In this episode of Lead Into It, Sara sits down with Tabitha Siegfried, the Sea Turtle Stranding Coordinator at the Gulfarium CARE Center. From growing up in landlocked Missouri to becoming a passionate advocate for marine life on the Gulf Coast, Tabby’s journey is a story of purpose, resilience, and leadership.

Together, we explore:

• How Tabby leads and inspires a team of dedicated volunteers
• The challenges and rewards of sea turtle rehabilitation
• Why sea turtles are essential to healthy ocean ecosystems.
• The leadership lessons we can take from conservation work

Whether you’re a leader looking to grow your skills, a science enthusiast, or simply want to learn more about sea turtles, this episode offers an inspiring look at all of that in action.

Learn more about the CARE Center or check out the Center's Amazon Wishlist 

Check out Tabby's Instagram here.

Episode Chapters: 
02:29 Tabitha's Journey into Marine Biology
04:53 The Importance of Sea Turtles in Ecosystems
07:39 Challenges in Sea Turtle Conservation
10:37 The Role of Volunteers in Sea Turtle Care
13:25 Understanding Sea Turtle Threats
16:05 Fishing Practices and Their Impact on Sea Turtles
27:03 The Growth of the Care Center: Volunteers and Operations
32:41 Success Stories: The Journey of Sea Turtles
37:54 Leadership and Delegation in Turtle Rehabilitation
51:08 Understanding Leadership Dynamics
53:48 Motivation in Difficult Times
01:02:19 Getting Involved with the Care Center

Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco.

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This week on Lead Into It, I’m excited to share my conversation with Diane Fraser, the amazing director of the Emerald Coast Science Center right here in Fort Walton Beach. Diane’s journey is such a cool one—she started out as a forensic scientist and eventually stepped into leading a community science center, turning it into a vibrant hub of learning and discovery.

In our conversation, she opens up about what it took to navigate financial challenges, survive a pandemic, and keep creating innovative STEM programs that inspire curiosity in kids (and adults, too).

Diane’s story is all about the power of curiosity, resilience, and community. She shows us how one person’s vision can challenge stereotypes in science, spark joy in learning, and leave a lasting impact.

Whether you’re a science enthusiast, an aspiring leader, or just love a good story about perseverance and passion, you’re going to get so much out of this episode.

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Chapters: 

00:00 Journey into Science: Early Inspirations

05:17 The Role of Inquiry in Science

09:13 Balancing Family and Career: A Mother's Journey

14:14 Transforming the Science Center: A New Chapter

19:20 Leadership and Community Engagement

24:03 Navigating Challenges: The Impact of the Pandemic

29:05 Navigating Challenges During the Pandemic

31:36 Transforming Spaces and Community Engagement

33:25 Building Resilience and Community Relationships

36:27 Listening to Community Needs

37:29 Empowering Women in STEM

41:48 Inspiring Future Generations in Science

44:10 The Importance of Hands-On Learning

47:43 Leadership Challenges and Organizational Culture

Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco.

Excited to be with you!

✨ Leadership shows up in the big calls and the small details.
✨ Rest isn’t weakness—it’s leadership fuel.
✨ Grace goes further than perfection.

Hi, and welcome back! I’m kicking off this new season of Lead Into It with a solo episode straight from my own leadership journey. Over the summer, I had the chance to step in and lead a public affairs team during an Air Force exercise. It was high-pressure, unpredictable, and honestly, one of the best learning experiences I’ve had in a while.

In this episode, I’m sharing the five big lessons that stuck with me (and that I think will resonate with you, too).

I’ll also give you a quick sneak peek at what’s coming this season. I’m so glad you’re here!

Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco.

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It’s the end of the season, and in this finale episode, I’m reflecting on what I’ve learned from the incredible leaders who joined me. We’re talking about the ripple effect of leadership, why commitment matters more than motivation, and the reminder that no one should lead alone.

If you’ve ever wondered how your words as a leader echo beyond the workplace — or felt the weight of trying to get it all right — this one’s for you.

Tune in for a heartfelt wrap-up and a few of my favorite takeaways.

I'm also getting ready for next season and I want to hear from you. What leadership challenges are you facing? What do you want to explore next season? Drop me a note at [email protected].

Let’s keep growing, together.

Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco.

Excited to be with you!

What does real leadership look like when no one’s watching? In this episode, retired General Mike Minahan gets honest about the messy, meaningful, and deeply human side of command.

He shares the story behind his now-viral decision to schedule a mental health appointment as a four-star general—something he thought was just leading by example but turned out to be life-changing for himself and countless others. Years later, he’s still hearing from people who were inspired to finally ask for help.

