What if one of the most powerful leadership development experiences doesn’t happen in the workplace at all?

In this episode of The Practitioner Scholar: The Penn CLO Podcast, Gwen Mdinaradze, CEO of Edbridge, sits down with Dr. Becca Clanton, Ed.D., Americas Learning & Talent Development Leader at WSAudiology.

Dr. Clanton shares findings from her research her own personal and professional stories about how motherhood grows leadership and strengthens other work-related skills. From navigating competing priorities to building deeper empathy and resilience, the experience of parenting can cultivate capabilities that organizations deeply need in their leaders.

Together, Gwen and Dr. Clanton unpack the hidden value that working parents bring to organizations—and why recognizing this “invisible leadership training” can transform how companies think about leadership development.

In this episode:

• How motherhood strengthens key leadership capabilities
• The hidden ROI organizations gain from supporting working parents
• Lessons from the intersection of scholarship and real-world leadership
• How companies can better support parents in the workplace

In this special episode of the Practitioner Scholar podcast from the Penn Chief Learning Officer Doctoral program, Dr. Ragu Krishnamoorthy and Dr. Sharon Ravitch introduce their new book, 'Leaders as Architects of Change.' The discussion covers how modern leadership demands adaptability, resilience, and innovative thinking to navigate a world defined by rapid, unpredictable change.

They explore the book’s two main parts: laying the foundation for understanding the current complexities and designing systems for sustainable growth. The episode delves into key insights from chapters on topics like adaptability, artificial intelligence, resilience, emotional intelligence in virtual teams, and designing for dissent. Each chapter is authored by practitioner scholars who share their unique perspectives and research. The hosts conclude by urging leaders to rethink their approaches, embed new logics, and foster environments where inquiry and collaboration thrive.

In this episode of The Penn CLO Podcast, host Emma Zumsen sits down with Dr. Jess Jones, a recent graduate of the CLO program, to delve into her groundbreaking research on the intersection of B2B sales and psychological safety. Dr. Jones highlights how psychological safety, often focused on team dynamics within organizations, plays a crucial role in B2B sales environments.

Moving beyond sales, the conversation delves into the concept of 'small L leaders,' who can foster psychological safety even without positional authority by applying three key principles. Specifically, Dr. Jones's research emphasizes strategies for building trust without positional authority, enabling respectful cooperation, and applying strategic patience. She also hints at her ongoing research exploring the application of these principles in broader workplace contexts. This episode is a must-listen for those interested in leadership, sales, and creating effective, trust-based professional relationships.