“Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.”

Wil Johnson brings that lyric to life in this conversation of the Love Lead Change podcast.

As Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for Snohomish County, Wil doesn’t just talk about inclusion. He embodies it with warmth, clarity, and a bridge-builder’s heart. We talk about:
💛 Why self-love isn’t selfish, it’s foundational
💛 Navigating tough conversations in a politically charged climate
💛 And what it means to leave a legacy by building bridges for others

What does it truly mean to lead with love in public service?

In this episode of the Love Lead Change podcast, Jim Loter, Deputy Chief Technology Officer for the City of Seattle explores:

✨ How leaders can create psychological safety without crossing into unhealthy dynamics

✨ The power of making work meaningful so people don’t just do the job but feel its purpose

✨ Why an overworked, stressed-out employee is not an asset and how to change that

What does it really mean to bring love and vulnerability into the workplace?

In this episode of the Love Lead Change Podcast, Tara Smith shares her insights on:

✨ What vulnerability actually looks like in leadership – beyond the buzzwords

✨ Why rest isn’t just a luxury, but a powerful act of Loving Leadership

✨ How to create more transparency at work in a way that fosters trust, not fear and, the real challenges you’ll face when stepping into this new way of leading – with love at the center.

In this insightful episode of the Love Lead Change podcast, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith are joined by Jim Conti, who works at a venture capital firm providing HR and operational consulting for their portfolio companies. Jim brings valuable experience in creating people-first cultures and supporting early-stage startups in their growth journey.

Jim shares his perspective on love in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of balancing empathy with accountability. He discusses how his understanding of love was shaped by his family background, community experiences, and professional journey, particularly growing up in a strong community and his time at Boston College.

Joanna Zak, Sr. Director of Workplace Design at Sprout Social challenges us to think deeply about what it means to lead with love in today’s workplace.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll hear in this episode:
✨ Communicating hard things with your team isn’t a detractor from love, it’s an opportunity to infuse more of it.

✨ In the age of AI and automation, love and connection won’t diminish; they’ll become even more essential.

✨ We always have the choice to lead with love. Love is a choice.

In this episode, Tatiana Machado-Griffin, an administrative business partner at Sprout Social and author of 'Let's Connect as Humans’, explores the significance of love in the workplace, emphasizing care, trust, and connection as essential elements of effective leadership.

Tatiana shares her experiences transitioning from Brazil to the U.S., a framework of loving leadership developed by David Mead, and the role of recognition in creating a supportive work environment.

Tatiana focuses on the power of small communities to drive meaningful change.

In this episode, Chris Conley, Interim President and CEO of the Metropolitan Planning Council, opens up about his journey as a Loving Leader. Chris not only shares practical strategies from his leadership experience but also speaks candidly about the challenges he's faced along the way.

Here's what you can expect:
- His innovative approach to leadership
- Rethinking the traditional "high potential" mindset in organizations
- Honest reflections on overcoming obstacles

"You don’t need a joke to laugh," says Julie Schreiber in this episode of the Love Lead Change podcast.

As a laughter yoga instructor, Julie brings a beautifully unique approach to spreading love and humanness, working with everyone from corporate teams to bereaved families and more.

In this episode, we explore how laughter and love can transform workplaces and lives through small, intentional practices.

I’m thrilled to introduce our first guest on the Love Lead Change podcast, Rick Gage.

Rick is not only a dear friend and colleague, but he’s also someone who has worked within traditional corporate settings and has made it his mission to embody love in his work, leadership, and team dynamics.

It was truly a joy to hear him share real examples of how compassion can thrive in profit-driven environments.

In the inaugural episode of the Love Lead Change podcast, hosts Simon Phillips and Renee Smith introduce their vision of leadership rooted in love and compassion. They discuss their personal journeys, the importance of creating a supportive workplace culture, and the transformative power of love in leadership. 

The podcast aims to provide actionable insights and foster a community of leaders committed to making a positive impact in their organizations. 

As a leader, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressures and demands of your job, sometimes forgetting to pause. In those missed moments of pause, you lose the opportunity to reflect on where you are, how you’re doing, what you value and whether you’re on the right path or need to course-correct.

