Lead with HOPE

The conversation explores the journey of pain and purpose, highlighting the power of hope and leadership. It delves into facing unimaginable circumstances, finding purpose, taking micro steps, and leading at home and in business. The importance of self-care, reflection, and choosing how to respond to pain is emphasized, along with the message of finding hope and purpose in life.

Takeaways

• Pain into Purpose
• Hope and Leadership

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Gratitude
• 05:12 Finding Purpose and Hope
• 13:38 Leading at Home and in Business
• 22:47 Talking to Yourself and Reflecting
• 31:25 Reflecting on the Journey

Links and Resources:

Our Legacy Partner - Conversari: https://www.conversaripress.com/

Learn more about Mandi Pratt: https://womenawareandprepared.com/

Learn more about Brandi Kelly @ Spark HOPE Edu:

https://sparkhopeedu.com/

The conversation with Rachel Baker explores the themes of hope, resilience, and the power of connection. Rachel shares her journey, emphasizing the importance of daily best, acts of kindness, and the cultivation of hope and optimism. The discussion delves into the significance of self-awareness, prioritizing, and finding fulfillment in education. It also highlights the role of community, faith, and the impact of daily acts of kindness in fostering hope and resilience.

Takeaways

• Connection and community are essential for cultivating hope and optimism.
• Daily best is enough, and it's important to hold onto hope and faith.
• Acts of kindness and love can bring hope to others and ourselves.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Gratitude
• 05:01 Creating Breathing Room in Life
• 10:09 Self-Care and Self-Worth
• 15:16 Hope in Daily Acts of Kindness
• 21:15 Choosing Hope and Optimism
• 26:16 Connection and Kindness in the World
• 32:20 Acts of Kindness and Love
• 38:30 Choosing Hope and Optimism
• 44:39 Hope in Daily Best and Faith

Links & Resources

Conversari Press (Legacy Partner): https://www.conversaripress.com/

Rachel D. Baker: https://racheldbaker.com/

Visit https://sparkhopeedu.com and schedule a Leadership Clarity Assessment by clicking on the button in the upper right hand corner!

What started as a podcast became a movement.

In this special 100th episode of Lead with H.O.P.E., Dr. Brandi Kelly reflects on the lessons, stories, and conversations that have shaped the journey. From the power of human connection to the responsibility of holding hope for others, this milestone episode is a reminder that leadership is less about programs and more about people.

• Hope isn't a feeling—it's a practice.
• People matter more than programs.
• Great leaders hold hope for others until they can hold it for themselves.

00:00 – Celebrating 100 Episodes

06:21 – The Most Important Leadership Lesson: Holding Hope for Others

Resources and Links
Conversari (Legacy Partner): https://www.conversaripress.com/

Start Your Year Strong Resource Guide: https://www.startyouryearstrong.com/guide

Visit Spark HOPE Edu to learn about Dr. Brandi Kelly's work: https://sparkhopeedu.com/hopefueledpd26

Are you feeling overwhelmed as a leader? Discover how focusing on joy can be an unexpected but powerful tool for inspiring your team and cultivating hope in education. In this episode, we explore superintendent George Philhower's innovative approach to leadership that emphasizes the importance of joy, connection, growth, and success—culminating in the inspiring annual Joy Jam conference.

Key Topics Covered:

• The importance of intentional joy in education and leadership
• How Joy Jam was born out of strategic promises focused on joy, connection, growth, and success
• Practical ways to embed moments of joy into daily school experiences
• The impact of self-awareness and shifting out of autopilot to create hope and purpose

