Charging Up Leadership (w/ Heidi Frye)

What does it really take to lead as a woman in local government? Especially when the path wasn’t built with you in mind. In this episode, I sit down with Karen Daly—retired city manager, former Executive Director of the Texas Women’s Leadership Institute, and recipient of the ICMA Distinguished Service Award—for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and the realities women face in pu...

What does it really take to lead as a woman in local government? Especially when the path wasn’t built with you in mind. In this episode, I sit down with Karen Daly—retired city manager, former Executive Director of the Texas Women’s Leadership Institute, and recipient of the ICMA Distinguished Service Award—for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and the realities women face in pu...

In this deeply personal episode of  Charging Up Leadership , I sit down with Brother Antony Julius Milton, a Capuchin priest whose path has taken him from life in Tamil Nadu, India, to a life as a Capuchin Brother, including a leadership role rooted in spirituality, humility, and authenticity. We explore the heart of  Synodal Leadership , and its commonalities (and differences) with Servant Leader...

In this deeply personal episode of  Charging Up Leadership , I sit down with Brother Antony Julius Milton, a Capuchin priest whose path has taken him from life in Tamil Nadu, India, to a life as a Capuchin Brother, including a leadership role rooted in spirituality, humility, and authenticity. We explore the heart of  Synodal Leadership , and its commonalities (and differences) with Servant Leader...

Why aren’t more women holding the top leadership role in local government? In this episode, I sit down with Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League, to talk about his  bold idea —the  16/50 Project —created to shift the statistics and change the trajectory for women in municipal leadership. We explore what it really takes to become a City Manager, the mindset req...

What if the key to energized, authentic leadership isn’t found in a boardroom — but in a sound bath? In this episode of Charging Up Leadership , we explore the power of vibration with Geoff Lamden — a musician turned sound healer turned entrepreneur behind Sacred Springs, the makers of sound-infused kombucha. Geoff’s path is anything but traditional, but his insight into presence, resonance, and r...

🎧  New Episode: Mariah Walton - "Her Ceiling is Now Her Floor" Join us for an inspiring conversation with  Mariah Walton , City Manager of East Pointe, as she shares her leadership journey, transformation, the power of mentorship, the need for validation, and how she overcame internal biases to step into her full potential. We dive into career transitions, women in leadership, and what it takes t...

In this episode, I sit down with the very real Tim Volkema, President of Schuil Coffee, Sparrows Coffee, and Joven Group, for a candid conversation on the powerful impact of authentic leadership. Tim shares insights from his diverse career, spanning both corporate and entrepreneurial experiences, where he has led with integrity, built strong relationships, and cultivated a company culture rooted i...

In this podcast episode, John E. Abele, co-founder of Boston Scientific Corporation shares his vision and journey for transforming surgical procedures, and his philosophy on innovation, collaboration, leadership, and business. Takeaways from the insightful conversation: Vision for Less Invasive Surgery - Abele's mission was about reducing Time, Cost, and Trauma for patients and the healthcare...

In this compelling podcast interview, Michael P. Phalen, the retired President of MedSurg at Boston Scientific Corporation (BSC), provides an in-depth look into the company's unique culture, innovative spirit, and core values that drove its success in the early days—taking it from a small private medical-device start-up to the public medical-device giant it is today. This conversation was reco...

--Decoding Glyphosate, GMO's, and the Impact on Metabolic Health Dr. Stephanie Seneff speaks out! She is (as always) authentically herself--passionate and compassionate--discussing the harmful effects of toxic chemicals. As a leader in her field (M.I.T. grad), she is doing her part to make this world (and the people on it!) a safer, healthier place. She shares her incredible mind and perspecti...

A.I.101: Intro to Artificial Intelligence Join in on this enlightening conversation about the world of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) with distinguished guests  Julie Parks ,  Dean & Executive Director Workforce Training & Tassell M-Tec, GRCC , and  Kristi Haik, Ph. D .,  Dean of S.T.E.M. at GRCC . In this insightful conversation, these two accomplished leaders share their expertise and pe...

