Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears

Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears

Download on the App Store

Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears episodes

  • Lead Your Team to Victory With Authenticity with Kirk Walker

    Send a text

    True leadership requires more than knowledge and expertise. Being vulnerable and authentic can have a huge impact on the connections you build with your team, and enable your entire organization to play bigger!

    Among his achievements as an athlete and coach, Kirk Walker has helped UCLA to seven NCAA Championships and 18 Women's College World Series appearances, earning the title of the “winningest” coach in UCLA history. In this episode of Shift Out Loud, Kirk and I discuss how he learned to play bigger while living authentically, and how this challenging shift transformed his leadership. Tune in as we explore his incredible career and his work to promote inclusivity in sports.

    Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:

    • How Kirk navigated coming out in the world of sport and how it sparked his shift into advocacy
    • How he embraced the challenge of returning to UCLA in an assistant coaching role
    • How he partnered with Nike to raise the profile of LGBTQ+ athletes — and why trans issues need more attention!

    Guest bio: Kirk Walker just finished his 23rd season on the UCLA coaching staff where he is the Associate Head Coach. He was honored as part of the NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021. He is the Bruins' third base coach and also plays at a highly competitive level. He is a visible and vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in sports.

    Timestamps:
    01:47  Intro
    04:34  Meet Kirk Walker
    08:46  Meeting Kirk
    10:58  Umpiring  
    13:04  Shift to coaching & Oregon State
    18:44  Coming out & Outsports
    22:50  Strengthening leadership
    25:31  Shift to UCLA
    29:21  Guiding the transition & leaving the team
    34:05  Embracing the challenge
    39:35  Shift to advocacy
    44:45  Sports Equality Foundation
    49:06  Political climate
    52:38  Get involved
    54:28  Oklahoma Sooners
    56:45  Mantra & next shifts

    Links:
    Kirk Walker
    uclabruins.com/sports/softball/roster/coaches/kirk-walker/3957
    Instagram: @kirkwalker23
    Outsports
    Sports Equality Foundation


    I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times by Mónica Guzmán
    penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691561/i-never-thought-of-it-that-way-by-monica-guzman

    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 notificatio

    1 hr 3 min
  • Shaping the Future of the Film Industry with Amy Janes

    Send a text

    Movies are a powerful way to tell stories, change perspectives, and shine a light on different lived experiences. Empowering filmmakers can lead to massive shifts, for both individuals and communities.


    Joining me for this episode of Shift Out Loud is Amy Janes, a brilliant creative whose filmmaking journey has been fueled by a love for storytelling that began in an editing room. She’s the co-founder of Filmmakers Ranch, a thriving, first-of-its-kind studio and training academy that fosters creativity and trains future filmmakers.


    During our conversation, Amy shares her journey to kick Oklahoma’s film and television industry up a notch, how filmmaking has evolved since her days as an editing intern, and how a literal dream gave her the confidence to pursue her passion.


    Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover: 

    • Why Filmmakers Ranch is perfectly positioned to turn filmmaking into a substantial Oklahoma industry 
    • How Amy’s digital media agency Fanology has evolved in a changing social media landscape
    • The project that gave her the opportunity to spend four days writing a script with Dr. Maya Angelou!

      

    Guest bio: In 2010, Amy Janes co-founded digital media agency Fanology, which helps celebrities like Shay Mitchell and Nas connect with audiences and partner with brands like Toyota to create impactful content. In 2018, she co-founded Filmmakers Ranch, a film studio and academy poised to become a hub for filmmaking, producing films, and training crews. 


    Timestamps:

    01:50  Intro
    03:00  Meet Amy Janes
    08:06  Amy’s dream & moving to Penn State
    12:08  Moving to Oklahoma
    13:47  Editing internship
    17:01  Shattered Glass & Dr. Angelou
    24:25  ‘Preditors’ & Valentine Road
    28:36  Adrenaline rushes & The Rolling Stones
    31:35  Shift to Fanology
    37:50  Amy’s ideal clients
    42:15  Fanology Labs & the hunger for truth
    46:44  Opening the Ranch
    53:24  The next shifts
    55:23  Quantum physics


    Links:

    Amy Janes

    filmmakersranch.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!

    1 hr 3 min
  • Changing Lives & Communities Through Storytelling with Ellen Stackable

    Send a text

    Many people play bigger by working to better the lives of those who may have been forgotten by society. The most transformative work often happens in places most of us will never visit — but its effects ripple far beyond their walls.


