In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Joanna Lund-Pops, embodied career and leadership coach, to explore how reconnecting with our bodies can transform the way we lead, make decisions, and sustain our energy — especially in the nonprofit and social impact space.

Joanna helps changemakers move beyond the “do more with less” mindset and instead reclaim the bold, impactful careers and lives they were meant to have. Her insights remind us that great leadership doesn’t come from the head alone — it comes from the whole self.

In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I explore one of the most transformative mindset shifts for any leader...moving from being the fixer to becoming the coach. When you step into leadership, it’s natural to think your role is to have all the answers. But true leadership isn’t about solving every problem. It’s about helping your team discover their own solutions and strength.

In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I had the honor of speaking with Chris Kruger — retired U.S. Army infantryman and Black Hawk pilot turned author. Chris spent over two decades in the military, completing multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan before retiring and embarking on a new chapter as a writer and mental health advocate.

His story is one of resilience, self-awareness, and the power of empathetic leadership — both in uniform and beyond it.

In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I get into one of the biggest tensions leaders face: balancing empathy with effectiveness. Can you really lead with both heart and high standards? I believe the answer is yes — not only can you, but the best leaders do.

In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Tara Haislip, founder of Grounded Energy 111 and host of the upcoming Burn the Script podcast. Tara’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and redefining what success really means. From professional dancer to paralegal to health coach and now entrepreneur, her journey reflects what happens when we stop following everyone else’s rules and start creating our own.

In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I had the joy of talking with Christy Nichol, burnout recovery specialist and former sports therapist. Christy shared her journey of navigating burnout—twice—and how those experiences shaped her passion for helping high-performing professionals and entrepreneurs reclaim their energy, restore balance, and rediscover joy. Her story is a powerful reminder that self-care and authenticity aren’t luxuries in leadership—they’re essentials.

In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I explore one of the most essential—and often most challenging—skills for leaders: feedback. Whether you’re offering it or receiving it, feedback can stir up discomfort, self-doubt, or defensiveness. But when it’s done well, it becomes one of the strongest tools we have for building trust, growth, and connection on our teams.

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.