Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears

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In this inspiring episode, Tracy Spears sits down with Dr. Deborah Gist, former superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, to explore what it means to lead with purpose, courage, and compassion. Dr. Gist shares the story of how her passion for teaching shaped her career and how transformational leadership demands a steadfast commitment to integrity and change. 

From navigating public scrutiny to building trust within a divided community, Dr. Gist opens up about the challenges and triumphs of leading a large school district. She emphasizes the importance of being present, listening deeply, and staying anchored in one’s values—even in the most turbulent times. 

As she looks to the future, Dr. Gist reflects on the necessity of self-care in sustaining leadership and her growing focus on mentoring the next generation of leaders. This conversation is a powerful reminder that effective leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about how you make people feel. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Transformational leadership requires courage, vision, and integrity.
• Community trust is earned through transparency and accountability.
• Listening and emotional presence are powerful tools for any leader.
• Self-care is not a luxury—it’s essential for longevity in leadership.
• Leadership is ultimately measured by the positive impact on others.

Highlights

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Deborah Gist

02:50 Dr. Gist's Journey in Education

05:31 Transformational Leadership and Change

09:55 Navigating Challenges in Leadership

12:51 Addressing Allegations and Integrity

17:38 The Importance of Community Trust

21:10 Personal Reflections on Leadership

30:46 Future Aspirations and Self-Care

37:40 Lessons Learned in Leadership

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Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: www.theleaderlab.com

Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at http://www.tracyspears.com

For insights that will help you play bigger in your life, work, and community, visit my resource library: http://www.tracyspears.com/blog

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In this powerful conversation, Tracy interviews Kelley Scott, a seasoned nurse and the Executive Director of Clarehouse, a pioneering social model hospice in Oklahoma. Kelley shares her journey into nursing, the challenges of providing end-of-life care, and the importance of creating meaningful connections with patients and their families. She emphasizes the need for boundaries in caregiving, the sacredness of death, and the necessity of having open conversations about dying to avoid regrets. Through personal anecdotes, Kelley illustrates the profound impact of this type of work and the importance of supporting individuals and families during the dying process. She shares her journey from bedside nursing to founding Clarehouse and creating the Omega Home Network, which supports similar initiatives nationwide. The discussion underscores the significance of community, education, and advocacy in enhancing the experience of dying and caring for loved ones. 

Highlights

00:00 Introduction to Kelley Scott and Her Journey

02:25 Early Influences and Nursing Career Beginnings

04:49 Shifts in Nursing Focus and Specialization

10:37 The Importance of Boundaries in Caregiving

12:28 The Sacredness of Death and Dying

16:43 Personal Experiences with Death and Regrets

22:54 The Work of Dying and Conversations Around It

30:19 The Challenge of Timing in End-of-Life Decisions

32:00 Normalizing Conversations About Death

35:07 Transitioning to Hospice Care

39:55 Creating a Home for Dying People

42:18 The Birth of Claire House

47:16 Reinventing Community and Self

50:29 The Omega Home Network

54:48 Education and Advocacy in End-of-Life Care

Guest Bio 

Kelley Scott 

As Founder and Executive Director of Clarehouse, Oklahoma’s first community home for people who are dying, Kelley’s leadership is informed by her 22-year history with this innovative non-profit and her expertise from the ground up with the model. After 38 years as a nurse, she still cherishes time at the bedside with guests and families. Kelley also serves as the Executive Director of the Omega Home Network, a national membership organization fostering the growth the model. She believes that every community should have a home like Clarehouse and loves to quote Margaret Mead – “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has."

Learn more about Clarehouse. 

Learn more about Omega Home Network 

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Discover your tactical leadership toolkit:  www.theleaderlab.com

Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at tracyspears.com

For insights that will help you play bigger in your life, work, and community, visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog

Connect with me:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
TikTok: @tracyspearsspeaker 

If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential. 

