Chief Change Officer Podcast Episode #272: Erin Diehl – Talk Show Dreams, Improv Realities — Part Two
Release Date: April 4, 2025
Host: Vince Chan
Guest: Erin Diehl, Founder and CEO of ImproveIt
I. Introduction
In Episode #272 of Chief Change Officer, host Vince Chan welcomes Erin Diehl, the founder and CEO of ImproveIt. Known for her blend of improv and business acumen, Erin is not only a top podcast host but also a seasoned transformation guru. Vince introduces Erin as someone who has seamlessly combined her passion for joy and business, setting the stage for an in-depth conversation about failure, resilience, and personal growth.
Notable Quote:
Vince Chan [00:41]: “Like me, she's also a top podcast host. From a young age, Erin dreamed of becoming a talk show host.”
II. Erin’s Personal Journey with Failure
Erin opens up about her personal struggles with failure, framing it within her keynote titled "F1 Words at Work." She emphasizes that failure has been a central theme in her life, especially during the tumultuous period following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notable Quote:
Erin Diehl [03:30]: “The F words are all about failure. Plus the frequency of failure equals the fundamentals of success.”
III. Impact of COVID-19 on Erin’s Life and Business
Erin details the profound impact COVID-19 had on her personal and professional life. Returning to work in December 2019, she found herself navigating the abrupt shift from in-person to virtual operations, coinciding with the birth of her son and her mother's recovery from a stroke.
Notable Quote:
Erin Diehl [06:00]: “We had to become completely virtual overnight in order to survive. On top of being a new mom and figuring that out, I was perpetually pivoting our business.”
IV. The Three Ps: Pivoting, People Pleasing, and Pain
Erin introduces the "Three Ps" that encapsulated her struggles during this period:
- Pivoting: Constantly adapting her business model to survive the pandemic.
- People Pleasing: Her lifelong tendency to seek approval and make others happy, which intensified as she balanced personal and professional demands.
- Pain: Chronic physical pain resulting from unprocessed emotions related to infertility, business stress, and personal sacrifices.
Notable Quote:
Erin Diehl [07:30]: “I was truly giving and giving to everyone except myself, which led to the third P, which was pain.”
V. Healing and Transformation
Erin discusses her journey toward healing, highlighting the mind-body connection. Through self-healing practices, she overcame chronic pain without medical intervention, transforming her despair into purpose. This transformation led her to create the methodology known as the "MoveOn" system.
Notable Quote:
Erin Diehl [09:30]: “Failure isn't the end. It's not a door closed, it's opening you up to something greater.”
VI. Discussion on Resilience and Failure
Vince reflects on the interplay between resilience and failure, referencing another guest's experience of overcoming paralysis from a car accident. He underscores the importance of transforming setbacks into actionable insights, a theme resonating deeply with Erin’s experiences.
Notable Quote:
Vince Chen [09:48]: “Failure, if managed well, can become one of the greatest opportunities for transformation.”
VII. The MoveOn Methodology
Erin unveils her practical "MoveOn" methodology, an acronym designed to help individuals navigate their worst failures:
- Marinate: Allow oneself time to process the failure.
- Own It: Acknowledge personal responsibility and forgive oneself.
- Verify Lessons: Identify key takeaways and lessons learned.
- Evaluate Next Steps: Develop an actionable plan to move forward.
Notable Quote:
Erin Diehl [13:37]: “The MoveOn methodology... M for marinate, O for own it, V for verify the lessons, E for evaluate the next steps.”
VIII. Practical Tools for Listeners
Erin provides listeners with tangible tools to manage their own failures. She emphasizes the importance of marinating emotions, owning one's role in failures, learning from experiences, and planning actionable steps to ensure continuous growth.
Notable Quote:
Erin Diehl [16:00]: “Marinating is not like a steak. It doesn't happen overnight. You're probably going to need days, weeks, maybe even months to process.”
IX. The Ripple Effect of Positivity
The conversation shifts to the power of small positive actions. Vince relates Erin’s insights to a previous discussion about generosity, illustrating how simple gestures like a smile can create ripple effects of positivity and transformation in the broader community.
Notable Quote:
Vince Chen [21:27]: “Even something as simple as a smile can spark change... small actions often have the biggest impact.”
X. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In wrapping up, Erin encourages listeners to embrace joy and pass it forward. She offers a complimentary affirmations list to help combat negative thoughts and urges the audience to spread positivity as a means of fostering a more uplifting world.
Notable Quote:
Erin Diehl [20:19]: “If today made you laugh, it made you smile, it gave you food for thought, and it gave you a positive piece of energy, my only ask is that you pay it forward to somebody else today.”
Final Reflections
Episode #272 of Chief Change Officer delivers a profound exploration of failure, resilience, and personal growth through Erin Diehl’s candid storytelling and practical methodologies. Vince Chan and Erin collaboratively provide listeners with actionable insights and tools to navigate their own challenges, reinforcing the podcast’s mission to foster ambitious transformation and outgrowth.
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