Lead Into It

I’ve hit 60 episodes of the Lead Into It podcast! 🎉
For this milestone episode, I’m doing something new: my very first Q&A. You sent in your leadership questions, and I’m diving into them all.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

• Leading during tough times (like government shutdowns)
• Knowing when to say no to a promotion
• Building trust and training new team members
• Navigating leadership challenges with experienced teams
• Showing emotions authentically as a leader

I’m answering your questions while sharing personal stories, lessons I’ve learned along the way, and practical takeaways you can use right now. Whether you’re leading through a challenge or growing into your next season, 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!

In this episode of Lead Into It, I’m joined by Brooke Brzozowske, a former federal government communications professional who spent nearly two decades advising leaders at the highest levels of the military and is now a full-time executive and leadership coach.

Brooke was one of my very first podcast guests five years ago, and she’s someone who also inspired me go on the journey to become a coach. Since then, her journey has been all about alignment, courage, and redefining what leadership looks like from the inside out.

Together, we explore what it means to lead with intention, realign your work with your values, and have the courage to reinvent yourself. Brooke shares lessons from her time at the Pentagon, moments of growth from her coaching practice, and how she’s learned to lead from a place of authenticity and trust.

If you’ve ever wondered how to show up more authentically as a leader or what it looks like to take charge of your own story, this episode is for you.

You can find out more about Brooke and her coaching practice here. 

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, Sara sits down with Karen Eber, award-winning author of The Perfect Story, keynote and TED speaker, and international consultant, to explore the transformative power of storytelling in leadership and communication.

Karen shares how stories can build trust, inspire teams, and make messages truly memorable — all backed by the fascinating neuroscience behind why stories work. 

Whether you’re leading a team, giving a presentation, or just want to communicate more effectively, this episode is full of actionable insights you can start using right away.

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!

It started with a simple email. And ended with a very humbling lesson learned. 

In the first episode of The Failure Files, I’m opening up about a mistake I made early in my career — what it taught me about empathy, accountability, and the power of a single question.

This is the story of The Email — the one that changed how I 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!

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

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 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.

________________________________________________________________________________________

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

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!

✨ 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!

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!

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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!