Episodes

In this powerful episode, Susan and Tessa explore the power of our thoughts with the quote, "We become what we think about." Susan shares a personal story about how receiving a poor medical test result affected not just her m...

In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into the chaos of leadership and the challenge of managing endless details. Using the metaphor of a snow globe, they remind us that even in the middle of a storm, the snow eventually sett...

What does it truly mean to be a professional? As leaders, we often assume professionalism is understood, but it requires continuous teaching, modeling, and reinforcement. In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into the three p...

In this powerful episode, Tessa kicks off the conversation with a story about a flight attendant who effortlessly blended playfulness, relationship-building, and firm expectations to create a positive experience for passenger...

Leadership is tough, and every day presents new challenges. In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into what it means to be a “diamond leader” by exploring the qualities that make leaders worth following. They discuss the impo...

As a new leader, knowing when to speak up and when to stay silent can be a challenge. In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the struggles of stepping into leadership and the pressure to share ideas, give input, or voice ob...

Have you ever given feedback at the wrong time and instantly regretted it? In this episode, Tessa shares a personal story about holding back her instinct to critique her daughter’s swim performance because sometimes timing is...

As leaders, we often feel the pressure to do it all, but should we? In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into the power of delegation, drawing insights from Chris Donnelly’s Step by Step newsletter. They explore a thought-pr...

As leaders, are we truly listening or are we letting our biases choose a side before we hear the full story? In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the importance of impartial listening when working with staff, students, an...

As leaders, we have all asked the question, should I just do this tomorrow? Susan and Tessa dive into the all-too-relatable feeling of overwhelm when the "to-do list" keeps growing and motivation seems out of reach. They shar...

Tessa kicks off this episode with a storytelling game where each twist flips between "fortunately" and "unfortunately," challenging everyone listening to find the silver lining in every setback. This playful exercise reflects...

As a leader, you’re constantly moving from one challenge to the next, but are you taking care of yourself in the process? In this episode, Susan and Tessa ask the tough questions: Are you eating? Taking breaks? Breathing? Lea...

Stepping into leadership is exciting, but let’s be real, it can also be overwhelming, frustrating, and downright exhausting. In this episode, Susan and Tessa share their differing perspectives on what it feels like to be a ne...

As leaders, we are often the ones others turn to in times of crisis. But what do you say when a staff member is facing a personal tragedy? How do you offer support without overstepping? In this heartfelt conversation, Susan a...

"I'm a recovering perfectionist and an aspiring good-enoughist." — Brené Brown Perfection is a heavy burden, especially for leaders. In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into the inner chatter that tells us we have to be the...

Is the traditional "Sandwich Model" of feedback—praise, critique, praise—really the best way to help your staff grow? In this important episode, Susan and Tessa dissect this well-known method, sharing why it might not be as e...

What do leadership, waiting tables, and training orca whales have in common? More than you think! In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore how leadership mirrors the service mindset of a waiter or waitress—anticipating needs,...

When mistakes happen, do we instinctively look for someone to blame, or do we assume best intentions and focus on solutions? In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into the blame game mindset and how it can derail progress, mo...

Bad days are inevitable, even for leaders. Like a crashing wave, they can knock us down, but the tide eventually recedes, giving us the chance to rise again. In this episode, Susan and Tessa share personal stories of struggle...

In this episode, Susan and Tessa tackle the essence of commitment, sharing a powerful definition: Commitment is what we do long after the mood has left us. As the excitement of the new year fades and goals or resolutions star...

In this reflective episode, Susan and Tessa dive into the idea of joy—both personal and professional. Inspired by a recent conference Susan attended, they discuss how the concept of joy didn’t initially resonate with her and ...

Sleepless nights happen to the best of us, especially during stressful seasons of leadership. In this episode, Susan and Tessa share personal stories of restless nights and how stress has impacted their ability to recharge. T...

Do you ever feel like all eyes are on you or that people are saying unkind things behind your back? Susan and Tessa unpack this common leadership worry and offer a refreshing perspective: most people aren’t scrutinizing your ...

Susan and Tessa revisit the excitement of the new year and ask the big question: Have your resolutions, goals, or "one word" already taken a backseat? It's easy to lose momentum as the weeks roll on, but they’re here to remin...