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Leadership on the Rocks
Leadership on the Rocks episodes
- #114 Authentic Leadership & Culture That Connects with Dr. Valerie Arechiga
In this episode, Bethany sits down with Dr. Valerie Arechiga to unpack what it really means to lead with authenticity—and why culture isn’t built by policies, but by people.
Drawing from her journey in education and her doctoral research, Valerie shares how leaders can create environments where every voice is valued, perspectives are honored, and connection drives performance.
From the power of core values to the discipline of “pausing” instead of reacting, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for leaders in any industry.
🔑 Key Takeaways:- Authentic leadership starts with knowing your core values—and staying true to them
- Culture is built when everyone has a seat AND a voice at the table
- The “power of the pause” can transform your decision-making and reduce reactive leadership
- Seek to understand before you assume—most people aren’t resisting, they’re lacking support
- Your background and culture are not limitations—they’re leadership assets
- The best leaders prioritize relationships over roles
🔗 Connect with Dr. Valerie Arechiga:- LinkedIn: Valerie Nesmith-Arechiga, Ed.D
- Instagram: @Vaarechiga24
- Website: thinkingnation.org
***
💥 Want to Strengthen Your Team’s Leadership?
Most initiatives fail not because of bad ideas—but because leaders aren't equipped to carry them through. That’s where Leadership on the Rocks workshops come in.
Whether you're leading a school, business, or nonprofit, our customizable, story-driven workshops give your team the clarity, tools, and confidence they need to lead effectively and create lasting impact.
👉 Visit leadershipontherocks.com to book a workshop and empower your leaders today!
CONTACT US:
Visit our website at https://www.leadershipontherocks.com/
Follow us online at:
- Facebook: Leadership on the Rocks
- Instagram: @leadershipontherocks
- LinkedIn: Bethany Rees
Email us at [email protected]
40 min - #113 Leading with Clarity and Courage in Complex Environments with Hema Gupta
In today’s episode, Bethany sits down with Hema Gupta, a leader working at the intersection of clean energy, strategy, and people, to unpack what it really looks like to lead when things are complex, fast-moving, and… let’s be honest… a little messy.
Hema shares how leaders can move from overwhelm to clarity, why courage is a daily leadership decision (not a personality trait), and how elevating others is the real multiplier for sustainable success.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re navigating constant change with no clear roadmap—this conversation will give you both perspective and practical direction.
💡 In this episode, we cover:- Why clarity is a leader’s responsibility—not a luxury
- How to lead with courage when the stakes (and uncertainty) are high
- Turning complexity into momentum instead of paralysis
- The mindset shift from “doing it all” to elevating others
- Leading in industries and environments that are constantly evolving
🔗 Connect with Hema Gupta on LinkedIn
***
CONTACT US:
Visit our website at https://www.leadershipontherocks.com/
Follow us online at:
- Facebook: Leadership on the Rocks
- Instagram: @leadershipontherocks
- Linked In: Bethany Rees
- Twitter: @Leadontherocks
Email us at [email protected]
46 min - #112 Lead by Following: Why God Must Be the Leader of Your Leadership with David Schmidt
What if the key to strong leadership isn’t leading harder—but following better?
In this episode, Bethany sits down with theologian, engineer, and business coach David Schmidt to explore how a leader’s worldview shapes everything from decisions to definition of success. David shares why Christian leaders must build their leadership on a foundation of following God first—and how daily time in Scripture transforms the way we lead, serve, and pursue results.
They also discuss why success in leadership isn’t measured by profits or productivity, but by faithfulness and obedience to God. When leaders focus on diligence and honoring God in their work, the results are ultimately in His hands.
Key Takeaways
- Your worldview shapes your leadership—what you believe about God and purpose influences every decision you make.
- Leadership transformation begins by following God first, not just adopting better mindsets or strategies.
- Sanctification matters in leadership—what’s inside you will come out when pressure hits.
- True success for Christian leaders is obedience and diligence, while trusting God with the results.
