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Description
Leadership should not feel like a lecture. It should feel like a conversation you actually want to be part of.
Welcome to The Path to Leadership, where Dr. Katie Ervin and creative strategist Rhonda Jolyean Hale team up to bring you real talk, real tools, and real transformation. Think of it as your weekly coffee date where leadership development meets creativity, brain science, humor, and the beauty found in both breakthroughs and breakdowns.
Dr. Katie brings the research, the practicality, and her signature no-fluff honesty. Rhonda Jolyean brings the creativity, the reinvention energy, and a fresh perspective on how your brain, your story, and your environment shape who you are as a leader. Together, they explore what it takes to grow, adapt, inspire, and stay human in a world that never slows down.
If you are leading people, leading projects, leading at home, or simply leading your own next chapter, this podcast gives you the mindset and momentum to do it with clarity, courage, and joy.
Because leadership is not about being perfect. It is about showing up, getting curious, and choosing who you want to be today.
Connect with the hosts:
Dr. Katie Ervin
www.katieervin.com
www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/
Rhonda Jolyean Hale
www.jolyean.com
www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/
85 Episodes
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Send us a text A messy, beautiful October turned into a bigger move: adding Rhonda as our new co‑host and doubling down on leadership that feels human, not performative. We open the door to our coffee-table conversations and invite you into a space where creativity, neuroscience, and lived experience meet practical tools you can use right away. Rhonda brings a joy-driven approach to transformation that rejects rigid change management and embraces experimentation, play, and presence. Together...
Send us a text The way we finish the year decides how we start the next. Instead of coasting through December and losing a month of momentum, we walk through a clear, practical strategy for treating quarter four as the bridge to a stronger quarter one. We share the leadership moves that matter most right now: set a focused rallying cry, narrow your must-do list, celebrate wins early and often, and support your team with real flexibility and thoughtful boundaries through the holidays. We dig ...
Send us a text Ever wonder what happens when a leader intentionally designs workplace culture instead of letting it evolve by chance? Mark Stewart, President and CEO of Agriculture Future of America (AFA), reveals the transformative power of "culture by design, not by default" in this enlightening conversation. Mark's leadership journey began with closed doors that ultimately guided him to his purpose. "The reason I am where I am today is because of at least two or three doors that were shut...
Send us a text Welcome back to Season 3 of the Path to Leadership! After an extended summer break filled with family transitions, academic pursuits, and professional growth, we're excited to dive into new leadership insights. • Moving into the "wonderful chaos era" as empty nesters while both children pursue their educational journeys • Returning to school at 49 to pursue an MBA with a focus on data science, addressing gaps in business knowledge • Launching "Leadership on Course," a program ...
Send us a text Summer often calls us to pause and realign our priorities, which is exactly why I'm announcing a brief hiatus from "The Path to Leadership" podcast. Despite the momentum from recent episodes on authenticity and overnight success that sparked meaningful conversations, this intentional break allows me to focus on significant personal and professional developments. Family transitions take center stage as my son prepares to begin his journey as an airplane mechanic and my daughter...
Send us a text Have you ever watched someone seemingly burst onto the scene out of nowhere and wondered, "How did they get so successful so fast?" The truth is far more complex and fascinating than what meets the eye. Success isn't a sudden event but a culmination of years—sometimes decades—of consistent work, learning, failures, and resilience that happened quietly behind the scenes. Drawing from my own 26-year journey before starting Catalyst Development, I pull back the curtain on what tr...
Send us a text "Fake it till you make it" might be one of the most damaging pieces of advice ever offered to aspiring leaders. This simple phrase sets us up for imposter syndrome, erodes our authenticity, and creates an exhausting façade that eventually crumbles under pressure. But what's the alternative? Drawing from years of leadership experience, I offer a powerful reframe: "Learn it till you earn it." This approach celebrates curiosity over pretense, growth over performance, and authenti...
Send us a text When May arrives with its blooming flowers and lengthening days, most of us face a paradox: excitement for new possibilities alongside the overwhelm of jam-packed calendars. This tension creates the perfect opportunity to revisit our approach to leadership, priorities, and self-care. The concept of cultivation offers a powerful framework for navigating busy seasons. Just as a garden requires intentional decisions about what to plant and nurture, our lives demand thoughtful cho...
Send us a text Ever wonder why some people always seem to have a dark cloud over their head at work? Rather than avoiding them, I've made it my mission to sit next to the grumpiest person in every room. What I've discovered might surprise you. Behind almost every scowl and crossed arm lies a story—of being overlooked, having ideas dismissed, feeling powerless, or experiencing workplace trauma. Grumpiness isn't an identity; it's a signal. It's often easier and safer to appear annoyed than vul...
