LeaderSips

Hosted by Karlynn Holbrook

Business Careers Education

Website RSS feed

Episodes

224

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

As a leader with more than 25 years of global leadership experience, I have seen first-hand how the best leaders can inspire people to fulfill their purpose and passion, while the worst leaders can quite literally ruin someone's potential. Join me for a few sips of leadership tips to help you become a better leader by first conquering the hardest person to lead: you. For more about me, visit www.karlynnholbrook.com

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 531 hr 5 min

Brew Bold: Leadership & Empowerment with Marie Lee

Like or didn’t like what you heard? Share your sip with me! Grab your favorite cup of coffee and join me for an inspiring conversation with Marie Lee, Chief Marketing Officer of Princess Cruises and a former Disney marketing executive, whose leadership journey is a masterclass in courage, empowerment, and intentional growth.After nearly 25 years building world-class brands at Disney, Marie made the bold leap to help transform Princess Cruises during one of the travel industry's most challenging moments. In this episode, she shares what it really means to empower teams through trust, clarity, accountability, and the courage to let others lead. Topics we discuss: Why empowerment is built on trust, vision, and guardrailsHow great leaders create cultures of continuous feedback and growthThe importance of taking ownership of your own career instead of waiting for opportunitiesWhy resilience and grit often matter more than having all the answersHow intentional self-reflection can shape your leadership journeyWhether you're leading a global organization, a small team, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this episode is filled with practical leadership wisdom and actionable insights.Connect with Marie Lee on LinkedIn to follow her leadership journey and insights, and be sure to subscribe to LeaderSips for more conversations that help you grow in your leadership with tips while we sip.For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

May 23, 2026Episode 5228 min

50 Cups of Coffee & Counting

Like or didn’t like what you heard? Share your sip with me! In this special episode recorded on Siesta Key Beach, I’m inviting all of you to celebrate my 50th birthday with an honest conversation about life, leadership, gratitude, and the lessons that have shaped me over five decades. Pour yourself a cup, and take a beachside walk with me for an unplanned, unscripted, and unfiltered reflective episode about living fully, loving deeply, and leaving things a little better than you found them.For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

May 2, 2026Episode 5153 min

Lead Like a Fighter Pilot with Christian "Boo" Boucousis

Like or didn’t like what you heard? Share your sip with me! What happens when fighter pilot precision meets the complexity of modern leadership?In this episode of LeaderSips, I sit down with Christian “Boo” Boucousis—former Australian fighter pilot, CEO of Afterburner, and a global voice in high-performance leadership. For over 30 years, Afterburner has translated elite military execution into the business world, impacting more than 3,500 organizations and over 2 million leaders—including two NFL teams that went on to win the Super Bowl.Boo’s journey—from the cockpit to the boardroom—is grounded in a powerful truth: in high-stakes environments, success isn’t driven by motivation…it’s driven by mindset, method, and mission clarity.We explore what that looks like in practice, including:Why today’s leaders need iterative thinking, not instinctive reactionsThe principles behind Flawless Leadership—a next-generation model built for speed, alignment, and adaptabilityHow to lead with precision without burning out your teamWe also dive into Boo’s latest book, The Afterburner Advantage—an Amazon bestseller in leadership—and enjoy a sneak peek of his new book, Flawless Leadership. Explore more from Boo:Website: https://callmeboo.comInteractive AI Agent: https://ai.afterburner.comSo pour yourself a cup, lean in, and get ready to rethink how you lead, decide, and execute. In a world moving at full throttle, the leaders who win aren’t the busiest—they’re the clearest. ☕️✨For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

April 25, 2026Episode 5051 min

Sipping on Sustainable Success with Shelley-Ann Pieterse | Leadership, Identity & Alignment

Like or didn’t like what you heard? Share your sip with me! I’m thrilled to welcome Shelley-Ann Pieterse—founder of Glimmer Coaching and an executive alignment coach supporting high-performing women and senior leaders navigating ambition, identity, and leadership transitions.A former Managing Director at Accenture, she built her career at the highest levels of global consulting before making a bold identity shift.Today, her work sits at the intersection of ambition and alignment—helping leaders redefine success in ways that are both human and commercially sound, without losing their drive or impact.Pour yourself a cup and settle in—I hope this conversation serves you as much as it did me.Connect with Shelley-Ann on LinkedIn and get to know more about Glimmer Coaching on her website Shelley-Ann created a special coaching guide just for podcast listeners that isn't available anywhere else, which includes: A reframed understanding of high-functioning burnoutA clear introduction to the GLIMMER Framework™A short self-check to assess where your success energises or drains youA structured next step if you want deeper clarityTake her FREE assessment as referenced on the episode. For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

April 19, 2026Episode 491 hr 2 min

Sipping on the Leadership Skill We Don't Talk About Enough

Like or didn’t like what you heard? Share your sip with me! Pour yourself a cup and join me for a thoughtful conversation with Carissa Sechrist — a communications and content strategist who believes the best workplaces are built through trust, clarity, and genuine human connection.With experience across major global organizations in the food, beverage, and entertainment industries, Carissa has seen firsthand that communication is about far more than sending messages. It’s about helping people navigate change, creating healthier cultures, and supporting teams in high-pressure environments.In this episode, we dive into emotional regulation — a topic that inspired me to invite Carissa on after reading one of her powerful posts on LinkedIn. We discuss how the ability to manage your emotions during stressful moments can truly set you apart. In environments filled with pressure, tight timelines, competing priorities, and strong personalities, staying steady when tension rises is a leadership advantage.Emotional regulation isn’t about hiding your feelings. It’s about creating enough space between stimulus and response so you can choose wisely, respond thoughtfully, and lead with maturity.We talk a lot about leadership skills.We don’t talk enough about this one.This episode is full of practical wisdom for anyone learning to lead themselves well before leading others.Connect with Carissa on LinkedIn and visit CarissaSechrist.comFor more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

