Being a middle manager means living “in the middle of it all,” balancing the needs of your staff with the expectations of ownership, while keeping service and culture strong.

In this punchy, insight-packed conversation, Jena sits down with Jasmine Burne, Hospitality Director for Side Street Hospitality. Over the last 10 years, Jasmine has grown with Side Street Café and its sister businesses, moving from the floor to a leadership role where she now supports teams across the organization. And yes, she can still shake up a mean cocktail! 

We cover real-world lessons every middle manager can relate to, including:

• Why organization is the foundation of strong leadership
• The responsibility of setting staff up for success every shift
• How to execute plans even when they’re not your own idea
• The importance of growing with your organization as it evolves
• The importance of letting go of staff when they no longer fit the culture. 

This episode is short but loaded with gems that will empower you to see the value of your role and lead with clarity and confidence.

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

In this episode, Jena shares her favorite “rules of thumb” for effective leadership.

She rattles off practical leadership principles, from actionable advice on handling lingering issues, restructuring hard-to-fill roles, and navigating the tricky territory of toxic top performers. She also revisits the classic “hire slow, fire fast” mantra, emphasizing the value of thoughtful hiring and decisive action.

Whether you’re a seasoned manager or just starting your leadership journey, this episode is packed with relatable stories, actionable insights, and encouragement to lead with clarity, confidence, and heart. Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who could use a leadership boost!

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

In this episode, Jena explores the Netflix docuseries America’s Sweethearts, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ intense audition and training process. Drawing on her background as a dancer and leadership expert, Jena examines how Director Kelli Finglass and Head Choreographer Judy Trammell navigate tough decisions, hold high standards, and lead with both empathy and accountability.

Alongside reflections on her recent visit to The Lost Kitchen and the leadership insights gained from Erin French, Jena breaks down key moments from the show that highlight resilience, culture, and the realities of leading a high-pressure team.

Whether you’re familiar with the show or new to it, this episode delivers practical leadership takeaways through an engaging, real-world case study.

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

In this inspiring and down-to-earth conversation, Jena sits down with Piper Rama, a Division I volleyball player for the ASU Sun Devils, to hear her perspective as a Gen Z athlete navigating high performance, pressure, and team dynamics. Piper shares powerful insights on staying connected to your why, the value of aligning around a common goal, and what it means to show up fully in the present moment whether you're winning or working through setbacks.

While the conversation is unpolished in the best, most authentic way, it’s packed with wisdom for athletes, coaches, leaders, and anyone working with or mentoring Gen Z. Jena also asks Piper what older generations should know when leading or managing Gen Z and her answer is refreshingly simple and spot-on.

Whether you’re a leader, a parent, or just someone curious about how the next generation is showing up in the world, this episode offers a fresh and grounded glimpse into what matters most from the perspective of someone living it right now.

You can follow along with Piper's team on instagram @sundevilvolleyball

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

As a leader, it can feel like everyone needs something right now: a decision, a conversation, a complaint, a meeting. In this episode, Jena Young unpacks the emotional toll of being perpetually “on call” and offers a grounded, empowering guide for how to protect your time and energy without becoming cold or unavailable.

Pulling from her own introverted leadership style and real-world lessons as a business owner, Jena introduces practical tactics, including John Maxwell’s 80-20-80 Principle, to help leaders prioritize what (and who) truly deserves their time. She also shares 11 ready-to-use boundary-setting scripts for common workplace interruptions from The One-Stop Shopper to The Opinionator.

This episode is a must-listen for leaders who want to stay connected and compassionate while avoiding burnout. It's time to lead with intention, protect your energy, and finally let go of the guilt around saying “not right now.”

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or spinning your wheels about the same issue again and again, Jena will introduce you to a simple but powerful tool called The 5 Choices, a framework that helps leaders (and humans!) move from frustration and victim mode into clarity and intentional action.

Whether you’re navigating a difficult conversation, a draining job, or a lingering personal struggle, you always have these 5 choices:
Leave it. Change it. Accept it. Change your perspective. Or stay and suffer.

Jena breaks down each option with real-life examples (including one from her own leadership team), shows you how to use this framework to center yourself, and explains why this tool calms the nervous system and restores your personal power.

This episode is for you if:

• You're complaining about the same thing but don’t know what to do about it.
• You’re in a funk and need a mental reset.
• You want a clear, empowering way to lead yourself (or your team) through sticky situations.

No fluff, just real leadership tools for real life.

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

In this episode, Jena dives into a raw and rarely discussed topic: growing pains. Whether you’re evolving personally or leading a growing business, the discomfort of stretching beyond who you used to be is real and normal.

Jena breaks down why growth feels so disorienting and lonely at times, the energetic shifts happening under the surface, and how to recognize the signs that you're in a growth phase (even if it doesn’t look or feel like progress). You’ll hear:

• The difference between personal and business growth pains
• 4 clear signs you're outgrowing your old identity
• Why your success might feel fragile or unsustainable
• How to move through the messy middle without giving up

This is your reminder that you're not stuck, you’re stretching. Tune in to feel seen, supported, and inspired to keep moving forward, even when it’s hard.

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

In this raw and insightful episode, Jena breaks down the deeper, often overlooked reasons why leadership can feel so challenging—even for seasoned professionals. Drawing from years of consulting and coaching experience, Jena identifies common themes that quietly derail leaders and shares the foundational mindset shifts that help turn things around.

This episode isn’t about pointing fingers—it’s about holding up a mirror. With empathy and honesty, Jena explores why so many leaders struggle with managing their own energy and reacting to feedback with defensiveness.

Listeners will walk away with:

• A powerful reframe on what it really means to "manage your energy"
• Practical tools to receive feedback without spiraling into shame
• A reminder that leadership is a skill set—not a status
• Tangible signs of when you're getting in your own way (and how to stop)
• A grounding mantra: "I don’t need the world to be calm. I am the calm."

Whether you’re just stepping into leadership or feeling off-course in your current role, this episode offers a grounding reset and a strong starting point for personal growth. 

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

Your mindset is either your greatest limit—or your greatest leverage. In this episode of Elevated Leadership, Jena shares five of the most powerful mindset shifts that not only shape stronger, more grounded leadership, but also transform how you live. These are not fluffy affirmations or one-size-fits-all mantras, they’re real, hard-earned shifts that bring clarity, courage, and relief. You’ll hear practical strategies, personal stories, brain science, and even a truth-bomb or two from a therapist and college professor. If leadership ever feels personal, heavy, or confusing, this episode is your reset.

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

In this episode, Jena dives into two common leadership traps that trip up even the best leaders — The Emotion Loop and The Me Myth. These inner challenges can turn tough situations into overwhelming dramas, keeping you stuck in frustration, self-doubt, or ego-driven reactions. She will share what these traps look like, why they happen, and simple, practical steps to break free and lead with clarity and calm. Perfect for anyone ready to get out of their own way and lead with more confidence and ease.

To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!

Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0

www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com