Dr. Annette Kramer on Playful Problem-Solving, Systems Thinking, and Space Innovation

Past the Profile

32:48

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is back for its second season! Kay Adams welcomes the women who assemble the squad, Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell, to the Netflix Sports Club Podcast. They discuss the emotional rollercoaster of putting together the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Judy and Kelli open up about what it means to embrace flaws in the pursuit of perfection, how they identify that winning combo of stamina and wow factor, and what it’s like to see Thunderstruck go viral. Plus, the duo shares their hopes for the future of DCC beyond the field. Netflix Sports Club Podcast Correspondent Dani Klupenger also stops by to discuss the NBA Finals, basketball’s biggest moments with Michael Jordan and LeBron, and Kevin Durant’s international dominance. Dani and Kay detail the rise of Coco Gauff’s greatness and the most exciting storylines heading into Wimbledon. We want to hear from you! Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/NetflixSportsClub Find more from the Netflix Sports Club Podcast @NetflixSports on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. You can catch Kay Adams @heykayadams and Dani Klupenger @daniklup on IG and X. Be sure to follow Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammel @kellifinglass and @dcc_judy on IG. Hosted by Kay Adams, the Netflix Sports Club Podcast is an all-access deep dive into the Netflix Sports universe! Each episode, Adams will speak with athletes, coaches, and a rotating cycle of familiar sports correspondents to talk about a recently released Netflix Sports series. The podcast will feature hot takes, deep analysis, games, and intimate conversations. Be sure to watch, listen, and subscribe to the Netflix Sports Club Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Tudum, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes on Fridays every other week.…

about a year ago 23:06

MP3•Episode home

In this episode of Past the Profile, Liz and Annette trace that first virtual meeting into a far-ranging conversation on authentic leadership, designing accelerator programs that actually fit researchers’ needs, and why the emerging space economy feels like the early internet all over again.

Highlights:

How theatre training (making something from nothing to a deadline) maps perfectly onto entrepreneurial leadership.
Annette's core operating premise — play — and how laughter unlocks resources serious meetings miss.
A five-week accelerator model that moved African and UK researchers from idea to business pitch by teaching one evolving frame instead of 18 disjointed tools.
Why she loves the “messy middle” of projects and prefers long-term advisory roles that keep teams honest.
The power of embodied knowledge: standing up, collaborating, and “using your whole self” to solve supposedly intractable problems.
Who she hopes to collaborate with next — especially curious, bright minds in London and Toronto.

Connect with Annette

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettethefixer/

Substack → https://annettekramerphd.substack.com/p/stay-curious

Website → https://www.annettekramer.co.uk/

17 episodes

#Business #Liz Sweigart

Dr. Annette Kramer on Playful Problem-Solving, Systems Thinking, and Space Innovation

Past the Profile

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Highlights:

How theatre training (making something from nothing to a deadline) maps perfectly onto entrepreneurial leadership.
Annette's core operating premise — play — and how laughter unlocks resources serious meetings miss.
A five-week accelerator model that moved African and UK researchers from idea to business pitch by teaching one evolving frame instead of 18 disjointed tools.
Why she loves the “messy middle” of projects and prefers long-term advisory roles that keep teams honest.
The power of embodied knowledge: standing up, collaborating, and “using your whole self” to solve supposedly intractable problems.
Who she hopes to collaborate with next — especially curious, bright minds in London and Toronto.

Connect with Annette

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettethefixer/

Substack → https://annettekramerphd.substack.com/p/stay-curious

Website → https://www.annettekramer.co.uk/

17 episodes

#Business #Liz Sweigart

All episodes

Past the Profile

1
Chris Rawden on Living Your Performance, Reading the Room, and Owning the Energy You Bring 36:11

16 hours ago36:11

36:11

Host Liz Sweigart first met Brussels-based coach Chris Rawden when a thoughtful LinkedIn comment turned into a video call—and then into a pandemic-era pen-pal friendship. Their bi-monthly check-ins became a safe rehearsal room to practice coaching skills, swap leadership puzzles, and compare parenting notes across the Atlantic. In this #PastTheProfile episode, Chris—founder of Live Your Performance and a lifelong musician—traces his path from cornet soloist and youth-orchestra tours to advising senior accountants, lawyers, and international executives. He and Liz explore how musical training maps to business life, why “start where people are” beats pushing them where you wish they’d be, and how leaders can transform stage fright into authentic connection. Highlights Practice as strategy – what daily scales, micro-goals, and concert prep taught Chris about disciplined business planning. Energy at the door – choosing the vibe you bring into a meeting and watching mirror neurons do the rest. Confidence vs. survival – helping technically brilliant leaders enjoy presentations instead of just getting through them. International nuance – respectful curiosity, clear agreements, and the art of asking before assuming across cultures. What's next – A preview of Chris' upcoming small-group program: coaching cohorts on “living, not surviving” high-stakes moments.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Joanie Connell on Guardrails for AI, Critical-Thinking Cultures, and Workplaces Built for Humans 28:18

