UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

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UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Kenneth Pearson

32 episodes

1 week ago

In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson is joined by Dr. Katina Sawyer, co-founder of Workr Beeing, Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at the Eller College of Management, and co-author of Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives. Together, they explore the deeper meaning of workplace wellness - beyond programs, perks, and initiatives - and uncover how true well-being is built through leadership behavior, team culture, and daily interac...

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In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson is joined by Dr. Katina Sawyer, co-founder of Workr Beeing, Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at the Eller College of Management, and co-author of Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives. Together, they explore the deeper meaning of workplace wellness - beyond programs, perks, and initiatives - and uncover how true well-being is built through leadership behavior, team culture, and daily interac...

Show more...

Episodes (20/32)

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 32: The OD Perspective on Wellness - A Conversation with Dr. Katina Sawyer

In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson is joined by Dr. Katina Sawyer, co-founder of Workr Beeing, Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at the Eller College of Management, and co-author of Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives. Together, they explore the deeper meaning of workplace wellness - beyond programs, perks, and initiatives - and uncover how true well-being is built through leadership behavior, team culture, and daily interac...

1 week ago

56 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 31: Pop Culture, Real Lessons - Teaching Leadership with Dr. Sy Islam

In this episode of Unboxing OD, host Kenneth Pearson sits down with Dr. Sy Islam - Co-Founder and Vice President of Consulting at Talent Metrics, and Associate Professor of Psychology at Farmingdale State College - to explore the art and science of leadership development. Dr. Islam shares his insights on how organizations can better support middle managers, why data-driven decisions need a human lens, and how integrity in action separates good leaders from great ones. Together, they discuss t...

1 month ago

1 hour 13 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 30: Hustling With Heart - Jenn Stevens on Presence, Ownership, and Developing Leaders from Any Seat

In this episode of Unboxing OD, I sit down with Jenn Stevens, an Organizational Development leader whose path into this work is anything but conventional. From firefighter to yoga studio owner to executive coach and L&D leader in tech, Jenn’s story reflects a career stitched together by one consistent thread: a deep commitment to people. We talk about what it really means to “hustle with heart” - bringing both drive and presence into the work. Jenn shares why presence is the true di...

1 month ago

1 hour 14 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 29: Strategic Clarity, Leadership, and AI - Marcus Dudley on Modern Leadership in the Digital Age

In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson is joined by Marcus Dudley, leadership and organizational consultant, executive coach, professor, and CEO of Mammoth Leadership and Organizational Development. With over three decades of experience spanning the military, sports, nonprofits, and business, Marcus brings a direct, no-fluff perspective on what modern leaders need most. The conversation explores why so many leadership development programs fall short, the importance of strategic...

1 month ago

1 hour 19 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 28: The Invisible Medal - Leading with a Higher Purpose with Chris Richie

In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson sits down with Colonel Chris Ritchie, retired United States Marine Corps officer and Director of Human Resource Development at Auburn University. Across his career, Chris has led organizations from small teams to global commands and now designs leadership and performance development programs that reach thousands of employees. Their conversation explores the shift from success to significance -- how true leadership lives not in accolades, b...

2 months ago

1 hour 12 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 27: Unspoken Truths, Quiet Legacies - Five Reflections on Work and Self

This episode of Unboxing OD is something different. Instead of frameworks or methodologies, Kenneth offers a deeply personal reflection told in five movements -- exploring the hidden labor of showing up at work while holding parts of ourselves back, the unspoken space between people, and the truths we carry but often leave unsaid. Across these movements, Kenneth reflects on what it means to return to ourselves and to each other, and the quieter legacies we leave behind in the trace of o...

2 months ago

17 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 26: The Inner Work of Leadership - A Conversation with Poor Bear Chalepah

In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson sits down with Poor Bear Chalepah, consultant, visionary leader, and soon-to-be PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. As a proud member of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, Poor Bear shares his journey across industries -- from railroads and welding to organizational psychology, and the lessons that shaped his approach to leadership, belonging, and growth. Together, Kenneth and Poor Bear explore what it means to move beyond the buzzword...

2 months ago

1 hour 2 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 25: OD Burnout Is Real - Protecting Your Capacity in the Work That Holds So Much

In this solo episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson steps into a conversation that many OD practitioners feel but rarely name -- burnout. Not the surface-level fatigue that comes after a long week, but the deep, layered exhaustion that comes from holding space for others, navigating resistant systems, and balancing the emotional labor that sits beneath our day-to-day work. Kenneth unpacks how OD burnout shows up, why it builds over time, and the quiet cost of constantly staying present...

3 months ago

9 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 24: Change by Design - A Conversation with Melissa Donegan

In this episode of Unboxing OD, host Kenneth Pearson sits down with Melissa Donegan - an experienced leader across federal agencies, healthcare, education, and tech - to talk about what it really means to design for change instead of reacting to it. Together, they explore how intentional listening and career mindfulness can transform not only the outcomes of an initiative but also the people at the heart of it. Melissa shares how her career path has shaped her perspective, what it means...

