The Love and Leadership podcast is hosted by Kristen Brun Sharkey and Mike Sharkey - a couple of leadership nerds who also happen to be a couple. Kristen is a leadership coach and facilitator and Mike is a hospitality executive. This podcast weaves together the hosts' past and present experiences, analysis of leadership books, and thought-provoking guest interviews with inspiring leaders and experts. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, Love and Leadership will help you lead with both your head and your heart - plus a bit of humor.
Recent Episodes
Leadership vs Management: Why You Need Both
You've probably heard "leadership versus management" debates many times, but Kristen and Mike break it down in a way that actually makes sense. This isn't about which one is better - spoiler alert: you need both. Instead, the...
Buzzword Breakdown: Psychological Safety
Kristen and Mike kick off their new Buzzword Breakdown series by tackling psychological safety, a term often referenced in leadership discussions without clear explanation. Created by Harvard professor Amy Edmondson, psychological safety is the belief that you won't be punished for speaking up with…
ENCORE: Leading Through Turbulent Times with Megan Romano, LMFT
We originally aired this episode in October prior to the election, and are sharing it again today because we find it more relevant than ever! Leaders today face a unique challenge: supporting their teams' mental wellness duri...
Leadership Book Club: How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale…
Kristen and Mike dive into Dale Carnegie's classic "How to Win Friends and Influence People" - a book that's approaching its 90th anniversary yet remains powerfully relevant. Mike reveals he's read (or rather, listened to) th...
Decoding 2025's Top Workplace Buzzwords
Kristen and Mike get into the fascinating world of workplace buzzwords that are trending in 2025. From "anti-perks" to "coffee badging," these terms reveal a lot about our current work culture and employee-employer relationsh...
Leading Multicultural Teams with Andrea Fleischfresser
Kristen and Mike sit down with Andrea Fleischfresser, an executive coach with over 20 years of experience in HR and coaching. Andrea shares her journey from working in Italy to building her coaching practice in the US, where ...