8 days ago28:18

28:18

Host Liz Sweigart sits down with Dr. Joanie Connell —electrical-engineer-turned-consulting-psychologist, founder of Flexible Work Solutions , and newly elected President of the Society of Consulting Psychology. Joanie traces her journey from Silicon Valley circuit boards to advising tech leaders on human-centric innovation. Together they explore why critical thinking is the best guardrail for AI, how affiliative humor defuses tension, and what it means to make work better for people and people better for work. Highlights How snowy Boston winters nudged Connell toward California Discovering psychology as a way to bridge the engineer–human gap. Why properly stewarded technology—and clear organizational guardrails—determine whether AI becomes utopia, dystopia, or something in-between. Destigmatizing humor at work: laughing with people, never at them, and using levity to open hard conversations. “Make workplaces healthier and help humans thrive there”—Connell’s twin mission for executives and organizations. What’s next: drafting a chapter on potential AI futures and stepping into SCP’s presidential Trio to champion consulting psychology on a larger stage.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Daniel Lattimore on Improv Agility, Building Community, and Humor as a Leadership Tool 31:26

15 days ago31:26

31:26

This week, host Liz Sweigart is joined by Dr. Daniel Lattimore — stand-up-comic-turned-consulting-psychologist and Community Domain Leader for the Society of Consulting Psychology. Daniel, the founder of Omiyo Consulting , traces his arc from bombing a college open-mic to integrating affiliative humor and improv principles into executive coaching. He and Liz unpack why leaders often feel like “Superman alone on stage,” how moments of laughter can create psychological safety, and why he’s happiest switching between front-of-room “leader” and supportive “first follower” roles. Highlights How a failed stand-up set nudged Daniel toward psychology — and showed him comedy’s deeper therapeutic power. What sitcoms like Friends and Seinfeld taught international students (and now executives) about belonging. Destigmatizing humor at work: using jokes to ease tension, not dismiss it, and timing laughter to open hard conversations. The “leader ↔ follower” dance: when to cast a vision, when to amplify someone else’s, and how community multiplies impact. An invitation to leaders who value connection: Daniel's offer to brainstorm creative, cost-effective ways to support people and cultures.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Shannon Jennings on Systems Thinking, Strategic Doing, and the Power of Small Wins 23:22

22 days ago23:22

23:22

Walks and talks at the 2022 APA Convention in Minneapolis sealed the friendship between host Liz Sweigart and Shannon Jennings, PsyD, LMHC . Now, they sit down together to explore how their connection and collaboration has grown over the last few years. In this episode of Past the Profile , Shannon, a therapist-turned-facilitator, strategic-doing champion, and self-described super connector, revisits that serendipitous beginning and unpacks how her “everything, everywhere, all at once” brain helps leaders tame messy, adaptive problems. She and Liz explore translating deep psychology into business value, the magic of micro-commitments, and why uncertainty is Shannon’s favorite playground. Highlights How a house-share at APA led to walks, vulnerability, and a standing-room-only coaching workshop the next year. Why Shannon believes micro-commitments are the secret to momentum — whether you’re launching a network or rebuilding a fitness habit. A primer on Strategic Doing: agile strategy + appreciative inquiry + psychological safety for complex, networked challenges. Bridging the gap between mental-health science and organizational life — helping CEOs lead the “whole selves” they invite to work. What’s next: publishing her ideas publicly and training more change-makers to use Strategic Doing for systems impact.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Mira Brancu on Agency, Systems Thinking, and Turning Insight into Action 24:58

29 days ago24:58

24:58

A mutual mentor, Dr. John Reed , once told host Liz Sweigart: “You have to meet Mira.” Minutes into their first call, Liz and Dr. Mira Brancu were jumping from quantum physics to organizational power structures. A lasting friendship was born. In this episode of Past the Profile , Mira (founder & CEO of Towerscope ) retraces her journey from arriving in the United States from Romania as a young girl to psychologist, author, and architect of a new Leadership Academy for mid-level managers in resource-strapped sectors. She and Liz swap stories about mentorship seeds that sprout years later, the difference between resilience and resourcefulness, and why “having choice” is the ultimate form of power. Highlights How escaping a communist dictatorship and learning English on playgrounds fueled Brancu’s scrappy, systems-level worldview. The “cockroach resilience” mindset she brings to writing, entrepreneurship, and social-impact work. How her next book, tentatively titled Enough Is ( Never ) Enough, tackles the knot of gender, leadership identity, and achievement culture. Lessons from prototyping the Towerscope Leadership Academy : blending community support with bite-size hard-skill content. A call for mid-career “organizational misfits,” women in STEM/healthcare/academia, and mission-aligned partners to co-create the next phase.…

