Lead with Levity

Send us a text Ever feel like you're doing everything right at work but still not getting the recognition, resources, or results you deserve? You’re not alone—and you’re not crazy. In this powerful kickoff to a 4-part series, Dr. Heather Walker breaks down the 5 types of people every professional needs in their corner to grow, thrive, and finally stop operating in isolation. You’ll also hear...

Send us a text What if the biggest barrier to inclusion isn’t policy—but pride? In this episode, Justin Jones-Fosu , CEO of Work Meaningful and author of “I Respectfully Disagree,” joins me for a brutally honest, career-shifting conversation on what it really takes to lead inclusively. We go beyond the checkboxes and get into the messy middle—where unconscious bias meets real-time growth. Justin o...

Send us a text Ever find yourself buried in work that technically isn’t even your job anymore? You know you should delegate, but somehow, it feels easier (or safer) to just do it yourself . Sound familiar? In this episode, we’re flipping the script on delegation. Because real leadership isn’t about doing everything —it’s about making sure everything gets done . We’ll cover:  ✔ Why delegation feels...

Send us a text What if the thing that brings you joy… is the thing you’re most afraid to try? In this special International Humor Month episode of the Lead with Levity Podcast, Dr. Heather Walker sits down with UK-based comedian Stea to talk about the courage it takes to chase joy—even when the odds (and audience) feel stacked against you. What’s in this episode: How Stea overcame self-doubt to st...

Send us a text If you've ever played it safe during a job offer—or stayed silent when you knew you deserved more—this episode is your wake-up call. Dr. Heather Walker sits down with salary negotiation expert John Gates, founder of Salary Coach, to reveal the insider strategies companies use to save money... at your expense. With decades of recruiting experience and over 75,000 job offers unde...

Send us a text What makes a high-performance team actually work? In this episode, Dr. Walker sits down with INSEAD professor and leadership expert Henrik Bresman, co-author of X-Teams and co-founder of xLEAD. Henrik shares what elite organizations like Microsoft and the Museum of Modern Art are doing differently—and how you can apply those lessons right now. Dr. Walker and Henrik talk about leadin...

Send us a text Greg did everything right—or so he thought. After serving his country with honor, he returned home, took an entry-level job, and spent five years quietly showing up, working hard, and checking all the boxes. But no one was checking for him. If you’ve ever felt invisible at work—like your talent is being overlooked and your potential is stuck in neutral—this episode is for you. In th...

Send us a text In the latest episode of the Lead with Levity podcast, Dr. Heather Walker sits down with Dr. Jenny Powers, a chemical engineer turned author, to discuss the pressures of high achievement and how to find true balance in life. The Myth of Having It All Dr. Powers shares her deeply personal journey of chasing success—first as an athlete, then as a scholar—only to realize that relentles...

Send us a text Meetings can be a productivity killer when poorly managed. Many professionals, like Jordan, find themselves stuck in unnecessary, unproductive discussions that drain time and energy. Common meeting mistakes include domination by one speaker, lack of real collaboration, going off-topic, constant postponements, micromanagement, and meetings that should’ve been emails. To fix this, lea...

Send us a text In the latest episode of the Lead with Levity podcast, Dr. Heather Walker sits down with Eric Malka, the visionary co-founder of The Art of Shaving, to explore his remarkable path from humble beginnings to building a multimillion-dollar brand. The Art of Starting Small Eric’s journey began in a small kitchen, where he and his wife crafted high-quality shaving products with a simple...

Send us a text Let’s be real—the world feels like a lot right now. Between global crises, political tension, and personal stress, it’s hard enough to stay focused, let alone lead a team. If you’re feeling the weight of it all, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re tackling one of the toughest questions leaders are facing: How do you show up for your team when you barely feel grounded yourself? ...

Send us a text  "I didn't get the promotion. What gives?” Amanda did everything right—at least, that’s what she thought. She worked hard, followed the advice she was given, and waited for her moment… but when promotion time came around, she was passed over. Again. Sound familiar? If you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or frustrated because your hard work isn’t translating into career gro...

Send us a text Do you feel safe enough to play at work? What if the secret to better leadership, breakthrough ideas, and stress-free decision-making was as simple as playing? In this episode of Lead with Levity, Dr. Heather Walker sits down with high-performance coach Tracy Clark to explore how intense curiosity, radical open-mindedness, and proactive experimentation can shift leaders out of stres...

