The Even Better Podcast

Sinikka Waugh and b. Robert Moore discuss the 2 Important Life Lessons with b. Robert Moore.

Robert Moore (b.1983-) Des Moines, Iowa | Lakewood, California. Robert, a multidisciplinary contemporary artist started painting to counter drug addiction and alcoholism among mental and emotional health outlets. To Robert, he is constantly in pursuit of happiness, which in his current state is defined by fulfillment + purpose. He finds purpose in connecting narrative and opening doors for connection, relation, healing, and discussion. From up-cycled sculpture to abstract portrait and urban neo-expressionism, Robert has defined his genre or style as "narrative". He is purposeful with every word, brushstroke, and connection to the work with contention if intentional or accidental occurrences influenced the work. Like many human and human experiences, the exterior never truly tellS how the person was composed within the interior or influences/experiences that impacted them and so human nature typically has a subjective stance. Robert attempts to strip away those subjective "soft" assumptions of the narrative instead of calling it out directly. That is the goal of his work, to conflict and provoke thought of narrative of African and African American diaspora as well as social and civil experiences of underrepresented people + narrative.

Sinikka Waugh and Haley McElhinney discuss 3 Surprising Ways I have Grown by Editing a Podcast.

Haley was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. She attended Simpson College for her undergraduate degree in business management with a minor in human resources. Following her Simpson graduation, she attended Iowa Wesleyan University where she obtained her master's degree in management leadership with an emphasis on strategic leadership.

Haley currently works as a full-time HR Specialist at Osage Healthcare, Inc., a part-time assistant golf coach for the men's and women’s teams at Iowa Wesleyan University, and she also works as our part-time Podcast Producer at Your Clear Next Step.

Haley now lives in Mount Pleasant with her husband Thayne, and their golden retriever Storm. She enjoys all of her different professional outlets and the opportunities they provide her with to be even better!

Sinikka Waugh and Janet Fisher discuss 5 Words to Help Tell the Story to Living Full.

Janet Fisher is a Development Officer for Mosaic. She graduated with a degree in Family Sciences: Child and Family Development from Truman State University and has over 25 years of personal and professional experience working with people with disabilities.  Janet has served with Mosaic for 11 years.  Her career with Mosaic started as Habilitative Manager, overseeing 25 group homes.  She transitioned into friend and fundraising as Resource Development Manager in 2019 and was recently promoted to Development Officer for the state of Iowa and the Kansas City area.  Janet is a member of Business Networker International - Morning Networkers, Truth Business Network, Urbandale Kiwanis and Chamber, Sisters of St. Luke, and 100 Women Who Care - Ankeny.  She has been married to Kevin for almost 27 years and they have three children: Joseph, Michael, and Maggie.

Sinikka Waugh and Claudia Schabel discuss 5 DEI Trends to Consider and Three Actions to Move DEI Forward.

Claudia Schabel, Founder, President, and CEO of Schabel Solutions Inc., has been on a 20-plus-year mission to raise awareness and consciousness about social justice, race relations, and equity.

The Schabel Solutions team has over 25 years of DEI and human resources practitioner experience, largely with Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies. As a diversity and inclusion strategic partner, we combine our expertise with significant international experience and multicultural backgrounds to help organizations address the dangers of unmitigated unconscious bias, untapped talent, missed market opportunities, and stagnant innovation.

We are a Certified Virtual Facilitator™ (CVF™) by the International Institute for Facilitation. We are also Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) certified for conducting robust organization-wide cultural equity assessments, which we leverage to develop and implement diversity and inclusion strategies with our clients.

Centrally located out of Des Moines, Iowa, we are a woman/minority-owned business that is certified as an Iowa Targeted Small Business (TSB), SBA Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) business.

A former commissioner on the City of Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission, Claudia serves on the Iowa Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) State Council as the Director of Diversity. She also serves on the boards of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, Science Center of Iowa and Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
After growing up in Brazil and working in Japan, Claudia has made Des Moines, Iowa her home with her spouse, Brad, and their always playful English Golden Retriever, Stormy.

Sinikka Waugh and Terrie Kohl discuss 4 Things I Learned from My Great Adventure in Purging.

