Episodes

March 26, 2025

Building a Culture of Innovation That Works

Is your team more afraid of sharing a bad idea or missing out on a great one? In this episode, Mike and Kristen dig into what truly makes a culture innovative - and it's probably not what you think. Most companies claim to va...

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March 19, 2025

Leadership Book Club: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, Part …

In the second part of their deep dive into Will Guidara's Unreasonable Hospitality, Mike and Kristen explore the leadership lessons that transformed Eleven Madison Park into the world's best restaurant. From breaking traditio...

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March 12, 2025

Leadership Book Club: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, Part …

In this first part of a two-part series, Mike and Kristen dive into Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. While it might not seem like a traditional leadership book at first glance, it's packed with lessons for anyone ser...

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March 5, 2025

Leadership Lessons from Space with Shelli Brunswick

Kristen and Mike talk with Shelli Brunswick, a leader in the space industry whose career spans from the US Air Force to her current role as CEO of SB Global LLC. Shelli shares how space technology impacts our everyday lives i...

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Feb. 26, 2025

The Truth About Motivating Employees

What really motivates people at work? Is it money, recognition, or something deeper? In this episode, Kristen unpacks three of the most influential motivation theories that can transform how you lead your team. Mike adds his ...

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Feb. 19, 2025

Imposter Syndrome: From Self-Doubt to Self-Trust

International Women's Day is coming up on March 8th! In this special episode Kristen shares her 2024 IWD talk from Google's Women Techmakers event on tackling imposter syndrome through improv techniques. While 75% of women ex...

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Feb. 12, 2025

Leadership Book Club: The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins

Ever wonder why some new leaders hit the ground running while others stumble? Kristen and Mike break down Michael Watkins' essential guide The First 90 Days - a book The Economist called "the onboarding bible." Whether you're...

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Feb. 5, 2025

People-First Leadership with Marketing Exec Candice Hahn

Ever wonder why some leaders seem to effortlessly build thriving teams while others struggle with constant turnover? In this episode, guest Candice Hahn, a veteran marketing agency executive with over 25 years of experience, ...

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Jan. 29, 2025

Let’s Get Critical: How to Receive Tough Feedback

Most leaders know feedback is essential for growth, but let's be honest - receiving it can be uncomfortable, even painful. In this episode, Kristen and Mike get real about their own struggles with feedback and share practical...

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Jan. 22, 2025

Leadership Book Club: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

Mike and Kristen break down Chris Voss's game-changing book on negotiation, Never Split the Difference. As a former FBI hostage negotiator, Voss brings street-smart tactics that work in real-world situations, not just theory....

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Jan. 8, 2025

Why Nice Is Not Enough with Amira Barger, EVP of DEI at Edelman

What does it really mean to be an ally in today's workplace? For Amira Barger , Executive Vice President of DEI Advisory and Health Communications at Edelman, it's about going beyond being "nice." Growing up as the daughter o...

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Jan. 1, 2025

ENCORE: The New Playbook for Leadership Presence

Love and Leadership is taking a break this week, but we're re-airing one of our favorite early episodes to help you set the tone for the new year! In this episode, Kristen and Mike dive into the evolving concept of leadership...

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Dec. 25, 2024

Design Your Best 2025: A Personal Annual Review Process

As the year winds down, Kristen shares her tried-and-tested process for conducting a personal annual review - a practice she's refined over 15 years. Whether you're reflecting on your career progression or contemplating perso...

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Dec. 18, 2024

Leadership Book Club: Start with Why by Simon Sinek

What makes some organizations inspire fierce loyalty while others just seem to exist? In this episode, Kristen and Mike dive into Simon Sinek's groundbreaking book "Start With Why," exploring how truly great leaders and compa...

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Dec. 11, 2024

Building Leadership Teams That Get Results

Ever wonder what truly makes a great leadership team tick? Kristen shares insights from her recent team coaching certification program and breaks down the research-backed conditions that create outstanding teams. Drawing from...

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Dec. 4, 2024

Leading with Care Through Uncertain Times with Tushar Pandit, CPO at …

Leadership isn't just about hitting the numbers - it's about how you get there. Through candid stories from his 25+ years in human resources, Chief People Officer Tushar Pandit challenges common misconceptions about workplace...

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Nov. 27, 2024

Leadership Book Club: It’s Your Ship by Captain Michael Abrashoff

When 36-year-old Mike Abrashoff took command of the USS Benfold in 1997, he faced a demoralized crew that openly jeered their departing captain. Instead of sticking with the Navy's traditional command-and-control leadership s...

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Nov. 20, 2024

How Great Leaders Make Smart Decisions

What if you could make better decisions with less stress? Kristen and Mike go deep into the science of decision-making, exploring why it's such a crucial leadership skill and sharing practical frameworks to help you decide wi...

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Nov. 13, 2024

7 Unconventional Leadership Principles with Hubspot’s Rebecca Yang

In this guest interview episode, Rebecca Yang, Director of Engineering at HubSpot, shares her unconventional journey to tech leadership and reveals seven uncommon leadership principles that have shaped her success. From her e...

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Nov. 6, 2024

Leadership Book Club: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marsha…

Kristen and Mike break down Marshall Goldsmith's influential book "What Got You Here Won't Get You There." While they praise the practical advice and behavioral frameworks in the book, they also challenge some of its core ass...

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Oct. 30, 2024

The 6 Core Skills of Emotional Intelligence

What's the real difference between a manager and a leader? While technical skills and industry knowledge matter, emotional intelligence often makes or breaks leadership effectiveness. In this episode, Kristen breaks down the ...

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Oct. 23, 2024

Leadership Book Club: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, Part Two

In part two of their deep dive into Brené Brown's Dare to Lead, Kristen and Mike explore shame, empathy, and trust through both personal and professional lenses. Through vulnerable stories - including Mike's nerve-wracking ex...

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Oct. 16, 2024

Leading Through Election Stress with Megan Romano, LMFT

As the 2024 US presidential election looms, leaders face a unique challenge: supporting their teams' mental wellness during a high-stress period. In this episode, Kristen and Mike explore this timely topic with licensed thera...

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Oct. 9, 2024

Leadership Book Club: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, Part One

Join Kristen and Mike as they explore the world of courageous leadership through Brené Brown's groundbreaking book Dare to Lead. In this first part of a two-episode series, they unpack the myths surrounding vulnerability, the...

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