Lifting Leaders Podcast

Hosted by Tricia Rhine | Kristal Roberts

Business Education

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Leadership Coaching & Transformation for a Better World. The Lifting Leaders Podcast is dedicated to transforming leadership for a better, more hopeful world. We believe every leader has the possibility to grow, inspire, and make lasting impact. Through engaging conversations with experts, visionaries, and changemakers, we explore leadership growth, sustainable solutions, and the mindsets that fuel purpose-driven leadership. Each episode provides practical insights and strategies to help leaders unlock their potential, expand possibilities, and lead with hope ad courage. Whether you're guiding a team, an organization, or simply leading in your daily life, this podcast is your space to learn, reflect, and rise to the challenges of our world. Together, we elevate leader capabilities to shape a brighter, more sustainable, and hope-filled future.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 5, 2026Episode 19147 min

How Great Leaders Inspire Hope During Uncertainty | 10 Practical Leadership Strategies

As we wrap up Season Five of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, we're reflecting on one of the most important leadership questions of our time: How do leaders inspire genuine hope without ignoring reality? In this season finale, we share 10 practical leadership strategies for creating hope during uncertainty, organizational change, and challenging times. You'll learn how effective leaders build trust by telling the truth, create opportunities for meaningful action, help people reconnect to purpose, celebrate progress, and model the resilience needed to move forward together. Whether you lead an organization, a team, or simply want to have a greater positive influence on those around you, these evidence-informed leadership practices will help you foster optimism grounded in action, not wishful thinking. Throughout our Ignite Genuine Hope series, we've been inspired by extraordinary guests whose experiences reminded us that hope isn't simply a feeling, it's a leadership capability that can be cultivated every day. In this episode, we also look back on some of our favorite conversations, lessons, and memorable moments from Season Five. As we take a short August summer break, we want to thank every listener who has joined us on this journey. Your support has helped build a community of leaders committed to making workplaces, and the world, a little better. When we return for Season Six, we'll launch our new leadership series, Lead the Change, exploring how leaders transform hope into action, navigate complexity, and create lasting organizational impact. In this episode: 10 practical ways to inspire genuine hope as a leader How to build trust during uncertainty and change Why hope is a leadership skill, not simply an emotion Lessons from our favorite Season Five guests A preview of Season Six: Lead the Change Thank you for listening to the Lifting Leaders Podcast. We'll see you in September as we continue lifting leaders, and leading change, together.

July 27, 2026Episode 19010 min

Sometimes Hope Begins with Letting Go | A Life-Changing Lesson from the River

What if the only way forward was to let go? In this deeply personal Spark episode of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, co-host Kristal Roberts shares, for the first time publicly, the true story of a kayaking accident that nearly claimed her life - and the profound leadership lesson she discovered beneath the surface. Pinned under a dangerous log jam and fighting against a powerful current, Kristal faced a decision that became a life-changing metaphor: continue clinging to what felt familiar or trust the current and let go. That experience transformed the way she thinks about leadership, hope, resilience, courage, trust, and navigating uncertainty. Whether you're leading through organizational change, facing a difficult life transition, or struggling to release a future that no longer exists, this episode offers a powerful reminder that genuine hope often begins where certainty ends. In this episode, you'll discover: Why letting go is sometimes the bravest leadership decision you can make. How hope grows when we release the need to control every outcome. What a near-death experience taught about resilience and choosing life. Questions every leader should ask when facing change, uncertainty, or loss. How trusting the "river" can open the door to new possibilities and a better future. If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unable to move forward, this story will encourage you to consider a different question: Where are you still trying to swim against the current? Listen now and discover why, sometimes, the path to freedom, growth, and genuine hope begins with simply letting go.

