Love and Leadership
The Love and Leadership podcast is hosted by Kristen Brun Sharkey and Mike Sharkey - a couple of leadership nerds who also happen to be a couple. Kristen is a leadership coach and facilitator and Mike is a senior living and hospitality executive. This podcast weaves together the hosts' past and present experiences, analysis of leadership books, and thought-provoking guest interviews with inspiring leaders and experts. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, Love and Leadership will help you lead with both your head and your heart - plus a bit of humor.
Episodes
28 episodes
Let’s Get Critical: How to Receive Tough Feedback
Most leaders know feedback is essential for growth, but let's be honest - receiving it can be uncomfortable, even painful. In this episode, Kristen and Mike get real about their own struggles with feedback and share practical strategies to make...
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Episode 27
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39:32
Leadership Book Club: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Mike and Kristen break down Chris Voss's game-changing book on negotiation, Never Split the Difference. As a former FBI hostage negotiator, Voss brings street-smart tactics that work in real-world situations, not just theory. The couple explore...
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Episode 26
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1:27:22
Why Nice Is Not Enough with Amira Barger, EVP of DEI at Edelman
What does it really mean to be an ally in today's workplace? For Amira Barger, Executive Vice President of DEI Advisory and Health Communications at Edelman, it's about going beyond being "...
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Episode 25
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55:49
ENCORE: The New Playbook for Leadership Presence
Love and Leadership is taking a break this week, but we're re-airing one of our favorite early episodes to help you set the tone for the new year! In this episode, Kristen and Mike dive into the evolving concept of leadership presence. They exp...
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Episode 24
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55:26
Design Your Best 2025: A Personal Annual Review Process
As the year winds down, Kristen shares her tried-and-tested process for conducting a personal annual review - a practice she's refined over 15 years. Whether you're reflecting on your career progression or contemplating personal growth, this ep...
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Episode 23
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37:26
Leadership Book Club: Start with Why by Simon Sinek
What makes some organizations inspire fierce loyalty while others just seem to exist? In this episode, Kristen and Mike dive into Simon Sinek's groundbreaking book "Start With Why," exploring how truly great leaders and companies create lasting...
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Episode 22
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1:25:04
Building Leadership Teams That Get Results
Ever wonder what truly makes a great leadership team tick? Kristen shares insights from her recent team coaching certification program and breaks down the research-backed conditions that create outstanding teams. Drawing from Ruth Wageman and R...
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Episode 21
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49:49
Leading with Care Through Uncertain Times with Tushar Pandit, CPO at SPINS
Leadership isn't just about hitting the numbers - it's about how you get there. Through candid stories from his 25+ years in human resources, Chief People Officer Tushar Pandit challenges ...
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Episode 20
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50:30
Leadership Book Club: It’s Your Ship by Captain Michael Abrashoff
When 36-year-old Mike Abrashoff took command of the USS Benfold in 1997, he faced a demoralized crew that openly jeered their departing captain. Instead of sticking with the Navy's traditional command-and-control leadership style, Abrashoff dec...
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Episode 19
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1:27:15
How Great Leaders Make Smart Decisions
What if you could make better decisions with less stress? Kristen and Mike go deep into the science of decision-making, exploring why it's such a crucial leadership skill and sharing practical frameworks to help you decide with confidence. They...
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Episode 18
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45:37
7 Unconventional Leadership Principles with Hubspot’s Rebecca Yang
In this guest interview episode, Rebecca Yang, Director of Engineering at HubSpot, shares her unconventional journey to tech leadership and reveals seven uncommon leadership principles that have shaped her success. From her early days in client...
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Episode 17
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49:51
Leadership Book Club: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
Kristen and Mike break down Marshall Goldsmith's influential book "What Got You Here Won't Get You There." While they praise the practical advice and behavioral frameworks in the book, they also challenge some of its core assumptions and discus...
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Episode 16
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1:23:19
The 6 Core Skills of Emotional Intelligence
What's the real difference between a manager and a leader? While technical skills and industry knowledge matter, emotional intelligence often makes or breaks leadership effectiveness. In this episode, Kristen breaks down the Genos six key compe...
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Episode 15
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50:26
Leadership Book Club: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, Part Two
In part two of their deep dive into Brené Brown's Dare to Lead, Kristen and Mike explore shame, empathy, and trust through both personal and professional lenses. Through vulnerable stories - including Mike's nerve-wracking experience of saying ...
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Episode 14
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1:26:02
Leading Through Election Stress with Megan Romano, LMFT
As the 2024 US presidential election looms, leaders face a unique challenge: supporting their teams' mental wellness during a high-stress period. In this episode, Kristen and Mike explore this timely topic with licensed therapist Megan Romano. ...
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Episode 13
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54:00
Leadership Book Club: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, Part One
Join Kristen and Mike as they explore the world of courageous leadership through Brené Brown's groundbreaking book Dare to Lead. In this first part of a two-episode series, they unpack the myths surrounding vulnerability, the power of clear com...
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Episode 12
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1:17:11
Breaking Barriers and Fostering Inclusion with Melissa Jurkoic, CXO at Thynk
Kristen sits down with Melissa Jurkoic, a tech industry veteran and champion for diversity in leadership. Melissa's journey from junior software engineer to Chief Experience Officer is a testament to the power of resilience and authenticity in ...
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Episode 11
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58:42
How to Give Difficult Feedback Effectively
Giving difficult feedback is a crucial skill for leaders, but it's often dreaded. In this episode of Love and Leadership, Kristen and Mike Sharkey dive into the art of delivering constructive criticism effectively. They explore why the traditio...
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Episode 10
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50:10
Leadership Book Club: The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
Kristen and Mike dive into The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier, a book that's transforming how leaders approach coaching. They unpack the seven essential questions that can revolutionize your leadership style, making you more effective...
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Episode 9
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1:05:07
The Power of Authentic Leadership with Nicole Mashburn, CEO of Villa Marin
In this episode, Kristen and Mike sit down with Nicole Mashburn, CEO of Villa Marin, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Northern California. Nicole shares her journey into senior living leadership and her philosophy on authentic leadersh...
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Episode 8
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48:25
10 Ways Improv Makes You a Better Leader
Think improv is just for comedians and actors? Think again. In this episode, Kristen and Mike explore how the skills from improv theatre can actually make you a better leader. Kristen shares her experience using improv techniques in executive c...
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Episode 7
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48:21
Leadership Book Club: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
Is extreme ownership the key to unlocking your leadership potential? In this episode of Love and Leadership, Kristen and Mike dive into "Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, a book that's been transformative for Mike's leadership...
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Episode 6
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1:03:01
A Leader’s Guide to Imposter Syndrome
Ever felt like a fraud despite your accomplishments? You're not alone. In this episode, Kristen and Mike dive into the pervasive phenomenon of imposter syndrome. They explore how it affects people across industries and experience levels, debunk...
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Episode 5
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46:42
Transforming Workplace Culture with Gianna Driver, CPO at Lattice
What does it really take to build a thriving workplace culture? In this episode, Kristen and Mike sit down with Gianna Driver, the new Chief People Officer at Lattice, to explore the human side of leadership. From her unconventional path into H...
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Episode 4
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50:36
