Kristen Brun Sharkey and Mike Sharkey are the married dynamic duo behind the Love and Leadership podcast. Kristen's journey began in marketing, where she quickly rose through the ranks in digital advertising and ad tech, gaining valuable leadership experience along the way. Her passion for improv comedy unexpectedly became the cornerstone of her current work as an executive coach and facilitator, specializing in applying improv principles to leadership development. With a master's degree in management, strategy and leadership, Kristen brings a blend of academic knowledge and practical experience to the podcast. You can find out more about her work at emboldify.com and follow her on LinkedIn for frequent leadership content.
Mike's eclectic background spans from classical music to hospitality and senior care. Starting as a successful symphonic percussionist, he transitioned through nearly two decades in the restaurant industry before moving into hotel management and eventually finding his current place in senior living. A self-proclaimed "leadership nerd," Mike's passion for studying and applying leadership principles was ignited by a transformative experience with leadership literature. His approach is heavily influenced by military history and the concept of "extreme ownership." You can find him on LinkedIn here.
Together, Kristen and Mike bring their diverse experiences and shared enthusiasm for leadership development to the podcast. They aim to explore topics such as emotional intelligence, creating more leaders, and the learnable aspects of effective leadership. With Kristen's background in tech and Mike's experience in service industries, they offer a unique blend of perspectives on leadership across various sectors. Their goal is to help listeners at all levels of their careers enhance their leadership skills and make a greater impact in their organizations.
Kristen and Mike live in the San Francisco Bay Area with their two cats, Arya and Beezus - the latter of which you can find making a podcast cameo appearance in this photo.