Love and Leadership
Episodes
Can AI Replace Leadership?
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Mike tackle one of the most pressing questions facing leaders right now: can AI actually replace you? The short answer is no. But the long...
Leadership Book Club: The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Why do some incredibly successful people feel like failures? In this episode, Kristen and Mike break down The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr....
ENCORE: Design Your Best 2026 With a Personal Annual Review
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Mike are re-airing one of their favorite episodes just in time for the new year. The week between Christmas and New Year's offers som...
Buzzword Breakdown: Servant Leadership
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Buzzword Breakdown episode, Kristen and Mike tackle one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—concepts in modern leadership: servant ...
We’re Back: Reflections on Newborn Parenting and Leadership
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a hiatus, Kristen and Mike return to Love and Leadership with a new tiny co-host in tow. They pull back the curtain on what the past few months ...
We're Taking a Baby Break - But We'll Be Back
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A brief update: we're taking a hiatus through the end of summer to welcome our newborn son. While we had hoped to have new content during parenta...
Leadership Book Club: The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Kristen dive deep into Michael Bungay Stanier's The Advice Trap, exploring why our natural instinct to give advice actually makes us wor...
Leadership Book Club: The Go-Giver Leader by Bob Burg and John David Mann
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Mike explore The Go-Giver Leader by Bob Burg and John David Mann, a parable that flips traditional command-and-control leadership on its h...
Leadership vs Management: Why You Need Both
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You've probably heard "leadership versus management" debates many times, but Kristen and Mike break it down in a way that actually make...
Buzzword Breakdown: Psychological Safety
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Mike kick off their new Buzzword Breakdown series by tackling psychological safety, a term often referenced in leadership discussions with...
ENCORE: Leading Through Turbulent Times with Megan Romano, LMFT
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We originally aired this episode in October prior to the election, and are sharing it again today because we find it more relevant than ever! Leaders...
Leadership Book Club: How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Mike dive into Dale Carnegie's classic "How to Win Friends and Influence People" - a book that's approaching its 90th ...
Decoding 2025's Top Workplace Buzzwords
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Mike get into the fascinating world of workplace buzzwords that are trending in 2025. From "anti-perks" to "coffee badging,...
Leading Multicultural Teams with Andrea Fleischfresser
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Mike sit down with Andrea Fleischfresser, an executive coach with over 20 years of experience in HR and coaching. Andrea shares her journe...
Building a Culture of Innovation That Works
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is your team more afraid of sharing a bad idea or missing out on a great one? In this episode, Mike and Kristen dig into what truly makes a culture in...
Leadership Book Club: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, Part Two
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the second part of their deep dive into Will Guidara's Unreasonable Hospitality, Mike and Kristen explore the leadership lessons that transfor...
Leadership Book Club: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, Part One
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this first part of a two-part series, Mike and Kristen dive into Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. While it might not seem like a tradition...
Leadership Lessons from Space with Shelli Brunswick
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Mike talk with Shelli Brunswick, a leader in the space industry whose career spans from the US Air Force to her current role as CEO of SB ...
The Truth About Motivating Employees
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What really motivates people at work? Is it money, recognition, or something deeper? In this episode, Kristen unpacks three of the most influential mo...
Imposter Syndrome: From Self-Doubt to Self-Trust
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
International Women's Day is coming up on March 8th! In this special episode Kristen shares her 2024 IWD talk from Google's Women Techmakers...
Leadership Book Club: The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder why some new leaders hit the ground running while others stumble? Kristen and Mike break down Michael Watkins' essential guide The Fi...
People-First Leadership with Marketing Exec Candice Hahn
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder why some leaders seem to effortlessly build thriving teams while others struggle with constant turnover? In this episode, guest Candice Ha...
Let’s Get Critical: How to Receive Tough Feedback
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most leaders know feedback is essential for growth, but let's be honest - receiving it can be uncomfortable, even painful. In this episode, Krist...
Leadership Book Club: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Kristen break down Chris Voss's game-changing book on negotiation, Never Split the Difference. As a former FBI hostage negotiator, Voss ...
Why Nice Is Not Enough with Amira Barger, EVP of DEI at Edelman
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
ENCORE: The New Playbook for Leadership Presence
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Design Your Best 2025: A Personal Annual Review Process
25 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ye...
Leadership Book Club: Start with Why by Simon Sinek
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What makes some organizations inspire fierce loyalty while others just seem to exist? In this episode, Kristen and Mike dive into Simon Sinek's g...
Building Leadership Teams That Get Results
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder what truly makes a great leadership team tick? Kristen shares insights from her recent team coaching certification program and breaks down...
Leading with Care Through Uncertain Times with Tushar Pandit, CPO at SPINS
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Leadership Book Club: It’s Your Ship by Captain Michael Abrashoff
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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. Inste...
How Great Leaders Make Smart Decisions
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
7 Unconventional Leadership Principles with Hubspot’s Rebecca Yang
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this guest interview episode, Rebecca Yang, Director of Engineering at HubSpot, shares her unconventional journey to tech leadership and reveals se...
Leadership Book Club: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Mike break down Marshall Goldsmith's influential book "What Got You Here Won't Get You There." While they praise the p...
The 6 Core Skills of Emotional Intelligence
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What's the real difference between a manager and a leader? While technical skills and industry knowledge matter, emotional intelligence often mak...
Leadership Book Club: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, Part Two
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 pro...
Leading Through Election Stress with Megan Romano, LMFT
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As the 2024 US presidential election looms, leaders face a unique challenge: supporting their teams' mental wellness during a high-stress period....
Leadership Book Club: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, Part One
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Kristen and Mike as they explore the world of courageous leadership through Brené Brown's groundbreaking book Dare to Lead. In this first p...
Breaking Barriers and Fostering Inclusion with Melissa Jurkoic, CXO at Thynk
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen sits down with Melissa Jurkoic, a tech industry veteran and champion for diversity in leadership. Melissa's journey from junior software ...
How to Give Difficult Feedback Effectively
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Giving difficult feedback is a crucial skill for leaders, but it's often dreaded. In this episode of Love and Leadership, Kristen and Mike Sharke...
Leadership Book Club: The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Mike dive into The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier, a book that's transforming how leaders approach coaching. They unpack th...
The Power of Authentic Leadership with Nicole Mashburn, CEO of Villa Marin
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Kristen and Mike sit down with Nicole Mashburn, CEO of Villa Marin, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Northern California. Ni...
10 Ways Improv Makes You a Better Leader
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Leadership Book Club: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is extreme ownership the key to unlocking your leadership potential? In this episode of Love and Leadership, Kristen and Mike dive into "Extreme ...
A Leader’s Guide to Imposter Syndrome
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever felt like a fraud despite your accomplishments? You're not alone. In this episode, Kristen and Mike dive into the pervasive phenomenon of im...
Transforming Workplace Culture with Gianna Driver, CPO at Lattice
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 Of...
Leadership Book Club: Boundaries for Leaders by Dr. Henry Cloud
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Love and Leadership, Kristen and Mike dive into Boundaries for Leaders by Dr. Henry Cloud, a book that's been transformative f...
The New Playbook for Leadership Presence
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Love and Leadership, Kristen and Mike dive into the evolving concept of leadership presence. They explore how traditional notions o...
Introduction: Is Leadership a Learned Skill?
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this inaugural episode of Love and Leadership, hosts Kristen Brun Sharkey and Mike Sharkey introduce themselves and their unique approach to leader...
Love and Leadership Podcast Trailer
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Co-hosts Kristen Brun Sharkey and Mike Sharkey introduce their podcast Love and Leadership, which offers a unique blend of professional insight and pe...