Lead Through It with Kim and Jada – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Lead Through It, Jada and Kim sit down with executive coach, author, and Coaching Real Leaders host Muriel Wilkins for a conversation that is equal parts leadership wisdom, personal reflection, and deep exhale.

Muriel shares the heart behind her work: helping leaders stop making leadership harder than it has to be. Together, they explore the mindset patterns that often keep high-performing leaders stuck, including the need to be involved in everything, the pull toward urgency, and the belief that being right is enough. Muriel explains why true leadership growth is not just about changing behaviors, but about noticing the beliefs driving those behaviors in the first place.

The conversation also moves beyond tactics into something much deeper: ease, surrender, self-compassion, and what it means to lead without gripping so tightly. Muriel offers a powerful reminder that leadership is not about controlling every outcome. It is about seeing reality clearly, making intentional choices, and learning how to stay present through discomfort without adding unnecessary suffering.

This episode is for leaders, coaches, and high achievers who are carrying a lot, moving fast, and wondering if there is another way to lead. Muriel’s answer is both grounding and freeing: yes, there is. And it starts with awareness, alignment, and a little more ease. 

Find out more at www.murielwilkins.com/

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com

Jada@jwillisconsulting.com | Kim@kimandrewscoaching.com

In this episode, Jada and Kim sit down with Shannon Ivey for a powerful, funny, and deeply grounded conversation about voice, identity, self-advocacy, and what it means to take up space without apologizing for it. Shannon shares the journey that led her from theater professor to storyteller, coach, author, TEDx speaker, and founder of the Speak Like You Mean It method, including the moments that forced her to claim her work, protect her voice, and stop waiting for permission.

The conversation moves between leadership, public speaking, women’s confidence, storytelling, body awareness, and the quiet ways people are taught to shrink themselves. Shannon also opens up about her book Welcome to the Shit Show, her experience with colorectal cancer, and why self-advocacy matters in both medical and professional spaces. Along the way, she offers practical wisdom for anyone who wants to speak with more confidence, reconnect with their body, and lead from a place that feels honest instead of performative.

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt their voice catch in the room, wondered whether they were “too much,” or needed a reminder that finding your feet is sometimes the first step to remembering who you are.

Check out Shannon Ivey at shannon-ivey.com/

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com

Jada@jwillisconsulting.com | Kim@kimandrewscoaching.com

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “Why won’t my team just take initiative?” you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common frustrations leaders face.

In this episode of Lead Through IT, Jada and Kim tackle the leadership question that sits underneath that frustration. Why do capable, smart people sometimes wait to be told what to do? And what can leaders do to create an environment where initiative actually happens?

They explore the hidden dynamics that often hold teams back. From unclear expectations to fear of making the wrong decision, many organizations unintentionally train people to wait instead of act. Jada and Kim break down how leadership habits, organizational culture, and communication patterns can quietly shape whether employees step up or stay silent.

Throughout the conversation, they share practical ways leaders can build trust, clarify ownership, and create the kind of culture where people feel confident taking action without being asked.

If you’ve ever wondered why initiative seems to disappear inside otherwise talented teams, this episode will help you rethink the leadership patterns that might be driving it.

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com

Jada@jwillisconsulting.com | Kim@kimandrewscoaching.com

In this powerful episode of Lead Through It, Jada and Kim are joined by Lyndsay Dowd, a top-tier sales leader, coach, and the author of Top-Down Culture. With 23 years of experience at IBM and a family legacy in the corporate world, Lyndsay shares the raw, transformative story of an unexpected career turning point at age 50 and how that moment became the push that led her to build a thriving coaching business. 