We also talk about the role family played in shaping his leadership style, what it really takes to lead through resistance and uncertainty, and why his go-to leadership advice is as simple as it is profound: “Don’t suck.”

This conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t about performance—it’s about showing up, especially when it’s hard. Whether you're leading a team, a mission, or just trying to lead your life with more intention, there’s something here for you.

Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco.

Excited to be with you!

What makes a leader worth following?

In this episode, retired General Mike Minihan, former commander of Air Mobility Command, shares the leadership philosophy that shaped his 35-year Air Force career, centered on "OLA": Ownership, Leadership, and Attitude.

From his early days as a lieutenant to leading 110,000 airmen, General Minihan returns to one powerful truth: credibility starts with doing your job—and doing it well. He also reflects on the 2023 memo that made headlines, how it shaped perceptions, and what it revealed about his leadership style. Through it all, his clarity of purpose and commitment to readiness shine through.

Perhaps most striking is his view on "worthiness"—a question he asked himself often: Do I deserve this level of trust? That mindset drove him to lead with both conviction and care.

If you're in any kind of leadership role, this conversation is a must-listen. 

And don’t miss part two next week, where we dig into mental health, legacy, and the human side of command.

Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco.

Excited to be with you!

What does it take to command a room, bounce back from failure, and lead with true authenticity? In this episode, I sit down with Lydia Fenet—renowned auctioneer, bestselling author, and founder of her own agency—whose decades at Christie’s taught her powerful lessons in confidence, leadership, and owning your voice.

Lydia shares what she learned from auctioning without a mic, why humor is one of her secret weapons, and how she balances bold career moves with meaningful moments at home. We also dive into her tips for aspiring leaders, the importance of self-care, and what it really means to define success on your own terms.

Whether you're stepping into leadership or looking to reclaim your confidence, Lydia’s insights will leave you inspired to show up fully—exactly as you are.

Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco.

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What if the key to transforming your team’s performance wasn’t hiding in another leadership book—but came straight from the lessons learned in the cockpit of a fighter jet?

In this episode, I’m joined by Robert “Cujo” Teschner—former Air Force fighter pilot, leadership expert, and author of Debrief to Win. Cujo brings the heat (and the heart) in a conversation that challenges how we think about accountability, feedback, and real team growth.

We dig into why debriefing—the military kind—isn’t just a boring recap or a dreaded feedback session. It’s a high-impact, deeply human leadership practice that creates clarity, builds trust, and drives performance. The best part? It’s practical, repeatable, and doesn’t take hours to implement. In fact, the average military debrief lasts just 18 minutes—and can boost performance by up to 25%.

Cujo also shares how his journey from fighter pilot to leadership consultant (and cancer survivor) reshaped how he shows up—not just at work, but in life. His story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t just about checklists or standards—it’s about how we support the people around us when it matters most.

Whether you lead a team, manage projects, or just want to give better feedback, this episode will leave you with a powerful framework and a fresh perspective on what great leadership looks like—under pressure and beyond.

Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco.

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Ever wonder why some leadership situations hit you harder than they should? Or why feedback sometimes feels way bigger than it is? It might be your mindset foundation — and it could be ready for a reset.

In today’s episode, mindset coach Margaret "MJ" Jennings joins me to talk about the mental side of leadership — the 95% we don’t always see but definitely feel. We dig into how old patterns show up in your leadership, how to shift your mindset, and why what you model matters even more than what you say.

If you’re ready to lead with more clarity, resilience, and real presence — this conversation is for you.

Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco.

Excited to be with you!

In this powerful episode of Lead Into It, I sit down with Maj Gen Dan Tulley, Director of Operations at U.S. Transportation Command—and someone I had the honor of serving with over a decade ago. 

We trace his leadership journey from his ROTC days at Duke University to commanding at a global scale, uncovering the real-world lessons that shaped his leadership style. Tulley opens up about a pivotal in-flight moment that cemented his trust in training, the decisions he faced as tensions with Iran rose, and how he kept his team informed, empowered, and motivated during COVID.

He also gets real about what makes leadership sustainable: humility, trust, and letting go of the need to have all the answers. One of my favorite takeaways? “Nobody wants to be that single leader that everything depends on.”

Whether you’re leading five people or five thousand, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom on:

• Building high-performing, resilient teams
• Making decisions under pressure (and creating space for them)
• Leading with humility and intention
• Balancing strategic and tactical thinking
• Spending your “leadership capital” wisely

Grab your headphones—this is one episode you don’t want to miss.

Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco.

Excited to be with you!