Terrie Kohl came to Des Moines as a food service food broker and then a national food service buyer. Terrie then took her next visionary step by attending The New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction, Vermont, in 1996. Chef Terrie interned at The Montauk Yacht Club in Montauk, Long Island, New York, Thyme & Again Catering, and South Hampton Bath and Tennis Club in South Hampton, Long Island, New York. Her second internship brought her back home to Des Moines where she was employed at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott Hotel, Embassy Club Capital Square, and Aramark/Pioneer Hi-Bred. She gained additional expertise as the Catering Chef at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Terrie dreamed of starting her own business, and she established Country Club Market in 2003. From there, Country Club Market has filled a unique niche in central Iowa, offering culinary arts classes, customized catering, and a bakery that produces some of the tastiest treats in town.

Chef Terrie is a graduate of New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction, Vermont – a school that was voted the 2004 Vocational Cooking School of the Year by the Institute of Culinary Professionals. Chef Terrie’s passion for food extends to her collection of more than 4,500 cookbooks. She is especially fond of regional Junior League cookbooks, and those found on vacation destinations.

Sinikka Waugh and Kim Gratny discuss 5 Tips for Not Letting Perfectionism or Control-Freak Tendencies Prevent Us from Being Good Influencers.

Human Development Wrangler + Founder
Kim Gratny is honored to be serving clients from a variety of industries based on their trust and confidence for more than 20 years. She’s humbled by and grateful for the word-of-mouth referrals earned. She is certified in Equine Guided Education (otherwise known as Horse Guided Coaching) and in Mentoring, Coaching + Leadership Development.
Communication, relationships and horses are her lifelong fascinations. Her adventuresome spirit has taken her on a 20+-year journey in public relations, child rearing, homemaking, entrepreneurship, coaching, consulting and ranching - a distinct culmination of her heritage (a mixture of generations of cowboys and entrepreneurs). Kim and her husband Dusten are humbled by and grateful for what God has entrusted to them — a blended family with five children, family-like friends, horses, bucking cattle, sheep, dogs and land to steward. 

Sinikka Waugh and Ann Wright discuss 5 Things to Know About Volunteering.

Ann Wright
MBL, ACC
Leadership and Team Coach

Throughout Ann's 25-plus years of experience in leadership and talent development, she discovered and believes that people are an organization's most valuable asset. She partners with organizations and leaders to achieve their personal and professional goals by focusing on people, culture, and everyone's unique talents. Ann believes businesses grow by investing in their team members and embracing the talent each brings.  

She is an ICF Credentialed Coach focusing on Leadership and Team Coaching, speaker, author, and facilitator. Through her workshops and coaching, she assists people in developing their interpersonal skills in areas such as Attitude, Communicating with Confidence, Life/Work Balance, Productive Conflict Resolution,  Meeting Management, Presentation Skills, and Teambuilding, so they can achieve their goals in life, as well as, help their organizations reach their outcomes. 

Ann earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Business and Psychology and Masters in Business Leadership degree through Upper Iowa University. Ann is a licensed facilitator in Coach U's - The Coach Clinic where participants learn how to use the Coaching Conversation Model and develop strategic coaching skills which benefit them in creating a culture where performance is amplified and team effectiveness increases.

Sinikka Waugh and Becky Naderman discuss 4 Ways to Challenge your Unconscious Bias. R. A. Naderman (Becky) studied at St. Ambrose University, graduating with a degree in occupational therapy and psychology. Her career as an occupational therapist has allowed her to encounter people from all walks of life. In 2016 she began to visit a prison close to her home and developed a friendship with Aaron, a man who had been convicted of a despicable crime and given a lengthy sentence, who maintains his innocence. While they each came from very different walks of life, Becky, a white middle-class working mom, and Aaron, a Black man in prison for most of his adult life, found they had much in common. In 2019 Becky completed writing and published Walk With Me, the story of the transformative power of friendship and answering the call to love your neighbor as yourself. Becky speaks sharing the story of her book and is a voice for justice rooted in the fact that we are more alike than we are different. . Becky shared her story and message at TEDx Des Moines in May of 2021. Becky resides in Des Moines, Iowa with her husband and three teenage daughters. To contact and connect with Becky, www.ranadermanwalkwithme.com, RANaderman19@gmail.com, and on Facebook at Walk With Me R.A. Naderman.

Sinikka Waugh and Barb Ranck discuss the 3 Steps to Managing Stress.

Through Curiosity. Barb is a facilitator, coach, and Enneagram expert and has a passion for helping others find their purpose.

