Lead Through It with Kim and Jada

Send us Fan Mail

In this special pre-brief episode of Lead Through It, Jada Willis and Kim Andrews have an honest conversation about something every leader experiences but few openly discuss: navigating personal challenges while continuing to lead others.

Before welcoming Dr. Ardra Davis-Tolbert to the podcast, Jada shares her own upcoming health journey and the experience of preparing for major surgery while balancing the demands of leadership. Together, Jada and Kim discuss why conversations around women's health, recovery, vulnerability, and workplace support matter…not just personally, but professionally.

They explore what it means to prepare your team before stepping away, how leaders can create cultures where people feel safe asking for support, and why acknowledging life's inevitable transitions can strengthen rather than weaken leadership.

This episode offers a firsthand look at the intersection of personal well-being and professional responsibility while setting the stage for a meaningful conversation with Dr. Tolbert. If you've ever wondered how to lead through life's unexpected challenges without losing yourself in the process, this episode is for you.

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

In this debrief episode of Lead Through It, Jada Willis and Kim Andrews reflect on their conversation with executive coach Muriel Wilkins and unpack the leadership lessons that have continued to stay with them long after the interview ended.

Together, they explore what it means to practice self-compassion in the midst of difficult seasons, why witnessing our own struggles can be just as important as solving them, and how personal growth often comes from allowing ourselves to sit with discomfort instead of rushing past it.

They also unpack Muriel's powerful perspective that "everything is co-created," challenging leaders to look inward when navigating difficult relationships and recognize the role they play in shaping outcomes. The episode closes with an honest conversation about competition, collaboration, and why leadership becomes stronger when we choose to learn from one another instead of comparing ourselves.

Whether you're navigating a challenging season, leading through uncertainty, or simply looking to become a more intentional leader, this debrief offers practical reflections and thoughtful questions that will stay with you long after the episode ends.

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Lead Through It, Jada Willis and Kim Andrews reflect on a powerful conversation with leadership consultant Rachel Cooke and unpack what it really means to lead in seasons of uncertainty, overwhelm, and constant motion.

Together, they explore the tension between planning and presence, and why letting go of rigid expectations can actually create more clarity, energy, and forward movement. From Steve Jobs’ idea of “connecting the dots looking backward” to the reminder that “two things can be true,” the conversation centers on the idea that leadership doesn’t always require a perfect plan to move forward effectively.

Jada and Kim also dig into the small but meaningful shifts that help leaders stay grounded in the middle of chaos…what Rachel calls “small increments of relief.” Whether it’s building tiny habits, noticing what brings energy versus what drains it, or allowing space for imperfection and inconsistency, they highlight how real change often starts in the smallest, most practical adjustments.

At the heart of the episode is a reminder that burnout doesn’t always require a major overhaul. Sometimes it starts with small sparks of relief, a little more presence, and the willingness to loosen your grip on how things “should” go.

This episode is for leaders who are carrying a lot, trying to do everything right, and wondering if there is a more sustainable way to lead. The answer shared here is simple but not always easy: slow down enough to notice what’s working, take the next small step, and allow space for things to unfold.

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

What if the answer to burnout isn’t doing less, but designing work differently?

In this episode, Kim and Jada sit down with Rachel Cooke, founder of Lead Above Noise, host of the Modern Mentor podcast, and a leading voice on creating healthier, more sustainable ways of working.

After leaving a successful corporate HR career, Rachel set out to challenge the belief that exhaustion is simply the cost of success. What she discovered is that many organizations focus on changing structures, roles, and reporting lines while overlooking the day-to-day realities of how work actually gets done.

Together, they explore:

• Why work has become more complicated than it needs to be
• How small shifts can create meaningful relief for overwhelmed teams
• The connection between wellbeing, engagement, and performance
• Why leaders don't have to have all the answers during uncertainty

Rachel shares powerful stories from hospitals, boardrooms, and organizations navigating burnout, reminding us that transformation rarely starts with sweeping changes. More often, it begins with listening, experimenting, and making work just a little bit better for the people doing it.

She also offers a refreshing perspective on career growth, leadership, and the future: there is no perfect plan. You take a step, and then you make it right.

If you're leading through uncertainty, questioning old ways of working, or searching for practical ways to create a healthier culture, this conversation is for you.

Because better workplaces aren't built through bigger policies or more processes. They are built through intentional choices, shared responsibility, and the courage to redesign work in ways that help people thrive.

Want to hear more from our guest? Be sure to check out her personal podcast, Modern Mentor, where she shares practical insights and strategies to help you lead, work, and grow with confidence. Listen here: https://pod.link/modernmentor

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Lead Through It, Jada and Kim sit down with executive coach, author, and Coaching Real Leaders host Muriel Wilkins for a conversation that is equal parts leadership wisdom, personal reflection, and deep exhale.

