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Improve your resilience and readiness in a rapidly changing world. Jessica Beckendorf and Bob Bertsch host this exploration of personal and collective practices that empower us to work together to help each other, our families, and our communities improve our resilience and readiness.
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This podcast, hosted by Bob Bertsch, is a discussion of how Cooperative Extension professionals can work differently to be more effective in the new communications environment. Duration: about 30 minutes Updated: every other Thursday, approx. 3 p.m. (CT) The WDiE theme music is "Noone's Acid", https://www.jamendo.com/en/artist/337331/...and-nobody-cared, by ...and nobody cared. We use it under a Creative Commons license.
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Trust as a Practice: Lessons from the Experts, with Charles Feltman and Ila Edgar
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Send us a text What if trust wasn’t just a feeling, but a set of skills you could build, repair, and strengthen - on purpose? In this special episode of Practicing Connection, hosts Jessica Beckendorf and Coral Owen sit down with Charles Feltman, author of The Thin Book of Trust, and Ila Edgar, founder of Big Change Inc. and co-hosts of the Trust o…
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Plan With Purpose: The POP Framework for Effective Meetings
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Send us a text What if every meeting you planned had a clear purpose, a focused outcome, and left everyone energized instead of drained? Today, we’ll show you a simple framework to make every gathering count. Tired of meetings that go nowhere? In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, Coral and Jessica reveal how the POP (Purpose, Outco…
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Planning for Possibilities: A Perspective-Shifting Practice
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Send us a text What if you could quiet the ‘what-ifs’ and help your team face tough decisions with clarity and confidence? Today, we’re sharing a simple scenario planning practice that brings perspective to uncertainty-so you can plan for whatever comes next. Coral and Jessica introduce a practical scenario planning tool: Best, Worst, Most Likely C…
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Send us a text Are you feeling stuck in an either/or mindset during challenging transitions? Discover how both/and thinking can help you lead with flexibility and compassion. In today's practice, Coral guides us through a transformative action that can bring more connection and possibility into your daily life. Co-hosts Jessica and Coral explore th…
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Build Team Cohesion with "Hippopotamus Days"
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Send us a text What if a single phrase could transform your team’s understanding and support for each other on tough days? Discover how “Hippopotamus Days” can build connection, understanding, and trust - one inside joke at a time. Building team cohesion isn’t just about big events or trust falls - it’s about the small moments of understanding that…
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Temperature Checks for Change: Staying Grounded Through Uncertainty
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Send us a text When change is the only constant, how do you keep yourself - and your team - grounded and connected? In this episode, we explore simple, powerful check-in practices that help leaders and teams navigate uncertainty with empathy, awareness, and trust. Transitions and uncertainty are part of every leader’s journey. In this episode of Pr…
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Leading Through Change: How to Stay Aligned and Present
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Send us a text Are you leading your team the way you truly want to? Or just reacting to the pressures of the moment? Discover how a simple reflection can help you align your intentions with your actions and become the emotionally intelligent leader your team needs. How we show up as leaders shapes our team’s experience, trust, and success. In this …
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Adventure-Ready: Strengthening Military Families Through Teen Camps
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Send us a text Looking for a way to empower military families while fostering resilience and connection? Join us as we explore the transformative Military Teen Adventure Camps, where service member parents and teens bond through adrenaline-pumping activities like ziplining, whitewater rafting, and rock climbing. Discover how these camps are creatin…
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A Compass for Building Compassion Resilience
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Send us a text Today's practice is such a simple reflection, but is also really powerful and eye-opening when you notice those areas where you are feeling fatigue, and can identify what to do about it. Coral joins Jessica in this episode to conclude our three-part series on compassion resilience, by discussing the Compass Model for Wellness. Jessic…
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Policy, Practice, and Compassion in Mental Health, with Dr. Keita Franklin
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Send us a text How can policymakers and frontline providers collaborate to transform mental health care for service members and veterans? Dr. Keita Franklin is here to share 25 years of insights - from data-driven policy to personal resilience practices. National policy leader Dr. Keita Franklin joins host Jessica Beckendorf and special guest co-ho…
