Leadership Tea

Hosted by Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson Farrier

Business Careers Management Education

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Episodes

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

On Leadership Tea, we talk about what it takes to reach the executive level, and how to thrive when you get there. Powerful leaders share their journeys, insights, and triumphs in conversations with hosts Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson Farrier. Join us every other Wednesday to be inspired by the unvarnished stories of amazing executives who know what it's like to be "the only" at the table and who have succeeded regardless. They have proven leadership experience in their respective fields, from international affairs to the private sector to academia, and want to help others create their own success stories. Leadership Tea is produced by Grounded & Global Advisory, LLC, a leadership consultancy firm. Go to https://www.groundedandglobal.com/ for more information about how to strategize and develop your leadership footprint.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 21, 2026Episode 538 min

Build Your Island Now: Preparing Today for Whatever Comes Next, with Jerica Lamar

What are you building today that your future self may need tomorrow? In this episode, Shelby and Belinda sit down with diplomat, entrepreneur, and New College Perspective founder Jerica Lamar to talk about what she calls “building your island now”—creating skills, relationships, and opportunities before you need to make your next move. Jerica shares practical advice on preparing for career pivots, finding and negotiating college scholarships, using LinkedIn before you have an impressive résumé, and navigating AI without giving up your ability to think critically. She also shares the three things that can keep you from getting boxed into a career: reflection, risk, and relationships. Whether you’re preparing for college, building a career, or wondering what your own next chapter might look like, this conversation is packed with ideas you can put to work now. A note on some of the acronyms mentioned: EER = Employee Evaluation Report D-9 = The Divine 9 Historically Black Greek Letter Fraternities & Sororities As promised in the episode, here are some freebies: LinkedIn Checklist + Content Plan for College Students: https://www.thenewcollegeperspective.com/linkedinchecklistcollegestudents What to ask during a college tour: https://www.thenewcollegeperspective.com/questionstoaskyourcollegetourguide Video on LinkedIn Mistakes to Avoid as a College Student: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2khp00Voc0 Website: www.thenewcollegeperspective.com Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

October 7, 2026Episode 424 min

The Hardest Part of Leadership? Knowing You’ll Disappoint People

Sometimes doing the right thing as a leader means disappointing someone you genuinely want to help. In this episode, Shelby and Belinda get candid about tough feedback, workplace politics, protecting your credibility, and knowing when (and when not) to use your influence on someone else’s behalf. Because the higher you go, the grayer the decisions get. Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

September 30, 2026Episode 33 min

Bonus: He Ruined an IKEA Canvas, and Later Became An Artist, with Erasto Curtis Matthews

He spent 37 years as a software engineer. Then a ruined painting changed everything. In this bonus episode of Leadership Tea, Shelby and Belinda sit down with artist Erasto Curtis Matthews (@erastoarts) for a conversation that wasn't even supposed to happen. True to form for their 'Leading Unscripted' theme for this season. They met him by chance, minutes before recording their Season 6 premiere. Erasto shares how one destroyed canvas turned into a full-time art career, the mantra that's guided every scary decision since ("whenever something scares me, that's what I'm supposed to do next"), and his blunt advice for anyone building a legacy: get rid of fear, because fear usually gets you the exact opposite of what you want. A quick, unscripted reminder that some of the best pivots in life start as mistakes. 🎨 Follow Erasto's work on Instagram: @erastoarts 🎙️ New episodes of Leadership Tea drop bi-weekly. Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

September 25, 2026Episode 230 min

Humility Doesn't Pay the Bills (And Neither Does Fear) with Portia Obeng

Who taught you that talking about your wins is bragging? LinkedIn strategist Portia Obeng has helped thousands of professionals and small business owners stop being the best-kept secret in their industry. She joins Belinda and Shelby for a candid, practical conversation about showing up online before you feel ready, and why playing small doesn't help anyone. In this episode: • The first move to make on LinkedIn when you're pivoting industries • What Portia would do if you only had 30 minutes to fix your profile • How to speak confidently about your expertise without sounding arrogant • The profiles that make her hit "connect," and the ones that make her roll her eyes • Why she's "allergic to quick chats," and what she says to people who ask for one • Her North Star when the entrepreneurial journey gets hard As former diplomats, Belinda and Shelby spent decades in a culture where your work was supposed to speak for itself. Portia makes the case that it won't, and that the people who need what you know are waiting to hear it from you. Connect with Portia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/portiaobeng/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@portia.o Website: https://linktr.ee/portiaobeng Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