- The simplest leadership habit that changes everything: spend time in God’s Word every day.
Resources & Links
Free Resource: What God Says About Business: 5 Uncommon Truths for the Modern Business
Website: https://www.redeemingbusinesstoday.com/
Podcast: Redeeming Business Today (Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music)
YouTube: @redeemingbusinesstoday
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidschmidt-bible
Newsletter: Leadership GPS (weekly leadership insights)
👉 Want more tools to thrive in leadership? Order my new book Leadership on the Rocks: How to Survive, Adapt, and Succeed in the Wilderness of Leadership at www.leadershipontherocks.com or on Amazon.
CONTACT US:
Visit our website at https://www.leadershipontherocks.com/
Follow us online at:
- Facebook: Leadership on the Rocks
- Instagram: @leadershipontherocks
- LinkedIn: Bethany Rees
Email us at [email protected]
34 min - #110 From Nice to Necessary: Building Real Collaboration with Kurtis Hewson
Real collaboration isn’t about being nice. It’s about building the structures that allow teams to think, challenge, and solve problems together.
In this episode, Kurtis Hewson shares how leaders can move from surface-level cooperation to true collaboration by setting clear purpose, norms, and roles. You’ll learn why the room is smarter than any one person in it—and how to unlock that collective power.
If you want to build a culture where everyone thrives—not just gets along—this episode is your blueprint. We cover:
- The difference between collegial and collaborative teams
- Why structure actually increases creativity
- How to design meetings that are focused and solution-oriented
- The power of shared language (like locus of control)
- Why leaders must “set the banks of the river” and let the water flow
🔗 Connect with Kurtis HewsonWebsite: http://jigsawlearning.ca
Book: Collaborative Response Book
Podcast: Building a Culture of Collaboration
Newsletter (JL Insiders): http://jlinsiders.com
Freebie: Click here for a free overview article for Collaborative Response
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube
CONTACT US:Visit our website at https://www.leadershipontherocks.com/
Follow us online at:
- Facebook: Leadership on the Rocks
- Instagram: @leadershipontherocks
- Linked In: Bethany Rees
- Twitter: @Leadontherocks
Email us at [email protected]
52 min - #111 Anchored Leadership: Leading With Purpose with Michelle Sloan
Burned out. Disengaged. Constantly chasing the next “urgent” thing?
In this episode, Michelle Sloan explains why purpose is the anchor every leader needs — and what chaos, turnover, and culture drift look like when we lose it. You’ll learn:
Why purpose drives decision-making
How to stop chasing every shiny new trend
A simple way to realign when your leadership has drifted
Key takeaway: You have a unique purpose — and so does everyone you lead. Discover it. Lead from it.
Pour Decision to Avoid: Don’t let others define what’s urgent and important for you.
🔗 Connect with Our Guest: Michelle SloanWebsite: https://sloanleadership.com
Book: The Purpose Driven PrincipalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SloanLeadershipSolutions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sloanleadership/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-sloan-9b80112a2/Freebie: How To Achieve Work-Life Balance E-Book: https://sloanleadership.mykajabi.com/balance
**********************
Leadership isn’t about wearing different masks—it’s about standing on a firm foundation.
If you’re ready to lead with clarity, consistency, and faith—without separating who you are at work from who you are at home—explore Bethany’s coaching, workshops, and leadership resources designed for real life and real leadership. Visit us at www.leadershipontherocks.com.
Order my book Leadership on the Rocks: How to Survive, Adapt, and Succeed in the Wilderness of Leadership at www.leadershipontherocks.com or on Amazon.
CONTACT US:
Visit our website at https://www.leadershipontherocks.com/
Follow us online at:
- Facebook: Leadership on the Rocks
- Instagram: @leadershipontherocks
- LinkedIn: Bethany Rees
Email us at [email protected]
37 min - #109 Lead With Hope: How Leaders Build Resilience, Joy, and Belief with Brandi Kelly
In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks, Bethany Rees sits down with Brandi Kelly to talk about something leadership circles rarely prioritize—but desperately need: hope.
