What if becoming a better leader had less to do with having all the answers—and more to do with embracing the adventure?

In this episode of Shine a Light, Christine Miles sits down with Jen Recla, leadership coach, trainer, and founder of Recla Coaching and Consulting, to explore what it really takes to lead through uncertainty, change, and growth. With more than 15 years of experience in leadership development and organizational growth, Jen shares how her own experiences of being thrown into leadership—and learning along the way—shaped her approach to helping leaders build confidence, connection, and high-performing teams.

Together, Christine and Jen explore: ● Why so many leaders are asked to lead before they're actually prepared—and how coaching, mentoring, and support can change that experience. ● The power of fun, adventure, and curiosity in leadership, especially when navigating uncertainty and difficult conversations. ● Why vulnerability and sharing the messy parts of success matter, reminding us that growth rarely happens in a straight line. ● How leaders can move beyond simply managing people to creating teams that are engaged, resilient, and ready to grow.

Jen brings an honest and refreshing perspective to leadership: you don't have to have it all figured out to make an impact. Sometimes the most meaningful growth happens when you're willing to embrace the uncertainty, learn from what doesn't work, and keep moving forward.

Connect with Jen Recla: Website: https://www.jenrecla.com/ Connect with Christine Miles: Website: https://thelisteningpath.com

What if our obsession with getting faster answers is actually costing us our best ideas? In this episode of Shine a Light, Christine Miles sits down with Leslie Grandy, author of Creative Velocity: Propelling Breakthrough Ideas in the Age of Generative AI, for a thought-provoking conversation about creativity, innovation, and the role AI should—and shouldn't—play in our thinking. Leslie challenges the idea that creativity belongs only to naturally "creative" people and shares practical ways to build the creative muscle, challenge the status quo, and use AI to expand our thinking rather than replace it.

Together, Christine and Leslie explore:

• Why exploration matters more than speed when solving problems—and what we lose when we rush to an answer.
• How to use AI as a creative partner, including frameworks like SCAMPER to push beyond predictable answers and explore new possibilities.
• Why we shouldn't outsource our creativity to AI, and how human context, judgment, values, and imagination remain essential.
• How organizations can use generative AI not just for efficiency, but for ideation, imagination, and innovation—while helping their people feel elevated rather than threatened by the technology.

If you've ever felt like you're "not creative," or wondered how to keep your human ingenuity alive in an increasingly AI-driven world, this conversation offers a powerful reframe: creativity isn't something to outsource—it's a muscle worth strengthening.

Connect with Leslie Grandy: Website: https://www.lesliegrandy.com/ Connect with Christine Miles: Website: https://thelisteningpath.com

What if the patterns you rely on every day are quietly shaping your relationships, leadership, and results?

In this episode, host Christine Miles sits down with Chuck Wisner, author of The Art of Conscious Conversations, to explore how the behaviors we develop early in life can follow us into the workplace—and how awareness can be the first step toward changing them. Chuck shares how recognizing our patterns, understanding the needs beneath our reactions, and creating psychological safety can transform difficult conversations and relationships.

In this episode, you'll discover: ● How unconscious patterns influence the way we lead and communicate ● Why awareness can be the first step toward meaningful change ● How vulnerability and psychological safety create better conversations ● Why slowing down can ultimately help you move faster

Chuck and Christine explore what happens when we replace judgment with curiosity and approach conversations with an "open hand" instead of a "fist." If you're ready to understand your patterns, communicate with greater intention, and build stronger relationships, this conversation is a powerful place to start.

Connect with Chuck Wisner Website: ChuckWisner.com

Connect with Christine Miles: Website: https://thelisteningpath.com

What if asking for help isn't a weakness—but one of the smartest things you can do? In this episode, host Christine Miles sits down with entrepreneur and innovator Elizabeth Lawler to explore the power of letting go, building better support networks, and recognizing when doing everything yourself is holding you back. After years of building successful technology companies—including ventures acquired by major public companies—Elizabeth shares the personal pivot that changed how she approached work, leadership, and life.

In this episode, you'll discover: ● Why asking for help can be a strength, not a weakness ● How to build stronger personal and professional support networks ● Why handing things over can create better outcomes for everyone ● What happens when we stop measuring our worth by everything we do

Elizabeth's story is a powerful reminder that success doesn't have to mean carrying every responsibility yourself. Tune in for a candid conversation about vulnerability, community, delegation, and creating a life where you have room to thrive.

Connect with Elizabeth Lawler: Website: https://drelizabethlawler.com/

Connect with Christine Miles: Website: https://thelisteningpath.com

In this eye-opening episode, host Christine Miles sits down with Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer to unpack the truth about human capital, leadership, and why so many high-achievers feel unfulfilled. Drawing from decades of experience in behavioral science and leadership development, Dr. Cynthia explains how our unique talents—shaped by life experiences, not just learned skills—hold the key to meaningful success. Together, they explore how people often "box themselves in" by chasing titles, status, or expectations that don't align with who they truly are.

Key Takeaways:

• Why your natural talents matter more than learned skills
• How chasing titles can lead to misalignment and burnout
• The critical difference between wanting success—and wanting the right success

If you've ever felt stuck in a role that looks good on paper but feels wrong in practice, this conversation will challenge you to rethink your path.

🎧 Tune in and start aligning your work with who you really are.