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In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Tracy Spears welcomes Mica Chavez, a private chef and passionate advocate for recovery, education, and mentorship. Mica shares her remarkable journey from addiction to transformation, revealing how a single moment of desperation set her on a new path—one rooted in purpose, healing, and the culinary arts. 

From cooking for U.S. presidents to teaching the next generation of chefs, Mica’s story is about more than food—it's about nurturing growth, building safe spaces, and empowering others through compassion and community. She opens up about her vision for a future farm where young people can learn life skills, grow fresh food, and rediscover their worth. 

Key Takeaways: 

• The pivotal moment that sparked Mica’s recovery journey
• Her deep belief in cooking with love and fresh ingredients
• Why mentorship and education are central to her mission
• How gardening became a metaphor for personal growth
• Her dream to create a farm as a refuge for youth

Mica’s honesty, resilience, and passion will leave you inspired to cultivate your own growth—and support others along the way.
 
🎧 Listen now to hear how Mica Chavez turned struggle into strength—and how she’s planting the seeds for a more compassionate future.

Hightlights

03:36 The Gift of Desperation: A Turning Point
06:50 Rebuilding Life: From Rock Bottom to Recovery
09:51 Education and Mentorship in Culinary Arts
12:50 Transitioning from Teaching to New Opportunities
15:38 Setting Intentions and Spiritual Growth
21:50 Finding Higher Power and Self-Reflection
23:05 Journey from El Paso to Santa Fe
27:09 Transitioning Careers in Culinary Arts
30:11 The Impact of Recovery on Life
35:04 Future Aspirations and Community Support

Connect with Mica
Website:  www.micachavez.com

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Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: www.theleaderlab.com

Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at http://www.tracyspears.com

For insights that will help you play bigger in your life, work, and community, visit my resource library: http://www.tracyspears.com/blog

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In this inspiring episode of Shift Out Loud, host Tracy Spears sits down with Jennifer Alton, a trailblazing leader in the medical device industry, to explore the power of imperfection in leadership and life. Jennifer shares her personal journey from a small town to the global stage, including the pivotal moment she delivered a TED Talk about embracing imperfection. 

Together, they dive into the damaging effects of perfectionism in the workplace and how the practice of "working in draft" can unlock innovation, growth, and resilience. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of letting teams learn through failure, celebrating small wins, and fostering a culture of curiosity by asking powerful questions instead of offering quick fixes. 

Listeners will gain valuable insights into authentic leadership, the role of vulnerability in personal development, and why progress—not perfection—is the real goal. Whether you're leading a team or navigating your own growth journey, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on what it truly means to lead, learn, and shift out loud.

Connect with Jennifer Alton
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-alton/

Discover your tactical leadership toolkit:  www.theleaderlab.com

Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at tracyspears.com

For insights that will help you play bigger in your life, work, and community, visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog

Connect with me:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
TikTok: @tracyspearsspeaker 

If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential. 

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In this episode of Shift Out Loud, Chef Shannon Smith shares the bold shifts that transformed her life—from growing up on a ranch in Oklahoma to becoming a celebrated chef and culinary educator. She opens up about the pivotal moments that led her from a successful sewing career to discovering her true passion for cooking, inspired by a home economics teacher who sparked her love for food.

Shannon's travels to over 50 countries have shaped her culinary style, deepened her commitment to teaching, and fueled her desire to uplift underserved communities. She reflects on the unexpected turns that led to her cookbook, The Hidden Table, and how creating immersive dining experiences allows her to foster connection and joy.

Through microfinance and skill-building in sewing and cooking, Shannon is empowering women around the world—proving that when we embrace change, we can create an impact far beyond ourselves. Tune in to hear how embracing life's shifts has led her to a life of adventure, purpose, and passion.

