Psych Leadership - A division of Rise Up Academics

Send us Fan Mail You’ve rehearsed it in the shower. You’ve drafted the message and deleted it twice. And it’s still sitting there. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, host Luke UpChurch covers the full arc of difficult conversations — from the psychology of why we avoid them, to staying regulated when things get tense, to repairing the relationship when it does. Grounded in research o...

Send us Fan Mail The reason you’re not getting useful feedback isn’t that nobody has anything to say. It’s that you’re not asking in a way that makes honesty possible. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, host Luke UpChurch breaks down the psychology behind why most feedback requests fail — and how asking better questions changes everything about the quality of information you get back...

Send us Fan Mail You had the time blocked. Your calendar was clear. So why did you end up with almost nothing to show for it? In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, host Luke UpChurch makes the case that time is not your most important professional resource — energy is. Drawing on current research in organizational psychology, neuroscience, and burnout science, this episode breaks down t...

Send us Fan Mail If someone asked you ‘who are you?’ right now — without your job title, your company, or your industry — what would you say? In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, host Luke UpChurch tackles one of the most quietly damaging patterns he sees in early-career professionals: the fusion of identity with role. When your job title becomes your whole sense of self, every setback...

Send us Fan Mail You walked out of that meeting feeling good. So why did the feedback say otherwise? In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we tackle one of the most quietly career-limiting dynamics in early professional life: the gap between how you see yourself and how the room actually experiences you. Drawing on 28 years of working with emerging professionals, and grounded in the lat...

Send us Fan Mail You already know the answer. So why are you still waiting for someone to tell you it’s okay to move? In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, I will be breaking down the organizational psychology behind one of the most career-limiting patterns in early professional life: permission-seeking. It’s not a confidence problem. It’s a deeply wired psychological response… and once...

Send us Fan Mail What if setting limits at work wasn’t about protecting yourself, but about making yourself a better, more sustainable leader? In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we unpack the psychology behind why high-achieving, motivated professionals struggle to draw professional boundaries, and more importantly, how to rewire that pattern. I will break down the science of social...

Send us Fan Mail Titles are cheap, but influence is earned. In this episode, we break down the Psychology behind leading without authority, and why trust, reliability, and shared ownership drive real impact inside teams. Don't wait for the title or the money to fall into Place before you step into a leadership role within your team.  Przepiórka, A. (2025). The Resonant Organization: Informal...

Send us Fan Mail What drives high team performance in today’s workplace? In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the science of trust in teams and why trust is one of the most powerful predictors of creativity, innovation, autonomy, and sustainable organizational performance. Grounded in industrial and organizational psychology research, this conversation breaks down how high-t...

Send us Fan Mail Emotional Intelligence at Work goes beyond the buzzword to explore what EI actually looks like in real workplaces, especially for students, recent graduates, and those early in their careers. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we break down emotional intelligence through an industrial–organizational psychology lens, focusing on how emotions show up at work, how they...

Send us Fan Mail Comparison is everywhere…grades, internships, job offers, career milestones, and social media highlights. For students and early-career professionals, constant comparison can quietly erode self-esteem, motivation, and confidence. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the psychology of comparison, self-esteem, and identity development through the lens of Socia...

Send us Fan Mail The ability to listen well is one of the most underestimated leadership skills. In this episode of Psych Leadership, we explore why listening is so powerful in classrooms, workplaces, and early career settings. Drawing from industrial-organizational psychology and humanistic theory, this conversation breaks down how listening builds trust, strengthens relationships, and increases...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever feel confused or frustrated by decisions your boss makes? Or unsure how to communicate in a way that actually lands? In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we break down how to manage up, not by manipulating others, but by understanding the psychology behind leadership personalities. You’ll learn: How the Big Five personality traits show up in managers Practi...

Send us Fan Mail When life knocks you down… a bad grade, a failed interview, or a project that doesn’t go your way, it’s easy to question your path. But real growth doesn’t come from avoiding setbacks; it comes from learning how to rise after them. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore how Resilience Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you bounce back when...

Send us Fan Mail Finding your voice isn’t always easy, especially when you’re still figuring out who you are in school, at work, or early in your career. In this episode of The Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore how to speak up for yourself without feeling rude, awkward, or “too much.” Using insights from Assertiveness Theory, we’ll unpack the psychology behind confident communication, what it m...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you try, there’s just never enough time? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the psychology behind time management, procrastination, and focus—especially how executive function impacts your ability to plan, prioritize, and follow through. We’ll break down why traditional “work harder” advice doesn’t...

Send us Fan Mail Why do some career wins feel hollow while others light you up inside? The answer often comes down to values. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore how aligning your personal values with your work creates not just motivation, but meaning. We’ll revisit Self-Determination Theory with a fresh lens—showing how autonomy, competence, and relatedness only truly driv...

Send us Fan Mail No one likes hearing tough feedback—but what if those hard conversations are exactly what you need to grow? In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we dive into how to hear hard things without fear by applying Growth Mindset and Feedback Intervention Theory. You’ll learn why feedback often feels like a threat, how to reframe it as an opportunity, and practical strategies...

Send us Fan Mail Stress is part of life—but burnout doesn’t have to be. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore how Cognitive Appraisal Theory can help you shift the way you think about stress. Instead of letting challenges drain you, you’ll learn how to reframe situations, strengthen your mindset, and turn stress into a tool for growth. Whether you’re a student, professional,...

Send us Fan Mail Networking doesn’t have to feel awkward, forced, or fake. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the psychology behind authentic relationship building through the lens of Social Capital Theory. You’ll learn why genuine connections matter more than surface-level interactions, how trust and reciprocity fuel opportunity, and practical strategies for creating a ne...

Send us Fan Mail Struggling to make new habits stick? You’re not alone. In Episode 29 of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the psychology behind habit formation—and why most attempts to change fail. Using insights from behavioral psychology, the habit loop, and cognitive science, you’ll learn practical strategies to design habits that actually last. We’ll break down: The habit loop (cue, ro...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever feel like you don’t deserve your success—that you’ve just been lucky and it’s only a matter of time before others “find you out”? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we dive deep into impostor syndrome—why it happens, how it’s fueled by cognitive distortions, and what you can do to build real self-efficacy and confidence. Drawing from psy...

Send us Fan Mail Starting your career can feel exciting—and overwhelming. In this first episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the psychology of career transitions and what it really takes to move from student life into the professional world. Drawing on Schlossberg’s Transition Theory and practical strategies, we’ll break down why change feels so hard, how identity shifts shape early...

Send us Fan Mail Now that you know what culture is, let’s talk about how to shape it. In Part 2 of our two-part series on team culture, we move from awareness to action. You’ll learn how to assess your current culture using practical tools, get actionable steps to shift a toxic environment, and discover the critical importance of diversity, inclusion, and psychological safety in building a resilie...

Send us Fan Mail Culture isn’t just what’s written on the walls—it’s what happens in the hallways. In this first episode of our two-part series, we dive into the psychology behind team culture and why it’s one of the most critical factors influencing success—or failure—in the workplace. You’ll learn how to recognize the subtle and not-so-subtle signals of a thriving vs. toxic environment, explore...