Leadership Unscripted

Burnout is one of those topics that never stops being relevant—and in this episode of Leadership Unscripted , we dig into what it really is and what leaders can actually do about it. Host Ashley Vest is joined by Dr. Alicia King Anderson, author of the recently published book Burnout Recovery , for an honest conversation about how burnout shows up, why it's so often missed, and how leaders can pro...

Accountability conversations are some of the most important—and most avoided—moments in leadership.   In this episode of Leadership Unscripted, host Ashley Vest sits down with Justin Hale, Master Trainer with Crucial Learning and co-author of the latest edition of Crucial Accountability , to unpack why leaders so often stay silent when performance gaps appear—and what it really takes to address th...

In this month's episode of Leadership Unscripted, host Ashley Vest sits down with Meagan Starks, Director of Local Programs at the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, for a powerful and practical conversation on  inclusion, belonging, and the everyday choices that shape team culture .   Meagan breaks down the true meaning of diversity, inclusion, and belonging, highlighting how belonging is...

In this episode of Leadership Unscripted, host Ashley Vest talks with CEO of DX Learning and author of CARE to Win , Alex Draper , about his C.A.R.E. framework—Clarity, Autonomy, Relationships, and Equity—and how these elements work together to create psychological safety and high‑performing teams. Alex shares the personal inspiration behind the book, the dangers of ambiguity, and why leaders must...

In this episode, Ashley sits down with Michelle Baker, Chief People Officer at FORUM Credit Union, for a powerful conversation on leading through change and uncertainty. Michelle shares real-world insights on staying grounded, building trust with your team, and moving forward with confidence—even when the road ahead isn't fully clear. Be sure to check out Michelle Baker's podcast,  Career Dreams ,...

In this episode of Leadership Unscripted , host Ashley Vest sits down with Doug Hensch, CEO of DRH Group and an experienced executive coach, to explore the transformative power of language in leadership. Together, they unpack practical strategies for creating psychological safety, fostering innovation, and empowering teams through intent-based leadership—a concept inspired by David Marquet's Leade...