Lisa Nichols  is a business coach for women entrepreneurs, helping them go from feeling stuck and frustrated to  crushing it . Using a mix of coaching and EFT tapping, she helps them break up with procrastination, perfectionism, and playing small, giving them the key to turning their businesses into delightful success stories. (Check out other  ⁠resources⁠ !) In this episode with Lisa Nichols : In...

Surgeon, Athlete, Speaker, Humanitarian, and Podcaster Dr. Anthony Chaffee, MD uses hard facts and a science-based approach to “optimize performance and health” through nutrition and diet as the Plant-free MD . In this episode with Dr. Chaffee, we explore: Key moments that caused him rethink his lifestyle - twice. A species-specific diet that optimizes health and performance Feeling like a Super H...

Ep.16: Join in for a rich and powerful discussion with Dr. Carlos Manzano, PhD., Deputy Executive Director of Communications & Public Engagement for the NYC Commission on Gender Equity—that moves Heidi to tears at one point—on a number of important topics including: *CORRECTION: Heidi cited an incorrect statistic, stating "New York City has a population of 20 million". New York City...

Everyone wants to be happy at work , and in this episode, sociologist, Dr. Tracy Brower shares her research, stories, experience, and advice on how to make that happen! Join in for this deep and meaningful conversation with Tracy: What is sociology? Work-life Balance The research on the power of purpose Bottom-line impact of "happiness at work" How managers impact employee attitude, happ...

In this 10 minute episode, Heidi discusses: The importance of BE-ing vs. Doing, BE-ing while in Lake Placid, NY, How audience members responded, and Techniques & prompts to BE

If you are experiencing awkwardness in your conversations/relationships, understanding this communication style might be the cause for the misalignment! Maybe one person speaks very quickly, cutting off the other person with constant interruptions, while the other person speaks slowly and deliberately, exhibiting (what seems to be) low energy or lack of interest? Learn to appreciate one another, s...

This rich and informative conversation is all about leadership, from a neuroscience perspective. Eric and Heidi discuss topics that ultimately help leaders be the best version of themselves. Growth as leaders, how (and why) you need to work on your mindset, clean up old HABITS, stay open, and clear new (neuro) pathways. The neuroscience of TRUST - the importance of this important quality and how t...

Heidi and Eric attempt to tackle a number of weighty topics, and land on "Emotional Intelligence" for Part 1. Eric shares organizational side effects (and costs) when leaders are not emotionally intelligent He also gives great tips for working on your EI/EQ - it is never too late! Heidi & Eric lean into personality and values-bases assessments Eric provides a few memorable key phrase...

Leaders (and non leaders) get triggered...all day long! And sometimes, are not able to keep it together. Which often results in losing it -- irritation, lashing out, sarcasm, fury, making out-of-alignment decisions, and "adult temper tantrums". Not cool. Use this very quick and simple breathing technique to keep your cool without anyone noticing! Before things get out of hand. Even Chris...

In this short episode, Heidi shares her Mountain Metaphor Leadership Lessons (reminders) while on a recent climbing trip.

In this episode we continue the conversation from last week, discussing the emotions that arose from wearing the crown, and the mask of Miss Michigan continues. Emily bravely and vulnerably discusses the little known emotional baggage she had to work through. Key points in this episode: "The Miss Michigan mask" Social media's impact on our mental state Doing vs. being "Doing you...

Municipal Empowerment Program Powerhouse & Former Miss Michigan, Emily Kieliszewski, talks about her front row seat viewing and experiencing the spectrum of "empowerment". In this episode, we explore both the empowerment program Emily manages, as well as her life in the spotlight. She talks candidly and vulnerably about her experience, giving us a behind-the-scenes view, and what it...

Therese is an executive business coach who specializes in coaching execs with addiction. In this episode, Therese brings to light: The profile, population, and statistics of execs dealing with addiction How the behaviors are the outward problem The similarities with traditional (non-addictive) coaching The #1 reason behind addiction (from her perspective) Therese Marie Smith is an executive coach...