Lifting Leaders Podcast

As we wrap up Season Five of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, we're reflecting on one of the most important leadership questions of our time:
How do leaders inspire genuine hope without ignoring reality?
In this season finale, we share 10 practical leadership strategies for creating hope during uncertainty, organizational change, and challenging times. You'll learn how effective leaders build trust by telling the truth, create opportunities for meaningful action, help people reconnect to purpose, celebrate progress, and model the resilience needed to move forward together.
Whether you lead an organization, a team, or simply want to have a greater positive influence on those around you, these evidence-informed leadership practices will help you foster optimism grounded in action, not wishful thinking.
Throughout our Ignite Genuine Hope series, we've been inspired by extraordinary guests whose experiences reminded us that hope isn't simply a feeling, it's a leadership capability that can be cultivated every day. In this episode, we also look back on some of our favorite conversations, lessons, and memorable moments from Season Five.
As we take a short August summer break, we want to thank every listener who has joined us on this journey. Your support has helped build a community of leaders committed to making workplaces, and the world, a little better.
When we return for Season Six, we'll launch our new leadership series, Lead the Change, exploring how leaders transform hope into action, navigate complexity, and create lasting organizational impact.
In this episode:
10 practical ways to inspire genuine hope as a leader
How to build trust during uncertainty and change
Why hope is a leadership skill, not simply an emotion
Lessons from our favorite Season Five guests
A preview of Season Six: Lead the Change
Thank you for listening to the Lifting Leaders Podcast. We'll see you in September as we continue lifting leaders, and leading change, together.

What if the only way forward was to let go?
In this deeply personal Spark episode of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, co-host Kristal Roberts shares, for the first time publicly, the true story of a kayaking accident that nearly claimed her life - and the profound leadership lesson she discovered beneath the surface.
Pinned under a dangerous log jam and fighting against a powerful current, Kristal faced a decision that became a life-changing metaphor: continue clinging to what felt familiar or trust the current and let go.
That experience transformed the way she thinks about leadership, hope, resilience, courage, trust, and navigating uncertainty.
Whether you're leading through organizational change, facing a difficult life transition, or struggling to release a future that no longer exists, this episode offers a powerful reminder that genuine hope often begins where certainty ends.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why letting go is sometimes the bravest leadership decision you can make.
How hope grows when we release the need to control every outcome.
What a near-death experience taught about resilience and choosing life.
Questions every leader should ask when facing change, uncertainty, or loss.
How trusting the "river" can open the door to new possibilities and a better future.
If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unable to move forward, this story will encourage you to consider a different question:
Where are you still trying to swim against the current?
Listen now and discover why, sometimes, the path to freedom, growth, and genuine hope begins with simply letting go.

Some leaders leave an impression. Others leave a legacy that continues to shape leaders for generations.
This week, we honor the extraordinary life and enduring impact of Dr. John H. "Jack" Zenger, who passed away on July 3, 2026, at the remarkable age of 94. A pioneering leadership expert, bestselling author, researcher, teacher, consultant, and mentor, Jack transformed the field of leadership development through his groundbreaking work on strengths-based leadership and exceptional leadership effectiveness. His ideas have influenced leaders and organizations around the world and will continue to do so for generations to come.
Several years ago, we had the extraordinary privilege of spending more than an hour in conversation with Jack. True to who he was, he was generous with both his time and wisdom, sharing insights drawn from decades of research while offering a glimpse into the innovative leadership ideas he and his longtime colleague, Joseph Folkman, were just beginning to explore.
What struck us most wasn't simply Jack's brilliance, it was his humility, warmth, curiosity, and genuine desire to help others become better leaders. He embodied the very leadership principles he spent his lifetime teaching.
In this special tribute episode of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, we're revisiting that conversation and sharing some of our favorite moments with Jack. You'll hear timeless insights on leadership, human potential, strengths-based development, and what it means to bring out the best in others.
Rather than tell you who Jack was, we'd love for you to experience him for yourself.
Join us as we celebrate the life, wisdom, and enduring legacy of Dr. John H. "Jack" Zenger - a leader whose influence will continue lifting leaders for years to come.
 

