Lead with HOPE

What does it mean to be "unbreakable" when life breaks your heart? Join host Dr. Brandi Kelly on this episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. Podcast as she welcomes guest Dana Killion, author of Unbreakable: A Big Sister’s Guide to Trauma.

In this deeply moving conversation, Dana shares her personal journey of resilience after navigating profound loss; including the end of a marriage, the loss of her parents, and the heartbreaking loss of a child. Together, Dr. Brandi and Dana discuss the practical steps to move from mere survival to true wholeness, purpose, an...

In this episode, Brandi Kelly discusses the importance of having a personal mission statement for effective leadership. She emphasizes that alignment with one's core values is essential to prevent burnout and maintain impact.

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Visit https://sparkhopeedu.com to schedule your complimentary call with Dr. Brandi Kelly

What does it take to grow as a leader, and how do you know when it is time for a change?

In this episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. Podcast, Dr. Brandi Kelly sits down with Dr. Dawn Bridges, Director of Professional Learning at the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), for an inspiring conversation about leadership growth, educational leadership, professional learning, resilience, mindset, and navigating change in education.

Dawn shares her leadership journey and the experiences that shaped how she leads today. Together, Brandi and...

Glenn Robbins, an award-winning superintendent and best-selling author, shares insights on finding calm in chaos, turning rejection into redirection, and applying ancient stoic wisdom in modern school leadership. He emphasizes the importance of family, mentors, and timeless principles in leadership. His books, 'Calm in the Chaos,' 'I Won't Back Down,' and 'Unclench Your Fist,' offer valuable lessons from historical leaders and personal experiences. Glenn finds hope in education through the dedication of kind-hearted individuals who work tirelessly for the betterment of children.

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In this episode, leadership coach Dr. Brandi Kelly talks with Will McLean, a principal navigating change and overthinking in leadership. They explore how to shed armor, trust oneself, and lead with authenticity amid challenges.

Keywords: leadership, coaching, overthinking, trust, change, education, self-awareness, leadership growth

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Rob Martinez, the resilience guy, shares his 38-year career journey from school psychologist to superintendent, emphasizing the importance of caring for people and building relationships. He highlights the value of resilience, hope, and positive leadership in the face of adversity.

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Connect with Rob Martinez @ [email protected]

Visit Spark HOPE Edu and Dr. Brandi Kelly @ sparkhopeedu...

In this episode of the Lead with Hope Podcast, Brandy Kelly shares the story of her brother Brandon, highlighting the importance of connection and community in overcoming life's challenges. She emphasizes that true strength lies in recognizing our need for others and encourages listeners to reach out and support one another.

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Join the HOPE Collective: https://sparkhopeedu.com...

Dr. Rebel Heasley shares her journey from nursing to leadership, overcoming adversity, and the power of intentional growth. She emphasizes the importance of mindset, resilience, and self-awareness in leadership and life.

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Join The HOPE Collective: https://sparkhopeedu.com/thehopecollective<...

The conversation explores the concept of hope and leadership, emphasizing the importance of self-care, reflection, and connection. It delves into personal stories, challenges, and the five R's of the Hope Reset, offering a practical tool for leaders to navigate difficult times. The hosts also introduce the Hope Collective, a coaching and networking opportunity for leaders.

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Matt Thoman shares his powerful journey of overcoming adversity and building mental toughness. He emphasizes the importance of intentional practice and positivity in achieving mental health and success. The conversation delves into the impact of mental health in athletics, education, and leadership, highlighting the need for intentional habits and a positive mindset.

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This episode of the Lead with HOPE Podcast is about embracing your story, the shaping power of experiences, and the renewed commitment to self-care and well-being. It emphasizes the connection between health and purpose, and the importance of prioritizing self-care as a leader.

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The conversation explores the evolution of leadership, the journey in education, leadership lessons from adversity, vulnerability, compassionate leadership, mindset work, writing and sharing personal stories, daily habits for personal growth, the importance of mentorship and coaching, transitioning beyond the principal role, and hope in the future of education.

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Dr. Brandi Kelly shares her personal reflections on her birthday and the goals she has set for the next year of her life. She emphasizes the importance of intentional living, health, focus, and presence in her journey of becoming the person she is called to be.

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In this episode, Dr. Brandi Kelly interviews Dr. Kyle Thompson, the superintendent of the Regional Office of Education #11. They discuss leadership, self-care, professional background, the transition to phone-free schools, the impact of cell phones on students, educating the public on screen time, and parenting in the digital age. The conversation covers themes of adversity, faith, habits, family-first culture, and the power of hope. Kyle shares personal experiences of facing adversity and how it has shaped his leadership. He also discusses the role of faith, the importance of habits, and the impact of a family-first culture in the workplace. The...

