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The past year changed how I think about leadership...and in this episode, I’m sharing why. In the Spring 2026 season opener of Lead Into It, I reflect on a year of growth, challenge, and transformation, shaped by my experiences in the military, coaching, and building community. We’ll explore what it really means to lead in alignment with your values, why human-centered leadership matters now more than ever, and how small shifts can create meaningful change. This episode sets the tone for the season ahead. We're focused on practical leadership tools, honest conversations, and personal growth for leaders at every level. If you’re navigating change, craving clarity, or wanting to lead with more intention, this episode is for you. Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

What if the biggest leadership lessons of your year are already sitting in the stories you’ve lived and the conversations you’ve had? For our final episode of 2025, we’re rewinding and revisiting some of the most impactful moments from this year’s twenty episodes of Lead Into It. You’ll hear insights on confidence, failure, self-awareness, communicating with intention, leading through challenge, and taking better care of yourself as both a leader and a human. Featuring voices from leaders, creators, military professionals, entrepreneurs, and change-makers, this highlight reel is packed with perspective and encouragement you can carry into the new year. Want to explore more from a specific conversation? Check out the links below to jump directly to the full episodes. End-of-Year Homework: What is one leadership lesson from 2025 that you want to take with you into 2026? __________________________ Episode Guide:  00:00 Owning the Room with Lydia Fenet 05:22 Leading from the Inside Out: Mindset Coaching with Margaret "MJ" Jennings 10:26 The Power of Debriefing with Robert "Cujo" Teschner 14:37 Ownership, Leadership and Attitude with Mike Minihan 16:39 Fueling Leadership Through Empowerment with Maj Gen Dan Tulley 21:19 From Colonel to Cacao: A Leadership Journey with Maria Carl  22:33 Diving Deep: Empowering Volunteers and Protecting Sea Turtles with Tabitha Siegfried 25:29 Science Meets Leadership: Navigating the Unknown with Diane Fraser 27:03 Cultivating Curiosity as a Leader with Thomas Greek 28:07 The Power of Storytelling with Karen Eber 30:57 Redefining Leadership with Brooke Brzozowske 32:41 Leadership Meets Flexibility with Whitney Munro 33:35 The Failure Files: The Email with Sara Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

In this special Veterans Day episode, we explore the connection between courage and leadership beyond the battlefield. From stories of service to lessons in resilience and integrity, this conversation is a reminder that true leadership starts with the courage to serve others first. Whether you’re a veteran, a leader, or someone striving to lead with more purpose, this episode will leave you reflecting on what it really means to lead with courage, heart and honor. ______________ Want to learn more about the leaders and stories mentioned in this episode? See below:  Gen. Colin Powell Colin L. Powell’s Thirteen Rules of Leadership – U.S. Department of StateColin Powell’s Legacy Defined by Two Very Different Wars in Iraq – NPRAdm. William H. McRaven What I Learned from Being Fired – Business InsiderAchievement.org Profile: Admiral William H. McRavenCol. Florence A. Blanchfield Colonel Florence A. Blanchfield – Army Nurse Corps AssociationCol. Florence Blanchfield Remembered as Army Nurse Corps Marks 122 Years – U.S. ArmyDictionary of Virginia Biography – Florence Aby BlanchfieldVeterans Day History of Veterans Day – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs______________ Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

When leadership meets flexibility, real impact happens.  In this episode, Sara sits down with Whitney Munro, Founder and CEO of FLEX Partners, a mission-driven consulting firm that’s reimagining how nonprofits get the strategic support they need. Whitney shares her journey from corporate PR to building FLEX Partners. A business with a model rooted in flexibility, purpose, and impact. Tune in for a powerful conversation on leadership, adaptability, and creating meaningful change in the nonprofit world. Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

I’ve hit 60 episodes of the Lead Into It podcast! 🎉 For this milestone episode, I’m doing something new: my very first Q&A. You sent in your leadership questions, and I’m diving into them all. In this episode, we’re talking about: Leading during tough times (like government shutdowns)Knowing when to say no to a promotionBuilding trust and training new team membersNavigating leadership challenges with experienced teamsShowing emotions authentically as a leaderI’m answering your questions while sharing personal stories, lessons I’ve learned along the way, and practical takeaways you can use right now. Whether you’re leading through a challenge or growing into your next season, this episode is for you. Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

