Magic in the Room #174: Building Hope with Guest Dr. Chan Hellman

November 14, 2023

Today, we continue our series on hope by replaying one of our favorite episodes, which lays the foundation for much of our thinking. Hope may seem intangible, but leaders can intentionally nurture hope in the people around them. In this episode, Chris, Hannah, and special guest Dr. Chan Hellman discuss the three elements of hope: Goals, Pathways, and Willpower. Leaders can develop hope by ensuring these three elements are present. 

 

Chan M. Hellman is a professor of social work at the University of Oklahoma and Director of The Hope Research Center. He has written over 100 scientific publications and presented at numerous national and international conferences worldwide. Chan's research is focused on hope as a psychological strength, helping children and adults overcome trauma and adversity. Chan's book "Hope Rising: How the Science of Hope Can Change Your Life" with his co-author Casey Gwinn is published by Morgan James.

Listen now on your favorite platform!

 

Credits: 

  • This episode of Magic in the Room was recorded at Story Catcher Studio in Tulsa, OK 
  • Music by Evan Grim. Find his music on Apple Music

Magic in the Room #195: Activity vs. Impact

By Sarah Whitfield • December 3, 2025
In this episode of "Magic in the Room," Luke, Hannah, and Chris unpack the difference between being busy and being truly impactful, exploring why organizations often get stuck in high-activity, low-impact cycles. They identify five common contributors: compliance-heavy environments, resistance to change, disconnected decision-makers, fear-driven “CYA” cultures, and firefighting systems that reward heroics over long-term strategy. From there, they highlight what creates real impact: clarity of purpose, agency, curiosity, intentionality, and the discipline to question assumptions and align action with a meaningful “why.” The conversation encourages leaders to build awareness of their strengths, design systems that support healthy impact, maintain congruence between their public and private influence, and cultivate the kind of presence that can genuinely move a room. 

Magic in the Room #194: NNAHRA Interview

November 4, 2025
In this episode of "Magic in the Room," Chris interviews board members from the National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA) discussing the power of purpose-driven leadership within tribal organizations. Recorded at the NNAHRA annual conference, they explore themes like courage, vulnerability, accountability, community service, and fostering environments where all employees feel valued and able to contribute. They share how NNAHRA builds a supportive professional network for tribal HR leaders, encourages alignment between individual roles and tribal purpose, and creates space for courageous conversations across governance and enterprise structures. They also discuss future initiatives, including new certifications and the 2026 conference at the Hilton Village in Hawaii. The overarching message: lead with purpose, support one another, and build cultures rooted in respect, courage, and shared responsibility.
Show More