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What does leadership look like when the stakes are life and death?

In this powerful episode of the HEART Leadership Podcast, Sara Valentine speaks with Dr. Mark Hertling, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General, professor of leadership, and author of If I Don’t Return.

Dr. Hertling shares the deeply personal story behind his book—letters he wrote to his sons while deployed in war. These letters were never intended for publication. They were written in uncertainty, responsibility, and love.

In this conversation, Sara and Dr. Hertling explore:

• Leadership under extreme uncertainty

• The power of vulnerability in leadership

• Faith, character, and responsibility in leadership

• The values leaders must pass to the next generation

Dr. Hertling’s reflections remind us that leadership is not about rank or title—it’s about character, service, and the people we influence along the way.

This episode is a powerful reminder that the greatest leaders don’t just lead organizations—they shape lives.

You can reach out to Dr. Hertling on his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hertling-dba-57987066/

A HEARTfelt thank you for listening!

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What does it really mean to lead people well?

In this episode of the HEART Leadership Podcast, Sara Valentine sits down with Katie Pfingsten, Vice President of People & Culture and Executive Director of the IAAPA Foundation, to talk about the kind of leadership that truly builds strong teams and cultures.

As two HR leaders, Sara and Katie explore the human side of leadership—what it looks like to lead with authenticity, humility, and appreciation for the people around you.

In this conversation, they discuss:

• Why listening is one of the most powerful leadership skills
• How authenticity builds trust within teams
• The importance of acknowledging contributions and saying thank you
• What it means to lead in the people profession
• How HR leaders can shape culture in meaningful ways

Katie shares thoughtful insights from her leadership journey and reminds us that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about creating space for others to be heard and valued.

For anyone leading a team—or aspiring to lead one—this episode is a reminder that great leadership often begins with something simple: listening first.

Reach out to Katie via her LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-pfingsten-60448111a/

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In this episode of the HEART Leadership Podcast, Sara explores the final letter in the HEART framework — “T” for Thank — and why gratitude is the thread that holds leadership, culture, and connection together.

Gratitude isn’t a feeling; it’s a leadership practice. In this episode, Sara reflects on the people who helped shape her journey — mentors, colleagues, HR professionals, leaders, and the people she has had the honor of leading. She also shares what happens when gratitude is missing in leadership and how the absence of appreciation quietly erodes trust, engagement, and performance.

This episode is both a thank-you and a reminder: leadership is never a solo act. Gratitude keeps our hearts open, our egos in check, and our purpose clear — and it’s essential for any leader who wants to build lasting impact.

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In this episode of the HEART Leadership Podcast, Sara unpacks the “R” in HEART — Respond — and why action is the true test of leadership.

When someone comes forward with a concern, request, or disclosure, silence is still a response — and often the most damaging one. Sara explores why timely, sincere responses build trust, while inaction erodes credibility, engagement, and culture.

Drawing from real-world HR experience, this episode addresses the reality that while HR can recommend and facilitate, it is ultimately leaders who must act — and when they don’t, trust is lost. Sara shares practical guidance on how leaders can respond with care, clarity, and accountability, even when answers aren’t immediate.

This episode is a powerful reminder that without response, HEART becomes an empty word — and leadership loses its impact.

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In this episode of the HEART Leadership Podcast, Sara unpacks the “A” in HEART — Appreciate, Acknowledge, and Apologize — and why these three leadership behaviors are essential to building trust, credibility, and healthy workplace cultures.

Sara explores why great leaders never take credit for their team’s work, why appreciation and recognition must be personal (not one-size-fits-all), and why the most powerful words a leader can say are, “I screwed that up.” Drawing from real leadership experiences, she also addresses how lack of accountability and fear-based cultures erode trust, silence feedback, and ultimately weaken performance.

This episode challenges leaders to balance appreciation with accountability, humility with high standards, and recognition with action — because accountability isn’t punishment, it’s an act of caring.

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Empathy is the leadership trait that separates managers from true leaders. In this episode, Sara explores why empathy matters, how it strengthens accountability, and why it is essential for giving feedback, navigating conflict, and building trust.

She also honors the memory of Chris Andrews — a former leader who mentored her during one of the most defining seasons of her career. His empathy, courage, and faith shaped the way she leads today.

This episode is a heartfelt invitation to embrace empathy as a powerful force for transformation — in your team, your relationships, and your leadership journey.

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In this special bonus episode of Leading with HEART, Sara Valentine shares her keynote address from the 2025 Sister Leaders Conference in Portsmouth, VA. This raw, powerful message weaves together her personal story of resilience with the HEART Leadership framework—inviting listeners to reclaim their voice, step boldly into their vision, and redefine victory through faith, compassion, and purpose.

This isn’t just a speech—it’s a testimony of what it means to lead with HEART when the world tells you to harden.

🎧 Tune in, be inspired, and remember: your voice matters more than your polish.

Correction: My father’s conviction was technically only for my two sisters and my niece's abuse. I apologize for the misstatement in my speech.  

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In this powerful episode, Sara Valentine explores the first pillar of the HEART Leadership framework: Hear. True leadership starts with listening—not just to what's said, but to what’s unsaid, uncomfortable, and sometimes hard to hear. Sara shares personal stories, including a pivotal conflict with a union rep, and reflects on moments in her HR career when she failed to truly hear those who needed it most.

She also challenges leaders to examine how well they’re listening—to their people, their gut, and even their own mistakes. If you've ever struggled with defensiveness, burnout, or missed the human behind the policy, this episode will challenge and encourage you to hear differently.

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In this episode, Sara sits down with purpose-driven HR leader Cynthia A. Howell to explore what it truly means to lead with faith, integrity, and compassion. From her early days in retail management to senior roles in human resources, Cynthia shares how empathy, listening, and a heart for others have shaped her leadership journey. Together, they discuss the power of authenticity, the importance of inclusive leadership, and how putting people first can transform workplaces from the inside out.

Connect with Cynthia on LinkedIn: Cynthia A. Howell

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In the very first episode of Leading with HEART, Sara Valentine shares her story of being brand new to HR — green, eager, and learning through mistakes. With the guidance of her first boss and mentor, she discovered the power of trust, grace, and leadership that builds people up instead of tearing them down. Through personal stories (including one unforgettable “lesson in humility”), Sara shows how leaders can transform lives when they choose to Hear, Empathize, Acknowledge, Respond, and Thank.

A HEARTfelt thank you for listening!