Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 7 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Candid Conversations on Leadership

Claim This Podcast

by Candice Solomon-Strutz and Chris Tidrick

5.0(2 reviews)

26 episodes

Updated Weekly

Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸

Podcast Authority

Beta

PoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality63

Social0

YouTube0

Engagement32

Learn more

Podcast Overview

Candice Solomon-Strutz and Chris Tidrick have in-depth conversations about what it means to be a leader today. Candice and Chris are IT leaders at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and collectively have more than 50 years of experience working in higher education. You can find Candice at @caniso13 on Instagram, Twitter, Threads, and TikTok and @candicesolomonstrutz on LinkedIn. You can find Chris at @think.feel.lead on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok, and @christophertidrick on LinkedIn.

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

7/1/2024

Visit Website View on Apple Podcasts RSS Feed

🇺🇸 Charts #3

Outreach generated

Apple 142

Spotify 827

Instant mention tracking

Perfect fit!

Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report

See how your podcast performs across key metrics

Podcast Authority

Beta

PoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality63

Social0

YouTube0

Engagement32

Learn more

Excellent Areas

Good Performance

Growth Opportunities

excellent

Episode Length

40 minutes

Performing excellently!

good

iTunes Tags

6.5/10

Recommendations available

Unlock the full report to see detailed tips

needs improvement

Publishing Consistency

Every 17 days

Recommendations available

Unlock the full report to see detailed tips

+16 More Metrics

Unlock comprehensive insights including:

• YouTube presence analysis
• Social media reach metrics
• RSS compliance scoring
• Podcast 2.0 features
• Technical standards

What's Included in Your Full Report

Detailed Analytics

Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
Personalized recommendations for each metric
Industry benchmarks and comparisons
Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring

Growth Strategies

Step-by-step action plans for improvement
Quick wins to boost your score immediately
Pro tips from successful podcasters

Get your free podcast insights report

See how your show performs across every key metric

Instant delivery

No spam

Attract Better Guests

High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.

Secure Sponsorships

Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.

Grow Your Audience

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.

1 verified contact email on file for Candid Conversations on Leadership

Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.

See contact details

Recent Episodes

May 6, 2026

Episode 2.06: Leading with Courage and Cultural Humility with Dr. Gioconda (Gio) Guerra Pérez

In this episode of Candid Conversations, Candice and Chris welcome Dr. Gioconda (Gio) Guerra Pérez, Interim Vice Chancellor for Access, Civil Rights, and Community at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Born and raised in Panama, Dr. Guerra brings a deeply personal perspective to leadership, shaped by her multicultural upbringing, early exposure to political unrest, and a family rooted in education and social justice. She reflects on how her journey as an international student and Fulbright scholar broadened her worldview and continues to influence her work today. Dr. Guerra dives into the formative role her mother—an educator and activist—played in shaping her passion for advocacy and equity. Growing up during Panama’s military dictatorship, she witnessed firsthand the power of collective action and the importance of standing up for civil rights. These early experiences continue to ground her leadership approach, especially as she navigates complex institutional challenges and works to support diverse student populations, including undocumented and mixed-status students. The conversation explores the realities of leadership in higher education, from managing slow-moving institutional change to responding rapidly under external pressures. Dr. Guerra shares candid insights into making difficult decisions, rebuilding trust, and balancing urgency with care. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration, transparency, and drawing on existing work to move initiatives forward—especially in times of crisis or policy change. The episode also highlights the human side of leadership. Dr. Guerra speaks openly about emotional resilience, the importance of community within teams, and modeling authenticity in high-pressure roles. She offers thoughtful reflections on what inclusion truly looks like in practice, acknowledging its complexity while encouraging leaders to strive toward spaces where all individuals can feel a sense of belonging. The episode closes on a lighter note, revealing her long-standing love for K-dramas and K-pop—reminding listeners that even the most dedicated leaders find joy and balance in unexpected ways. Candice and Chris are IT leaders at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and collectively have more than 50 years of experience working in higher education. Candice is currently the Senior Director of IT Partners at the College of Applied Health Sciences and Chris is the Chief Information Officer and Senior Director of IT Partners at the Gies College of Business.

