Episodes

  • Ep 55: Chrissy Sara Joins the brAVe [space]

    Ep 55: Chrissy Sara Joins the brAVe [space]
    Jan 9 2025
    Recorded on December 4th, 2024

    In this episode of brAVe [space], host Britt Yenser is joined by AV pro and co-host of the WAVIT podcast, Chrissy Sara. Throughout the episode, Britt and Chrissy discuss:
    • How professionals in the field can communicate what they see and need to their leadership
    • The difference between leadership and management
    • What to do if you are a high performer under less-than-ideal leadership
    • Chrissy's hopes and dreams for the future of our industry, and the red flags she hopes we leave behind
    • ...and more!
    Be sure to listen to the end to learn more about Chrissy and to hear our action items!

    Connect with Chrissy Sara
    X: https://x.com/AVteach101
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avteach101/

    Listen to the WAVIT Podcast
    https://www.womeninavit.org/podcast

    Connect with Britt Yenser
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/
    X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt
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    47 mins
  • New Year, New Vision: Goal-Setting as Self-Care and Staying Grounded

    New Year, New Vision: Goal-Setting as Self-Care and Staying Grounded
    Dec 26 2024
    Recorded on December 23rd, 2024

    In this episode of brAVe [space], host Britt Yenser dives deep into the personal art of goal-setting—not as a productivity hack, but as a form of self-care, reflection, and intentional living. Britt shares her unique approach to setting a yearly vision through a digital vision board, breaking goals into meaningful monthly milestones, and weaving daily habits into a thoughtful bullet journaling system. She also explores how tools like Canva, Zinnia, and Finch help her stay grounded and motivated without becoming overwhelmed. Whether you're a seasoned planner or just starting your goal-setting journey, this episode offers warmth, practical insights, and a reminder that your goals are yours—a roadmap to your own version of success. So grab your favorite notebook (or digital journal) and join Britt in creating a life filled with intention, reflection, and growth.

    Head over to https://higheredav.com/ to find this episode where you'll see the bullet journal spreads Britt describes. DM Britt on LinkedIn or X if you would like a pdf version of any of the spreads you see!

    Connect with Britt Yenser
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/
    X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt
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    19 mins
  • brAVe [skills]: Ep 5: Burnout: Empty Tank, Full Stop

    brAVe [skills]: Ep 5: Burnout: Empty Tank, Full Stop
    Dec 19 2024
    Recorded on November 19th, 2024

    In this episode of brAVe [skills], Britt and Leon dive into the heavy topic of burnout—what it is, why it happens, and how to navigate it. They explore three causes of burnout:
    1. Weight of the World Syndrome - Taking on everything, often for others, with a fear of failure and a need to prove yourself.
    2. Fear of Falling - Striving for perfection and tying success to self-worth.
    3. Dead Battery/Totaled Engine - Running on empty and relying on temporary jumpstarts to keep going.
    Britt and Leon share personal insights, including a pivotal moment that changed how Leon approached burnout for the sake of his health. They also discuss the differences between stress and burnout, and the importance of recognizing the unique symptoms of each, as well as how burnout can overlap with depression.

    Whether you're feeling the weight of chronic stress or teetering on the edge of burnout, this episode offers practical advice and powerful encouragement to take back control and find balance.

    Connect with Leon Prather
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-prather-cts/

    Connect with Britt Yenser
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/
    X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt

    Submit question to brAVe [skills]: https://forms.gle/QJtmt9q9pzuuTdVd7
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    41 mins
  • Ep 53: Lisa Stephens Joins the brAVe [space]

    Ep 53: Lisa Stephens Joins the brAVe [space]
    Dec 12 2024
    Recorded on November 26th, 2024

    In this episode of brAVe [space], host Britt Yenser sits down with Lisa Stephens, one of the brilliant minds behind FlexSpace, to explore its purpose and origin story. Through an engaging conversation, Lisa shares insights into the founding of FlexSpace, revealing powerful life lessons along the way, such as:
    • The importance of communication and collaboration
    • Being persistent and learning as you go
    • Practicing gratitude for the people who contribute to your journey
    • Breaking down barriers
    • ...and more!
    Britt and Lisa also theorize on the collaboartive nature of Higher Ed, and whether this culture is feasible in other enviornments.

    Be sure to listen to the end to learn more about Lisa and to hear our action items!