To access Ramona's Tool please use the following link: https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/the-dos-and-donts-when-someone-opens-up-about-their-mental-health

When you access this page, fill out your information and you will be redirected to her tool. Thanks!

Sinikka Waugh and Ramona Wink discuss 5 Things You Can Do When Someone at Work Opens Up About Their Mental Health.

Ramona Wink is a licensed mental health counselor and motivational public speaker with 515 Therapy and Consulting in West Des Moines, IA. In her role as a therapist, Ramona enjoys working with both individuals and adults, helping to navigate problematic issues in their lives and lean into living as their best, authentic selves! As a motivational public speaker, Ramona is passionate about reaching audiences of all sizes because of the mental health crisis we face in Iowa due to the extreme shortage of mental health professionals. On stage, storytelling is Ramona's superpower and she quickly connects with the group as she shares her wisdom and knowledge that has come through countless hours in her therapist's chair and through her own personal and professional life experience.

Ramona was recently appointed by the Governor to serve on the Iowa Board of Behavioral Sciences. She is also an Ambassador for the Make It OK Campaign as part of the Iowa The Healthiest State Initiative. She is a member of the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association.  

Before becoming a mental health therapist, Ramona was in ministry for 15 years and banking for 15 years. She is a mother and a grandmother and enjoys living her best life with her partner. 

Sinikka Waugh and Dawn Ealy discuss 5 Ways to Prepare for (Small Business) Growth with Clarity.

Dawn Ealy is the Founder of Peak Cadence LLC. Dawn loves working with small, growing
companies to optimize their organizations, processes, and teams around the natural ways they
work. She helps leaders structure their teams and workflows to maximize clarity and efficiency
while increasing engagement. Dawn’s background in leadership, technology, HR, operations,
project management, and documentation within companies ranging from three employees to
30,000 provides a unique perspective for organizations preparing to scale.

Sinikka Waugh and Ann Wright discuss 5 Things Teams Can Do to Move from Good to Great.

Ann Wright
MBL, ACC
Leadership and Team Coach

Throughout Ann's 25 plus years of experience in leadership and talent development, she discovered and believes that people are an organization's most valuable asset. She partners with organizations and leaders to achieve their personal and professional goals by focusing on people, culture, and everyone's unique talents. Ann believes businesses grow by investing in their team members and embracing the talent each brings.  

She is an ICF Credentialed Coach focusing on Leadership and Team Coaching, speaker, author, and facilitator. Through her workshops and coaching, she assists people in developing their interpersonal skills in areas such as Attitude, Communicating with Confidence, Life/Work Balance, Productive Conflict Resolution,  Meeting Management, Presentation Skills, and Teambuilding, so they can achieve their goals in life, as well as, help their organizations reach their outcomes. 

Ann earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Business and Psychology and Masters in Business Leadership degree through Upper Iowa University. Ann is a licensed facilitator in Coach U's - The Coach Clinic where participants learn how to use the Coaching Conversation Model and develop strategic coaching skills which benefit them in creating a culture where performance is amplified and team effectiveness is increased.

R. A. Naderman (Becky) studied at St. Ambrose University, graduating with a degree in occupational therapy and psychology. Her career as an occupational therapist has allowed her to encounter people from all walks of life. In 2016 she began to visit a prison close to her home and developed a friendship with Aaron, a man who had been convicted of a despicable crime and given a lengthy sentence, who maintains his innocence. While they each came from very different walks of life, Becky, a white middle-class working mom, and Aaron, a Black man in prison for most of his adult life, found they had much in common. In 2019 Becky completed writing and published Walk With Me, the story of the transformative power of friendship and answering the call to love your neighbor as yourself. Becky speaks sharing the story of her book and is a voice for justice rooted in the fact that we are more alike than we are different. . Becky shared her story and message at TEDx Des Moines in May of 2021. Becky resides in Des Moines, Iowa with her husband and three teenage daughters. To contact and connect with Becky, www.ranadermanwalkwithme.com , RANaderman19@gmail.com, and on Facebook at Walk With Me R.A. Naderman.

