Leadership Tea

Hosted by Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson Farrier

Business Careers Management EducationInterviews guests

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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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.

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60 recent

June 3, 2026Episode 1141 min

When Leaders Become Caregivers: Family Crisis, Boundaries & Hard Decisions

Leadership often means making difficult decisions, staying calm under pressure, and showing up for others. But what happens when the hardest leadership challenge isn't at work, it's at home?In this episode, Shelby and Belinda sit down with former diplomat and operations leader Brittany Carroll to discuss becoming a caregiver for her father while managing a demanding professional career.Together, they explore:Leadership during personal crisisCaregiving and aging parentsDifficult family conversationsWorkplace flexibility and employee supportBoundaries, resilience, and decision-makingFinancial and legal preparednessThe hidden challenges many professionals face outside the officeWhether you're a leader supporting employees through difficult seasons, caring for a loved one yourself, or simply preparing for the future, this episode offers practical insights and thoughtful leadership lessons about navigating life's most complex responsibilities.--------------------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 monthPriority access to our calendarOne annual 90-minute strategic intensiveThis 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 showWe publish new episodes every other Wednesday.Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

May 27, 2026Episode 1029 min

Brewing Purpose: Building a Life-Giving Space from the Ground Up

In this episode of Leadership Tea, Shelby and Belinda sit down with Kahana Samms, founder of Good Spirit Cafe, to discuss reinvention, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building community after uncertainty.After years working in federal IT and cybersecurity, Kahana found herself navigating furloughs, layoffs, and major life transitions, prompting her to rethink stability, purpose, and what it truly means to build a meaningful life. Together, they discuss:Entrepreneurship and sacrificeBuilding a “third space” for healing and connectionThe emotional realities of starting overLeadership, energy, and authenticityCreativity as a pathway to purposeWhy community-centered spaces matter now more than everThis conversation is grounding, inspiring, and honest, especially for anyone navigating transition or building something from the heart.--------------------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 monthPriority access to our calendarOne annual 90-minute strategic intensiveThis 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 showWe publish new episodes every other Wednesday.Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

May 13, 2026Episode 920 min

Your Employee Was Blindsided by Their Review. That’s On You.

Performance reviews are not just paperwork. They’re a reflection of leadership.In this episode, Shelby and Belinda break down how strong leaders handle employee evaluations, difficult feedback, and accountability conversations without damaging trust or team morale.They discuss:Why employees should never be surprised by feedbackHow to write more specific and actionable evaluationsThe difference between performance issues and personality conflictsWhy documentation and HR processes matterWhat leaders get wrong about firing employees Whether you’re a first-time manager or a seasoned executive, this episode offers practical leadership advice for navigating one of the hardest parts of management: evaluating people fairly and effectively.------------------------------------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 monthPriority access to our calendarOne annual 90-minute strategic intensiveThis 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 showWe publish new episodes every other Wednesday.Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

April 29, 2026Episode 828 min

Got a Bad Performance Review? What to Do Next

A bad performance review can feel personal—but your response is what actually shapes your career.In this episode, we walk through exactly how to handle a negative evaluation at work—from figuring out what’s true to deciding whether (and how) to push back.We talk about:How to separate facts from emotionsUsing your “receipts” to support your performanceWhen to challenge feedback—and when to accept itHow to rebuild your reputation moving forwardWhy doing the work alone isn’t enough anymore Whether your review felt unfair or just didn’t reflect your best work, this episode will help you move forward with clarity and strategy.------------------------------------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 monthPriority access to our calendarOne annual 90-minute strategic intensiveThis 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 showWe publish new episodes every other Wednesday.Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

April 16, 2026Episode 742 min

Change the Tape: How Leaders Break Out of Stuck Patterns

When you feel stuck, doing more isn’t the answer. Clarity is.In this episode, we sit down with Bobby Staten III (Chief of Clarity) to unpack what’s really happening when leaders feel overwhelmed, stuck, or out of alignment, and how to move forward with intention.From “changing the tape” to redefining identity, this conversation goes beyond surface-level productivity advice and gets to the core of how leaders actually grow.This episode is a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t start with doing more. Rather, it starts with seeing clearly and choosing differently.If you’re navigating a transition, building something new, or stepping into leadership for the first time, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.----------------------------------Connect with Bobby Staten III: https://bit.ly/BTSwaitlist - Built To Scale (my accelerator) waitlist https://www.linkedin.com/in/bstaten @chiefofclarity on all social platformsSend us a comment!Support the showWe publish new episodes every other Wednesday.Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

