Lead with HOPE

Have you ever learned a leadership lesson in the most unexpected place? In this episode of Lead with H.O.P.E., Brandi Kelly shares how a simple weekend bike ride with family turned into three powerful insights for school and organizational leaders.

Discover why:

:1️⃣ Your circle matters – Who you spend time with can accelerate or stall your growth.

2️⃣ Investing in yourself is non-negotiable – Leadership requires time, energy, and resources to thrive.

3️⃣ The right systems and tools prevent burnout – Equip your team for success and watch hope rise.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re pedaling uphill in leadership, this episode will inspire you to shift gears and lead with clarity, confidence, and hope.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to:

• ​Build a circle that fuels growth
• ​Make intentional investments in your leadership
• ​Equip your team with tools and systems that lighten the load

💡 “Change is inevitable, but growth is optional.” – John Maxwell

✨ Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly inspiration on habits, mindset, and leadership strategies that help you reflect, reset, and rise.

🔗 Let’s Connect:

Website: www.sparkhopeedu.com

Welcome to Lead with HOPE, the podcast where we explore leadership, resilience, and purpose-driven living. I’m your host, Brandi Kelly—and today’s guest truly embodies what it means to flourish through adversity.

Christian Ray Flores is an entrepreneur, evangelist, international pop star, and philanthropist. Born into political exile and shaped by a global upbringing, Christian has lived an extraordinary life—from music stages to mission-driven startups, and now as founder of the Xponential network, helping leaders align identity, purpose, and influence.

In today’s episode—"The Magic Formula for Human Flourishing"—Christian shares the principles and faith that drive him, and a powerful framework for living with clarity, conviction, and impact. We dive into how adversity can fuel hope, why self-awareness is the key to leadership, and how becoming who you’re called to be is the first step toward changing the world.

This isn’t just a conversation—it’s an invitation to flourish.

Let’s get started.

Website: www.xponential.life

In this powerful episode of Lead with HOPE, Brandi Kelly sits down with Kevin McNicholas to reflect on the ROE #40 SEL Summit and explore what it means to find HOPE in the hard places.

Kevin opens up about his experience attending the SEL Summit four years ago, a time when he was navigating challenges and considering a change in his profession. Together, Brandi and Kevin discuss the importance of social-emotional learning in schools, how community and connection can be lifelines in difficult seasons, and what it takes to build a culture of care.

Kevin also shares practical strategies for staying grounded during tough times and introduces the vital work of the Mental Health First Responders—a growing initiative focused on providing timely support and connection to those in need.

This episode is a reminder that no matter where you are on your journey, you are not alone—and that hope is not just a feeling, but a decision we make every day.

💬 If you’d like more information about Mental Health First Responders, reach out to Kevin at [email protected].

🙏 I would be honored if you’d subscribe, rate the show, and share this episode with someone who could use a little hope and inspiration today.

In this inspiring episode, Brandi sits down with Chris Culver—educator, thought leader, and founder of Orange Sparrow—to explore the transformative power of kindness in leadership, education, and everyday life.

With over a decade of experience in educational leadership, Dr. Culver shares how the Science of Kindness is reshaping schools and organizations across the country. As a Gen Z/Alpha expert, he offers powerful insight into how to build inclusive cultures where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

You’ll hear about his journey, his mission, and the practical ways kindness can be used as a tool for connection, motivation, and systemic change. From leadership strategies to student engagement, this conversation is full of wisdom, heart, and actionable takeaways.

✨ Highlights from this episode:

• Why kindness is more than a buzzword—it's a powerful leadership strategy

• How to foster belonging in schools and teams

• How to “be the light” when the world feels dim

Dr. Culver’s message is a timely reminder that kindness isn’t soft—it’s strong, strategic, and deeply needed.

🔶 Learn more at orangesparrow.org
💡 Connect with Dr. Culver and join the kindness movement.

Ready to build a life that’s rooted in purpose—not pressure? In this episode of Lead With Hope, we explore the power of mastery goals: goals that focus on growth over perfection, and progress over comparison.

Inspired by last week’s interview with Glenn Forbes and Jenni Donohoo, we dive into what the research says (including insights from John Hattie’s research) and why setting mastery goals fuels agency, resilience, and hope.