In this episode of Lead Into It, I’m joined by Brooke Brzozowske, a former federal government communications professional who spent nearly two decades advising leaders at the highest levels of the military and is now a full-time executive and leadership coach. Brooke was one of my very first podcast guests five years ago, and she’s someone who also inspired me go on the journey to become a coach. Since then, her journey has been all about alignment, courage, and redefining what leadership looks like from the inside out. Together, we explore what it means to lead with intention, realign your work with your values, and have the courage to reinvent yourself. Brooke shares lessons from her time at the Pentagon, moments of growth from her coaching practice, and how she’s learned to lead from a place of authenticity and trust. If you’ve ever wondered how to show up more authentically as a leader or what it looks like to take charge of your own story, this episode is for you. You can find out more about Brooke and her coaching practice here.  Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

In this episode, Sara sits down with Karen Eber, award-winning author of The Perfect Story, keynote and TED speaker, and international consultant, to explore the transformative power of storytelling in leadership and communication. Karen shares how stories can build trust, inspire teams, and make messages truly memorable — all backed by the fascinating neuroscience behind why stories work.  Whether you’re leading a team, giving a presentation, or just want to communicate more effectively, this episode is full of actionable insights you can start using right away. Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

It started with a simple email. And ended with a very humbling lesson learned.  In the first episode of The Failure Files, I’m opening up about a mistake I made early in my career — what it taught me about empathy, accountability, and the power of a single question. This is the story of The Email — the one that changed how I lead. Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

In this episode of Lead Into It, Sara sits down with Tabitha Siegfried, the Sea Turtle Stranding Coordinator at the Gulfarium CARE Center. From growing up in landlocked Missouri to becoming a passionate advocate for marine life on the Gulf Coast, Tabby’s journey is a story of purpose, resilience, and leadership. Together, we explore: How Tabby leads and inspires a team of dedicated volunteersThe challenges and rewards of sea turtle rehabilitationWhy sea turtles are essential to healthy ocean ecosystems.The leadership lessons we can take from conservation workWhether you’re a leader looking to grow your skills, a science enthusiast, or simply want to learn more about sea turtles, this episode offers an inspiring look at all of that in action. Learn more about the CARE Center or check out the Center's Amazon Wishlist  Check out Tabby's Instagram here. Episode Chapters:  02:29 Tabitha's Journey into Marine Biology 04:53 The Importance of Sea Turtles in Ecosystems 07:39 Challenges in Sea Turtle Conservation 10:37 The Role of Volunteers in Sea Turtle Care 13:25 Understanding Sea Turtle Threats 16:05 Fishing Practices and Their Impact on Sea Turtles 27:03 The Growth of the Care Center: Volunteers and Operations 32:41 Success Stories: The Journey of Sea Turtles 37:54 Leadership and Delegation in Turtle Rehabilitation 51:08 Understanding Leadership Dynamics 53:48 Motivation in Difficult Times 01:02:19 Getting Involved with the Care Center Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

This week on Lead Into It, I’m excited to share my conversation with Diane Fraser, the amazing director of the Emerald Coast Science Center right here in Fort Walton Beach. Diane’s journey is such a cool one—she started out as a forensic scientist and eventually stepped into leading a community science center, turning it into a vibrant hub of learning and discovery. In our conversation, she opens up about what it took to navigate financial challenges, survive a pandemic, and keep creating innovative STEM programs that inspire curiosity in kids (and adults, too). Diane’s story is all about the power of curiosity, resilience, and community. She shows us how one person’s vision can challenge stereotypes in science, spark joy in learning, and leave a lasting impact. Whether you’re a science enthusiast, an aspiring leader, or just love a good story about perseverance and passion, you’re going to get so much out of this episode. ________________________________________________________________________________________ Chapters:  00:00 Journey into Science: Early Inspirations 05:17 The Role of Inquiry in Science 09:13 Balancing Family and Career: A Mother's Journey 14:14 Transforming the Science Center: A New Chapter 19:20 Leadership and Community Engagement 24:03 Navigating Challenges: The Impact of the Pandemic 29:05 Navigating Challenges During the Pandemic 31:36 Transforming Spaces and Community Engagement 33:25 Building Resilience and Community Relationships 36:27 Listening to Community Needs 37:29 Empowering Women in STEM 41:48 Inspiring Future Generations in Science 44:10 The Importance of Hands-On Learning 47:43 Leadership Challenges and Organizational Culture Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

