Welcome to another episode of the Leadership Lab podcast, where holistic leadership takes center stage – exploring how self-care outside of work is just as important as leading effectively within the workplace. In today’s episode, host Jamie McKinney sits down with Dr. Maggie Teliska, a trailblazing chemist and senior battery energy storage technical manager at Transgrid Energy. Not only is Maggie recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in CleanTech, but she’s also a chronic illness survivor who transformed her medical challenges into powerful leadership lessons.

Jamie and Maggie dive deep into Maggie’s harrowing experience of surviving a sudden cardiac event, the hurdles women often face in healthcare advocacy, and how leadership principles can help navigate daunting doctor’s offices and exam rooms. You’ll discover how crafting concise “sound bites” and practicing self-advocacy can be life-changing, both at work and in medical settings. Maggie’s journey offers actionable advice and inspiring wisdom, reminding us all of the power of preparation, clarity, and confidence, even when the stakes are high.

Grab your notebook - today’s episode is full of practical strategies you’ll want to remember, whether you’re leading a meeting or discussing your health. Let’s jump in!

Welcome to the Leadership Lab podcast! In this episode, host Jamie McKinney sits down with Dena Lund, a trailblazing retired CEO and chemical engineer with three decades of experience leading organizations through transition and growth in the oil and gas industry. 

Jamie and Dena dive into the all-too-common challenge of making your voice heard in the workplace, especially when pitching new ideas or advocating for change. Drawing on both scientific research and hard-won career lessons, Dena shares her "5x Rule," the proven strategy that meaningful change often requires voicing your ideas multiple times, in multiple ways, before they gain traction. 

Through engaging stories - like how she and her colleagues navigated a high-stakes decision that needed to be asked five different times - Dena offers practical advice on influencing decisions, aligning with values, gaining allies, and persisting through initial resistance. 

Whether you're looking to master the art of the ask, advocate for yourself, or lead your team through tough transitions, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring encouragement to help you experiment, grow, and find your authentic leadership voice.

#leadership #speakup #podcast #womensleadership

Welcome back to Leadership Lab, where we don’t just talk about leadership theory, we experiment with real, practical steps you can instantly apply. On today’s episode, host Jamie McKinney sits down with Lauren Palandino, a seasoned continuous improvement professional, to tackle one of the most elusive challenges facing high achievers: work-life balance.

But Lauren didn’t just try to chase balance - she’s helping us redefine it. Instead of striving for a perfect, unattainable equilibrium, Lauren shares the empowering metaphor that changed everything for her: life’s priorities as piano keys, not a set of rigid levers. With major “white key” priorities, smaller “black key” commitments, and the freedom to play chords rather than just single notes, Lauren shows us how to find a more forgiving, achievable rhythm as a leader, a parent, and a person.

Along the way, Jamie and Lauren get real about anxiety, boundaries, organizational chaos, and the everyday moments that add up, like five sips of water or five minutes reading to her son. Lauren opens up about the emotional journey of embracing her new identity as a mom, finding creativity in goal setting, and the power of accountability partners on the path to personal and professional growth.

Ready to ditch perfection and embrace progress? This episode is packed with practical strategies, relatable stories, and just the right amount of encouragement for anyone struggling to juggle work, family, and self-care, all culminating in Lauren’s celebration of a well-earned promotion, on her own terms.

So tune in, grab your metaphorical piano, and get ready to experiment with a new approach to work-life rhythm, progress over perfection, every time.

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Leadership Lab! In today’s show, host Jamie McKinney sits down with Emily Zanto, a process engineer and project manager at Anvil Corporation, to explore the journey of claiming your seat at the table—especially when the environment can be daunting. Emily opens up about her path from a new engineering graduate to becoming the youngest member of her company’s board of directors. With honesty and humor, she shares personal stories about battling imposter syndrome, the importance of cultivating a strong support network, and how feedback—both spicy and supportive—has shaped her growth.

Emily’s story highlights the power of experimenting with your leadership style, embracing candid feedback, and reframing roadblocks as stepping stones. Along the way, she reflects on the balancing act of motherhood and career, and the significance of authenticity and connection in building a legacy of leadership. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to grow into new leadership opportunities, this conversation is full of wisdom, encouragement, and practical tools you can use to confidently own your place at any table. So grab your notebook and get ready to be inspired to take your own next bold step!

Welcome back to the Leadership Lab! In today's episode, host Jamie McKinney sits down with the whip-smart and inspiring Katica Roy, a renowned gender economist, former Global 500 executive, and CEO who's making waves on national media and in boardrooms across the country. Katica shares her unique journey, from being the daughter of immigrants and refugees to becoming a LinkedIn Top Voice and one of Colorado's most celebrated entrepreneurs.

Together, Jamie and Katica unpack what it really means to be a gender economist, why equitable systems are not only the right thing to do but a vital economic opportunity, and how recent shifts in the workforce - like the troubling exodus of Black women - are shaping the future of work for everyone. Katica brings clarity to complex topics like intersectionality in workplace data, the pitfalls of rolling back DEI initiatives, and the real economic impact when companies sideline equity.

You'll hear practical stories from Katica about fighting for equal pay, negotiating compensation, and the actionable ways individuals and companies can move the needle on gender equity. Whether you're leading a team, building your own career, or just passionate about building a fairer workplace, this episode is loaded with insights, motivation, and concrete strategies you can put to use immediately. Tune in and get ready to experiment with your leadership style, progress over perfection, every step of the way!

