Evolving to Exceptional with Jessica Tietjen

In this inspiring episode of Evolving to Exceptional, host Jessica Tietjen sits down with Melissa Paulitsch, Human Resources Director at Kennelwood Pet Resorts, to explore the unexpected connections between pet care and people leadership.

Melissa shares her unique journey into the pet industry and how her passion for animals has shaped her approach to building a supportive, high-performing workplace culture.

Together, they dive ...

 In this week’s episode of Evolving to Exceptional, host Jessica Tietjen welcomes back Ryan McCrea for a deep dive into one of the most pressing workplace topics of 2025: revolutionizing performance management.

Referencing the latest findings from the Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends Report, Jessica and Ryan explore:

• Why traditional annual performance reviews are failing today's workforce

• Shifting toward continuous, hu...

In this episode of Evolving to Exceptional, host Jessica Tietjen sits down with Dr. Debbie Regnaud, Vice President of Human Resources at Unleashing Potential, to explore the real-world challenges of leading in the nonprofit sector during times of uncertainty.

Drawing from decades of HR experience, Dr. Regnaud shares:

• How financial instability uniquely impacts nonprofit organizations

• Why self-awareness is essential for resilien...

In this powerful continuation of our conversation, Evolving to Exceptional host Jessica Tietjen welcomes back Rhoda Banks—culture and inclusion executive and author of Daughter of an Assassin—to dive deeper into the intersection of trauma, leadership, and workplace dynamics.

Rhoda bravely shares how her past trauma showed up in her professional life—through fawn, flight, freeze, and fight responses—and how she’s learned to navig...

In this powerful episode of the Evolving to Exceptional Podcast, host Jessica Tietjen sits down with Rhoda Banks—culture and inclusion executive, speaker, and author of the new memoir Daughter of an Assassin.

Rhoda shares her remarkable life story, growing up in St. Louis in a household shaped by trauma and contradiction. Through vulnerability and insight, she unpacks how her early experiences shaped her relationships, leadershi...

Feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or running on empty at work? You're not alone — and it's not just personal. It's systemic.

In this powerful episode of the Evolving to Exceptional Podcast, host Jessica Tietjen unpacks the concept of “capacity collapse”—a hidden epidemic quietly draining the energy, engagement, and effectiveness of today’s workforce.

We explore why so many people feel maxed out despite thei...

Description: In today's world of constant change and uncertainty, clarity isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. In this episode, we dive into why our brains crave clarity, how chaos and confusion impact our decision-making, and how overwhelm disrupts our head, heart, and gut intelligences.

You’ll learn how our brains fill in the gaps with biases and past experiences, leading to cognitive dissonance—and how to overcome it. I’ll ...

In this episode of the Evolving to Exceptional podcast, we explore why it’s time to evolve from the outdated “right people in the right roles” mindset to a more agile and effective strategy: “right people, right goals.”

As roles become harder to define in today’s dynamic work environment, organizations must focus on individual strengths, personalized outcomes, and clearly defined goals to drive engagement, productivity, and succ...

In this powerful and personal episode, Jessica unpacks the subconscious survival patterns that activate during times of stress, crisis, and emotional overwhelm. Rooted in our earliest life experiences, these patterns often run automatically—guiding how we respond, react, and cope without conscious awareness.

Through the lens of a recent family medical emergency, Jessica shares how these ingrained responses—like self-sacrifice, emoti...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by chaos and confusion? Wondering how to stay grounded and make wise, conscious decisions amidst it all?

In this episode of the Evolving to Exceptional podcast, Jessica Tietjen delivers a powerful call to action for conscious leaders, growth-minded individuals, and anyone craving clarity and connection in today’s unpredictable world.

Jessica explores how chronic stress and survival instincts hijack...

In today’s episode, we explore an emerging and concerning trend: people expressing hesitation or fear of speaking openly due to potential job repercussions and the current cultural climate.

We dive deep into why this fear exists and how it reflects broader issues surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. Our conversation unpacks the neuroscience behind implicit biases, how discrimination and exclusion ...

How do you move from reacting impulsively to responding with clarity and wisdom? In this episode of Evolving to Exceptional, host Jessica Tietjen explores how chronic stress lowers our trigger tolerance, leading to unconscious reactions shaped by past experiences.

Inspired by a recent SHRM webinar, Jessica shares:

-How past patterns influence your emotional and behavioral responses

-Why stress and overwhelm make reactive states more l...

How do you find safety when the world feels unpredictable? In this episode, host Jessica Tietjen explores how stress, trauma, and uncertainty impact our nervous system—triggering fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses.

You’ll learn:

How gut intelligence influences decision-making & emotional regulation

Practical tools like balanced breathing & somatic practices to regain control

The power of compassionate witnessing in...

In this episode of Evolving to Exceptional, host Jessica Tietjen explores the harmful effects of labeling people as simply "good" or "bad." Inspired by her book Good Choice, Bad Choice, Jessica explains how shifting our focus from labels to choices can improve leadership, relationships, and personal growth.

 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

-Why black-and-white thinking is limiting and divisive.

-How to shift from ju...

Description: In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, host Jessica Tietjen and guest, Tarry Gerling, explore how gut intelligence influences our core identity, self-preservation instincts, and leadership behaviors. They break down common misconceptions about emotional intelligence, the hidden costs of inauthenticity in the workplace, and why trust and empathy are essential for high-performing teams. Learn how to build genuine conne...

Description: In this week's episode of the Evolving to Exceptional podcast, host Jessica Tietjen welcomes HR expert Tarry Gerling to discuss the intricacies of building a connected and productive culture in a fully remote work environment. As organizations face the challenge of transitioning back to office spaces, Tarry shares his insights on how to effectively manage both in-person and remote settings. Tune in to explore the i...

Join host Jessica Tietjen in this week's episode of the Evolving to Exceptional podcast as she delves into her unique year-end review for 2024. Jessica shares her profound insights, reflecting on the challenges and unexpected events that marked her year. Using her REAL Reflection technique, Jessica explores how inner growth and personal transformation can lead to profound changes in our lives. This episode emphasizes the signif...

Struggling with seasonal depression, emotional triggers, or past trauma resurfacing in December? You're not alone. In this deeply personal episode, host Jessica Tietjen shares her experience with the freeze response, nervous system dysregulation, and trauma patterns that made December an incredibly difficult time.

Jessica explores how unconscious trauma responses can shape our behaviors and mental state, and how trauma-inf...

In this episode of the 'Evolving to Exceptional' podcast, host Jessica Tietjen delves into the importance of understanding and articulating personal values in an ever-changing and chaotic world. She discusses the alarming recent events that highlight the need for strong values, the distinction between values and desires, and how values shape our actions and decisions. Jessica provides practical steps for identifying and liv...