What does leadership look like when you step completely outside your comfort zone?

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Blake Harvey, VP of Growth at Red Team Consulting, who has traveled to Ukraine four times in the past year—most recently for five weeks.

From working U.S. hours in a Ukrainian village to navigating language barriers and limited resources, Blake shares powerful lessons about resilience, adaptability, and leading with values during times of turbulence.

This conversation is not about politics—it’s about humanity, growth, and the courage it takes to lead when everything around you shifts.

🎧 Listen in and discover how his experiences abroad can inspire you to rethink resilience, leadership, and navigating uncertainty.

To connect with Blake, visit his LinkedIn page here.

What does it take to lead at the highest levels of federal law enforcement—and to do so as trailblazing women in a field long dominated by men? In this month's Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Kathleen Scudder, former Senior Executive of U.S. Border Patrol, and Patricia McGurk, the first woman to serve as Chief Patrol Agent in both the San Diego and Yuma Sectors.

Together, Kathleen and Patricia open up about the grit, resilience, and integrity it takes to manage some of the most complex security challenges facing our nation—from transnational criminal organizations to humanitarian crises at the border. They share stories from their 20+ year journeys through U.S. Border Patrol, the personal sacrifices of leadership, and how they navigated the weight of responsibility while raising families, building partnerships, and breaking glass ceilings.

This conversation isn’t just about border security—it’s about leadership under pressure, innovation in the face of crisis, and redefining what it means to "have it all" as women leaders. Whether you’re in government, business, or simply navigating your own leadership path, you’ll walk away inspired by their courage, wisdom, and humanity.

If you’ve ever wondered what true resilience and service-driven leadership look like, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

To connect with Kathleen, visit her LinkedIn page here.

In this month's Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett is joined by Christine Callahan, RN, MBA—Managing Partner at SeaHill Consulting Group.

They dive into how federal leaders can reframe their résumés, redefine their value, and reposition themselves for success in the private sector. Christine shares strategies for translating government-speak, avoiding common résumé traps, and crafting a narrative that resonates with industry recruiters.

If you're making the leap from public to private—or helping others do the same—this episode is packed with real talk, smart tips, and a dose of encouragement.

To connect with Christine, visit her LinkedIn page here.

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Mark Wigginton, Certified Professional Coach, Licensed Professional Counselor, and founder of Focusing On Results. With a background that bridges sales psychology and real-world resilience, Mark helps job seekers and career changers move from indecision to intentional action—especially those navigating the leap from federal to private sector life.

Together, they explore the subtle mindset shifts that turn setbacks into stepping stones, the power of reframing your value, and why “playing it safe” is sometimes the riskiest move of all. If you’ve ever felt stuck, sidelined, or unsure how to tell your story in a way that lands—this conversation is for you.

✨ They talk about:

Listen in for a dose of tough love, strategic clarity, and real talk on what it means to bet on yourself.

To connect with Mark, visit his LinkedIn page here.

Navigate the Transition From Federal Employment to the Private Sector can be downloaded here.

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In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Jens-Kristian Kiel—a speaker, branding professional, and content strategist who brings together German precision and American heart. With over 30 years of experience across advertising, marketing, IT, and higher education, Jens has led across continents and industries, leaving his mark through thoughtful storytelling, cross-cultural communication, and human-centered innovation.

They talk about what it really means to lead with authenticity, how to express your value without just reciting a résumé, and why the best branding is grounded in service—not self-promotion. From overcoming imposter syndrome to designing solutions that meet people where they are, Jens shares both the mindset and methods that have made him a trusted advisor and award-winning leader in the West Virginia community and beyond.

This episode is especially powerful for leaders in transition, professionals looking to refine their voice, and anyone wondering how to communicate their expertise without losing their humility.

🎧 Listen in as we unpack how to:

To connect with Jens, visit his LinkedIn page here.

If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett chats with Jeff Grant, President and Founder of Schedule F Healthcare Strategies and former Operations Director at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, CMS. With over 30 years of experience leading major federal health programs, Jeff shares defining moments from his career, lessons learned across public and private sectors, and his journey toward founding Schedule F Healthcare Strategies to support laid-off federal employees.

They discuss the challenges civil servants face during career transitions, how leadership principles evolve across industries, and what professionals should prepare for in today’s federal healthcare and contracting landscape. Jeff’s insights offer encouragement and practical advice for leaders navigating change and building new opportunities.

To connect with Jeff, visit his LinkedIn page here.

If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Kathleen Scudder, Delivery and Strategy Lead at Accenture Federal Services, former Executive Director at U.S. Border Patrol, and author of What Did I Sign Up For? to discuss leadership, resilience, and what it truly means to “have it all.”

With over two decades in federal law enforcement, Kathleen shares the defining moments of her career, the leadership lessons she learned in high-stakes environments, and her journey transitioning from public service to the private sector. We explore how women can navigate career pivots, structure their lives for success on their own terms, and balance ambition with fulfillment.

To connect with Kathleen, visit her LinkedIn page here.

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett talks with Mark Amtower - consultant, speaker, best-selling author, and host of Amtower Off Center - on the power of LinkedIn for career transitions, personal branding, and career growth in the federal market.

With decades of experience advising professionals on government marketing and thought leadership, Mark shares expert insights on optimizing LinkedIn profiles, building meaningful professional relationships, using LinkedIn for job searches, and leveraging content to establish credibility. He also explores how business owners can use LinkedIn to generate leads and win government contracts.

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, host Laura Bennett catches up with Shelley McGuire, Chief Strategy Officer at OrangeSlices AI and Owner of Shelley’s Events, to talk about the power of networking and how federal employees can use events to build meaningful career opportunities.  

Shelley has spent years bringing the government contracting community together through online and in-person events. She shares expert insights on how job seekers can identify the right events, prepare effectively, make a lasting impression, and build strong professional relationships. We also discuss the differences between virtual and in-person networking and how to stand out in a crowded room.  

If you are a federal employee in career transition or looking to grow your network, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you connect with the right people and take the next step in your career.