    This episode of Shift Out Loud features 2018 CNN Hero of the Year finalist Ellen Stackable. Ellen is the Executive Director and co-founder of Poetic Justice, a non-profit organization that has helped over 4000 people incarcerated in women’s detention centers the opportunity to process trauma, rewrite personal narratives, and heal through restorative writing and creative arts. 


    Our thoughtful conversation digs into unconscious biases, racial justice, isolation, code-switching, and the power of storytelling and community to change lives. Tune in as we discuss how Ellen became interested in the carceral system, the role that hip-hop played in her first programs, and the importance of trauma-informed practice.


    Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:

    • What Ellen experienced as a member of the Mercy Farm cult and how she healed after breaking free
    • How the AIDS epidemic profoundly shifted her perspective and her path
    • How Poetic Justice adapts their programs for different groups and institutions

      

    Guest bio: Ellen Stackable is the Executive Director and co-founder of Poetic Justice, which offers restorative writing and creative arts programs to individuals incarcerated in women’s prisons and jails in Oklahoma, California, Oregon, and Tijuana, Mexico. In 2018, she was one of 10 finalists for CNN Hero of the Year. In 2019, she received the Courage Award given by the University of Oklahoma. In 2024, she was a recipient of the Newsmaker Award from the Tulsa American Women in Communication.


    Timestamps:

    01:41  Intro
    03:01  Meet Ellen Stackable
    06:19  Joining & leaving a cult
    10:03  The AIDS crisis
    14:03  Returning to Tulsa
    17:50  Mercy Farm reunion
    21:36  Carceral system & the Tulsa Race Riot
    24:37  Healing through writing
    27:03  Building curriculum
    32:45  Code-switching & distance learning
    36:28  Creating shifts for others
    40:46  Shift to Poetic Justice
    44:57  CNN Hero
    49:28  What’s next


    Links:

    Ellen Stackable

    poeticjustice.org

    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ellen-stackable-11480684

    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!

    54 min
  • Changing the Game for Women’s Sports with Cheri Kempf

    Send a text

    Cheri Kempf is no stranger to playing bigger — she’s made incredible moves in the infield, in the dugout, on the mic, and at the boardroom table. A celebrated leader in women’s fastpitch softball, the four-time National Champion and six-time Hall of Fame Inductee pitched for Team USA during their 1992 World Cup victory. Today, she works tirelessly to promote women’s sports through Athletes Unlimited, a player-centric network of women’s pro leagues.


    In this episode of Shift Out Loud, Cheri and I sit down to discuss her inspiring athletic journey, how she learned the value of honoring her commitments, what she thinks about women’s sports coverage and the Caitlin Clark effect, and how she became a respected trainer who literally wrote the book on pitching! 


    Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover: 

    • What made Cheri an amazing sports analyst — and why she decided to leave the broadcasting booth
    • The corporate and network buy-in required to elevate the popularity of women’s sports to the level they deserve
    • How Athletes Unlimited is changing the game for women’s softball, indoor volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse

      

    Guest bio: Cheri Kempf is a Senior Vice President and executive producer at Athletes Unlimited, a network of professional women’s sports leagues. She also serves as Director of Pro Softball, working with the Player Executive Committee to shape the league. She’s been recognized as a Sports Business Journal Game Changer (2022) and an Adweek’s Champion of Change (2023). She was Commissioner of National Pro Fastpitch for nearly 15 years. 

     

    Timestamps:

    01:48  Intro
    04:08  Meet Cheri Kempf
    08:47  Choosing a school
    12:50  Shift to Maryville College
    16:39  New school & 3-foot shift
    20:49  Film school dream & Austin Peay
    26:04  Shift to teaching
    30:31  Women’s sports coverage
    34:35  Softball’s tipping point
    38:20  Shift from broadcasting 
    42:55  Shift to Athletes Unlimited
    49:03  Caitlin Clark
    56:02  Corporate & network buy-in
    1:01:46  Being in-studio
    1:05:04  Shift to writing


    Links:

    Cheri KempF
    auprosports.com
    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cheri-kempf-683605227

    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!

