Lizzie Vietz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln: The Interview
In this episode of Strengths on Fire, Sarah and Bill welcome Lizzie Vietz—strengths superfan, marketing strategist, and the official “Mother of the Arsonists.” With warmth, humor, and incredible insight, Lizzie shares how her strengths have evolved through college, career pivots, marriage, and grad school. The trio dives into the power of knowing yourself, setting intentional goals, and embracing who you are—flaws, focus blocks, and all. With a heavy dose of positivity, peach rings, and real-life WOO, this episode will leave you inspired to flex your strengths and find joy in who you’re becoming.
- Your strengths aren’t just professional tools—they’re personal superpowers in your daily life.
- Woo might win hearts, but strategy makes the plan stick.
- Career transitions are smoother when guided by your values and strengths.
- Communication is more than just words—when it’s done right, it sings.
- Positivity doesn’t always look like pep—it often shows up in purpose and presence.
- Strengths evolve as you evolve—embrace the shift.
- Knowing when to dream and when to do is the secret sauce of futuristic.
- Focus is the quiet strength behind getting real work done.
- Weekly reflections help high-achievers slow down and actually celebrate.
- Developer and empathy aren’t always flashy—but they fuel connection and care.
- Boundaries are essential for people with high empathy to thrive.
- When your strengths are misused, even your best traits can become a dumpster fire.
- Relationships thrive when both partners understand and leverage each other’s strengths.
- You’re your longest relationship—get curious about who you are becoming.
- Sometimes, all you need is a coffee-flavored candy and a podcast to remember your power.
Sound Bites
- My futuristic motivates me in the present—not to dream, but to do.
- When I want to be focused, I calendar block. I’m not half-doing a million things—I’m whole-doing one.
- Every week, I sit down with my coffee and ask: where did my strengths help me, and where did they get in the way?
- My husband and I rate house project ideas with percentages. This dream is only 40% serious.
- Your strengths might shift, but that doesn’t mean you’re inauthentic. It means you’re growing.
- If I’m not careful, WOO tries to hijack the room—but strategy reminds me to serve, not perform.
- Empathy can be a sixth sense, or a floodgate. I’ve learned which strengths help me build the boundaries I need.
Lizzie's Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Futuristic
2) Woo
3) Strategic
4) Communication
5) Positivity
6) Competition
7) Focus
8) Achiever
9) Empathy
10) Developer
Bill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Individualization
2) Developer
3) Activator
4) Woo
5) Restorative
6) Empathy
7) Harmony
8) Connectedness
9) Relator
10) Learner
Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Positivity
2) Woo
3) Communication
4) Harmony
5) Activator
6) Developer
7) Input
8) Individualization
9) Responsibility
10) Arranger
Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm
Creators and Guests
Host
Bill Dippel
Bill Dippel is a certified, professional Strengths coach with a 35-year career in nonprofits and higher education. His passion is working with organizations, teams, and individuals to ensure they are performing and communicating at the highest levels. As president of Bill Dippel Strengths Coaching, he travels frequently for large events and public speaking, as well as working with whole companies through their management teams.
Host
Sarah Collins
Sarah Collins is a certified CliftonStrengths coach and founder of Collins Collective, with over 12 years of experience in strengths-based coaching and leadership development. Her passion lies in empowering businesses, teams, and individuals to communicate and perform at their best by focusing on what they do well. As the leader of Collins Collective, Sarah combines engaging workshops, high-impact keynotes, and in-depth coaching to foster growth and connection. Based in Nebraska, she partners with businesses to drive meaningful change and create high-performing teams.
Guest
Lizzie Vietz
Lizzie Vietz has been a Strengths enthusiast for over 7 years. She first took the assessment as an undergraduate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she studied Advertising & Public Relations, Communication Studies and Political Science. After meeting her husband, Chad, at UNL, they moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where Lizzie started her career as the Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications at the local Boys & Girls Club. In the fall of 2023, they moved back to Lincoln to put down their roots. Lizzie rejoined UNL as a staff member and now works as a Marketing Strategist in the office of Student Life Marketing & Communications. Lizzie is very involved in the community as an active member with Lincoln Young Professionals Group, RISE Women in Business, the Young Alumni Academy and the UNL Staff Mentor Program. She serves on the advisory council for the Nebraska Women’s Leadership Network. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Public Communication from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Outside of her professional endeavors, she loves to spend time reading, drinking good coffee, playing pickleball and being outside with her husband and their dog, Milo.