This conversation is a masterclass in modern leadership and emotional resilience, covering:

• The Myth of Perfection: Why Lyndsay is proud to admit she was fired and how "naming the shame" became her greatest source of power and authenticity.
• Irresistible Culture vs. Micromanagement: A deep dive into why micromanagement is rooted in insecurity and how the best leaders lead with trust and psychological safety.
• The "Maverick and Hustler" Approach: How to foster a team environment that celebrates "weirdness," unconventional ideas, and human connection through storytelling.
• The Personal Board of Advisors: Why every leader needs a "kitchen cabinet" of people who remind them who they are when their confidence is shaken.
• The One Question Every Leader Should Ask: Lyndsay shares the most humbling and effective question you can ask your team: "How can I be the best leader for you?"

Whether you're navigating a career setback or looking to evolve your leadership style for the modern workforce, Lyndsay’s high-energy wisdom and practical tactics will leave you inspired to lead from the heart.

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com

Jada@jwillisconsulting.com | Kim@kimandrewscoaching.com

In this episode of Lead Through It, hosts Jada and Kim sit down with Caroline Pennington, a powerhouse in the world of executive recruitment and personal branding. Caroline shares her journey from placing entry-level temporary employees to working with Fortune 500 boards and C-suite executives.

Throughout the conversation, the trio explores:

• The LinkedIn "Secret Sauce": How Caroline grew her following from zero to over 13,000 in two years and the specific strategies she uses to grab the attention of high-level decision-makers.
• The Art of the "Un-Salesy" DM: Why simple, sincere outreach is more effective than automated pitches.
• Navigating the Side-Hustle Transition: Tips for starting a business while working a corporate job, including how to communicate with your current employer and managing "moonlighting" policies.
• Embracing the "Suck": A candid discussion on why you must be okay with being imperfect when you first start out.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a senior leader, or looking to supercharge your professional presence, this episode offers actionable wisdom on building a brand that resonates.

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com

Jada@jwillisconsulting.com | Kim@kimandrewscoaching.com

What if the key to building a strong culture isn’t about you at all?

In this episode, Kim and Jada sit down with Melanie Huggins, CEO of Girl Scouts of South Carolina Mountains to Midlands and former CEO of Richland Library, for a candid conversation about leadership, burnout, reinvention, and what it really takes to build a culture that lasts.

With more than thirty years of leadership experience, Melanie shares hard-earned lessons from transforming a large public institution, navigating COVID-era exhaustion, and stepping into a new CEO role where culture change is still unfolding in real time.

Together, they explore:

• Why culture is built in the details no one sees
• What it means to “operationalize equity”
• How brand promises must match internal behaviors
• Why culture change takes longer than you think
• The tension between honoring legacy and leading transformation
• Recognizing burnout before it reshapes who you are
• Creating space to pause, reflect, and make brave decisions

Melanie offers a powerful reframe: culture is not about what leaders prefer or how they want to operate. It is about the people you serve. The customer. The member. The girl at camp. The parent who must trust you.

If your organization is in a hard culture moment, if you are leading through change, or if you are quietly wondering whether it’s time for your own next chapter, this conversation will meet you there.

Because building culture is not about ego.It is about alignment. It is about trust. And sometimes, it is about knowing when something is over so something new can begin.

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com

Jada@jwillisconsulting.com | Kim@kimandrewscoaching.com

What does it look like to step into the CEO seat…and refuse to do it the traditional way?

In this episode, Kim and Jada sit down with Danielle Pickens, a two-time CEO who is redefining what executive leadership can look like. After fifteen years as an independent consultant building her own company on flexibility and boundaries, Danielle stepped into the CEO role at Urban Schools Human Capital Academy. But she did not leave her independent work behind. Instead, she is pioneering something different: a fractional CEO model rooted in sustainability, clarity, and intentional leadership.

Danielle shares what it really feels like to move from doer to strategist, from contractor to accountable executive, and from setting clean scope boundaries to holding ultimate responsibility for everything. She opens up about the mental shift of carrying organizational weight, the sleep-stealing pressure of “everything is in scope,” and the systems she has had to build both professionally and personally to make this new season work.