    1 hr 10 min
  • Leading Bigger with Tulsa Mayoral Candidate Karen Keith

    Send a text

    In this important and timely episode, I’m thrilled to sit down with a woman who has been playing bigger for as long as I’ve known of her… and may just be Tulsa’s next mayor. Karen Keith is currently serving her fourth term as Tulsa County Commissioner for District 2, and before entering public service had a fascinating series of career shifts, working as a news anchor, reporter, documentarian, executive producer, and host of Oklahoma Living.

    Throughout the time I’ve been following her work, I’ve been impressed by Karen’s deep compassion, forward-thinking vision, and strong commitment to uplifting her community. We explore her accomplishments in the broadcasting industry and shift into public service, how she learned to work successfully across the aisle, and why she has been such a gift to Tulsa. Listen now and register to vote!

    Listen now to discover:

    • How Karen made her mark as an international reporter and respected documentarian — and how it changed the way she sees the world
    • The exciting goals and iconic triumphs of Tulsa’s Vision 2025 project
    • Karen’s mayoral to-do list and how she plans to serve

    Guest bio: Mayoral candidate Karen Keith is serving her 16th year as Tulsa County Commissioner for District 2. The projects she is most proud of include the completion of the Family Center for Juvenile Justice and the Tulsa/West Tulsa Levee system. Over the last four years, she’s worked with community partners on issues related to homelessness and justice reform and the ongoing work cleaning up neighborhoods, along with tackling legislation for greater abatement authority.

    Timestamps:
    01:45  Intro
    04:08  Meet Karen Keith
    08:26  Exploring the world
    11:13  Tahoe & the 5-jellybean tip
    12:57  Shift to marriage & broadcasting
    14:59  Reporting abroad
    19:25  Shift to public service
    22:04  Vision 2025
    23:04  Shift to politics & working across party lines
    28:21  Shift to mayoral candidacy
    31:11  Running for the job
    34:29  Reaching out & looking forward

    Links:
    Karen Keith
    karenkeith.org
    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karen-keith-8a3192133
    Facebook: facebook.com/voteKarenKeith
    Vision 2025: vision2025.info
    Voter Registration: okvoterportal.okelections.us/Home/RegWizard

    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 be

    41 min
  • Finding Balance (& Your Dream Home) with Shawn Peters

    Send a text

    While the residential real estate market post-pandemic has been marked by soaring prices and fierce bidding wars, owning a home is still a great investment. In this episode of Shift Out Loud, you’ll not only discover insights that will help you think and play bigger, you’ll find tips that may smooth the path to securing your dream home.


    Over the last 20 years, Shawn Peters has built a stellar reputation in the Tulsa real estate market and strong relationships with her clients, who sing her praises wherever and whenever they can. Full disclosure: Shawn helped me find a house that I love!


    Our conversation explores why Shawn made the move from paralegal work to real estate, the biggest changes she’s seen in the real estate market, and the psychology of hopeful house-hunters.


    Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover: 

    • The #1 mistake that people make when looking to purchase residential real estate
    • How Shawn made a shift into cultivating balance in her life — and what that can look like
    • An insider look at how real estate agents think about their clients

      

    Guest bio: Shawn Peters is celebrating 20 years as a Realtor in the Tulsa real estate market, with a focus on building lasting client relationships through personal attention, experience, and execution. She’s consistently featured in the Top 100 Realtors by Tulsa People, the top 1% of Realtors in Oklahoma, and is a member of the Board of Regents, a network of luxury real estate professionals with international recognition. 


    Timestamps:

    01:36  Intro

    02:36  Meet Shawn Peters

    04:40  Shift into real estate  

    07:40  Big changes in the real estate market

    09:17  Real estate clients & decision-making

    13:26  Do’s & don’ts

    17:07  Shift into finding balance

    25:25  Shift into “savoring”

    30:55  Deepening relationships

    33:12  Taking action & treating yourself

    37:47  Shawna’s sons

    41:48 Conclusion  


    Links:

    Shawn Peters

    speters.ccoklahoma.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!

    44 min
  • Choosing Your Passion-Led Path with Janet Levit

    Send a text

    As the world around us changes in unsettling and dangerous ways, we need more people to stand up, speak out, and advocate for the rights of others in their communities.


    Janet Levit is passionate about doing exactly this type of important work. In addition to serving on the Tulsa Women’s Commission and the Human Rights Commission, she is an Executive Consultant to repro46, a not-for-profit devoted to educating Oklahomans about the consequences of the state’s overreaching reproductive healthcare laws on the health, safety, and well-being of women and girls. 


