The Path To Leadership

Hosted by Catalyst Development

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122

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Leadership should not feel like a lecture. It should feel like a conversation you actually want to be part of. Welcome to The Path to Leadership , where Dr. Katie Ervin and creative strategist Rhonda Jolyean Hale team up to bring you real talk, real tools, and real transformation. Think of it as your weekly coffee date where leadership development meets creativity, brain science, humor, and the beauty found in both breakthroughs and breakdowns. Dr. Katie brings the research, the practicality, and her signature no-fluff honesty. Rhonda Jolyean brings the creativity, the reinvention energy, and a fresh perspective on how your brain, your story, and your environment shape who you are as a leader. Together, they explore what it takes to grow, adapt, inspire, and stay human in a world that never slows down. If you are leading people, leading projects, leading at home, or simply leading your own next chapter, this podcast gives you the mindset and momentum to do it with clarity, courage, and joy. Because leadership is not about being perfect. It is about showing up, getting curious, and choosing who you want to be today. Connect with the hosts: Dr. Katie Ervin www.katieervin.com www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ Rhonda Jolyean Hale www.jolyean.com www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/

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October 20, 2026Episode 354 min

Who Would You Be If You Were Seen with Beth King

Send us Fan Mail Your wardrobe is already telling a story about you, the only question is whether it matches the leader you’re becoming. We sit down with Beth King, founder of Lead Through Style and a former corporate supply chain leader, to talk about color analysis, personal style, and why so many high-performing women still feel stuck in “easy” outfits that help them blend in rather than stand out. We get real about the pressure to be “professional” without disappearing, the mixed messages women receive about being “too much,” and how confidence can be rebuilt through small, repeatable choices. Beth breaks down the basics of seasonal color analysis (undertone, chroma, and why the wrong shade can make you look tired), plus the science-adjacent idea of enclothed cognition: what you wear changes how you think, how you show up, and how others size you up in those first critical seconds. Then we go practical. We talk wardrobe systems that cut decision fatigue, how to shop with guardrails (even if you love thrifting), and how brand recognition can come from simply repeating the right colours. You’ll leave with a clear, doable challenge for the week and a new way to think about executive presence that still feels like you. If this helps, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s been playing small, and leave a review. What outfit makes you feel like the biggest version of yourself? Connect with Beth and Lead with Style: https://leadthroughstyle.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books: 52 Weeks of LEADERship: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGz You Might Be an Asshole: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6 Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute: www.katieervin.com/leaders Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

October 13, 2026Episode 228 min

What If “High Achiever” Is A Leadership Problem, Not A Compliment

Send us Fan Mail “High performer” sounds like a compliment, but it can become a leadership shortcut that quietly damages teams. We dig into why this label often means the same people get the best projects, the most visibility, and the fastest path upward, while others are left out for reasons that have nothing to do with capability. Along the way, we talk about the real risk behind high performer programs: bias, uneven opportunity, and a culture where burnout looks like commitment. We break down the patterns that shape who gets tagged as a top performer, including affinity bias and proximity bias, plus the common mistake of equating volunteering with potential. We also name what many employees feel but rarely say out loud: being “the reliable one” can turn into a constant workload dump that drains motivation and accelerates turnover. If you lead a team, you’ll get practical ideas for fair talent development like running a workload audit, opening up nominations, and having growth conversations that uncover what people actually want to learn, build, and own. Then we zoom out to career development strategy. We make the case for moving beyond the classic career ladder to a career jungle gym, where people can grow through lateral moves, deeper expertise, cross functional work, and bigger impact without being forced into people management. With AI changing jobs fast, flexible career paths and strong employee engagement practices are no longer “nice to have” they are how you keep great people and build a resilient leadership pipeline. If this sparks a rethink of how you reward performance, subscribe, share the show with a colleague, and leave a review. What’s one label or process at work you would change first? Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books: 52 Weeks of LEADERship: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGz You Might Be an Asshole: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6 Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute: www.katieervin.com/leaders Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