Send us a text In this episode of the Lead with Levity podcast, we dive into the tricky dynamic between Scott, a hands-off manager, and Nora, a high-performing but overzealous team member.  When ambition meets unclear direction, things can get messy! Who’s Really to Blame? Whether you're a manager like Scott or a driven performer like Nora, learn how to align your goals, manage your energy, a...

Send us a text In this episode, we get into what can happen when you step into a high-stakes leadership role that you’re qualified for but aren’t given the right support to succeed in.  I’ll show you a simple strategy to map your boundaries so you can build the right connections and set yourself up for success.  Whether you’re feeling like a fraud or just looking for ways to thrive in your new rol...

Send us a text Do you trust people upfront—or do they have to earn it first? And what does that say about you as a leader? In this episode of Lead with Levity, I sit down with Charles Feltman, executive coach and bestselling author of The Thin Book of Trust, to break down what trust really is (hint: it’s not just reliability). We tackle the trust spectrum—why some people extend trust automatically...

Send us a text Avoiding tough conversations might feel safe, but it’s costing you and your team more than you realize.  In this episode, we dive into why unresolved conflicts grow into bigger problems, how avoiding them damages trust, and the hidden toll it takes on your confidence and leadership. Learn simple steps to stop avoiding difficult conversations, rebuild trust, and create the clarity yo...

Send us a text In the inaugural conversation of 2025 for the Lead with Levity podcast, hosted by Dr. Heather Walker, Therman Trotman, CEO, and lead trainer of the SharePoint Help Desk, shared his journey of finding purpose through positivity and passion. In this enlightening discussion, Therman reveals how his life experiences have shaped his mentality and led him to thrive in his own business. Th...

Send us a text As we find ourselves at the cusp of a new year, it's hard to believe how quickly 2024 has come to an end. Whether you're wrapping up gifts or just seeking a moment of peace during this hectic holiday season, I'm truly grateful that you're here with me today. Thank you for being a part of this journey. A Year of Intention and Growth Back in October 2023, I conceiv...

Send us a text Welcome to the Lead with Levity podcast, where we explore the complex world of leadership and the nuances that come with it. Hosted by Dr. Heather Walker, today’s episode delves into the delicate balance many leaders strive to maintain—particularly in the face of burnout and overwhelming expectations. Joining Dr. Walker in this discussion is Dr. Mira Brancu, a clinical psychologist...

Send us a text In today's rapidly evolving workforce landscape, understanding the unique needs and perspectives of Generation Z is crucial for fostering a harmonious and productive work environment. In a recent episode of the Lead with Levity podcast, hosted by Dr. Heather Walker, Hannah Dannecker, a Gen Z advocate and founder of the Better Together Group, shared her insights on connecting wi...

Send us a text In a world where the only constant is change, navigating personal and organizational transformation is a skill that requires resilience and adaptability. This theme resonated throughout an insightful conversation between Dr. Heather Walker and Malti Bhojwani on the "Lead with Levity" podcast. Their dialogue highlighted the challenges and triumphs of embracing change, and h...

Send us a text Welcome to the world of leadership and career exploration as we embark on a journey with Dr. Heather Walker and her remarkable guest, Alisha Fernandez Miranda. In this episode of the Lead with Levity podcast, Heather introduces us to Alisha, an author, entrepreneur, and former CEO who dared to ask, "What if?" The inspiring conversation takes us beyond conventional career p...

Send us a text In the latest episode of the Lead with Levity podcast, hosted by Dr. Heather Walker, listeners are invited to delve deep into the struggles and triumphs that often remain hidden in both political and professional arenas. This engaging conversation features Dr. Wendy Davis, a former candidate for the Utah House of Representatives, author of "The Fight You Don't See," a...

Send us a text Welcome to a deep dive into the transformative power of humor in the workplace, as explored in the insightful discussion between Dr. Heather Walker, host of the "Lead with Levity" podcast, and Dr. Mike Cundall, a university professor, researcher, author, speaker, and humor philosopher. In this engaging conversation, Dr. Cundall shares his expertise on how humor can be stra...