Send us a text Feeling stuck in a linear career path or struggling to see yourself as creative? In this illuminating conversation, Rhonda Jolyean Hale , founder of Jolyean Creative, overturns conventional thinking about creativity, career progression, and personal transformation. Rhonda's journey took her from changing college majors seven times to nonprofit work, executive coaching, and eventually corporate burnout—before discovering a powerful approach to healing through what she calls "ae...
Send us a text Leadership isn't about following a straight line—it's about navigating unexpected turns while keeping your vision clear. Jason Smith, President and CEO of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, exemplifies this journey, having transformed from an aspiring sports journalist to an economic development leader guiding communities across multiple states. During our conversation, Jason reveals how university communities uniquely shaped his leadership style. "When you live in univer...
Send us a text From hourly employee to C-suite executive, Kristen Hoffman's leadership journey at Delta Dental of Kansas defies conventional career paths. As Chief Operating and Experience Officer, she oversees critical business functions while driving innovation that recently earned her "Innovator of the Year" recognition in Wichita. What makes Kristen's approach to leadership truly remarkable isn't just what she's achieved, but how she's done it. By rejecting hierarchical structures where ...
Send us a text Chuck Knapp's journey from aspiring late-night talk show host to President and CEO of Jobs for America's Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) reveals how powerful leadership can transform lives. After 23 different jobs and years in public service, Chuck found his purpose helping students overcome barriers and reach their full potential through an evidence-based model that delivers extraordinary results: a 96% graduation rate and 86% of graduates in education, military, or full-time employm...
Send us a text What does it mean to carry your professional identity everywhere you go? Judge Courtney Boehm of Kansas's 8th Judicial District pulls back the curtain on her journey from public defender to the bench, revealing the surprising reality that she's "never not a judge" – even during routine trips to Walmart. Throughout our candid conversation, Judge Boehm shares vulnerable insights about battling imposter syndrome in a high-stakes role. "Were they right? Am I supposed to be here? D...
Send us a text Jim Bramlett never expected to find his calling helping other business leaders navigate their challenges. After four decades in transportation and logistics, followed by entrepreneurial ventures that taught him hard-earned lessons about leadership, Jim discovered that what leaders need most is meaningful connection with peers who understand their unique challenges. "It is lonely at the top," Jim explains, drawing from personal experience founding a dot-com company in 1999. "I ...
Send us a text Are you feeling unmotivated at work? You're not alone, and this episode of Path to Leadership dives into the deeper truths about employee satisfaction and the common pitfalls that can lead to demotivation. In a world where workplace culture is evolving more rapidly than ever, understanding what truly motivates employees is crucial. The discussion reveals that satisfaction is not simply about fun perks; it’s deeply rooted in having meaningful work, feeling valued, and bei...
Send us a text Ever felt overwhelmed by factors beyond your control, especially in leadership roles? Discover how to transform anxiety into growth by mastering what you can actually control. In our latest episode, we promise to equip you with the tools to redirect your energy and reactions towards productive pursuits. Drawing inspiration from thought leaders like Carol Dweck and Stephen Covey, we delve into the powerful realm of a growth mindset, turning failures into golden opportunities for...
Send us a text Discover the remarkable journey of Heath Horyna, whose career path took an unexpected turn from biologist to the Manager of Distribution Project Management at Evergy. Heath shares how a personal tragedy inspired him to seek new horizons, leading him from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to the electrical utility industry. His story is one of resilience, adaptability, and continuous growth, showcasing the power of leveraging past experiences to thrive in a new fie...
Send us a text Discover the incredible journey of James Williams, the regional public affairs manager for Black Hills Energy, as he shares how his early experiences with the American Red Cross shaped his passion for community service and energy education in Kansas. From his roots as a "Wichita kid" to becoming a pivotal figure in energy solutions and public affairs, James's story is a testament to the power of resilience and commitment. Hear firsthand about his role in responding to a major t...
Send us a text Amidst a whirlwind January, I find myself reflecting on how quickly time has passed and the impactful connections made along the way. From reconnecting with Leadership Kansas classmates to engaging with both longstanding and new clients, the month has been nothing short of exhilarating. As I gear up for workshops at the Kansas Park and Recreation Association conference, I'm reminded of the personal intentions I've set for the year. Instead of focusing on traditional goals, I'm ...
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