Lead Into It

Okay, this one's a little spicy. In this episode, Sara is dropping some hot takes — the kind that sound controversial until you actually think about them for two seconds. Inbox zero? Myth. Answering emails on vacation? Not the flex you think it is. Being "busy" all the time? Might just mean you're bad at saying no. Sara gets into why the way we've all been taught to "...

Unlock the secret to transforming your leadership with feedback that fuels growth and trust. In this rewind episode, we revisit an impactful conversation with Kelly Waltman, founder and CEO of SLC Consulting and author of Elevate Connection: Cultivate an Engaged, Inspired, Productive and Profitable Team Culture.  This converation is about the art of feedback — giving, receiving, and cultivating a...

Most leaders don’t wake up trying to be a bad boss. But sometimes the habits we build under pressure, stress, or good intentions can quietly create frustration, confusion, or burnout for the people around us. In this solo episode of Lead Into It , I’m sharing seven signs that your leadership style might be getting in your team’s way and what to do instead. This isn’t about guilt or perfection. It’...

What even is leadership coaching? I get this question all the time because when I tell people I’m a leadership coach, the response is usually something like… “Oh, so kind of like a life coach?” which my answer is usually somewhere between: yes and no. So, in this episode, I’m breaking down what leadership coaching actually is, what happens in a coaching relationship, and why so many people, from f...

In this episode, Sara sits down with a very special guest — her sister, Dr. Kate Nagel — for a conversation that’s equal parts reflective, funny, and honest. Together, they talk about what it was really like growing up in a military family, constantly moving, starting over, and learning how to adapt at a young age. The sisters dive into how those experiences shaped the women they are today, from t...

In this rewind episode from 2021, Andre Young shares insightful leadership tools rooted in simplicity and practicality. Discover how to approach difficult conversations with empathy, foster work-life harmony, and unlock the potential in yourself and your team. Key topics: The importance of personal leadership and evolving through hard experiences How to effectively give feedback by leading with ot...

Over my career, I’ve learned a lot about leadership. Some of it through great experiences and some (if not most) through doing things the hard way. Many lessons weren’t things people sat me down and taught me. They were things I learned over time through leading teams, making mistakes, getting overwhelmed, building confidence, and figuring out what leadership actually looks like in real life. In t...

What does it actually mean to build your own leadership style? In this episode of Lead Into It, Sara sits down with Navy Captain Lacey Vestal to explore the journey of becoming an authentic leader in environments that often reward conformity, hierarchy, and playing it safe. From attending the Naval Academy to leading in high pressure military environments, recruiting top talent, and finding her vo...

In this rewind episode from 2020 (yes, in the midst of the pandemic!), I sit down with Dr. Raj Raghunathan, an award-winning Professor of Marketing at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, whose work focuses on the connection between our decisions, happiness, and fulfillment. We talk about happiness in the workplace and why it matters far more than people often reali...

In this episode, I sit down with Samantha Nicole Bell, a wellness coach and owner of Active & Attractive, and we dive deep into the essential connection between self-awareness, self-care, and leadership. Sammy shares powerful insights on how mastering your inner world can unlock better health, relationships, and professional success, emphasizing that true leadership begins from within and how...

No one teaches you how to give feedback—you’re just expected to know how to do it. In this Failure Files episode, I share a leadership moment I got completely wrong, what I learned, and how to approach difficult conversations better. In this episode, I talk about:  What went wrong in a feedback conversation   The pressure new leaders feel to perform and prove themselves   Why avoiding difficult co...

This conversation with Natasha Skolny is one that makes you think about how you’re actually showing up as a leader. Natasha, a leadership coach and founder of The Leadership Cabin, and I talk about redefining success, doing the work of self-discovery, and why vulnerability and trust aren’t optional if you want to lead well. She shares how aligning your personal values with your professional life c...

What if the hardest thing you’ve ever gone through became the very thing that shaped how you lead? In this episode, Sara sits down with Hanna Bauer to talk about resilience in the most real, human way possible. Diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition as a child, Hanna shares how adversity, family support, and even her scars helped shape who she is today. She also introduces her method fo...

