Lead Into It

In this rewind episode from 2020 (yes, in the midst of the pandemic!), I sit down with Dr. Raj Raghunathan, an award-winning Professor of Marketing at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, whose work focuses on the connection between our decisions, happiness, and fulfillment.

We talk about happiness in the workplace and why it matters far more than people often realize.

From burnout and belonging to leadership, culture, and connection, this conversation dives into what actually helps people thrive both at work and in life. Dr. Raj also shares insights from his research on happiness, including his BAMBA model and how leaders can create environments where people feel supported, valued, and empowered.

In this episode, we discuss:

•  The connection between happiness and productivity 
•  Why belonging matters so much in the workplace 
•  The impact leaders have on team well-being 
•  Burnout, stress, and operating in survival mode 
•  Dr. Raj’s BAMBA model for happiness 
•  How to cultivate more fulfillment at work and in everyday life 

Dr. Raj is also the author of If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Happy? and teaches the popular Coursera: A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment.

You can learn more about Dr. Raj and his work at happysmarts.com. 

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

In this episode, I sit down with Samantha Nicole Bell, a wellness coach and owner of Active & Attractive, and we dive deep into the essential connection between self-awareness, self-care, and leadership. Sammy shares powerful insights on how mastering your inner world can unlock better health, relationships, and professional success, emphasizing that true leadership begins from within and how cleaning your house might be the beginning step to all of it. 

Key topics:

• The four quadrants of life: home, body, relationships, and business
• How your environment reflects your internal state and impacts your progress
• The importance of defining what you want through intentional self-inquiry
• Using world building as a metaphor for creating a supportive life structure
• Practical steps to declutter your space and mind to access greater energy and clarity
• The role of self-worth and how it influences your capacity to lead others 
• How to identify and overcome internal glass ceilings
• The power of clarity in goals to turn visions into tangible projects
• Strategies for navigating seasons of change without losing self-trust
• Real-life success stories of transformation through environment and mindset shifts

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction: Why internal leadership is foundational for external success
02:15 - Sammy’s journey from exercise physiology to empowering women
05:08 - Recognizing how self-worth influences physical and emotional health
10:00 - The significance of leading yourself first to lead others effectively
15:00 - Understanding the importance of knowing what you want
20:00 - The concept of pillars and quadrants for life organization
25:00 - How to design your environment to support your goals
30:00 - Decluttering as a catalyst for mental and emotional clarity
35:00 - How relationships reflect your inner state and influence your outcomes
40:00 - The process of working through glass ceilings with strategic shifts
45:00 - Building your life as a project: vision, definition, and action
50:00 - Overcoming feeling stuck by identifying what you truly want
55:00 - The power of visualization and spiritual alignment in manifesting change
60:00 - The leadership impact of investing in your internal ecosystem
64:00 - Final thoughts: Embracing the journey of self-leadership and creating your ideal world

Connect with Sammy:

• Instagram - @activeandattractive
• Facebook - Samantha Nicole Bell

About Sammy Nicole Bell:
Samantha Nicole Bell is a passionate health and fitness coach with a master's degree in exercise physiology. With a diverse background that includes teaching, research, and personal training at prestigious gyms like Equinox, she brings a wealth of knowledge about the human body and self-care. Her mission is to empower individuals, especially female leaders and entrepreneurs, to prioritize their health and self-worth.  

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

No one teaches you how to give feedback—you’re just expected to know how to do it. In this Failure Files episode, I share a leadership moment I got completely wrong, what I learned, and how to approach difficult conversations better.

In this episode, I talk about:

•  What went wrong in a feedback conversation 
•  The pressure new leaders feel to perform and prove themselves 
•  Why avoiding difficult conversations makes things worse 
•  The difference between something being wrong vs. just different
•  What I wish I had done differently when giving feedback 
•  A simple question that has changed how I lead today 

This is one of the most common leadership challenges out there:
You know something needs to be said… but you don’t know how to say it.

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

This conversation with Natasha Skolny is one that makes you think about how you’re actually showing up as a leader.

Natasha, a leadership coach and founder of The Leadership Cabin, and I talk about redefining success, doing the work of self-discovery, and why vulnerability and trust aren’t optional if you want to lead well. She shares how aligning your personal values with your professional life changes everything and how growth often comes through the uncomfortable moments.

We also get into fear, confidence, and the lessons she’s carried from her figure skating background into leadership today.

If you’re still figuring out your leadership style or what success really looks like for you, this one’s worth a listen.

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

What if the hardest thing you’ve ever gone through became the very thing that shaped how you lead?

In this episode, Sara sits down with Hanna Bauer to talk about resilience in the most real, human way possible. Diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition as a child, Hanna shares how adversity, family support, and even her scars helped shape who she is today.

