Workforce Therapy Files Podcast By Jim Ray cover art

Workforce Therapy Files

Workforce Therapy Files

By: Jim Ray
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This podcast is designed for business leaders and human resource professionals who are challenged with expanding their workforce. Workforce Therapy Files, an Employer Solutions Podcast, is hosted by 3 separate business owners who operate in the staffing and human resources space. They'll provide perspectives, tips and advice (along with a little humor) to help you prepare for and manage your workforce challenges. Need Help Supporting Your Company's Recruiting and Staffing Goals? We're here to help. You can contact us via our individual websites, depending on your specific needs or questions: • Jamie Swaim, SPHR – www.ParcelKnows.com • Molley Ricketts – www.IncipioWorks.com • Jason Heflin – www.CrowdSouth.com We hope you find it insightful and helpful. Thank you for listening!2023 Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Interview with Jessica Vogt - 2025 KYSHRM

    Interview with Jessica Vogt - 2025 KYSHRM
    Feb 20 2026

    The Workforce Therapy Files team attended the 2025 Kentucky SHRM Conference, in Louisville. We took the opportunity to interview over 20 professionals who stopped by our booth.

    Jessica Vogt, a Corporate Recruiter and culture specialist for Louisville-based Aegis Sortation, sat down with Jamie Swaim to discuss how her company is modernizing the freight and parcel industry through automation. Aegis works with major distribution centers like UPS, FedEx, and Amazon, bringing innovative technology to outdated conveyor sorting systems to make logistics more seamless. In addition to recruiting for cross-functional roles in engineering and manufacturing, Jessica is currently focused on building Employee Resource Groups and a new internship program to connect with local Kentucky colleges. She shared a key philosophy from her senior leadership: the importance of pairing high accountability with high flexibility.

    As a working mother with two young children, Jessica values that her company allows personal experiences and professional responsibilities to coexist without "fearful judgment". She believes that for a company to retain employees today, it must recognize that times have changed and prioritize balancing work with lifestyle needs. This culture of transparency is reinforced by the company's COO, who chooses to sit in the "bullpen" with the rest of the staff rather than in a private office. Though Aegis is only about eight years old, Jessica is proud that they are already taking the necessary initiatives to be an employer of choice where people want to stay. She concluded by noting that while the interview was a bit nerve-wracking, she enjoyed the opportunity to share how Aegis is striving to create "raving fans" through its workplace culture.

    To learn more, visit:

    · Website: www.aegissortation.com

    Jessica, thanks for stopping by to speak with us!

    That's where we'll leave the conversation for today. Before we close the file, we invite you to reach out to us with questions, suggestions or other comments. We'd love to hear from you.

    Need Help Supporting Your Company's Recruiting and Staffing Goals?

    We're here to help. You can contact us via our individual websites, depending on your specific needs or questions:

    · Jamie Swaim, SPHR – www.ParcelKnows.com

    · Molley Ricketts – www.IncipioWorks.com

    · Jason Heflin – www.CrowdSouth.com

    We hope you found this file insightful and helpful. Thank you for listening!
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    6 mins
  • Interview with Don Woolridge and Paul Bolton from the Leadership Louisville Center - 2025 KYSHR

    Interview with Don Woolridge and Paul Bolton from the Leadership Louisville Center - 2025 KYSHR
    Feb 16 2026

    The Workforce Therapy Files team attended the 2025 Kentucky SHRM Conference, in Louisville. We took the opportunity to interview over 20 professionals who stopped by our booth.

    Jamie Swaim and Molley Rickets sat down with Donald Woolridge, Sr., and Paul Bolton from the Leadership Louisville Center to discuss their training and development arm, Leading Better, which takes leadership insights traditionally reserved for small cohorts and brings them to the "many". Donald shared how leadership is fundamentally universal and timeless, centered on interpersonal connectivity, empathy, and influence regardless of how global or virtual a team becomes. Paul added that leaders must bridge the gap between remote and in-person workers through transparency and dedicated one-on-one time, noting that this investment is far more efficient than the cost of replacing a person. The group also stressed the importance of updating "dusty" job descriptions to ensure companies are hiring for the roles they actually need today.

    Paul compared a leader's role to that of a coach, whose job is simply to bring out the greatness that is already inside an individual. To improve employees' quality of life, Donald suggested that leaders must "pour into" their people and create environments where they have "skin in the game" and can speak freely. The group also discussed the concept that organizations aren't just hiring a headcount; they are hiring and coaching families, meaning every workplace decision has a ripple effect on an employee's life at home. This holistic view of the employee can drive a powerful cultural movement and significantly boost retention.

    To learn more, visit:

    · Website: www.leadershiplouisville.org

    Donald and Paul, thanks for speaking with us!

