Leading Locally: A Podcast by Leadership Lee County

What happens when the work you once felt called to do starts to feel heavy?

In this episode of Leading Locally, Wes Harrell, Regional Director for Church of the Highlands Auburn Dream Center, joins us for a conversation about burnout, healthy rhythms, perspective, and renewing your sense of purpose as a leader.

Wes shares how a physically and mentally demanding mission trip through the mountains of Nepal challenged him to rethink his own frustrations and rediscover the meaning behind his work. He also shares practical lessons for leaders on creating margin, protecting their time and energy, embracing the disciplines they may not naturally gravitate toward, and recognizing that a new role or assignment isn't always the answer.

It's a conversation about stepping away from the noise, taking ownership of what gets your best, and remembering why the work, and the people you're leading, matter in the first place.

Connect with Leadership Lee County

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@leadershipleecounty⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.leadershipleecounty.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Most of us assume that if someone has a job, they're doing okay.

But what if that's not true?

In this episode of Leading Locally, Kristen Reeder sits down with United Way of Lee County Executive Director, Tipi Miller, to discuss ALICE—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—a growing population of hardworking individuals and families who earn too much to qualify for assistance but still struggle to afford basic necessities.

From impossible financial choices to the "benefits cliff," this conversation challenges leaders to rethink what it means to support employees, strengthen communities, and lead with empathy.

If you're a business owner, manager, HR professional, or simply someone who wants to make a difference where you live, this episode will change the way you see your community.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What ALICE means and why it matters
• The surprising percentage of Lee County households living paycheck to paycheck
• Why leadership starts with understanding the challenges people carry to work each day
• Practical ways businesses and community members can become part of the solution

Connect with Leadership Lee County

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@leadershipleecounty⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.leadershipleecounty.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is a little different than our typical conversations and intentionally so.

With applications now open for the 2026–2027 Leadership Lee County class, we wanted to pull back the curtain and share the heart behind the organization, where we're headed, and why leadership development matters now more than ever.

In this exclusive conversation, Executive Director Kristen Reeder shares:

• Why leadership isn't just for people with titles
• The biggest leadership gaps she sees in our community
• How Leadership Lee County is evolving beyond its annual leadership program
• The vision of becoming Lee County's leadership resource
• What participants actually experience during the nine-month Leadership Program
• Who should consider applying and why

Whether you're considering applying to this year's class, wondering if the program is the right fit, or simply curious about the future of Leadership Lee County, this episode offers an inside look at the vision driving everything we're building.

If you've been on the fence about applying, we hope you'll spend the next 30 minutes with us!

In this episode of Leading Locally, Kristen Reeder sits down with Stewart Mills to discuss an unlikely leadership lesson that emerged through the world of adventure racing.

Stewart shares how trust, humility, and a willingness to be led transformed not only his racing experience but also an important professional relationship.

Together, they explore the power of finding common ground, working through conflict, building trust over time, and why some of the strongest leaders are those who know when to step back and allow others to lead.

Whether you're leading a team, serving your community, or navigating difficult relationships, this conversation offers practical leadership lessons that apply far beyond the race course.

Connect with Leadership Lee County

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@leadershipleecounty⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.leadershipleecounty.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Leadership Experts: Are you an experienced and trained leadership expert? We are always taking applications for local leadership experts who specialize in one-on-one coaching and group training. We will then add you to our public database that is shared with community partners and marketed publicly. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more here.

In this episode of Leading Locally, Kristen sits down with Auburn City Council member, Beth Witten, to explore what it truly means to lead with integrity, emotional intelligence, and healthy boundaries—especially in the often demanding world of public service.

Beth shares candid reflections from her leadership journey, including the importance of managing expectations, setting boundaries in a 24/7 culture, and learning when to pause instead of react. From navigating difficult conversations to embracing the power of saying “I don’t know”, this conversation is full of practical wisdom for leaders at every level.

If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, conflict, or the pressure to always have the right answer, you'll appreciate this episode!

Connect with Leadership Lee County

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@leadershipleecounty⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.leadershipleecounty.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Leadership Experts: Are you an experienced and trained leadership expert? We are always taking applications for local leadership experts who specialize in one-on-one coaching and group training. We will then add you to our public database that is shared with community partners and marketed publicly. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more here.

In this episode of Leading Locally, Kristen sits down with Mark Coxwell, founder of Butcher Paper BBQ, to unpack a leadership journey rooted in service, resilience, and community impact.