The episode explores the experience of feeling stuck and overwhelmed, providing practical leadership tools and emphasizing the importance of building hope. It introduces a five-step reset for navigating uncertainty and discusses the connection between leadership and hope, concluding with an invitation to join the Hope Collective for leadership development and support.

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Learn more about he Hope Collective by emailing Dr. Brandi Kelly @bkelly@sparkhopeedu...

The conversation with Todd Bloomer covers the importance of self-reflection, the impact of adversity on leadership, and the hope found in the next generation of young people. Todd shares insights on prioritizing self-care, creating healthy margins in life, and the power of scheduling priorities in the calendar. His journey from New York to San Antonio and the lessons learned from navigating adversity provide valuable takeaways for leaders and educators. The conversation emphasizes the need for principal coaching and the impact of resilience and high expectations on leadership. Todd's message resonates with the hope and potential of the next generation...

Dr. Brandi Kelly shares a powerful analogy of building a home to illustrate the importance of creating a blueprint for leadership. She emphasizes the need to dream, design, and build intentionally in order to become the leader one aspires to be.

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Visit sparkhopeedu.com and book a Leadership Clarity Call with Dr. Brandi Kelly

The Leadership Well Being Blueprint - Complimentary Resource

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In this episode, Phil Januszewski shares his journey from a physics teacher to a motivational speaker focused on helping educators and givers thrive without burnout. Discover practical strategies for building resilience, finding joy, and creating sustainable leadership in challenging times.

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00:00 Introduction to Phil Januszewski

01:14 Phil's Journey from Teaching to Speaking

02:17 Strategies for Avoiding Burnout

05:04 Adversity and Resilience in Education

06:55 Building Sustainable Habits

09:12 Finding Your Flow State

10:54 The Importance of Small Changes

15:15 Hope in Uncertain Times

16:34 Engaging...

Episode Summary

As school leaders prepare to welcome students and staff back this fall, it's easy to focus on schedules, staffing, professional learning, and school improvement plans. While those responsibilities are important, this episode offers a different perspective:

What if the most important thing you bring into your building this year is the hope you cultivate and the joy you model?

In this episode, Dr. Brandi Kelly explores why hope and joy are not simply emotions... they are intentional leadership strategies that shape school culture, strengthen resilience, and help...

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This episode of the Lead with Hope podcast features veteran leader, mentor, and speaker Vernon Wright. Dr. Brandi Kelly and Wright discuss the fundamental role of self-awareness and intentional connection in human-centered leadership. Wright shares insights from his journey, emphasizing that leadership is a lifelong process of "reflecting and refining" to elevate humanity.

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In this powerful episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. Podcast, Dr. Brandi Kelly explores a simple but transformational story about an elephant and a rope—and how it mirrors the invisible limits many leaders place on themselves.

You’ll hear how past experiences can quietly shape present beliefs, and how those beliefs often become the “rope” that holds us back long after we’ve grown beyond them. This episode challenges listeners to examine the internal narratives that limit growth, leadership confidence, and personal potential.

Through the lens of the H.O.P.E. System—...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the weight of leadership and life's challenges? In this episode of Lead with HOPE, we explore how hope, faith, and intentional habits can transform obstacles into opportunities for growth and purpose. Join us as Steve Warmer shares his journey from self-doubt to confident leadership, emphasizing the importance of community, mindset, and unwavering hope.

What if the reason your message isn't landing has nothing to do with your speaking skills and everything to do with your healing?

In this powerful episode of Lead with H.O.P.E., Dr. Brandi Kelly sits down with pastor, speaker, and speech coach David Swihart to uncover what separates forgettable presentations from messages that truly transform lives.

David shares the surprising truth about storytelling, why unresolved pain can undermine your impact, and how leaders can turn their experiences into messages that inspire action, connection, and purpose.

Danny Steele, a 31-year education veteran, shares insights on building a positive school culture, finding purpose in education, and the paradigm shift in school leadership. He discusses the power of redefining light bulb moments, making a difference, collaborating with Todd Whitaker, and finding hope in education.

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The conversation with Cyndy Walsh Rintzler, VP of Programs and Services at Inroads to Opportunities, explores the themes of embracing clarity and confidence, the power of hope in leadership, resilience and joy in adversity, finding joy in the journey, the impact of consistent empowerment, shifting mindset and paradigm, the role of mindset in leadership, cultivating habits for effective leadership, fostering encouragement and belief, defining success and excellence, recognizing unique gifts and talents, and finding hope in the helpers.

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The conversation with Karen Olson, founder and CEO of Family Promise, delves into the power of turning pain into purpose, the importance of persistence, overcoming adversity, finding purpose and passion, building community and kindness, hope in humanity, and concludes with a call to action.

