
Leadership Tea
On Leadership Tea, we talk about what it takes to reach the executive level, and how to thrive when you get there. Powerful leaders share their journeys, insights, and triumphs in conversations with hosts Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson Farrier.
Join us every other Wednesday to be inspired by the unvarnished stories of amazing executives who know what it's like to be "the only" at the table and who have succeeded regardless. They have proven leadership experience in their respective fields, from international affairs to the private sector to academia, and want to help others create their own success stories.
Episodes
49 episodes
How Leaders Can Create Joyful Boundaries with Boniswa Siwundla Madikizela | S4 EP3
Shelby and Belinda welcome special guest Boniswa Siwundla Madikizela, a transformational leader from South Africa, for a conversation on how to stay grounded and aligned in a world that feels chaotic. Boniswa shares her personal pra...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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31:04

Choosing Community and Clarity in Challenging Times | S4 EP2
Career transitions can be emotionally challenging, but with the right community and strategic approach, they become opportunities for growth, authentic connection, and clarity. In this bonus episode:Shelby shares her exp...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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37:15

How leaders can protect their mental health and support their teams | S4 EP1
Our special guest, Lisa Povoni, a therapist and coach with a specialty in trauma, discusses how leaders can recognize and manage chronic stress and burnout in themselves and their teams. She shares actionable micro-practices, the difference bet...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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34:56

Repost of S1 EP11: Create Your 90-Day Plan
Belinda and Shelby introduce this oldie-but-goodie by catching you up on what we're doing this summer. And in the episode, we talk about how to master the first 90 days in your new role, as you transition from colleague to commander. <...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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27:16

Navigating Career Pivots and Layoffs: What Got You Here Won't Get You There | S3 EP13
Are you navigating a career pivot or a layoff? It’s not uncommon these days. If you’re looking ahead to what’s next, Shelby and Belinda want to remind you that times have changed, so what worked for you before won't necessarily get you where yo...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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16:28

Leadership Lessons from a Gen-Z Grad | S3 EP12
Recent high school grad Viola Wilson speaks with Shelby (her mom) and Belinda to share a fresh perspective on what leadership means to her. Viola speaks fluent Spanish and had lived in four countries by the time she was 9...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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15:12

Don't crash out or burn out! Reclaiming your peace in the chaos | S3 EP11
Belinda and Shelby acknowledge the current speed of change and wild news cycle, and the emotional toll that it can take. They share practical steps they are taking to prevent crashing out and to improve their well-being. They emphas...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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15:29

Ambassador Robert Gilchrist: Leading with Integrity, Empathy & Ice Cream | S3 EP10
Belinda and Shelby welcome a distinguished former diplomat and senior leader, Ambassador Robert Gilchrist (Ret.). He shares insights from a career spent navigating complex global challenges, from leading teams under intense pressure in Iraq to ...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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34:14

Building Bravery & Community: An Invitation to Grow | S3 EP9
Join Shelby and Belinda on May 31 for our first ever live virtual event: “Shoot Your Shot LIVE: A Celebration & Strategy Session to Keep You Bold.” We’re wrapping up our month-long challenge with a celebration of YOU, our...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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10:24

Leadership & Risk Management: Empowering Others to Shoot Their Shot | S3 EP8
Belinda and Shelby continue their "Shoot Your Shot" series by exploring the role of risk management when empowering others. They discuss situations when they’ve given team members opportunities to shine, both when it’s led to success and when i...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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33:45

Your Leadership Genius: Are You Born a Leader? | S3 EP7
What are some of the core qualities that differentiate exceptional leaders? And what strengths do you bring to your leadership role? From staying calm under pressure to leading with empathy, understanding your leadership genius is key to thrivi...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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23:57

Shoot Your Shot: Ask for What You Want | S3 EP6
This episode is about calculated risks and proactive steps towards your goals. Inspired by their previous coaching session, Belinda and Shelby challenge you to take action and step out of your comfort zone to achieve your goals. Bel...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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17:39

For Middle Managers: Finding Your Power in the Messy Middle | S3 EP5
This episode is dedicated to middle managers, who face unique pressures in the "messy middle" between upper management's demands and their teams' needs. Shelby and Belinda know from personal experience that being a middle manager i...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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16:07

What’s holding you back? Two coaches coach each other | S3 EP4
Belinda and Shelby turn the tables and engage in a coaching session with each other. They open up about their professional challenges and discuss strategies for navigating roadblocks and pursuing entrepreneurial goals, providing listeners with ...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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21:52

Taking Your Power Back with Cathy Duffy | S3 EP3
How can you transform unexpected career changes into opportunities for reinvention and personal growth? With returning guest Cathy Duffy, Belinda and Shelby talk about how to respond to forced career pivots, a reality many professionals are fac...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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33:49

Facing Your Fears, Leading with Love | S3 EP2
Belinda and Shelby address how leaders can navigate the current climate of fear. They emphasize the importance of grounding yourself in your core values, maintaining personal integrity, and fostering a culture of empathy and love. T...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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19:12

Letting Go of Perfection, Doubling Down on Self-Care | S3 EP1
As they celebrate the first anniversary of the Leadership Tea Podcast, Shelby and Belinda reflect on their responses to and offer practical advice for navigating the current challenging political climate. Acknowledging the em...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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16:14

Channeling Dr. King's Vision for Community and Service | S2 EP12
Shelby and Belinda explore Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's lasting impact and his advocacy for community building. We challenge you to integrate Dr. King's principles of humility and service into your everyday interactions. And on Mart...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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11:51

Finding Your Calm Center | S2 EP11
Is your work week defined more by dread rather than by excitement and purpose? Belinda and Shelby examine strategies for creating a more balanced and intentional life, focusing on the power of rest, self-reflection, and strategic decluttering.&...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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26:01

2025 in Focus: Three Words, One Goal | S2 EP10
Shelby and Belinda discuss the idea of selecting three words to guide our intentions for 2025. We share our chosen words and discuss strategies for embodying and implementing them throughout the year.In this episode:• Our three w...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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26:50

Transform & Thrive in 2025 | S2 EP9
Navigating uncertainty requires strong team communication and personal well-being. Today, Belinda and Shelby explore strategies for leading through turbulent times, focusing on acceptance and radical honesty. We discuss how overcom...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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25:27

Crafting Your Brand: Leadership as a Lifestyle, with Heather A. Kollar | S2 EP8
Join us for an inspiring conversation with entrepreneur and coach Heather A. Kollar as we unlock the secrets to building strong and meaningful business relationships. Heather shares her incredible journey, highlighting the crucial roles of inte...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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35:07

Accepting Change & Reimagining Your Future | S2 EP7
Imagine facing an unexpected shift in your career trajectory just as you reached the peak of your success. Our conversation aims to equip you with strategies to embrace resilience and clarity, even amid uncertainty. We discuss the non-linear pa...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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41:02

Designing Your Destiny, with Ambassador Aurelia Brazeal | S2 EP6
Ambassador Aurelia Brazeal joins us for an inspiring conversation on leadership, resilience, and navigating life's adversities. Her story offers a window into her resilient mindset and risk-taking approach, illustrating how history and upbringi...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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33:50

Managing from the Middle & the Power of Emotional Intelligence | S2 EP5
How can you keep team morale high when the people above you can't see eye to eye? Managing from the middle can feel like walking a tightrope when you're caught in the crossfire of clashing bosses. Drawing from our personal experiences, Belinda ...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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17:06
