Elevated Leadership with Jena Young

Hosted by Jena Young

Business Management Education

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Episodes

Latest episode

Sep 2025

Language

EN-US

About the show

A no nonsense approach to simplifying what it means to be an influential leader in your own life and in your business. We explore how to have impact while also minimizing overwhelm. Tune in and learn how to create your own shift today!

Listen to episodes

31 recent

September 30, 202518 min

Leading in Uncertainty

Jena closes out Season Two with a powerful conversation on one of the greatest tests leaders face: uncertainty. From global crises like COVID to everyday business disruptions, she explores how leaders can steady the ship when fear and confusion run high. Jena shares a clear communication framework for leading when answers are limited, highlights common traps to avoid, and offers practical strategies for staying grounded, present, and purpose-driven. This final episode celebrates the season’s theme of taking ownership of your side of the street and equips leaders with the tools to navigate chaos with clarity and calm. To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to hello@elevatedleadershipgrowth.com We look forward to hearing from you!Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0 www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

September 23, 202521 min

Building a Team When People Keep Quitting

In this episode, Jena shares her hard-earned lessons on what it really takes to build and retain a strong team. Drawing from her own experience as a business owner, she invites leaders to reflect on four key questions: Are your values clear and alive in your workplace? Are you honest about the type of roles you’re offering: starter, stepping stone, or career? Do you know what your employees truly value? And are you facing the external realities of your business head-on?With candor and humor, Jena reveals what she wishes she had known earlier, why values-based hiring matters, and how embracing the facts (instead of fighting them) helps leaders stop spinning their wheels. Whether you’re struggling with turnover, frustrated with hiring, or simply want to strengthen your leadership, this episode will help you see your team-building challenges in a whole new light.To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to hello@elevatedleadershipgrowth.com We look forward to hearing from you!Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

September 16, 202520 min

Four Things Your Team Needs To Hear From You

In this episode Jena dives into the four essential messages every leader should communicate to their team. She explores why clear, heartfelt communication is the foundation of a thriving workplace.Discover how to build trust, empower your employees, and create a positive culture by ensuring your team hears what truly matters—from honest feedback to genuine encouragement. Whether you’re a seasoned manager or just starting your leadership journey, this episode will give you practical insights and real-world examples to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and heart.Tune in to learn how these four simple messages can transform your team’s engagement, performance, and overall happiness at work!To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to hello@elevatedleadershipgrowth.com We look forward to hearing from you!Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

September 9, 202518 min

3 Leadership Patterns That Keep Popping Up!

In this week’s episode, Jena shares three powerful themes that keep showing up in her own life and in the lives of the leaders she works with. These lessons are simple, but they hit hard:Rejection is Protection – why setbacks can actually steer you toward better opportunities.A Calm Mind Requires a Calm Body – how regulating your body is the key to clear, effective leadership.No One Will Care as Much About Your Business as You Do (and That's Okay!) – how to release resentment and step into true ownership.These reminders are ones leaders often need to circle back to again and again. Tune in for a short but impactful conversation that just might shift the way you’re approaching your leadership this week.To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to hello@elevatedleadershipgrowth.com We look forward to hearing from you!Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0 www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

September 2, 202528 min

Behind the Curtain of Leadership with Bo Jennings

In this episode of Elevated Leadership with Jena Young, Jena sits down with her Director of Operations, Bo Jennings, for a candid and insightful conversation. Together they tackle three big topics every leader faces: how to let go of employees while staying grounded, how to show up for your team even when you don’t feel your best, and how they, along with Jena's business partner/husband Jeff, make decisions while honoring how different their approaches are. .Bo brings decades of experience in hospitality and a deep commitment to never stop growing. He shares hard-earned leadership lessons, honest reflections, and the mindset that keeps him evolving. This episode offers both practical tools and a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Jena and her team run their businesses.To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to hello@elevatedleadershipgrowth.com We look forward to hearing from you!Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

