Unfolding Thought

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  • 30–Kari Zeller: Humanity’s Buffalo Moment

    30–Kari Zeller: Humanity’s Buffalo Moment

    Eric Pratum sits down with Kari Zeller, whose journey began as an Air Force officer confronting the critical realities of aircraft maintenance during wartime. Kari explains how her leadership evolution from the battlefield to the corporate world shaped her approach to organizational mobilization—a distinct departure from traditional change management. Together, they explore why aligning strategy, structure, culture, and human engagement is essential for successfully navigating complex transitions, including mergers, acquisitions, and shifts in organizational eras.

    Kari also addresses today’s pressing leadership challenges around AI disruption, accelerating technological change, and the profound psychological aspects of human transitions, urging leaders to foster genuine trust and co-creation rather than control and coercion.

    Topics Explored:

    1. From Battlefield to Boardroom: How Kari’s military experiences shaped her views on leadership and organizational mobilization.
    2. Beyond Change Management: Why traditional strategies often fail and how mobilization creates lasting organizational transformations.
    3. Human Messiness & Performance: Embracing subjective human experiences as a pathway to real organizational success.
    4. Co-Creation in Leadership: The importance of genuinely involving teams in authoring the organization’s future.
    5. AI and Organizational Uncertainty: Preparing teams and strategies for accelerating disruptions from AI and quantum computing.
    6. Psychological Transitions: Effectively navigating the human dimensions of major change, from grief and loss to successful integration into new organizational realities.

    Links:

    For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com
    Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

  • 29–Derek Mulhern: The Human Side of Organizational Strategy

    In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum talks with Derek Mulhern—a consultant often working with nonprofits and associations to align their strategic vision with practical human-centered solutions. With over 15 years of experience in organizational strategy, team alignment, and board governance, Derek shares powerful insights into why many organizations struggle with effective change implementation and how true transformation hinges upon understanding and addressing interpersonal dynamics.

    Derek discusses why simply applying “best practices” often misses the mark, leading to burnout, frustration, and organizational friction. Through stories and real-world examples, Derek illustrates how to better approach organizational change by grounding it in clear, shared experiences rather than abstract metrics alone. He emphasizes that transformation becomes truly sustainable when changes become ingrained in the culture, mindset, and everyday experiences of an organization’s people.

    Topics Explored:

    1. Beyond Best Practices – Why standard solutions often fail to produce meaningful change.
    2. Human-Centered Strategy – The importance of aligning strategic goals with the lived experiences of people in your organization.
    3. The Experience of Transformation – Why true change is more like an ongoing journey than a clearly defined destination.
    4. The Pitfalls of Misalignment – How hidden assumptions and unspoken expectations derail organizational effectiveness.
    5. Visioning for Reality – Effective strategies to define and articulate clear, achievable, and shared organizational visions.
    6. Managing Overwhelm and Conflict – Practical tools and exercises Derek employs to manage team dynamics and interpersonal conflicts.

    Links:

    For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com
    Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

  • 28–Alan Fine: Exploring the Inner Game to GROW

    On this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum sits down with Alan Fine, renowned coach and one of the originators of GROW. Alan takes listeners through his unexpected journey into coaching, from a childhood tennis tournament to shaping global leadership strategies. The conversation delves into how coaching is not merely about asking questions, but also about creating environments where people can safely explore and harness their own potential. Alan emphasizes the importance of choice, focus, and how our inner dialogues influence performance.

    Listeners will discover that the simplicity of effective coaching tools often masks their profound impact, making them accessible to anyone aspiring to be more effective in their personal and professional lives.

    Topics Explored:

    1. Alan Fine’s personal journey: From asthmatic childhood to renowned coaching expert.
    2. The true story behind GROW and its practical application.
    3. The inner game and overcoming interference to improve performance.
    4. Why listening is the most critical skill for leaders and coaches.
    5. Democratizing coaching: Empowering everyone to have impactful conversations.
    6. Making mindful decisions: How to control focus and foster peak performance.

