• What’s Your Unique Ability (top of the scope)?
    Oct 13 2026

    In this episode, Katrina and Jill explore the concept of unique ability, how it relates to top of scope in healthcare, and how leaders can identify and leverage their strengths to improve performance and fulfillment.

    Takeaways

    Identifying your unique ability allows you to focus on what you do best and brings fulfillment.

    Leaders can unlock potential in their teams by recognizing and naming individual strengths.

    Delegating tasks outside of your unique ability frees you to focus on high-impact activities.

    Organizations should create pathways for technical experts to grow without necessarily moving into management.

    Effective leader onboarding includes skill-building for new roles to prevent role mismatch.

    Leaders have the power to change lives by helping others discover their unique abilities.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to the episode and the concept of unique ability

    02:04 The origin of the idea from the book 'Ten Times Easier Than Two Times'

    03:52 Connecting unique ability to top of scope in healthcare

    06:01 How to identify your own unique ability

    07:56 The importance of leaders recognizing others' strengths

    10:01 The impact of organizational culture on leveraging strengths

    11:54 Challenges in role transition and role clarity

    14:00 The role of leader development and coaching

    15:55 What to give up to focus on your unique ability

    17:51 The importance of delegation and role clarity

    19:59 Overcoming fear of failure in pursuing your strengths

    22:04 The significance of organizational pathways for technical experts

    23:57 The power of recognizing and naming strengths in others

    26:06 The role of team dynamics and strengths sharing

    28:02 The importance of conversations with managers about strengths

    29:58 Final thoughts and encouragement to discover your unique ability

    🎙️ Hosted by Katrina Kennedy & Jill Parish

    Connect with Katrina & Jill

    ThinkDev

    Katrina Kennedy Training

    Linkedin: Katrina | Jill

    #TheStrategicPause #ThinkDev #LearningAndDevelopment

    The Strategic Pause releases new episodes the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays wherever you get podcasts.

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    36 mins
  • What Are You Reading?
    Sep 22 2026

    In this episode, Jill and Katrina explore their reading habits, favorite books, and how reading intersects with life experiences. They share insights on book organization, finishing books, audiobooks, and the importance of reading for leadership and personal growth.

    Takeaways

    The importance of finishing books

    How reading influences leadership and personal development

    The impact of travel experiences on reading choices

    Strategies for choosing what to read and when to give up

    The role of books in building community and connection

    Insights from specific books like Anne Frank's diary and art history

    The mental models around consensus and decision-making in leadership

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Favorite Books and Organization Styles

    01:55 The Significance of Book Organization and Aesthetics

    03:53 Favorite Books and Personal Connections

    06:06 Travel, History, and Personal Growth Through Reading

    07:53 Reading in Different Life Stages and Contexts

    10:01 Reading About Art and Travel Experiences

    12:04 The Role of Connection and Community in Well-Being

    14:07 Insights from Books on Leadership and Climate Change

    16:06 The Science of Human Connection and Extroversion

    18:03 Decision-Making, Consensus, and Leadership Insights

    20:00 Reading Parameters, Habits, and Nighttime Reading

    22:04 Audiobooks, Narration, and Listening Habits

    23:53 Book Completion, Giving Up, and Personal Preferences

    26:02 The Impact of Parenthood on Reading Habits

    28:01 Strategies for Choosing and Finishing Books

    29:58 Favorite Recent Reads and Recommendations

    31:50 The Art of Audiobook Selection and Narrator Preferences

    34:06 Emotional Impact of Books and Personal Reflection

    35:50 Final Thoughts: The Importance of Reading for Leaders

    🎙️ Hosted by Katrina Kennedy & Jill Parish

    Connect with Katrina & Jill

    ThinkDev

    Katrina Kennedy Training

    Linkedin: Katrina | Jill

    #TheStrategicPause #ThinkDev #LearningAndDevelopment

    The Strategic Pause releases new episodes the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays wherever you get podcasts.

    Resources:

    The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

    You're A Leader: Now What? By Dr. Winters

    What if We Get It Right? By Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

    A little More Social by Nicholas Epley

    Winter Dance by Gary Paulsen

    100 Years of Lenny and Margot

    100 Minutes Minus Your age

    The Libby App: Libby - Welcome


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    37 mins
  • What’s for dinner? (Rituals and responsibilities)
    Sep 8 2026

    In this episode, Katrina and Jill explore the concepts of habits, routines, and rituals, and how they shape our personal and professional lives. They share personal stories, discuss how to create meaningful rituals, and connect these ideas to leadership and organizational culture.

