The Pivot Experience Podcast

What does it take to lead with clarity when your career spans radically different worlds?

In this episode of The Pivot Experience Podcast, we sit down with Angela Reed, a seasoned leader whose journey includes influential roles across brands and industries like Chick-fil-A, Porsche, Sony Pictures, and education. Angela brings a rare perspective on what actually translates across leadership contexts—and what doesn’t.

We unpack the consistent leadership principles that have grounded her through diverse environments, the unique culture she experienced at Chick-fil-A, and how storytelling has become one of her most powerful tools for influence. Angela shares real moments where a well-timed story shifted the direction of a team, along with practical wisdom for leaders who feel stuck in seasons of transition or uncertainty.

If you’re an emerging leader, entrepreneur, or franchise owner wrestling with fear, vision, or your next pivot—this conversation will challenge you to rethink how you lead, how you communicate, and how you show up.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The one leadership principle that translates across every industry

• What Chick-fil-A’s leadership culture gets right—and how to apply it anywhere

• How to turn your personal story into a leadership advantage

• Why storytelling is one of the most underutilized tools of influence

• The mindset shift leaders must make to move from fear-based leadership to vision-driven leadership

• How to lead yourself through seasons of uncertainty and transition

• A hard-earned lesson every emerging leader needs to hear before their next step

🎧 Whether you’re navigating a pivot, leading in a complex organization, or simply trying to find your footing in a new season—this episode will give you language, clarity, and courage for what’s next.

Hard conversations are part of leadership—but most leaders were never taught how to have them well. In this Lead Better replay, Kyle Bowen joins us to unpack what actually makes conversations “hard,” why so many leaders avoid them, and the real cost of staying silent.

We explore the internal work leaders need to do before stepping into a difficult conversation, common mistakes like sugarcoating feedback, and how to discern the right timing to address issues head-on. Kyle also shares how to navigate tense moments in real time, follow up in a way that builds trust and accountability, and ultimately create a culture where honest, healthy conversations are normalized—not feared.

If you’ve ever delayed a tough conversation, walked away wishing you’d said something differently, or struggled to balance truth with care—this episode will give you practical language, posture, and confidence to lead with clarity.

Key Takeaways:

• Why leaders avoid hard conversations—and what avoidance really costs

• How to prepare yourself internally before the conversation

• Navigating defensiveness and tension in the moment

• Following up to rebuild trust and drive accountability

• Building a culture where hard conversations are healthy, not hostile

👉 Perfect for leaders who want to grow their courage, strengthen relationships, and lead with both conviction and care.

Change is inevitable—but how leaders respond to it is what defines their impact.

In this Lead Better replay, we’re joined by Chris Lipscomb, who shares his personal leadership journey—from starting in Chick-fil-A’s Leadership Development Program to making the courageous pivot into coaching. Chris opens up about the internal signals that told him it was time for change, the fears he had to face, and the challenges of stepping away from a path many aspire to.

Together, we unpack why leaders often struggle with change, how self-awareness becomes a critical anchor in uncertain seasons, and how to discern the difference between pushing through difficulty and recognizing when it’s time to pivot. Chris also offers practical, real-world guidance for helping teams move from resisting change to embracing it—and shares a powerful coaching story where change became a catalyst for growth.

If you’re feeling stuck, restless, or sensing that your leadership season may be shifting, this episode will help you think clearly, lead intentionally, and take a confident next step.

Key themes include:

• ​ Recognizing the signs it’s time to pivot
• ​ Leading yourself before leading others through change
• ​ Building resilience in uncertain seasons
• ​ Turning disruption into growth—for you and your team

This episode is for leaders who want to lead better, not just hold on longer.

What does an unguarded player in a basketball game have to do with leadership?

During a recent game with my daughter, a simple question stopped me in my tracks: “Why isn’t that player being guarded?” The answer wasn’t about laziness or missed assignments—it was about awareness. The team knew the player, understood the situation, and conserved their energy where it mattered most.

In this episode, I unpack that moment and draw a powerful parallel to leadership and business. Too many leaders are exhausted not because they’re doing the wrong things, but because they’re giving their best energy to the wrong places.

We talk about:

• How clarity prevents burnout

• Why great leaders don’t play hard everywhere

• The cost of guarding problems that aren’t real threats

• How knowing your direction helps you lead with intention instead of reaction

If you’ve ever felt worn down despite doing “everything right,” this episode will help you rethink where—and who—deserves your energy.