    Links:

  • 27–Sheila Burkett: From Corporate Tech to Racing Cars and Digital Innovation

    In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum sits down with Sheila Burkett, a tech entrepreneur whose background spans finance, racing, historic redevelopment, and digital innovation. Sheila’s career started at Edward Jones, where she advanced from intern to general partner, gaining insight into technology and leadership along the way. Sheila went on to co-found Spry Digital, leveraging open-source technology to empower small and medium-sized businesses with the digital solutions they develop

    Sheila’s journey illustrates how embracing risk, nurturing resilience, and championing innovation can lead to opportunity and impact. Sheila is also a vocal advocate for women in technology, emphasizing the critical role of confidence-building and community support to foster inclusion in STEM.

    Topics Explored:

    1. Career Transitions – How Sheila navigated major career shifts, from Edward Jones executive to race car entrepreneur and digital agency founder.
    2. Importance of Open Source – Sheila discusses why open-source software is vital for empowering businesses and leveling the competitive playing field.
    3. Leadership and Learning – Key moments and philosophies that shaped Sheila’s approach to leadership and continuous learning.
    4. Resilience in Entrepreneurship – Sheila’s insights into embracing failure, nurturing innovation, and maintaining transparency during challenging times.
    5. Women in Technology – Barriers, misconceptions, and Sheila’s advocacy for greater inclusion and confidence-building for young women in STEM.
    6. Systems and Culture – How Sheila applies her technology and marketing expertise to build efficient operational systems and positive workplace cultures.

    Links:

    For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com

    Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

  • 26–Mandy Maddela Hoskinson: Evolving with Social Media

    In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum chats with Mandy Hoskinson—a digital marketer and agency founder whose journey took her from UCLA’s nascent social media team to founding her own agency in Los Angeles. Along the way, Mandy led social campaigns for marquee brands (like CBS primetime shows, the LA Olympic bid, and more), using her holistic, multicultural perspective to connect data and storytelling. She shares how seizing the right moments (and sometimes pure luck) catapulted her from being an intern dabbling in “the new Facebook events feature” to orchestrating global campaigns with large, diverse teams. Now at the helm of Zolay, Mandy offers high-level strategic social media, bridging her passions for community-building and operational data.

    Topics Explored:

    1. From Art & Anthropology to Social Marketing – How Mandy’s unique UCLA degree and global curiosity shaped her approach to communications.
    2. The UCLA Flood & Crisis Comms – Early in her career, Mandy landed in a real-world crisis scenario that taught her the power of facts and quick thinking.
    3. Scaling Strategy & Data – Why Mandy believes every brand needs both “heart” and a CRM-level view of their audience if they want to see real ROI from social.
    4. Building Communities – As President of Social Media Club LA and VP of SMC Global, Mandy talks about how local chapters can support marketers’ careers.
    5. From One-Woman Shop to 12-Person Team – Lessons learned in the transition from freelancing at home to opening an LA studio, including the pandemic pivot.
    6. Cultural Sensitivity in Content – Why certain words, trends, or jokes can backfire, and how Mandy’s multicultural background helps clients navigate complexities.

    Links:

    For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com

    Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

  • 25–Kimberly Beckley: Rethinking Beauty School Dreams

    25–Kimberly Beckley: Rethinking Beauty School Dreams

    In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum welcomes Simplifying Beauty founder Kimberly Beckley, a lash artist, salon owner, and soon-to-be academy director with 20 years of beauty industry experience. Kimberly isn’t your typical beauty professional: she’s driven by the idea that real success comes from running a human-focused, sustainable business—not just chasing trends or hustling 24/7. Kimberly opens up about:

    • Her own journey from corporate environments to entrepreneurship, seeking a healthy work-life balance for herself and her staff.
    • The hard truth about the 37% annual attrition rate in cosmetology, fueled by beauty schools that fail to teach real business fundamentals.
    • Why she believes enhancing someone’s natural beauty is about far more than aesthetics; it’s a confidence boost that can ripple through every area of a client’s life.
    • The parallels between beauty-school promises and the broader higher-ed “sell”—and how a lack of practical training can leave people saddled with debt or a failing business.
    • How her new academy will offer not just technical skill-building but also the strategies you need for running a profitable business while maintaining boundaries and sanity.

