Leadership Tea

Airports jammed, paychecks paused, nerves frayed—crisis has a way of revealing what actually keeps leaders steady. Belinda and Shelby peel back the layers of the recent shutdown and run our lessons through “priority screening,” naming the habits and guardrails that matter when systems fail and people still need direction.

First, Belinda and Shelby get practical about money. Financial fragility isn’t just stressful; it impairs judgment. They also challenge unbounded vulnerability. Empathy fuels trust, but unchecked venting drains morale. Values become the compass: hold standards, keep momentum, and resist the urge to pass your frustration down the chain. Finally, Belinda and Shelby share how boundaries protect high-EQ leaders from burnout.

As they close the shutdown series, Belinda and Shelby preview a new flow of episodes, “No Sunday Scaries,” designed to reset your week with intention and ease. 

Your take matters—what lessons make the cut for priority screening?

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Belinda and Shelby are joined by tech policy and AI governance expert, Soribel Feliz, also known as The AI Therapist. Soribel tackles the anxiety currently gripping the professional world: fear of being replaced by artificial intelligence. If you're wondering what your kids should study, how to upskill mid-career, or how to maintain your mental health amid constant doom-and-gloom headlines, this episode is for you.

Soribel discusses the legitimate concerns surrounding AI, from plagiarism in higher education to the AI automation impacting white-collar work. She dispels one of the biggest myths—that AGI will be "god-like.” And she offers practical advice on how to manage your anxiety around AI by focusing on what you can control, and how executives can build a collaborative AI adoption strategy. 

Also in this episode:

• Legitimate concerns everyone should have about AI's impact on work and society
• Why learning all the AI tools is an overwhelming and ineffective strategy
• Soribel's advice for maximizing your data privacy and security immediately
• How leaders can create a vision for integrating AI on their teams

Find Soribel:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soribelfeliz/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@soribelaitherapist

You can also watch our conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A-RocnSZfl0

Send us a comment!

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We publish new episodes every other Wednesday.

• Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast
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Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Finding Growth in Discomfort: Strategies for Transition and Coping

In this episode of the Leadership Tea Podcast, hosts discuss the challenges and growth opportunities during a shutdown. Shelby shares her experiences transitioning out of government work, dealing with introversion through networking, and finding new ways to communicate and cope during uncomfortable times. Belinda talks about the importance of focus for entrepreneurs, challenges in self-promotion, and breaking down larger goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed. They both highlight the importance of family communication and maintaining relationships during financial strains. The episode emphasizes finding hope and possibilities even in challenging circumstances, offering practical advice and personal anecdotes.

00:00 Introduction to the Leadership Tea Podcast
00:16 Embracing Discomfort for Growth
00:56 Shelby's Networking Strategies
03:32 Belinda's Entrepreneurial Focus
05:49 The Challenge of Self-Promotion
10:52 Communicating Through Crisis
18:24 Finding Hope and Possibilities
19:56 Conclusion and Community Support

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We publish new episodes every other Wednesday.

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Shelby and Belinda reflect on managing personal and professional lives amidst the prolonged government shutdown. They discuss its impacts, such as the end of SNAP benefits and continued layoffs at major companies. Shelby and Belinda also draw parallels between the resilience seen in the World Series and the mindset needed to navigate challenging times. 

They emphasize the importance of mutual support, filling each other's cups, and maintaining a 'game seven mentality' to stay motivated and impactful. The episode concludes with a call for listeners to share their thoughts and strategies for approaching 2026. 

*Please note, the reference to Manuel Rojas was an error; in their excitement, the hosts misspoke and meant to say Miguel Rojas.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Leadership Tea Podcast
00:10 Reflecting on the Government Shutdown
01:35 Personal Impacts and Client Success Stories
04:04 Mentees and Restoring Faith
07:42 Lessons from the World Series
14:11 Filling Each Other's Cups
18:15 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Shelby and Belinda welcome a special guest, Ellen Tannor, a former senior diplomat who recently participated in the 'Repose, a Day of Reflection' retreat at Salamander Resort in Middleburg. Ellen shares her rich career experiences, including her service as a special agent and protective detail member for Secretary of State Colin Powell. 

Now pursuing a master’s degree in journalism at American University, Ellen reflects on her transition from being a diplomat and the importance of mental and spiritual refreshers. The discussion highlights key takeaways from the retreat, such as the importance of moving with purpose, making 'better mistakes tomorrow,' and the benefits of lifting others as a way to protect one's mental health. 

The episode encapsulates the essence of intentionality, community, and forward-thinking, leaving listeners with valuable insights on how to thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Leadership Tea Podcast
00:05 Introducing Ellen Tannor
01:40 Reflecting on the Repose Event
04:01 Key Takeaways from the Retreat
06:28 The Importance of Being Intentional
08:00 Executing Big Ideas
11:09 Transitioning from Diplomacy to Journalism
19:20 Maintaining Mental Health and Resilience
22:47 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

JOIN THE LEADERSHIP LOUNGE

If you're a leader who wants more than surface-level advice, join Shelby & Belinda for exclusive content, practical tools, and a supportive community that fuels your growth. Learn more at https://www.stirringsuccess.com/leadershiplounge

Send us a comment!

