Podcast
What’s Possible w. Ilene Schaffer
Hosted by Silicon Valley Change · EN
Behind every powerhouse communicator, relationship builder, and resilient leader is a strategic thinker who leads with curiosity and honors wellbeing. Say goodbye to disengagement and team fatigue as we bring you science-backed strategies that will transform not just your leadership style but also your team’s and organization's success. Join Ilene Schaffer and industry leaders as they share tried-and-true methods, empowering insights, and a mission to elevate your leadership game.
44episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
In the Moment: Defining a Successful Day with Harry Hofer
Jan 1500:15:50Tap to summarizeWhat if defining a successful day could fit right in the palm of your hand? In this In the Moment episode of What’s Possible, executive coach Harry Hofer shares a simple five-finger framework born out of a moment of chaos that helps leaders break down daily priorities into clear, actionable steps.Host Ilene Schaffer reconnects with Harry to unpack how this tactile exercise guides leaders and teams in focusing on what matters most—from connecting with people to engaging hiring managers and prioritizing learning—while keeping well-being and the team at the center.Listeners will learn:How to use the “five fingers” as a quick, memorable guide to focus daily effortsWhy defining success with tangible touchpoints reduces overwhelmWays to customize the framework to fit your team’s goalsHow building connection and well-being strengthens leadership impactIf you’re a leader seeking practical tools to simplify your day and activate your team, this episode offers a fresh nudge you can start using today.- - - - - - - Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTubeConnect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
Transcribe →Welcome to What's Possible with Ilene Schaffer
Jan 1500:01:28Tap to summarizeBehind every powerhouse communicator, relationship builder, and resilient leader is a strategic thinker who leads with curiosity and honors wellbeing. Say goodbye to disengagement and team fatigue as we bring you science-backed strategies that will transform not just your leadership style but also your team’s and organization's success.Join Ilene Schaffer and industry leaders as they share tried-and-true methods, empowering insights, and a mission to elevate your leadership game.- - - - - - - Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTubeConnect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
Transcribe →Authenticity at Work: Claude Silver on Leadership, Belonging, and Emotional Intelligence
Jan 800:41:22Tap to summarizeWhat if being yourself at work wasn’t a risk, but your greatest advantage?In this episode of What’s Possible, Ilene Schaffer sits down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia and author of “Be Yourself at Work,” for a deeply human conversation about authenticity, emotional intelligence, and what it really means to belong at work.Claude shares powerful lessons from her personal journey, including a life-changing Outward Bound experience, and how those insights shaped her philosophy of servant leadership, presence, and psychological safety. Together, Ilene and Claude get into the cost of “fake urgency,” the myth of perfect work-life balance, and why great leadership is less about control and more about care.This episode is full of practical wisdom for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone navigating today’s workplace. If you’ve ever wondered how to thrive at work without losing yourself, this conversation is for you. - - - - - - - Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTubeConnect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
Transcribe →The Connection Cure: Boost Wellness & Reduce Burnout with Social Prescribing | Julia Hotz
Aug 7, 202500:44:23Tap to summarizeFeeling burned out, stressed, or disconnected at work? It’s time to explore a powerful alternative: social prescribing. In this episode of What’s Possible, host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Julia Hotz, award-winning author of The Connection Cure, to uncover how prescribing nature walks, art workshops, volunteering, and community activities can dramatically improve your mental health, workplace productivity, and overall well-being.Julia shares evidence-backed insights on how movement, nature, art, service, and belonging significantly contribute to employee wellness, reduce stress, and combat burnout. You’ll learn why clinical care accounts for just 20% of health outcomes, with the remaining 80% driven by our environment and social factors. She provides actionable strategies leaders can immediately use to foster healthier, happier teams by reconnecting employees to what genuinely matters to them.Whether you’re a leader looking to enhance organizational health, a professional navigating burnout, or simply someone seeking holistic strategies for well-being, this episode offers practical tools and transformative ideas for better living.Listen in and discover how to harness the prescriptive power of human connection to create lasting wellness in your workplace and beyond.- - - - - - - Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTubeConnect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
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In the Moment: How to Use the “Know, Do, Feel” Framework To Communicate Effectively with Harry Hofer - Nudge #2
Jul 31, 202500:10:20Tap to summarizeWhen you are called to communicate critical messages that truly resonate with your audience, where do you start? In this episode, Harry Hofer shares an essential framework that can transform how you connect with people in just minutes. Ilene Schaffer sits down with Harry to get the inside scoop on the “Know, Do, Feel” communication framework.Harry, an internal executive coach at a Fortune 500 company, shares practical insights for senior leaders on effectively crafting messages that resonate, motivate, and inspire action. You'll learn how clearly defining what you want your audience to know, what you want them to do, and importantly, how you want them to feel can dramatically enhance your communication impact.Whether you’re preparing for a high-stakes meeting, delivering feedback, or stepping into an important interview, this powerful yet simple framework will help ground your message, elevate your influence, and ensure clarity in moments of stress or uncertainty.Let's find out what's possible in the moment, and stay tuned for more In the Moment episodes with Harry Hofer.- - - - - - - Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTubeConnect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