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Say Yes to Yourself: Build Compassion Resilience with Healthy Boundaries
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Send us a text Struggling to balance caring for others with caring for yourself? In this episode of Practicing Connection, we explore how setting compassionate boundaries can help you maintain your well-being while supporting military families effectively. In the second installment of our compassion resilience series, Jessica delves into the art of…
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Send us a text Do you sometimes feel drained by the emotional demands of your work? In this episode of Practicing Connection, we explore compassion resilience - the ability to care deeply while protecting your own well-being. Learn what it is, why it matters, and a simple practice to start building it today. Service providers often face emotionally…
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More than a Meal: Building Community and Resilience, with Chef Mary Long
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Send us a text Do you ever wonder how a kitchen can become a hub for resilience and connection? In this episode of Practicing Connection, Jessica is joined by special co-host Bethany Daugherty, who both sit down with Chef Mary Long, a culinary expert and instructor at the U.S. Army North Vogel Resiliency Center in San Antonio, Texas. Discover how h…
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Send us a text Do you ever struggle to stick to your goals? Discover the WOOP method, a powerful tool that uses obstacles as stepping stones to success. Discover WOOP, a science-backed goal-setting practice that helps you overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. Learn how to apply this simple yet powerful tool to transform your habits and improve…
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How to be Present for Others in their Grief
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Send us a text This episode was the second in a series of three practicasts from 2024 centered around "holding space," a concept we learned from Heather Plett, author of "The Art of Holding Space." Our co-creator for this series was our OneOp colleague, Kristen Jowers. In this episode, Kristen shares two practices to help us prepare to hold space f…
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Send us a text **Leveraging Forgiveness as a Strength** Forgiveness is a powerful character strength and skill that can appear deceptively difficult to master. When we feel hurt by someone, or upset at ourselves, how do we move past the emotions of the moment to understand what is really happening in that situation? In this episode of *Practicing C…
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Reframing Mistakes as Learning Opportunities
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Send us a text **Reframing Mistakes for Growth** In this episode of *Practicing Connection*, Coral Owen provides co-host Jessica Beckendorf and listeners with a practical guide to reframing your mindset when you make a mistake. Drawing inspiration from her two-year-old toddler's ability to move past errors effortlessly, Coral contrasts this with th…
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Move on From Mistakes with the 10-10-10 Rule
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Send us a text In this episode, hosts Coral and Jessica explore the 10-10-10 Rule, a simple yet powerful technique for gaining perspective on mistakes and decision-making. Jessica explains how this tool can be used to reflect on and move through errors without spiraling into panic. Tune in to learn how asking three simple questions can help you and…
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Send us a text Boost your productivity and stay connected with others through the power of co-working! In this episode of Practicing Connection, learn how structured co-working sessions can enhance focus, provide accountability, and create a sense of community—whether in person or virtually. Jessica shares a simple, step-by-step approach to impleme…
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Send us a text In this episode of Practicing Connection, we explore the "one-minute agreement," a simple yet powerful practice for building consistency and overcoming inertia. Coral shares how this approach can help tackle big goals by breaking them into bite-sized, manageable steps.By OneOp
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Send us a text In this episode of Practicing Connection, Coral talks about Habit Stacking, a practice that can help you adopt new habits by pairing them with existing ones. Learn more about this adaptable practice that can help you change your behavior.By OneOp
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Easy Priority Setting with the Wheel of Life
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Send us a text In this episode of Practicing Connection, Jessica introduces the Wheel of Life as a simple tool to help set priorities and find balance by identifying areas that need attention. Discover how this practice encourages intentionality, making it easier to focus on what matters most to you each month.…
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Send us a text In this episode, Jessica Beckendorf introduces Coral Owen as the new co-host of Practicing Connection. They reflect on their journey working together, share insights into the podcast’s evolution, and discuss the importance of consistent small practices for personal and professional growth.…
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Strategies for Navigating Challenging Conversations