Muriel shares the heart behind her work: helping leaders stop making leadership harder than it has to be. Together, they explore the mindset patterns that often keep high-performing leaders stuck, including the need to be involved in everything, the pull toward urgency, and the belief that being right is enough. Muriel explains why true leadership growth is not just about changing behaviors, but about noticing the beliefs driving those behaviors in the first place.

The conversation also moves beyond tactics into something much deeper: ease, surrender, self-compassion, and what it means to lead without gripping so tightly. Muriel offers a powerful reminder that leadership is not about controlling every outcome. It is about seeing reality clearly, making intentional choices, and learning how to stay present through discomfort without adding unnecessary suffering.

This episode is for leaders, coaches, and high achievers who are carrying a lot, moving fast, and wondering if there is another way to lead. Muriel’s answer is both grounding and freeing: yes, there is. And it starts with awareness, alignment, and a little more ease. 

Find out more at www.murielwilkins.com/

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Jada and Kim sit down with Shannon Ivey for a powerful, funny, and deeply grounded conversation about voice, identity, self-advocacy, and what it means to take up space without apologizing for it. Shannon shares the journey that led her from theater professor to storyteller, coach, author, TEDx speaker, and founder of the Speak Like You Mean It method, including the moments that forced her to claim her work, protect her voice, and stop waiting for permission.

The conversation moves between leadership, public speaking, women’s confidence, storytelling, body awareness, and the quiet ways people are taught to shrink themselves. Shannon also opens up about her book Welcome to the Shit Show, her experience with colorectal cancer, and why self-advocacy matters in both medical and professional spaces. Along the way, she offers practical wisdom for anyone who wants to speak with more confidence, reconnect with their body, and lead from a place that feels honest instead of performative.

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt their voice catch in the room, wondered whether they were “too much,” or needed a reminder that finding your feet is sometimes the first step to remembering who you are.

Check out Shannon Ivey at shannon-ivey.com/

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

In Part 2 of this conversation, Kim and Jada pick up the “cliffhanger” from the previous episode and reveal the leadership tool hiding in plain sight: one-on-one check-ins. But this is not a conversation about adding more meetings to your calendar. It is about making better use of the time you already have.

They unpack why recurring check-ins should not become another manager-driven update meeting, and how leaders can shift more ownership to direct reports while still providing structure, support, and alignment. From clarifying the purpose of the meeting to separating read-only updates from real discussion topics, Kim and Jada offer practical ways to make one-on-ones more focused, more useful, and less overwhelming.

This episode is especially helpful for leaders who already meet regularly with their team members but feel like those conversations are too rushed, too scattered, or too dependent on the manager to drive. 

The key takeaway: do less, go deeper, and use check-ins for connection, problem-solving, priority alignment, and meaningful support. 

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Lead Through It, Jada and Kim pull back the curtain on the kinds of conversations showing up in real coaching sessions right now. From overwhelmed leaders and overextended managers to team members who need clearer expectations, they unpack why so many leadership challenges start with the same root issue: the leader carrying too much.

Together, they talk about burnout, boundaries, self-leadership, and the power of small experiments that help leaders create space before everything falls apart. This episode is honest, practical, and deeply relatable for anyone who has felt stretched too thin while still trying to show up well for their team.

Part one sets the stage for a deeper conversation about the simple but powerful leadership tool they both found themselves recommending to clients. Before getting there, Jada and Kim remind listeners that progress does not have to be perfect. Sometimes the first step is one small shift, one intentional boundary, or one tiny win that helps you feel like change is possible again. 

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

When everything feels like too much, it can be hard to know where to even begin. In this solo episode, Kim gets real about the overwhelm so many leaders, parents, and professionals are carrying right now.

She shares what she is personally trying to get back on top of the mental load, from going back to pen and paper to experimenting with new boundaries around work and rest. Kim also talks about what she is seeing with clients who are struggling to slow down, stop working late, and lead in a way that is actually sustainable.

This episode is a reminder that you do not have to solve everything at once. Pick one thing. Try one new habit. Notice what happens. Because being overwhelmed does not mean you are failing. It usually means you have been carrying too much for too long. 

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Jada and Kim sit down with Jace Woodrum, a South Carolina native, longtime advocate, and the first transgender executive director in the 100-year history of the nationwide American Civil Liberties Union. Jace has spent his career fighting for LGBTQ rights, healthcare access, and civil liberties, and now leads the ACLU of South Carolina at a time when many South Carolinians feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and unsure if progress is possible.

Together, they talk about what it means to lead when the wins are hard to see, how to keep people motivated after setbacks, and why building connection and community matters so much in difficult seasons. Jace also opens up about leading as a transgender man in a politically charged environment, carrying the weight of advocacy work, and helping people hold onto hope even when change feels slow.

This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership is not always about immediate victories. Sometimes it is about helping people keep going, keep believing, and keep showing up.

Support the show

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com | Hard Conversations AI Toolkit

[email protected] | [email protected]