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome
00:34 - Introducing George Philhower
01:24 - George's background
02:43 - The influence of early teaching experiences and impactful moments
04:43 - The significance of adults modeling joy and hope for students
05:37 - Challenges in recruiting and retaining educators
07:06 - How joy and intentionality are integrated into leadership and school culture
08:17 - The origins and evolution of Eastern Hancock’s core promises
09:14 - Deep dive into the concept of layers of joy and meaningful moments
10:13 - Making joyful moments memorable and impactful in learning
12:28 - Building connection and creating a safe space for vulnerability
13:24 - Focus on growth and lifelong learning for students and staff
13:53 - Ensuring academic success while cultivating a positive culture
14:23 - The origin story of Joy Jam and its purpose
15:48 - The experiential and fun elements of Joy Jam (circus, puppies, memorable moments)
16:57 - Extending the strategic vision through educator conferences
18:09 - Feedback from Joy Jam attendees and its influence on school culture
20:45 - Overcoming setbacks and creating a safe environment to grow
21:44 - Personal story of vulnerability and embracing mistakes
24:40 - Reimagining education through personal challenges and resilience
25:22 - How personal adversity fuels the passion for joyful leadership
26:23 - The importance of contagious joy in inspiring communities
27:38 - Practical strategies for sharing joy and hope
29:12 - The significance of intentionality
30:35 - The role of self-awareness in cultivating hope and joy
31:58 - How to connect with Joy Jam and start spreading joy in your community
32:50 - What gives George hope today
33:29 - Last words and encouragement

Resources & Links:

• Joy Jam 2026 – Information on upcoming Joy Jam conference
• Lead with H.O.P.E. - Book by Dr. Brandi Kelly– Gain insight into hope-fueled leadership practices
• Legacy Partner: Conversari Press – Guided dialogue that listens deeply, probes thoughtfully, and reveals what truly matters

Dr. Brandi Kelly shares her journey of self-discovery and the importance of hope in leadership. She emphasizes the role of self-awareness, belief, and purpose in effective leadership, and introduces a system of hope to sustain leadership excellence.

Takeaways

• Leadership starts with self-awareness
• Hope is essential for leadership

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery
• 05:18 Leadership and Belief

Resources and Links

• Legacy Partner - Conversari Press: https://www.conversaripress.com/
• Spark HOPE Edu Coaching Packages: https://sparkhopeedu.com/coachingpackages

Feeling overwhelmed by leadership, burnout, or uncertainty about your purpose?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Eric Moyer explores how understanding your identity in Christ can transform the way you lead, grow, and navigate life’s challenges. Through a faith-based conversation on authentic leadership, biblical identity, and personal growth, listeners will discover practical strategies for overcoming counterfeit identities, aligning their principles and priorities with God’s truth, and leading with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose. This podcast episode offers encouragement for leaders seeking spiritual growth, leadership development, and hope while balancing the pressures of leadership and life transitions. Topics include overcoming leadership burnout, purpose-driven leadership, faith and leadership, spiritual transformation, Christian personal growth, mindset shifts, and becoming the leader God created you to be.

Chapters with timestamps:

1. Introduction to Identity and Growth (0:03)
2. Dr. Eric Moyer's Journey (1:06)
3. Identity-Based Leadership (5:14)
4. Counterfeit Identities (5:36)
5. Aligning with God's Vision (8:16)
6. The Four Ps of Identity (13:01)
7. Leadership and Priorities (17:31)
8. The Story of Jonah (29:52)
9. Hope and Transformation (43:08)

Resources and Links:

Conversari Press - a Legacy Partner of the Lead with HOPE Podcast

Connect with Dr. Eric Moyer:

https://redeemingidentity.com/

Keywords:

1. Educational Psychology
2. Biblical Truth
3. Identity-Based Leadership
4. Dr. Eric Moyer
5. Redeeming Identity
6. Counterfeit Identities
7. Leadership Development
8. Christian Faith
9. Spiritual Growth
10. Jonah Story
11. Aligning with God
12. Four Ps of Identity
13. Leadership Priorities
14. Hope and Transformation

In this inspiring episode of Lead with H.O.P.E., Brandi Kelly reflects on two powerful experiences that reinforced a life-changing realization: she is no longer asking for a seat at the table—she’s changing the table.

Drawing from her experience attending the first-ever Mic Drop Live event and speaking at Full Armor Christian Academy, Brandi explores authentic leadership, courage, purpose, kindness, and the importance of creating healthier spaces for future generations.

