Welcome to Mic'd Up for Leadership, the podcast that gives you the tools to lead with confidence! Hosts Alex Dresen and Jourdan Hilaire draw on their experience in higher education and the corporate world to help you become the best leader possible.

In this episode, we're stepping away from the framework and getting real — because leadership doesn't stop when the workday ends. Alex and Jourdan each recently planned and executed major personal events: Jourdan's annual fashion show and Alex's annual guys' trip. What they discovered? The leadership skills they've spent years developing showed up exactly when they needed them most.

In this episode, we discuss:

Trust as a Leadership Superpower: Jourdan reflects on what it meant to fully trust his team during the fashion show — preparing them so well that when he was managing the front of the house, the backstage ran itself. That's not luck. That's what real investment in your people looks like.

Leading Through the Unexpected: Alex had to lean into a more authoritative leadership style on the guys' trip — and even got sick in the middle of it — but still managed to craft a memorable weekend for the group. Sometimes leadership means pushing through, not stepping back.

Leadership Follows You Home: The competencies you build in your professional and student leadership roles don't stay in the office or on campus. They shape how you show up for your people in every context — and this episode is proof of that.

Connect with Mic'd Up for Leadership:📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: @micdupforleadership

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a leader who needs to hear it!

#Leadership #StudentAffairs #LeadershipOffTheClock #StudentLeaders #HigherEd #MicdUpForLeadership #RealLifeLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #TrustYourTeam

Welcome to Mic'd Up for Leadership, the podcast that gives you the tools to lead with confidence! Hosts Alex Dresen and Jourdan Hilaire draw on their experience in higher education and the corporate world to help you become the best leader possible.

In this episode, we're talking about one of the most overlooked moments in any leadership journey: the transition. As the academic year comes to a close, Alex and Jourdan dig into what it really means to pass the torch — not just hand over a binder and disappear, but to leave your role, your team, and your successor genuinely set up for success.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why Transitions Go Wrong: Why outgoing leaders are so focused on finishing that the handoff becomes an afterthought — and what it costs the organization when institutional knowledge walks out the door.

What a Real Handoff Looks Like: Beyond the Google Drive and the password doc — the relational and cultural knowledge that never gets transferred, and why a warm introduction is worth more than any file folder.

Setting Up Your Successor: The difference between giving someone context and trying to control how they lead — and the three things every incoming leader actually needs from the person before them.

Weekly Challenge: Before your term ends, do three things: write down one piece of knowledge that only lives in your head, make one warm introduction your successor will need, and have one honest conversation about what you'd do differently. That's the real handoff.

Connect with Mic'd Up for Leadership:📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: @micdupforleadership

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a leader who needs to hear it!

#Leadership #StudentAffairs #LeadershipTransition #StudentLeaders #HigherEd #MicdUpForLeadership #CareerReadiness #CampusLife #PassingTheTorch

Welcome to Mic'd Up for Leadership, the podcast that gives you the tools to lead with confidence! Hosts Alex Dresen and Jourdan Hilaire draw on their experience in higher education and the corporate world to help you become the best leader possible.

In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest hurdles for any high-achiever: The Burnout Paradox. We’re diving deep into the reality that you simply cannot pour from an empty cup. Alex and Jourdan discuss the physical and mental toll of high-stakes leadership and why being "dialed in" at work doesn't always mean you're thriving. We’re moving beyond the "hustle" and talking about the intentional, sometimes difficult work of simplifying, resetting, and reclaiming your energy.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "High-Functioning" Trap: Why being able to perform under pressure often masks the early signs of burnout, and the difference between standard tiredness and true cognitive fatigue.

• The Power of "No": A deep dive into the "yes" cycle. Why we over-commit, the guilt that follows a "no," and how to set boundaries that actually stick.

• Physical vs. Mental Labor: Alex and Jourdan explore how physical movement and "spring cleaning" your environment can provide more mental clarity than passive rest.

• Pockets of Peace: Practical strategies for a daily reset—from digital detoxes to micro-breaks—that help you find joy in the "motions of life" again.