Sometimes the smartest move isn’t working harder.
It’s knowing who not to guard.

In this Lead Better replay, Michael Nathanial Brown unpacks why leadership—not results—is the true heartbeat of a thriving organization. He shares how values-based leadership builds trust, strengthens culture, and drives sustainable performance.

You’ll also gain practical strategies to re-energize teams, balance high expectations with genuine inspiration, and lead in a way that helps people—and results—thrive.

What’s up TPE family! It’s been a while, but we ARE BACK! This a replay our free monthly Lead Better. On this month’s session, we had the opportunity to connect with LDP Bryan Baldwin! Bryan is a full time husband, father, and an exception leader! Bryan unpacks his journey through the program while bringing his family along for the fun!

You definitely don’t want to miss this episode! Please be sure to like, comment, and to subscribe to this content!

In this Lead Better replay we had the opportunity to host Bryan Baldwin, a Chick-fil-A LDP participant whose journey is marked by grit, growth, and grace under pressure. Bryan opens up about what led him to pursue the Leadership Development Program, how his mindset has evolved over the past two years, and the pivotal moments that have shaped his leadership.

From navigating cross-country assignments while raising three kids, to making values-based decisions when opportunities and family priorities collide, Bryan shares real insights into what it truly takes to thrive in seasons of transition. He also unpacks the role of grit in his path from LDP to joining the Operator Coop, revealing the lessons that helped him stay grounded when everything around him was shifting.

If you’re preparing to apply for LDP—or simply want to grow as a leader in times of change—this conversation will challenge and equip you.

What happens when your team competes against Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos for a once-in-a-lifetime NASA contract—and loses? For aerospace leader and author Andy Croker, that setback became a defining moment. In this episode, Andy takes us behind the scenes of the NASA Human Landing System project and into the emotional and professional turbulence that followed.

Rather than being defined by outcomes, Andy turned toward unconditional values—principles that outlast wins, losses, and titles. We unpack the five core values from his book The Unconditionals, explore how they anchor his life, and discover how leaders can build rockets and resilience.

From guiding high-stakes teams to inspiring parents and educators, Andy shares practical wisdom for anyone navigating disappointment, identity, or the relentless pace of success culture. His message is simple but powerful: true leadership isn’t about what you achieve—it’s about who you become when the mission changes.

Tune in for a conversation that blends aerospace innovation, personal conviction, and timeless leadership lessons.

What if the path to the top isn’t straight up—but sideways?

In this episode of The Pivot Experience, we sit down with Kathy Kirchner, Senior Vice President at Zayo, whose unconventional journey from small-town Montana to leading 11,000+ employees across global telecom giants is proof that success doesn’t follow a script.

Kathy opens up about her early years working three part-time jobs to pay off student loans, her unexpected pivot from music to telecommunications, and the mindset that fueled her rise through constant change. She shares raw insights on resilience, leading through disruption, and why saying “yes” to lateral opportunities can often be the boldest move a leader can make.

From launching Xfinity Mobile to reentering the workforce after retirement “just for the challenge,” Kathy’s story is a masterclass in curiosity, grit, and growth. Whether you’re navigating uncertainty, craving a career reset, or rethinking what leadership really looks like—this episode will remind you that your next big opportunity might not look like a promotion at all.

🎧 Listen now and get inspired to pivot with purpose, take risks that stretch you, and redefine what winning really means.

What makes a leader truly great—and why do so many fall short? In this episode of The Pivot Experience Podcast, we sit down with leadership expert, speaker, and mentor William C. Davis, author of How to Lead Without Just Managing and Building Genuine Relationships. With decades of experience spanning corporate, academic, military, and government sectors, William has studied the successes and failures of leaders to uncover what separates influence from authority.

Together, we explore today’s leadership crisis and why 78% of Americans believe we have a leadership problem. William shares the DNA of great leadership, how to identify future leaders in your organization, and the blind spots that hold even well-meaning leaders back. From navigating uncertainty and leading in the digital age to the power of servant leadership, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and actionable steps for anyone looking to lead with confidence, trust, and impact.

If you’ve ever wondered how to move beyond managing and start truly leading, this episode will give you the playbook to inspire lasting change.