January 20, 2026Episode 4859 min

Percolating Possibility: Leadership in the Age of AI with Cynthia Lai

Like or didn’t like what you heard? Share your sip with me! In this global episode of LeaderSips, I'm joined by Cynthia Lai, remotely from Hong Kong. Cynthia is a governance leader, board advisor, and executive coach with 20+ years of experience leading transformation across Asia Pacific. Formerly an Executive Director at OCBC Bank, she led multi-market teams through complex change —proving that trust, ethics, and transformation can coexist.Today, as a Board Advisor, Executive Coach, and Co-Founder of MetaOptix, a deep-tech venture with 15 patents, Cynthia helps leaders build credibility, presence, and connection in a world increasingly shaped by AI.Her personal leadership journey—from a perfectionist manager who lost team members to a leader who intentionally develops others—captures the evolution from control to empowerment. Together, we explore the Human Advantage in the Age of AI and why empathy, ethics, and clarity of presence will define the leaders who truly stand out in an era of automation.So pour yourself a cup and join us for a cross-continental conversation that’s equal parts grounded wisdom and future-forward insight—because even in an AI-driven world, the best leadership still starts with how we show up for people ☕️Connect with Cynthia Lai on LinkedIn For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

January 19, 2026Episode 4757 min

Pouring into People: A Mocha with Matt Ebeling

Like or didn’t like what you heard? Share your sip with me! In this episode of LeaderSips, I sit down with longtime friend and former Disney colleague Matt Ebeling, a servant-hearted leader whose journey spans Disney stages to university leadership. Matt shares lessons from a career that includes serving as a Disney Ambassador and now as Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Affairs at Pepperdine University. With humility, heart, and humor, Matt offers thoughtful insights on leading with purpose, building community, and staying grounded while guiding teams and people you care deeply about.Pour yourself a cup and join us for a conversation rooted in relationships, legacy, and leadership that lasts.For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

January 1, 2026Episode 461 hr 8 min

Coffee with The Most Interesting Man in the World - Eric Rogell

Like or didn’t like what you heard? Share your sip with me! Eric Rogell isn’t just interesting—he might actually be the most interesting man in the world. Move over, Dos Equis man.He’s a two-time bestselling author, award-winning documentary filmmaker, journalist, and in-demand global speaker featured in Forbes, NPR, Discovery.com, Miami Herald, New York Daily News, and many more leading media outlets.After more than 20 years mentoring ambitious executives and interviewing hundreds of world-class leaders—from celebrities and athletes to entrepreneurs and military veterans—Eric has gathered rare insights into what truly shapes great leadership. His work has inspired thousands to accelerate their careers, uncover their purpose, and find mentors who change the trajectory of their lives.And just some of his incredible adventures:Two days on Easter Island hiking Maunga Terevaka volcano and walking among the MoaiKayaking the waters of Bora Bora, Moorea, and Fakarava, collecting black pearlsStock car racing certified, driving legendary tracks across the U.S.Learning to pour the perfect pint at St. James Gate in Dublin from Rory Guinness himselfAnd yes… doing shots 150-feet above the crowd at Wacken Open Air heavy metal festival in Germany (you have to hear that one)In this episode, Eric brings the wisdom and inspiration for leaders to step into a life of passion, purpose, and unapologetic authenticity.If you’re ready to trade hesitation for conviction, lamb-mindset for lion-courage, and start the new year with transformational leadership —this sip is for you.⸻Connect with Eric: https://ericrogell.com/http://linkedin.com/in/ericrogellBuy his latest bookhttps://www.amazon.com/Lions-Raised-Lambs-Passionate-Successful-ebook/dp/B0CJDPQC8JTake the Lionheart challenge https://thelionheartchallenge.com/For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

December 31, 2025Episode 454 min

Down to the Last Drop - Day 31 of Leadersips 2025

Like or didn’t like what you heard? Share your sip with me! That’s a wrap, Sippers!31 days. 31 coffees. 31 leadership lessons poured out one cup at a time.Thank you for tuning in, sharing, saving, and sipping along with me all month.Growth like this isn’t instant — it’s intentional, consistent, and caffeinated.Because the best leaders never stop improving…they just keep hitting brew again ↓✨ LeaderSips Podcast — your coffee break for smarter leadership, bolder influence, and tips while you sip a cup of coffee.👉 Join me all year long at @leadersips podcast ☕“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.”— Brad PaisleyFor more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com

December 31, 2025Episode 443 min

31 Days of Leadersips 2025 - Day 30

Like or didn’t like what you heard? Share your sip with me! Day 30 of 31 days of Leadersips where we continue to prepare our hearts for a new year ahead with unlimited possibilities ☕️“New Year’s Day is every man’s birthday” - Charles Lamb “You’re never too old to dream a new dream.” - C.S. Lewis Your morning coffee fuels the day. LeaderSips fuels the leader. Thanks for tuning in today and all year long to brew up our leadership growth together! For more sips and tips, connect with me on social and follow @LeaderSips @Leadspirations and @LifeisGrit on Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. Learn more about me at karlynnholbrook.com