Life in Higher Ed
Welcome to Life in Higher Ed. We are senior higher education administrators and combined we have over 50 years of experience. We are here to talk about what goes on behind the scenes on college and university campuses. We surface the interesting, the confounding, and the seemingly absurd, and we do so with honesty and a sprinkling of humor. We want to help you not only survive but thrive and to know that you are not alone in your journey. If you are an administrator in higher ed or considering becoming an administrator, this podcast is for you!
Life in Higher Ed
If you can't tell the story, how can you lead? - Trisha Beck and Denise Nelson Nash
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In this episode, we explore why the ability to craft and share meaningful stories is essential to effective leadership, sense‑making, and trust‑building in complex organizations.
Joining the conversation are Trish Beck and Denise Nelson Nash, co‑authors of Trinity of Leadership: Learners, Thinkers, Tinkerers, and thought leaders whose work examines how leaders use narrative to clarify purpose, navigate change, and inspire action. Together, they discuss storytelling as a strategic practice—one that helps leaders connect values to decisions, bridge divides, and create shared meaning across communities.
Drawing on their recent work published by Akers Follett Press, the conversation moves beyond technique to explore storytelling as an ethical and relational act of leadership—particularly relevant in moments of uncertainty and transformation.
Trisha Beck, EdD, RN, NE-BC, FACHE
Dr. Beck brings over two decades of healthcare leadership experience, combining clinical expertise with innovative organizational transformation. She holds a Master's degree from Northeastern University and a Doctorate from New York University. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to placing human stories at the center of healthcare solutions, bridging medicine and human dignity. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes the intersection of compassion and innovation.
Denise Nelson Nash, EdD, MFA, RYT-200
Dr. Nelson Nash is a Renaissance leader whose career spans performing arts, city administration, academia, and executive leadership. She served as Director of Cultural Planning for the City of Pasadena from 1991 to 1997. She holds a BA from Scripps College, an MFA from the University of Michigan, a Doctorate from New York University, and a 200-hour yoga teacher certification. A self-proclaimed "professional Tinkerer," she has mastered the art of reinvention while maintaining her core philosophy of human-centered leadership. Her global experiences and diverse career inform her unique leadership perspective.
Resources:
Beck, T., Nelson Nash, D., et al. (2026). Trinity of Leadership: Learners, Thinkers, Tinkerers, Akers Folett Press.
https://akersfollettpress.com/