Past the Profile

1
Daveed Benjamin on Turning Noise into Knowledge, Collective Agency, and the Future of the Web 29:14

5 weeks ago29:14

29:14

A chance Hacker Hall conversation at DWeb Camp — sparked by the words “ Holochain ” and “ Nostr ” — pulled host Liz Sweigart into conversation with technologist-activist Daveed Benjamin . Within hours, they were mapping constellations of human knowledge and scheming how to weave deeper context and connection into the fabric of the Internet. In this episode of Past the Profile , Daveed (co-author of The Metaweb: The Next Level of the Internet and catalyst behind the Meta-Layer Initiative ) traces the path from local-energy advocate to architect of a web where everyone can link, label, and share context. He and Liz explore why our data should serve us , how “bridges” can replace one-way links, and what it takes to crowd-draft the next layer of the Internet before June 30, 2025. Highlights How seeing the Web’s “dots without lines” led Daveed to design two-way bridges that anyone, not just site owners, can draw between pages. Why he believes personal data, properly stewarded, will eclipse homes and cars as our most valuable asset. A primer on the Trivium (knowledge → understanding → wisdom) and why today’s Internet gets stuck at Step 1. The MetaLayer submission assistant (“ Bridgit ”) that turns germs of ideas or favorite links into formal proposals for the next-gen Web. An open invitation to mid-2025’s first white-paper sprint: drafting the “ Desirable Properties of a MetaLayer " as suggested by Vint Cerf .…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Sunni Lampasso on Lifeguard Instincts, DJ Performance Psychology, and Leveling Up 24:16

6 weeks ago24:16

24:16

Host Liz Sweigart met Dr. Sunni Lampasso during a pandemic-era phone call arranged by a mutual colleague at the Society of Consulting Psychology . Months later they finally connected in person — walking Minneapolis streets between APA Convention sessions and bonding over a shared love of live music. In this episode of Past the Profile, Sunni traces a career arc that runs from hedge-fund consulting to coaching international DJs. Along the way she recounts the childhood moment she pulled her grandmother from deep water, the lifeguard mindset that still shapes her work, and the “ Level Up ” book tour she’s using to platform emerging artists. Highlights: How a rescue at age 11 sparked a lifelong drive to show up for people in crisis. Why Lampasso treats imposter syndrome, performance anxiety, and rejection as data points — not diagnoses — for the artists she coaches. The mechanics of her new partnership model: record labels retaining a psychologist “on call” to keep talent healthy. Plans for a low-cost subscription community so up-and-coming DJs can access live trainings and Q&A sessions. Insights from Miami Music Week and why being “front-row support” can change an artist’s trajectory. A tour schedule that doubles as grassroots networking — showcasing local DJs in every city.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Jenn Serlin on Meeting the Moment, Pro-Democracy Coaching, and Curiosity in Action 23:09

7 weeks ago23:09

23:09

Host Liz Sweigart connected with Dr. Jenn Serlin only a month before this conversation was recorded through a Society of Consulting Psychology (APA Diviosn 13 / SCP) listserv thread. And yet, their first Zoom felt like two long-time friends resuming an endless conversation. That instant rapport shapes this episode of Past the Profile, where Jenn — performance psychologist, executive coach, lifelong learner, and unapologetic information junkie — explains why she’s pivoting her practice to serve pro-democracy candidates and causes. Highlights: How two consulting psychologists smashed the “impostor override” button to forge a fast partnership. Jenn's mantra of “What’s next?” — from private practice to sports psychology and now political psychology. The link between playing hockey at 40 and coaching leaders to skate past fear. Why she calls herself a “broker of reality” and how that skill helps campaigns combat disinformation. The shared thread among data sovereignty, democracy protection, and showing up with radical curiosity. What Jenn is looking for now: allies ready to meet this political moment with evidence, empathy, and action.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Annette Kramer on Playful Problem-Solving, Systems Thinking, and Space Innovation 23:06

