The Practitioner-Scholar: The PennCLO Podcast
Penn Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania
Welcome to "The Practitioner-Scholar: The PennCLO Podcast," the flagship production of the renowned Penn Chief Learning Officer Executive Doctoral Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Immerse yourself in a curated blend of scholarly insights and industry expertise, offering a profound exploration of organizational learning and leadership. Unveiling strategies and success indicators crucial in today's dynamic landscape, this podcast is a testament to the distinctive approach fostered by our program.
Join us on a transformative journey through the multifaceted world of leadership, where practitioner-scholar approaches shine as a beacon of excellence. As we spotlight luminaries within our esteemed student, faculty, and alumni circles, "The Practitioner-Scholar" podcast becomes a unique channel for intellectual engagement and actionable takeaways. For prospective students, seasoned executives, and dedicated scholar-practitioners alike, this platform is your exclusive access to the extraordinary content emanating from the heart of the PennCLO Executive Doctoral Program.
Subscribe now to tailor your learning journey and be part of the vibrant community shaping the future of leadership.
To learn more about the Penn Chief Learning Officer, Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program, visit the Penn GSE website.
Join us on a transformative journey through the multifaceted world of leadership, where practitioner-scholar approaches shine as a beacon of excellence. As we spotlight luminaries within our esteemed student, faculty, and alumni circles, "The Practitioner-Scholar" podcast becomes a unique channel for intellectual engagement and actionable takeaways. For prospective students, seasoned executives, and dedicated scholar-practitioners alike, this platform is your exclusive access to the extraordinary content emanating from the heart of the PennCLO Executive Doctoral Program.
Subscribe now to tailor your learning journey and be part of the vibrant community shaping the future of leadership.
To learn more about the Penn Chief Learning Officer, Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program, visit the Penn GSE website.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 2, 2026 • 38min
When the Map Disappears: Architecting Adaptability in a World That Won’t Slow Down
Dr. Sharon Ravitch (University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education) interviews Penn CLO doctoral alum Oscar Arias about his chapter, “Leading in Flux,” from the book Leaders as Architects: Designing Organizations for Connection and Resilience, co-edited by Ravitch and Dr. Ragu Krishnamoorthy. Arias explains “flux” as leading when conditions constantly shift, and describes a move from VUCA to a BANI world where systems are brittle, anxiety rises, and change is non-linear and hard to comprehend. He argues many organizations are still built for stability, while disruptions like AI, low barriers to entry, and shifting customer behaviors erode old “moats.” Warning signs of brittleness include slow sharing of bad news, coverups, and inability to detect signals. Arias emphasizes trust, recovery, cultural intelligence, and leaders as architects who design rituals, structures, and decision rules for adaptability. He contrasts resilience (returning to baseline) with anti-fragility (getting stronger), highlighting learning agility through reflection, feedback seeking, experimentation, and diverse dissenting networks.
Mar 24, 2026 • 56min
How Motherhood Creates Stronger Leaders and The Hidden ROI of Working Parents
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 capabilitiesThe hidden ROI organizations gain from supporting working parentsLessons from the intersection of scholarship and real-world leadershipHow companies can better support parents in the workplace
Feb 24, 2026 • 37min
PennCLO Presents: Leaders as Architects of Change - A pre-launch conversation for the forthcoming book
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.
Jan 24, 2026 • 26min
Rethinking Psychological Safety: What Sales Can Teach Anyone About Cooperation and Trust
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.
May 29, 2025 • 36min
Encouraging Dissent for Better Outcomes
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar podcast, host Julio Zelaya sits down with Dr. Marikay Forst, a distinguished alumna of the Penn Chief Learning Officer program with over 25 years of experience in learning and development, human resources, and organizational behavior. Dr. Forst shares her academic journey, including her decision to join the Penn CLO program after gaining substantial professional experience. The central theme of discussion is the role of organizational practices in encouraging dissent and its importance in decision-making. Dr. Forst delves into her research findings, which included interviewing leaders across diverse organizations, revealing surprising insights like 'dissent ambivalence' and the impact of power dynamics on employee feedback. She emphasizes the significance of designing processes that foster healthy dissent and shares practical recommendations such as using facilitators, conducting interviews, and organizing innovation contests. Dr. Forst's expertise offers valuable lessons for leaders aiming to create environments where diverse viewpoints are heard and valued.
