Lead Well

Leadership, Communication, and the Move from Manager to Guide with Matthew Johnson On this episode of the Lead Well Podcast , host Brendan Holland speaks with Matthew Johnson, a longtime local government leader, about what leadership looks like in practice—and how better communication can help leaders navigate difficult conversations. Matthew shares how nearly 25 years in local government shaped h...

The Ledger Never Lies: Leadership, Personal Standards, and Rebuilding After Setbacks with Bill Stovall What does it take to stop drifting and start rebuilding? In this episode of the Lead Well Podcast , host Brandon Holland talks with Bill Stovall, a 40-year sales and leadership veteran and author of The Ledger Never Lies , about honesty, personal standards, grief, and the choices that shape a lif...

Jude Leonard on Local Government, GIS, and Learning to Lead Well Brandon Holland sits down with Jude Leonard, a 21-year-old GIS graduate student who interned with the City of Newton, to talk about what local government looks like behind the scenes. The conversation covers how public processes really work, why communication matters in government and in school, and how technology and AI are changing...

Sylvia Baffour on Street EI, leadership, and the hidden work behind great communication Brandon Holland sits down with Sylvia Baffour, a globally recognized speaker who has worked with Fortune 500 companies and studied under the influence of Maya Angelou, to explore what she calls Street EI. The conversation centers on emotional intelligence in unscripted, real-world moments and why leaders need m...

Today's conversation features Larry Long Jr., one of the nation's leading motivational speakers, sales coaches, and customer experience experts, alongside Taylor Lunin, speaker strategist and co-founder of Business of Speaking. Together, they share practical insights on building a successful speaking business, creating lasting relationships, and turning your message into meaningful impact. Togethe...

In this episode of the Lead Well Podcast , Brandon Holland sits down with Larry Burks , Executive Director of the Millcreek Valley Conservancy District and an experienced public-sector leader, for a practical conversation about leadership, organizational performance, and the next generation of leaders.   Larry shares the leadership principle he believes can work anywhere , what he pays attention t...

🎙️ Lead Well Podcast – Show NotesLeadership, Growth, and Becoming a City Manager In this episode of the Lead Well Podcast, I sit down with the new City Manager of Trinity to discuss his leadership journey, the experiences that shaped him, and the lessons he learned on the path to local government leadership. We explore the challenges, opportunities, and mindset required to grow as a leader while s...

In this powerful episode of The Lead Well Podcast , host Brandon Holland sits down with Ben Cranford, author of Beyond My Pit, for a raw and inspiring conversation about overcoming adversity, finding purpose in pain, and leading through life’s deepest struggles. Ben shares the personal journey behind his book, opening up about the “pit moments” that shaped his faith, mindset, and mission. From bat...

In this episode of The Lead Well Podcast , Brandon sits down with the Director of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Appalachian State University for an insightful conversation on the evolving landscape of public service education. From curriculum updates to program expansion, this discussion offers a behind-the-scenes look at how one of North Carolina’s leading MPA programs is p...

What if the most powerful leadership strategy isn’t authority—but care? In this episode of The Lead Well Podcast, Brandon sits down with Glenn Hasteadt, author of  Power in Caring , to break down the true meaning of servant leadership and why it’s more relevant than ever. With a background as a career IT professional, Glenn shares real-world leadership insights on how empathy, trust, and intention...

In this episode of the Lead Well Podcast, we sit down with Micah Gaudet to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming local government. From the real impact of AI on government jobs to practical ways cities can improve services and internal operations, Micah shares actionable insights for leaders ready to embrace innovation. We also discuss how smaller cities can use AI as a force multipl...

Brandon has a moving conversation with Jordan Frost. Jordan held a successful career in Law Enforcement especially in leadership roles. Jordan walks us through his highs and lows, and shares how he transformed his career into being one of the top producers in his field. He lays out a challenge toward the end of the episode, if you'd like to participate please let me know. SPONSORS:Hyper-XShack...

🎙 Show Notes Episode #: 061Release Date: 9/26/2025Guest: Bob ShacklefordEpisode DescriptionIn this episode, Brandon Holland sits down with Dr. Bob Shackleford, founder of the Shackleford Leadership Institute, to explore leadership development at various levels. They discuss Bob’s journey from college leadership roles to founding a leadership institute, his philosophies on leading with excellence,...