    If you’ve ever been curious about how a heart-driven entrepreneur can rewrite the script for future generations—this conversation is for you.

    Topics Explored:

    1. From Corporate Burnout to Lash Artist – How Kimberly transitioned from a stifling 9-to-5 life into cosmetology—and why she wanted more autonomy for family and self-fulfillment.
    2. Why Beauty Schools Fail Aspiring Entrepreneurs – The reality behind beauty programs: great at teaching state-board skills, terrible at teaching business fundamentals.
    3. Building Confidence vs. Selling Trends – Kimberly explains why she’s big on “there she is again” moments—helping women recognize their authentic selves.
    4. Cutting Through the Hustle-and-Grind Myth – Strategies Kimberly uses (like 90-day reset periods) to avoid burnout, stay profitable, and set boundaries, proving you can love your work without sacrificing your life.
    5. Parallels to Broader Education – How the “bill of goods” about limitless earnings in beauty school mirrors the promises some traditional universities make—without giving students the “blueprint” for actual success.

    Links:

    For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com

    Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

  • 24–Ted Wright – The Timeless Power of Word-of-Mouth Marketing

    24–Ted Wright – The Timeless Power of Word-of-Mouth Marketing

    In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum chats with Ted Wright, the unstoppable force behind the word-of-mouth marketing agency Fizz. Whether you’ve sipped on a Pabst Blue Ribbon after hearing it was suddenly “cool,” tried chocolate milk as your new post-gym recovery hack, or embraced Intel’s early dual-core chip for gaming, there’s a good chance Ted’s work was behind it. Ted insists that the most human brand wins, so his focus is on finding the right story—one that’s authentic, interesting, and relevant—then allowing everyday advocates to share it.

    Topics Explored:

    1. Why Story Matters More Than Ever – Why no amount of paid ads can replace a friend’s recommendation and how 8 in 10 Americans distrust brand statements.
    2. A.I. and Word of Mouth – Ted’s take on how new technology can boost but never replace genuine human conversation.
    3. Backstory of Big Successes – How PBR broke into the hipster scene and chocolate milk became the surprise champion for recovery drinks—all through word-of-mouth.
    4. Math + Art = Great Marketing – According to Ted, marketing starts with data but culminates in creative storytelling that triggers real conversations.
    5. Advocates vs. Influencers – Understanding the difference between intrinsically motivated brand loyalists and pay-to-play online personalities, and how each shapes your brand’s future.

    If you’ve ever wondered why certain brands become overnight sensations while others burn millions on ads with little return, Ted’s stories and insights will reshape how you view marketing’s real engine—conversations that spread person to person.

    Links:

    For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com

    Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

  • 23–Jeremy Haselwood – From Rap Dreams to Purposeful EDGE

    23–Jeremy Haselwood – From Rap Dreams to Purposeful EDGE

    In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum welcomes Jeremy Haselwood—a dynamic marketer, speaker, and two-time author who once poured his heart into making it big in the music industry. Reflecting on experiences from rap battles to marketing consulting for Fortune 500 clients, Jeremy shares how he discovered his “why,” found balance after years of full-throttle hustle, and now helps organizations plan and execute with true purpose.