Brandi shares her powerful personal story and introduces her HOPE Framework, a practical system leaders can use to build resilience, restore joy, and help people feel truly seen, heard, and valued.
In this episode, you’ll learn:- What hope really means in leadership (and why it’s not fluff)
- How pain can be transformed into purpose
- The HOPE framework:
- Habits – grounding yourself daily
- Optimistic Outlook – reframing mindset and stress
- Purpose, Passion & Perseverance – sustaining momentum
- Excellence – getting 1% better every day
- Why leadership transformation must happen inside out
- Simple, no-cost ways to build trust, belief, and connection on your team
🔗 Connect with Brandi:- Book: Lead with H.O.P.E.: Building a System of Self-Efficacy
- Website: https://sparkhopeedu.com/ - Click on Book a free consultation to learn more about the Leadership Kickstart program and the assessments within it (e.g. Enneagram)
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
- Freebie Values Assessment: Values are your north star—guiding your motivation, passion, and definition of success. When your actions align with your values, you are living with purpose and fulfillment.
💥 Want to Strengthen Your Team’s Leadership?
Most initiatives fail not because of bad ideas—but because leaders aren't equipped to carry them through. That’s where Leadership on the Rocks workshops come in.
Whether you're leading a school, business, or nonprofit, our customizable, story-driven workshops give your team the clarity, tools, and confidence they need to lead effectively and create lasting impact.
👉 Visit leadershipontherocks.com to book a workshop and empower your leaders today!
CONTACT US:
Visit our website at https://www.leadershipontherocks.com/
Follow us online at:
- Facebook: Leadership on the Rocks
- Instagram: @leadershipontherocks
- LinkedIn: Bethany Rees
Email us at [email protected]
51 min - What hope really means in leadership (and why it’s not fluff)
- #108 Why Leaders Struggle to Listen (and the Simple Fix) | Better Listening with Stanford Slovin
Listening is one of the most overlooked skills in leadership—but it might also be the most powerful.
In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks, Bethany Rees sits down with Stanford Slovin, author of Better Listening: The Secret to Improving Your Professional and Personal Life, to talk about how active listening builds trust, deepens relationships, and leads to wiser decision-making.
Stan shares proven strategies to move beyond surface-level conversations, expand empathy, resolve conflicts, and create more meaningful professional and personal connections.
Pause - Don’t cut people off
Reflect - What is the person revealing?
Empathy - Connect with the person by sharing an understanding that will build trust and safety
Curiosity - Ask questions that allow them to “empty their buckets” and go deeper in the conversation.
Clarity - Gain clarity about the person’s thoughts, feelings, needs, etc.
👉 Tune in to learn how mastering the art of listening can transform your leadership. https://www.betterlisteningbook.com/
********************************
👉 Want more tools to thrive in leadership? Order my book Leadership on the Rocks: How to Survive, Adapt, and Succeed in the Wilderness of Leadership on Amazon.
CONTACT US:
Visit our website at https://www.leadershipontherocks.com/
Follow us online at:
- Facebook: Leadership on the Rocks
- Instagram: @leadershipontherocks
- LinkedIn: Bethany Rees
Email us at [email protected]
42 min - #107 Start Strong: Lead on Solid Ground in a Chaotic World with Liz Cobo
What if the key to steady leadership in a chaotic world is staying rooted in who you are—and whose you are?
In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks, Bethany Rees sits down with Liz Cobo for a powerful conversation about grounding both life and leadership in faith. Together, they explore what it looks like to build on the unshakable foundation of Jesus and to live as the same person at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
You’ll hear practical encouragement around:
- Building leadership on faith, not circumstances
- Integrating your identity instead of compartmentalizing it
- Leading with peace, conviction, and integrity in every space
If you’re tired of feeling split between who you are professionally and who you are personally, this episode will help you realign your compass and start the year on solid ground.