Highlights
00:00 Introduction to Chef Shannon Smith
02:08 Growing Up in Oklahoma
05:37 The Shift from Ranch to Education
12:44 The Journey into Home Economics
16:51 Transitioning from Sewing to Cooking
21:59 Exploring Culinary Cultures
25:07 First Cooking Class Experience
27:49 The Unexpected Journey to Writing a Cookbook
28:16 The Shift to Culinary Arts
29:26 Creating Memorable Dining Experiences
32:33 The Power of Connection at the Table
35:22 Teamwork in Culinary Events
37:20 Traveling and Cooking: A Unique Passion
39:24 Future Travel Aspirations
41:12 Reflections on Turning 60
42:59 The Impact of a Cookbook
47:13 Microfinance & Empowering Women

Links
Chef Shannon Smith
https://chefshannon.com/
TikTok: @chefshannonsmith
Instagram: @chefshannonsmith

Order The Hidden Table!

Discover your tactical leadership toolkit:  

Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at tracyspears.com

For insights that will help you play bigger in your life, work, and community, visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog

Connect with me:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
TikTok: @tracyspearsspeaker 

If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential. 

Send a text

My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) when she was just 33 years old. Since then, Brooke Eby has become a passionate and vocal advocate and fundraiser who is raising awareness of ALS through her humor and honesty.

During our thoughtful conversation, Brooke shares how her diagnosis has changed her life and why she’s chosen to share her story through interviews, speaking appearances, and on social media. You’ll learn how she’s working to educate the public about ALS — and how her amazing support system has enabled her to embrace her advocacy and continue to live vibrantly.

After you’ve listened to the episode, follow Brooke on TikTok and Instagram, and visit ALS.org to learn what you can do to help find a cure for this progressive disease.

Listen now to discover:
How Brooke and her family have adapted to her diagnosis

• The wheelchair airline incident that gained nearly 12k likes on TikTok — and how the airline is fixing their mistake
• What you should know (but likely don’t) about ALS and its impact

Brooke Eby was diagnosed with ALS, a terminal, debilitating disease with no cure, at the age of 33 after four years of confusing symptoms. She’s spent the last year sharing her story through outlets like The Today Show, as well as on social media with her over 280k followers. She’s fundraised over $1 million for ALS research. With the support of her friends and family, she’s been able to laugh in the face of ALS.

Timestamps:
01:57  Intro
02:45  Meet Brooke Eby
04:31  Studying tech
07:25  Symptoms & progress
11:00  Learning her diagnosis
14:05  Adjusting to the diagnosis
16:39  Having a support system
19:06  Rolling with denial
21:21  How ALS works
25:45  The airline wheelchair incident
28:48  Shift to living at home
30:50  Interacting on social media
33:00  Fight for the cure
35:16  Bucket list & advocacy work
37:08  Physical therapy
38:38  What you should know about ALS
40:13  What’s next
43:45  Follow Brooke
47:27  Celebrity connections & authorship
49:08  Cat story
50:59  Conclusion

Links:
Brooke Eby
youtube.com/@limpbroozkit
TikTok: @limpbroozkit
Twitter/X: @limpbroozkit
Instagram: @limpbroozkit
ALS.org
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com

Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at tracyspears.com
For insights that will help you play bigger in your life, work, and community, visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog

Connect with me:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential. Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and ring the bell for notifications s

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Humans require certain things in order to thrive… and once you move beyond food, water, and shelter, the list gets a little complicated. Understanding the full scope of your needs can enable you to shift in ways you didn’t know were possible. In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I’m joined by Dr. Jennifer Clark, a seasoned physician on a mission to heal, educate, and innovate toward the relief of suffering. When not volunteering at Clarehouse, Oklahoma’s first social model hospice home, she teaches at the University of Tulsa and collaborates with organizations fostering cultures of human flourishing.

Our discussion explores the shifts that led her to palliative medicine and the profound lessons she’s learned through this important work. You’ll learn how she built a career that satisfies her right-brain creativity and left-brain desire for structure, how Maslow’s hierarchy of needs serves as a framework for her practice, and why you should pre-order her incredible first book, Suffer.

Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:

• The mind-blowing hidden truth about Maslow’s hierarchy (and where that pyramid really came from)
• How the awareness of our mortality can powerfully change the way we live
• What it means to create and participate in true intimacy

Guest bio: Dr. Jennifer Clark has been in the world of healthcare for over 20 years. With Med-Peds training and board certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Dr Clark is a physician and healthcare delivery consultant serving in various roles as a clinician-educator, -administrator, and -innovator. She is the author of Suffer, a book on the power of suffering.

Timestamps:

01:54  Intro

03:25  Meet Dr. Jennifer Clark

09:37  Path to palliative medicine

14:27  Emotional journey

16:17  Maslow’s hierarchy

20:20  Observing the family environment

23:50  “Putting back together”

29:59  The truth about Maslow

36:45  Intimacy

42:16  Shift to mortality salience

45:34  Shift to meditative practice

50:01  TED Talk

54:42  Next shift

58:26  Intense transition

1:01:20  Conclusion

Links:

Dr. Jennifer Clark

thegiftofchoosing.com

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com

Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at tracyspears.com

For insights that will help you play bigger in your life, work, and community, visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog

—

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears

Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker

Twitter: @tracylspears

Instagram: @tracylspears

If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential! Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and ring the bell for notifications so you never miss an episo

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Some people know what they’re meant to do from a very young age. For most of us, discovering our gifts can require a little experimentation — but it’s never too late to shift out loud! 

Valerie Martinet has been a top seller of Transworld Systems services for over 18 years. A former pool shark, Valerie is now on a mission to make sure that medical providers get paid for their services, through introducing businesses and medical practices to a more effective, less expensive, and more diplomatic alternative to traditional collections.

In this episode of Shift Out Loud, we explore Valerie’s fascinating journey from tending bar to breaking sales records and running a thriving business — and the massive shifts that she experienced along the way. Tune in as we discuss the conversation that led Valerie to get serious about her career and future, what sets entrepreneurs apart from wantrepreneurs, and the exciting new endeavor that keeps her creatively fulfilled!

Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover: 

• What entrepreneurship has taught Valerie about personal development and goal-planning  
• How to create a decision tree that will help you avoid bad decisions and break bad habits
• How to zero in on the things that truly fulfill you and get you into your zone

Guest bio: Valerie Martinet has a company that has represented Transworld Systems across the US for the last 20 years, and has been on the leadership team for 18 years. She was the recipient of the peer-nominated Above and Beyond Award in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Valerie is a consultant to medical practices of all sizes throughout the US, and a national speaker on revenue cycle management best practices.

Timestamps:
01:55  Intro
03:45  Meet Valerie Martinet
08:37  Becoming independent
14:10  Getting serious
18:16  Estrangement
19:30  Shift to sales & entrepreneurship
26:44  Doctored tag story
29:30  Entrepreneur v. wantrepreneur
33:47  Fake it till you make it
36:00  Awards & goal-planning
40:47  Big goal shift
45:55  Decision trees
48:07  Shift to yoga journey
50:12  Getting into your zone
55:36  Mantra

Links:

Valerie Martinet

etsy.com/ca/shop/CisnetDesigns 

tsiagents.com/valeriemartinet/my-bio   

Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com 

Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at tracyspears.com 

For insights that will help you play bigger in your life, work, and community, visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog

—

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears 

Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker 

Twitter: @tracylspears 

Instagram: @tracylspears 

If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential. Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and ring the bell for notifications so you never miss an episode!

Send a text

Ever wanted a sneak peek into the world of comedy? My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud has appeared on Conan O’Brien, @Midnight, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Chelsea Lately, Arsenio Hall, and Last Call With Carson Daly, so you’ve likely already seen (and enjoyed) her work! 

Erin Foley is a talented comedy writer and comic who has been making waves in the world of women’s sports, recently providing 2024 Olympic coverage on Sirius XM. During our conversation, we dive deeply into how joining an improv troupe derailed her plan to become a teacher, why she fell in love with stand-up comedy, and how she dealt with comic burnout. 