8 weeks ago23:06

23:06

Host Liz Sweigart first spotted Dr. Annette Kramer in a Zoom “salon” led by their mutual friend and editor, Art Kleiner . Kramer — a dancer-turned-long-18th-century scholar and self-described “fixer” — immediately stood out for her mix of scholarly rigor and playful curiosity. In this episode of Past the Profile , Liz and Annette trace that first virtual meeting into a far-ranging conversation on authentic leadership , designing accelerator programs that actually fit researchers’ needs, and why the emerging space economy feels like the early internet all over again. Highlights: How theatre training (making something from nothing to a deadline) maps perfectly onto entrepreneurial leadership . Annette's core operating premise — play — and how laughter unlocks resources serious meetings miss. A five-week accelerator model that moved African and UK researchers from idea to business pitch by teaching one evolving frame instead of 18 disjointed tools. Why she loves the “messy middle” of projects and prefers long-term advisory roles that keep teams honest. The power of embodied knowledge: standing up, collaborating, and “using your whole self” to solve supposedly intractable problems. Who she hopes to collaborate with next — especially curious, bright minds in London and Toronto. Connect with Annette LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettethefixer/ Substack → https://annettekramerphd.substack.com/p/stay-curious Website → https://www.annettekramer.co.uk/…

Past the Profile

1
Limari Navarrete on Weaving Connection, Translating Community to Business, and Elemental Balance 29:28

9 weeks ago29:28

29:28

Host Liz Sweigart first met community strategist Limari Navarrete in the Redwoods of Northern California at DWeb Camp 2023, when they were placed in the same nightly “weaver group”. In this episode of Past the Profile they trace that serendipitous meeting to today, covering Limari's work with the Decentralized Identity Foundation, her passion for tech-for-good open-source projects, and a parallel journey into 500-hour yoga and Ayurveda training. Highlights: How introvert–extrovert chemistry turned a random campsite pairing into an enduring professional friendship. What Limari learned about belonging while managing global open-source communities and why “people decide if it’s a community, not the brand.” Why artistic outlets (drawing, music, ukulele) keep her creative engine running in tech spaces. Practical tips for “translating community” to CEOs, marketers, and finance leaders who speak different success languages.…

Past the Profile

1
Stuart Gibson on Actual Intelligence, Zealous Advocacy, and Lifelong Reinvention 31:48

10 weeks ago31:48

31:48

The professional paths of host Liz Sweigart and guest Stuart Gibson first crossed at the inaugural NYU Tax Controversy Forum reception, back when Stu was Special Trial Counsel for the US Department of Justice Tax Division and Liz was a mid-career Big 4 tax advisor. Two decades, multiple career pivots, and a trans-Atlantic author-recruiting adventure later, Stu remains a plain-spoken mentor whose insights elevate every room he enters. In this episode of Past the Profile , the conversation traces his journey from landmark courtroom victories to leading a global tax newsroom and launching Actual Intelligence LLC, exploring how curiosity, integrity, and humor power a career that never stops evolving. Highlights: How one cocktail-hour conversation sparked an “anchor” mentorship that still shapes both careers. Why Stu traded federal courtrooms for tax journalism and back again, and what he learned guiding a newsroom through COVID lockdowns. The origin story of Simple 720 , a cloud platform that files excise-tax returns in minutes starting at less than $40 a form. How his new venture Actual Intelligence is helping taxpayers fight algorithmic ERC refund denials. A choral singer’s take on keeping work fun, staying curious, and holding the line on integrity, regardless of which side he argues.…

Past the Profile

1
Bonus Episode: Dr. Tondi Mondoloka on Honoring Legacy, Radical Self-Compassion, and Intergenerational Strength 14:03

11 weeks ago14:03

14:03

Immediately after recording their first conversation, host Liz Sweigart realized she had held back a key question about the family story behind Dr. Tondi Mondoloka’s dissertation finish line. Rather than let that curiosity go, the two hit “record” again. In this short bonus episode of Past the Profile , Tondi recounts the spring 2023 crunch to defend her dissertation in time to walk at commencement—while her aunt, the very woman who first told a five-year-old Tondi she would one day earn a degree, visited from Zambia. The discussion unpacks the weight of arbitrary deadlines, the pressure high achievers place on themselves, and the healing power of reframing “I must” into “What else is possible?” Highlights: How an aunt’s early encouragement—and a late-stage campus visit—became a symbolic relay between generations. Why Tondi nearly drove herself to exhaustion chasing an external deadline, and how Liz's “breathe and zoom out” advice helped her reclaim perspective. A reflection on artificial binaries, option-generation, and valuing progress over perfection. The photograph Tondi treasures most: her three-year-old son gazing up at “Dr. Mommy” after commencement. A reminder that celebrating each step honors the people who carried us there.…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Tondi Mondoloka on Legacy, Vulnerability, and Thriving in Flux 25:36

