The Answers Are In The Room Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:48:41 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2209653 en-us © 2026 The Answers Are In The Room yes b8793444-71dc-575e-9edd-a94777775518 Barbara episodic false Discussions about real life personal and professional development.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Barbara https://storage.buzzsprout.com/dhbdg3rm28ye690d2wdw7stbno70?.jpg The Answers Are In The Room Episode 13: Paola Mendevil: How Hard Choices Creates The Life She Loves Episode 13: Paola Mendevil: How Hard Choices Creates The Life She Loves  Community leader, Paola Mendivil, shares her personal stories of struggle, hard choices and ultimately, success. 

]]>  Community leader, Paola Mendivil, shares her personal stories of struggle, hard choices and ultimately, success. 

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13094469 Mon, 18 Sep 2023 15:00:00 -0400 2273 full false Episode 15: Jaime Counterman: Tips for Early Navigation of Your Career to Find Your Passion Episode 15: Jaime Counterman: Tips for Early Navigation of Your Career to Find Your Passion Jaime Counterman has always wanted to help as many people as she could. Her passion has always been to be a voice for others that didn’t feel they had one. In our latest episode of The Answers are in the Room, Jaime and Barbara reflect on Jaime’s career choices and her early navigation of leadership and mentorship. 

Our hope is that
young professionals, and ALL professionals, can learn from her experiences and
help others get excited and inspired about their career goals.

]]> Jaime Counterman has always wanted to help as many people as she could. Her passion has always been to be a voice for others that didn’t feel they had one. In our latest episode of The Answers are in the Room, Jaime and Barbara reflect on Jaime’s career choices and her early navigation of leadership and mentorship. 

Our hope is that
young professionals, and ALL professionals, can learn from her experiences and
help others get excited and inspired about their career goals.

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13213624 Wed, 12 Jul 2023 18:00:00 -0400 2276 full false Episode 14: Erin Fisk: The Art of Empowering Humans to be Human Episode 14: Erin Fisk: The Art of Empowering Humans to be Human In today’s episode, Barbara and guest, Erin Fisk, discuss how reciprocity is an important part of all relationships. It empowers human beings to be human. You do not have to be two, three or four different personas in different rooms. It’s important work to be done so we can reflect our most authentic selves in our relationships. Listen in on this deep dive!

]]> In today’s episode, Barbara and guest, Erin Fisk, discuss how reciprocity is an important part of all relationships. It empowers human beings to be human. You do not have to be two, three or four different personas in different rooms. It’s important work to be done so we can reflect our most authentic selves in our relationships. Listen in on this deep dive!

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13194378 Mon, 10 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0400 2178 full false Barbara Speaks About Her Memoir, Reimagined Barbara Speaks About Her Memoir, Reimagined In an interview format, Barbara shares what she learned about the importance of speaking up while writing her memoir, Reimagined.

]]> In an interview format, Barbara shares what she learned about the importance of speaking up while writing her memoir, Reimagined.

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13194130 Mon, 10 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0400 1670 full false Episode 10: Laura Traxler: Building Trust While Holding a Team Accountable Episode 10: Laura Traxler: Building Trust While Holding a Team Accountable Our guest today is our friend and colleague, Laura Traxler, Director of Admissions at Douglas J Aveda Institutes and Salons. In today’s episode, we dive deeper into a topic we hear managers and colleagues struggle with on a regular basis: maintaining trust within professional teams and holding people accountable in healthy ways that deliver both company success and a great team culture.

Barbara and I both thought of Laura right away when it came to this topic – as she has had great experience in this area. Take a listen!

]]> Our guest today is our friend and colleague, Laura Traxler, Director of Admissions at Douglas J Aveda Institutes and Salons. In today’s episode, we dive deeper into a topic we hear managers and colleagues struggle with on a regular basis: maintaining trust within professional teams and holding people accountable in healthy ways that deliver both company success and a great team culture.

Barbara and I both thought of Laura right away when it came to this topic – as she has had great experience in this area. Take a listen!

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13193877 Mon, 10 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0400 2336 full false Episode 12: Jamon Alexander: The Importance of How Our Stories Shape Who We Are and Who We Are in Community With Episode 12: Jamon Alexander: The Importance of How Our Stories Shape Who We Are and Who We Are in Community With In today’s episode, WMCAT’s President and CEO, Jamon Alexander discusses human connection and the importance of how our lived experiences and stories shape who we are, who we are in community with, and where we are going.

 

]]> In today’s episode, WMCAT’s President and CEO, Jamon Alexander discusses human connection and the importance of how our lived experiences and stories shape who we are, who we are in community with, and where we are going.