What makes an inspirational leader? Is it charisma or is it a set of leadership skills anyone can develop?
In this Coaches Corner episode of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, executive coaches Kristal Roberts and Tricia Rhine share eight practical leadership practices that can help you become a more inspirational leader, strengthen employee engagement, and create a workplace where people feel motivated, valued, and hopeful.
Whether you lead a team, an organization, or simply want to increase your leadership influence, you'll learn how to:
Lead with purpose instead of just process.
Communicate a compelling vision that people want to be part of.
Use storytelling to inspire action and create connection.
Ask thought-provoking questions that unlock new possibilities.
Recognize and celebrate the strengths and potential in others.
Build confidence by believing in people before they believe in themselves.
Inspire hope during uncertainty and organizational change.
Show up with courage and authenticity when leadership matters most.
If you're looking to become a more inspiring leader, improve your leadership presence, motivate your team, or develop leadership skills that create lasting impact, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can begin using immediately.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why inspiration is a learnable leadership skill, not a personality trait.
Eight habits of highly inspirational leaders.
How hope and purpose increase trust, engagement, and performance.
Practical ways to inspire greater commitment, confidence, and resilience in the people you lead.
Whether you're an executive, manager, entrepreneur, coach, or emerging leader, this episode will help you lead in ways that bring out the very best in others.

Can a leader build trust without creating hope? Can people truly feel hopeful if they don't trust their leader?
In this Lifting Leaders Podcast Spark Episode, co-host Tricia Rhine explores the powerful relationship between hope and trust in leadership and why these two qualities are essential for building high-performing teams, increasing employee engagement, and creating healthy organizational cultures.
You'll learn:
Why trust and hope are foundational leadership capabilities
How hope influences motivation, resilience, and team performance
Practical leadership behaviors that strengthen trust every day
Why leading through change requires both credibility and hope
Simple actions that create psychological safety and lasting influence
Whether you're an executive, manager, coach, or emerging leader, this episode will help you lead with greater intention by cultivating the trust and hope your people need to thrive.
Reflection Question: What is one action you can take today to strengthen trust and ignite hope for those you lead?
If you're looking for practical insights on leadership development, organizational culture, employee engagement, trust-building, resilience, and hope-based leadership, this episode is for you.

Five years after graduating with her Master's degree in Architecture, Madison Mulligan joins the Lifting Leaders Podcast to reflect on one of the most significant transitions many people face: moving from student life into the working world.
In this special mother-daughter conversation, host Kristal Roberts and Madison explore the realities of early adulthood, including navigating uncertainty, building a career, redefining success, and discovering that life rarely unfolds according to a perfect plan. Together, they discuss the lessons Madison learned as a young professional, the challenges of transitioning from college to a full-time career, and how resilience, relationships, and hope helped shape her journey.
As part of our Ignite Genuine Hope series, this episode reminds us that hope is not about having all the answers. It is about trusting yourself enough to take the next step, learning through experience, and remaining open to possibility even when the future feels uncertain.
In this episode, you'll discover:✨ Why adulthood is more about learning than having everything figured out✨ How to define success on your own terms instead of following society's expectations✨ The critical role of networking, relationships, and soft skills in career growth✨ What a career setback, including being laid off, can teach you about resilience and purpose✨ How focusing on what you can control helps you navigate uncertainty with confidence✨ Why building a meaningful life matters just as much as building a successful career✨ Practical advice for new graduates, young professionals, and anyone navigating a major life transition
Whether you're graduating, changing careers, mentoring emerging professionals, or navigating your own season of transition, this conversation offers practical wisdom and genuine hope for the journey ahead.
Topics discussed: life after graduation, career development, young professionals, resilience, networking, leadership development, navigating uncertainty, career transitions, personal growth, and defining success.
 

What does true resilience look like when life, leadership, and uncertainty don’t go as planned?
In this Gems episode of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, we revisit powerful conversations from our Ignite Genuine Hope series and explore a theme that keeps emerging: resilience.
You’ll hear insights from guests who model what it means to adapt, recover, learn, and move forward with purpose. Melanie Vargas shares how more than 30 years of sobriety became a mission of service through her podcast, creating psychologically safe spaces for honest recovery stories. P.L. and Kristen, founders of Cycle 5 To Survive, remind us that resilience is not always about pushing through. After facing equipment failures, floods, illness, and unexpected setbacks in South America, they chose to return home, heal, regroup, and adapt their path forward.
We also reflect on the stories of Sasha Farley and Leah Fleischner, whose decisions to build lives and careers outside the United States reveal the courage, flexibility, and resilience required to navigate uncertainty, embrace new cultures, and stay grounded in purpose.
Together, these conversations point to an important leadership distinction: endurance treats people like machines; resilience treats people like humans. Endurance asks us to keep going no matter the cost. Resilience invites us to pause, learn, recover, adapt, and move forward with greater wisdom.
This episode explores how hope-led leadership, emotional resilience, psychological safety, recovery, and adaptability help us create a better future, not through heroic effort alone, but through our collective capacity to heal, grow, and keep moving forward.
Key Takeaways:
Resilience is about adapting, learning, recovering, and moving forward.
Recovery and growth are strengthened by psychological safety and honest conversations.
Setbacks can become opportunities to heal, regroup, and adjust course.
Living and leading through uncertainty requires courage, flexibility, and purpose.
Genuine hope is sustained when we believe people can adapt and create a better future together.
Listener Reflection:When challenges arise, do you push through or adapt forward?