Sinikka Waugh and Chef Terrie Kohl discuss 5 Ways that Living Her Mission at Work and Life has Brought Joy. Chef Terrie Kohl came to Des Moines as a food service food broker and then a national foodservice buyer. Chef Terrie then took her next visionary step by attending The New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction, Vermont, 1996. Chef Terrie interned at The Montauk Yacht Club in Montauk, Long Island, New York, Thyme & Again Catering, and South Hampton Bath and Tennis Club in South Hampton, Long Island, New York. Her second internship brought her back home to Des Moines where she was employed at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott Hotel, Embassy Club Capital Square, and Aramark/Pioneer Hi-Bred. She gained additional expertise as the Catering Chef at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Chef Terrie dreamed of starting her own business, and she established Country Club Market in 2003. From there, Country Club Market has filled a unique niche in central Iowa, offering culinary arts classes, customized catering, and a bakery that produces some of the tastiest treats in town.

Chef Terrie is a graduate of New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction, Vermont – a school that was voted the 2004 Vocational Cooking School of the Year by the Institute of Culinary Professionals. Chef Terrie’s passion for food extends to her collection of more than 4,500 cookbooks. She is especially fond of regional Junior League cookbooks, and those found on vacation destinations.

Sinikka Waugh and Mike Rice discuss 5 Discoveries on the Detour from Success to Significance.

Mike Rice, president of Aureon Consulting, is responsible for Consulting’s strategic growth, leadership, and business operations. Prior to being appointed President, Mike was the Vice President of Aureon Consulting (previously Midwest Project Partners), and a founding partner of Midwest Technical Partners. With over 23 years of experience in technology consulting and staffing, he is passionate about building relationships and focused on finding solutions to meet clients’ business goals. Mike serves on the Board for the Single Parent Provision. He is also active within the Technology Association of Iowa and dedicated to increasing STEM interest within the state to drive economic development.

Sinikka Waugh and Ramona Wink discuss 4 Things You May Not Know About Mental Health (in Iowa).

Ramona Wink is a licensed mental health counselor and motivational public speaker with 515 Therapy and Consulting in West Des Moines, IA. In her role as a therapist, Ramona enjoys working with both individuals and adults, helping to navigate problematic issues in their lives and lean into living as their best, authentic self! As a motivational public speaker, Ramona is passionate about reaching audiences of all sizes because of the mental health crisis we face in Iowa due to the extreme shortage of mental health professionals. On stage, storytelling is Ramona's superpower and she quickly connects with the group as she shares her wisdom and knowledge that has come through countless hours in her therapist's chair and through her own personal and professional life experience.

Ramona was recently appointed by the Governor to serve on the Iowa Board of Behavioral Sciences. She is also an Ambassador for the Make It OK Campaign as part of the Iowa The Healthiest State Initiative. She is a member of the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association.

Before becoming a mental health therapist, Ramona was in ministry for 15 years and banking for 15 years. She is a mother and a grandmother and enjoys living her best life with her partner.

Sinikka Waugh and Jeremiah Terhark discuss 4 Lessons Learned from Growing a Business from 1 to 60 Employees.

With a talent for technology and an entrepreneurial spirit, Jeremiah founded Webspec Design in 2001. He is passionate about marketing online and working closely with clients to see their goals achieved. Jeremiah focuses his energies on managing upcoming website projects, interacting with clients, and programming. He graduated from Evangel University with degrees in accounting and political science. When not working, he and his wife enjoy doing activities with their four children.

Sinikka Waugh, Melissa Worrel-Johnson, Michelle Rembert, and Ann Wright discuss 4 Ways to Communicate More Effectively.

Throughout Ann's 25 plus years of experience in leadership and talent development, she discovered and believes that people are an organization's most valuable asset. She partners with organizations and leaders to achieve their personal and professional goals by focusing on people, culture, and everyone's unique talents. Ann believes businesses grow by investing in their team members and embracing the talent each brings.

Ann is an ICF Credentialed Coach focusing on Leadership and Team Coaching, speaker, author, and facilitator. Through her workshops and coaching, she assists people in developing their interpersonal skills in areas such as Attitude, Communicating with Confidence, Life/Work Balance, Productive Conflict Resolution, Meeting Management, Presentation Skills, and Teambuilding, so they can achieve their goals in life, as well as, help their organizations reach their outcomes.

Ann earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Business and Psychology and Masters in Business Leadership degree through Upper Iowa University. Ann is a licensed facilitator in Coach U's - The Coach Clinic where participants learn how to use the Coaching Conversation Model and develop strategic coaching skills which benefit them in creating a culture where performance is amplified and team effectiveness increased.

