Magic in the Room #190: Leading Through Loss

May 7, 2025

In this episode of "Magic in the Room," hosts Hannah Bratterud, Chris Province, and Luke Freeman delve into the complexities of leadership, particularly when dealing with personal and professional challenges that aren't covered by standard policies. They discuss the importance of embracing a holistic community approach in workplaces, where personal and work lives intersect, and the difficulties leaders face when unexpected events, such as illness or loss, occur. The conversation is deeply personal, as Chris shares the story of his late friend Doug, highlighting the impact of personal relationships on professional environments. The discussion highlights the need for strategic planning that includes contingencies for unexpected disruptions and the importance of vulnerability and open communication in building trust within teams. 

Listen now on your favorite platform!


Credits: 

  • This episode of Magic in the Room was recorded onsite in Tulsa, Oklahoma 
  • 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.
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