The Audacity to Fail: Misstepping Into Success!

The Audacity to Fail: Misstepping Into Success!

The Audacity to Fail Podcast: Misstepping Into Success and it focuses on discovering leadership wisdom through experiences with failures and missteps. The podcasts dives into conversations and stories from leaders as they share that failure activates a growth mindset, is an important part of learning, and motivation for improvement! We are interested in your feedback. If you have questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast topics, please drop us a line at VAChangeManagement@va.gov and please include the word podcast on the subject line.

Episodes

S5E1: Weathering The Unknown: Building Resilience in Times of Uncertainty with Dr. Chad Kessler

January 13, 2025 • 39 mins
We’re back for the Season Five kick-off with a remarkable guest and friend to the show Dr. Chad “Chai” Kessler! On this season opener, Dr. Shari Dade sits down with Dr. Kessler and explores what it means to keep steady when the path forward is unclear, how to embrace mistakes as stepping-stones to growth, and ways to cultivate resilience. Whether you’re dealing with rapid change or simply wondering how to prepare for the unexpected...
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S4E10: The Moment That Changes Everything: Answering Life’s Most Important Calls with The Honorable Tanya Bradsher

October 14, 2024 • 34 mins
We’ve all had those moments – when life, opportunity, or circumstance presents us with a choice—to step up, lead, and embrace a new direction. How do you recognize that call, and more importantly, how do you find the courage to answer it?  On this episode Dr. Shari Dade is delighted to sit down with the Honorable Tanya Bradsher to discuss how to answer life’s most important call – your purpose! Ms. Bradsher is VA’s first woman depu...
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S4E9: Working Hand in Hand The Blueprint for a Supportive Work Culture with Dr. Alyshia Smith

September 9, 2024 • 38 mins
A supportive culture is the cornerstone of a workplace where people can fully engage and contribute – it’s central to any thriving team. It takes a delicate balance of both leaders and team members working together to create a culture where everyone feels supported and empowered. On this episode Dr. Shari Dade is joined by Dr. Alyshia Smith to discuss the idea of trust and authenticity—not just as a one-way street but as a dynamic ...
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S4E8: Decisive Leadership Insights on Sticky Decision Making with Dr. Thuy Boardman

August 12, 2024 • 36 mins
As leaders, we often face tough choices, and not every decision will turn out the way we hoped. What do you do when you find yourself in a sticky situation? How can you manage missteps, failure, regret and turn things around? On this episode Dr. Shari Dade sits down with Dr. Thuy Boardman to discuss how to navigate the role of leadership when decisions are tough. Dr. Boardman is an Organization Development Psychologist for VISN 8. ...
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S4E7: How Ownership Inspires the Leaders of Tomorrow with Kirsten Aghen

July 8, 2024 • 36 mins
What does it truly mean for a team to feel a sense of ownership? How can leaders cultivate an environment where every team member is invested, engaged, and feels responsible for the success of the team? On this episode Dr. Shari Dade is joined by Kirsten Aghen as they dive deep into the nuances of these questions and more. Kirsten Aghen is the Director of the VHA National Improvement Office (NIO), within the Office of Quality Manag...
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S4E6: Rising to the Occasion Consultant Lessons from Courage with Dr. Courtney Barrett-Smith

June 10, 2024 • 29 mins
Leading others often takes an incredible amount of courage and on this episode Dr. Shari Dade is joined by fellow consultant Dr. Courtney Barrett Smith to explore what qualities enable some to push through while others might falter. Dr. Barrett Smith is a Supervisory Senior Organization Development Psychology and leads the Systems and Analytics team in the Consulting Service at the National Center for Organization Development.   

Ge...
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S4E5: From Theory to Practice Strategies for High Reliability Leadership with Luke Steinbach

May 13, 2024 • 34 mins
As we continue to explore what it takes to effectively lead others; Dr. Shari Dade is joined by Luke Steinbach. Mr. Steinbach is an Associate Director for the High Reliability Support Team.  He provides leadership for the High Reliability Consultation and High Reliability Academy workstreams who are responsible for supporting and developing HRO Implementers across facilities and VISNs.   
This episode will motivate those who are sea...
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S4E4: This episode has been removed

April 8, 2024 • 14 secs
In accordance with executive order titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing and Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions this episode has been removed.
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S4E3: This episode has been removed

March 11, 2024 • 14 secs
In accordance with executive order titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing and Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions this episode has been removed.
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S4E2: How to THRIVE From Metrics to Meaning with Dr. Jacquelyn Paykel

February 12, 2024 • 37 mins
On this episode, Dr. Shari will be joined by Dr. Jacquelyn Paykel. Dr. Paykel holds the position of the Women’s Health Medical Director for the Tomah VA Medical Center. She also serves on the new VHA Physician Advocacy Council and is one of the developers of the THRIVE (Transforming Health and Resiliency through Integration of Values-based Experiences) whole health clinical program.