    That's where we'll leave the conversation for today. Before we close the file, we invite you to reach out to us with questions, suggestions or other comments. We'd love to hear from you.

    Need Help Supporting Your Company's Recruiting and Staffing Goals?

    We're here to help. You can contact us via our individual websites, depending on your specific needs or questions:

    · Jamie Swaim, SPHR – www.ParcelKnows.com

    · Molley Ricketts – www.IncipioWorks.com

    · Jason Heflin – www.CrowdSouth.com

    We hope you found this file insightful and helpful. Thank you for listening!
    Show more Show less
    12 mins
  • The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership – Interview with Eric Williamson

    The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership – Interview with Eric Williamson
    Feb 11 2026
    File 33: In this episode of the Workforce Therapy Files, Jamie and Molley sit down with Eric Williamson to explore leadership and workplace culture, focusing on how intentional leadership decisions shape team performance, communication, and long-term organizational success. They dive into his recent book, "How to Work with Jerks." The conversation centers on emotional intelligence, workplace accountability, and the responsibility leaders carry in building environments where teams can grow and perform at a high level. Leadership Begins with Intentionality The discussion opens with a focus on leadership responsibility. Strong workplace culture does not happen by accident. It is shaped by daily decisions, communication style, and how leaders respond under pressure. Eric emphasizes that leadership requires awareness, not just of strategy and operations, but of how behaviors influence team morale and performance. Intentional leadership sets the tone. When leaders operate with clarity and consistency, teams gain stability. When leaders react emotionally or inconsistently, uncertainty spreads. The conversation reinforces that culture flows from the top. Emotional Intelligence in Workplace Leadership A central theme in the episode is emotional intelligence. Leadership is not simply about directing tasks. It's about understanding people. Eric discusses how self-awareness and the ability to manage reactions play a critical role in workplace culture. Leaders who regulate their emotions create space for productive dialogue. Instead of escalating tension during difficult moments, emotionally intelligent leaders pause, listen, and respond thoughtfully. This approach strengthens trust and reduces unnecessary workplace conflict. The group explores how emotional intelligence directly impacts retention, morale, and overall organizational performance. Navigating Conflict and Difficult Conversations Workplace challenges are inevitable. The episode highlights how leaders must approach conflict not as something to avoid, but as an opportunity to clarify expectations and reinforce standards. Eric explains that difficult conversations, when handled with clarity and fairness, can strengthen team alignment. Avoiding conflict often creates greater problems later. Addressing issues directly, while maintaining professionalism and respect, reinforces accountability and strengthens workplace culture. The conversation underscores that leadership maturity is often revealed in how leaders handle uncomfortable situations. Communication as the Foundation of Culture Communication emerges as another core leadership principle. Clear expectations, consistent feedback, and honest dialogue are foundational to strong workplace culture. The discussion emphasizes that high-performing teams understand what is expected of them. Leaders who communicate vision, priorities, and performance standards consistently create alignment. Miscommunication, on the other hand, breeds frustration and disengagement. Eric reinforces that communication is not a one-time announcement. It's an ongoing leadership discipline. Building Sustainable Organizational Growth The episode closes with a broader reflection on sustainable growth. Strong workplace culture supports long-term success. Leaders who invest in people, prioritize clarity, and operate with integrity build organizations that can adapt and thrive. The conversation reminds listeners that leadership is not about titles. Leadership is about influence. Workplace culture is shaped daily through actions, reactions, and expectations. Leaders who take ownership of that responsibility create environments where both people and performance can flourish. Interested in Contacting Eric Williamson to Learn More? Website: www.tailoredtrainingsolutions.com Email: Ewilliamson@tailoredtrainingsolutions.com Eric's Book: How to Work with Jerks That's where we'll leave the conversation for today. Before we close the file, we invite you to reach out to us with questions, suggestions or other comments. We'd love to hear from you. ALSO MENTIONED IN THIS INTERVIEW Molley's New Book: She Know's Best – Business Wisdom from Extraordinary Women Dr. Debra Clary's Book: The Curiosity Curve – A Leader's Guide to Transformation Through Bold Questions Listen to Our Episode with Dr. Debra Clary: www.workforcetherapyfiles.com/podcast/how-curious-is-your-organization-an-interview-with-deb-clary Did You Enjoy Today's Conversation? Visit WorkforceTherapyFiles.com to listen to additional WTF files or to let us know you'd like to be a guest on an upcoming file. Need Help Supporting Your Company's Recruiting and Staffing Goals? We're here to help. You can contact us via our individual websites, depending on your specific needs or questions: · Jamie Swaim, SPHR – www.ParcelKnows.com ·...
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    34 mins
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