Leading With Heart

You don’t have to have all the answers to be a powerful leader, but you do need to create space for better answers to emerge. In this inspiring continuation of our conversation, Brooke Brzozowske and I go deeper into the internal experience of leadership, the fear of not knowing, the pressure to perform, and the courage it takes to stay grounded in presence rather than perfection. Brooke shares ho...

What if the most effective leadership isn’t about always having the answers… but about being bold enough to create space for the real problems to surface? In part 1 of this 2 part powerful conversation, I sit down with leadership communication coach Brooke Brzozowske, founder of Up Until Now Coaching and a seasoned federal leader with decades of experience navigating complex organizational change....

Getting organized isn't just about being efficient, it's one of the most powerful self-care and leadership moves you can make. In this conversation, leadership expert and founder of This Little Consulting Firm, Kelsey Sumner, shares how reclaiming control over your time, energy, and chaos can completely change the way you lead and live. After facing burnout during her time on active duty...

Have you ever felt like you’re doing all the “right” things eating well, sleeping, exercising and still running on empty? You're not broken. You're likely just overlooking the hidden energy leaks that most of us never learned how to manage. In part 3 of this powerful 4-part series on energy management, I’m taking us beyond the physical and diving deep into the emotional and mental realms...

Welcome back to Leading With Heart! In Part 2 of our 4-part mini-series on energy management, we're diving into one of the most essential, and often overlooked  pieces of the puzzle: your physical energy. In this episode, I’m walking you through the practical shifts that can help you build, manage, and protect your physical energy,  so you can operate in your performance zone more often, and...

In this episode of Leading With Heart, I’m sitting down with Isabel Churchill, a military spouse, former senior project manager, and now a master Reiki teacher and global mentor with over 3,000 active students. Her journey from clinical psychotherapy and government leadership in Canada to running her own holistic healing business is full of insight, wisdom, and radical transformation. We’re chatti...

In the high-demand, always-on lifestyle of the military, burnout can feel inevitable. But what if there was another way to approach it? In this first episode of a powerful 4-part mini series, I’m talking about energy management, a smarter, more sustainable way to navigate stress, prevent burnout, and take better care of your mental and physical well-being. Drawing from my recent experience speakin...

What happens when you find something you love, something that lights you up, and you decide to build it into something bigger, something meaningful? Whether you're active duty, a veteran, or figuring out life beyond service, passion projects can be a powerful way to create impact, fulfillment, and opportunity. In this episode, I'm sitting down with Jason Anderson, our first ever male gue...

In today’s world, where multitasking, screen overload, and chaos seem to be the norm, how do we find a sense of calm? In Episode 62 of Leading with Heart, I kick off a powerful new series dedicated to helping you regulate your emotions in a fast-paced, overstimulated world. This episode is all about finding peace when life feels overwhelming. Whether you’re managing work stress, juggling family re...

What if your story could change lives? In episode 61 of Leading with Heart , I’m joined by Sarah Doran—Army aviation veteran, military spouse, and author—whose mission is to authentically represent military families through powerful storytelling. Sarah shares how her journey as a military child, veteran, and mother inspired her to write children’s books that not only entertain but also foster unde...

As we step into a new year, it’s tempting to dive headfirst into resolutions, to-do lists, and ambitious goals. But what if there’s a better way to create lasting change—one that starts from the inside out?   In this mini-episode of the podcast I’m challenging the traditional “task-based” approach to goals and invite you to explore a powerful mindset shift: Instead of asking “what must I do to be...

What if the greatest strength you could show wasn’t pushing through the pain, but learning to pause, slow down, and seek support?  In this impactful episode of “Leading with Heart”, I sit down with entrepreneur, Army Reserve officer, yoga teacher, and mother of four, Roshonda Thomas. She’s a living testament that “doing it all” doesn’t have to mean running on empty. Instead, it can mean caring for...