    Connect with Lisa Stephens
    Email: stephens@buffalo.edu

    Check out FlexSpace: https://flexspace.org/

    Connect with Britt Yenser
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/
    X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_
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    54 mins
  • Ep 52: Going Beyond the Briefcase with Nic Milani

    Ep 52: Going Beyond the Briefcase with Nic Milani
    Nov 28 2024
    Recorded on October 29th, 2024

    NSFW Warning: Some cursing
    Trigger Warning: Discussion of suicide awareness

    In this episode of brAVe [space] host Britt Yenser is joined by friend of the pod Nic Milani! Nic has been on a quest to foster authentic connections and create a network of support and growth. Throughout the episode, they discuss:
    • The founding of Mazebright Collective and the importance of acting in service to others
    • Suicide awareness and prevention
    • Holding space for men to be honest about their feelings and experiences
    • The Integrated Wheel of Awareness
    • A technology manager's role in fostering human connections
    • ...and more!
    Be sure to listen to the end to hear our action items and to learn more about Nic!

    Connect with Nic Milani
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicmilani/
    X: https://x.com/nicmilani
    Mazebright: https://www.mazebright.org/join-the-collective/
    Suicide Awareness Campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/suicide-awareness-month-male-loneliness-awareness-campaign
    Authentic Connections: https://www.authenticconnections.online/episodes-1

    Connect with Britt Yenser
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/
    X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_
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    46 mins
  • brAVe [skills]: The Great Balancing Act

    brAVe [skills]: The Great Balancing Act
    Nov 21 2024
    Recorded on November 5th, 2024

    In this episode of brAVe [skills], hosts Britt Yenser and Leon Prather dive into the ever-elusive concept of work-life balance. What does it really mean? And is balance even the goal—or should we aim for integration instead? Join us as we ask the big questions:
    • How do we know when the balance is off?
    • Are we so tied to our work identity that it’s throwing us off-balance?
    • And while we’re at it: Do you ever think about dying?
    We’ll also explore how societal norms shape this conversation. Why is “What do you do for a living?” such a defining question in the U.S., and does it affect how much we talk about work? Do men tie their identities to work more deeply than women, and what can we learn from Brene Brown’s insights on shame and provision?

    Join us for an honest (and occasionally darkly funny) conversation about identifying when the scales are tipped—and how to regain control, reframe your identity, and rethink what balance really means.

    Be sure to listen to the end to hear our action items!

    Connect with Leon Prather
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-prather-cts/

    Connect with Britt Yenser
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/
    X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt

    Submit question to brAVe [skills]: https://forms.gle/QJtmt9q9pzuuTdVd7
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    41 mins
  • Ep 51: Lex Evans Joins the brAVe [space]

    Ep 51: Lex Evans Joins the brAVe [space]
    Nov 14 2024
    Recorded on October 8th, 2024

    Is this a cross-over episode? Technically, no. But host Britt Yenser is joined by co-host of the WAVIT podcast, Lex Evans! Lex brings charm, wisdom, and niche knowledge to the brAVe [space] as she and Britt discuss:
    • Using the WAVIT podcast to build community and allow people to be vulnerable
    • Getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult
    • Finding systems that work
    • Studies and decisions that were based on men and how that impacts women
    • Imposter phenomenon
    • ...and more!
    Be sure to listen to the end to learn more about Lex and hear our action items!

    Listen to the WAVIT Podcast
    https://www.womeninavit.org/podcast

    Connect with Lex Evans
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howdyitslex/
    Email: aceevans1022@gmail.com

    Connect with Britt Yenser
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/
    X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_
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    51 mins
  • Ep 50: Dressing Up as an AV Professional

    Ep 50: Dressing Up as an AV Professional
    Oct 31 2024
    Recorded on October 19th, 2024

    Happy Halloween, listeners!

    In June of 2024, Chase Yenser “dressed up as an AV Professional” and attended Infocomm. In this episode, host Britt Yenser asks him to unpack that experience. Throughout the episode, they cover:
    • What it was like to attend Infocomm as an “outsider”
    • His experience as a [white] man compared to her experience as a [white] woman
    • His experience as someone who had “Higher Education” on his badge
    • His reflections on what he wished had been different, as the spouse of a female AV professional
    • …and more!


    Be sure to listen to the end to learn more about Chase and to hear our action items!

    We hope this episode feels like a treat, as it was not meant to be a trick. Chase attended Infocomm with the sole purpose of being a “dedicated swag collector” for the people who were too busy creating content and manning a booth to walk the show floor. After hearing some of his experiences, we felt brAVe [space] listeners should hear them, too. While this episode highlights some of the work that still needs to be done, we hope it also highlights the kindness and warmth of our industry as well.


    Connect with Chase Yenser
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-yenser-00b58871/

    Connect with Britt Yenser
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/
    X: https://x.com/brAVe_britt_
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    40 mins