This episode challenges listeners to stop shrinking themselves to fit environments that no longer align with their values and instead begin building the culture, community, and world they truly want to live in.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, burnout, people-pleasing, or waiting for permission to fully step into your purpose, this conversation will encourage you to lead boldly, protect your light, and create meaningful change right where you are.

Chapters

00:00 — Embracing Your True Self
Brandi shares the realization that came from attending Mic Drop Live and why purpose doesn’t wait for permission.

03:14 — The Power of Kindness and Leadership
Lessons learned from sharing Spreading Sunshine with Kindness with students at Full Armor Christian Academy.

05:32 — Building New Rooms for Change
Why true leadership means creating healthier spaces, cultures, and communities instead of trying to fit into broken systems.

09:10 — Stop Waiting for Permission
Breaking free from people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the fear of being “too much.”

12:02 — Build the World You Want
How everyday leadership decisions shape the future for our children, communities, and workplaces.

Takeaways

✨ You do not need permission to begin leading with purpose and authenticity.

✨ Real leadership is not about fitting into existing systems... it’s about building healthier ones.

✨ Protecting your light and using your voice boldly can create lasting impact for future generations.

✨ Kindness, hope, and courage are leadership strengths not weaknesses.

✨ The culture you create in your home, workplace, and community matters deeply.

Resources & Links:

Legacy Partner/Conversari: https://www.conversaripress.com/

📘 Spreading Sunshine with Kindness by Brandi Kelly Available on Amazon: https://shorturl.at/6vc2k

🎙️ Follow the Lead with H.O.P.E. Podcast for weekly conversations on leadership, mindset, faith, purpose, and personal growth.

🌟 Connect with Brandi Kelly for speaking, coaching, and leadership development opportunities at https://sparkhopeedu.com

Keywords

leadership podcast, authentic leadership, women in leadership, leadership development, purpose-driven life, mindset growth, personal growth podcast, hope-fueled leadership, emotional intelligence, educator leadership, faith-based leadership, confidence, courage, workplace culture, kindness, burnout recovery, motivation, empowerment, community impact, purpose, culture change, inspirational podcast, leadership coaching, resilience, changemaker mindset

Episode SummaryIn this powerful interview, Michelle Sloan shares her journey from educator to leadership expert, revealing how purpose-driven leadership transforms schools from the inside out. She breaks down how principals can move beyond vision alone by building strong systems, cultivating belief, and leading with hope.

If you’re a school leader looking to create alignment, strengthen culture, and lead with clarity and intention, this conversation delivers practical strategies you can implement right away.

Key Topics

• Purpose-driven leadership in education
• Building aligned systems and strong school culture
• Fostering belief, hope, and clarity in leadership

Chapters00:00 – Introduction + Guest Overview

00:53 – Michelle Sloan’s Journey in Education

03:50 – What Purpose-Driven Leadership Really Means

06:31 – Helping Principals Discover Their Purpose

09:08 – The Power of Belief Statements

11:12 – Embedding Purpose into Systems

13:54 – Building Capacity + Delegation

15:50 – Aligning Vision, Systems, and Culture

16:51 – Leadership Through COVID Challenges

19:27 – Self-Awareness + Strong Teams

21:44 – Supporting Principals Under Pressure

26:20 – Building a Foundation for Joy

36:00 – Inside The Purpose Driven Principle

37:08 – Finding Hope in Education

38:12 – How to Connect with Michelle

Resources & Links

• 📘 The Purpose Driven Principal: https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Driven-Principal-Finding-School-Leadership/dp/
• 🌐 Michelle Sloan Website: https://sloanleadership.com/
• 🎤 Conversari Press (Storytelling for Leaders): https://www.conversaripress.com/
• Spark HOPE Edu: https://sparkhopeedu.com

Keywordsschool leadership, purpose-driven leadership, principal coaching, educational leadership, school culture, leadership systems, leadership clarity, self-awareness in leadership, building belief in schools, hope in leadership, leadership strategies for principals

Episode Summary

You don’t need more leadership strategies... you need more self-awareness.

