Branching Out With Sierra

 In this solo episode, Sierra gets real about the invisible weight of assumptions in leadership and life. From hesitating to ask for sponsorships to avoiding tough conversations, she explores how our unspoken stories shape our actions—and what they’re silently costing us. You’ll learn the difference between internal and external assumptions, how to identify the ones holding you back, and practical...

What if injury prevention had less to do with physical therapy—and more to do with how you lead? In this episode of Branching Out with Sierra , physical therapist and leadership-minded clinician Dr. Jeff Botta joins us to talk about prevention, leadership, and what great companies do differently to care for their teams before crisis hits. From building strong return-to-work cultures to reframing “...

Fatherhood and leadership may look different on the surface—but at their core, both are about presence, intention, and the legacy we leave behind. In this special Father’s Day episode, Sierra sits down with her producer and partner, Matt, along with his 6-year-old son Caleb, for a heartfelt conversation about what it means to lead at home. Together, they explore the quiet moments that shape charac...

Welcome to Season 2 of Branching Out with Sierra! In this powerful kickoff episode, Sierra Collins is joined by longtime collaborator and keynote speaker Jay Foreman to celebrate a major milestone—5 years of Sierra Learnership Collaborative—and to announce the launch of something big: the Tri-State Leadership Summit. Together, Sierra and Jay reflect on the defining moments that shaped their leader...

As we move through different seasons of life and leadership, it's easy to keep carrying habits, mindsets, and responsibilities that no longer serve us. In this episode, Sierra reflects on the powerful lessons that come with packing up an office—and preparing for the unexpected in life. Through personal stories and practical strategies, she challenges listeners to take a closer look at what they’re...

Good communication builds good teams. Real connection builds great ones.  In this solo episode, Sierra shares key insights from John Maxwell’s Everyone Communicates, Few Connect and her real-world coaching experiences to explore why connection—not just communication—is the true foundation of leadership.  Listen in and you'll leave with practical strategies to deepen your everyday interactions...

In this empowering solo episode, Sierra flips the script on comparison culture and challenges you to measure growth by the most honest metric there is: your past self. From reconnecting with an old mastermind acquaintance to reflecting on her early business offers, Sierra opens up about the evolution that happens when we stop chasing someone else’s timeline and start tracking our own transformatio...

Mother’s Day brings up a range of emotions—joy, grief, gratitude, longing—and it’s not just about being a mom. In this episode, Sierra is joined by her Director of Details, Ericka, for an open conversation about the many layers of motherhood and the women who shape us. We talk about how motherhood can be defined in many ways: biologically, emotionally, spiritually, or through the act of nurturing...

In this heartwarming episode of Branching Out with Sierra, I sit down with the legendary Barry Lee—radio personality, community connector, and the voice behind Breakfast with Barry Lee. With over four decades on the airwaves, Barry has made it his mission to start each day with a laugh and a kind word, offering listeners daily doses of light, levity, and love. We talk about the power of small mome...

What happens when someone without Lyme decides to become one of its loudest advocates? In this powerful episode, Sierra sits down with Fred Diamond—sales leader, podcast host, and author of Love, Hope, Lyme —to talk about what he’s learned from interviewing countless individuals impacted by chronic Lyme disease. Together, they explore what it means to lead, support, and speak up when the world doe...

We often chase new knowledge when real growth lies in returning to the wisdom we’ve already heard—but are now finally ready to act on. In this episode, Sierra unpacks how revisiting familiar content through a new lens can unlock fresh insight and renewed motivation. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or lifelong learner, this episode will challenge you to stop skipping the “already known”...

In this episode of Branching Out with Sierra , titled "The Discipline of Leadership: Lessons from Fitness & Business," Jess Gordon returns to share how discipline has been the cornerstone of her leadership journey. From leading at The Winchester Group (TWG), an insurance agency, to running her own business, Jess opens up about the challenges and rewards of staying disciplined when mo...