Weekly Challenge:This week, perform a "Schedule Audit." Look at your calendar and identify one commitment that doesn't align with your current purpose or capacity. Practice the "Strategic No" and reclaim that time for a pocket of peace.

Connect with Mic’d Up for Leadership:📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: @micdupforleadership

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a leader who needs to hear it!

#Leadership #StudentAffairs #Burnout #SelfCare #Boundaries #MicdUpForLeadership #CareerReadiness #HigherEd #StudentLeaders

Welcome to Mic'd Up for Leadership, the podcast that gives you the tools to lead with confidence! Hosts Alex Dresen and Jourdan Hilaire draw on their experience in higher education and the corporate world to help you become the best leader possible.Is leadership something you have, or something you do? In this episode, Alex and Jourdan peel back the curtain on the "titles" we chase and explore what it actually looks like to lead with impact. We’re moving beyond the credentials and talking about the quiet, consistent work of building culture, opening doors for others, and leaving spaces better than we found them.In this episode, we discuss:The Marathon Mindset: Alex checks in after his marathon weekend to share what 26.2 miles taught him about mental endurance, preparation, and the "middle miles" of leadership.Impact vs. Position: Why "student leader" is more than just a line on a résumé—and how to shift your focus from collecting titles to creating influence.The Empty Cup: A real talk on burnout and boundaries. How do you stay impactful without hitting a wall?Strategic "No’s": Alex and Jourdan discuss the importance of protecting your energy and why sometimes the best leadership move is knowing when a project (or a workbook!) has to wait for the right season.Weekly Challenge:This week, find one way to create an opportunity for someone else. Whether it’s sharing a resource or offering a word of mentorship, make an impact that doesn't require a title.Connect with Mic’d Up for Leadership:📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: @micdupforleadershipIf you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a leader who needs to hear it!#Leadership #StudentAffairs #ImpactOverTitles #Burnout #MarathonMindset #MicdUpForLeadership #CareerReadiness #HigherEd

Welcome to Mic'd Up for Leadership, the podcast that gives you the tools to lead with confidence! Hosts Alex Dresen and Jourdan Hilaire draw on their experience in higher education and the corporate world to help you become the best leader possible.

In this episode, we’re taking "Spring Cleaning" out of the closet and onto the streets of Milwaukee. What started as a simple morning spent picking up trash in the neighborhood turned into a deep dive into the "Threshold of Action"—that pivotal moment when a leader stops walking past a problem and decides to own it. Alex introduces his signature leadership framework, DRE (Dream, Realize, Engage), and explains how to pivot from simply treating "symptoms" (like cleaning your yard) to tackling "root causes" (like engaging civic systems and apartment management). Whether you’re a student leader on campus or a professional navigating your community, this episode is a roadmap for moving from observation to impact.

In this episode:

• The Trash Walk: Why a "camera on a garbage picker" revealed a major leadership lesson about unassigned tasks.

• Introducing the DRE Model: A breakdown of Dreaming of possibilities, Realizing your potential, and Engaging your community.

• The Threshold of Action: How to identify the moment you move from a "spectator" to a "stakeholder" in your environment.

• Civic ROI: Why navigating city systems (like Milwaukee’s DNS and Click4Action) is the "Senior Capstone" of real-world leadership.

• Grandstanding vs. Service: A candid conversation on how to lead visibly without making it all about yourself.

Connect with Mic'd Up for Leadership:📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: @micdupforleadership

#Podcast #Leadership #HigherEducation #StudentLeadership #OrganizationalDevelopment #MicdUpForLeadership #DRELeadership #MilwaukeeLeadership #SpringCleaning #CommunityEngagement

Welcome to Mic'd Up for Leadership, the podcast thatgives you the tools to lead with confidence! Hosts Alex Dresen and Jourdan Hilaire draw on their experience in higher education and the corporate world to help you become the best leader possible.

In our inaugural guest episode, we sit down with Dr.Raeshan Davis to pull back the curtain on why student involvement is the ultimate training ground for your career. From navigating the NACE Career Readiness Competencies to finding your voice in leadership roles, we explore how the work you do on campus today builds the Leadership and Professionalism skills you’ll need for a lifetime of impact.

In this episode:

• The value of professional conferences (NASPA recap!)