Episode Description: In this episode, we sit down with the leadership Nick Dyson from Dyson Leadership to explore the unique challenges and opportunities of managing multiple generations in today’s workplace. From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, each generation brings different perspectives, work styles, and leadership expectations. We dive deep into how leaders can bridge these generational gaps, foster c...

In this episode Brandon interviews Will Choplin a UNC-Chapel Hill student currently working with the City of Newton. Will is a sophomore studying to become a lawyer, an accomplished golfer and also a DJ (DJ Chop). They discuss leadership and Will’s interest in music and how he got started as a DJ. Sponsored by: Shackleford Leadership Institute Hyper-X (Discount code: Lead)Like, share, subscribe! @...

In this special edition - Brandon interviews Marcus Williams and Felicia Setzter with questions provided by City of Newton intern Will Choplin (UNC-CH) This episode was recorded live before the Newton Junteenth Celebration on June 19, 2025.Special thanks to our sponsors: https://www.shacklefordleadership.com/ hyperx.com

This episode is part 2 of a chat with the new City Manager for the City of Asheboro, Donald Duncan - they discuss leadership insights and lessons that helped move Donald's career to the current new position. Special thanks to the sposors: https://www.shacklefordleadership.com/ https://hyperx.com HyperX Discount Code: Lead #hyperx #hyperxfamily #motivation #motivationmonday #leadership #leadwel...

In this episode Brandon has a chat with the new City Manager for the City of Asheboro, Donald Duncan - they discuss Donald's start into local government and time at Appalachian State University, along with some leadership insights and what Donald is looking forward to for the City and in this new position. Discount code for #hyperx: Lead

Host: Brandon HollandGuest: Tom PapasSponser:  @hyperx  Episode OverviewLeadership isn’t about a title—it’s about impact. In this episode of the Lead Well Podcast, Brandon Holland sits down with Tom Papas for a real and unfiltered conversation about what it truly means to lead and the costs they don't tell you about. They tackle the cost of leadership, the weight of responsibility, and the pow...

Episode 054 of the Lead Well Podcast, Brandon Holland interviews Nick McNeill, a soccer coach and director of Asheboro Hybrid Academy. The conversation highlights Nick’s leadership journey, the unique vision behind Asheboro Hybrid Academy, and his passion for developing young athletes both on and off the field. Key topics include: • Nick’s Leadership Philosophy: How he integrates character buildin...

Episode Number: 052 Release Date: Nov 25, 2024 Duration: 41:33 Episode Summary In this episode of The Lead Well Podcast, host Brandon Holland dives into the dynamic world of social media with special guest Sam Toles, a seasoned social media expert with experience at Vimeo and Bleacher Report. Together, they explore how leaders can use social media to engage authentically, build trust, and drive me...

In this episode, Brandon is joined by the Unzoned Podcast with David Williams as an exciting discussion with James W. Buie (AKA “Chief”) takes place largely about his book From the Ground Up. Chief Buie was one of the first to require 4 year degrees for his officers, a standard that many have since adopted. James is a man wearing many hats. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he spent his teen...

This conversation between Brandon and Steve Maynard will be sure to help you understand service about self. Maynard shares how he started his career in law enforcement and how that led to him being one of the top salesmen in the industry. He continues to serve law enforcement and corrections in a much greater way these days. A great husband, friend, father and coach, Steve is top tier and one more...

050 Follow Men's Conference Release Date: September 2, 2024 In this special episode, we’re excited to preview the upcoming Follow Men’s Conference! Join us as we sit down with the event speakers to discuss what’s in store for this transformative gathering. We’ll explore the theme, topics, and experiences that will make this conference a must-attend event for men seeking growth, connection, and...

In this episode Brandon interviews Marc Collins, current Town Manager for Wendell NC, a city experiencing massive amounts of progress and growth. Marc shares the benefits of being vulnerable as a leader and offers advice for emerging leaders experiencing growing pains. Follow on social media  @bwholland32  visit www.thecoachholland.com for more info