July 15, 2026Episode 18930 min

Honoring the Legacy of Dr. John H. "Jack" Zenger: Timeless Leadership Lessons from a Strengths-Based Leadership Pioneer

Some leaders leave an impression. Others leave a legacy that continues to shape leaders for generations. This week, we honor the extraordinary life and enduring impact of Dr. John H. "Jack" Zenger, who passed away on July 3, 2026, at the remarkable age of 94. A pioneering leadership expert, bestselling author, researcher, teacher, consultant, and mentor, Jack transformed the field of leadership development through his groundbreaking work on strengths-based leadership and exceptional leadership effectiveness. His ideas have influenced leaders and organizations around the world and will continue to do so for generations to come. Several years ago, we had the extraordinary privilege of spending more than an hour in conversation with Jack. True to who he was, he was generous with both his time and wisdom, sharing insights drawn from decades of research while offering a glimpse into the innovative leadership ideas he and his longtime colleague, Joseph Folkman, were just beginning to explore. What struck us most wasn't simply Jack's brilliance, it was his humility, warmth, curiosity, and genuine desire to help others become better leaders. He embodied the very leadership principles he spent his lifetime teaching. In this special tribute episode of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, we're revisiting that conversation and sharing some of our favorite moments with Jack. You'll hear timeless insights on leadership, human potential, strengths-based development, and what it means to bring out the best in others. Rather than tell you who Jack was, we'd love for you to experience him for yourself. Join us as we celebrate the life, wisdom, and enduring legacy of Dr. John H. "Jack" Zenger - a leader whose influence will continue lifting leaders for years to come.

July 7, 2026Episode 18840 min

How to Become a More Inspirational Leader: 8 Leadership Practices That Motivate, Influence, and Inspire | Coaches Corner

What makes an inspirational leader? Is it charisma or is it a set of leadership skills anyone can develop? In this Coaches Corner episode of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, executive coaches Kristal Roberts and Tricia Rhine share eight practical leadership practices that can help you become a more inspirational leader, strengthen employee engagement, and create a workplace where people feel motivated, valued, and hopeful. Whether you lead a team, an organization, or simply want to increase your leadership influence, you'll learn how to: Lead with purpose instead of just process. Communicate a compelling vision that people want to be part of. Use storytelling to inspire action and create connection. Ask thought-provoking questions that unlock new possibilities. Recognize and celebrate the strengths and potential in others. Build confidence by believing in people before they believe in themselves. Inspire hope during uncertainty and organizational change. Show up with courage and authenticity when leadership matters most. If you're looking to become a more inspiring leader, improve your leadership presence, motivate your team, or develop leadership skills that create lasting impact, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can begin using immediately. In this episode, you'll discover: Why inspiration is a learnable leadership skill, not a personality trait. Eight habits of highly inspirational leaders. How hope and purpose increase trust, engagement, and performance. Practical ways to inspire greater commitment, confidence, and resilience in the people you lead. Whether you're an executive, manager, entrepreneur, coach, or emerging leader, this episode will help you lead in ways that bring out the very best in others.

June 29, 2026Episode 18711 min

Hope and Trust in Leadership: How Great Leaders Build High-Trust Teams | Igniting Genuine Hope

Can a leader build trust without creating hope? Can people truly feel hopeful if they don't trust their leader? In this Lifting Leaders Podcast Spark Episode, co-host Tricia Rhine explores the powerful relationship between hope and trust in leadership and why these two qualities are essential for building high-performing teams, increasing employee engagement, and creating healthy organizational cultures. You'll learn: Why trust and hope are foundational leadership capabilities How hope influences motivation, resilience, and team performance Practical leadership behaviors that strengthen trust every day Why leading through change requires both credibility and hope Simple actions that create psychological safety and lasting influence Whether you're an executive, manager, coach, or emerging leader, this episode will help you lead with greater intention by cultivating the trust and hope your people need to thrive. Reflection Question: What is one action you can take today to strengthen trust and ignite hope for those you lead? If you're looking for practical insights on leadership development, organizational culture, employee engagement, trust-building, resilience, and hope-based leadership, this episode is for you.