If you enjoyed today’s conversation with Katica Roy, be sure to connect with her online! 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katicaroy/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katicaroy/

• New York Times front page

• Article feature: In Trump’s Federal Work Force Cuts, Black Women Are Among the Hardest Hit

• Video Feature: Why Black Women Are Seeing Job Losses

• Shareholders of 30 companies worth $13 trillion defeat anti-DEI Proposals

• HR Brew: Target CEO Brian Cornell is stepping down

• Design Observer Column I mentioned: Why scaling back on equity is more than risky — it’s economically irresponsible

• MSBNC: 300,000 Black women have left the labor force in 3 months. It’s not a coincidence.

• Fortune: Future CEOs, erased: the economic cost of losing Black women in the workforce

• Forbes (this has the Lily Ledbetter story): How My Dad Taught Me To Fight For Equal Pay

Welcome back to the Leadership Lab podcast! In today’s episode, host Jamie McKinney sits down with Missie Hills, an accomplished engineer and strategy leader with more than 16 years in the energy industry. Missie shares her journey of finding clarity in her career path a struggle so many of us face, and how a series of “leadership experiments” helped her cut through the mental noise to identify her unique strengths. We dive into the tools and techniques that supported Missie as she navigated professional challenges, tackled self-limiting beliefs, and learned to lead confidently through complex, “gray space” situations. From the power of coaching and the importance of celebrating your wins, to the transformative effect of investing in personal development, this conversation is full of immediately applicable insights for anyone looking to experiment with and grow their leadership style. If you’re craving more clarity, calm in the storm, and actionable steps toward your next career milestone, this episode was made for you. Let’s get started!

Welcome back to the Leadership Lab, the podcast where leadership is approached as an experiment, and growth is the ultimate goal! In this episode, host Jamie McKinney welcomes Ryan Castle, co-founder of Level 10 Leaders - a global leadership development system praised for helping leaders focus on what truly matters. With stories from the front lines of leadership transformation, Ryan shares inspiring case studies of real-life mindset shifts, from turning around a “grumpy” team member to preparing organizations for explosive growth in unpredictable times.

Jamie and Ryan dive deep into the crucial distinction between management and leadership mindsets, exploring how leaders can foster self-awareness, create space for others, and master both the strategic “big picture” and the nitty-gritty of execution. Ryan also opens up about his personal routines for managing stress and bringing positive energy to his team, while offering actionable advice for aspiring and experienced leaders alike.

Whether you’re moving into a leadership role, wanting to build a stronger team, or just looking for inspiration to lead, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and encouraging stories. So get ready to pause, observe, choose, and take your leadership skills to the next level!

https://www.level10leaders.com/
https://www.level10leaders.com/the-active-manager-book

Welcome to the Leadership Lab! In today’s empowering episode, host Jamie McKinney tackles a familiar foe for so many high-achievers - imposter syndrome. If you’ve ever felt that lurking doubt or questioned whether you truly belong in your position, this episode is your go-to pep talk. Jamie shares relatable stories from the Leadership Lab community and introduces a major reframe: what if it’s not imposter syndrome that’s holding you back, but simply an “imposter moment”?

With gentle guidance and practical advice, Jamie walks you through a four-step framework to manage self-doubt when it strikes, so you can recognize it, ground yourself, challenge unhelpful narratives, and move forward with action. You’ll hear about the “missing tile theory” and learn why it’s normal for your brain to fixate on what’s missing, rather than celebrating your strengths.

Get ready to walk away with plug-and-play solutions you can use today to silence that inner critic and reclaim your confidence. If you’re ready to experiment, grow, and own your brilliance, tune in and discover why you’re absolutely not alone, and exactly where you’re meant to be.

Welcome back to the Leadership Lab podcast! In today’s episode, hosts Jamie McKinney and Vanessa Bower dive deep into the journey of stepping into your power as a leader—especially when it means getting outside your comfort zone. Jamie introduces Vanessa, ADP’s Talent Practice Lead, who candidly shares her transformation from feeling plagued by imposter syndrome to confidently leading presentations on a national stage.

Vanessa opens up about the challenges and growth she experienced after taking on a brand new, high-visibility leadership role while navigating a significant time in her personal life. Together, Jamie and Vanessa unpack the importance of finding your authentic voice, seeking mentorship, and building a trusted peer group for support and honest feedback. They discuss why authenticity matters, how to quiet your inner critic, and how being surrounded by people who want to see you succeed can make all the difference.

Listeners will walk away with actionable tips—from embracing vulnerability and seeking out mentors, to creating space for experimentation and practicing communication skills in a safe "sandbox." Whether you’re facing a new challenge or looking to strengthen your leadership style, this episode is packed with honest stories and strategies to help you focus on progress over perfection.

Tune in for a motivating conversation about courage, authenticity, and the real experiments that shape strong leaders.

Welcome back to the Leadership Lab podcast! In today’s episode, host Jamie McKinney is joined by Bonnie Hudson, a trade compliance expert with a diverse background in aerospace, government regulations, and languages, who brings a passion for putting people first and influencing change through emotional intelligence. Together, they dive into the concept of “career ownership” and why it’s so crucial for modern leaders to take charge of their professional journeys.

Bonnie shares her personal story of moving from self-doubt and imposter syndrome to stepping confidently into leadership by changing her mindset, challenging self-limiting beliefs, and experimenting with new ways to communicate and solve problems. She opens up about the fears and barriers she faced, the small but powerful shifts that led to lasting transformation, and the tools she uses - like the power of reframing thoughts and embracing curiosity, to bring her authentic self to work.

Whether you’re battling self-doubt, looking to create a safer environment for your team, or eager to experiment with your leadership approach, this episode is filled with relatable stories, practical tips, and real inspiration that will help you focus on progress over perfection and own your career path. Let’s get into today’s conversation!