In this episode of To Work: With Love by Gut+Science, Renee Smith explores the power of reflection for leaders.

Don't miss the questions for reflection she shares to help you get started.

A.W.E.

What role does ”awe” play in our lives?

Does “awe” help improve your work experiences?

In this episode, Renee Smith shares her personal experiences with the concept of awe and dives deep into what awe means, about maintaining an awe journal and above all, incorporating awe into your work life!

Get ready for 16 minutes of discovering one of life’s most beautiful emotions.

Rest, play, and even boredom might seem like the enemies of workplace productivity. But here's the truth: to truly sustain our ability to deliver and contribute, we need to make room for these things. It's about balancing challenges with rest, and pairing intense productivity with moments of reflection.

If all this sounds a bit confusing, hard to swallow, or even annoying, you're not alone. That's why we're inviting you to watch this episode of "To Work: With Love" by Gut+Science, where Renee Smith beautifully explores the importance of creating spaciousness in our work lives.

You might be wondering what 'wholeness' at work really means. It’s a tough concept to grasp, especially since we often recognize it more by its absence. It shows up in those moments when we feel ignored, when we hide parts of who we are, or when we just don’t feel fully welcome.

In this podcast, Renee offers a simple exercise to help make this idea more tangible. She introduces something called “I.N.S.P.I.R.E.”—you’ll find out exactly what it stands for when you listen to the episode. She’ll guide you to write down your own "I.N.S.P.I.R.E" and think about how it relates to your work.

When it comes to organizational purpose, team goals and individual responsibilities, the last thing you want to hear from anyone in your team is, “Wait, what? I had no idea!”

Clarity is so important - for individual, team and organizational growth. So what does building that clarity look like? What are the different types of clarity? How does clarity differ based on what stage your organization is in?

Learn this and more from Renee Smith in this episode of “To Work : With Love” featured on the Gut+Science podcast.

When employees hold back from expressing their thoughts, discussing ethical concerns, or sharing their perspectives due to fear, it results in a dual loss.

Firstly, the act of speaking up, a crucial form of courage necessary for personal growth, is stifled. Consequently, teams miss out on chances to innovate, thrive, and succeed.

Interested in shaping a culture of courage at work? Tune into "To Work: With Love" by Renee Smith, as featured on the Gut+Science podcast, to learn how.

This week on “To Work: With Love" (2/13/2024) featured on the Gut + Science podcast hosted by Nikki Lewallen Gregory, Renée dives into what it takes for organization to be "ready to thrive".

She emphasizes the importance of preparing organizations for this transformation by recognizing and addressing gaps in culture and operations with non-judgment.

This episode is a masterclass in actionable strategies for creating environments that are ready to thrive.

This week on “To Work: With Love" (1/9/2024) featured on the Gut + Science podcast hosted by Nikki Lewallen Gregory, Renée Smith kicks off her 8-month series on Thriving in the workplace. In this inaugural episode, she breaks down six pivotal factors essential for individual and collective well-being. As the series progresses, listeners will learn how to foster a workplace environment that not only promotes inclusivity and love but also drives optimal performance. Listen to uncover the key elements of a thriving workplace and the profound impact that love has in the professional sphere.

This week on “To Work: With Love” (12/12/2023) featured on the Gut + Science podcast hosted by Nikki Lewallen Gregory, Renée offers actionable strategies for fostering a loving, supportive work environment and learn how small acts of kindness and understanding can lead to significant positive changes in team performance and dynamics. Through sharing her experiences and insights on supporting colleagues through personal challenges, she discusses the profound impact that fear can have on teams and leaders, and how embracing love can be a potent antidote.

This week on “To Work: With Love” (11/14/2023) featured on the Gut + Science podcast hosted by Nikki Lewallen Gregory, Renée delves into the powerful connection between love and workplace performance. Renée invites listeners to revisit their most cherished team experiences, reflecting on the profound feelings of connection and achievement that stem from them. Renée's insights offer a unique perspective on transforming workplace dynamics and fostering an environment where small groups can become significant agents of change.