June 22, 2026Episode 18640 min

Igniting Genuine Hope: Navigating Life After Graduation with Madison Mulligan | Career Growth, Resilience, and Defining Success

Five years after graduating with her Master's degree in Architecture, Madison Mulligan joins the Lifting Leaders Podcast to reflect on one of the most significant transitions many people face: moving from student life into the working world. In this special mother-daughter conversation, host Kristal Roberts and Madison explore the realities of early adulthood, including navigating uncertainty, building a career, redefining success, and discovering that life rarely unfolds according to a perfect plan. Together, they discuss the lessons Madison learned as a young professional, the challenges of transitioning from college to a full-time career, and how resilience, relationships, and hope helped shape her journey. As part of our Ignite Genuine Hope series, this episode reminds us that hope is not about having all the answers. It is about trusting yourself enough to take the next step, learning through experience, and remaining open to possibility even when the future feels uncertain. In this episode, you'll discover: ✨ Why adulthood is more about learning than having everything figured out ✨ How to define success on your own terms instead of following society's expectations ✨ The critical role of networking, relationships, and soft skills in career growth ✨ What a career setback, including being laid off, can teach you about resilience and purpose ✨ How focusing on what you can control helps you navigate uncertainty with confidence ✨ Why building a meaningful life matters just as much as building a successful career ✨ Practical advice for new graduates, young professionals, and anyone navigating a major life transition Whether you're graduating, changing careers, mentoring emerging professionals, or navigating your own season of transition, this conversation offers practical wisdom and genuine hope for the journey ahead. Topics discussed: life after graduation, career development, young professionals, resilience, networking, leadership development, navigating uncertainty, career transitions, personal growth, and defining success.

June 15, 2026Episode 18540 min

Resilience, Recovery, and Hope-Led Leadership: How to Adapt Forward Through Life’s Challenges

What does true resilience look like when life, leadership, and uncertainty don’t go as planned? In this Gems episode of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, we revisit powerful conversations from our Ignite Genuine Hope series and explore a theme that keeps emerging: resilience. You’ll hear insights from guests who model what it means to adapt, recover, learn, and move forward with purpose. Melanie Vargas shares how more than 30 years of sobriety became a mission of service through her podcast, creating psychologically safe spaces for honest recovery stories. P.L. and Kristen, founders of Cycle 5 To Survive, remind us that resilience is not always about pushing through. After facing equipment failures, floods, illness, and unexpected setbacks in South America, they chose to return home, heal, regroup, and adapt their path forward. We also reflect on the stories of Sasha Farley and Leah Fleischner, whose decisions to build lives and careers outside the United States reveal the courage, flexibility, and resilience required to navigate uncertainty, embrace new cultures, and stay grounded in purpose. Together, these conversations point to an important leadership distinction: endurance treats people like machines; resilience treats people like humans. Endurance asks us to keep going no matter the cost. Resilience invites us to pause, learn, recover, adapt, and move forward with greater wisdom. This episode explores how hope-led leadership, emotional resilience, psychological safety, recovery, and adaptability help us create a better future, not through heroic effort alone, but through our collective capacity to heal, grow, and keep moving forward. Key Takeaways: Resilience is about adapting, learning, recovering, and moving forward. Recovery and growth are strengthened by psychological safety and honest conversations. Setbacks can become opportunities to heal, regroup, and adjust course. Living and leading through uncertainty requires courage, flexibility, and purpose. Genuine hope is sustained when we believe people can adapt and create a better future together. Listener Reflection: When challenges arise, do you push through or adapt forward?