3 months ago

59 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 23: Inclusion, Community, & Compassion - Alex Ochoa & The Work of Becoming

In this special in-person episode of Unboxing OD, Alex Ochoa shares what it means to show up - fully, boldly, and unapologetically - in a profession where you don’t always see yourself reflected. A first-generation Latina college graduate, Learning & Development Specialist, and co-founder of Latinos in I/O Psychology (LIOP), Alex opens up about navigating identity, imposter syndrome, and the quiet power of building space when none was offered. This episode isn’t about theory. It’s a...

3 months ago

47 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 22: When the Diagnosis Hurts - Telling the Truth in OD

In this episode of Unboxing OD, host Kenneth Pearson takes us into one of the most delicate and defining aspects of organizational development - what happens when your findings reveal something uncomfortable, something that leadership might not be ready to hear. OD practitioners are often asked to assess culture, diagnose issues, and present a path forward. But what happens when the data tells a harder story? One of broken trust, misaligned values, or leadership that’s lost touch? How d...

3 months ago

8 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 21: Navigating the Transition from L&D to OD with Bethany Rios, MPH

In this guest episode of Unboxing OD, host Kenneth Pearson sits down with Bethany Rios, Organizational Development Manager and L&D professional, for a candid conversation about stepping into the world of OD from a background in training and development. Together, they explore what it means to shift from a skills-based approach to a systems-level mindset, how OD differs from L&D in practice, and why relationship-building and leadership buy-in are essential to long-term success. B...

4 months ago

29 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 20: The Silent Partner - Power in Organizations

In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth explores the powerful presence of organizational power dynamics and the influence they carry in shaping culture, conversations, and decisions. These dynamics often live beneath the surface, guiding what is shared, what remains unspoken, and how change takes shape across teams and leadership. Kenneth invites listeners to reflect on what it means to be brought in as a trusted voice, while also encountering subtle boundaries around what can truly be ...

4 months ago

9 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 19: Allyship in Action with Dr. Victoria Mattingly

In this powerful and personal conversation, Dr. Victoria Mattingly (Dr. V) - organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, and CEO of Mattingly Solutions - joins Kenneth to explore what it really means to act like an ally in the workplace. From her unexpected entry into IO psychology to the human-centered heart of her work, Dr. V shares the stories and insights that have shaped her journey. Together, they dive into how allyship can move from performance to partnership, how vulnerability and i...

4 months ago

36 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 18: The Myth of the Quick Fix - Why OD Work Takes Time

We all love a quick fix - something that solves the problem, calms the chaos, and gets us back on track. But in the world of Organizational Development, quick fixes often don’t fix anything at all. In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth explores the myth of fast solutions and why real, sustainable change takes time, reflection, and iteration. He unpacks why surface-level interventions often miss the mark, how root cause analysis requires patience, and what it really means to “slow down to sp...

5 months ago

8 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 17: From Idea to Impact - Designing Strategic, Human-Centered Interventions

What separates a one-time workshop from an intervention that actually changes the way people work together? In this episode of Unboxing OD, we explore what it really takes to design effective Organizational Development interventions - those that align with strategy, honor the human experience, and create lasting movement in the system. Kenneth Pearson walks through how to ground interventions in real organizational goals, shares listener and colleague inspired stories from leadership and team...

5 months ago

11 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 16: The Power of Storytelling in Organizational Development

Storytelling isn’t just a soft skill - it’s one of the most powerful tools OD practitioners have to navigate complexity, build trust, and move people through change. In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson explores how stories can transform the way organizations engage with change, strategy, and culture. You’ll get a quick overview of how to simplify complex initiatives through narrative, craft compelling change stories that resonate, and use storytelling techniques to build authentic...

5 months ago

9 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 15: The Flow of Five Tiers - Seeing the Whole System

What happens when we pause, zoom out, and ask: What are we really building? In this special episode of Unboxing OD, host Kenneth Pearson introduces The Flow of Five Tiers - a reflective, systems-based framework for understanding how real change happens inside organizations. Rather than offering another top-down model, this episode presents a fresh, integrated lens for OD practitioners and change leaders seeking clarity in complexity. Kenneth walks through each tier - Foundational Core, Leader...

6 months ago

13 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 14: Building Trust & Credibility as an OD Practitioner

Trust and credibility aren’t just nice-to-haves in Organizational Development - they’re foundational. In this episode of Unboxing OD, we briefly explore how OD practitioners can build influence without formal authority, create psychological safety within teams, and turn resistance into opportunity. Through the story of Devon, a new internal OD specialist navigating the difference between permission and trust, we uncover what it really takes to earn leadership buy-in and foster meaningful chan...

6 months ago

10 minutes

UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

Episode 13: A Day in the Life - The Key Responsibilities of an OD Professional

What does a typical day look like for an Organizational Development (OD) practitioner? The short answer: there’s no such thing as typical. In this episode of Unboxing OD, we walk through the real-world responsibilities of OD professionals - how we move from deep diagnosis to intentional intervention, build strategic trust with leadership, navigate complex political dynamics, and make tough prioritization calls when everything feels urgent. Through the story of Liana, a fictional but deeply re...

7 months ago

12 minutes