Episode Title: C-Suite Champion

Release Date: November 10

Host: Holly McIlwain

Guest: Debra Squyers

Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, host Holly McIlwain welcomes a true C-Suite Champion, Debra Squyres, Chief Customer Officer at Bonusly, who shares her remarkable journey as a working mother at a time before legal protections were established for pregnant women in the workplace. Debra's experiences have shaped her into a human-centered leader, emphasizing empathy, transparency, and work-life harmony in her leadership approach.

Debra discusses the importance of leading with empathy and prioritizing employee well-being to foster a positive workplace culture. She reflects on her early career experiences and shares strategies for harmonizing work and personal life, stressing the need for leaders to set an example. Debra encourages her team to practice ruthless prioritization, focusing on what truly needs to be done and delegating effectively.

Listeners will discover the impact of recognizing and celebrating personal milestones in creating an engaged workforce and gain insights into the evolving nature of work, including the rise of the gig economy and flexible work arrangements. Debra reminds us that “work-life balance is not a thing; it’s about harmonizing our lives,” and emphasizes that when leaders take care of their teams, those teams, in turn, take care of customers and foster a supportive environment.

Guest Bio: Debra Squyres is the Chief Customer Officer at Bonusly, where she merges her passion for exceptional customer experience with her commitment to empowering companies to connect, motivate, and engage their employees in building winning workplaces. With over 30 years of experience in senior leadership roles in Human Resources, Debra has worked in diverse areas, including HR consulting, outsourcing, client services, and customer success. Residing in Fort Worth, Texas, she enjoys life with her husband and two dogs.

Resources Mentioned:

• Bonusly Website
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Connect with Debra Squires:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/debrasquyres/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/bonusly/

Key Takeaways for Youtube, LinkedIn, and NarrowSpaces.com:

• The Importance of Human-Centered Leadership: Debra discusses how leading with empathy and prioritizing employee well-being fosters a positive workplace culture.
• Navigating Work-Life Balance: Debra reflects on her early career experiences and shares strategies for harmonizing work and personal life, emphasizing the need for leaders to set an example.
• Ruthless Prioritization: Learn how Debra encourages her team to practice ruthless prioritization, focusing on what truly needs to be done and delegating effectively.
• Celebrating Personal Milestones: Discover the impact of recognizing and celebrating employees' personal achievements and milestones in creating an engaged workforce.
• The Future of Work: Debra shares her insights on the evolving nature of work, including the rise of the gig economy and flexible work arrangements.

Quotes:

• “Work-life balance is not a thing; it's about harmonizing our lives.”
• “When you take care of the team, they take care of the customers, and they also take care of you.”

Episode Title: We Won’t Mention Mental Health with Brett Holtz

Release Date: November 3

Host: Holly McIlwain

Guest: Brett Holtz

Episode Summary: In this compelling episode of the NarrowSpaces Show, we won't just mention mental health, we’ll focus on it! As host Holly McIlwain interviews Brett Holtz, a passionate advocate for global mental health and well-being, we will seek to break through some stigmas attached to discussing mental health socially and in the workplace. Drawing from his unique experiences as a professional baseball player, Brett has witnessed how mental health transcends borders, backgrounds, and beliefs, connecting us all. Now, he channels this insight into transformative work with HR and Benefits professionals, helping organizations create globally equitable wellness programs.

Brett is also active in the nonprofit sector, focusing on mental health advocacy for male athletes through MensxMental, an initiative dedicated to fostering open conversations about mental health for men.

His intention is to encourage others to prioritize their overall well-being, informed by his travels playing baseball around the world. Brett believes that mental health is a single thread that connects every person, regardless of nationality, race, or life experience. He works with organizations to transform their wellness programs and actively advocates for male athletes' mental health. His goal is to leave the world better than he found it, and he is grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in this crucial area. His mission is to inspire action and prioritize well-being for everyone, everywhere. Together with Holly, they explore the critical intersection of mental health, work, and life, emphasizing the need to break the stigma surrounding mental health discussions and provide real tools for initiating these life-saving conversations.

Connect with Brett:

• Website: MensxMental https://mensxmental.org/
• https://www.instagram.com/mensxmental/
• Website: Brave Women Project www.bwp.life
• Website: Modern Health https://www.modernhealth.com/
• LinkedIn: Brett Holtz https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-holtz-9bb84864/
• LinkedIn: Brave Women Project https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravewomenproject

Episode Title: Committed to Community
Release Date: October 27
Host: Holly McIlwain
Guest: Mike Harich

Episode Summary:
In this inspiring episode of the NarrowSpaces Show, host Holly McIlwain welcomes Mike Harich, a dedicated leader who has spent over three decades shaping communities through service, leadership, and purpose. As the President and CEO of the Beaver County YMCA, Mike’s journey began as an intern in 1994, and he has since held nearly every role imaginable within the organization—from youth development and community engagement to leadership training across the YMCA network.
Mike brings a unique blend of academic depth and spiritual purpose to his work, holding degrees in Business Management, Sport Management, and Educational Administration. He is not only passionate about youth development and community service but also a six-time Ironman and an ultra-endurance athlete, demonstrating his commitment to discipline and perseverance. Outside of his professional life, he is a devoted husband and father of four, embodying the values of family and service.

In this episode, Holly and Mike delve into how he lives in the narrow space where mission meets movement. His life is a testament to faith, discipline, and leadership in action, and they explore how these values have guided him through decades of impactful work.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Join us next week for another insightful conversation on navigating the narrow spaces of work and life!

Additional Resources:
Learn more about the YMCA and its programs at https://www.ymca.org/locations/beaver-county-ymca
Connect with Mike Harich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-harich-66028299/

Meet Battle & Thrive: https://www.battleandthrive.com

Key Takeaways:

Career Journey: Mike reflects on his journey from intern to CEO at the YMCA, highlighting the various roles he has held and how each shaped his leadership style.

Leadership Philosophy: He discusses his core belief that "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard" and how this mantra has guided his approach to leadership.

Authenticity in Leadership: Mike emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and maintaining authenticity in both personal and professional realms.

Work-Life Balance: The conversation explores how Mike navigates the demands of leadership while prioritizing time for family and self-care, including his passion for endurance sports.

Mentorship and Values: Mike shares the impact of mentorship on his career and the significance of defining personal and organizational values to guide decision-making.

Community Engagement: He discusses the YMCA's mission beyond fitness, focusing on community service initiatives, including food programs and childcare, showcasing the organization’s commitment to making a difference.

Lessons Learned: Mike reflects on the lessons he has learned throughout his career, including the importance of time management, discipline, and not letting issues fester.