Belinda and Shelby continue their "Shoot Your Shot" series by exploring the role of risk management when empowering others. They discuss situations when they’ve given team members opportunities to shine, both when it’s led to success and when it has failed. They also share personal stories of how others took a chance on them.

This episode highlights the importance of emotional intelligence, motivation, and trust in identifying when to empower others. Know that leadership involves nurturing the next generation of talent, rather than hoarding opportunities. 

In this episode:

• When taking a risk on people failed, and when it worked better than expected
• Trusting your instincts and having uncomfortable conversations
• Discerning whether someone lacks motivation or needs more challenge
• Seeing potential in others and creating an environment where they can thrive

Join the “Shoot Your Shot” Challenge!

We challenge you to get a little uncomfortable, take inspired action, and ask for what you want! It's time to "shoot your shot" with a community of support!
Sign up to get the pledge sheet and links to the playlists at https://www.stirringsuccess.com/challenge

Send us a comment!

Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Get your tickets here: https://www.stirringsuccess.com/recommit-a-halfday-retreat

We publish new episodes every other Wednesday.

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What are some of the core qualities that differentiate exceptional leaders? And what strengths do you bring to your leadership role? From staying calm under pressure to leading with empathy, understanding your leadership genius is key to thriving at the executive level. 

Belinda and Shelby discuss the idea of a leadership zone of genius, whether it's innate or developed through personal experiences. They discuss how early life experiences have impacted their leadership skills and identify their strengths as leaders. 

Join the “Shoot Your Shot” Challenge!

We challenge you to get a little uncomfortable, take inspired action, and ask for what you want! It's time to "shoot your shot" with a community of support!
Sign up to get the pledge sheet and links to the playlists at https://www.stirringsuccess.com/challenge

Send us a comment!

Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Get your tickets here: https://www.stirringsuccess.com/recommit-a-halfday-retreat

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.

This episode is about calculated risks and proactive steps towards your goals. Inspired by their previous coaching session, Belinda and Shelby challenge you to take action and step out of your comfort zone to achieve your goals. 

Belinda talks about asking for what she wants for her business and notes the positive outcomes and valuable data she's gained. Shelby reflects on her "unconstrained self" from her boarding school days, aiming to bring that same bold and audacious energy to her goals today.

They encourage you to identify one area in your professional life where you need to ask for what you want – and to do it in the next 30 days. Like Dion Sanders says: You've gotta keep making plays! 

And to support you in this challenge, Belinda and Shelby have created a pledge sheet and a hype music playlist!

In this episode:

• Belinda and Shelby sharing their progress after their previous coaching session 
• Belinda shares some of the results of asking for what she wants in her business
• Shelby reflects on her confident "unconstrained self" and aims to bring that energy to her current goals
• Belinda and Shelby challenge listeners to identify one area for self-advocacy in the next 30 days

Take action!

• Download the challenge pledge sheet
• Listen to the Spirit-Led and Bold playlist
• Listen to the Big Energy, Bold Moves playlist

Send us a comment!

Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Get your tickets here: https://www.stirringsuccess.com/recommit-a-halfday-retreat

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.

This episode is dedicated to middle managers, who face unique pressures in the "messy middle" between upper management's demands and their teams' needs. 

Shelby and Belinda know from personal experience that being a middle manager is tough. Drawing from their own experiences, they offer practical advice on navigating the messy middle.

In this episode:

• Balancing support for your team with helping your boss look good
• Adapting your management style to meet the moment
• Challenging times are when you build your leadership skills
• Staying focused on the mission rather than getting caught up in "what-if" scenarios

Support the podcast:

• If you enjoyed this episode, then subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast so you’ll know when we drop a new episode. 
• Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts; it can help us reach more listeners!
• We encourage you to watch us on YouTube, where you can also leave your comments or suggestions for future topics.

Send us a comment!

Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Get your tickets here: https://www.stirringsuccess.com/recommit-a-halfday-retreat

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 turn the tables and engage in a coaching session with each other. They open up about their professional challenges and discuss strategies for navigating roadblocks and pursuing entrepreneurial goals, providing listeners with insights and actionable advice. 

Belinda discusses her frustrations with closed professional circles, where connections seem to weigh more than competence. She wants immediate progress but may be held back by an ingrained habit of using only established channels. Shelby coaches Belinda to consider a different approach.