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Send us a text In this episode of Practicing Connection, Bob and Jessica discuss the importance of navigating challenging conversations. Jessica introduces a practical activity designed to help manage emotions and foster constructive dialogue, whether in personal or professional settings.By OneOp
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Send us a text In this practicast, inspired by Heather Plett’s book The Art of Holding Space, Bob Bertsch shares a practice for letting go of something to create space for new possibilities. Our co-creator for this episode was our OneOp colleague, Kristen Jowers.By OneOp
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The Power of Connection, Reflection, and Evolution with Bob Bertsch
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Send us a text In this episode, Jessica Beckendorf and Bob Bertsch reflect on Bob’s time as co-host and his transition to a new role as national project leader for OneOp. Together, they revisit key moments from the Practicing Connection podcast, share insights from their collaboration, and explore practices that support personal and professional gr…
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Reflections on Connection, Collaboration, and Finding Inspiration
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Send us a text This is our annual Reflections episode, where we invite some of our podcast collaborators from the past year to share their reflections with us. Why? Because at the heart of meaningful connection, communication, and collaboration is the ongoing journey of self-awareness, learning, and growth. Regular reflection helps us stay grounded…
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Inviting Innovation Through Creative Destruction
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Send us a text Explore how inviting creative destruction can pave the way for innovation. In this practicast, Jessica shares a fun and insightful practice inspired by the Liberating Structures TRIZ activity, guiding listeners to identify and eliminate counterproductive behaviors to make space for new ideas and better outcomes.…
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The Power of Listening to Cultivate Deep Respect for People
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Send us a text Explore practical ways to cultivate deep respect in your personal and professional interactions. This practicast introduces “1-2-4-All,” a practice rooted in community development principles, designed to amplify every voice and promote meaningful collaboration. Learn how genuine listening and collective reflection can empower individ…
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The Welcome Wagon: Cultivating a Welcoming Environment
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Send us a text Discover practical ways to create more welcoming and inclusive environments in your personal and professional life. The episode introduces "The Welcome Wagon," a simple practice inspired by community development principles, offering steps for personal reflection and group collaboration to foster a culture of belonging. Explore insigh…
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Strengthening Military Community Connections with Amy Rodick
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Send us a text Amy Rodick, Director of the Office of Military Family Readiness and Policy for the Department of Defense, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of community connections and how service providers and families can contribute to a stronger Military Family Readiness System. As an Army veteran and military spouse, Amy brings a uniqu…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, hosts Jessica and Bob explore the concept of balancing the "big picture" with "small actions" in their work and personal lives. The episode delves into a practice inspired by adrienne maree brown's book Emergent Strategy, focusing on how simple, individual actions contribute to la…
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Improve Your Feedback with Gratitude and Vulnerability
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Send us a text Discover the transformative power of feedback. Hosts Bob Bertsch and Jessica Beckendorf explore the nuances of giving and receiving feedback, emphasizing its role in personal and professional growth. Jessica shares a practical readiness checklist, offering valuable insights for enhancing feedback practices. Links Dare to Lead: The En…
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Feeding Military Families with Stronghold Food Pantry CEO Monica Bassett
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Send us a text In this episode, co-hosts Jessica Beckendorf and Bob Bertsch talk with Monica Bassett, founder and CEO of Stronghold Food Pantry, a resource for military families on Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. Monica talks about how she started a food pantry on Fort Riley, KS and how she launched Stronghold, highlighting the role military spouses, l…
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Send us a text In this episode, learn how values shape emotions, decisions, and relationships, providing a roadmap for reduced stress, boosted confidence, and thriving connections. Bob Bertsch introduces practical exercises, guiding you through reflections and rapid assessments to uncover and understand your core values. Links Values Worksheets fro…
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Confronting Imposter Syndrome by Sharing Your Work
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Send us a text Sharing your work, even before it is done, is a great practice for dealing with imposter syndrome. It can help you realize no one is perfect and can make your work better, make you visible to others, and lead you to a community of support and growth. In this practicast, Jessica Beckendorf and Bob Bertsch talk about the benefits of sh…