Apr 28, 2025 • 43min
Grit and Growth: Keys to Success for Women Lawyers
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar podcast, hosted by Julio Zelaya, we meet Dr. Milana Hogan, the Chief Talent Officer at Sullivan and Cromwell, LLP. Dr. Hogan is an alumna of the Penn Chief Learning Officer (CLO) program at the University of Pennsylvania and holds a doctorate in work-based learning and development. The episode focuses on the role of grit and growth mindset in the success of women lawyers in big law firms.Dr. Hogan shares her groundbreaking research findings, which reveal that non-cognitive traits such as grit and a growth mindset are strong predictors of success for women in the legal profession. She discusses how law firms can employ these traits to reduce the gender gap at leadership levels and offers practical advice for both organizations and aspiring women lawyers. Additionally, the episode highlights Dr. Hogan's personal journey, the challenges she faced, and how the Penn CLO program has been transformative in her career and personal life.
Feb 26, 2025 • 25min
Empathy at Work: Transforming Organizations from Within
In this episode of The Practitioner Scholar, host Jess Jones welcomes Dr. Carla Thomas, a former WNBA athlete turned leadership consultant and educator. Dr. Thomas shares her journey from professional sports to academia, exploring how empathy shapes workplace culture and enhances collaboration. She discusses the role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership and the ways organizations can create environments that support growth, trust, and engagement. Drawing from her research and experience, Dr. Thomas highlights the importance of self-awareness, communication, and perspective-taking in fostering strong professional relationships. She also reflects on her time in the Penn CLO program and how it has influenced her approach to leadership and organizational development.This episode offers valuable insights into the power of empathy in driving meaningful workplace change and strengthening leadership at all levels.
Jan 21, 2025 • 36min
Harnessing Film for Leadership Development
In this episode of The Practitioner Scholar, a Penn Chief Learning Officer podcast, hosts Maria Luisa Underwood and Lisa-Marie Aird interview Dr. Douglas Clayton, a visionary in corporate learning and culture transformation. Dr. Clayton, founder and CEO of Leadership Filmworks LLC, shares his journey through the Penn CLO program and how it shaped his unique approach to leadership development using filmmaking. He discusses the importance of storytelling in corporate learning and introduces his evidence-based model, Total Recall, which enhances learning comprehension and retention through short films. Dr. Clayton recounts his formative experiences with film and storytelling, from childhood influences to his dissertation research, leading to significant findings on the impact of film in corporate settings.The episode also explores his creative use of parodies and documentaries for leadership development and how emotional engagement and immersive technology can advance future CLO roles. Listeners gain insights into how storytelling and visual media can transform leadership training and corporate culture.
Dec 4, 2024 • 44min
The Serious Research of Workplace Fun
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar, host Julio Zelaya sits down with Dr. Janet Duliga, a distinguished executive and alumna of the Penn CLO Executive Program. Dr. Duliga, currently the Chief Corporate Officer at Prada Group, shares her extensive journey through law, psychology, and human resources, emphasizing her passion for organizational learning and leadership.They delve into Dr. Duliga's groundbreaking research on workplace fun, revealing that while management-sponsored events are positively valued for fostering social connections, they have limited lasting impacts on daily work life. The conversation highlights the importance of inclusive and frequent fun activities in enhancing workplace culture. Dr. Duliga also advises leaders on effectively organizing such events and balancing professional and personal life.The discussion underscores the dynamic nature of employees' lives and the significance of understanding their needs and motivating them through meaningful connections. This insightful episode encapsulates the essence of following one’s curiosity, leading with positivity, and the transformational impact of the Penn CLO program on professional and personal growth.
Oct 24, 2024 • 26min
Authenticity in Leadership and Why it Matters
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar podcast, hosted by Lisa-Marie Aird, Dr. Mark Kaestner, an alum of the Penn Chief Learning Officer program and VP at Ball Corporation, shares his insights on authentic leadership. He discusses his journey through the Penn CLO program, the essence of leadership authenticity, and strategies for building trust with teams. Dr. Kaestner highlights key elements such as open communication, consistency, active listening, and empathy as foundational for authentic leadership. He also delves into his dissertation on the correlation between leadership authenticity and employee engagement, concluding with a personal reflection on the nature of leadership as a continuous journey.