What happens when you leave behind the familiar, embrace uncertainty, and intentionally build a life aligned with your values and purpose?
In this inspiring episode of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, hosts Kristal Roberts and Tricia Rhine welcome leadership professionals Leah Fleischner and Sasha Farley for a powerful conversation about hope-led leadership, resilience, courage, personal reinvention, and living abroad. Although both have appeared on the podcast before, this marks their first conversation together—and the insights that emerge are both timely and thought-provoking.
Originally from the United States and now living internationally, Leah in Portugal and Sasha in Spain, they share their experiences of navigating major life transitions, adapting to new cultures, and redefining success on their own terms. Together, they explore what it means to lead with hope in uncertain times, stay grounded in purpose, and remain open to new possibilities even when the path forward is unclear.
Whether you're facing a career transition, considering a bold life change, leading through uncertainty, or simply looking for inspiration to take your next step, this episode offers practical wisdom and encouragement for leaders seeking to create meaningful impact in a complex world.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why hope is a leadership practice, not just a feeling
How courage and curiosity help us navigate uncertainty and change
Lessons learned from living and working across cultures
The connection between resilience, adaptability, and personal growth
How to align your life and leadership with your values and purpose
What it means to expand your perspective through global experiences
Strategies for moving forward when the future feels unclear
If you're ready to cultivate greater resilience, lead with intention, and embrace new possibilities, this conversation is for you.
Resources
Sasha Farley Consulting
Leah Fleischner | Sovereign Leadership & Executive Facilitation

What happens when a milestone birthday becomes a mission to change lives?
In this inspiring episode of the Lifting Leaders Podcast, we sit down with P.L. and Kristen, founders of Cycle 5 To Survive (C5TS), an extraordinary initiative powered by purpose, courage, resilience, and a commitment to helping communities thrive.
Through Cycle 5 To Survive, P.L. and Kristen are cycling across five continents in five years while partnering with five charities to raise awareness and funding for sports, education, and business initiatives that create opportunity and lasting impact.
As part of our 2026 leadership theme, Ignite Genuine Hope, this conversation explores what it means to turn purpose into action. Hope is more than optimism or wishful thinking. Genuine hope is relational, actionable, and rooted in the decision to keep moving toward possibility, even when the path is uncertain.
In this episode, P.L. and Kristen share the personal story behind Cycle 5 To Survive, the challenges they have faced along the way, and the lessons they have learned about resilience, trust, community, belonging, and leading with purpose.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
✨ Why hope is a leadership practice, not a personality trait✨ How purpose builds resilience during uncertainty and challenge✨ The role of community and belonging in creating lasting change✨ How leaders can acknowledge fear without becoming paralyzed by it✨ What it takes to turn personal purpose into meaningful impact✨ How ordinary people can create extraordinary change through consistent action
Whether you lead an organization, a team, a family, or a community, this episode offers a powerful reminder: hope grows when people choose to move toward possibility together.
🎧 Listen in and be inspired by a story of purpose, perseverance, cycling for charity, and hope in action.

In this special crossover episode, Melanie Vargas of What’s in Your Neighborhood joins Kristal Roberts and Tricia Rhine of the Lifting Leaders Podcast for a deeply honest conversation about leadership, vulnerability, hope, and the emotional neighborhoods we all carry within us.
 
Together, these three executive coaches and leadership practitioners explore what it means to lead in a world filled with uncertainty, burnout, identity shifts, and growing disconnection. Through stories from their own lives and careers, they unpack the masks people wear to survive, the courage it takes to show up authentically, and the power of creating spaces where people truly feel they belong.
 
This conversation weaves together themes of emotional intelligence, recovery, resilience, hope, imposter syndrome, belonging, and the importance of community, both in leadership and in life. The episode also offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what podcasting itself has taught them about courage, self-acceptance, and creating meaningful conversations that ripple outward into the world.
 
At its heart, this episode is an invitation: to stay present, to choose connection over fear, and to remember that even small moments of authenticity and compassion can transform the neighborhoods we build around us.
 
If you’ve been navigating change, questioning your place, searching for hope, or longing for deeper connection in your work or life, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and reminded that none of us are meant to do this alone.