Branded merchandise is often treated as an afterthought—but it can be a powerful reflection of leadership, culture, and values. In this episode of I’m joined by Amanda Hofman , founder of Go To>Market , to explore how print on demand is reshaping the way brands connect with their people. Amanda shares her journey from corporate burnout to building a values-driven business, and why authenticity...

The past year changed how I think about leadership...and in this episode, I’m sharing why. In the Spring 2026 season opener of Lead Into It , I reflect on a year of growth, challenge, and transformation, shaped by my experiences in the military, coaching, and building community. We’ll explore what it really means to lead in alignment with your values, why human-centered leadership matters now more...

What if the biggest leadership lessons of your year are already sitting in the stories you’ve lived and the conversations you’ve had? For our final episode of 2025, we’re rewinding and revisiting some of the most impactful moments from this year’s twenty episodes of Lead Into It . You’ll hear insights on confidence, failure, self-awareness, communicating with intention, leading through challenge,...

In this special Veterans Day episode, we explore the connection between courage and leadership beyond the battlefield. From stories of service to lessons in resilience and integrity, this conversation is a reminder that true leadership starts with the courage to serve others first. Whether you’re a veteran, a leader, or someone striving to lead with more purpose, this episode will leave you reflec...

When leadership meets flexibility, real impact happens.  In this episode, Sara sits down with Whitney Munro , Founder and CEO of FLEX Partners , a mission-driven consulting firm that’s reimagining how nonprofits get the strategic support they need. Whitney shares her journey from corporate PR to building FLEX Partners. A business with a model rooted in flexibility, purpose, and impact. Tune in for...

I’ve hit 60 episodes of the Lead Into It podcast! 🎉 For this milestone episode, I’m doing something new: my very first Q&A. You sent in your leadership questions, and I’m diving into them all. In this episode, we’re talking about: Leading during tough times (like government shutdowns) Knowing when to say no to a promotion Building trust and training new team members Navigating leadership chal...

In this episode of Lead Into It, I’m joined by Brooke Brzozowske, a former federal government communications professional who spent nearly two decades advising leaders at the highest levels of the military and is now a full-time executive and leadership coach. Brooke was one of my very first podcast guests five years ago, and she’s someone who also inspired me go on the journey to become a coach....

In this episode, Sara sits down with Karen Eber , award-winning author of The Perfect Story , keynote and TED speaker , and international consultant, to explore the transformative power of storytelling in leadership and communication. Karen shares how stories can build trust, inspire teams, and make messages truly memorable — all backed by the fascinating neuroscience behind why stories work.  Whe...

It started with a simple email. And ended with a very humbling lesson learned.  In the first episode of The Failure Files , I’m opening up about a mistake I made early in my career — what it taught me about empathy, accountability, and the power of a single question. This is the story of The Email — the one that changed how I lead. Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and...

In this episode of Lead Into It , Sara sits down with Tabitha Siegfried, the Sea Turtle Stranding Coordinator at the Gulfarium CARE Center. From growing up in landlocked Missouri to becoming a passionate advocate for marine life on the Gulf Coast, Tabby’s journey is a story of purpose, resilience, and leadership. Together, we explore: How Tabby leads and inspires a team of dedicated volunteers The...

This week on Lead Into It , I’m excited to share my conversation with Diane Fraser, the amazing director of the Emerald Coast Science Center right here in Fort Walton Beach. Diane’s journey is such a cool one—she started out as a forensic scientist and eventually stepped into leading a community science center, turning it into a vibrant hub of learning and discovery. In our conversation, she opens...

✨ Leadership shows up in the big calls and the small details. ✨ Rest isn’t weakness—it’s leadership fuel. ✨ Grace goes further than perfection. Hi, and welcome back! I’m kicking off this new season of Lead Into It with a solo episode straight from my own leadership journey. Over the summer, I had the chance to step in and lead a public affairs team during an Air Force exercise. It was high-pres...