What if the key to staying motivated wasn’t pushing yourself harder, but treating yourself kinder? In this mini episode of Leading with Heart, we flip the script on traditional “tough love” approaches and explore the transformative power of self-compassion. Inspired by Dr. Kristin Neff’s groundbreaking work, we’ll look at why gentler, more supportive inner dialogue can actually help you reach your...

Let’s have a tough conversation about grief. Grief is one of the most difficult and vulnerable experience we will ever have. Navigating your own or the grief of others can be incredibly difficult, so it’s important to TALK ABOUT IT. This week’s guest, Christina Stiverson is talking with me about how showing your human side can inspire empathy and connectedness in your team. From Christina's p...

Wondering why high-achieving women seem especially susceptible to burnout? You're in the right place. In the latest episode of Leading With Heart, we are wrapping up the insightful conversation with the remarkable Winnie Odiambo. We are talking about the complexities of burnout among high-achieving women and explore Winnie's holistic approach to healing through her expertly crafted seven...

Feeling burnt out? You're not alone. In today's episode, we're talking about burnout, especially for high-achieving women juggling the demands of military life. Join us for part one of an eye-opening two-part interview with Winnie Odhiambo, the founder of Vitalized Wellbeing. Winnie's unique blend of functional medicine and holistic health practices offers a fresh perspective o...

Struggling with avoiding your feelings? Today, I’m talking about a topic that we've all grappled with: emotions and their avoidance as a coping mechanism. In this compact, bite-sized episode, we’ll explore how suppressing emotions can lead to unhealthy and unproductive behaviors, and why facing your feelings head-on is crucial for both mental and physical health. I emphasize the significance...

Ready to redefine leadership? In this heartfelt episode of the Leading with Heart Podcast, we dive deep with Navy Chief Petty Officer Candy Franklin, a seasoned Navy leader whose story is nothing short of inspirational. Candy's leadership philosophy, centered around CARE—Communication, Accountability, Respect, and Empathy—breaks the mold of traditional military hierarchy and brings a refreshi...

It’s ok to not be ok. Join us as Alison Calfee, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran shares her compelling story of overcoming severe mental health struggles and the pivotal moments that led her to embrace self-care over societal expectations. We'll unpack the challenges she faced, from confronting suicidal ideations to discovering the healing power of therapy and community support through trauma...

Want to become the best leader you can be? Today, we're diving deep into the world of self-care with the inspirational Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Pelkowski. As a dedicated squadron commander at Hurlburt Field and a seasoned Air Force officer, Amanda knows firsthand the pressures of leadership. From juggling high-stakes responsibilities to maintaining work-life balance, she’s here to share her...

Setting boundaries can be challenging, especially in high-pressure environments like the military. In this powerful episode, Lt Col Danele Richardson shares her personal journey of overcoming fears, navigating grief, and learning to prioritize her well-being. Through her experiences, she discovered the importance of understanding the deeper motivations behind our actions and the transformative pow...

Setting boundaries might be the most powerful act of self-care you can do for yourself. In this episode of Leading with Heart Podcast, I am breaking down the essential practice of setting boundaries to manage your workload effectively, ensuring you protect your evenings and weekends. Listen in as I share actionable examples like checking emails only twice a day and scheduling meetings versus allow...

Ready to transform your relationship with food and embrace a healthier, empowered you? In today's episode of the Leading with Heart Podcast, I sit down with the inspiring Laura Carpenter, a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in disordered eating, eating disorders, and women's health conditions such as PCOS and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Listen in as Laura shares her per...

Listen in for a motivational journey about everyday courageous leadership! In this episode of "Leading with Heart," I am joined again on the podcast (check out episode 38) with the amazing DeDe Halfhill, a retired United States Air Force colonel whose wisdom and empathy will light up your leadership toolkit. Today, we are talking about how shifting conversations from "who's tir...

What happens when a community of strong and resilient women explore vulnerability and courageous leadership? In this episode of the Leading with Heart Podcast, I am talking about the enlightening insights from my book club focused on Brene Brown's powerful book, "Dare to Lead." I talk about themes for the book and our takeaways of embracing vulnerability, building trust, and cultiva...