    In this inspiring episode of Shift Out Loud, we dig into the major shifts that led Janet to explore law, academia, community leadership, and advocacy over the course of her impressive career. Tune in as we discuss Janet’s strategic decision-making process, how she’s stayed flexible when unexpected changes altered her trajectory, and the experience that instantly changed her mind about becoming a diplomat.


    Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover: 

    • How Janet shifted from pursuing a path she thought was expected of her into wholeheartedly following her passion and calling
    • Why it’s important to “get dirty” as a leader
    • How she embraces her identity as a Tulsan and her role in serving her community

    Guest bio: Janet Koven Levit concluded her term as interim president at The University of Tulsa in 2021 and returned to the College of Law in 2022 as a professor. She serves on the Tulsa Women’s Commission and the Human Rights Commission, on the Take Control Initiative Advisory Board, and as Vice Chair of the Center for Reproductive Rights Board of Directors. 


    Timestamps:

    01:40  Intro

    03:37  Meet Janet Levit

    06:16  Janet’s background

    07:47  Cubs or White Sox?

    10:23  Princeton & diplomacy

    13:59  Shift into law

    16:04  Yale, international law & learning Portuguese

    19:40  Shift into partnership & moving to Tulsa

    23:06  Team decision-making

    28:16  Shift into academia

    33:33  Strategic thinking & female leadership

    39:08  Shift into advocacy

    42:38  Oklahoma & women’s rights

    45:59  repro46 & creating change

    51:09  Politics v. advocacy

    52:35  Shift to empathy & hope

    58:00  Conclusion


    Links:

    Janet Levit

    utulsa.edu/people/janet-levit 

    repro46


    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!

    1 hr 1 min
  • Shifting Hearts, Minds & Organizations with Risha Grant

    Send a text

    My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud has appeared in publications ranging from the Harvard Business Review to Glamour UK, was named one of the Top 10 Most Powerful Women Leaders in HR, and has been hailed as a “cultural competency genius” — praise that is definitely well earned!


    Risha Grant is an international speaker, bestselling author, and sought-after diversity & inclusion consultant who is currently mapping out the next incredible phase of her business. Our candid discussion explores what led Risha to found Oklahoma’s very first diversity communications firm, the ‘shift out loud’ moments that have changed the way she moves through the world, and her fascinating thoughts on the WNBA, marketability, and the Caitlin Clark effect. We also dig into about the ongoing evolution of DEI work — you won’t want to miss it!


    Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover: 

    • How a 24-year-old Risha built a business case for diversity & inclusion in a corporate world that was totally disinterested
    • Why a business downswing has shifted the way that she approaches the hustle
    • How she’s thinking bigger when it comes to her next chapter, and adapting her work to a new political landscape

      

    Guest bio: Risha Grant helps executives and their teams, politicians, civic leaders, and academic directors around the world learn how to behave, lead, and manage businesses more inclusively. As a speaker and CEO of Risha Grant LLC, her award-winning coaching, speaking, and training firm, Risha has shifted the hearts and minds of audiences and clients including Google, Levi Strauss, and Nestle Purina.


    Timestamps:

    01:36  Intro

    03:42  Meet Risha Grant

    05:09  DEI in Oklahoma

    06:42  The WNBA & Caitlin Clark

    14:43  Leaving basketball

    18:02  Launching her firm

    25:15  Family support

    30:45  Shift into a downswing

    35:47  Putting the shift into context

    37:29  Mentor story

    39:42  How she’s thinking bigger

    44:37  Adapting to changing world

    49:45  Friendship, debate & politics


    Links:

    Risha Grant

    rishagrant.com

    Facebook: facebook.com/RishaGrantLLC

    Instagram: @risha.grant 


    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!

    54 min
  • Making the Most of Your Opportunities with Kathy Taylor

    Send a text

    While many find fulfillment in mastering one craft, others thrive when exploring new worlds and challenges. My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud has excelled at playing a bigger game in a variety of sectors, from business to academia to politics.

    Kathy Taylor is a woman with an incredible body of work. Her past roles include corporate EVP, Dean of the Collins College of Business at the University of Tulsa, and the 38th mayor of Tulsa, to name just a few. Currently, she’s dipping her toes into the retail world and unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs through VEST, a peer network and investment fund.

