Leadership on the Rocks

In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks, Bethany Rees sits down with Mark Rowan, founder of Sheep Feast, to discuss what it means to disciple your business and lead with faith, surrender, and stewardship. Together, they explore: • Why leadership starts with surrendering control to God • How discipleship applies to business leadership • The connection between faith and operational systems • Comm...

What happens when leaders stop trying to have all the answers and start asking better questions? In this episode, Bethany Rees talks with leadership strategist and curiosity expert Dr. Debra Clary about how curiosity drives innovation, improves team culture, strengthens decision-making, and helps leaders create psychologically safe workplaces. You’ll learn: ✔ Why curiosity is a measurable leadersh...

In this episode, Bethany sits down with culture expert Greg Hawks to unpack what it really takes to build an ownership culture that fuels engagement, accountability, and results. Greg breaks down why most workplace cultures drift into dysfunction (hint: it’s not intentional) and how leaders can shift from overwhelmed managers to culture shapers. From the three workplace mindsets—owners, renters, a...

Leadership doesn’t always feel polished and put together… sometimes it feels like a tangled mess behind the scenes. In this episode, Bethany sits down with Tina Eliana to unpack a powerful visual: leadership is like needlework—beautiful on the front, but messy on the back. The question is… how do you keep moving forward when you’re stuck in the tangle? Tina shares practical and faith-rooted wisdom...

In this episode, Bethany sits down with author and leadership coach Scott Millson to explore what it means to “tune in” to excellence in everyday leadership. Using the powerful metaphor of frequency, Scott shares how leaders often miss the most impactful lessons—not because they aren’t there, but because they aren’t paying attention. From his B5 Framework to stories from the Navy and executive lea...

In this episode, Bethany sits down with Dr. Valerie Arechiga to unpack what it really means to lead with authenticity—and why culture isn’t built by policies, but by people. Drawing from her journey in education and her doctoral research, Valerie shares how leaders can create environments where every voice is valued, perspectives are honored, and connection drives performance. From the power of co...

In today’s episode, Bethany sits down with Hema Gupta, a leader working at the intersection of clean energy, strategy, and people, to unpack what it really looks like to lead when things are complex, fast-moving, and… let’s be honest… a little messy. Hema shares how leaders can move from overwhelm to clarity, why courage is a daily leadership decision (not a personality trait), and how elevating o...

What if the key to strong leadership isn’t leading harder—but following better? In this episode, Bethany sits down with theologian, engineer, and business coach David Schmidt to explore how a leader’s worldview shapes everything from decisions to definition of success. David shares why Christian leaders must build their leadership on a foundation of following God first—and how daily time in Script...

Real collaboration isn’t about being nice. It’s about building the structures that allow teams to think, challenge, and solve problems together. In this episode, Kurtis Hewson shares how leaders can move from surface-level cooperation to true collaboration by setting clear purpose, norms, and roles. You’ll learn why the room is smarter than any one person in it—and how to unlock that collective po...

In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks , Bethany Rees sits down with Brandi Kelly to talk about something leadership circles rarely prioritize—but desperately need: hope . Brandi shares her powerful personal story and introduces her HOPE Framework , a practical system leaders can use to build resilience, restore joy, and help people feel truly seen, heard, and valued. In this episode, you’ll l...

Burned out. Disengaged. Constantly chasing the next “urgent” thing? In this episode, Michelle Sloan explains why purpose is the anchor every leader needs — and what chaos, turnover, and culture drift look like when we lose it. You’ll learn: Why purpose drives decision-making How to stop chasing every shiny new trend A simple way to realign when your leadership has drifted Key takeaway: You have a...

Listening is one of the most overlooked skills in leadership—but it might also be the most powerful. In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks , Bethany Rees sits down with Stanford Slovin, author of Better Listening : The Secret to Improving Your Professional and Personal Life, to talk about how active listening builds trust, deepens relationships, and leads to wiser decision-making. Stan shares...

What if the key to steady leadership in a chaotic world is staying rooted in who you are—and whose you are? In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks , Bethany Rees sits down with Liz Cobo for a powerful conversation about grounding both life and leadership in faith. Together, they explore what it looks like to build on the unshakable foundation of Jesus and to live as the same person at work, at...

