In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, we meet Marianna Kinnee, founder of Might in Motion and Director of Facility Implementation at Vector. Marianna’s career journey—from internships in manufacturing to leadership in the tech startup and supply chain space—illustrates the power of diverse perspectives, intentional mentorship, and data-driven decision-making in shaping modern leadership.

So often, leaders are told: don’t let emotions get in the way,keep it professional,stick to the facts.
But here’s the truth—emotions are facts. They’re physiological, neurological, and deeply tied to how we make decisions, build trust, and experience the world.

In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I shared why emotions aren’t a liability—they’re information. And if you know how to interpret them, you gain a powerful edge in leading yourself and others.

In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, Jessica welcomes Robin Fisher, a personal stylist and image coach, to discuss the impact of personal style on confidence and leadership. Robin shares insights from her 16-year career as the CEO and founder of Polished Image and Style, an image consulting and styling firm based in DC. Listeners will learn about the importance of showing up authentically, building a capsule wardrobe, and working within budgets to enhance their professional presence. Robin also offers practical tips for leaders on how to refine their personal style, including the significance of key wardrobe staples and understanding one's personal taste. This episode is filled with valuable advice for anyone looking to elevate their style and confidence in their professional life.

Being an effective leader, whether in your own venture or within an organization, requires adaptability and strategic thinking. On this episode of the Illustrating Leadership podcast, we caught up with Michelle MacNeil, a systems business coach with a unique perspective shaped by her dual life as a businesswoman and farmer in Alberta, Canada. Michelle's journey and insights offer invaluable lessons on how systems can transform challenges into opportunities, offering leaders the freedom and efficiency they crave.

Please enjoy this incredible conversation on the Illustrating Leadership Podcast with Maggie Kang, a Healthcare and Life coach, and former Radiologist. Maggie's journey reflects growth through life-altering challenges and can offer valuable lessons for everyone.

This week on the Illustrating Leadership Podcast we’re having a conversation with Anna Larson, a Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths coach and Marketing Strategist. Her insights on leveraging personal and team strengths provide a roadmap for leaders aiming to enhance both personal and group performance.

We're diving deep into the topic of breathing with expert Hamra Bakircioglu – something we all do but often overlook in terms of its importance and nuances. Surprisingly, effective breathing can have a profound impact on our leadership capabilities and overall well-being.

On this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, we meet Michele Thompson. Michele brings a wealth of knowledge from her 27 years as a nurse, with 17 of those specifically in the senior care sector. Her mission today is to help organizations and their leaders create psychologically safe workplaces where employees never want to leave. 

As a leader, it's difficult to get enough rest, let alone good quality sleep. Many of us find ourselves trapped in a cycle of sleeplessness, stress, and compromised productivity. On this episode of the Illustrating Leadership podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting Monica Le Baron, a seasoned sleep coach and author of Sleep Simplified. Our conversation shed light on the transformative power of sleep and how leaders can harness it to enhance their personal and professional lives.

Welcome to another edition of Illustrating Leadership, where we bring you insights from some of the most thoughtful and experienced leaders in the field. Today, we are thrilled to share a conversation with Joanna Kozlowski, a remarkable leader with a diverse background spanning teaching, architecture, engineering, and consulting. Joanna's journey unveils a refreshing perspective on leadership, mentorship, and values, especially relevant in today’s evolving work culture.

Welcome to the Illustrating Leadership podcast! Today, I'm delighted to introduce you to Heather Simpson, the dynamic founder and CEO of Her Connection Hub. Heather has cultivated a thriving community that serves as a workspace and a hub of inspiration and collaboration. Beyond her impressive professional accomplishments, Heather brings extensive experience in leadership and training leaders to our conversation. 

In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership podcast, host Jessica Wright, a Life and Career Development Coach for Leaders, interviews Bonita Owens, an Executive Leadership Coach and Facilitator from AWN Leadership Consulting.

They discuss actionable strategies for new leaders, with a focus on personal development, self-awareness, and the challenges of stepping into leadership roles. Bonita shares a compelling story of a new leader overcoming initial struggles and growing into a confident leader. The discussion also provides tips for outgoing leaders to ensure a smooth transition and emphasizes the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and developing leaders within an organization.

In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, host Jessica interviews Marisa Corcoran, founder of the Copy Confidence Society and The Copy Chat. They discuss Marisa's influence on Jessica's journey to creating the podcast, the importance of clear and effective messaging, and authentic communication strategies. Marisa shares insights on the 'Copy Stars' framework, the significance of small, relatable storytelling, and common pitfalls in creating impactful messages. Jessica highlights how Marisa's guidance has transformed her approach to copywriting and leadership. Tune in for valuable tips on enhancing your communication skills and becoming a more effective leader.

In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, host Jessica Wright chats with Kayla Dansby, founder of Groove Virtual Assistant Agency. Kayla shares her insights on how leaders, especially entrepreneurs, can overcome the overwhelm that often accompanies wearing multiple hats.  She emphasizes the importance of clarity, prioritization, and strategic delegation to achieve a better work-life balance.

In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Horace T. Brooks, a seasoned leader and General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott in Key Largo, Florida. Horace shared invaluable insights drawn from his extensive experience in the hospitality industry and his reflections on leadership, highlighting the influence of two key mentors in his career.

In today's episode of The Illustrating Leadership Podcast, we welcome Melissa Cade Garcia, a lifelong educator, trainer, coach, speaker, and most recently, a published author. With an extensive career dedicated to leadership development, behavioral awareness, and academic enrichment, Melissa shares her incredible journey and insights with us.

Illustrating Leadership host and Life & Career Development Coach for Leaders, Jessica Wright, welcomes guest Dr. Alan Mueller, an organizational leadership and development expert, back to the Illustrating Leadership Podcast to discuss emotional intelligence. Dr. Mueller emphasizes its increasing importance in the modern workplace, driven by the transition from the industrial to the information age and greater workforce diversity. He identifies seven key components of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, empathy, intercultural competence, listening, communication, social navigation skills, and a growth mindset.

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast! In today's episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Stacey Stokeley, an enrolled agent and the CEO of Bay to Baker Tax Service in beautiful Washington State.

Welcome to another episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast! In today's insightful conversation, your host Jessica is joined by accomplished Author, Speaker, and Consultant, Mandy Schaniel. Mandy shares her journey and the leadership lessons she has learned along the way. 

In this episode of Illustrating Leadership, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Yvonne Caputo, a psychotherapist, corporate trainer, consultant, and the brilliant mind behind two captivating books, "Flying With Dad: A Daughter. A Father. And the Hidden Gifts in His Stories from World War II" and "Dying with Dad: Tough Talks for Easier Endings." Join us as we jump into Yvonne's wealth of experience, exploring the profound leadership lessons she gained throughout her diverse career.