    Takeaways

    Difference between habits, routines, and rituals

    How rituals impact engagement and social cohesion

    Examples of rituals in families and workplaces

    How to create effective rituals in teams

    The concept of anti-rituals and toxic behaviors in meetings

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to the episode and topic of rituals

    00:06 Personal stories about dinner rituals and system differences

    🎙️ Hosted by Katrina Kennedy & Jill Parish

    Connect with Katrina & Jill

    ThinkDev

    Katrina Kennedy Training

    Linkedin: Katrina | Jill

    #TheStrategicPause #ThinkDev #LearningAndDevelopment

    The Strategic Pause releases new episodes the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays wherever you get podcasts.


    Resources:

    Atomic Habits by James Clear


    The Power of Using Rituals in Company Culture (article)


    The Surprising Power of Team Rituals (HBR article)


    The Ritual Effect: From Habit to Ritual, Harness the Surprising Power of Everyday Actions by Dr. Michael Norton (book)


    “We may do both routinely, even unconsciously, but we ascribe more meaning to the latter.”


    Ritual Examples (blog post)


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    35 mins
  • What Stands Out from Season One of The Strategic Pause?
    Jun 9 2026

    In this reflective episode, hosts Jill Parish and Katrina Kennedy look back on their first season of the podcast, sharing insights, lessons learned, and plans for future episodes. They explore the value of reflection, the evolution of their content, and the importance of authenticity and fun in their work.

    Keywords

    podcast reflection, learning and development, episode review, host insights, future planning, authenticity, fun in work

    Key topics

    Reflection techniques and exercises

    Podcast evolution and learning

    Host insights on authenticity and fun

    takeaways

    Reflection helps us move forward by looking back.

    Our conversations felt natural and easy, fostering authenticity.

    Listeners' feedback confirms our content's impact.

    Planning and structure will enhance future episodes.

    Humor and authenticity are key to engagement.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to the Conversation

    00:04 Exploring Key Themes

    00:05 Season Reflection and Strategic Pauses

    03:06 What Stood Out in the Podcast Journey

    06:07 Emotional Takeaways from the Experience

    09:08 Learning and Development Insights

    12:06 Evolving Podcast Dynamics

    15:05 Looking Forward to Season Two

    19:14 Planning for Season Two

    21:53 Balancing Structure and Enjoyment

    24:48 Listener Engagement and Feedback

    26:48 Reflecting on Podcast Journey

    30:36 Embracing Imperfection and Growth

    🎙️ Hosted by Katrina Kennedy & Jill Parish

    Connect with Katrina & Jill

    ThinkDev

    Katrina Kennedy Training

    Linkedin: Katrina | Jill

    #TheStrategicPause#ThinkDev #LearningAndDevelopment

    The Strategic Pause releases new episodes the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays wherever you get podcasts.

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    35 mins
  • What Makes a Great Consulting Partnership?
    May 26 2026

    In this episode, Katrina Kennedy and Jill Parish explore the ins and outs of partnering with consultants, sharing their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and insights on how organizations can maximize these relationships for success.

    Keywords

    consulting, organizational development, leadership training, organizational change, consulting relationships

    Key topics

    When to partner with a consultant and why

    Building trust and transparency in consulting relationships

    The importance of upfront discovery and clear communication

    Balancing internal and external resources for organizational change

    The role of ongoing relationships versus one-off projects

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to The Strategic Pause

    00:14 Setting the Tone for the Conversation

    00:25 Introduction to Consulting Partnerships

    03:22 Paths to Consulting: Personal Journeys

    06:38 Understanding the Consultant's Role

    09:38 When to Engage a Consultant

    12:15 Challenges in Consultant Engagement

    15:19 Building Effective Relationships

    18:30 The Importance of Transparency and Trust

    21:27 Consultant Insights and Observations

    24:38 Final Thoughts on Consulting Partnerships

    🎙️ Hosted by Katrina Kennedy & Jill Parish

    Connect with Katrina & Jill

    ThinkDev

    Katrina Kennedy Training

    Linkedin: Katrina | Jill

    #TheStrategicPause#ThinkDev #LearningAndDevelopment

    The Strategic Pause releases new episodes the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays wherever you get podcasts.