Connect with the Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer: Website: https://www.dr-cynthia.com/ Connect with Christine Miles: Website: https://thelisteningpath.com

In this episode, host Christine Miles sits down with Dr. Suzanne Simpson to explore the profound impact of secure attachment on how we show up in life, work, and relationships. Drawing from her experience as an educator and mental health professional, Dr. Simpson shares how early connection shapes behavior—and how awareness, empathy, and accountability can help us rewrite those patterns. From navigating "toxic" workplace dynamics to raising emotionally secure children, this conversation offers a powerful lens on human behavior and healing.

Key Takeaways:

• Why secure attachment is the foundation of confidence and connection
• How to respond with empathy without losing personal responsibility
• The balance between compassion and boundaries in relationships

If you've ever struggled to understand someone's behavior—or your own—this episode will challenge you to look deeper, respond differently, and build stronger, more meaningful connections.

Connect with Dr. Suzanne Simpson Website: https://www.drsuzannesimpson.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/

Connect with Christine Miles: Website: https://thelisteningpath.com

What if you're not being overlooked because you're bad—but because you're forgettable? In this episode of Shine a Light, host Christine Miles sits down with Jake Stahl, CEO, author, and communication strategist, to unpack the hidden psychology behind influence and first impressions. With over 30 years of experience training thousands of professionals, Jake shares why most people fail to truly connect—and how understanding the "second profile" (the real decision-maker behind every person) can completely transform the way you communicate. From decoding nonverbal signals to mastering presence, this conversation dives into what it really takes to be seen, heard, and remembered in any room.

In This Episode:

• Why people get ignored—and how to become unforgettable
• The power of nonverbal signals and hidden buying cues
• How to speak to the real decision-maker behind every interaction

You don't need to be louder or more polished—you just need to connect in a way that actually lands. Because the moment you learn to truly see people... is the moment they start to see you.

Connect with Jake Stahl Website: www.orchestraight.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/Own-Room-Communicate-Heard-Respected/dp/1968318259 Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-the-room-how-to-control-perception-read-the-room/id1800525151

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

Connect with Christine Miles: Website: https://thelisteningpath.com

What if the life you're living today is being shaped by the words you speak every day?

In this episode of Shine a Light, host Christine Miles welcomes transformational leader, two-time New York Times bestselling author, and energy expert Christy Whitman for an inspiring conversation about the connection between our thoughts, emotions, and the reality we create. From the heartbreaking loss of her sister to discovering meditation and building a life dedicated to helping others, Christy shares the pivotal moments that transformed her perspective—and the practical tools anyone can use to live with more purpose, peace, and joy.

Together, they explore how shifting your mindset isn't about ignoring life's challenges—it's about choosing a response that keeps you moving toward the life you truly want.

In This Episode:

• How your thoughts and words shape your daily experience
• The difference between living in lack and living in abundance
• Why self-compassion is the bridge to resilience and personal growth
• Practical ways to create more flow, peace, and intention in everyday life
• Three simple questions that can change the way you make decisions forever

No matter where you are in your journey, this conversation is a reminder that every moment offers a new choice—and every choice has the power to create a different future. Because when you change the conversation within, you begin to change the life around you.

Connect with Christy Whitman Website: https://christywhitman.com Free Resource: https://watchyourwords.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristyWhitman

Connect with Christine Miles: Website: https://thelisteningpath.com

What if happiness isn't waiting at the finish line—but hidden in the small moments along the way?

In this inspiring episode of Shine a Light, host Christine Miles sits down with Dr. Victoria Mensch, Founder and CEO of the Silicon Valley Executive Academy, to explore why the world's most innovative leaders aren't just building better technology—they're building better lives.

Drawing from her unique journey from psychology to Silicon Valley leadership, Dr. Mensch shares her powerful Microjoy Method, a practical approach to preventing burnout, embracing change, and rediscovering the moments that truly make life meaningful.

In This Episode:

• Why achieving your biggest goals doesn't guarantee happiness
• The surprising power of "microjoys" in creating resilience and fulfillment
• How innovation, emotional intelligence, and human connection drive lasting success
• Why learning to enjoy the process matters more than reaching the destination

If you've ever felt exhausted by chasing the next achievement or wondered how to thrive through constant change, this conversation will leave you inspired to redefine success on your own terms.

Sustainable success starts with one small moment of joy.

Connect with Dr. Victoria Mensch: Website: https://svexecutive.academy LinkedIn: Victoria Mensch Connect with Christine Miles: Website: https://thelisteningpath.com

What if the most powerful leadership strategy isn't having the right answers—but helping people feel seen?

In this episode of Shine a Light, Christine Miles sits down with talent and learning executive Eileen MacDonald Cooke to explore how empathy, curiosity, and honest conversations transform workplaces. Drawing from her experience leading learning and development initiatives for organizations like Amtrak and CVS Health, Eileen shares why understanding employees' worlds—not just managing performance—is the key to lasting organizational success.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why employees perform better when they feel seen and understood
• How leaders can navigate difficult conversations with honesty and empathy
• The hidden challenges facing frontline workers—and how organizations can better support them
• Why learning and development should focus on performance, not just training
• Practical ways to create a culture where people want to grow

Whether you lead a team of five or an organization of thousands, this conversation offers practical insights that will change how you think about leadership, learning, and human connection.

Because the best leaders don't just solve problems—they understand people first.

Connect with Christine Miles: Website: https://thelisteningpath.com