June 8, 2026Episode 1841 hr 9 min

Igniting Genuine Hope: Courage, Reinvention, and Global Leadership with Sasha Farley & Leah Fleischner

What happens when you leave behind the familiar, embrace uncertainty, and intentionally build a life aligned with your values and purpose? In this inspiring episode of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, hosts Kristal Roberts and Tricia Rhine welcome leadership professionals Leah Fleischner and Sasha Farley for a powerful conversation about hope-led leadership, resilience, courage, personal reinvention, and living abroad. Although both have appeared on the podcast before, this marks their first conversation together—and the insights that emerge are both timely and thought-provoking. Originally from the United States and now living internationally, Leah in Portugal and Sasha in Spain, they share their experiences of navigating major life transitions, adapting to new cultures, and redefining success on their own terms. Together, they explore what it means to lead with hope in uncertain times, stay grounded in purpose, and remain open to new possibilities even when the path forward is unclear. Whether you're facing a career transition, considering a bold life change, leading through uncertainty, or simply looking for inspiration to take your next step, this episode offers practical wisdom and encouragement for leaders seeking to create meaningful impact in a complex world. In this episode, you'll discover: Why hope is a leadership practice, not just a feeling How courage and curiosity help us navigate uncertainty and change Lessons learned from living and working across cultures The connection between resilience, adaptability, and personal growth How to align your life and leadership with your values and purpose What it means to expand your perspective through global experiences Strategies for moving forward when the future feels unclear If you're ready to cultivate greater resilience, lead with intention, and embrace new possibilities, this conversation is for you. Resources Sasha Farley Consulting Leah Fleischner | Sovereign Leadership & Executive Facilitation

June 1, 2026Episode 1831 hr 8 min

Hope in Action: Turning Purpose into Impact with Cycle 5 To Survive

What happens when a milestone birthday becomes a mission to change lives? In this inspiring episode of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, we sit down with P.L. and Kristen, founders of Cycle 5 To Survive (C5TS), an extraordinary initiative powered by purpose, courage, resilience, and a commitment to helping communities thrive. Through Cycle 5 To Survive, P.L. and Kristen are cycling across five continents in five years while partnering with five charities to raise awareness and funding for sports, education, and business initiatives that create opportunity and lasting impact. As part of our 2026 leadership theme, Ignite Genuine Hope, this conversation explores what it means to turn purpose into action. Hope is more than optimism or wishful thinking. Genuine hope is relational, actionable, and rooted in the decision to keep moving toward possibility, even when the path is uncertain. In this episode, P.L. and Kristen share the personal story behind Cycle 5 To Survive , the challenges they have faced along the way, and the lessons they have learned about resilience, trust, community, belonging, and leading with purpose. In this episode, you’ll discover: ✨ Why hope is a leadership practice, not a personality trait ✨ How purpose builds resilience during uncertainty and challenge ✨ The role of community and belonging in creating lasting change ✨ How leaders can acknowledge fear without becoming paralyzed by it ✨ What it takes to turn personal purpose into meaningful impact ✨ How ordinary people can create extraordinary change through consistent action Whether you lead an organization, a team, a family, or a community, this episode offers a powerful reminder: hope grows when people choose to move toward possibility together. 🎧 Listen in and be inspired by a story of purpose, perseverance, cycling for charity, and hope in action.

May 28, 2026Episode 18257 min

Building Hope, Trust, and Belonging in Our Neighborhoods

In this special crossover episode, Melanie Vargas of What’s in Your Neighborhood joins Kristal Roberts and Tricia Rhine of the Lifting Leaders Podcast for a deeply honest conversation about leadership, vulnerability, hope, and the emotional neighborhoods we all carry within us. Together, these three executive coaches and leadership practitioners explore what it means to lead in a world filled with uncertainty, burnout, identity shifts, and growing disconnection. Through stories from their own lives and careers, they unpack the masks people wear to survive, the courage it takes to show up authentically, and the power of creating spaces where people truly feel they belong. This conversation weaves together themes of emotional intelligence, recovery, resilience, hope, imposter syndrome, belonging, and the importance of community, both in leadership and in life. The episode also offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what podcasting itself has taught them about courage, self-acceptance, and creating meaningful conversations that ripple outward into the world. At its heart, this episode is an invitation: to stay present, to choose connection over fear, and to remember that even small moments of authenticity and compassion can transform the neighborhoods we build around us. If you’ve been navigating change, questioning your place, searching for hope, or longing for deeper connection in your work or life, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and reminded that none of us are meant to do this alone.