Transcribe →Blind Spotting: How to Identify Leadership Blind Spots and Boost Your Effectiveness with Marty Dubin
Jul 24, 202500:35:55Tap to summarizeDo you really know how you're showing up as a leader? We all have blind spots, those hidden areas in our behavior, thinking, and communication that can unknowingly hold us back. In this episode, host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Marty Dubin, clinical psychologist, executive consultant, and author of the forthcoming book Blind Spotting, to explore how recognizing and addressing your leadership blind spots can dramatically improve your impact.You'll learn about the six crucial areas of self-awareness - identity, traits, motives, emotions, intellect, and behavior - and hear real-life examples of executives who transformed their careers and their leadership by becoming strategically self-aware. Marty shares practical tips on leveraging feedback, using 360 assessments effectively, and making small but powerful behavioral tweaks that lead to extraordinary results.If you're ready to become a more intentional and effective leader, tune in and discover what might be hiding in your blind spots, and what’s possible when you see clearly.- - - - - - - Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTubeConnect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
Transcribe →In the Moment: Leadership "Nudges" to Transform You and Your Team Dynamics with Harry Hofer - Nudge #1
Jul 17, 202500:12:00Tap to summarizeFeeling stuck in your leadership style or struggling to communicate effectively with your team? In this quick-hit episode, What's Possible host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Harry Hofer, internal executive coach at a Fortune 500 organization, to introduce the power of "nudges."These subtle mindset shifts are grounded in behavioral science and emotional intelligence and can help leaders navigate common workplace challenges, normalize team experiences, and boost overall employee engagement.Harry shares practical examples of how leaders can apply these nudges to create psychological safety, encourage openness, and improve organizational well-being.- - - - - - - Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTubeConnect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
Transcribe →Enneagram and the Workplace: Improving Team Success with Ali Dunn
Jul 10, 202500:35:27Tap to summarizeDid you know the Enneagram can radically improve your leadership, communication, and relationships? In this episode, host Ilene Schaffer sits down with Ali Dunn, a dynamic leadership and Enneagram coach, to learn how understanding your core motivations can dramatically transform your workplace interactions, reduce conflict, and prevent burnout.With over 20 years of professional experience, Ali shares how awareness of the nine Enneagram types enhances team performance, strengthens relationships, and fosters personal and professional growth. If you'ever felt stuck in your leadership approach or wondered how to build a more cohesive and empathetic team, this episode offers an exciting new opportunity.You’ll learn:What the Enneagram is and how it differs from other personality assessments.Real-world examples of leaders using the Enneagram to improve team dynamics and avoid burnout.Practical tips for leveraging your Enneagram type to enhance your communication and relationships.Find out what’s possible when you use the Enneagram to become the authentic, impactful leader you aspire to be. - - - - - - - Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTubeConnect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
Transcribe →Overcoming Outsider Syndrome: How to Build Trust as a New Leader
Jul 3, 202500:30:52Tap to summarizeStepping into a leadership role from the outside can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of “What’s Possible,” host Ilene Schaffer talks with Capella Fahoome, executive coach, film producer, and expert in storytelling and positive leadership, about practical ways new leaders can quickly establish trust, connection, and confidence.Capella, who is known for her award-winning documentaries featured at Sundance, Tribeca, Netflix, and PBS, shares how she broke into new industries and overcame initial setbacks. You’ll learn why authenticity, humility, and the simple “five-foot rule” can make a huge difference when connecting with new teams and peers.She explains how we can use storytelling to foster psychological safety, how Gen Z is reshaping leadership expectations, and why positive listening and care are now the essential power skills for modern leaders. Whether you’re a new leader wanting to make an immediate impact or a seasoned executive wanting to better welcome and integrate new leadership, this episode provides real strategies to help everyone thrive.- - - - - - - Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTubeConnect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
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In the Moment: How to Give Meaningful Feedback
Jun 26, 202500:12:31Tap to summarizeDo you dread giving feedback, worry about hurting feelings, or simply avoid those tough conversations altogether? Or maybe you’re eager to level-up your feedback skills to create more trust, engagement, and motivation on your team? In this mini-episode of What's Possible, host Ilene Schaffer chats with Lisa Sansom, SVChange executive coach and expert in positive psychology and workplace feedback, to break down the secrets behind effective feedback.Lisa shares insights from her current doctoral research, highlighting how frequent, specific, positive feedback significantly boosts employee vigor, engagement, and trust, while negative feedback can quickly erode relationships if not handled carefully. You’ll learn why building a foundation of positive interactions is crucial before delivering constructive criticism, and learn practical, easy-to-implement tips on how to provide feedback that truly resonates.Tune in to strengthen your leadership, enhance your communication, and foster a team environment where feedback leads to growth and innovation, in 10 minutes or less.- - - - - - - Learn more about Silicon Valley Change Website | LinkedIn | YouTubeConnect with Ilene Schaffer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
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