• Turning campus roles into career-ready skills

• Dr. Davis’s journey from student leader to executive

Meet Our Guest: Dr. Raeshan Davis

• Title: Research Scientist & Program Manager for Success in Science Initiative (The Ohio State University)

• Bio: Dr. Raeshan Davis is an educator, researcher, and advocate committed to expanding opportunity and access in STEM education. Her work focuses on student success and creating learning environments where all students can thrive. She is passionate about mentorship, research, and building pathways that help more students see themselves in science.

• Connect with Dr. Davis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raeshandavis/

Connect with Mic'd Up for Leadership:

📧 Email: [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @micdupforleadership

#Podcast #Leadership #HigherEducation #StudentLeadership#OrganizationalDevelopment #MicdUpForLeadership #DRELeadership

Welcome to Mic'd Up for Leadership, the podcast that givesyou the tools to lead with confidence! Alex Dresen and Jourdan Hilaire share their experience as leaders within higher education and the corporate world to share how you can be the best leader possible.

In this episode, we tackle one of the most important toolsin a leader's belt: The 1 on 1 Meeting. Far from just a "statusupdate," the 1 on 1 is where culture is built and growth happens. We discuss how to structure these conversations, how to build rapport, and how to ensure both you and your team member walk away with clarity and purpose.

What we cover in this episode:

• The Purpose: Why 1 on 1s are the most important 30 minutes of your week.

• The Structure: Moving from "What are you working on?" to "How are you growing?"

• The Rapport: Building trust and psychological safety in a professional setting.

🗣️ Question of the Week:

We want to hear from you! What is your favorite questionto ask during a 1 on 1 meeting?

For business inquiries or to send listener questions, pleasecontact [email protected], or message us on Instagram atmicdupforleadership #Podcast #Leadership #HigherEducation #StudentLeadership#OrganizationalDevelopment #MicdUpForLeadership #DRELeadership

Welcome to Mic'd Up for Leadership, the podcast that gives you the tools to lead with confidence! Alex Dresen and Jourdan Hilaire share their experience as leaders within higher education and the corporate world to share how you can be the best leader possible. In our third episode, Alex & Jourdan share Hersey & Blanchard's Situational Leadership Model, and how to use it in any situation. We encourage you to respond to the question of the week: What part of the situational leadership model comes easiest to you, and which is the most challenging?Finally, we spotlight some leaders helping businesses and communities thrive. Nominate a leader for a future segment by messaging us!For business inquiries or to send listener questions, please contact [email protected], or message us on Instagram at micdupforleadership #Podcast #Leadership #HigherEducation #StudentLeadership #OrganizationalDevelopment #MicdUpForLeadership #DRELeadership

Welcome to Mic'd Up for Leadership, the podcast that gives you the tools to lead with confidence! Alex Dresen and Jourdan Hilaire share their experience as leaders within higher education and the corporate world to share how you can be the best leader possible. In our second episode, Alex & Jourdan share more about our leadership journey and leadership styles. Our history influences how we lead, and how we set groups up for success!For business inquiries or to send listener questions, please contact [email protected], or message us on Instagram at micdupforleadership #Podcast #Leadership #HigherEducation #StudentLeadership #OrganizationalDevelopment #MicdUpForLeadership #DRELeadership

Welcome to Mic'd Up for Leadership, the podcast that gives you the tools to lead with confidence! Alex Dresen and Jourdan Hilaire share their experience as leaders within higher education and the corporate world to share how you can be the best leader possible. After a decade of navigating the complexities of leadership together, Alex and Jourdan are officially pulling up a chair for you. In this debut episode, we share the 'why' behind Mic’d Up for Leadership and how ten years of collaboration led to this moment. Whether you’re a student leader, a Higher Ed professional, work in the corporate sector, or are a non-profit driver, we’re here to be partners on your journey. Join us as we lay the foundation for a community dedicated to leading with confidence, authenticity, and practical tools!For business inquiries or to send listener questions, please contact [email protected], or message us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/micdupforleadership #Podcast #Leadership #HigherEducation #StudentLeadership #OrganizationalDevelopment #MicdUpForLeadership #DRELeadership