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Links and Resources:

Coversari (Legacy Partner: https://www.conversaripress.com/

The conversation explores the journey of pain and purpose, highlighting the power of hope and leadership. It delves into facing unimaginable circumstances, finding purpose, taking micro steps, and leading at home and in business. The importance of self-care, reflection, and choosing how to respond to pain is emphasized, along with the message of finding hope and purpose in life.

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The conversation with Rachel Baker explores the themes of hope, resilience, and the power of connection. Rachel shares her journey, emphasizing the importance of daily best, acts of kindness, and the cultivation of hope and optimism. The discussion delves into the significance of self-awareness, prioritizing, and finding fulfillment in education. It also highlights the role of community, faith, and the impact of daily acts of kindness in fostering hope and resilience.

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What started as a podcast became a movement.

In this special 100th episode of Lead with H.O.P.E., Dr. Brandi Kelly reflects on the lessons, stories, and conversations that have shaped the journey. From the power of human connection to the responsibility of holding hope for others, this milestone episode is a reminder that leadership is less about programs and more about people.

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Are you feeling overwhelmed as a leader? Discover how focusing on joy can be an unexpected but powerful tool for inspiring your team and cultivating hope in education. In this episode, we explore superintendent George Philhower's innovative approach to leadership that emphasizes the importance of joy, connection, growth, and success—culminating in the inspiring annual Joy Jam conference.

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Dr. Brandi Kelly shares her journey of self-discovery and the importance of hope in leadership. She emphasizes the role of self-awareness, belief, and purpose in effective leadership, and introduces a system of hope to sustain leadership excellence.

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Feeling overwhelmed by leadership, burnout, or uncertainty about your purpose?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Eric Moyer explores how understanding your identity in Christ can transform the way you lead, grow, and navigate life’s challenges. Through a faith-based conversation on authentic leadership, biblical identity, and personal growth, listeners will discover practical strategies for overcoming counterfeit identities, aligning their principles and priorities with God’s truth, and leading with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose. This podcast episode offers encouragement for leaders seeking spiritual growth, leadership development, and hope while balancing the pressures of leadership and life transitions. Topi...

In this inspiring episode of Lead with H.O.P.E., Brandi Kelly reflects on two powerful experiences that reinforced a life-changing realization: she is no longer asking for a seat at the table—she’s changing the table.

Drawing from her experience attending the first-ever Mic Drop Live event and speaking at Full Armor Christian Academy, Brandi explores authentic leadership, courage, purpose, kindness, and the importance of creating healthier spaces for future generations.

This episode challenges listeners to stop shrinking themselves to fit environments that no longer align with their values and instead begin buil...

Episode SummaryIn this powerful interview, Michelle Sloan shares her journey from educator to leadership expert, revealing how purpose-driven leadership transforms schools from the inside out. She breaks down how principals can move beyond vision alone by building strong systems, cultivating belief, and leading with hope.

If you’re a school leader looking to create alignment, strengthen culture, and lead with clarity and intention, this conversation delivers practical strategies you can implement right away.

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You don’t need more leadership strategies... you need more self-awareness.

In this episode, Brandi Kelly unpacks one of the most overlooked gaps in leadership today: the lack of understanding around how you are actually wired. You can work hard, care deeply, and show up consistently and still feel misaligned, overwhelmed, or exhausted in your leadership.

Why? Because when you don’t understand yourself, you end up fighting yourself.

Brandi introduces the DISC Assessment as a practical tool to help leaders gain clarity around communication styles, decision-making patterns, and stre...

In this powerful and deeply reflective conversation, Brandi Kelly sits down with Preston Zeller to explore how grief, creativity, and faith intersect to shape leadership and purpose.

The conversation expands into faith, resilience, and technology as Preston introduces Psalm Log, an AI-powered biblical journaling and guidance app designed to help believers engage Scripture in a more personal, reflective, and accessible way.

Together, Brandi and Preston unpack what it means to lead through uncertainty, how to cultivate emotional and spiritual resilience, and why self-awareness is foundational for strong leadership.

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Have you ever had a moment where everything feels off—but you can’t explain why? Your energy shifts, your confidence dips, and suddenly you’re questioning yourself for no clear reason.

In this episode, Brandi Kelly unpacks what’s really happening in those moments: not external chaos, but internal thoughts running unchecked. Through a personal story and practical teaching, she introduces a simple but powerful 5-step Thought Audit to help you pause, notice, and shift the thoughts shaping your emotions and decisions.

This is the quiet work of leadership most people never talk about—the abilit...

In this inspiring episode of the Lead with Hope Podcast, we sit down with educator, author, and speaker Andrea Bittner to explore how hope-driven leadership transforms classrooms and lives. With over 20 years of experience supporting English learners (ELs), Andrea shares powerful stories, practical strategies, and mindset shifts that help educators foster inclusive, high-expectation learning environments.

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