In this powerful episode of Branching Out with Sierra , we sit down with Kelly Bober, Executive Director of the ChildSafe Center-CAC, to explore the critical intersection of leadership and service in the field of child advocacy. With over 26 years of experience and more than 3,000 forensic interviews conducted, Kelly brings unmatched insight into the real impact of abuse on children and the import...

How can you take control of your finances and stop feeling like you’re just getting by? In this episode of Branching Out with Sierra , we sit down with Bev Stitely, EA PFP, EA - Enrolled Agent, PFP - Profit First Professional , tax expert and financial strategist, to dive into the Profit First model—a game-changing approach that ensures you’re paying yourself, managing expenses wisely, and setting...

Leadership isn’t just about guiding others—it starts with leading yourself. In this episode, we sit down with Michael Savino, a cancer survivor, small business owner, and adventurer who turned a lifelong dream into reality by trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp. Through grueling conditions, altitude sickness, and unexpected setbacks, Michael embraced the "one step at a time" mentality, a...

What if the key to success isn’t just what you know—but who you know? In this episode of Branching Out with Sierra , we take a deep dive into the power of networking and relationship-building—not just for business owners, but for anyone looking to grow, lead, and create opportunities. Sierra sat down with her podcast producer, who she introduced to networking years ago when he was running a comple...

What can a 5-year-old teach us about leadership? A lot more than you might expect! In this special episode of Branching Out with Sierra , Sierra sits down with a Kindergartener to explore leadership through the eyes of a child. We talk about kindness, teamwork, problem-solving, and leading by example—all in a way that’s fun, simple, and full of wisdom. From sharing stories about helping friends to...

Many leaders meticulously manage their business, finances, and team performance, but what about their own health? In this solo episode of Branching Out with Sierra, Colleen Shendow, PA-C, MSPAS joins the conversation to discuss why leaders must start treating their health as a business priority—because energy, mental clarity, and resilience are key to long-term success. Colleen shares insights on...

In this solo episode, Sierra explores the profound impact of environment on leadership growth, drawing from John Maxwell’s Law of Environment. She breaks down the concept of a leadership ecosystem, explaining how surroundings, relationships, and daily habits can either fuel success or hinder progress. Sierra guides listeners through a self-audit to assess whether their current environment is suppo...

When we think about leadership, words like strategy, vision, and execution come to mind. But what about love? Love isn’t a word we often associate with the workplace, yet it may be the missing piece in building stronger teams, increasing engagement, and creating a culture where people truly thrive. In this special Valentine’s Day episode of Branching Out with Sierra, we’re diving into what it real...

Success isn’t about how fast you get there—it’s about staying in the race. In this episode of Branching Out with Sierra , Bryan Lewis joins us to explore the parallels between leadership and a marathon, where endurance, adaptability, and mental well-being matter more than speed. With multiple businesses, leadership roles, and ongoing education, Bryan has mastered the art of balancing ambition with...

In today’s episode of Branching Out with Sierra, we’re diving into the ever-evolving digital landscape with Michael Savino, CEO & Founder of Nexus Box. Together, we explore how businesses, leaders, and entrepreneurs can leverage web development, SEO, and emerging technologies like AI to expand their influence and amplify their impact in an increasingly competitive digital world. Michael shares...

In this episode of Branching Out with Sierra, we sit down with Dawn Shuler, CEO of The Shuler Group, to explore “The Heartbeat of Business: How Culture Drives Success.” Dawn shares her two decades of experience transforming organizations through communication, collaboration, and culture. We dive into what company culture truly means, why it’s vital to success, and how focusing on your people can c...

In this episode of Branching Out with Sierra , we dive into the transformative power of John Maxwell’s Law of Trade-Offs and how letting go of control can elevate your leadership. Sierra shares a personal story about a surprise trip that challenged her need to know every detail, along with the sacrifices she made when giving up a steady paycheck and health insurance to start her business. Explore...

Growth doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intention, focus, and effort. In this episode, Sierra dives into The Law of Intentionality and explores how leaders can break free from the drift of daily routines to create meaningful growth in their personal and professional lives. Drawing from John Maxwell’s powerful insights, Sierra unpacks the eight growth gaps that often hold us back—like the Ass...