You'll learn:

✔️ What mastery goals are and why they are important

✔️ Why they matter for learners, leaders, and everyday life

✔️ A simple 3-step process to reset your goals with intention

🌱 If you’re ready to shift from feeling stuck to creating meaningful change—this one’s for you.

🌱 You don’t have to be the best. You just need to become your best. And that’s enough.

🔗 Don’t forget to listen to episode 47 with Glenn Forbes & Jenni Donohoo here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1sFT00GyNSaI0Gn4422CJr?si=QAUBdFTdQMOD-ToaorzLgw

#leadwithhope #masterygoals #hope #agency #resilience #growthmindset

In this episode of the Lead with HOPE Podcast, we’re joined by two distinguished educators and thought leaders—Dr. Jenni Donohoo and Glenn Forbes. Today, they will share about their new book - Collective Impact: Overcoming the 12 Enemies of Teacher Efficacy. Together, Jenni and Glenn share invaluable insights on fostering collective efficacy, elevating professional learning, and driving sustainable school improvement. Don’t miss this deep dive into the micro moves that empower educators and transform learning communities!

Dr. Jenni Donohoo is a globally recognized expert in school improvement, a five-time best-selling author, and the Director of the Jenni Donohoo Center for Collective Efficacy. With over 25 years of experience, she works with school and system leaders worldwide to foster professional learning that drives meaningful change.

Glenn Forbes, a seasoned school principal and improvement coach from Australia, has been leading in education since 2000. Passionate about collective teacher efficacy and high expectations, he has guided schools to win Queensland’s prestigious Showcase Awards and has contributed to major educational conferences and journals.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform. 🎙️✨

Buy Collective Impact on Amazon

In this episode, I’m sharing something close to my heart and a major source of hope for the future: The Restore Network. This incredible organization is doing transformative work in the foster care system, providing support, community, and real solutions for vulnerable children and the families who care for them.

If you’ve ever wondered how you can make a difference in the lives of children in need, I encourage you to learn more at therestorenetwork.org. Whether it’s fostering, supporting foster families, or getting involved in other ways, The Restore Network offers many opportunities to be part of the solution.

If this episode inspires you, don’t forget to follow the Lead With Hope Podcast, rate the show, and share it with a friend. Let’s keep spreading hope — together.

Today on Lead with HOPE, I'm joined by Michael D. Toth — founder and CEO of Instructional Empowerment, acclaimed author, and visionary thought leader in education. With more than 25 years of experience, Michael has partnered with influential voices like Robert Marzano, published groundbreaking research, and guided school districts across the country in transforming instructional practices.

In this inspiring conversation, we dive into what it really takes to bring joy back to learning — for both students and educators. Michael shares powerful insights on how to create student-centered classrooms, close achievement gaps, and build systems where every learner thrives. Whether you're an educator, leader, or lifelong learner, this episode is packed with wisdom, hope, and practical strategies to reignite your passion for teaching and learning.

Let’s reimagine education — and lead with HOPE.

Website: https://instructionalempowerment.com/library/deeper-learning-title-1/

In this powerful episode of the Lead with HOPE Podcast, I’m opening up about the heart, the journey, and the mission behind Spark HOPE Edu — a mission and movement rooted in healing, purpose, and community. 🌱✨

This isn’t just a story about founding a business. It’s about growing, creating spaces where everyone feels supported, and establishing a system of HOPE to sustain us.

💥 Tune in to here the 5 reasons why...and how leading with HOPE can spark lasting change.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow change-maker. Let’s #LeadWithHOPE together.

In this episode of the Lead with HOPE Podcast, I sit down with Amy P. Kelly, a best-selling author, keynote speaker, executive coach, and performance consultant, to explore the powerful role of HOPE in leadership. Amy shares insights on how hope can transform leadership, mindset, and team dynamics. We discuss actionable strategies for cultivating hope, shifting from a fixed to a growth mindset, and creating environments where hope can thrive. Tune in for practical tools to inspire yourself and your team, and learn how to lead with optimism, resilience, and possibility.