    In this conversation, Kathy and I talk about her shift from aspiring journalist to successful securities and franchise law attorney, the calling that brought her back to Oklahoma, and her recent transition into network and community-building.

    Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover: 

    • Why Kathy ran for office, how she won the election, and why she loved the role
    • The story behind Mother Road Market, a multicultural food hall that supports and promotes Tulsan entrepreneurs
    • How a toxic, male-led work culture led Kathy to launch her law practice

      

    Guest bio: The Honorable Kathryn L. Taylor most recently served as the Dean of the Collins College of Business at the University of Tulsa. Her previous positions include Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce, Tourism & Workforce, CEO of ImpactTulsa, and Executive Vice President & General Counsel of Dollar/Thrifty Car Rental. She is a founding member of VEST, a network for expanding the pipeline of women in positions of influence.


    Timestamps:

    01:42  Intro

    04:00  Meet Kathy Taylor

    08:40  Mother Road Market

    13:13  Thrifty Car Rental

    15:58  Cooking & Julia Childs

    17:49  Workplace toxicity & advocacy

    22:24  Running for mayor

    25:44  Accomplishments & challenges

    30:56  Shift into academic leadership

    34:06  Dubaian student & mentee stories

    36:07  Shift into VEST & Goods Together

    41:20  Personal mantra

    43:47  Time with the grandkids & final tip


    Links:

    VEST

    Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: 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 

    Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker 

    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!

    46 min
  • From Small-Town Doer to Big-City Leader with Kian Kamas

    Send a text

    The strongest leaders often come from humble beginnings, because these early hardships are instrumental in the development of grit. 


    In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I talk to community leader Kian Kamas. As the Executive Director of PartnerTulsa, Kian is passionate about creating long-term, institutional change in how Tulsa pursues its economic and community development objectives, and is committed to building a sustainable, world-class operating model that builds strong and stable long-term revenues for this important work.


    Our discussion explores the many shifts that have led Kian to her current professional success, including her time at the University of Edinburgh, her shift into the world of politics, and her transformation from doer into strong leader. We also dive into her post-University struggles, the hardest job she’s ever had, and how growing up on a farm helped to strengthen her incredible work ethic.


    Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover: 

    • The biggest challenges Kian has faced while shifting from doer into leader — and how she works through them
    • How she navigates a self image of herself as an inexperienced “small-town girl”
    • The exercises she uses to help her team find joy and potential in what they do

      

    Guest bio: Kian Kamas serves as the Executive Director of PartnerTulsa, leading Tulsa’s comprehensive community and economic development strategy and a team of talented professionals dedicated to increasing economic opportunity for Tulsa residents. Prior to this role, Kian served as Mayor G.T. Bynum’s Chief of Economic Development. She and her husband Lathen have lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma since 2009, and are raising their son Leith as a proud Tulsan.


    Timestamps:

    01:45  Intro

    03:22  Meet Kian Kamas

    05:54  Early work experience

    08:24  “All hands on deck” 

    10:52  Grit

    13:10  Building a strong team

    16:27  Hardest job & University of Oklahoma

    19:10  University of Edinburgh

    21:45  Return to the US & finding her place

    26:09  Self-perception

    28:44  Biggest challenges

    34:22  Team-building tips

    40:00  Team retreat

    45:40  What’s next?


    Links:

    Kian Kamas

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiankamas 

    Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com 

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

    Want tools and insights that will help you play bigger in your life, at work, and in your community? Visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog 

    —

    Connect with me:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears 

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker 

    Twitter: @tracylspears 

    Instagram: @tracylspears

    50 min

About Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears

From the publisher's feed

Hosted by Tracy Spears, speaker, co-author of two best selling leadership books, founder of The Leader Lab, coach, and head cheerleader for anyone trying to play bigger. Shift Out Loud is a podcast…

More shows like Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears

LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah by iHeartPodcasts

LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah

404 Listeners

On Purpose with Jay Shetty by Perfect Strangers

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

27,901 Listeners

SmartLess by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett

SmartLess

57,595 Listeners

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce by Wondery

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

17,787 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

19,163 Listeners

Handsome by Headgum

Handsome

13,626 Listeners

The Unicorn Projects by Homeslice Audio Network

The Unicorn Projects

141 Listeners