11 weeks ago25:36

25:36

Back in our PhD days at The Chicago School, (now Dr.) Tondi Mondoloka and I first crossed paths in lively online discussion boards, then cemented the connection during our program’s inaugural weekend residency. That spark ignited a friendship still shaping both of our journeys. In this episode of Past the Profile we retrace that journey from late-night data coding marathons to career pivots and bold creative leaps, exploring how to honor a legacy, reconcile past and present, and move with courage when everything feels in flux. In this episode you’ll hear: How two doctoral students became “anchor friends” who cheered each other across the finish line then and continue to support each other years later. Tondi’s take on showing vulnerability at work and online, and why she’s doubling down on LinkedIn and launching a Substack. Lessons from the historic Mann Gulch fire on decision-making under pressure and why hindsight bias still trips us up. How systems thinking, risk management, and a “curiosity first” mindset (thanks, Mom!) guide Tondi’s consulting lens. Practical advice for professionals and organizations navigating layoffs, flux, and the fast-arriving future of work. Connect with Tondi LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/tondi-mondoloka/ Substack → https://tondimondoloka.substack.com/ Speaking & consulting → http://www.tondimondoloka.com/…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Tracey Benson on Unpacking Baggage, Exploring Identity, and Building Authentic Community 23:30

12 weeks ago23:30

23:30

Join Dr. Tracey Benson and Dr. Liz Sweigart as they reflect on their serendipitous meeting at a conference in Brisbane — where being a little lost led to finding an unexpected and enduring connection. In this episode, Tracey and Liz explore the richness of perception, memory, and what it means to co-create meaning over time. Tracey opens up about the values that guide her beyond the professional bio: a deep commitment to community, environmental stewardship, and respectful partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture. They also dive into Tracey’s latest creative project, Baggage — a playful, layered exploration of identity, consumption, and the emotional weight we carry (often in secondhand handbags). This conversation is a celebration of friendship, curiosity, and creative courage. It’s about leadership without pretense, and the joy of saying yes to wacky, beautiful ideas. If Baggage sparked something in you, Tracey would love to hear your story. You’re invited to contribute: In person: Drop by the Treecreate studio on Bribie Island and share your story (or your actual bag). From afar: Send a photo of a bag and a short personal reflection to Tracey via email at baggage.story@gmail.com . Every contribution becomes part of an evolving installation about identity, memory, and what we carry—by choice or by habit. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bytetime/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bytetime/ More about Tracey and her work: https://linktr.ee/bytetime…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Virginia Whitlock on Legacy, Love, and Leadership That Opens Doors 49:24

13 weeks ago49:24

49:24

Join Dr. Virginia Whitlock and Dr. Liz Sweigart for a heartfelt conversation about legacy, leadership, and the relationships that shape us. What began in an online classroom has grown into a friendship rooted in respect, vulnerability, and a shared commitment to equity. In this episode, they reflect on their personal and professional journeys—navigating academia, allyship, and the often unseen labor of building spaces where others can thrive. Together, they explore what it means to plant seeds you may never benefit from, the power of storytelling in healing generational patterns, and the courage it takes to ask uncomfortable questions in pursuit of a better, more inclusive future. Whether you're in academia, leadership, or simply working to create change in your corner of the world, this conversation will move you to reflect on the legacy you're building and the doors you’re opening for others. Connect with Dr. Virginia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-virginia-l-whitlock-doctorate-in-organizational-leadership-psychology-80b20a24/ Read her dissertation here: https://www.proquest.com/docview/3047954221…

Past the Profile

1
Dr. Lata Dhir on Harnessing Positive Psychology for Personal and Collective Growth 10:28

14 weeks ago10:28

10:28

Join Dr. Lata Dhir as she unravels the nuances of creating genuine human connections, drawing upon her personal experiences and passions in cultivating safe spaces. Delve into the transformative power of positive psychology, leadership development, and the importance of leveraging strengths over weaknesses. In this episode, Dr. Dhir shares her journey as an educator, a woman, a mother, and a wife, revealing the struggles and triumphs behind her impressive professional profile. Explore her insights on shaping minds, nurturing trust, and the pivotal role of optimism and possibilities in personal growth. Discover her fervor for designing impactful experiences in leadership labs, where individuals explore their vulnerabilities and forge lasting bonds. This conversation illuminates Dr. Dhir's mission to create meaningful change and foster a collective spirit of empathy and purpose. Connect with Dr. Dhir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lata-dhir-00956916/…

Past the Profile

1
Mark Curtis on Curiosity, Collective Intelligence & Carved Stone Gods 19:08

15 weeks ago19:08