Over her 19-year career, Melissa Worrel has focused her efforts on leadership, talent development, and business strategy. Her diverse background includes entrepreneurial business start-ups as well as significant leadership roles in large organizations. 
As an ICF credentialed coach and licensed facilitator of the Coaching Clinic, DiSC, and CCL’s 360 assessment, Melissa’s purpose is to support leaders to be the best leaders they can be. How we engage, communicate, and collaborate effects our workdays, team culture, and results.
Melissa believes we grow our businesses and profits through teamwork and people. People + Passion + Purpose = Winning Teams. One of our biggest assets is how we lead our teams, develop our people and roll up our sleeves with people leadership.
Melissa lives in Iowa with her husband Alan; they enjoy paddle boarding, biking, travel, and family.

Drawing on more than 25 years in healthcare and non-profit leadership, coupled with her experience as a coach, Michelle helps individuals gain clarity on where they are now, where they want to be, and how they will get there

Michelle Rembert is an ICF credentialed coach, speaker and workshop facilitator, who helps heart-centered leaders & entrepreneurs to stress less, live more, and lead well.

With over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Michelle is well-prepared and uniquely qualified to support individuals, teams, and organizations in workplace wellbeing. She has expertise in helping individuals to overcome overwhelm, stress and burnout. She believes that in order to show up fully and lead others, we must show up fully for ourselves first.

Michelle is also passionate about empowering leaders and organizations to create a coaching culture. Michelle is a licensed facilitator in Coach U's - The Coach Clinic. She specializes in facilitating workshops and training emerging and seasoned leaders in coaching, mentoring and leadership skills to create better communication, build stronger teams, and amplify performance.

Michelle is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaches Federation. Michelle is Past President of the ICF Iowa Chapter.

 

Sinikka Waugh, Kim and Dusten Gratny discuss 6 Ways Your Life is Enriched by Stepping Into Discomfort. 

Kim Gratny, Human Development Wrangler + Founder, is honored to be serving clients from a variety of industries based on their trust and confidence for more than 20 years. She’s humbled by and grateful for the word-of-mouth referrals earned. She is certified in Equine Guided Education (otherwise known as Horse Guided Coaching) and in Mentoring, Coaching + Leadership Development.
Communication, relationships, and horses are her lifelong fascinations. Her adventuresome spirit has taken her on a 20+-year journey in public relations, child-rearing, homemaking, entrepreneurship, coaching, consulting, and ranching - a distinct culmination of her heritage (a mixture of generations of cowboys and entrepreneurs). Kim and her husband Dusten are humbled by and grateful for what God has entrusted to them — a blended family with five children, family-like friends, horses, bucking cattle, sheep, dogs, and land to steward.

Dusten Gratny, Animal Behaviorist, is a lifelong horseman, cattleman, and stock dog breeder and trainer who has steeped himself in his passions in a way very few implement. His way of being makes him extraordinary with animals. His creativity and tenacity have taken him down a spectrum of roads - from the excavating industry to a custom jeweler, trainer of Biblical horsemanship, and large animal veterinarian technician.
His favorite aspect of the animals he’s bred, trained, and competed with is the genetic strategy required for distinguished athleticism. He credits his ability to ebb, flex and flow to his family of origin. For nearly two decades, the family and their horses entertained audiences and ministered to event-goers as the only trick riding and roping family in America logging an average of 30 performances annually. He is grateful to be a steward of a ranch near Earlham and welcomes anyone interested in slowing down and building relationships.

Sinikka Waugh and Kim Gratny discuss 5 Qualities Associated with Leading by Serving.

Human Development Wrangler + Founder
Kim Gratny is honored to be serving clients from a variety of industries based on their trust and confidence for more than 20 years. She’s humbled by and grateful for the word-of-mouth referrals earned. She is certified in Equine Guided Education (otherwise known as Horse Guided Coaching) and in Mentoring, Coaching + Leadership Development.
Communication, relationships and horses are her lifelong fascinations. Her adventuresome spirit has taken her on a 20+-year journey in public relations, child rearing, homemaking, entrepreneurship, coaching, consulting and ranching - a distinct culmination of her heritage (a mixture of generations of cowboys and entrepreneurs). Kim and her husband Dusten are humbled by and grateful for what God has entrusted to them — a blended family with five children, family-like friends, horses, bucking cattle, sheep, dogs and land to steward.