The Even Better Podcast

Welcome to the Even Better podcast hosted by Sinikka Waugh, president and founder of Your Clear Next Step, and relentlessly positive trainer and coach who is committed to even better. Hosted in Indianola, IA, the Even Better podcast shares engaging conversations with different guests every week, that highlight their unique insight into a topic they're passionate about! Our mission is simple: we help people have better workdays so that together, they can co-create better communities. We do this through connecting people to the training, coaching, and resources they need to get even better at work. We focus on three main principles: making authentic human connections, delivering real business value, and treating change as a process, not an event. Ready to take the next step towards making your work—and life—even better? Learn more at yourclearnextstep.com. -- Real-life stories, insights, and people who are passionately sharing what they are doing to be even better! New episodes are released biweekly.

The Even Better Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 198 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Even Better Podcast, a business show with 198 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #158

  4 Things that Help Fix Meetings

  Aug 11, 20260 min

  In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh tackles the all too familiar frustrations of ineffective meetings, asking questions many people have thought but not said out loud, like why are we here, what is the purpose, why are they still talking, and could this have been an email. Sinikka names several of these common meeting pain points before offering four practical strategies to make meetings more useful and engaging. This episode offers simple, actionable ideas for anyone who wants to spend less time in unproductive meetings and more time making meaningful progress. -- Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email! Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, "try this now" approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).

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  Episode #157

  Iowa Kind: 4 Strategies to Move from "Iowa Nice" to Courageous Kindness

  Jul 28, 202647 min

  In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh welcomes Allie Jones to explore the difference between being "Iowa nice" and practicing courageous kindness. Allie reflects on growing up in a culture that values politeness and avoiding conflict, and how those habits can sometimes prevent honest connection and meaningful leadership. Together, they share four practical strategies to move from surface level niceness to deeper kindness, including starting with self compassion, practicing clear and honest communication, choosing curiosity over judgment, and finding meaningful ways to contribute to your community. This conversation invites listeners to reflect on where people pleasing may be holding them back and offers a path toward more authentic relationships, healthier boundaries, and stronger, more connected communities. -- Allie Jones is a leadership and business coach who helps individuals, teams, and communities lead with greater clarity, courage, and connection. Originally from Iowa, Allie returned to the state after several years away with a renewed passion for strengthening the communities that shaped her. Her work centers on the idea of Iowa Kind—helping leaders move beyond "Iowa nice" toward a deeper kind of leadership rooted in compassion, civility, and meaningful contribution. Through coaching, facilitation, and keynote speaking, she equips leaders with practical tools to foster engagement, navigate differences, and build stronger, more connected communities. Facebook: Allie Jones Consulting LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-s-jones/ Instagram: Allie Jones Consulting Other: https://substack.com/@alliejonesconsulting

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  Episode #156

  AI Isn't the Disruption, Our Instructional Assumptions Are

  Jul 14, 202640 min

  In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh talks with Dave Blanchard to reframe how we think about artificial intelligence in education and the workplace. Rather than seeing AI as a disruption, Dave challenges listeners to examine the assumptions behind how we teach, learn, and work. He shares insights from his role in online learning and his work with the Minnesota Generative AI Alliance, highlighting how AI can reduce friction, support better decision making, and spark innovation when used thoughtfully. Their conversation explores the importance of human oversight, adaptability, and integrity in a rapidly changing environment. This episode offers a practical and encouraging perspective for anyone navigating the evolving intersection of technology, learning, and leadership. -- Dave Blanchard, Ed.D., is the Director of Online and Distance Learning at St. Cloud State University, where he leads strategic initiatives in digital learning, instructional design, and academic technology. His work focuses on aligning online education with institutional goals while advancing faculty development, accessibility, and student-centered course design. Dave's research and leadership center on the ethical integration of emerging technologies, including AI, in education, with an emphasis on equity, social justice, and human-centered learning. He is also a founding member of AI4MN, Minnesota's leading network for advancing thoughtful, cross-sector collaboration around AI in education. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsonblanchard/

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  Episode #155

  Anchored in Why: Finding Focus in Good Times and Tough Days

  Jun 30, 202628 min

  In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh explores how to stay grounded and focused through both the highs and the challenges of everyday life. She shares three powerful questions that help anchor decision making and direction: Why do we do what we do, who do we serve, and how do we show up. Drawing on her work with Your Clear Next Step, Sinikka explains how clarity of purpose can guide priorities, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful impact. She also highlights the value of simple strategic themes over complicated plans, helping individuals and organizations move forward with confidence. This thoughtful episode offers practical insight for anyone looking to stay centered and intentional in their work and life. -- Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email! Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, "try this now" approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).

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  Episode #154

  Recovery, Redemption & Reform

  Jun 16, 202643 min

  In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh sits down with Troy Roberts to explore a story of recovery, redemption, and lasting reform. Troy shares his journey from a childhood shaped by addiction to his own struggles with substance use, homelessness, and ultimately facing a 35 year prison sentence. He opens up about the loss of his mother, the turning point that led him to Harvest Academy, and how accountability, community, and lived experience transformed his life. Troy now dedicates his work to helping others find hope and build meaningful connections in recovery. This conversation offers an honest look at growth, resilience, and the impact of choosing a different path forward. -- Troy, once lost to crime and addiction, turned his life around through Harvest Academy. From substance abuse, crime, and being incarcerated, facing a 35-year prison sentence, to graduating from the program, he has transformed his pain into purpose — now serving as a staff member and mentor, guiding others toward the same redemption and growth that changed his own life. Facebook: Troy Roberts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-roberts-464478331/ Other: Harvest Academy Iowa | Indianola IA

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