CivilTalk

by CivilTalk

Building a Stronger Civic Future: Rich Harwood on Community, Hope & Meaningful Change

What does it take to rebuild trust, strengthen communities, and move forward in a world that often feels divided? In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with Rich Harwood — founder and president of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation and author of The New Civic Path and Stepping Forward. Together, we explore what it means to create real change in modern society through deeper listening, community engagement, and more intentional conversations. In this conversation, we discuss: • Why so many communities feel disconnected today • The difference between reacting and creating meaningful change • How leaders can rebuild trust through everyday actions • The role of listening and emotional intelligence in civic life • Practical ways individuals can contribute to stronger communities • Hope, purpose, and finding agency during uncertain times This episode is for leaders, educators, changemakers, and anyone interested in creating healthier conversations and a more connected world. Listen, subscribe, and join us as we explore how better conversations shape better communities.

E44

May 27, 2026

1:03:23

The Science Behind Making Better Decisions with Decision Scientist Cheryl Strauss Einhorn

In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we speak with Cheryl Strauss Einhorn - decision scientist, founder and CEO of Decisive, educator at Cornell and Columbia, and author of Problem Solved, Problem Solver, and her newest book The Human Edge: Smarter Decisions in the Age of AI. Drawing from her research and the development of the AREA Method, Cheryl explains how individuals and organizations can improve judgment, navigate cognitive bias, and approach complex decisions with greater clarity and confidence. The conversation also explores her concept of Problem Solver Profiles, which reveal the different ways people naturally approach problem-solving - and how understanding these styles can improve leadership, teamwork, and communication. Together, we discuss the intersection of human judgment and artificial intelligence, and why the future isn’t about replacing human thinking with machines — but learning how to lead AI with curiosity, skepticism, and discernment. Topics discussed in this episode include: • Why good decision-making is a learnable skill • The hidden biases that shape how we think and judge • Understanding your Problem Solver Profile • How leaders and teams can make more thoughtful decisions • Why human judgment still matters in the age of AI • How AI can augment — rather than replace — our thinking Cheryl’s work offers a powerful reminder that while technology can process vast amounts of information, the most important decisions will always require human insight, values, and responsibility. Learn more about Cheryl Strauss Einhorn and the AREA Method: https://areamethod.com

E43

Mar 18, 2026

47:50

The Work of Alignment: Closing the Gap Between Values and Behavior with Jason Craige Harris

In this episode of CivilTalk, Topacio Althaus sits down with strategist, mediator, and leadership advisor Jason Craige Harris for a wide-ranging conversation about alignment, integrity, and the work of repairing relationships within families, organizations, and institutions. Jason is the CEO of Perception Strategies, a consulting firm that helps leaders and organizations strengthen culture, navigate conflict, and design systems that function more effectively. He also serves as Senior Advisor at the Perception Institute, a research consortium advancing fairness and belonging in social systems. Drawing on his background in ethics, psychology, restorative justice, and systems thinking, Jason shares insights from his work helping groups confront difficult truths, rebuild trust, and close the gap between the values they claim and the behaviors they practice. Together, they explore: • Why organizations struggle to live their stated values • What most people misunderstand about conflict • The role of courage and repair in leadership • How systems and culture shape behavior • What it means to live an “aligned” life This conversation offers practical insights for leaders, teams, and anyone interested in building healthier relationships and institutions. Learn more about CivilTalk and our AI communication tool Clarion at Civiltalk.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, follow, and share the show.

E42

Mar 4, 2026

1:04:17

Becoming the Boss People Want to Work For with Sabina Nawaz

In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, Topacio Althaus sits down with Sabina Nawaz — leadership coach, keynote speaker, and former Microsoft executive — to explore how pressure and power quietly shape behavior at the top. Drawing from her book You’re the Boss, Sabina unpacks a critical truth of leadership: as roles expand, the pressure to perform can corrupt even the best intentions, and increased power can blind leaders to the impact they’re having on others. In this conversation, we examine why feedback breaks down at senior levels, how blind spots form under pressure, and what leaders can do to manage authority with self-awareness, humility, and humanity. Together, we discuss practical strategies for navigating influence, repairing trust, and leading without losing yourself — offering insights for executives, managers, and anyone responsible for guiding others in high-stakes environments.

