-16 | 34 mins.
How do you calm an angry person in 90 seconds or less—without defending yourself, explaining, or arguing back?

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte speaks with Doug Noll—a trial lawyer turned peacemaker, award-winning mediator, and author of De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less. Doug is also the co-founder of the Prison of Peace project, where he trained maximum security inmates to reduce violence using empathy skills, and he teaches decision making under uncertainty and conflict at Pepperdine’s Straus Institute.

Doug shares the neuroscience behind affect labeling—the simple practice of naming someone’s emotions to quiet the brain’s threat response—and reveals how two words (“you feel”) can transform relationships, resolve team conflict, and build trust.

From the story of a prison inmate who reconnected with her son after 18 years to a CEO who turned a toxic culture around in six months, this conversation makes the case that empathy isn’t a soft skill—it’s the hardest and most important leadership skill there is.

Tune in to episode 241 hear Doug’s story and learn what it really means to listen someone into existence.

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I Bottled My Mother: Building Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day | Monica Nassif
2026-04-09 | 26 mins.
What happens when a nurse-turned-speechwriter has a eureka moment in a big-box store and decides to reinvent the way America cleans? In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte talks with Monica Nassif—the founder of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day and Caldrea—about building brands rooted in authenticity, disrupting a $30 billion market, and knowing when to let go of the business you built from nothing.

Monica Nassif is a serial entrepreneur, brand builder, consultant, and author based in Minneapolis. She founded Caldrea in 2000 and Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day in 2002, scaling the brands into more than 20,000 stores nationwide before selling to SC Johnson in 2008. Her career began at Target Corporation (then Dayton Hudson) as an executive speechwriter, and she went on to found the marketing communications agency Kilter Inc. Monica has been inducted into the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame and named University of Minnesota Entrepreneur of the Year and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Midwest Division). Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, and Real Simple. She also appeared on NPR’s How I Built This with Guy Raz. Her new book, I Bottled My Mother: The Mrs. Meyer’s Story: Grit, Grime & Growing a Business (IdeaPress Publishing, March 2026), is her third book.

Monica’s rocket-booster moment came at 28—the oldest intern in Target’s history—when her English advisor slid an internship application across the table and changed the trajectory of her career. That experience ignited a love for retail and consumer products that eventually led her to walk a big-box store in Atlanta, look at a pallet of garish cleaning products, and ask, “What if that was awesome?”

Guest: Monica Nassif
Website: monicanassif.com
Book: I Bottled My Mother: The Mrs. Meyer’s Story: Grit, Grime & Growing a Business (IdeaPress Publishing, March 2026)
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/monica-nassif-686876335

Host: Andy Temte
Website: andrewtemte.com
Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, and all major streaming platforms.

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About The Balancing Act with Andrew Temte, PhD, CFA

Elevate Your Leadership Journey Through Authentic Conversations with Business Leaders In business, balancing acts are everywhere. Join Dr. Andrew Temte for The Balancing Act Podcast—an award-winning leadership development podcast featuring authentic, in-depth conversations with accomplished business leaders, senior executives, entrepreneurs, and industry experts who share the real stories behind their professional success. What You'll Discover: Each episode explores the critical skills and balancing acts that define exceptional leadership through engaging conversations covering: Leadership development and executive management strategies Organizational health, trust, and workplace accountability Employee engagement and team performance optimization Communication skills and business transformation Financial acumen and business decision-making Career acceleration strategies and professional growth Continuous improvement and lifelong learning principles Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace Emerging trends in AI, technology, and workforce development The Balancing Act Format: Every episode features four powerful segments: Origin Stories - Discover how today's leaders began their professional journeys Rocket Booster Moments - Learn about the pivotal events that accelerated their careers Deep Dive Conversations - Explore timely business topics with actionable insights you can apply immediately Lightning Round Questions - Quick-fire questions that reveal your guests' perspectives on leadership, success, and life With over 200 episodes, The Balancing Act examines business challenges from multiple perspectives, giving you comprehensive insights into the skills that drive workplace success. Your Host: Dr. Andrew Temte is the former CEO of Kaplan Professional and bestselling author of "Balancing Act: Teach, Coach, Mentor, Inspire" and "The Balanced Business: Building Organizational Trust and Accountability through Smooth Workflows." As a thought leader on leadership development, organizational health, and corporate learning, Andy brings deep expertise in professional education and business management to every conversation. He holds a PhD in finance from the University of Iowa and the CFA designation, with over 15 years of university teaching experience. Who Should Listen: Perfect for aspiring leaders, mid-level managers seeking executive roles, C-suite executives refining their approach, entrepreneurs building their businesses, and anyone committed to continuous improvement and professional growth. New episodes weekly. Subscribe today and elevate your leadership journey.

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