The Feeling Leader

In this episode of The Feeling Leader , Kristen De Long speaks with Dr. Lakeya Cherry, a social worker, executive leadership coach, and former CEO of the Network for Social Work Management. Dr. Cherry shares her professional journey from studying psychology and law to pursuing social work, and the experiences that shaped her path through clinical practice, nonprofit leadership, and entrepreneurshi...

What makes people feel safe enough to speak up, ask questions, or admit mistakes at work? In this episode of The Feeling Leader , we explore the concept of psychological safety and why it plays a critical role in how teams collaborate, learn, and adapt. Drawing on foundational research by Amy Edmondson and more recent studies on leadership and team dynamics, the episode examines how psychological...

In this episode of The Feeling Leader , we explore the idea that leadership is not only behavioral or managerial but also biological and relational. Drawing on insights from social neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology, the episode examines how leaders shape the neural conditions in which people think, learn, collaborate, and make decisions. In this episode of The Feeling Leader , we explore...

In this episode of The Feeling Leader , listeners are introduced to their own “internal leadership team.”  Building on ideas introduced in the previous episode, we take a closer look at the roles of the prefrontal cortex and limbic system and how these regions influence leadership behavior under both calm and pressured conditions.  This episode also takes a deeper dive into three major brain netwo...

In Part 1 of this two-part episode of The Feeling Leader , listeners are invited to accept their position as the Chief Co-Regulator. . Drawing on research by Richard E. Boyatzis, the episode discusses fMRI studies showing how people’s brains respond differently when recalling resonant versus dissonant leaders. The conversation also explores insights from John Bowlby on attachment patterns and how...

 In Part Two of the Chief Co-Regulator conversation, we move deeper into the philosophy and practice of relational leadership. The episode introduces an existential perspective on leadership through Heidegger’s concept of attunement, exploring how leaders must remain responsive to the emotional and relational climates around them. We discuss the importance of leader self-attunement, outline five p...

In this introductory episode of The Feeling Leader , listeners are invited to meet the host and learn about the purpose behind the podcast. The episode introduces the central themes of the series including neuroscience, relational safety, and psychological safety, and explores why these ideas matter for leaders working in social work, nonprofit, and human-serving organizations. Listeners will also...