🔗 Connect with Our Guest: Liz CoboWebsite: https://lizcobo.com/ https://thegracefulapologist.com
Instagram: @thegracefulapologist
YouTube: The Graceful Apologist**********************************
Leadership isn’t about wearing different masks—it’s about standing on a firm foundation.
If you’re ready to lead with clarity, consistency, and faith—without separating who you are at work from who you are at home—explore Bethany’s coaching, workshops, and leadership resources designed for real life and real leadership. Visit us at www.leadershipontherocks.com.
Order my book Leadership on the Rocks: How to Survive, Adapt, and Succeed in the Wilderness of Leadership at www.leadershipontherocks.com or on Amazon.
CONTACT US:
Visit our website at https://www.leadershipontherocks.com/
Follow us online at:
- Facebook: Leadership on the Rocks
- Instagram: @leadershipontherocks
- LinkedIn: Bethany Rees
Email us at [email protected]
56 min - Building leadership on faith, not circumstances
- #106 Climbing Higher — Season 4 Wisdom Highlights
Season 4 was packed with powerful insights, practical tools, and the kind of leadership truth bombs that hit you right in the purpose. In this finale, Bethany recaps the standout moments—from communication breakthroughs to culture shifts to the four-part Leadership Survival Kit from her book.
If you need a quick dose of clarity, courage, and encouragement, this highlight reel will refuel your leadership for the path ahead.
In this episode:
• The strongest leadership lessons from Season 4
• Key takeaways from the Leadership Survival Kit (Head → Heart → Hands → Guts)
• Encouragement for leaders navigating the wildernessReady to build your leadership on solid ground?
Grab Leadership on the Rocks: How to Survive, Adapt, and Succeed in the Wilderness of Leadership and start assembling your Leadership Survival Kit today.If you’re looking for personalized coaching or team development, visit:
👉 www.leadershipontherocks.comLet’s keep climbing—one rock at a time.
CONTACT US:
Visit our website at https://www.leadershipontherocks.com/
Follow us online at:
- Facebook: Leadership on the Rocks
- Instagram: @leadershipontherocks
- LinkedIn: Bethany Rees
Email us at [email protected]
53 min - #105 Breaking Barriers and Leading with Resilience with Gladys H. DeClouet
What does it take to break barriers in industries that never expected you to rise?
In this episode of Leadership on the Rocks, Bethany Rees sits down with Gladys DeClouet—trailblazing executive and author of A Layered Life. Gladys shares her raw and powerful story of becoming the first female engineer in offshore oil, leading multibillion-dollar businesses, and navigating the hidden “invisible tax” of being the first Black woman in leadership roles across corporate America.
She opens up about resilience, inclusive leadership, and the high cost of ambition, while also offering encouragement and practical lessons for leaders today.
👉 Tune in for a masterclass in perseverance, purpose, and legacy-building.
My website: www.GladysDeClouet.com
LinkedIn: @GladysCeClouetMBA
👉 Want more tools to thrive in leadership? Order my new book Leadership on the Rocks: How to Survive, Adapt, and Succeed in the Wilderness of Leadership at www.leadershipontherocks.com or on Amazon.
CONTACT US:
Visit our website at https://www.leadershipontherocks.com/
Follow us online at:
- Facebook: Leadership on the Rocks
- Instagram: @leadershipontherocks
- LinkedIn: Bethany Rees
Email us at [email protected]
38 min
About Leadership on the Rocks
From the publisher's feed
The Leadership on the Rocks podcast is about equipping and empowering leaders like you, so you can THRIVE IN and CREATE HARMONY BETWEEN YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIVES. As a community through…
this podcast, we will become equipped with the essential leadership skills needed to grow professionally, but understand that it doesn't have to come at the expense of our home and family lives. Together, we will share struggles and lessons learned as well as look to leadership principles and best practices for being our best at work and at home. Visit us at www.leadershipontherocks.com for more FREE resources as well as online courses, coaching, workshops, and speaking.