This week on “To Work: With Love" (10/10/2023) featured on the Gut + Science hosted by Nikki Lewallen Gregory, Renée Smith champions the transformative influence of love-centered leadership in today's professional settings. Addressing the modern challenges of workplace stress, burnout, and isolation, Renee emphasizes the pressing need to shift from fear-driven to love-based leadership. Implementing love in the workplace not only nurtures a sense of belonging and trust but also enhances employee engagement, innovation, and overall well-being.

In this first episode (9/12/2023) of the new special series “To Work: With Love," on the Gut + Science podcast hosted by Nikki Lewallen Gregory, Renée Smith explores the transformative power of love in leadership and the workplace. With the prevalent challenges people face in modern workplaces, including stress, burnout, and loneliness, Renee advocates for a paradigm shift toward love-based leadership. Operationalizing love in the workplace can lead to improved retention, engagement, creativity, and overall well-being for employees.

In this episode of The Vulnerable Power Show (aired on 11/30/23) host Hass Sadeghi invites Renée for a discussion of the transformative role of love in leadership and business. Together, they explore why so many companies suffer from toxicity or burnout, and how the practical power of love can revitalize work environments. They offer an enlightening perspective on team unity, workplace improvement, and the impact of fostering more love and less fear.

On the Gut + Science Podcast with host Nikki Lewallen Gregory (aired 8/24/23), Renee delves into the essence of relationships and care in leadership. She explores the art of holding space, navigating challenging discussions with grace, and the significance of fostering coaching skills. Join the dynamic pair to understand how leaders can embody compassion and effectiveness in their roles.

On the Magic in the Room podcast hosted by Luke Freeman, Hannah Bratterud, and Chris Province (aired 8/22/23), Renee discusses her fervent belief in the power of love within workplaces. As the force behind A Human Workplace, Renee delves into the critical shift from fear to love in organizations. Dive into this insightful conversation to understand how love can transform professional environments.

On the No Ego Podcast with Cy Wakeman (aired 6/2/23), Renee Smith of A Human Workplace champions the inclusion of LOVE in professional settings. They discuss transitioning from fear-driven to love-centric leadership. Listen to this inspirational episode to hear an enlightening conversation that reimagines leadership dynamics in the workplace.

On the Geeks, Geezers, and Googlizations Show with host Ira S Wolfe (aired 8/10/23), Renee from A Human Workplace advocates for love as a transformative business strategy. Highlighting genuine compassion's role in boosting engagement and innovation, she challenges traditional workplace norms. This episode will help you understand love's revolutionary potential in business.

On the Conscious Habit Podcast hosted by Amy Woodall (aired 7/19/23), Renee joins the conversation to delve into creating a supportive workplace. Focusing on the power of trust-building actions and the Shuva technique, they emphasize making individuals feel acknowledged and cherished. Explore the pivotal role of celebrating achievements and embracing imperfections in driving both personal and professional growth with Renee's insights.

On the Rooted & Unwavering Podcast hosted by Hylke Faber (aired 5/12/23), Renée passionately discusses love's multifaceted role in the professional realm. She delves into its various facets—trust, compassion, justice, and more—highlighting Moshe Engelberg’s definition that love uplifts and connects. The episode invites listeners to embrace love in workplaces, fostering mutual care for better results.

In Part 1 on the Getting Unstuck - Cultivating Curiosity Podcast with host Jeff Ikler (aired 6/25/23), Renée addresses eliminating fear in professional settings. They delve into fear narratives like change-related uncertainty and betrayal effects. Discover how fears, from leadership or peers, deeply affect both individuals and organizations in this two-part series' insightful opener.

In Part 2 on the Getting Unstuck - Cultivating Curiosity Podcast with host Jeff Ikler (aired 6/29/23), Renée shares about the transformative power of love as the solution to workplace fears. They highlight genuine leader care, celebrating team achievements, and organizational support during crises. The talk covers sustainable leadership and human-centric recruitment. Listen for insights on fostering a human-centric work environment.

In Part 1 on the Higher Purpose Podcast with Kevin Monroe (aired 7/10/18), Renée delves into the essence of humanizing workplaces. She shares her experience as Director of Workplace Transformation for the Governor’s Results Washington Office. Renée speaks directly to the pivotal role of love in professional settings. She shares the profound connection between love and work.