October 7, 2026Episode 11 hr 11 min

What If Your Best Leadership Move Is Pausing

Send us Fan Mail You can feel it when you’re pushing too hard, but many leaders still treat rest like something you earn after everything is done. We decided to stop forcing it, took a real break, and came back with more energy, more ideas, and a better reminder of what sustainable leadership actually looks like. If you lead a team, run a business, or carry the “high achiever” label, this conversation will hit close to home. We talk about golf as more than a hobby and why it has become a powerful leadership development tool. From women claiming space on the course to volunteering at a major tournament, we unpack how confidence grows through practice, community, and simply showing up. Then we share a golf metaphor that works even if you have never picked up a club: careers can be messy at first, strategy comes with skill, hazards are real, and you still have to pivot when the wind changes. We also go to a deeper place: chronic pain and invisible illness in the workplace. Vestibular migraines, vertigo, medication changes, and the emotional weight of needing rest can create shame, especially for high performers. We offer practical ways managers can build psychological safety without overstepping, like protecting one-on-ones, connecting people to resources, and asking, “Is there anything pulling your focus?” We close with proactive health advocacy, including memory care and establishing a baseline when Alzheimer’s runs in the family. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a leader who needs permission to pause, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one change you could make this week to lead with more space and less strain? Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books: 52 Weeks of LEADERship: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGz You Might Be an Asshole: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6 Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute: www.katieervin.com/leaders Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

July 28, 2026Episode 3533 min

End of Season: A Leadership Resource Roundup

Send us Fan Mail A single question can change how you lead: “Was I giving you feedback or was I an asshole?” We start there, unpacking what it takes to notice when our “help” is really just control, and why self-awareness matters more than good intent when you are building trust at work. We also talk about choosing your battles, using the “start with the heart” mindset from Crucial Conversations, and deciding when a repair attempt is worth the time and emotional energy. Then we switch gears and do something we love: a practical, listener-tested resource roundup. We share podcasts that deliver real professional development without the fluff, including the Harvard Business Review IdeaCast, plus local Kansas City favorites like Four O’Clock Somewhere and The Corporate Couch, and a calming wellness show from Jenna Washnowski. Rhonda brings in a standout mindfulness and neuroaesthetics recommendation from the Getty Museum called the Ohm podcast, a short guided experience that uses art, history, and attention to help center your nervous system. We also drop our best LinkedIn follows for leaders who want higher quality inputs, including marketing ideas that actually make Gen Z strategy feel usable, plus Nicole Bradford’s AI radar for staying current on artificial intelligence and human-centered AI strategy. And because leadership is also about regulation, not just results, we share our favorite intentional brain breaks like explore.org live nature cams and even underwater streams that can reset your focus before a meeting or a brainstorming session. We’re taking about a month break after this season-ending conversation, but we want to stay connected. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a rating or review, then tell us what you want us to tackle next season. Rhonda's recommendations: Podcasts Ommm Podcast by Getty Museum, part history, part mindfulness, part aesthetic engagement. Intentional Brain Break Explore Live Nature Cams Explore.org (bears in Alaska, Katineye Park) LinkedIn Pretty Little Marketer Big Think Nichol Bradford —AI; Friday “AI Radar” and she reposts variety of AI thought leaders Book Lena Dunham, Famesick Katie's Recommendations: Harvard Business Review IdeaCast 4:00 somewhere-Marc Shaffer and Jeff Pallacio (The Corporate Couch) In with the…Jenna Washnaski Intentional Brain Break: Pompano Beach Underwater Camera: https://www.webcamtaxi.com/en/usa/florida/pompanobeach-underwater-pier-cam.html LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanadavidphd/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/normcraig/ Books: Revealing by Leslie John Emotion Rules by Joshua Freedman Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books: 52 Weeks of LEADERship: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGz You Might Be an Asshole: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6 Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute: www.katieervin.com/leaders Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