From hosting backyard barbecue parties to building a food truck by hand, Mark shares how taking small steps (even before he had everything figured out) eventually led to something much bigger than a business.

Mark’s vision goes beyond food. It’s about creating a space where everyone is welcome, where people from all walks of life can gather, and where leadership shows up through serving others well.

Connect with Leadership Lee County

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@leadershipleecounty⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.leadershipleecounty.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Leadership Experts: Are you an experienced and trained leadership expert? We are always taking applications for local leadership experts who specialize in one-on-one coaching and group training. We will then add you to our public database that is shared with community partners and marketed publicly. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more here.

As the year comes to a close, we’re taking time to reflect on what leadership really looks like in our community.

In this special year-end wrap-up episode, we’re joined by Christina Kluttz, owner of MAK Media, for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the leaders we’ve heard from this year, and the lessons that stayed with us. From authentic leadership and stepping into discomfort, to the power of influence without authority, this episode highlights a simple but powerful message: leadership belongs to everyone.

You’ll hear stories of everyday people doing extraordinary things, insights on discovering your personal leadership style, and encouragement to reflect on where you’ve grown—and where you want to grow next. Whether you’re leading a team, a business, a family, or simply yourself, this episode will leave you inspired to take intentional steps forward.

As you head into a new year, we hope this conversation reminds you that small changes, rooted in purpose and authenticity, can make a big impact right where you are.

Connect with Leadership Lee County

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@leadershipleecounty⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.leadershipleecounty.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Leadership Experts: Are you an experienced and trained leadership expert? We are always taking applications for local leadership experts who specialize in one-on-one coaching and group training. We will then add you to our public database that is shared with community partners and marketed publicly. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more here.

In this inspiring episode of Leading Locally, we sit down with Rene Waldrop — Executive Director of Our House, former attorney, teacher, community advocate, and a leader fueled by purpose.

Rene shares her journey from a 20-year law career to following a calling she could no longer ignore: serving children and families in Auburn’s public housing communities. What began as a small, heartfelt dream — buying a house next door to public housing and opening the door to neighbors — has grown into a thriving, relationship-centered ministry that now serves dozens of families and partners with countless volunteers.

This episode is a reminder that leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about influence, courage, and choosing love in every step.

Connect with Leadership Lee County

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@leadershipleecounty⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.leadershipleecounty.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Leadership Experts: Are you an experienced and trained leadership expert? We are always taking applications for local leadership experts who specialize in one-on-one coaching and group training. We will then add you to our public database that is shared with community partners and marketed publicly. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more here.

In this episode of Leading Locally, host Kristen sits down with Craig Hyatt, co-owner of Our Home Pharmacy, to talk about what it truly means to lead with integrity and heart. From his small-town upbringing on Chandler Mountain to serving in the Navy and launching a community-centered pharmacy, Craig’s story is one of faith, grit, and purpose.

He shares how viewing people through the lens of value has shaped his leadership, why remembering a customer’s name matters, and the power of simply getting to a starting point when pursuing new ideas. Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or your family, Craig’s approach to “doing it with integrity and honesty” will inspire you to serve people better—right where you are.

Connect with Leadership Lee County

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@leadershipleecounty⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.leadershipleecounty.org⁠⁠⁠⁠

Leadership Experts: Are you an experienced and trained leadership expert? We are always taking applications for local leadership experts who specialize in one-on-one coaching and group training. We will then add you to our public database that is shared with community partners and marketed publicly. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more here.

Robb Taylor, head coach for Auburn’s wheelchair basketball team and Athletic Director of Auburn Adapted Athletics, joins us to share his philosophy of leading through building relationships and understanding.

In this episode, Robb opens up about his leadership style—why he leads with love, how he balances accountability with care, and why he believes the true measure of a legacy isn’t wins and medals, but how people feel when they’re led by you. From hiring people who elevate the team to pulling from the “positivity bank,” Robb breaks down what it really takes to bring out the best in others.

Connect with Leadership Lee County

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@leadershipleecounty⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.leadershipleecounty.org⁠⁠⁠

Leadership Experts: Are you an experienced and trained leadership expert? We are always taking applications for local leadership experts who specialize in one-on-one coaching and group training. We will then add you to our public database that is shared with community partners and marketed publicly. ⁠⁠⁠Learn more here.