Leadership Tea

In our 50th episode 🎉, Shelby and Belinda discuss why courage is essential in today's professional landscape, and what it looks like when leaders are radically honest with themselves when "outwit, outlast, outplay" isn’t working. 

We share personal moments of reckoning, from defining what we don't want, to realizing when to leave work environments that no longer serve us. 

If you’re stuck in analysis paralysis and fear of the unknown, this conversation can help you find the courage to move forward, even if you don’t have a perfect plan.

Also in this episode

• Should you play the game, try to change the rules, or create your own game?
• Being good at something doesn't mean it needs to be your next thing
• Finding clarity and clearing the clutter as you plan your next steps
• The courage to move forward without a perfectly formulated plan 

Resources Mentioned

• Leadership Lounge:
  https://www.stirringsuccess.com/leadershiplounge
  Join our exclusive membership area for resources and deeper, unconstrained conversations
• Belinda's LinkedIn post where she asks “Will I be the only one brave enough to step up?”: https://bit.ly/4nQlk9m 

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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 welcome special guest Boniswa Siwundla Madikizela, a transformational leader from South Africa, for a conversation on how to stay grounded and aligned in a world that feels chaotic. 

Boniswa shares her personal practices for protecting herself from energy vampires, defining (and refining) her core purpose or "golden thread," and the joy of setting boundaries. 

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE

• Staying grounded in an off-kilter world
• Pausing before you commit to a decision
• Leaving a place that doesn’t align with your values
• Recognizing and overcoming the hesitation to shine

ABOUT BONISWA 

Boniswa Siwundla Madikizela is a South African financial expert, educator, and advocate known for her work in financial literacy and accounting education, holding a CA(SA), MCom, and is a PhD candidate. She is a senior lecturer in accounting at the University of Johannesburg and is the founder of the Financial Literacy and Inclusion Center of Southern Africa (FLIC_SA). 

Find Boniswa at https://linktr.ee/Boniswa_M

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.

Career transitions can be emotionally challenging, but with the right community and strategic approach, they become opportunities for growth, authentic connection, and clarity. 

In this bonus episode:

• Shelby shares her experience being laid off after a 26-year career and launching her business, The Fendall Collaborative.
• Belinda introduces her new Clarity Lab initiative -- a group coaching program designed to help professionals navigate career transitions through community connections.
• Shelby and Belinda emphasize the importance of recalibrating based on new information rather than sticking rigidly to outdated plans, the value of authentic community, and the importance of grieving losses while moving forward.

"Repose: A Day of Reflection" - October 25, 2025
We're excited to announce our in-person event, "Repose: A Day of Reflection." This will be an intimate gathering at Salamander Middleburg (Virginia) for professionals seeking community in a safe space where they can pause for reflection, strategic thinking, and networking.

Join us! Tickets are available now (and prices increase in October): https://www.stirringsuccess.com/repose

Mentioned in this episode:

The Fendall Collaborative: thefendallcollaborative.com

The Clarity Lab: sweetgrassadvisorygroup.com/the-clarity-lab

Femme Factor: thefemmefactor.com/events

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.

Our special guest, Lisa Povoni, a therapist and coach with a specialty in trauma, discusses how leaders can recognize and manage chronic stress and burnout in themselves and their teams. She shares actionable micro-practices, the difference between shame and guilt, and the importance of creating space for people to be human in quickly changing, high-pressure environments.

Whether you're an executive feeling the weight of constant pressure or a middle manager, this conversation offers practical wisdom for maintaining your mental health while performing at your best. 

In this episode:

• The difference between chronic stress, burnout, and trauma
• Micro-practices to re-center yourself
• Creating a safe environment for your team
• When to seek a coach, a therapist, or both

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 introduce this oldie-but-goodie by catching you up on what we're doing this summer. And in the episode, we talk about how to master the first 90 days in your new role, as you transition from colleague to commander. 

How can you build trust and credibility when transitioning to a new leadership position?  discuss strategies that have worked for us as we've navigated change management, tough conversations, financial restraints, and the dynamics of managing former peers. 

We're taking a break for August to rest and refresh. We hope that you enjoy the rest of your summer and that you re-listen to some of our other past episodes. See you in September!

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.

Are you navigating a career pivot or a layoff? It’s not uncommon these days. If you’re looking ahead to what’s next, Shelby and Belinda want to remind you that times have changed, so what worked for you before won't necessarily get you where you want to go. In other words, the tools and mindset that brought you success in the past might need a serious overhaul. 

Whether you're facing a forced career pivot, adapting to a restructured team, or aspiring to higher levels of leadership, this episode is a call not just to let go of habits that no longer serve you, but also to uncouple your identity from your career.

Watch episode 13 on YouTube

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.

Recent high school grad Viola Wilson speaks with Shelby (her mom) and Belinda to share a fresh perspective on what leadership means to her. 

Viola speaks fluent Spanish and had lived in four countries by the time she was 9 years old. She graduated from high school with honors, earning a 4.3 GPA while excelling in varsity swim, varsity track and field, swimming on a year-round travel swim team, doing extra-curricular activities, community service, and working part-time as a lifeguard. She will enter Virginia Tech this fall as an engineering major.

Watch Episode 12 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/J8Dsn8zCSQg

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 acknowledge the current speed of change and wild news cycle, and the emotional toll that it can take. They share practical steps they are taking to prevent crashing out and to improve their well-being. 

They emphasize that while awareness of external events is important, protecting your inner peace and mental health is paramount to effectively show up for yourself and your teams.

Embracing intentional self-care and a future-focused outlook can help you stay sane and lead with clarity, even when the world feels chaotic.

What will you do this summer to avoid crashing out in a world that feels chaotic? 

Watch this episode on YouTube

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 welcome a distinguished former diplomat and senior leader, Ambassador Robert Gilchrist (Ret.). He shares insights from a career spent navigating complex global challenges, from leading teams under intense pressure in Iraq to advocating for democracy and human rights in Eastern Europe. 

Hear how he stays grounded in his values, including his Quaker faith and his commitment to civil rights. He offers advice for leaders at every level on how to address toxic environments, maintain integrity in the face of ethical dilemmas, and cultivate self-awareness to become more effective leaders.

In this episode:

• "Ice cream diplomacy" for breaking down barriers and fostering team connection
• How Ambassador Gilchrist grounds his leadership style in his values
• Leading with empathy and maintaining resilience in challenging or 
• Ways staff and leaders can address toxic work environments
• Why self-awareness and humility are crucial for effective leadership

Watch this episode on YouTube 

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.

Join Shelby and Belinda on May 31 for our first ever live virtual event: “Shoot Your Shot LIVE: A Celebration & Strategy Session to Keep You Bold.” 

We’re wrapping up our month-long challenge with a celebration of YOU, our listeners, who dared to ask for what they want. Expect real talk, live coaching, audience celebrations, strategy sharing, and soul-nourishing tea. We’re creating space to keep the momentum going and help you step boldly into your next season of leadership and power.

Learn more and get your ticket!

In this bonus episode we discuss the importance of self-belief, overcoming limitations, and embracing your true potential. And we share highlights of our May 31 event. We're looking forward to seeing you there!

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.