July 21, 2026Episode 3438 min

You Might Be an A$$hole: Not all Feedback Is A Gift

Send us Fan Mail Someone can sound “helpful” and still be out of line. We’re unpacking a messy leadership reality: feedback only helps when it’s grounded in intent, consent, and context. When it isn’t, it stops being a growth tool and turns into ego, control, or someone else’s personal preference dressed up as professionalism. Katie tells a real story from a leadership program where a fellow facilitator books time on her calendar under the guise of aligning sessions, then delivers unsolicited “tips” about her credibility, her examples, and how she should run a room. We break down why that kind of critique hits so hard, especially when you’re riding the high of doing great work, and why “feedback is a gift” can be a harmful mantra when it pressures people to accept every opinion with a smile. From there, we get practical. We use a crucial conversations lens to define the difference between feedback and preference, and we share simple questions leaders can ask before offering critique: am I helping them succeed or making them more like me, is this about results or my comfort, did they ask, and do I have enough trust built to be heard. If you’re on the receiving end, we talk about how to look for evidence, give yourself grace, and then flush the rest without letting it steal your confidence. If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. What’s one piece of feedback you wish you’d ignored, and what’s one that truly helped you grow? Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books: 52 Weeks of LEADERship: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGz You Might Be an Asshole: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6 Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute: www.katieervin.com/leaders Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

July 14, 2026Episode 3443 min

World Cup Leadership Lessons From Kansas City

Send us Fan Mail The World Cup turns ordinary decisions into high-stakes leadership tests, and watching Kansas City host the world has made us think hard about what great teams actually do when things get messy. We do not have a guest this week, just an honest conversation about what we’ve seen behind the scenes: the early transportation hiccups, the public pressure, and the way leaders responded with accountability, fast fixes, and better communication. If you’ve ever led a team through a visible mistake, you’ll recognize how hard it is to stay calm, stay present, and keep moving. From there, we pull practical leadership lessons straight from soccer. Star players get the headlines, but outcomes depend on the full roster, especially the bench players and “silent contributors” who change the game when the plan breaks. We talk about why alignment and trust beat individual brilliance, and why a leader’s job looks a lot like a coach: prepare people well, then give them real autonomy when the whistle blows. We also get candid about emotional regulation, because teams mirror what leaders model under stress. Then we zoom out to the human side of this tournament: the community stories, the feeling of belonging across language barriers, and the concept of collective effervescence, that electric sense of “we” that teams and workplaces often miss. We also highlight Kansas City’s leadership in women’s sports through the Kansas City Current, and ask the question we keep coming back to: where are we waiting for permission to build what people already need? If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who leads teams, and leave a review. And tell us who you think wins it all, plus the best World Cup story you’ve seen so far. Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books: 52 Weeks of LEADERship: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGz You Might Be an Asshole: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6 Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute: www.katieervin.com/leaders Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

July 7, 2026Episode 3348 min

The Super Connector Playbook with Marc Shaffer

Send us Fan Mail Networking has a reputation problem. Too many of us picture awkward name tags, forced small talk, and that sinking feeling that we’re being sold to. So we brought on someone who’s known across Kansas City for doing the exact opposite: Marc Shaffer, a financial planner and community builder who’s earned a reputation as a true “super connector” by leading with generosity, curiosity, and follow-through. We talk about how Marc learned the craft of relationship building through Rotary and mentorship, then turned it into a clear, repeatable system. We dig into the philosophy behind his book One For All, including the idea that what you give “in slices” can come back “in loaves” when you play the long game. You’ll hear how an abundance mindset changes the way you lead, how you follow up, and how you show up in your community without making everything about business. You’ll also get practical tools you can steal today: how to network as an introvert by going deeper with fewer people, how to use milestones and small acts of kindness to strengthen trust, and how templates, reminders, newsletters and social media can help you stay present even when life is full. Marc also shares how he uses personality assessments to understand working styles and build better partnerships. If you want to become the kind of leader people remember and recommend, press play, then subscribe, share this with a friend who hates networking, and leave us a review. What relationship habit are you ready to build next? Connect with Marc: https://searcyfinancial.com/oneforall Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books: 52 Weeks of LEADERship: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGz You Might Be an Asshole: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6 Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute: www.katieervin.com/leaders Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

