As the title entails, it is time to pump the brakes on the podcast. In this episode, I explain the reasons why, and hopefully shed some light on some lessons I have learned that you can learn from as well. 

Hands down, this is one of my favorite episodes I have ever recorded. Dr. Kim and I had a script of questions around all things burnout, and most of them didn't get asked. Why? Because the conversation guided us elsewhere. From burnout to mental health challenges from COVID-19, to how our current environment has led us to find what is really important in life and what we think our new "normal" is going to look like when this is all over. This wonderful human being is dropping value like never before seen on this show!

In this episode, I sit down with Nathan Simmonds, a leadership coach and trainer from the UK, to discuss his life story (which is incredible), and how he works to help clients increase their happiness and find their own unique super powers (USP). Nathan is the owner of The Independent Leader company and has a very unique perspective on helping entrepreneurs find their life's purpose and begin leading themselves and others. Show notes available at:  https://firststringleadership.com/epsisode27/

There is one common thing that most of us, as leaders, fail to prioritize - self-care. Today's episode isn't where we talk about getting a massage and a pedicure. I want to talk about keeping your mental and physical state at an optimum level so that when you find yourself in times of crisis, you know what you need to do, and you can still be there for your team.  Show notes available at: https://firststringleadership.com/episode26/

I don't know about you, but when I hear the word "wellness" I often start thinking about the gym, possibly mental health. However, this week's episode dives into the importance of financial wellness in both your personal life and business. This week I sit down with a fellow West Point classmate, Derek Merkler. Derek is a former national champion cyclist, Apache pilot, and now runs his own business as a Certified Financial Planner. Show notes available at: https://firststringleadership.com/podcast-024-crisis-leadership/

Regardless of your background, we have all experienced some sort of crisis in our lives and/or in our businesses. Crises are going to happen: they are inevitable and we can't control them. However, we CAN control how we respond as leaders. This week's episode is dedicated to just that. Show notes available at: https://firststringleadership.com/podcast-024-crisis-leadership/

This episode is a personal one for me centered on productivity and some issues I have dealt with recently in my journey to grow a business. It is raw, introspective, and I hope you find value in it! Show notes available at: https://firststringleadership.com/episode23/

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Groen, a Standford Business School graduate, a one-time corporate executive turned business owner and discuss how lessons learned throughout her career have served her in her entrepreneurship journey! Sarah is the owner of a luxury travel firm, Bell and Bly Travel, and discusses the business and leadership lessons she has learned throughout her many interesting stops in her career. Show notes available at: https://firststringleadership.com/episode22/

Have you ever worked for someone who, it seemed, only saw you like a number? Who saw your relationship as solely a transactional one? Without a doubt, you probably weren't a fan of this, and rightfully so! That's why in this week's podcast we are going deep into the topic of building relationships within your teams. Why it matters, and some simple (not all-inclusive) steps that you can take to start building relationships today! Show notes available at: https://firststringleadership.com/episode21/

Overall wellness is something that we often neglect as leaders. It is one of those things that we will "get around to" after we get through the important tasks we are doing now. At least that is how it feels. This week I am sitting down with Traci Fisher, a renowned wellness coach, and talking about the importance of overall wellness to leaders and entrepreneurs. We discuss not only her journey as a West Point graduate, Army Aviation Officer, mother, and entrepreneur - but also the work that she does now as a wellness coach for executives and leadership teams. Show notes available at: https://firststringleadership.com/episode20/