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Send us a text The more you understand about yourself, the better you’ll be able to align your life with the things that are really meaningful to you. In this episode, Jessica Beckendorf shares how to do less of what drains you by using energy and engagement tracking.By OneOp
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Partnering on Early Education for Military Kids
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Send us a text In this episode, co-hosts Bob Bertsch and Jessica Beckendorf talk with Lisa Sapp and James Yracheta about a collaboration between Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Great Falls (MT) School District to provide military-connected kids access to the Transitional Kindergarten program. In addition to providing early childhood education, the…
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Send us a text Many of us tend to take a linear approach to program development. We develop a program, implement it fully, then evaluate it to see if it worked. However, making small adjustments, aka iteration, is an important part on innovations. Bob Bertsch shares a practice to help us build our capacity for iteration by helping each of us get mo…
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Send us a text Getting to a shared purpose as a group often requires digging a little deeper than usual. Jessica Beckendorf talks about the chaordic stepping stones, a helpful tool for going below the surface with a group, and shares four questions that can help groups work toward a clear statement of purpose together. Links "You don't have to be l…
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Send us a text Separately, mindfulness practice and character strengths practice have been shown to improve well-being. Recent research has shown that combining these two practices may have even greater benefits. In this episode, we continue our conversation about character strengths, a strengths-based approach to identifying the positive traits be…
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Send us a text Much of the conversation around character strengths focuses on their positive aspects, but there are some contexts in which character strengths can lead to negative outcomes. It’s all in how we use them. In this episode, we continue our conversation about character strengths, a strengths-based approach to identifying the positive tra…
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Send us a text Character strengths are your unique pathways to those positive goals people pursue in life. They can help us amplify positive things in our lives, like self-acceptance, autonomy, goal progress, and more. In this episode, we continue our conversation about character strengths, a strengths-based approach to identifying the positive tra…
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Send us a text Finding your character strengths can help improve your life and emotional well-being, as well as meet the challenges and difficulties you are facing. Some frameworks and assessments for identifying our strengths focus on workplace performance, but Character Strengths can be applied to any situation, leading to positive emotions, enga…
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Networks for Military Family Support with Amy Rodick
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Send us a text Amy Rodick, Director of the Office of Military Family Readiness and Policy in the Department of Defense, joins the podcast to talk about the informal and formal network that help military families thrive. As an Army veteran and military spouse, Amy brings a unique perspective, sharing real-world strategies for service providers to su…
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Send us a text This is the third is a series of three practicasts centered around "holding space," a concept we learned from Heather Plett, author of "The Art of Holding Space." Our co-creator for this series was our OneOp colleague, Kristen Jowers. In this episode, Bob Bertsch shares a practice for letting go of something in order to let something…
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Send us a text Check out the show notes. This is the second in a series of three practicasts centered around "holding space," a concept we learned from Heather Plett, author of "The Art of Holding Space." Our co-creator for this series was our OneOp colleague, Kristen Jowers. In this episode, Kristen Jowers shares two practices to help us prepare t…
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Send us a text We are offered gifts from others every day. The hard part is often noticing them and recognizing them as gifts. Once we do, it has the potential to unlock amazing possibilities in our communication and collaborative relationships. In this practicast, special guest Shannon Hughes of Enlivened Studios talks with Jessica about how the a…
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Send us a text We live in a world where competition is everywhere. But what if we broke the mold and instead focused on making each other look good - de-centering ourselves and centering others? In this practicast, special guest Shannon Hughes of Enlivened Studios talks with Jessica about how the applied improvisation practice of "Making Your Partn…
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Send us a text Saying “yeah, but” is a habit that has become second nature to many of us. Yet we know that validating and building on ideas and offers from others is an effective way to build high-trust relationships and teams. In this practicast, special guest Shannon Hughes of Enlivened Studios talks with Jessica about how the applied improvisati…
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