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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.
61 Episodes
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In the newly launched Sunday Scaries to Sunday Strategy Series as part of the Leadership Tea Podcast, Belinda and Shelby help executives with tips to lean into the week and strategies for long-term professional growth. This episode highlights how to future-proof your career in an unpredictable world, focusing on four critical soft skills: digital fluency, influence without authority, cross-cultural communication, and purpose-driven career design. Not theory—practical habits, stories from Bel...
Airports jammed, paychecks paused, nerves frayed—crisis has a way of revealing what actually keeps leaders steady. Belinda and Shelby peel back the layers of the recent shutdown and run our lessons through “priority screening,” naming the habits and guardrails that matter when systems fail and people still need direction. First, Belinda and Shelby get practical about money. Financial fragility isn’t just stressful; it impairs judgment. They also challenge unbounded vulnerability. Empathy fue...
Belinda and Shelby are joined by tech policy and AI governance expert, Soribel Feliz, also known as The AI Therapist. Soribel tackles the anxiety currently gripping the professional world: fear of being replaced by artificial intelligence. If you're wondering what your kids should study, how to upskill mid-career, or how to maintain your mental health amid constant doom-and-gloom headlines, this episode is for you. Soribel discusses the legitimate concerns surrounding AI, from plagiarism in h...
Finding Growth in Discomfort: Strategies for Transition and Coping In this episode of the Leadership Tea Podcast, hosts discuss the challenges and growth opportunities during a shutdown. Shelby shares her experiences transitioning out of government work, dealing with introversion through networking, and finding new ways to communicate and cope during uncomfortable times. Belinda talks about the importance of focus for entrepreneurs, challenges in self-promotion, and breaking down larger goal...
Shelby and Belinda reflect on managing personal and professional lives amidst the prolonged government shutdown. They discuss its impacts, such as the end of SNAP benefits and continued layoffs at major companies. Shelby and Belinda also draw parallels between the resilience seen in the World Series and the mindset needed to navigate challenging times. They emphasize the importance of mutual support, filling each other's cups, and maintaining a 'game seven mentality' to stay motivated a...
Shelby and Belinda welcome a special guest, Ellen Tannor, a former senior diplomat who recently participated in the 'Repose, a Day of Reflection' retreat at Salamander Resort in Middleburg. Ellen shares her rich career experiences, including her service as a special agent and protective detail member for Secretary of State Colin Powell. Now pursuing a master’s degree in journalism at American University, Ellen reflects on her transition from being a diplomat and the importance of mental...
Belinda and Shelby discuss the ongoing challenges of the government shutdown and share personal strategies for maintaining hope and resilience. They reflect on the inspiration drawn from historical figures like Harriet Tubman and the symbolism of the Phoenix rising from the ashes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of fighting for joy, seeking peace, and building a support system during tough times. They also preview an upcoming episode about their recent experience at 'repose' ...
What if a shutdown could be your reset button? We sat down with digital strategist and communicator Afua Riverson to explore how a forced pause can surface buried passions, heal old narratives, and point you toward work that actually feels like yours. The conversation starts with a candid check-in on grief, time, and why a week of D’Angelo and 90s R&B can do more for your spirit than another round of headlines. From there, we trace a path many first-gen leaders know too well: the pressure...
Kimya Imani Jackson, PhD, joins Belinda and Shelby to discuss the emotional impact of professional grief. Amid the government shutdown and massive layoffs, it can feel impossible to move forward. How do you begin to build a new career when you're feeling a profound sense of loss? Kimya shares how she has found the motivation to pivot and reinvent herself throughout her storied career. And she provides science-backed strategies for processing professional loss and professional grief whil...
Shelby and Belinda discuss our personal experiences and emotional journey during the ongoing government shutdown. We share how the shutdown is affecting our households, businesses, and mental health. We talk about the importance of mental resilience and practical steps to cope with financial and emotional stress during uncertain times. We also introduce the Leadership Lounge, our new initiative created to build a supportive community for personal and professional growth. JOIN THE LEADER...
Shelby and Belinda discuss the need to shift focus from operational excellence to survival strategies in difficult times, such as the current federal government shutdown affecting many in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. We emphasize the importance of community, resilience, and mental health, and introduce our new Leadership Lounge on Substack, where you'll find deeper discussions and group coaching. We also highlight the emotional and financial impacts of furloughs on individuals a...
In our 50th episode 🎉, Shelby and Belinda discuss why courage is essential in today's professional landscape, and what it looks like when leaders are radically honest with themselves when "outwit, outlast, outplay" isn’t working. We share personal moments of reckoning, from defining what we don't want, to realizing when to leave work environments that no longer serve us. If you’re stuck in analysis paralysis and fear of the unknown, this conversation can help you find the courage ...
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 practices for protecting herself from energy vampires, defining (and refining) her core purpose or "golden thread," and the joy of setting boundaries. ALSO IN THIS EPISODE Staying grounded in an off-kilter worldPausing before you commit to a decisionLeavin...
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 experience being laid off after a 26-year career and launching her business, The Fendall Collaborative.Belinda introduces her new Clarity Lab initiative -- a group coaching program designed to help professionals navigate career transitions through community connections.She...
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 between shame and guilt, and the importance of creating space for people to be human in quickly changing, high-pressure environments. Whether you're an executive feeling the weight of constant pressure or a middle manager, this conversation offers practica...
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. How can you build trust and credibility when transitioning to a new leadership position? discuss strategies that have worked for us as we've navigated change management, tough conversations, financial restraints, and the dynamics of managing former pe...
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 you want to go. In other words, the tools and mindset that brought you success in the past might need a serious overhaul. Whether you're facing a forced career pivot, adapting to a restructured team, or aspiring to higher levels of leadership, this ...
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 years old. She graduated from high school with honors, earning a 4.3 GPA while excelling in varsity swim, varsity track and field, swimming on a year-round travel swim team, doing extra-curricular activities, community service, and working part-time as a lifeguard. Sh...
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 emphasize that while awareness of external events is important, protecting your inner peace and mental health is paramount to effectively show up for yourself and your teams. Embracing intentional self-care and a future-focused outlook can help you stay sane and le...
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 advocating for democracy and human rights in Eastern Europe. Hear how he stays grounded in his values, including his Quaker faith and his commitment to civil rights. He offers advice for leaders at every level on how to address toxic environments,...
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