✨ Leadership shows up in the big calls and the small details. ✨ Rest isn’t weakness—it’s leadership fuel. ✨ Grace goes further than perfection. Hi, and welcome back! I’m kicking off this new season of Lead Into It with a solo episode straight from my own leadership journey. Over the summer, I had the chance to step in and lead a public affairs team during an Air Force exercise. It was high-pressure, unpredictable, and honestly, one of the best learning experiences I’ve had in a while. In this episode, I’m sharing the five big lessons that stuck with me (and that I think will resonate with you, too). I’ll also give you a quick sneak peek at what’s coming this season. I’m so glad you’re here! Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

It’s the end of the season, and in this finale episode, I’m reflecting on what I’ve learned from the incredible leaders who joined me. We’re talking about the ripple effect of leadership, why commitment matters more than motivation, and the reminder that no one should lead alone. If you’ve ever wondered how your words as a leader echo beyond the workplace — or felt the weight of trying to get it all right — this one’s for you. Tune in for a heartfelt wrap-up and a few of my favorite takeaways. I'm also getting ready for next season and I want to hear from you. What leadership challenges are you facing? What do you want to explore next season? Drop me a note at [email protected]. Let’s keep growing, together. Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

What does real leadership look like when no one’s watching? In this episode, retired General Mike Minahan gets honest about the messy, meaningful, and deeply human side of command. He shares the story behind his now-viral decision to schedule a mental health appointment as a four-star general—something he thought was just leading by example but turned out to be life-changing for himself and countless others. Years later, he’s still hearing from people who were inspired to finally ask for help. We also talk about the role family played in shaping his leadership style, what it really takes to lead through resistance and uncertainty, and why his go-to leadership advice is as simple as it is profound: “Don’t suck.” This conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t about performance—it’s about showing up, especially when it’s hard. Whether you're leading a team, a mission, or just trying to lead your life with more intention, there’s something here for you. Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

What makes a leader worth following? In this episode, retired General Mike Minihan, former commander of Air Mobility Command, shares the leadership philosophy that shaped his 35-year Air Force career, centered on "OLA": Ownership, Leadership, and Attitude. From his early days as a lieutenant to leading 110,000 airmen, General Minihan returns to one powerful truth: credibility starts with doing your job—and doing it well. He also reflects on the 2023 memo that made headlines, how it shaped perceptions, and what it revealed about his leadership style. Through it all, his clarity of purpose and commitment to readiness shine through. Perhaps most striking is his view on "worthiness"—a question he asked himself often: Do I deserve this level of trust? That mindset drove him to lead with both conviction and care. If you're in any kind of leadership role, this conversation is a must-listen.  And don’t miss part two next week, where we dig into mental health, legacy, and the human side of command. Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!

What does it take to command a room, bounce back from failure, and lead with true authenticity? In this episode, I sit down with Lydia Fenet—renowned auctioneer, bestselling author, and founder of her own agency—whose decades at Christie’s taught her powerful lessons in confidence, leadership, and owning your voice. Lydia shares what she learned from auctioning without a mic, why humor is one of her secret weapons, and how she balances bold career moves with meaningful moments at home. We also dive into her tips for aspiring leaders, the importance of self-care, and what it really means to define success on your own terms. Whether you're stepping into leadership or looking to reclaim your confidence, Lydia’s insights will leave you inspired to show up fully—exactly as you are. Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. Excited to be with you!