Success isn’t built on transactions — it’s built on real connection.

In this episode of Life, Business and Everything In Between, Leslie Shields sits down with Kathleen Alexander for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, and the moments when business gets deeply personal.

Content Note: This episode includes conversation about mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) in the U.S. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.

Kathleen shares how she approaches insurance as relationship-first work (“I want to know what we’re protecting”), why authentic networking matters, and how leadership looks different when you care about people beyond the policy.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Authentic networking vs transactional networking
• Leading teams with empathy and adaptability
• Why insurance is about protecting people, not just selling policies
• Life Insurance Awareness Month + “tomorrow’s not promised” perspective
• *Suicide Awareness Month and breaking stigma through honest conversation
• Connection & "Humanness”

🔗 Connect with Kathleen (Kat):

• Website: Kat’s Got Your Back — https://www.katsgotyourback.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katgotyourback/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katsgotyourback

🔗 Connect with Leslie / The Shields Agency:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliealiceshields/
• https://www.theshieldsagency.com

*Timing Note: Recorded in September 2025 (released February 2026). Mentions of Suicide Awareness Month and business anniversaries refer to the time of recording.