Finding your voice isn't just about becoming a better speaker—it's about discovering the confidence to show up authentically. In this episode of Keeping It Real with Tiff and Carl, Carl and Tiffany welcome Wanda Smith, award-winning Toastmaster, speaker coach, founder of SpeakHer Consulting, and host of Ms. Wanda's Full Circle.Wanda shares her journey from a 35-year career with the State of California to helping others develop their public speaking skills, overcome presentation anxiety, and communicate with confidence. Together, they explore why effective public speaking begins with mindset, how authenticity creates stronger connections than perfection, and why overcoming imposter syndrome is often essential to finding your voice.The conversation also highlights Wanda's passion for community service, her work helping nonprofits tell their stories, and the importance of sharing resources and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard. Through personal stories about self-doubt, resilience, and professional growth, Wanda, Tiffany, and Carl remind listeners that your voice has value—and you don't have to be perfect to make an impact. Wanda's bio is below:Wanda Smith is an award-winning Toastmaster, highly sought-after speaker coach and radio talk show host. She is the Founder of SpeakHer Consulting LLC, where she guides emerging and established leaders in crafting messages that align with their vision and authentic voice. As the host of Ms. Wanda’s Full Circle, a weekly radio show and podcast dedicated to empowering Black women through meaningful conversation, Wanda curates inspiring dialogue that encourages listeners to pursue the lives they desire. Her work is rooted in connection, clarity, and the belief that every woman deserves to be heard. With a coaching certification from the UC Davis Coaching for Life and Work Program and more than two decades in training and leadership development for the State of California, she creates transformative spaces where clients gain confidence, visibility, and leadership presence.

What makes employees stay with an organization, and how can authenticity, humor, and trust strengthen workplace relationships? In this episode, Carl and Tiffany welcome Dr. Chris Sablynski, associate professor of management at the University of the Pacific and co-author of the Job Embeddedness Framework, for a conversation about the human side of teaching, leadership, and employee retention.Chris shares his journey into academia and how humor, storytelling, and authenticity can create stronger connections with audiences. Together, they explore why effective communication requires reading the room, adapting to different audiences, and recognizing that vulnerability can build trust and engagement.The conversation also examines job embeddedness, exploring why employees stay with organizations beyond traditional measures of job satisfaction and engagement. From the unique motivations of public sector employees to the importance of psychological contracts, generational expectations, and workplace flexibility, the group discusses how leaders can create environments where people feel connected, supported, and motivated to stay.Ultimately, the episode reminds us that people don't just stay because of their jobs—they stay because of the connections, commitments, and sense of purpose they build along the way.

What does it mean to lead by serving others? In this episode, Carl and Tiffany welcome leadership consultant, executive coach, and Legendary Service co-author Kathy Cuff, who reflects on nearly four decades with Blanchard and the leadership lessons she's learned along the way.Kathy explores servant leadership, Situational Leadership®, psychological safety, empowerment, and accountability, emphasizing that great leaders don't simply manage employees—they see their people as customers they are responsible for supporting. The conversation examines how leaders can "define the playing field," establishing clear expectations while giving employees the freedom and judgment to succeed.They also tackle generational differences, return-to-office challenges, quiet quitting, supporting high performers, and why even experienced employees need different levels of direction and support when tackling something new. Throughout the conversation, one message emerges: when people feel valued, supported, and safe enough to learn, they're more willing to grow, contribute, and serve others. Kathy's bio is below: Kathy Cuff has spent more than 37 years with Blanchard® as a Senior Consulting Partner and Master Trainer and is a co-author of the bestselling book, Legendary Service: The Key Is to Care, with Ken Blanchard and Vicki Halsey. She creates an effective and positive environment to support her clients to reach their personal and professional goals by cutting through the clutter that sometimes gets in the way of people reaching their full potential.Her years of experience as a consultant and coach in a wide variety of industries as well as all levels of the organization have allowed her to hone her skills in listening, asking thought-provoking questions, and, when needed and asked for, providing guidance and insights that might otherwise be missed. Her sense of humor and calming demeanor create the psychological safety where clients can dig deeper and eventually shift their motivational outlook to get the positive results they are hoping for. Her passion is to help people be the best version of themselves so that they can feel great about who THEY are as a person and a leader of others. She is certified in several 180/360 assessments and other best practices to gather leadership-development data and provide feedback.Kathy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communications from San Diego State University as well as numerous professional development courses. She received her Professional Coaching Certification from CoachU and her ACC credentials through the International Coaching Federation. Kathy enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and, of course, her dog, Roscoe.