September 10, 2026Episode 119 min

The Advice That Almost Kept Us Apart

What if the fear holding you back isn't even your own? In the Season 6 premiere of Leadership Tea, Belinda and Shelby get personal about the voices that tell us we're not ready, and what happens when we choose to walk through the door anyway. They revisit the unlikely story of how they became friends and professional partners, including the surprising reason Belinda almost never got to know Shelby. They talk about the career disappointment that pushed Shelby toward an opportunity she initially resisted, how Belinda encouraged her to take the leap, and the unexpected turns that ultimately shaped both of their careers. They also reflect on building the Leadership Tea Podcast itself and everything they've had to learn along the way, from technology and editing to social media and video. At its heart, this conversation is about leading unscripted: learning to distinguish your own fear from someone else's, letting go of ego, staying agile when the plan changes, and having the courage to take the next step even when you don't know exactly where it will lead. In this episode, Belinda and Shelby talk about: • How fear can keep us from opportunities we're actually ready for • The difference between your own fear and someone else's fear • What happens when someone else believes in you before you believe in yourself • Career disappointment, ego, and learning to recognize an unexpected opportunity • Why the right door isn't always the door you planned to walk through • Faith, uncertainty, discomfort, and taking the first step Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome to Season 6: Leading Unscripted 01:17 — Is fear keeping you in a box? 02:35 — How Vincent introduced Belinda and Shelby 03:44 — The advice that almost kept them apart 05:44 — When someone else's doubts become your own 06:55 — The story of power, water, and momentum 07:47 — Getting past the fear of video 08:17 — Is this fear yours or someone else's? 09:36 — When the dream job doesn't work out 10:06 — Why Shelby hesitated to join the Operations Center 12:19 — “You are built for this moment” 13:30 — Quieting the voices that sabotage your growth 14:00 — Walking through doors you didn't expect 14:43 — How Togo and Peru became the right places 15:29 — Why agility matters more than ego 15:41 — Learning to build a podcast unscripted 16:38 — Getting comfortable with YouTube and video 17:06 — Faith over fear 17:51 — Knowing when to shake off negativity 18:21 — There is no growth in comfort 18:34 — What does leading unscripted mean for you? A few quotes to carry with you: “Fear is blocking you from your blessings.” “I never end up where I wanted to be, but I always end up where I'm supposed to be.” “There’s no growth in comfort.” What fear are you learning to move through right now? Tell us in the comments. We'd love to hear your story. And if you're listening on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or another audio platform, come join us on YouTube for Season 6. We're excited to bring you more conversations about leadership, culture, clarity, uncertainty, and what it really means to lead unscripted. Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

August 5, 2026Episode 1619 min

Don’t Ghost Your Mentor -- and Other Rules for Mentees

We wrap the season by getting specific about what it means to be a good mentee, not just someone who wants access to a mentor. We share the habits that build real trust, the red flags that tell you to move on, and the practical ways to grow a “village” that supports your career and your life. We discuss issues such as: • remembering you always have options beyond assigned pairings • being in relationship with mentors beyond transactional asks • reaching out before a crisis and making clear, focused asks • leaning into virtual coffee chats in hybrid and remote work If you're listening on audio, please also subscribe to our YouTube channel! Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