April 1, 2026Episode 623 min

Crisis Management for Leaders: Calm, Clarity, and Hard Decisions

What does leadership look like when the playbook breaks down?In this episode of The Leadership Tea Podcast, Shelby and Belinda reflect on what crisis management requires from leaders when events are unfolding in real time.Drawing from their own experience in high-pressure environments, they discuss calm under pressure, executive presence, hard personnel decisions, internal communication, and the practical ways leaders can keep teams steady when everything feels uncertain. They also highlight the importance of knowing your people before a crisis begins and accepting support when the usual playbook no longer applies.This is a grounded conversation about leadership, resilience, and what it takes to move people to action when the stakes are high.Reach out for CoachingThe Leadership Tea Podcast is brought to you by Grounded and Global Advisory, LLC. Grounded and Global is led by two former senior U.S. diplomats with 50 combined years of experience managing crises in the world's most complex environments. Our services include executive and leadership coaching (see here for our premier Centered Leader Program), crisis management consulting, strategic advisory, and workshop facilitation. We serve high-performing individuals who operate in unique spaces, such as athletes, universities, small businesses, and non-profits. Please contact us at hello@stirringsuccess.com.Send us a comment!Support the showWe publish new episodes every other Wednesday.Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

March 18, 2026Episode 543 min

AI Can’t Replace Leadership: Wisdom, Strategy, and the Human Edge

AI is moving fast, but leadership still requires judgment.In this episode, Shelby and Belinda are joined by Nadeen Matthews, Founder and CEO of Crescent Advisory Group, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership in the age of AI.Rather than focusing on hype or tools alone, Nadeen explains why leaders need to connect AI to business strategy, customer impact, employee readiness, and organizational risk. She also breaks down what executive AI fluency really means, why bias and fairness remain critical concerns, and why women must take their seat at the AI table.This episode is a practical, human-centered look at how leaders can engage AI with more wisdom, responsibility, and clarity.NOTE: Since this episode's recording, Claude has surpassed ChatGPT in terms of Apple store downloads; some other data mentioned in this episode may have changed.Send us a comment!Support the showWe publish new episodes every other Wednesday.Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

March 4, 2026Episode 426 min

How to Have Difficult Conversations at Work: Boundaries, Timing, and Leadership

Hard conversations are part of the job, and avoiding them costs more than most leaders realize.In this episode, Shelby and Belinda share a practical framework for navigating difficult conversations at work with clarity, boundaries, and discernment. They share executive-level strategies for adapting communication styles across different contexts, setting boundaries without overexplaining, and using silence as a powerful tool. Shelby also introduces a practical framework for hard conversations, clarifying the What, the Why, and the How, so leaders can prepare intentionally instead of reacting in the moment.The episode also explores the limits of chat-based communication and why leaders must choose the right tool for the message to build trust and real community.Send us a comment!Support the showWe publish new episodes every other Wednesday.Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

February 18, 2026Episode 339 min

Culinary Diplomacy: Leadership, Relationships, and Soft Power with Jeremiah Knight

What can the kitchen teach leaders about influence, trust, and soft power?In this episode, Shelby and Belinda are joined by Jeremiah Knight, Foreign Service Officer and author of Diplomat in the Kitchen, to explore leadership through the lens of culinary diplomacy.Jeremiah shares how food, storytelling, and hospitality can build trust across cultures and serve as a powerful form of soft power in professional environments. He also reflects on what it took to create Diplomat in the Kitchen over several years, including the importance of building the right team, accepting honest feedback, and pursuing a passion project strategically while maintaining a full-time career.This episode offers grounded leadership lessons on influence, discernment, resilience, and building relationships that last.Send us a comment!Support the showWe publish new episodes every other Wednesday.Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

February 4, 2026Episode 221 min

Outrage Is Not Leadership: Judgment, Discernment, and When to Speak Up

What does it really mean to stand for something as a leader right now?In this episode of The Leadership Tea Podcast, Shelby and Belinda discuss the growing pressure leaders face to speak out, and why outrage alone is not leadership. They explore how judgment, discernment, and timing play a critical role in deciding when to speak up, when to wait, and how to create lasting impact without grandstanding.Through thoughtful reflection and real-world examples, this conversation unpacks the difference between performative action and strategic leadership, the value of incremental change, and the importance of trust built over time.This episode is for leaders navigating polarized environments who want to lead with intention, credibility, and real influence.Send us a comment!Support the showWe publish new episodes every other Wednesday.Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.