E41

Feb 6, 2026

48:11

Bringing Your Whole Self to Work: Leadership, Trust, and Psychological Safety with Mike Robbins

In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with leadership expert, bestselling author, and podcast host Mike Robbins for a thoughtful conversation about trust, authenticity, and the human dynamics that shape workplace culture. Drawing from more than twenty-five years of experience working with organizations like Google, Microsoft, Pixar, the NBA, and Harvard University — and from his books Bring Your Whole Self to Work and We’re All in This Together — Mike explores the deeper beliefs underlying his work. Together, we discuss psychological safety as a performance driver, why appreciation and belonging are often overlooked in leadership, and what it really takes to build cultures where people feel safe, engaged, and empowered to contribute. This conversation goes beyond leadership theory to examine how emotional intelligence, civility, and repair shape trust — especially in moments of tension and change — and what leaders must unlearn to meet the demands of today’s workplaces.

E40

Jan 29, 2026

53:09

The Human Touch: Workplace Strategist Erica Keswin, on Connection, Rituals & Modern Leadership

Today on the CivilTalk Podcast, we are joined by the incredible Erica Keswin: a workplace strategist who has spent more than two decades helping organizations around the world build cultures rooted in connection, clarity, and care. In this episode, Erica unpacks her research on why rituals matter, how leaders can retain and re-energize teams in a changing world, and what it means to “bring your human to work” when hybrid schedules and digital tools dominate our days. This is a conversation about empathy, rituals, intentionality, and redesigning the workplace so people—not just productivity—come first. Whether you lead a team, work in a fast-paced environment, or simply care about creating more civil, emotionally intelligent spaces, you’ll walk away with insights you can use right now.

E39

Dec 5, 2025

38:52

How to Disagree Without Dehumanizing: A Conversation with Marianne Viray of Disagree Better

Between family arguments, online outrage, and political hostility, many people feel like civil dialogue is slipping away. Marianne Viray believes we can bring it back. In this episode, we speak with the Executive Director of Disagree Better, whose work blends decades of political experience with tools that help people communicate across deep differences without losing dignity. Marianne shares the personal experiences that shaped her belief that disagreement isn’t dangerous; contempt is. Through the story of the Dignity Index, Marianne reveals how individuals, leaders, and entire communities can move from division to understanding using simple, human-centered practices. If you’ve ever wondered how to talk to someone you disagree with—or how we heal a polarized nation—this conversation is for you.

E38

Nov 15, 2025

50:30

Laughing Our Way Back to Humanity with Comedian Craig Shoemaker

What if laughter isn’t just entertainment, but medicine for the mind, body, and culture? In this episode of The CivilTalk Podcast, host Topacio Althaus sits down with Craig Shoemaker— Emmy-winning comedian, TEDx speaker, and founder of Laughter Heals and Laughter Worx. With four decades of experience on stage and in boardrooms, Craig reveals how humor rewires the brain, restores connection, and transforms leadership from the inside out. Together, they explore the neuroscience of joy, the emotional intelligence behind authentic humor, laughing exercises, and how laughter can rebuild civility in our workplaces and our world. Learn more at CivilTalk.com — home of OrgTalk, our groundbreaking tool that helps organizations measure, track, and strengthen civility in real time, turning empathy and respect into daily habits.

E37

Oct 20, 2025

1:02:06

What Leaders Can Learn from SEL in Schools with Dr. Jessica Hoffmann, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Hoffmann, Assistant Professor at the Yale Child Study Center and Director of Research at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Jessica leads groundbreaking research on how social and emotional learning (SEL) shapes school climate, student creativity, and the well-being of both students and educators. We talk about the science behind Yale’s two high school initiatives, RULER and inspirED, and explore how teaching emotional skills at an early age builds healthier, more creative, and more resilient communities. Jessica also shares her insights on emotion regulation, the role of peers in shaping emotional development, and why SEL isn’t just for students — it’s a foundation for life. If you’re curious about how emotional intelligence can transform schools, fuel creativity, and strengthen communities, this conversation is packed with both science and heart.

E36

Sep 22, 2025

42:38

The Purpose Gap: Why Most of Us Feel Disconnected at Work with Bea Boccalandro

In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with Bea Boccalandro, author of Do Good at Work and a leading voice on workplace purpose. Bea has spent decades helping companies and individuals discover how meaningful work transforms not only organizations, but also our personal well-being. We explore why so many employees feel disengaged despite record spending on workplace programs — and why the real issue is often a “purpose deficit.” Bea shares powerful insights on how to connect our daily tasks to something bigger, why purpose drives both performance and happiness, and how leaders can create cultures where people thrive. Whether you’re a leader searching for better engagement, or an individual seeking more fulfillment in your work, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to rethink what “doing good at work” really means.

E35

Sep 16, 2025

53:12

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