In this episode, Brandi Kelly unpacks one of the most overlooked gaps in leadership today: the lack of understanding around how you are actually wired. You can work hard, care deeply, and show up consistently and still feel misaligned, overwhelmed, or exhausted in your leadership.

Why? Because when you don’t understand yourself, you end up fighting yourself.

Brandi introduces the DISC Assessment as a practical tool to help leaders gain clarity around communication styles, decision-making patterns, and stress responses. When leaders understand their wiring, everything shifts... from how they lead others to how they lead themselves.

This episode will help you move from confusion to clarity, and from striving to alignment.

• The DISC Assessment reveals how you communicate, decide, and respond under pressure
• Self-awareness leads to less stress, better communication, and healthier leadership
• Real leadership rest comes from alignment, not overperformance
• Practical Leadership Reset Steps

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership

04:58 Understanding DISC Styles for Effective Leadership

06:56 Practical Steps for Leadership Clarity

08:06 Embracing Leadership and Hope

Links & Resources

👉 Learn more about the DISC Leadership Clarity Session
📩 Reach out to Brandi Kelly to schedule your personalized DISC assessment walkthrough

✨ Limited to 10 spots for May – DISC Leadership Clarity Sessions

Visit our Legacy Partner, Conversari Press @ https://www.conversaripress.com

Keywords

Leadership development, self-awareness in leadership, DISC assessment, emotional intelligence in leadership, leadership coaching, leadership burnout, communication styles, leadership growth, Christian leadership, school leadership, executive leadership coaching, personal development podcast, Brandi Kelly podcast, Lead with Hope podcast, leadership clarity, healthy leadership habits

In this powerful and deeply reflective conversation, Brandi Kelly sits down with Preston Zeller to explore how grief, creativity, and faith intersect to shape leadership and purpose.

The conversation expands into faith, resilience, and technology as Preston introduces Psalm Log, an AI-powered biblical journaling and guidance app designed to help believers engage Scripture in a more personal, reflective, and accessible way.

Together, Brandi and Preston unpack what it means to lead through uncertainty, how to cultivate emotional and spiritual resilience, and why self-awareness is foundational for strong leadership.

Key Takeaways

• Grief can a catalyst for purpose when processed through creativity and reflection instead of avoidance.
• Leadership begins with self-leadership—you cannot lead others well without first leading yourself well.
• Creative expression can unlock healing that logic alone cannot reach.
• Faith and discipline help anchor resilience in seasons of uncertainty and pressure.
• AI can be a tool for spiritual reflection when used with discernment, not replacement of personal faith.

• Hope is built through focus on what you can control—your thoughts, actions, and obedience in the present moment.
• Growth often comes through discomfort and refinement, not ease or certainty.

Resources & Links

• Psalm Log (AI Biblical Journaling App): https://psalmlog.com/

• The Art of Grieving Documentary - Available on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV: https://theartofgrievingfilm.com/
• Connect with Preston Zeller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonzeller/
• Conversari Press - Legacy Partner of the Lead with HOPE Podcast: https://www.conversaripress.com/
• Spark HOPE Edu: https://sparkhopeedu.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility

00:56 Preston’s Personal Story and Loss of Brother

02:08 The Creative Process and Grief

03:57 Lessons Learned from Artistic Expression

07:10 The Power of Visual Art in Healing

09:09 Sharing Preston’s Artwork and Documentary

09:56 The Final Artwork and Its Meaning

12:29 Faith’s Role in Creating Psalm Log

12:49 Using AI for Biblical Guidance

14:54 The Purpose of Psalm Log as a Supportive Tool

16:15 Addressing Fears Around AI and Technology

19:27 Faith and Resilience in Uncertain Times

22:39 Building Hope and Community Through Faith

26:29 The Importance of Self-Reflection and Faith

29:11 What Gives Preston Hope Today

30:47 Practical Steps for Cultivating Hope and Faith

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