 

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13193626 Mon, 10 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0400 2499 full false Episode 11: Miriam Andrade Cuevas: A Life Story that Presented Her Purpose Episode 11: Miriam Andrade Cuevas: A Life Story that Presented Her Purpose Today’s guest is Miriam Andrade Cuevas, Language Access Expert at Spectrum Health. An American by choice, Miriam moved here from Honduras at the age of 21. Listen in as Miriam shares some of her unique experiences that shaped her and brought her to where she is today. 

]]> Today’s guest is Miriam Andrade Cuevas, Language Access Expert at Spectrum Health. An American by choice, Miriam moved here from Honduras at the age of 21. Listen in as Miriam shares some of her unique experiences that shaped her and brought her to where she is today. 

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13190023 Sun, 09 Jul 2023 18:00:00 -0400 2373 full false Shannon Cunningham Asks: Can I Do Everything “Well Enough” as I Seek Peace and Balance? Shannon Cunningham Asks: Can I Do Everything “Well Enough” as I Seek Peace and Balance? As a talented Marketing Executive and busy mom of three very small children, Shannon Cunningham often asks herself: “what’s next?” And…how do you even begin thinking about what’s next?  It’s a common conversation among friends , family and colleagues. 

Shannon and Barbara talk about what might get her to a “sense of peace” and what is at the bottom of that gnawing anxiety on her quest for balance. 

]]> As a talented Marketing Executive and busy mom of three very small children, Shannon Cunningham often asks herself: “what’s next?” And…how do you even begin thinking about what’s next?  It’s a common conversation among friends , family and colleagues. 

Shannon and Barbara talk about what might get her to a “sense of peace” and what is at the bottom of that gnawing anxiety on her quest for balance. 

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13189949 Sun, 09 Jul 2023 17:00:00 -0400 2179 full false Episode 8: The Dudes Share: Why do a Group of Busy Guys Take the Time to Talk Goals/Work/Family? Episode 8: The Dudes Share: Why do a Group of Busy Guys Take the Time to Talk Goals/Work/Family? For well over a year now, West Michigan professional, Tom Blower, and some friends within his network (Michael TerHorst, Drew Wessell, and Nicholas Wallis) have intentionally gathered with Barbara for guided conversations surrounding whatever the topic of the day may be. Self-named, The Dudes, this group of diverse guys dive deep into issues or situations effecting their lives each month. What do they get out of it? And would YOU benefit from a monthly gathering , guided by Barbara? 

]]> For well over a year now, West Michigan professional, Tom Blower, and some friends within his network (Michael TerHorst, Drew Wessell, and Nicholas Wallis) have intentionally gathered with Barbara for guided conversations surrounding whatever the topic of the day may be. Self-named, The Dudes, this group of diverse guys dive deep into issues or situations effecting their lives each month. What do they get out of it? And would YOU benefit from a monthly gathering , guided by Barbara? 

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13189906 Sun, 09 Jul 2023 17:00:00 -0400 2494 full false Episode 7: Andy Johnston: Getting Through the To Do’s to Make Room for Clarity Breaks Episode 7: Andy Johnston: Getting Through the To Do’s to Make Room for Clarity Breaks In this episode, Barbara welcomes Andy Johnston, Vice President of Government Affairs at the Grand Rapids Chamber. Listen in as Barbara and Andy tackle the struggle of balancing “Busy work” vs. “Working on Your Business.” How do you get through that daily To Do list to make room for “clarity breaks?” Are we finding time to think big enough? Bold enough? What’s holding me back? Am I asking the right questions? Hear them chat about breaking out of the rut.

]]> In this episode, Barbara welcomes Andy Johnston, Vice President of Government Affairs at the Grand Rapids Chamber. Listen in as Barbara and Andy tackle the struggle of balancing “Busy work” vs. “Working on Your Business.” How do you get through that daily To Do list to make room for “clarity breaks?” Are we finding time to think big enough? Bold enough? What’s holding me back? Am I asking the right questions? Hear them chat about breaking out of the rut.