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    32 mins
  • What Do Organizations Get Right With Leadership?
    May 12 2026

    In this episode, Jill Parish and Katrina Kennedy explore what organizations are doing right in leadership development, emphasizing the importance of external expertise, strategic investment, and reflection in cultivating effective leaders.

    Keywords

    leadership development, organizational growth, external expertise, reflection, leadership programs, team building, conflict resolution, organizational change

    Key Takeaways

    • Investing in leadership skills before crises
    • External expertise enhances internal programs
    • The role of self-awareness and reflection
    • Optimal program length and structure
    • Building trust and managing conflict

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Leadership Development

    02:59 Investing in Leadership Skills

    06:40 The Role of External Expertise

    10:13 Ideal Leadership Program Structure

    16:29 Key Topics for Future Leaders

    22:13 The Importance of Reflection in Leadership

    26:56 Building Relationships Through Leadership Programs

    🎙️ Hosted by Katrina Kennedy & Jill Parish

    Connect with Katrina & Jill

    ThinkDev

    Katrina Kennedy Training

    Linkedin: Katrina | Jill

    #TheStrategicPause #ThinkDev #LearningAndDevelopment

    The Strategic Pause releases new episodes the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays wherever you get podcasts.

    Episode Resources

    • The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable

      by Patrick Lencioni Patrick M. Lencioni

    • The Strategic Pause ep 4: Back the Truck Up
    • Shout out: City of West Sacramento | Home
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    31 mins
  • What's It Like to Write A Book?
    Apr 28 2026

    Join Jill Parish and Katrina Kennedy as they explore the journey of writing a book, from childhood dreams to the realities of publishing. Discover practical insights on proposal writing, deadlines, editing, and marketing, along with inspiring stories of perseverance and passion.

    keywords

    book writing, publishing, author journey, editing process, book marketing, reflection activities, nonfiction books, writing tips, ATD Press, author advice

    Chapters

    00:00 The Journey to Authorship

    02:56 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

    05:58 The Writing Process Begins

    09:00 Finding Focus and Direction

    11:54 Proposal and Publishing Process

    15:01 Meeting Deadlines and Writing Strategies

    17:59 Navigating Feedback and Revisions

    22:19 The Writing Process: Feedback and Enjoyment

    25:09 Editing: The Role of Multiple Editors

    28:32 Navigating Deadlines and Life Changes

    30:01 Copy Editing and Layout: Final Touches

    32:20 Marketing the Book: The Author's Role

    36:52 Advice for Aspiring Authors

    39:36 Book Launch: Learning That Lasts

    🎙️ Hosted by Katrina Kennedy & Jill Parish

    Connect with Katrina & Jill

    ThinkDev

    Katrina Kennedy Training

    Linkedin: Katrina | Jill

    #TheStrategicPause#ThinkDev #LearningAndDevelopment

    The Strategic Pause releases new episodes the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays wherever you get podcasts.

    Links from this episode:

    • Learning That Lasts by Katrina Kennedy
    • Unlearning Silence by Elain Lin Herring
    • The Writer’s Process by Anne Janzer
    • Paul Briley’s Podcast, Off The Comma
    • ATD Press
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    42 mins
  • What's Your Approach To Conferences?
    Apr 14 2026

    In this episode, Jill Parish and Katrina Kennedy discuss the nuances of networking and attending conferences. They share personal experiences, strategies for engagement, and the importance of reflection after attending events. The conversation highlights innovative formats for conferences, the dynamics of networking, and how to create genuine connections with others. They also explore effective conversation starters and the need to redefine networking as a means of connection rather than a sales pitch.

    Takeaways

    • Networking can be reframed as 'connecting' to emphasize genuine interactions and meaningful relationships.
    • Conferences offer opportunities for deep connections and learning, but also present challenges such as cognitive exhaustion and the need for intentional engagement.

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Introduction and Excitement for Live Episodes
    • 08:54 Networking Strategies and Challenges
    • 21:00 Reframing Networking as 'Connecting'
    • 28:08 Upcoming Conferences

    🎙️ Hosted by Katrina Kennedy & Jill Parish |

    Connect with Katrina & Jill

    ThinkDev

    Katrina Kennedy Training

    Linkedin: Katrina | Jill

    #TheStrategicPause #networking #conferences #engagement #ThinkDev #LearningAndDevelopment

    The Strategic Pause releases new episodes every other Tuesday wherever you get podcasts.

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    33 mins