April 19, 2026

Episode 2.05: Being Intentional: Leadership Lessons from ITLW Graduates Jen Anderson and Lauren Gray

In this episode of Candid Conversations, Chris and Candice sit down with Jen Anderson, Assistant Director of IT at the School of Information Sciences, and Lauren Gray, Data Analyst and Decision Support and Strategy Lead at Gies College of Business. Both guests are 2025 alumni from the University of Illinois IT Leadership Workshop, a three-month leadership development program for IT and IT-adjacent leaders on campus, and they reflect on how the experience changed the way they think about leadership, communication, and growth.Jen and Lauren discuss what motivated them to join ITLW, the leadership gaps they hoped to address, and the biggest challenges they faced during the workshop. Both point to the group project as a defining experience, especially the challenge of working with peers who all brought leadership strengths to the table. Their conversation highlights the realities of collaboration, navigating different voices, and learning how to lead when no one person is officially in charge. The episode also explores how both have applied what they learned in practical ways at work. Jen shares how she has become more intentional about communication, especially when working with remote employees and ensuring that important conversations do not stay trapped in hallway chats. Lauren talks about using feedback more deliberately, developing a client feedback survey, and continuing to seek input as she takes on new projects and responsibilities. Together, they reflect on the value of time management, self-awareness, delegation, and learning to lead with greater purpose.The conversation closes with broader reflections on leadership, including common mistakes emerging leaders make, the importance of understanding culture before making big changes, and the difference between leadership and title. Jen and Lauren also offer advice for early-career professionals: build strong habits, say yes to growth opportunities, and stay open to discomfort because that is often where confidence develops. It is an honest, thoughtful, and encouraging episode about becoming a leader intentionally and learning to grow one step at a time.Candice and Chris are IT leaders at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and collectively have more than 50 years of experience working in higher education. Candice is currently the Senior Director of IT Partners at the College of Applied Health Sciences and Chris is the Chief Information Officer and Senior Director of IT Partners at the Gies College of Business.

March 24, 2026

Episode 2.04 A Journey to Inclusive Leadership with Dean Venetria K. Patton

In this episode of Candid Conversations, Chris and Candice welcome Venetria K. Patton, the Harry E. Preble Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Dean Patton reflects on the leadership journey that brought her from faculty roles in English and African American studies to major administrative positions at Purdue University and the University of Illinois. She opens up about the early experiences that shaped her understanding of leadership, including serving on a graduate advisory committee and learning the value of having a seat at the table where decisions are made.Patton also shares the influence of mentors and role models who modeled strong leadership through listening, thoughtfulness, and the ability to navigate conflict. Just as important, she explains how she learned from less effective leaders by observing what not to do. That perspective helped her develop a leadership philosophy centered on integrity, collaboration, and inclusive decision-making, with a focus on creating environments where people feel heard, valued, and empowered to contribute.The conversation turns to her academic work and the challenge of balancing scholarship with the demands of being dean of the largest college on campus. Patton discusses her research on Black women writers and the Harlem Renaissance, along with the ongoing projects she continues to pursue while managing a packed administrative schedule. She also speaks about the college’s future, including online degree completion, AI, academic freedom, personalized education, and the need to help LAS stand out as a place of broad expertise and impact across many disciplines.Later in the episode, Patton reflects on the habits that sustain her, from intentional work-life integration to protecting time for family, rest, and even a relaxing hair appointment. She also shares a surprising personal side: her background as a dancer, soccer player, coach, and referee, and how those experiences still shape her leadership today. The conversation closes with a thoughtful reminder that people should not postpone their lives in pursuit of work alone, and that balance, joy, and purpose matter now.Candice and Chris are IT leaders at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and collectively have more than 50 years of experience working in higher education. Candice is currently the Senior Director of IT Partners at the College of Applied Health Sciences and Chris is the Chief Information Officer and Senior Director of IT Partners at the Gies College of Business.

26 total episodes available

Recent guests on Candid Conversations on Leadership

Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.

Kevin Jackson

Guest

Sparkle Sanders

Guest

See every guest on Candid Conversations on Leadership

Deep-dive analytics for Candid Conversations on Leadership

Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is Candid Conversations on Leadership?: Candice Solomon-Strutz and Chris Tidrick have in-depth conversations about what it means to be a leader today.

Candice and Chris are IT leaders at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and collectively have more than 50 years of experience working in higher education.

You can find Candice at @caniso13 on Instagram, Twitter, Threads, and TikTok and @candicesolomonstrutz on LinkedIn.

You can find Chris at @think.feel.lead on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok, and @christophertidrick on LinkedIn.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates weekly.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 7 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Legal Disclaimer

Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.

All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.

We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.

By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.