Buckle up—this week’s episode lights the fuse on culture-changing conversations, showing you how a single powerful question can ignite an entire organization! In this episode, Nicole Greer sits down with powerhouse duo Cheri Torres and Jackie Stavros, co-authors of Conversations Worth Having, to explore how the practice of Appreciative Inquiry (the other AI) can transform your workplace culture—one conversation at a time.
Together, they share practical tools like the SOAR framework and the 5D cycle, explain how to “flip and frame” any problem into a growth opportunity, and reveal the neuroscience behind positive conversations. Packed with real-world stories from healthcare, manufacturing, and education, this episode shows you how to shift meetings from draining to energizing—starting with a single generative question.
Whether you lead a team, run a business, or want to communicate more effectively, this episode will equip you with simple but powerful practices that create clarity, connection, and real results.
Highlights from this episode:
[00:03:10] What Is Appreciative Inquiry? Jackie defines Appreciative Inquiry as “the other AI”—a strength-based approach that focuses on what’s working, what was, and what could be.
[00:14:14] Generative Questions Unlock Human Potential. Learn what makes a question “generative” and how it invites energy, ideas, and inclusion.
[00:22:21] Name It, Flip It, Frame It. The core technique for reframing challenges into conversations worth having, illustrated with a hospital case study.
[00:39:05] Introducing SOAR. The SOAR model (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results) is presented as a practical alternative to SWOT analysis.
[00:46:52] The Neuroscience of Conversation
Cheri explains how threat-based conversations shut down the brain—and how positive engagement lights it up.Get the book: https://a.co/d/hNaQysC
CWH Foundations Course: https://www.conversationsworthhaving.today/foundations
**Use coupon code VIBRANTCULTURE and get 30% off the course! Expires 8/31/25**
Also mentioned in this episode:
FeedForward concept, Marshall Goldsmith: https://www.marshallgoldsmith.com/post/try-feedforward-instead-of-feedback
Appreciative Inquiry, David Cooperrider: https://a.co/d/esUdQ3x
Connect with Cheri & Jackie:
Website https://www.conversationsworthhaving.today/
Cheri LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbtorres/
Jackie LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-stavros-0b45824/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cwhtoday/
Listen today at www.vibrantculture.com/podcast or your favorite podcast platform!
Learn more about Nicole Greer, the Vibrant Coach: https://www.vibrantculture.com/