Season 4 was packed with powerful insights, practical tools, and the kind of leadership truth bombs that hit you right in the purpose. In this finale, Bethany recaps the standout moments—from communication breakthroughs to culture shifts to the four-part Leadership Survival Kit from her book. If you need a quick dose of clarity, courage, and encouragement, this highlight reel will refuel your lead...

What does it take to break barriers in industries that never expected you to rise? In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks, Bethany Rees sits down with Gladys DeClouet—trailblazing executive and author of A Layered Life . Gladys shares her raw and powerful story of becoming the first female engineer in offshore oil, leading multibillion-dollar businesses, and navigating the hidden “invisible ta...

Are you still trying to shatter the glass ceiling—or is it time to look in the mirror instead? Dr. Sheila shares how her groundbreaking “Mirror Effect” helps leaders—especially women and underrepresented professionals—reclaim their power by seeing themselves and their environments clearly. This episode unpacks: 💬 Why self-awareness, not perfection, is the true mark of leadership 💡 How to recogni...

What can 401 business leaders teach us about leadership? A lot. In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks , Bethany Rees sits down with Shawn Richards —business executive, podcast host, and author of the best-selling book Rapid Fire Leadership . Shawn shares insights gathered from over 400 interviews with leaders across 17 countries and explains how a strengths-based approach helps emerging leade...

Busyness is not the same as progress. In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks, Bethany Rees talks with Louisa Loran—global executive advisor, board strategist, and author of Leadership Anatomy in Motion. Louisa shares why leaders must pause, question assumptions, and focus on alignment to thrive in today’s uncertain world. She unpacks four core leadership behaviors—Envisioning, Expanding, Steer...

The hardest part of leadership isn’t strategy or spreadsheets—it’s the unspoken dynamics that quietly shape trust, decisions, and performance. In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks, Bethany Rees talks with René Sonneveld—former Fortune 500 CEO, leadership coach, and author of The Elephant in the Family Room. René shares why awareness of self, others, and the systems we’re part of is the true...

Today Bethany dives into how she is personally learning to lead through the chaos that is today’s world.    👉 Want more tools to thrive in leadership? Order my new book Leadership on the Rocks: How to Survive, Adapt, and Succeed in the Wilderness of Leadership at www.leadershipontherocks.com or on Amazon .   CONTACT US:  Visit our website at  https://www.leadershiponthero...

What keeps teams stuck isn’t usually a lack of effort—it’s a lack of clarity. In this episode, I sit down with Casey Watts , Team Leadership Expert, founder of Casey Watts Coaching & Consulting , and author of The Craft of Clarity . Casey shares how leaders can gain clarity for themselves and create it for their people—so teams don’t just survive but thrive. We unpack her Clarity Cycle Framewo...

Resistance isn’t the enemy—it’s feedback. In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks , Bethany Rees is joined by Becca Silver, founder of The Whole Educator . Together, they unpack how leaders can reframe pushback, strengthen relationships, and turn conflict into growth. 💡 Key insight: Resistance isn’t about attitude—it’s about unmet needs. When leaders learn to recognize these signals, they can...

In this episode, Bethany Rees sits down with award-winning author Amy Daughters to explore how intentional, handwritten communication can transform your leadership and deepen connection with your team. You’ll learn: Why personal notes build real trust How to reconnect in a disconnected world Simple ways to lead with empathy—one word at a time 💌 Want to grow as a leader who sees people and builds...

The book is here! Leadership on the Rocks is now LIVE on Amazon and Barnes & Noble! In this final launch episode, Bethany unpacks Part 5 of the book — the guts of leadership — where real courage, care, and intentionality take center stage. You’ll learn: 🛖 How to handle hard conversations with grace and grit 🧰 What stewardship really means (spoiler: clean the leadership corners) 📘 How to bui...

In this episode, Bethany walks through Part 4 of the book — The Hands of Leadership — where execution, systems, and service meet real-world action. You’ll learn: ✋ Why execution isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what matters 🪓 How to build visual, efficient systems that don’t live in your head 🔥 The 5 clear actions of quality service every leader should model 📘 Preorder the book and ge...