You will hear:

• What a fractional CEO actually does and how it challenges traditional leadership expectations
• The four grounding questions Danielle returns to when urgency starts to take over
• How to clarify a true North Star and eliminate work that does not align
• Why not everything deserves an A effort and how a C+ can sometimes be exactly right
• The reality of renegotiating roles at home and at work when your leadership season changes
• How to lead former peers when you step into the top role
• The danger of overfunctioning and how to design systems that prevent it
• Why creating twenty minutes of reflective space each week can change your trajectory

This is a conversation about boundaries, identity, sustainability, and courage. It is about leading in a way that feels aligned with who you are, not just what the role has historically required. Danielle reminds us that leadership does not have to mean burnout, and that pioneering new models is uncomfortable but necessary.

If you are stepping into a bigger role, rethinking how you work, or trying to build something that lasts, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

Press play and ask yourself:
What kind of leader do I actually want to be?

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com

Jada@jwillisconsulting.com | Kim@kimandrewscoaching.com

When life feels heavy, the news feels overwhelming, and everything seems just a little unsteady, leadership doesn’t get easier. It gets more human.

In this episode, Kim and Jada get real about what it looks like to lead when both personal life and the world around us feel messy. From flat tires and pantry tears to national events that leave people emotionally drained, they unpack how leaders can show up with steadiness, care, and authenticity without pretending to have all the answers.

They talk through practical ways to support teams during uncertain and emotionally charged times, why avoiding hard moments can erode trust, and how simple check-ins can make a meaningful difference. The conversation also dives into self-leadership, emotional regulation, and why leaders must take their own mental and emotional health seriously if they want to lead others well.

This episode is a reminder that leadership right now isn’t about fixing everything. It’s about creating space, staying grounded, and showing up as a whole human for other whole humans.

If you’ve been wondering how to lead with compassion, clarity, and stability when everything feels like a lot, this one’s for you.

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com

Jada@jwillisconsulting.com | Kim@kimandrewscoaching.com

What if leadership growth doesn’t start with being right, but with being a little less certain?

In this episode, Kim and Jada reflect on their recent conversation with Monty Robertson and dig deeper into the idea of perspective, ego, and self-leadership. They explore what it really means to lead people when you don’t have all the answers, how resilience is built through lived experience, and why letting go of control can sometimes be the strongest move a leader makes.

From quiet strength and humility to understanding that people are acting from contexts we can’t always see, this conversation challenges leaders to pause and ask a deceptively simple question: What if I’m 2% wrong? That small shift can open the door to better communication, stronger relationships, and more effective leadership both at work and at home.

If you lead people, work with people, or live alongside people, this episode is an invitation to soften your stance, expand your perspective, and lead through it with intention. 

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com

Jada@jwillisconsulting.com | Kim@kimandrewscoaching.com

In this episode of Lead Through IT, Jada and Kim sit down with Monty Robertson, Executive Director of the Alliance for Healthiest South Carolina, for an honest conversation about leadership, ego, and what it really takes to bring people together when the stakes are high.

Monty shares his unconventional leadership journey, from growing up in a small South Carolina town to leading statewide coalitions and navigating moments that demanded humility, adaptability, and resilience. Together, they explore why managing your ego isn’t about shrinking yourself, but about knowing when to step back, listen differently, and reframe the path forward so real progress can happen.

This episode dives into:

• Why lowering your ego can actually strengthen your leadership
• How reframing language and approach can unite people across divides
• The tension between having strong ideas and making space for others
• Leading through uncertainty, rapid change, and moments you’ve never been trained for
• How perspective, planning, and resilience carry leaders through their hardest seasons

Monty’s Lead Through It moment is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about staying grounded, building trust, and continuing to move forward even when the path is unclear.

If you’re leading teams, organizations, or communities and finding yourself stuck between conviction and collaboration, this conversation will challenge and encourage you in all the right ways.

If today’s conversation resonated, connect with us and be part of the community of leaders who refuse to lead alone. 

JadaWillis.com | KimAndrewsCoaching.com

Jada@jwillisconsulting.com | Kim@kimandrewscoaching.com