In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. podcast, we sit down with educator, leader, and podcaster Gerrie Spellmann—co-host of Love, Sweat, and Tears—to explore what it truly means to lead with heart in the midst of challenge.

With decades of experience in education, Gerrie brings grounded wisdom, unfiltered honesty, and a deep passion for reconnecting to joy and purpose. From stories of faith over fear to moments of vulnerability and laughter, this conversation is a lifeline for anyone feeling the weight of burnout or wondering if their work still matters.

✨ Topics We Cover:

• How to lead with love in tough spaces

• Reclaiming joy when you're running on empty

• The messy, beautiful intersection of fear, faith, and forward motion

• What gives Gerrie hope for the future of education and leadership

If you're craving authenticity, encouragement, and a reminder that you’re not alone—this episode is for you.

🔗 Connect with Gerrie: Find Love, Sweat, and Tears wherever you get your podcasts and follow along for more real-talk inspiration.

In this empowering episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. podcast, I sit down with William D. Parker—executive coach, educator, speaker, and founder of Principal Matters, LLC. With decades of experience as an award-winning teacher and principal, Will shares practical strategies for leading with Habits, Optimism, Purpose, and Excellence in today's rapidly changing education landscape.

🎧 Tune in as we discuss:
✅ Why educators need to stop waiting for permission to lead boldly
✅ How to build intentional, positive school culture
✅ The keys to cultivating resilience and hope in leadership
✅ Coaching strategies to grow without burnout or comparison
✅ A defining moment of choosing faith over fear
✅ What’s inspiring Will today—and why he’s hopeful for the future of education

Whether you're a school leader, teacher, or aspiring changemaker, this episode will reignite your passion and purpose.

🔗 Connect with William D. Parker and explore more at https://williamdparker.com/
🔔 Subscribe, rate, and share to help others Lead with H.O.P.E.!

In this inspiring episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. podcast, we’re joined by Kijuan Amey, founder and CEO of Amey Motivation, U.S. Air Force veteran, and motivational speaker. After a life-altering motorcycle accident left him blind in 2017, Kijuan refused to let adversity define him. Instead, he chose to lead with purpose, resilience, and vision.

Through his work with the Blinded Veterans Association and the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, Kijuan empowers others to transform pain into purpose. Tune in to hear how he’s helping people live beyond limitations and lead with vision, even in the face of life’s toughest challenges.

Learn more about Kijuan’s mission, subscribe to the podcast, or book him for speaking engagements at AmeyMotivation.com.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow, rate the show, and share this episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. podcast. Your support helps us continue sharing these powerful stories!

In this special solo episode of the Lead with HOPE podcast, Brandi Kelly shares her personal journey of loss, resilience, and purpose. From the tragic loss of her brother Brandon to over 20 years as an educator and school leader, Brandi reveals how she discovered the true power of HOPE—Habits, an Optimistic Outlook, Purpose, and Excellence—in both life and leadership.

Listeners will learn practical strategies for leading with HOPE using Brandi’s H.O.P.E. Cycle - Assess → Envision → Focus → Measure → Act → Align, including how to assess your current situation, envision your impact, focus your energy, and take intentional action.

💛 Leaders ready to take the next step can join the Spark HOPE Edu Leadership Coaching Cohort, forming now and starting October 8. This cohort is designed to help you put HOPE into action, grow through what you go through, and create real impact in your school, organization, or community.

Apply now here: https://sparkhopeedu.com/coachingcohort

🎧 Tune in to discover how you can turn life’s challenges into purpose-driven leadership, gain actionable strategies, and lead with HOPE in your school, organization, or personal life.

Key Takeaways:

• How to find purpose in pain and grow through challenges

• Practical HOPE strategies using the Assess → Envision → Focus → Measure → Act → Realign cycle

• Insights from Brandi’s personal story and leadership journey

• Opportunity to join the Spark HOPE Edu Leadership Coaching Cohort starting October 8

Keywords: HOPE in Action, Leadership Development, Resilient Leadership, Habits Optimistic Outlook Purpose Excellence, Lead with HOPE, Educational Leadership, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Coaching Cohort

In this inspiring episode of the Lead with HOPE Podcast, Brandi Kelly sits down with Gretchen Bridgers—educator, coach, speaker, and founder of Always A Lesson. With over two decades of experience empowering teachers and transforming classrooms, Gretchen shares her journey from the classroom to coaching, the pivotal moments that shaped her mission, and how she continues to uplift educators through her podcast, courses, and coaching.

Whether you're a teacher, leader, or lifelong learner, this conversation will leave you re-energized and reminded of the power of purpose, growth, and belief in what’s possible.

🔗 Connect with Gretchen:Website: alwaysalesson.comPodcast: Empowering Educators

💛 Stay connected and spread the HOPE!
👉 Visit sparkhopeedu.com for more resources and inspiration
📱 Follow Dr. Kelly Brandi on social media:
Instagram: @leadwithhope.23Facebook: @LTW24LinkedIn: Brandi Kelly, Ed.D., LCSWTwitter: @jbmrkelly
📺 Subscribe to the Lead with HOPE YouTube Channel
🎧 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the Lead with HOPE Podcast with a friend to spark some hope and inspiration!

In this inspiring episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. podcast, Dr. Brandi Kelly welcomes Amanda Younts, leadership and personal growth expert known as The Midlife Catalyst. With over two decades of experience in education, psychology, and advocacy, Amanda shares her deeply personal journey of transitioning from a career in education to becoming a sought-after speaker, coach, and wellness advocate.

Amanda opens up about how her parents’ illnesses sparked a shift in perspective—leading her to reevaluate her purpose and pursue a life rooted in meaning, mindfulness, and impact. She shares how she now helps others do the same through values-based leadership and holistic personal growth.

✨ Episode Highlights:

• Amanda’s powerful story of career transition and reinvention

• The role of core values in creating a meaningful life

• Building individualized habits using James Clear’s Atomic Habits and habit stacking

• Amanda’s daily wellness routines: journaling, meditation, and movement

• How social connection and community support personal and professional well-being

• Her work with organizations to promote employee wellness and combat burnout

• Insights on writing, storytelling, and her upcoming memoir

• Navigating career changes, setting boundaries, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance

This episode is a must-listen for midlife professionals, leaders in transition, and anyone ready to reconnect with their purpose and rise with hope.

📌 Connect with Amanda Younts:🌐 midlifecatalyst.net

In this empowering episode of Lead with H.O.P.E., host Brandi Kelly sits down with two trailblazing women in education—Dr. Courtney Orzel, Superintendent of Lemont, IL, and Dr. Kate Koch, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. Both are educators, speakers, authors, and authentic leaders dedicated to building people-centered school cultures that thrive on trust, belonging, and psychological safety.

If you're a leader, aspiring leader, or educator seeking inspiration, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Courtney and Kate share powerful personal stories and leadership habits that create lasting impact.

💡 Topics include:

• How to create cultures of connection and trust

• The role of mindset and optimism in high-stress leadership roles

• Supporting growth and excellence without perfectionism

• How female leaders in education are redefining success

• What’s giving these leaders hope for the future of schools

No matter your role—in education, business, or life—this episode will leave you inspired to lead with heart, purpose, and H.O.P.E. ☕ So grab your coffee (or whatever you're sipping), and settle in for a conversation that’s honest, energizing, and overflowing with insight, authenticity, and actionable leadership wisdom.

🔗 Listen now and subscribe to Lead with H.O.P.E. for more episodes featuring innovative, resilient, and hope-driven education leaders.

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.