Listen in as Dr. Jacquelyn Paykel discusses how l...
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S4E1: Behind the Mic with Dr. Shari and Jan Johnson: Creating Waves that Impact the Enterprise

January 8, 2024 • 41 mins
Hello and welcome to the 4th season of the Audacity to Fail Podcast, where we embrace the audacity of leading within our organization, when met with failure! On this Season Opener, Dr. Shari Dade will sit down with the podcast’s producer, Jan Johnson to invite you behind the mic for an intimate look into the creation, sustainment, and success of the show. 

Listen in to a discussion focused on how to make positive waves in our organ...
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S3E10: Stretching Your Leadership Acumen with Dr. Maureen Marks

October 10, 2023 • 33 mins
On the Season 3 close out episode, Dr. Shari Dade is joined by Dr. Maureen Marks! Dr. Marks began her VA career in 1992 as a psychology intern at the Cincinnati VAMC and was hired on as a permanent staff member in March 1996. Dr. Marks has served as Executive Director of the VHA National Center for Organization Development since January 2020. NCOD’s mission is to support leaders in creating highly engaged work environments, and it ...
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S3E9: Creating Informed and Healthy Workplaces with Paul Harman

September 11, 2023 • 26 mins
On this episode, Dr. Shari Dade takes a moment to chat with Paul Harman. Paul is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health at the Montana VA for 7 years, during this time he has held several details including the Eastern Colorado Healthcare System as their Acting Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health and currently on detail to the Roseburg Healthcare System as their Acting As...
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S3E8: The Audacity to Be with Dr. Shari N. Dade

August 14, 2023 • 40 mins
On this episode of the Consultant Corner, you get a front row seat as podcast host, Dr. Shari N. Dade opens the VA Psychology Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Tx and shares how to begin becoming the audacious leader many of us hope to be!
Listen in to the talk focused on helping leaders harness the Audacity to BE Uncertain, Relentless, and Authentic while on their leadership journey.

Closed Caption Transcript is available at: ...
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S3E7: Embracing Fear in Leadership with Dr. Maia Carter

July 10, 2023 • 33 mins
On this episode, Dr. Shari Dade is joined by Dr. Maia Carter. Dr. Carter is the Director of Virtual Care Integration in the Office of Primary Care. In this role, she works to help implement and expand virtual tools throughout primary care services through the nation. As a TelePrimary Care Physician, Dr. Carter sees patients virtually throughout VISN 21. She is also the thought leader and host of the dynamic VA VLOG entitled “Let’s ...
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S3E6: Candid Leadership with Jessica Bonjorni

June 12, 2023 • 37 mins
On this episode, Dr. Shari Dade is joined by Jessica Bonjorni. Ms. Bonjorni was appointed to the position of Chief, Human Capital Management, for the Office of Human Capital Management for the Veterans Health Administration in April 2020. In this capacity, Ms. Bonjorni leads the strategic integration of Workforce Management and Consulting; Institute for Leadership, Education, and Development; and the National Center for Organizatio...
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S3E5: Career Conversations: The Gift of Feedback with Dr. Adam Sumner

May 8, 2023 • 38 mins
On this episode, Dr. Shari Dade is joined by Dr. Adam Sumner a staff psychologist with the VISN 23 Clinical Resource Hub focusing on outpatient mental health in a rural setting. Dr. Sumner’s path to becoming a psychologist led through a variety of settings including community mental health, higher education, and now the VA for almost 7 years. He enjoys working in rural communities, health psychology, and the opportunity to serve Ve...
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S3E4: This episode has been removed

April 10, 2023 • 14 secs
In accordance with executive order titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing and Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions this episode has been removed.
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S3E3: The Power of Coaching with Dr. Scott Muhs

March 13, 2023 • 38 mins
On this episode of Consultant Connection, Dr. Shari Dade takes time to slow down and dive into the world of coaching with Dr. Scott Muhs. Dr. Muhs is a versatile leader and organizational development psychologist whose purpose and drive is to assist leaders and organizations in achieving greatness. With over 20 years in leveraging psychological and human behavior principles in personal growth, leadership development, and organizati...
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S3E2: The Accidental Leader with Dr. Gayle Iwamasa

February 13, 2023 • 32 mins
On this episode, Dr. Shari Dade sits down with Dr. Gayle Iwamasa, the National Director of Inpatient Mental Health Services in the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in the VHA Central Office. Along with this role, Dr. Iwamasa is currently detailed to lead the Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee for the Department of Defense.
In this conversation, Gayle shares the missteps leaders may confront w...
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