EVOLVE Applied Podcast
Prep Guide
Before We Record
Test Your Setup (Do This 24 Hours Early)
- Check your internet connection speed at fast.com (aim for 25+ Mbps)
- Test your mic and camera in Riverside, make sure you use Google Chrome
- Restart your computer before recording to clear memory
Audio Quality
- Use headphones to prevent echo
- Find a quiet space (close windows, turn off fans/AC if possible)
- Put your phone on silent
- Let household members know you're recording
Video Setup
- Position your camera at eye level
- Sit 2-3 feet from the camera
- Check your framing: head and shoulders visible, some space above your head
- Choose a clean, uncluttered background or use a simple bookshelf/plain wall
- Face a window or lamp for natural lighting on your face (avoid backlighting)
Reference this article for more information to set up your space.
✓ Recommended
Even light on your face, camera at eye level, tidy background, headphones on.
✕ Not Recommended
Bright window behind you, overhead lights on, face too dark.
What to Prepare
Your Introduction
Think about:
- Your current role and the organization you lead in
- The change you led (for example AI adoption, a merger, or a reorg) and why it mattered
The Change You Led
We will walk through one real situation. Come ready to share:
- The situation: what was happening and what was at stake
- What you actually did: the decisions, trade-offs, and conversations
- What you would do again, and what you would do differently
Your Takeaways
Prepare 1-3 concrete lessons that another leader in the middle of a change could use right away.
Length: We'll record for about 30 minutes.
After we record: I'll send you the episode link and your EVOLVE readout document.
Day of Recording
Checklist
- Close unnecessary browser tabs and applications
- Have water nearby (off-camera)
- Be ready 5 minutes early
- Relax and be yourself
Apply to be a guest
Have a story or a change you led? Apply for either show, or tell a friend who should.
Have questions?
Booking, recording day, and what happens after.
Read the FAQQuestions? Reach out before recording day.
Recent episodes
Value Is Not Activity: Spotting Value Dysfunction with Deb Keltner
In this deep dive into value translation, the second "V" of the Evolve Framework, host Sarah is joined by growth, brand and marketing consultant Deb Keltner of Deb Keltner LLC. Together they look at the symptoms of value dysfunction in mid-sized professional services companies: confusing value with activity, letting engineering design the offer, saying "we can do anything for anyone," and competing on price. They also cover why you may need a better story, not just better storytelling, how brands like Dyson stay credible, and practical ways to find your real value, from customer conversations to win/loss analysis. Deb and Sarah close with the one thing they want listeners to take away.