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13189872 Sun, 09 Jul 2023 17:00:00 -0400 1725 full false Episode 6: Sara Lachman Asks: How Can I Develop (and not Retreat to) Different Employee Personality Types? Work EnvironmentPersonality TraitsDevelopment Sara Lachman, like many of us, have certain personality types she is drawn to in work environments. Sh Episode 6: Sara Lachman Asks: How Can I Develop (and not Retreat to) Different Employee Personality Types? Work EnvironmentPersonality TraitsDevelopment Sara Lachman, like many of us, have certain personality types she is drawn to in work environments. Sh Barbara Buzzsprout-13189733 Sun, 09 Jul 2023 16:00:00 -0400 1917 full false Episode 5: Mel Trombley Asks: Can You be True to Your Authentic Self in Business Settings? And at What Cost? Episode 5: Mel Trombley Asks: Can You be True to Your Authentic Self in Business Settings? And at What Cost? Mel Trombley, Director of Leadership Programs at the Grand Rapids Chamber, is a very successful business woman & a community cheerleader. A self-described “Woot! Woot! personality,” she sometimes struggles (or subdues) her friendly, “nice,” cheerful self in certain business settings. In fact, some of her professional experiences have reinforced her concern that she won’t be taken seriously. 

]]> Mel Trombley, Director of Leadership Programs at the Grand Rapids Chamber, is a very successful business woman & a community cheerleader. A self-described “Woot! Woot! personality,” she sometimes struggles (or subdues) her friendly, “nice,” cheerful self in certain business settings. In fact, some of her professional experiences have reinforced her concern that she won’t be taken seriously. 

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13189678 Sun, 09 Jul 2023 16:00:00 -0400 1711 full false Episode 4: Alex and Kayla Benda: Balancing Businesses, Having a Life and Surviving Covid. How to Find the Calm? Episode 4: Alex and Kayla Benda: Balancing Businesses, Having a Life and Surviving Covid. How to Find the Calm? Alex and Kayla Benda are go-getters, to say the least. They took their big ideas and grew multiple businesses over the past six years. Managing this, along with trying to have a personal life and survive Covid 19 is a LOT.  Today we talk to them about the challenges they’ve been facing, constantly overcoming turmoil, and the pleasant surprises they’ve discovered in 2020.

]]> Alex and Kayla Benda are go-getters, to say the least. They took their big ideas and grew multiple businesses over the past six years. Managing this, along with trying to have a personal life and survive Covid 19 is a LOT.  Today we talk to them about the challenges they’ve been facing, constantly overcoming turmoil, and the pleasant surprises they’ve discovered in 2020.

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13189613 Sun, 09 Jul 2023 16:00:00 -0400 2223 full false Episode 3: Zach Verhulst: Business Leader & Young Father Asks “Is Chasing Ambition Worth It?” Episode 3: Zach Verhulst: Business Leader & Young Father Asks “Is Chasing Ambition Worth It?” Our guest, Zach Verhulst, is an experienced architect here in West Michigan.  He is passionate about community and people. Zach has very recently taken on a new positive at Metric Structures. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Zach here with us today on The Answers are in the Room. 

]]> Our guest, Zach Verhulst, is an experienced architect here in West Michigan.  He is passionate about community and people. Zach has very recently taken on a new positive at Metric Structures. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Zach here with us today on The Answers are in the Room. 

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13189554 Sun, 09 Jul 2023 16:00:00 -0400 1651 full false Episode 2: Georgia Everse: Executives Sweat Over Managing Crisis During Pandemic Times Episode 2: Georgia Everse: Executives Sweat Over Managing Crisis During Pandemic Times Today’s episode focuses on the subject of Crisis Management, something many of our listeners have top of mind during this pandemic. Our guest is a communications marketing executive with over 30 years of experience and a proven track record of finding innovative solutions to complex business problems.  She is the co-founder and CEO of BravoEcho, a brand strategy and communications consultancy. We are thrilled to have Georgia Everse with us on this episode of The Answers are in the Room.

]]> Today’s episode focuses on the subject of Crisis Management, something many of our listeners have top of mind during this pandemic. Our guest is a communications marketing executive with over 30 years of experience and a proven track record of finding innovative solutions to complex business problems.  She is the co-founder and CEO of BravoEcho, a brand strategy and communications consultancy. We are thrilled to have Georgia Everse with us on this episode of The Answers are in the Room.

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13189471 Sun, 09 Jul 2023 16:00:00 -0400 1402 full false Episode 1: Meg Derrer: Contemplating the Next Chapter of Life Courageously Episode 1: Meg Derrer: Contemplating the Next Chapter of Life Courageously Our guest is an amazing connector, strategist and cheerleader to so many here in West Michigan.  She is the Principal of Greater Good Partners, LLC. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Meg Derrer with us today.

]]> Our guest is an amazing connector, strategist and cheerleader to so many here in West Michigan.  She is the Principal of Greater Good Partners, LLC. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Meg Derrer with us today.

]]> Barbara Buzzsprout-13189351 Sun, 09 Jul 2023 15:00:00 -0400 1884 full false