Show up as trustworthy: A conversation about trust.

🪑🪑 Celebrating two years of big conversations from the comfy chairs.

What makes a leader trustworthy?

In this special anniversary episode of the comfy chairs, Kate and Angela revisit one of the most foundational—and often most fragile—elements of effective leadership: trust.

Together, they unpack how trust shapes team dynamics, leadership credibility, and even business outcomes. This isn’t just about “being nice”—it’s about communication, consistency, and taking responsibility for the flow of information. Angela shares how structured communication cascades and intentional touchpoints foster connection, while Kate explores the link between trust and workplace dignity.

They also talk honestly about what happens when trust breaks down—and what it takes to repair it.

Whether you’re new to leadership or have a few hard-earned scars, this episode invites you to reflect, recalibrate, and keep showing up. Because trust isn’t a trait—it’s a practice.

Connect with Angela on LinkedIn.

Books mentioned during our conversation:

• Talk Less, Say More, by Connie Dieken
• The Thin Book of Trust, by Charles Feltman

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

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In this episode of comfyHQ, Kate tackles three leadership questions that share a common root: self-awareness. She shares best practices for time management that actually work, rethinks the idea of “work-life balance” through the lens of needs and priorities, and offers a grounded approach to self-advocacy that doesn’t veer into self-serving.

• What are the best practices for time management as a leader?
• What are tips or suggestions for balancing work and life?
• How can I advocate for myself without coming off as self-serving?

If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin or struggled to ask for what you need, this episode will help you realign with clarity and courage.

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Everyone owns it. A conversation for leaders about workplace culture.

What makes a workplace feel supportive—and what happens when it doesn’t?

In this episode, clinical social worker and Connect Counseling founder Sarah Harris joins Kate to talk about how culture isn’t just something you talk about; it’s something you live. They explore how communication, physical space, and policies shape the way employees experience their work—and how these elements shift in hybrid and virtual settings.

Sarah shares research-backed insights on the link between culture, mental health, and employee retention (spoiler: culture isn’t a “soft” topic—it’s a strategic one). She also offers practical suggestions for fostering a culture that listens, adapts, and values people as they are.

Whether you’re trying to fix a culture that’s off course or protect one that’s thriving, this conversation will help you see your workplace through a more human—and hopeful—lens.

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Sarah Harris Speaks

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

In this episode of comfyHQ, we answer two leadership questions that many managers quietly struggle with:

• How do leaders cultivate trust and credibility with their teams?
• How do I handle a team member who has great skills but a bad attitude?

Kate shares practical strategies to lead with consistency, communicate with clarity, and address behavioral issues without falling into the trap of vague “attitude” conversations. From performance management to psychological safety, this episode gives you a grounded, human-centered approach to navigating two of leadership’s toughest challenges.

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Early and well-structured: A conversation about confrontation.

In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate is joined by her father, Charlie, a seasoned leader with experience in higher education, the military, and church governance. Together, they unpack the often-misunderstood relationship between confrontation and leadership. Their conversation explores how direct and kind communication can strengthen teams, prevent unnecessary conflict, and help leaders lead with both clarity and care. From real-time feedback to decision-making under pressure, Charlie shares stories and insights rooted in practice—and in love.

Additional resources mentioned during our conversation:

• The Fearless Organization, by Amy Edmondson
• The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni
• The Sum of All Fears, by Tom Clancy

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

These notes contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org, a site dedicated to supporting independent bookstores. As an affiliate, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

In this episode of comfyHQ, Kate tackles two key questions about modern leadership:

1. What role does mentorship play in leadership development?
2. How do you lead a remote or hybrid team effectively?

From structured mentoring programs to managing remote employees with clarity and care, Kate offers practical strategies for leaders who want to build trust, encourage learning, and lead well, no matter where their team is sitting. If you're looking for grounded, human-centered approaches to people leadership, this episode is for you.

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Continuously developed: A conversation about student leadership.

Rereleased on July 1, 2025, with corrected audio.

Kate is joined by Emily Barnett, former teacher and current Campaign Development Manager with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, to talk about preparing the next generation of leaders. Their conversation explores the importance of developing student leadership, the value of flexibility and dependability, and why investing in youth isn’t an “extra”—it’s a strategic imperative. Highlighting Emily’s work with the Student Visionaries program, this episode encourages community leaders, mentors, and employers alike to take small, deliberate actions that support young people and shape a stronger future workforce.

• Connect with Emilee on LinkedIn.
• Learn more about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
• Learn more about the Student Visionaries program.

Additional resources mentioned during our conversation:

• The Serviceberry, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

These notes contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org, a site dedicated to supporting independent bookstores. As an affiliate, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

BONUS! Welcome to the club! Introducing the Informed Readers podcast.

📚 Big opinions. Awesome books. And one shared belief: Reading makes us better leaders.

Here at the comfy chairs, I've been collaborating with Stephanie Lemek with The Wounded Workforce to launch a new podcast called Informed Readers—for people who love to talk about books and think about how stories shape the way we lead, learn, and live.

In our first episode, we cover a lot of ground:

✔ Childhood favorites that still hold up

✔ What’s on our to-be-read piles (sci-fi! sociology!)

✔ The role of fiction in building trauma-informed workplaces

✔ And yes… a little trash talk about a popular bestseller.

If you like swapping book recs, making meaning from stories, or laughing about the books you wanted to love, you’ll want to tune in.

🎧 Episode 1 is out now: Listen to the full episode here.

📖 What’s the last book that made you think differently?

#InformedReaders #Leadership #TraumaInformedWorkplaces

In this comfyHQ episode, we tackle three critical leadership challenges:

• Motivating teams through difficult times,
• Managing burnout, and
• Navigating the stress of constant change.

Through practical advice and personal anecdotes, Kate shares insights on how to communicate effectively, set realistic expectations, and create a sustainable work environment. Learn how to spot early signs of burnout, reduce stress by addressing its root causes, and lead with empathy to foster resilience in your team. Tune in for actionable tips that will help you lead through uncertainty and drive meaningful change.

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Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay

Landscape of thought: A conversation about critical thinking.

In this episode, Kate welcomes Amelia Menk Brown, founder and CEO of Knowzy (formerly MyCited), for a thoughtful conversation about critical thinking, metacognition, and inclusive leadership. Together, they explore what it means to lead with intention—not by directing, but by cultivating communities where diverse perspectives and deep thinking thrive.

Amelia reflects on her liberal arts foundation and startup journey, making a clear case for the value of slowing down, thinking deeply, and embracing difference. From challenging the fast-knowing bias of corporate culture to making space for neurodiversity, this conversation is a compelling call to build teams that think critically together.

Whether you're leading a company or developing others to lead, this episode offers practical insights—and a reminder that good thinking is not a solo act.

• Connect with Amelia on LinkedIn.
• Follow MyCited on LinkedIn and on Instagram.
• Learn more about MyCited. (FYI: The rebranding to Knowzy will be live later this summer.)

Got something on your mind? A tricky situation at work? A leadership topic you’re curious about? Share your questions here: https://www.one23ltd.com/comfyhq

www.one23ltd.com

https://www.instagram.com/one23ltd/

Music by Geoff Harvey from Pixabay