The Balancing Act with Andrew Temte, PhD, CFA

240 episodes

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.
How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders | Kate Lowry
2026-04-02 | 22 mins.
Fear-based leaders are forming networks—and they’re not hiding anymore. In this return episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte sits down with CEO coach and author Kate Lowry to unpack practical tools for navigating toxic leadership without losing yourself in the process.

Kate Lowry is a CEO coach, venture capitalist, and author based in Silicon Valley. She developed her expertise on fear-based leadership growing up in a hierarchical family, then refined her approach across startups, private equity, management consulting, and big tech—including roles at McKinsey, Meta, and Insight Partners. She is the founder of Scaleheart Co. and the author of Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders (October 2025). Kate first appeared on the Balancing Act in Episode 213.

In this conversation, Kate describes the cultural whiplash she’s witnessed over the past three years—a dramatic swing from emotionally intelligent, employee-centered leadership to an environment where fear, dominance, and cruelty are openly celebrated. She shares how she recognized that her coaching clients—accomplished leaders from top institutions—were paralyzed by this shift, and realized she had a survival toolkit they desperately needed.

Guest: Kate Lowry

Website: katelowry.com

Coaching: scaleheart.co

Book: Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/katherinejlowry

Instagram: @kaitunbreakablelaury

Host: Andy Temte

Website: andrewtemte.com
Mental Health at Work: Skills for Leaders and Teams | Melissa Doman
2026-03-26 | 33 mins.
Why do leadership titles make it harder — not easier — to talk about mental health at work?

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte speaks with Melissa Doman, MA — organizational psychologist, former mental health therapist, and author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work and her new book, Cornered Office: Why We Need to Talk About Leadership Mental Health. Melissa shares why awareness alone isn’t enough — people need conversational literacy to discuss mental health in the workplace.

From coaching hyperventilating leaders behind closed doors to watching entire organizations transform their conversations over 18 months, Melissa makes the case that mental health is a core strategic business priority, not an optional wellness add-on.

Tune in to episode 238 hear Melissa’s practical framework for starting these conversations — and why the quiet part needs to be said out loud.
Career Growth Through Mentorship and an Open Mind | Bolaji James
2026-03-19 | 23 mins.
How does a 16-year-old immigrant from Nigeria end up leading global trade marketing at Bose Corporation?

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, host Andy Temte speaks with Bolaji James — Head of Global Trade Marketing & Retail Operations at Bose and a proud member of the very first cohort of the Kaplan Leadership Program. Bolaji shares the story of how a persistent transfer advisor and a challenge from his then-girlfriend (now wife) led him to write the essay that changed his life — and how the Kaplan Educational Foundation didn’t just offer a scholarship, but molded him into the leader he is today. From his emotional arrival at Morehouse College to the career lessons he carries into senior management at Bose, this conversation is a masterclass in the power of mentorship, an open mind, and asking for help.

Tune in to hear Bolaji’s story and learn why the best career advice often comes from simply asking one question: “What do you wish you knew?”
Leveraging AI to Enhance Human Connection | Allison Shapira
2026-03-12 | 28 mins.
What does authentic leadership communication look like in the age of AI? In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Andy speaks with Allison Shapira—opera singer turned keynote speaker, Harvard Kennedy School lecturer, and bestselling author of Speak with Impact and AI for the Authentic Leader.

Allison shares her career rocket-booster moment—quitting a prestigious consulting job on day three to launch her own business—and reveals why the leaders who communicate most effectively are the ones who listen first. The conversation covers the fear of public speaking, the trust gap created by AI over-reliance, the hidden cost of corporate jargon, and why folk music taught her more about authentic leadership than opera ever did.

Tune in to hear Allison’s story and learn how to lead with your voice—authentically.

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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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