What if the courage to lead started with leaving your comfort zone and discovering your calling in the process? In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Barker, an experienced educator and teacher coach, to explore how the most impactful leadership moments often begin with unexpected opportunities and leaps of faith. Together, we dive into why leadership is about influence, not titles, and how personal identity and core values are at the heart of authentic leadership.

Jennifer shares insight from her 23-year journey in education, opening up about how becoming a mother inspired her to pursue teaching, and how mentors and supportive colleagues helped her navigate challenging transitions. We talk about what it’s like to build trust in unfamiliar spaces, the importance of kindness and collaboration, and how bringing others along on your growth journey makes all the difference. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to decide on your next move, this episode gives you practical insights and encouragement to help you embrace growth and lift others as you lead.

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

1. Grab your FREE Meeting Strategies Guide
2. Check out her website
3. Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
4. Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
5. Follow her in X @drkimleadership
6. Like her page on Facebook
7. Connect with her on LinkedIn

What does it really look like to be enlisted into leadership from the beginning, and how do you find your place in an organization that helps you grow? In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Lewis as he shares his journey from being promoted at 18 to manage a department at Target, to launching a Starbucks on a Marine Corps base, and ultimately guiding talent development in a major healthcare system. Stephen opens up about the mentors who shaped him, the safe spaces that allowed him to take risks, and the evolving meaning of “leadership” as he moved across industries.

Together, we explore how intentional development and a strong, supportive culture play a massive role in retention and satisfaction, and why being able to find your voice is such a critical part of growing as a leader. Whether you’re figuring out if you fit your current workplace or searching for an environment where you can thrive, Stephen’s story offers practical advice and firsthand insight into what makes leadership growth possible at every stage.

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

1. Grab your FREE Meeting Strategies Guide
2. Check out her website
3. Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
4. Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
5. Follow her in X @drkimleadership
6. Like her page on Facebook
7. Connect with her on LinkedIn

What does it mean to lead from the middle, and how do everyday actions shape the leader you become? In this episode, I’m joined by Brian Sepe, a leader who has mastered the art of influence from the “middle out,” whether that’s in schools, on the baseball field, or in mentoring roles. We dig into why crafting your own mission, revisiting your values regularly, and acting with intentionality matter more than the title you hold.

We explore how a bias toward action, relentless curiosity, and the willingness to be vulnerable fuel real growth, not just for ourselves, but for everyone we serve. Brian is sharing lessons on adaptive leadership, why culture is the make-or-break element for coaching and change, and how learning loops - experimentation, feedback, and iteration - can transform your journey.

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

1. Check out her website
2. Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
3. Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
4. Follow her in X @drkimleadership
5. Like her page on Facebook
6. Connect with her on LinkedIn

Ever wondered how a simple conversation can change your leadership path? In this episode, I’m joined by an amazing guest, Dr. David Gaston, whose journey shows that leadership often finds you. We share stories of mentors who saw leadership potential before we did, and discuss how personal identity and values shape our growth.

We explore how emotional intelligence, rather than technical skills or authority, is what truly shapes effective leadership as you take on higher leadership roles. Dr. Gaston shares how integrating our personal and professional selves fosters authentic leadership, and why skills like deep listening and vulnerability matter. If you want practical insights on how relationships and self-awareness transform your leadership, this episode is for you!

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
• Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
• Follow her in X @drkimleadership
• Like her page on Facebook
• Connect with her on LinkedIn

What happens when leadership isn’t tied to a title, but to who you are and the values you stand on? In this episode, I sit down with Monica Richardson, whose journey from health and wellness to federal contracting shows how embracing change can open unexpected doors. Monica shares what it’s like to step into a brand-new field, lead from the middle, and stay grounded through a major learning curve.

We also dive into the influence of family, the power of emotional intelligence, and why showing up with authenticity matters, especially when things get challenging. If you’re navigating transition or looking to reconnect with your “why,” this episode is packed with real-life encouragement to help you rise up and lead with confidence.

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
• Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
• Follow her in X @drkimleadership
• Like her page on Facebook
• Connect with her on LinkedIn

We know that real leadership isn't just about titles, and sometimes, the call to lead sneaks up on you before you feel ready! In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Leon Edwards to explore his journey of becoming a truly impactful and transformational leader. His path through education, technology, and mentorship reveals how leadership grows when someone sees potential in you and gives you the chance to step up, even if you don’t fully see it in yourself yet.

Dr. Edwards shares how self-criticism and external affirmation have shaped his journey and the powerful impact it can have when someone believes in you enough to encourage you to step up before you feel ready. You’ll hear how transformational leaders listen with intention, invest in the growth of those around them, and help others continue to grow beyond the boundaries of their own classroom or team. If you are wanting to make real connections and real impact as a leader, this episode is a must listen!

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
• Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
• Follow her in X @drkimleadership
• Like her page on Facebook
• Connect with her on LinkedIn

Have you ever realized that the best lessons in leadership come from both the great and not-so-great leaders you’ve experienced? In this episode, I’m joined by Kathleen Pietrasanta, a lifelong educator and leader, to talk about the powerful impact that real-life leadership examples can have on your own development. Kathleen shares stories from her years in education, including experiences that tested her boundaries, inspired her confidence, and ultimately propelled her into leadership.

Kathleen and I discuss how our personal and professional identities blend to influence the kind of leaders we strive to become as well as the importance of integrity and empathy in leadership. Kathleen shares lessons she’s learned through her experiences and offers real, practical insight for anyone who wants to lead with more heart and impact. Whether you’re just stepping into leadership or if you’ve been on this path for a while, this conversation will leave you feeling encouraged to continue to grow on your leadership journey.

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
• Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
• Follow her in X @drkimleadership
• Like her page on Facebook
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In this episode of Rise Up and Lead, we are continuing to hear from incredible leaders who found themselves enlisted to lead. Today, I’m joined by Natalie Street to hear about her journey into leadership. With 17 years in education, Natalie has worn just about every hat, including teacher, coach, admin, and now instructional coordinator.

Natalie is sharing how her parents, mentors, and colleagues “enlisted” her to lead before she even thought she was ready. She also dives into how her family influenced her drive to succeed, and that leadership is shaped through experiences, mistakes, and the people who push us forward. Natalie’s story shows us what it truly means to rise, lead, and keep growing into who we’re becoming.

Connect with Dr. Kim Richardson

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram @drkimleadership
• Follow her on TikTok @drkimleadership
• Follow her in X @drkimleadership
• Like her page on Facebook
• Connect with her on LinkedIn