On this episode of the Higher Purpose Podcast (aired 2/5/19), Kevin Monroe and Renee Smith continue their conversation on transforming workplaces with humanity at its core. As the Director of Organization Development at Washington State’s Department of Enterprise Services, she's on a mission to infuse love even into bureaucratic governmental settings. Renee's journey, facing the immense challenge of reshaping government work culture, serves as an inspirational testament to the power of love over fear.

On the Leadership with Heart Podcast with Heather R. Younger (aired 2/19/19), Renee shares her leadership journey and her mission to bring love into governmental roles. Renee emphasizes the importance of reducing workplace fear to enhance love, promoting genuine human interactions to boost performance, and guiding teams through emotional situations to foster trust. Tune in for profound insights on nurturing a familial workplace environment.

On the Love in Action Podcast with Marcel Schwantes (aired 8/1/19), Renée illuminates the transformative power of fostering a love-centric professional environment. Drawing from her experiences and research, she unveils the drawbacks of fear-based leadership. She champions the principle that people need safety, support, and a sense of belonging to be truly engaged at work. The episode culminates with Renée’s insights on the paramount importance of emotions in the human experience.

On The Hacking HR Podcast (aired 4/9/21) with Enrique Rubio, Renée offers a compelling perspective on the evolving nature of workplace environments. She addresses a growing readiness and desire for more loving, human-centric workplaces, challenging outdated assumptions inherited from industrial models of professionalism. This episode is an exploration into the necessity for a paradigm shift in workplace culture, highlighting the importance of treating individuals in a dignified, caring, and compassionate manner.

On The Change Show with Simon Phillips (aired 10/13/21), Renée shares her visionary approach to reshaping organizational culture. She insightfully discusses how the pandemic has irreversibly altered our approach to work, advocating for a 'go forward' mindset that embraces hybrid working models. This episode offers a profound look at the future of work, emphasizing the need for adaptability and human-centric strategies in our ever-evolving professional landscapes.

On the Becoming Better Men Podcast with David Berry (aired 5/2/21), the concept of masculinity is redefined and explored through profound conversations. David engages his guests, Renée Smith included, in transformative dialogue, posing five pivotal questions that delve into personal evolution and self-awareness. The episode focuses on self-improvement, challenging traditional notions of masculinity and encouraging a journey towards becoming the best version of oneself.

On the Value Through Vulnerability Podcast with Garry Turner (aired 3/8/20), an enlightening conversation unfolds with Renee, marked by her vulnerability and insight. Opening with a deeply personal story, Renee exemplifies the change she advocates for, emphasizing the crucial role of love in the workplace. This episode delves into a rich discussion on leadership, culture, vulnerability, and courage, offering valuable highlights such as the importance of feeling valued and loved at work, the significance of self-investment, and the power of authentic, device-free connection.

On the TnT ESQ Podcast hosted by Rhys Thomas and Teresa Quinlan (aired on 9/6/20), Renée passionately advocates for a workplace where love is not just welcomed, but essential, and where every individual can bring their whole, true self to their professional environment. This episode illuminates the necessity of embodying our full humanity to tackle the most challenging aspects of work. Renée's calls for love as a core workplace practice, challenging and inspiring leaders and teams to embrace their humanity as the foundation for meaningful change.

On the Gemba Academy Podcast with Ron Pereira (aired 11/29/17) Renée unveils her intriguing research on the interplay of fear and love in the realm of continuous improvement. She offers a unique perspective and showcases how embracing love and mitigating fear can foster a more productive and positive workplace environment. The episode not only highlights the technical aspects of lean methodologies but also emphasizes the critical role of emotional intelligence in driving successful change.

On the Gemba Academy Podcast with Ron Pereira (aired 11/15/18) Renée delves into the deeply human aspect of lean methodologies and their transformative potential. Ron and Renée's conversation illuminates the often-overlooked human element in lean processes, exploring how empathy, understanding, and a people-centric approach can drive meaningful change. Their discussion is not only informative but also inspiring, offering a unique perspective on the application of lean methodologies.