August 26, 202529 min

In the Middle of It All: Leadership Lessons with Jasmine Burne

Being a middle manager means living “in the middle of it all,” balancing the needs of your staff with the expectations of ownership, while keeping service and culture strong.In this punchy, insight-packed conversation, Jena sits down with Jasmine Burne, Hospitality Director for Side Street Hospitality. Over the last 10 years, Jasmine has grown with Side Street Café and its sister businesses, moving from the floor to a leadership role where she now supports teams across the organization. And yes, she can still shake up a mean cocktail! We cover real-world lessons every middle manager can relate to, including:Why organization is the foundation of strong leadershipThe responsibility of setting staff up for success every shiftHow to execute plans even when they’re not your own ideaThe importance of growing with your organization as it evolvesThe importance of letting go of staff when they no longer fit the culture. This episode is short but loaded with gems that will empower you to see the value of your role and lead with clarity and confidence.To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to hello@elevatedleadershipgrowth.com We look forward to hearing from you!Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

August 19, 202519 min

Rules of Thumb Every Leader Should Know

In this episode, Jena shares her favorite “rules of thumb” for effective leadership.She rattles off practical leadership principles, from actionable advice on handling lingering issues, restructuring hard-to-fill roles, and navigating the tricky territory of toxic top performers. She also revisits the classic “hire slow, fire fast” mantra, emphasizing the value of thoughtful hiring and decisive action.Whether you’re a seasoned manager or just starting your leadership journey, this episode is packed with relatable stories, actionable insights, and encouragement to lead with clarity, confidence, and heart. Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who could use a leadership boost!To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to hello@elevatedleadershipgrowth.com We look forward to hearing from you!Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0 www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

August 12, 202532 min

America’s Sweethearts: Leadership Lessons from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

In this episode, Jena explores the Netflix docuseries America’s Sweethearts, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ intense audition and training process. Drawing on her background as a dancer and leadership expert, Jena examines how Director Kelli Finglass and Head Choreographer Judy Trammell navigate tough decisions, hold high standards, and lead with both empathy and accountability.Alongside reflections on her recent visit to The Lost Kitchen and the leadership insights gained from Erin French, Jena breaks down key moments from the show that highlight resilience, culture, and the realities of leading a high-pressure team.Whether you’re familiar with the show or new to it, this episode delivers practical leadership takeaways through an engaging, real-world case study.To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to hello@elevatedleadershipgrowth.com We look forward to hearing from you!Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0 www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

August 5, 202521 min

Gen Z Wisdom from the Court: A Conversation with D1 Athlete Piper Rama

In this inspiring and down-to-earth conversation, Jena sits down with Piper Rama, a Division I volleyball player for the ASU Sun Devils, to hear her perspective as a Gen Z athlete navigating high performance, pressure, and team dynamics. Piper shares powerful insights on staying connected to your why, the value of aligning around a common goal, and what it means to show up fully in the present moment whether you're winning or working through setbacks.While the conversation is unpolished in the best, most authentic way, it’s packed with wisdom for athletes, coaches, leaders, and anyone working with or mentoring Gen Z. Jena also asks Piper what older generations should know when leading or managing Gen Z and her answer is refreshingly simple and spot-on.Whether you’re a leader, a parent, or just someone curious about how the next generation is showing up in the world, this episode offers a fresh and grounded glimpse into what matters most from the perspective of someone living it right now.You can follow along with Piper's team on instagram @sundevilvolleyballTo book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to hello@elevatedleadershipgrowth.com We look forward to hearing from you!Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0 www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com

July 29, 202522 min

"Everyone Wants a Piece of You" Protecting Your Energy Without Losing Your Warmth

As a leader, it can feel like everyone needs something right now: a decision, a conversation, a complaint, a meeting. In this episode, Jena Young unpacks the emotional toll of being perpetually “on call” and offers a grounded, empowering guide for how to protect your time and energy without becoming cold or unavailable.Pulling from her own introverted leadership style and real-world lessons as a business owner, Jena introduces practical tactics, including John Maxwell’s 80-20-80 Principle, to help leaders prioritize what (and who) truly deserves their time. She also shares 11 ready-to-use boundary-setting scripts for common workplace interruptions from The One-Stop Shopper to The Opinionator.This episode is a must-listen for leaders who want to stay connected and compassionate while avoiding burnout. It's time to lead with intention, protect your energy, and finally let go of the guilt around saying “not right now.”To book Jena of Elevated Leadership for one-on-one or group coaching, reach out to hello@elevatedleadershipgrowth.com We look forward to hearing from you!Instagram: @elevatedleadership and @jenayoung2.0 www.elevatedleadershipgrowth.com