June 30, 2026Episode 3249 min

Love Isn't Soft: The Leadership Mistake That's Killing Performance

Send us Fan Mail What if the most effective leadership strategy isn't tougher accountability, better technology, or another employee engagement initiative? What if it's love? Before you roll your eyes, stay with us. This week on Path to Leadership, Dr. Katie Ervin and Rhonda Jolyean sit down with leadership expert and former executive Mark Mears to challenge one of the biggest misconceptions in leadership: that caring for people and holding them accountable are opposing forces. Mark has led some of America's most recognizable brands, and he's seeing a troubling trend. Employee engagement continues to decline. Managers are exhausted. Teams are doing just enough to get by. Too many organizations are confusing comfort with care, and the result is lower performance, lower morale, and frustrated high performers. We explore: • Why tolerating underperformance damages your culture more than difficult conversations • The connection between accountability, trust, and belonging • What quiet quitting and disengagement are really telling leaders • Why purpose-driven organizations outperform those focused solely on profits • The difference between shareholder value and stakeholder value • How hybrid workplaces are creating new challenges for connection and recognition • The role AI will play in leadership—and why human wisdom still matters At the center of the conversation is Mark's LOVE framework: Listen. Observe. Value. Empower. It's a practical leadership approach that helps people feel seen, supported, challenged, and connected to something bigger than themselves. If you're trying to create a culture where people thrive without sacrificing results, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership. Because the best leaders don't choose between people and performance. They understand that one drives the other. Connect with Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markamears/ https://www.markamears.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books: 52 Weeks of LEADERship: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGz You Might Be an Asshole: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6 Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute: www.katieervin.com/leaders Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

June 23, 2026Episode 3238 min

The Stories in Your Head Are Running Your Leadership (Here's How to Rewrite Them)

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever convinced yourself you were in trouble because a meeting got canceled? Assumed a teammate didn't care because they went quiet? Or created an entire worst-case scenario from one small piece of information? You're not alone. In this final episode of our Stories We Tell Ourselves series, Dr. Katie Ervin and Rhonda Jolyean explore how the narratives we create can quietly influence our confidence, communication, relationships, and leadership effectiveness. We unpack why our brains are wired to focus on threats, how negativity bias fuels assumptions, and why comparison can damage confidence through what psychologists call the spotlight effect. From entrepreneurship and fear of failure to navigating major life transitions, we share personal experiences and practical strategies for challenging the stories that no longer serve us. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why your brain fills in missing information with assumptions • How negativity bias and comparison distort reality • Questions that help separate facts from stories • Simple language shifts that move you from certainty to curiosity • Leadership communication practices that reduce anxiety and build trust • How psychological safety helps employees feel valued, heard, and supported If you've ever found yourself overthinking, assuming the worst, or letting self-doubt influence your decisions, this conversation will give you practical tools to rewrite the narrative. Ask yourself: What do I know to be true? What information am I missing? Am I reacting to facts or assumptions? Have I had the conversation? Because the stories you tell yourself shape the leader, colleague, partner, and person you become. Subscribe, share this episode with a leader in your life, and leave a review with the story you're working to rewrite. Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books: 52 Weeks of LEADERship: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGz You Might Be an Asshole: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6 Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute: www.katieervin.com/leaders Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

June 16, 2026Episode 3122 min

What If Your Leadership Certainty Is Wrong

Send us Fan Mail You can’t lead well if you’re constantly guessing what people “meant”. We dig into the assumption trap that shows up in everyday leadership moments and turns normal human behaviour into labels like disengaged, difficult, lazy, or resistant. When we let those stories run the show, we don’t just misread one person, we start building a culture based on suspicion instead of clarity. We walk through real workplace scenarios leaders wrestle with all the time: someone is late, someone misses a deadline, someone goes quiet in meetings, or someone pushes back on change. Instead of defaulting to motive, we talk about what might actually be happening: unclear norms, mismatched expectations, caregiving demands, stress, fear, low confidence, or a lack of psychological safety. We also unpack how “common sense” differs across jobs and backgrounds, and why the loudest voice in the room isn’t always the best idea, especially when introverts and internal processors need space to think. We also connect the dots to burnout and performance. When priorities are unclear and everything is urgent, people’s brains narrow under stress and creativity drops, making innovation an impossible ask. Our big takeaway is simple and hard: curiosity is a leadership skill you can build, and the questions you choose become the employee experience. If you’re ready to lead with more clarity and less mind reading, listen now, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave an honest review. Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books: 52 Weeks of LEADERship: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGz You Might Be an Asshole: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6 Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute: www.katieervin.com/leaders Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/