She also introduces her method for leadership: a values-based approach rooted in service, alignment, and living what you believe.

This conversation is honest, powerful, and deeply human… a reminder that the experiences that challenge us most often become the ones that define how we live and how we lead.

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

Branded merchandise is often treated as an afterthought—but it can be a powerful reflection of leadership, culture, and values.

In this episode of I’m joined by Amanda Hofman, founder of Go To>Market, to explore how print on demand is reshaping the way brands connect with their people. Amanda shares her journey from corporate burnout to building a values-driven business, and why authenticity matters in branding, leadership, and community building.

We talk about why traditional swag often misses the mark, how personalized and sustainable merchandise can boost connection and morale, and what leaders should consider when defining their brand both internally to their teams and externally to the public. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on using creativity and intention to lead more effectively.

Perfect for leaders, entrepreneurs, and marketers who want to move beyond one-size-fits-all branding and create something that actually reflects who they are.

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

The past year changed how I think about leadership...and in this episode, I’m sharing why.

In the Spring 2026 season opener of Lead Into It, I reflect on a year of growth, challenge, and transformation, shaped by my experiences in the military, coaching, and building community. We’ll explore what it really means to lead in alignment with your values, why human-centered leadership matters now more than ever, and how small shifts can create meaningful change.

This episode sets the tone for the season ahead. We're focused on practical leadership tools, honest conversations, and personal growth for leaders at every level.

If you’re navigating change, craving clarity, or wanting to lead with more intention, this episode is for you.

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

What if the biggest leadership lessons of your year are already sitting in the stories you’ve lived and the conversations you’ve had?

For our final episode of 2025, we’re rewinding and revisiting some of the most impactful moments from this year’s twenty episodes of Lead Into It. You’ll hear insights on confidence, failure, self-awareness, communicating with intention, leading through challenge, and taking better care of yourself as both a leader and a human.

Featuring voices from leaders, creators, military professionals, entrepreneurs, and change-makers, this highlight reel is packed with perspective and encouragement you can carry into the new year. Want to explore more from a specific conversation? Check out the links below to jump directly to the full episodes.

End-of-Year Homework:
What is one leadership lesson from 2025 that you want to take with you into 2026?

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Episode Guide: 

00:00 Owning the Room with Lydia Fenet
05:22 Leading from the Inside Out: Mindset Coaching with Margaret "MJ" Jennings
10:26 The Power of Debriefing with Robert "Cujo" Teschner
14:37 Ownership, Leadership and Attitude with Mike Minihan
16:39 Fueling Leadership Through Empowerment with Maj Gen Dan Tulley
21:19 From Colonel to Cacao: A Leadership Journey with Maria Carl 
22:33 Diving Deep: Empowering Volunteers and Protecting Sea Turtles with Tabitha Siegfried
25:29 Science Meets Leadership: Navigating the Unknown with Diane Fraser
27:03 Cultivating Curiosity as a Leader with Thomas Greek
28:07 The Power of Storytelling with Karen Eber
30:57 Redefining Leadership with Brooke Brzozowske
32:41 Leadership Meets Flexibility with Whitney Munro
33:35 The Failure Files: The Email with Sara

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

In this special Veterans Day episode, we explore the connection between courage and leadership beyond the battlefield. From stories of service to lessons in resilience and integrity, this conversation is a reminder that true leadership starts with the courage to serve others first.

Whether you’re a veteran, a leader, or someone striving to lead with more purpose, this episode will leave you reflecting on what it really means to lead with courage, heart and honor.

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Want to learn more about the leaders and stories mentioned in this episode? See below: 

Gen. Colin Powell

• Colin L. Powell’s Thirteen Rules of Leadership – U.S. Department of State
• Colin Powell’s Legacy Defined by Two Very Different Wars in Iraq – NPR

Adm. William H. McRaven

• What I Learned from Being Fired – Business Insider
• Achievement.org Profile: Admiral William H. McRaven

Col. Florence A. Blanchfield

• Colonel Florence A. Blanchfield – Army Nurse Corps Association
• Col. Florence Blanchfield Remembered as Army Nurse Corps Marks 122 Years – U.S. Army
• Dictionary of Virginia Biography – Florence Aby Blanchfield

Veterans Day

• History of Veterans Day – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

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Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!

When leadership meets flexibility, real impact happens. 

In this episode, Sara sits down with Whitney Munro, Founder and CEO of FLEX Partners, a mission-driven consulting firm that’s reimagining how nonprofits get the strategic support they need. Whitney shares her journey from corporate PR to building FLEX Partners. A business with a model rooted in flexibility, purpose, and impact.

Tune in for a powerful conversation on leadership, adaptability, and creating meaningful change in the nonprofit world.

Thanks for listening!! Let’s keep the conversation going: Connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Excited to be here with you!