    Topics Explored:

    1. Rap Hustle to Marketing Muscle: Discover how sleepless nights, on-stage setbacks, and raw ambition in Jeremy’s 20s sharpened his resilience and shaped his approach to business.
    2. Finding Your Edge: Learn about Jeremy’s EDGE framework—Eliminate Distractions, Discover Yourself, Generate Goals, and Enact Discipline—and why it’s a game-changer for anyone in transition.
    3. VOSTEK Planning Model: Vision, Objectives, Strategy, Tactics, Execution, and KPIs. Jeremy explains how this model helps teams get clear on goals and avoid “the devil you know” approach to stuck processes.
    4. Owning the Initiative: Why large organizations often flounder with new tech (like AI) or big ideas—because no one officially owns it. Jeremy’s method of assigning true accountability.
    5. Purposeful Marketing & Self-Care: Balancing relentless drive with well-being. Jeremy reveals how he now ensures that hustle doesn’t mean burnout, and why nonprofits and for-profits alike must focus on people over process.

    If you’re ready for a candid, uplifting conversation on bridging personal passion and professional purpose—plus strategies for turning big goals into real results—this episode will spark fresh motivation and clarity.

    Links:

    For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com

    Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

  • 22–Lucas Mack – Every man dies, but not every man really lives

    22–Lucas Mack – Every man dies, but not every man really lives

    In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum welcomes Lucas Mack—former morning TV reporter, creative agency founder, and head of brand for Kubota. Through personal stories of adversity and triumph, Lucas explains how telling the truth—both to yourself and to others—can become a powerful catalyst for transformation in business and life.

    Topics Explored:

    1. Resilience Rooted in Hardship – Lucas shares how surviving a difficult childhood taught him not only grit but also the importance of authenticity.
    2. Finding the Real Story – From local news segments to advertising campaigns, Lucas shows how a deep dive into human motivations and emotions uncovers the hidden spark that inspires customers, employees, and entire organizations.
    3. Leading With Courage – Why surrounding yourself with humble yet bold people elevates team performance—and what it looks like to call out executive assumptions.
    4. Building a Next-Level Brand – Beyond “being number one in your category,” Lucas argues for building a brand that stands for something big—so big that profit becomes the byproduct, not the prime product.
    5. Truth as Freedom – Whether it’s refusing to settle for surface-level answers or owning your own story, Lucas reveals why naming the truth is the only way to break free from cultural constraints and unlock genuine innovation.

    If you’re curious how bold honesty, personal resilience, and a well-defined ‘why’ can turn a brand—or any team—into a lasting success, Lucas’s insights will help you bring deeper authenticity to your own work.

    Links:

    For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com

    Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

  • 21–Juli Rush – Foresight, Grief, and the Courage to Let Futures End

    21–Juli Rush – Foresight, Grief, and the Courage to Let Futures End

    In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum welcomes Juli Rush, whose work spans educating everyone from middle-schoolers to adults in strategic foresight and supporting individuals as a death doula. Drawing on her background in thanatology (the study of death and dying) and her role as Director of the Foresight Activation Lab at the University of Houston, Juli reveals how these seemingly different fields share a surprising thread:

    1. When the Future Dies — Juli explains her framework—Hospice, Vigil, Compost—for guiding both individuals and organizations through endings. It’s not just about literal death; it’s about letting old visions go, so new ones can flourish.
    2. Emotional Intelligence & Scenario Thinking — Facilitating “collapsing” scenarios in strategic foresight can trigger strong emotional reactions. Juli shows how grief techniques help leaders remain resilient and empathetic when confronting unsettling possibilities.
    3. Fostering Resilience in Children — From teaching kids how to map out the future of war to letting them creatively debate AI, she illustrates why early exposure to foresight concepts can build crucial adaptability in a rapidly changing world.
    4. Culture, Systems, and Hard Conversations — Whether it’s organizational “end-of-life” decisions or moral dilemmas around technology, Juli believes in honest—and often uncomfortable—dialogue that unearths root values and reorients us to what truly matters.
    5. Beyond ‘Sustain at All Costs’ — At times, sustaining a job, product, or personal project just to avoid the label failure can be more harmful than letting go. Juli describes how knowing when to say goodbye can transform complacency into possibility.

    If you’re curious about how deeper reflection on mortality can spark more vibrant futures—for your team, your community, or yourself—Juli’s integrative approach will challenge assumptions and offer practical frameworks you can apply right away.

    Links:

    For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com

    Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com