Erin is not only insightful, she’s also hilarious — you won’t want to miss this entertaining episode! Want more Erin? Her Herlights podcast tackles everything women’s sports, offering hot takes, interviews, and more. 

Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover: 

• A behind-the-scenes look at the pandemic’s effect on the television industry
• Why Erin loved performing stand-up comedy on Zoom during lockdown 
• Why she believes softball will be the next sport to explode

Guest bio: Erin Foley is a comedy writer and seasoned stand-up comic who has appeared on numerous late night shows, Comedy Central Presents, and at comedy festivals all over North America. She’s written for multiple TV shows including That 90’s Show and One Day At A Time, NPR’s Live From Here, the comedy website Funny Or Die, and was a consulting producer on Ellen DeGeneres’s unscripted comedy show Little Funny. Her humor writing has been published in The New Yorker’s Daily Shouts.

Timestamps:
01:47  Intro
03:19  Meet Erin Foley
06:27  Shift to improv
10:14  NY, Rhode Island & following her passion
17:29  Industry inspiration
19:10  Burnout
22:10  TV writing & pandemic comedy
26:48  No regrets
29:09  Herlights
35:01  The Olympics & softball
42:51  Erin’s trajectory
45:43  Dog parenthood
50:47  Touring & creative process
57:33  Wally, Joan Rivers & notebooks
1:02:59  Promo & Provincetown

Links:

Erin Foley
erinkfoley.com
herlights.com
Instagram: @ErinKFoley 

Good Game with Sarah Spain
iheart.com/podcast/1119-good-game-with-sarah-spai-185664375
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com 

Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at tracyspears.com 

For insights that will help you play bigger in your life, work, and community, visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog

—

Connect with me:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears 

If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential. Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and ring the bell for notifications so you never miss an episode!

Send a text

The way that many of us work and live can tire us out and hold us back from playing bigger. If we want to show up strong for our teams and communities, we need to show up strong for ourselves! In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I sit down with Kara Mohr, a performance coach and internationally recognized keynote speaker specializing in health, wellness, and habit and behavior change. For over 25 years, she’s inspired people to transform their understanding of personal energy and purpose, and use mindset, fitness, and nutrition strategies as fuel to engage their best selves.

During this inspiring conversation, Kara reveals why she left academia to carve out her own niche — and how she found her voice as one of her field’s most dynamic speakers. Kara also shares the simple hacks that can help you disrupt unconscious bad habits, how to know when you’re making a shift for the right reasons, and how a childhood nickname sent her down the path to discovering her gifts.

Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:

• What running a fitness boot camp taught her about the power of cultivating emotional well-being
• Why we should approach life as an ongoing process of self-discovery 
• The #1 message she wants her audiences to walk away with (and how it can change their lives) 

Guest bio: Kara Mohr PhD is a performance coach and dynamic keynote speaker known for her expertise and experience in behavior change, exercise, and motivation. She has held faculty positions at the University of Louisville, the University of Pittsburgh, and Eastern Michigan University, and served as the assistant director of the University of Pittsburgh’s NIH-funded Physical Activity & Weight Management Research Center.

Timestamps:
01:27  Intro
03:10  Meet Kara Mohr
05:28  Finding her passion
09:40  Shift to teaching & research
14:44  Shift to speaking & coaching
16:52  Making your own weather
19:12  Shift to fitness boot camps
21:16  Shift to staying at home
24:20  Change & discovery
28:55  #1 message for audiences
32:39  Audience feedback & response
35:08  Disrupting patterns
39:30  Inventorying
43:54  Mantra & next shifts

Links:

Kara Mohr

mohrresults.com

linkedin.com/company/mohr-results-inc

Instagram: @mohrresults

Signature Leaders

signatureleaders.com 

Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com 

Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at tracyspears.com 

For insights that will help you play bigger in your life, work, and community, visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog

—

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears

Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker

Twitter: @tracylspears

Instagram: @tracylspears

If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential. Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and ring the bell for notifications so you never miss an episode!