Support the show

We publish new episodes every other Wednesday.

• Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast
• Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!

Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Belinda and Shelby discuss the ongoing challenges of the government shutdown and share personal strategies for maintaining hope and resilience. They reflect on the inspiration drawn from historical figures like Harriet Tubman and the symbolism of the Phoenix rising from the ashes. 

The conversation emphasizes the importance of fighting for joy, seeking peace, and building a support system during tough times. They also preview an upcoming episode about their recent experience at 'repose' and how it has reinvigorated their spirit.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Leadership Team Podcast
00:25 Embracing the Phoenix Mode
01:54 Drawing Strength from Harriet Tubman
03:38 Celebrating Repose and Choosing Hope
04:03 Fighting for Joy Amidst the Shutdown
07:55 Finding Peace in Unprecedented Times
09:02 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

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Support the show

We publish new episodes every other Wednesday.

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Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

What if a shutdown could be your reset button? We sat down with digital strategist and communicator Afua Riverson to explore how a forced pause can surface buried passions, heal old narratives, and point you toward work that actually feels like yours. The conversation starts with a candid check-in on grief, time, and why a week of D’Angelo and 90s R&B can do more for your spirit than another round of headlines. From there, we trace a path many first-gen leaders know too well: the pressure to choose “serious” careers, the habit of overperforming to earn love, and the quiet cost of shelving creative callings.

Afua lets us into her turning point - health challenges and the radical question: Who am I without the titles? What she finds looks like a treasure chest: sketchbooks, museums, movement in nature, the old dream of fashion and creative direction. She builds a “joy list,” a simple, repeatable practice that grounds her when anxiety spikes and imposter syndrome knocks. We dig into the leadership skills that emerge from this reset - creative direction, innovation, and culture-building - and how those gifts translate into real value for teams and brands. If you’re navigating the prestige treadmill or wrestling with immigrant expectations, this is permission to pivot without apology.

Connect with Afua on LinkedIn

If this conversation gave you language for what you’re feeling, hit follow, leave a review, and pass it to a friend who needs a hopeful nudge today.

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Support the show

We publish new episodes every other Wednesday.

• Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast
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Kimya Imani Jackson, PhD, joins Belinda and Shelby to discuss the emotional impact of professional grief. Amid the government shutdown and massive layoffs, it can feel impossible to move forward. How do you begin to build a new career when you're feeling a profound sense of loss? 

Kimya shares how she has found the motivation to pivot and reinvent herself throughout her storied career. And she provides science-backed strategies for processing professional loss and professional grief while simultaneously opening the door to new possibilities. 

This conversation can help you if you’re experiencing professional loss, corporate grief, and a sense of overwhelm after sudden career-ending changes. 

Also in this video:

• Practices that include the burden tree, daydreaming, and dream journals
• Holistic approaches to calm hyper-activated nervous systems
• How professional grief affects not just people who are leaving, but also those left behind
• Cultivating community through hobbies and maintaining contact with friends and loved ones

Find Dr. Jackson at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimya-imani-jackson-phd 

Send us a comment!

Support the show

We publish new episodes every other Wednesday.

• Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast
• Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!

Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Shelby and Belinda discuss our personal experiences and emotional journey during the ongoing government shutdown. We share how the shutdown is affecting our households, businesses, and mental health. We talk about the importance of mental resilience and practical steps to cope with financial and emotional stress during uncertain times. 

We also introduce the Leadership Lounge, our new initiative created to build a supportive community for personal and professional growth.

JOIN THE LEADERSHIP LOUNGE

Looking to build your leadership community? Join our exclusive membership area for leadership resources and deeper, unconstrained conversations. You'll get a monthly bonus episode of the Leadership Tea Podcast, group coaching sessions for Lounge members, and quarterly Q&A episodes with Shelby and Belinda.

Learn more and join at https://www.stirringsuccess.com/leadershiplounge

00:00 Introduction to the Leadership Tea Podcast
00:21 Impact of the Government Shutdown
02:00 Personal Reflections and Financial Concerns
08:46 Coping Strategies and Community Support
17:08 Leadership Lounge and Community Building
20:56 Final Thoughts

Send us a comment!

Support the show

We publish new episodes every other Wednesday.

• Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast
• Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!

Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Shelby and Belinda discuss the need to shift focus from operational excellence to survival strategies in difficult times, such as the current federal government shutdown affecting many in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. 

We emphasize the importance of community, resilience, and mental health, and introduce our new Leadership Lounge on Substack, where you'll find deeper discussions and group coaching. We also highlight the emotional and financial impacts of furloughs on individuals and businesses, and offer advice on staying connected within communities during crises.

This episode is dedicated to all those impacted by the 2025 federal government shutdown in the United States.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_IHTJmvsAL4

Join the Leadership Lounge!

Looking to build your leadership community? Join our exclusive membership area for leadership resources and deeper, unconstrained conversations. 

You'll get a monthly bonus episode of the Leadership Tea Podcast, group coaching sessions for Lounge members, and quarterly Q&A episodes with Shelby and Belinda.

Learn more and join at https://www.stirringsuccess.com/leadershiplounge 

Send us a comment!

Support the show

We publish new episodes every other Wednesday.

• Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast
• Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!

Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.