July 23, 2026Episode 1538 min

Before You Move Abroad: The Money Mistakes No One Warns You About

You've dreamed about it. Maybe you've even Googled it. But what does moving abroad actually cost — financially, practically, and emotionally? In Part 2 of our series with the State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU), Shelby and Belinda sit back down with Sam Salmon and Josh Barrett — two financial professionals who aren't just advising on international living, they're currently doing it. From hidden garbage taxes in Spain to bills buried in junk mail in Belgium, this conversation gets into the real details that most people don't think about until they're already on the plane. We cover banking across borders, credit strategy, U.S. tax obligations that follow you everywhere, and what to do in the 12-18 months before you make the move. If you've ever seriously considered planting roots somewhere new, this one's for you. Here are a few acronyms that were used in this episode: WISE (Wise is an international money movement solution); SDFCU has info on WISE on their website, https://sdfcu.org/ FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Reporting Requirements) AARO (Association of American residents overseas) FAWCO (Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas) ACA (American Citizens Abroad) Missed Part 1? We kicked off this series talking about raising money-smart kids — find it wherever you're listening now. Learn more about SDFCU's international services: https://sdfcu.org/ Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

July 15, 2026Episode 1439 min

How Great Leaders Raise Money-Smart Kids | Financial Lessons Every Parent Needs

How do you raise children who understand the value of money in a world where almost every payment is digital? In this episode of Leadership Tea, Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson welcome back financial experts Sam Salmon and Josh Barrett from the State Department Federal Credit Union to discuss practical strategies for raising financially confident kids. Together, they explore allowances, saving, budgeting, first jobs, spending habits, and how parents can build healthy financial mindsets through consistent conversations, not fear or shame. Whether you're raising young children or preparing teenagers for adulthood, this conversation offers practical ideas that leaders can apply both at home and at work. In this episode: • The biggest mistake parents make when teaching kids about money • Why communication matters more than the size of an allowance • Helping children understand needs versus wants • Teaching financial responsibility in a cashless world • Preparing teens for their first paycheck • Why it's never too late to build better money habits Part 1 of a two-part series with the State Department Federal Credit Union. -------------------- Our company, Grounded and Global Advisory, is pleased to offer a quarterly advisory retainer. For $275 per month (billed quarterly, with the option to renew each quarter), you'll receive: One 60-minute coaching session per month Priority access to our calendar One annual 90-minute strategic intensive This offer is for the person who knows what good advisory support feels like and doesn't want to lose it. Spots are limited. If you're interested, email us directly at hello@stirringsuccess.com, and we'll be in touch. Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

July 12, 2026Episode 143 min

Bonus Episode -- New Studio + A Big Announcement: Cape Town 2027

Surprise! We recorded from a new space this week, Cowo & Crèche here in the DMV, and it feels like the start of a new chapter for Leadership Tea. We're also making an announcement we've been sitting on: Rooted & Rising, our first international leadership retreat, taking place January 17–22, 2027 in Cape Town, South Africa. We talk through what to expect: Table Mountain, wine country in Stellenbosch, meaningful reflection tied to Dr. King's birthday, and real connection with local business leaders — and why this is the next chapter for our company, Grounded & Global. Early bird pricing ends July 31. Full details and booking: https://tri.ps/UCyae As always, community is clutch. For more information on Cowo & Crèche, check out their website https://www.cowocreche.com/ or follow them on IG, https://www.instagram.com/cowo.creche/ Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

July 1, 2026Episode 1326 min

Take Back Your Power After a Forced Career Pivot | Cathy Duffy

What happens when the career you've spent decades building suddenly ends? In this special re-release of one of Leadership Tea's most impactful conversations, executive leader Cathy Duffy shares how being unexpectedly pushed into early retirement became the beginning of an entirely new chapter. Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson explore identity, leadership, resilience, and what it truly means to take your power back after a forced career pivot. If you're navigating layoffs, organizational change, or questioning what's next in your own career, this episode offers practical leadership lessons that feel especially relevant today. -------------------- Our company, Grounded and Global Advisory, is pleased to offer a quarterly advisory retainer. For $275 per month (billed quarterly, with the option to renew each quarter), you'll receive: One 60-minute coaching session per month Priority access to our calendar One annual 90-minute strategic intensive This offer is for the person who knows what good advisory support feels like and doesn't want to lose it. Spots are limited. If you're interested, email us directly at hello@stirringsuccess.com, and we'll be in touch. Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.