Chatting About Change with Dr. Jim Maddox

Chatting About Change is about organizational change and helping individuals and organizations experience life to the fullest, and engaging in positive, transformational change. I am a university professor, OD consultant, and Change Strategist. Each episode I will engage in conversations with a guest from diverse backgrounds around the topic of change.

Chatting About Change with Dr. Jim Maddox is a business podcast hosted by Jim Maddox, with 82 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Jim Maddox hosts Chatting About Change with Dr. Jim Maddox, a business show with 82 episodes published.

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  Episode #82

  Stop Fixing People: Start Understanding the System: A Conversation with Dustin Snyder, Author & Consultant

  Sep 22, 202657 minS7

  Stop Fixing People: Start Understanding the System: A Conversation with Dustin Snyder, Author & Consultant What if the problem isn't your people—but the system you've created around them? In this episode of Chatting About Change with Dr. Jim Maddox, Jim talks with consultant, business owner, and author Dustin Snyder, drawing on Dustin's experience leading a 600-person manufacturing turnaround and his work with human systems. They explore why leaders often try to change behavior without understanding what drives it, why fear and urgency can undermine change, and how leaders can identify the "high-leverage points" that make meaningful change possible. The conversation also challenges some familiar assumptions about organizational change—including the idea that creating urgency is always the best place to start. Instead, Jim and Dustin discuss hope, trust, relationships, systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and the unintended consequences of organizational decisions. For a deeper dive, check out Dustin’s book, “Sink or Swim, Stop Managing Employee Behavior, Design Systems That Drive It”.

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  Episode #81

  Can Change Actually Be Joyful? Rethinking How We Lead Change: A conversation with Dr. Michelle Pipes

  Sep 8, 202649 minS7

  What if organizational change didn't have to feel like something being done to people? In this episode of Chatting About Change with Dr. Jim Maddox, Jim talks with Dr. Michelle Pipes, Chief Adaptation Officer and self-described Modern Change Provocateur, about rethinking how organizations approach change. Michelle argues that change is more art than science and that successful change requires more than following a prescribed framework. It requires understanding people, context, emotion, culture, and the conditions that allow individuals and organizations to adapt. Jim and Michelle explore why traditional change-management approaches often fall short, why leaders need to take greater responsibility for creating the conditions for change, and how joy, hope, participation, and learning can transform the experience of organizational change. They also challenge the familiar practice of announcing decisions after they've already been made and then attempting to "sell" employees on the change.

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  Episode #80

  Walking Each Other Home: Leadership, Identity, and Intentional Growth: A Conversation with Georgia Ellis

  Aug 24, 20261h 9mS7

  In this episode of Chatting About Change with Dr. Jim Maddox, Dr. Maddox reconnects with leadership coach and facilitator Georgia Ellis from Australia for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, identity, and personal growth. Georgia shares her philosophy of "walking people home," explaining how effective leaders serve as guides who help others reach their potential. Together, they explore the role of identity in change, why new leaders must redefine how they see themselves, the power of self-reflection and accountability, and how coaching can accelerate meaningful growth. The discussion offers practical insights for leaders, managers, coaches, and anyone navigating personal or professional change. Together, Jim and Georgia explore: The "Walking Each Other Home" Philosophy: How viewing facilitation and coaching as holding space and guiding others transforms how leaders connect with their teams. Identity as a Catalyst for Change: Why shift in performance requires moving beyond titles to reshape core mindsets and unlearn old habits. The Power of Self-Reflection: Simple daily habits—like asking what went well and what could be done differently—that drive self-awareness and sustainable growth. Creating a Bigger Ripple: The importance of stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing accountability, and leading with empathy to elevate entire organizations.

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  Episode #79

  Building Change Capabilities: A Conversation with Riley Smith of Propeller Consulting

  Sep 22, 202542 minS6

  <p>In this episode, I had the opportunity to chat with Riley Smith, Senior Director at Propeller Consulting, about his nontraditional path from teaching high school biology with Teach for America to leading large-scale change initiatives in consulting. Riley shares how experiences in building new functions, engaging stakeholders, and driving outcomes led him naturally into the field of change management. He offers an inside look at Propeller’s approach across industries—from retail and technology to healthcare and public sector—and discusses how curiosity, adaptability, and a methodology-agnostic mindset shape their client partnerships. This conversation highlights both the art and discip...

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  Episode #78

  Learning OD in Action and Reflections from the IODA Ghana Conference: A conversation with Cody Smith

  Sep 12, 202532 minS6

  <p> In this episode, I chatted with Cody Smith of Virginia Tech to reflect on his experience at the recent IODA conference in Ghana. This was Cody’s first time attending the International Organization Development Association conference (IODA).  Cody shares how the highlight of his trip wasn’t just the presentations, but the opportunity to engage in pro bono consulting with the Department of Rural Housing. From working alongside seasoned OD practitioners from around the world to adapting in real time with no pre-work—what Cody describes as “improv comedy in consulting”—the experience offered powerful lessons in collaboration, agility, and applied le...

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