Shelby shares her challenges in launching a coaching business, including imposter syndrome and self-doubt amidst a competitive market. Belinda nudges Shelby to think bigger and to focus on her ideal client, rather than on perceived constraints. 

Send us a comment!

Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Get your tickets here: https://www.stirringsuccess.com/recommit-a-halfday-retreat

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.

How can you transform unexpected career changes into opportunities for reinvention and personal growth? With returning guest Cathy Duffy, Belinda and Shelby talk about how to respond to forced career pivots, a reality many professionals are facing right now. 

Cathy shares her story of a forced "early retirement" and how she used this pivot to pursue her interests, including studying at Oxford University. Cathy underscores the value of flexibility, self-awareness, and redefining power as "power with" rather than "power over." 

Belinda and Shelby offer insights into their own experiences with career uncertainty. They encourage listeners to lean into their communities and to approach this time with a mindset of exploration rather than fear. This conversation serves as a reminder that unexpected changes can lead to profound personal and professional transformation, if you approach them with curiosity and honesty.

In this episode:

• Letting go of preconceived notions about your career path 
• Embracing flexibility and being open to exploring new possibilities 
• Redefining power not as “power over” but as "power with"
• Recognizing that life has peaks and valleys – and how to take advantage of the valleys
• The importance of self-reflection, and learning to listen to the signs that life provides.

Where to find Cathy:

• Instagram: @BermudaCat
• LinkedIn: Catherine R Duffy

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Oxford Next Horizons program
• Mel Robbins' book, "The Let Them Theory" 
• Heather McGee’s book, "The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together” 

Send us a comment!

Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Get your tickets here: https://www.stirringsuccess.com/recommit-a-halfday-retreat

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 address how leaders can navigate the current climate of fear. They emphasize the importance of grounding yourself in your core values, maintaining personal integrity, and fostering a culture of empathy and love. 

The conversation highlights the crucial role of community support. They stress that this process is a marathon, not a sprint, and that consistent self-reflection and adherence to personal principles are vital for long-term success. 

In this episode:

• Fear does not have to dictate your actions
• Directly confronting your fears is a first step to feeling more empowered
• Knowing and standing by your personal values is essential 
• Leading with love is a radical but powerful approach
• Community support is clutch!

Thank you for listening! Remember, we’re also on YouTube, so please join us there. And we’d love for you to share what are the values that will use to navigate through this period of fear.

Send us a comment!

Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Get your tickets here: https://www.stirringsuccess.com/recommit-a-halfday-retreat

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.

As they celebrate the first anniversary of the Leadership Tea Podcast, Shelby and Belinda reflect on their responses to and offer practical advice for navigating the current challenging political climate. 

Acknowledging the emotional weight of current events, they share personal lessons learned over the past year, focusing on resilience strategies and coping mechanisms. They discuss their struggles and triumphs, while emphasizing the importance of self-care, boundary setting, and letting go of perfection as tools for maintaining well-being.

In this episode:

• Belinda shares the importance of hobbies and creative outlets for managing stress.
• Shelby discusses the importance of spending time on activities that align with personal and professional goals.
• Shelby is making peace with imperfection and is releasing the idea of perfection in all aspects of life.
• They both highlight the importance of giving oneself grace during periods of uncertainty and change.

Send us a comment!

Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Get your tickets here: https://www.stirringsuccess.com/recommit-a-halfday-retreat

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 explore Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's lasting impact and his advocacy for community building. 

We challenge you to integrate Dr. King's principles of humility and service into your everyday interactions. And on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let's turn reflection into action by giving back to our communities. 

Send us a comment!

Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Get your tickets here: https://www.stirringsuccess.com/recommit-a-halfday-retreat

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.

Is your work week defined more by dread rather than by excitement and purpose? Belinda and Shelby examine strategies for creating a more balanced and intentional life, focusing on the power of rest, self-reflection, and strategic decluttering. 

Addressing the common experience of "Sunday scaries," we challenge the notion that merely surviving the workweek is an acceptable norm. We offer practical approaches for cultivating a fulfilling professional life, pivoting from a career that no longer brings you joy, and creating a meaningful legacy. 

Send us a comment!

Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Get your tickets here: https://www.stirringsuccess.com/recommit-a-halfday-retreat

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.