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EP. 197 Full Circle: The Leadership Theory Episode
In this third installment of the Leadership Revival Series, L. Michelle Smith brings the journey full circle. After exploring history & culture in Part 1 and applied science in Part 2, today’s episode takes us into the final pillar of the Call & Response Leadership Revival Framework: leadership theory.
This episode weaves together research, lived experience, and a deeply personal full-circle story that became a turning point in the creation of Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church (Amistad Books/HarperCollins, Feb 2026).
You’ll hear:
- Why leadership theory is finally naming what many leaders have lived for generations
- How self-work, relationship work, and world work become the backbone of leadership with heart
- A powerful reading of L. Michelle’s essay, “When You Receive the Language for What You’ve Lived”
- A moving sidebar featuring her early connection with Abby West, now VP & Editorial Director at Amistad Books
- A special clip from Episode 161, “The Sound of Progress,” exploring storytelling, sound, community, and cultural leadership
- How one unexpected conversation led directly to the acquisition of Call & Response
This is the episode where everything clicks — the moment theory, story, science, and culture meet in a single, resonant truth:
Leadership isn’t changing. It’s returning.
To community.
To connection.
To courage.
To heart.
And this episode marks that return.
- Part 3 of the Leadership Revival Series
- Leadership theory explained through a cultural, scientific, and human lens
- What it means to “receive the language for what you’ve lived”
- Why narrative and sound have always been leadership technologies
- How L. Michelle’s relationship with Abby West helped bring Call & Response to life
- The moment everything came full circle
Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church
By L. Michelle Smith
Amistad Books / HarperCollins | JVL Media
Releases February 10, 2026
Pre-order & learn more: lmichellesmith.com/callandresponse
- Website: lmichellesmith.com
- Instagram: @lmichellespeaks
- LinkedIn: L. Michelle Smith
- Join SOAR Academy for leadership tools & resources
View all episodes
By L Michelle Smith
5
1111 ratings
In this third installment of the Leadership Revival Series, L. Michelle Smith brings the journey full circle. After exploring history & culture in Part 1 and applied science in Part 2, today’s episode takes us into the final pillar of the Call & Response Leadership Revival Framework: leadership theory.
This episode weaves together research, lived experience, and a deeply personal full-circle story that became a turning point in the creation of Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church (Amistad Books/HarperCollins, Feb 2026).
You’ll hear:
- Why leadership theory is finally naming what many leaders have lived for generations
- How self-work, relationship work, and world work become the backbone of leadership with heart
- A powerful reading of L. Michelle’s essay, “When You Receive the Language for What You’ve Lived”
- A moving sidebar featuring her early connection with Abby West, now VP & Editorial Director at Amistad Books
- A special clip from Episode 161, “The Sound of Progress,” exploring storytelling, sound, community, and cultural leadership
- How one unexpected conversation led directly to the acquisition of Call & Response
This is the episode where everything clicks — the moment theory, story, science, and culture meet in a single, resonant truth:
Leadership isn’t changing. It’s returning.
To community.
To connection.
To courage.
To heart.
And this episode marks that return.
- Part 3 of the Leadership Revival Series
- Leadership theory explained through a cultural, scientific, and human lens
- What it means to “receive the language for what you’ve lived”
- Why narrative and sound have always been leadership technologies
- How L. Michelle’s relationship with Abby West helped bring Call & Response to life
- The moment everything came full circle
Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church
By L. Michelle Smith
Amistad Books / HarperCollins | JVL Media
Releases February 10, 2026
Pre-order & learn more: lmichellesmith.com/callandresponse
- Website: lmichellesmith.com
- Instagram: @lmichellespeaks
- LinkedIn: L. Michelle Smith
- Join SOAR Academy for leadership tools & resources