In this insightful episode, join Mary and Layci as they guide new graduates through the exciting yet often daunting transition from the academic world to the professional workforce. Discover why curiosity and the art of asking good questions are your most powerful assets as a fresh professional. Learn to embrace your unique perspective, overcoming the intimidation of limited experience, and leveraging it to pose insightful questions that drive growth. The conversation also delves into the transf...
Aug 05, 2025•16 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode of "Confessions of a Terrible Leader," Layci sits down with Blaine Heilman, the newest member of the Transcend Leadership Collective, to explore the remarkable stories of women breaking barriers in agriculture. From Blaine's beginnings as a "bin baby" in the Yakima Valley to becoming a trailblazer in a male-dominated industry, this conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs faced by women in Ag. Discover how mentorship, resilience, and a passion for innovation have shap...
Jul 15, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 4
In this high-impact, rapid-fire episode, Layci Nelson, founder of Transcend Leadership Collective, joins producer Mary Skop to take on one of the most persistent and toxic workplace challenges: gossip. From the psychology behind why it happens to the subtle signs it's infecting your culture, this episode is packed with real talk, leadership lessons, and practical tools for handling gossip in a way that builds clarity, trust, and accountability. 🧭 Ready to Lead Better? 👉 Visit TranscendLeadersh...
Jul 01, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Welcome back to Confessions of a Terrible Leader! In this episode, Layci chats with the brilliant Shermin Kruse—an author, professor, and TEDx producer. Dive into Shermin's personal journey of stoic empathy, a concept blending stoic resilience and empathic understanding, and how it shaped her leadership style. Get ready for practical tips on reading the room, emotional regulation, and leading with authenticity. Plus, an intimate confessional from Shermin sharing a pivotal moment from her childho...
Jun 17, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 2
In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, host Layci Nelson and producer Mary Skop break down the comprehensive services offered by Transcend Leadership Collective. Layci explains how the company employs a HHART-first leadership philosophy to provide customized solutions in strategic planning, coaching, and workshops. Learn how these services are designed to foster effective leadership, drive outcomes, and improve decision-making processes. Listen in to discover how Transcend can help...
Jun 03, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Embracing Challenges and Finding Purpose, feat. Terry Tucker of Motivational Check In this episode of 'Confessions of a Terrible Leader,' Layci welcomes Terry Tucker, an author, speaker, and former NCAA collegiate player. Together, they discuss the importance of being coachable, the invaluable lessons learned from facing adversity, and how failure can lead to immense personal growth. Terry shares his journey through cancer and how it has shaped his perspective on life and leadership. He also ref...
May 20, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 11
In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, host Layci Nelson and podcast producer Mary Skop dive into the topic of recession. They provide a layperson’s understanding of what a recession entails and discuss its typical duration and impact on various industries. Layci emphasizes the importance of clear communication, adaptability, and a collaborative approach in weathering economic downturns. The episode also introduces a unique 'zombie apocalypse survival plan' framework as a metaphor ...
May 06, 2025•19 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Breaking the Cycle: Identifying and Overcoming Toxic Work Cultures, feat. Suhein Beck In this episode of 'Confessions of a Terrible Leader,' host Layci Nelson interviews Suhein Beck, a speaker and entrepreneur passionate about multiculturalism in organizations. Suhein shares her unique journey from a refugee to a prominent leader and her obsession with cultivating harmonious cultures. Topics discussed include the concept of cultural quotient and tipping customs, the link between personal experie...
Apr 22, 2025•38 min•Season 4Ep. 9
In this episode of 'Confessions of a Terrible Leader', host Layci Nelson and producer Mary Skop dive into the challenges leaders face during uncertain times, especially with the current issue of tariffs. They discuss the importance of emotional regulation for leaders, recognizing signs of stress, and the significance of transparency and communication with the team. Layci emphasizes the need for leaders to reframe their thinking to remain grounded and help their teams feel secure. The conversatio...
Apr 01, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, Layci welcomes David Cohen, an organizational behavior expert with a doctorate from Boston University and additional studies at Harvard. David shares his extensive experience on how to map and understand the cultural DNA of organizations. They discuss the importance of leadership alignment with organizational values, the significance of integrity and respect across cultures, and the challenges in changing organizational culture. David also ope...
Mar 18, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Join Layci as she dives into the essential traits that define a world-class team. This episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader explores high-performance teams, healthy team dynamics, the importance of varied life experiences, and the role of innovation in achieving extraordinary results. Discover the concept of intrapreneurship and extreme ownership, and learn how intentional practice and leadership can cultivate a team that's truly killing it. Whether you're reconfiguring goals at the end o...
Mar 04, 2025•19 min•Season 4Ep. 6
In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, Layci welcomes Mayim Vega, a former NASA computer scientist turned holistic life coach and entrepreneur. They discuss Mayim's diverse background, her transition from a career in science to holistic health, and her journey managing nine children. Mayim shares her experiences dealing with high stress, migraines, and the inadequacies of conventional medical solutions, which led her to explore holistic healing. She highlights the importance of und...
Feb 19, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 5
In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, Layci and producer Mary reflect on the importance of vulnerability in leadership. Layci shares a poignant story about the time she continued onboarding a new team member right after her father's death in 2024, which led to significant challenges. They discuss the crucial lesson of knowing when to press pause, especially during personal crises, and the impact of prioritizing tasks effectively. Layci emphasizes giving oneself grace and the value...
Feb 05, 2025•17 min•Season 4Ep. 4
In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, Layci engages in an enlightening conversation with executive coach and author Rachel Burr. They delve into Rachel's new book, 'Butterfly Goo, The Down and Dirty Truth of Transformation,' and discuss the raw complexities of leadership. Rachel shares valuable insights on what executive coaching entails, emphasizing the importance of mindset, navigating ambiguity, and being true to oneself as a leader. They also address common leadership challeng...
Jan 29, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 3
In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, Layci talks with Yara Banks, a seasoned HR professional and author of 'Executive Blind Spots: How Misalignment with HR Can Impact Your Bottom Line.' Yara shares her career journey from studying criminal justice to becoming a key player in HR and operations. She discusses the common blind spots executives have regarding HR, the importance of involving HR in strategic planning, and the pitfalls of underutilizing HR professionals. The conversatio...
Jan 22, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Welcome to the inaugural episode of 'Confessions of a Terrible Leader' on YouTube! Join host Layci Nelson and producer Mary Skop as they discuss effective annual planning strategies for leaders. This episode delves into the importance of mindset, strategic planning, and setting up your team for a successful year. Layci shares insights on gathering market intelligence, paying attention to business constraints, and the importance of refining processes. Perfect for leaders and team managers aiming ...
Jan 08, 2025•21 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Hello, listeners! Producer Mary Skop here, just to say thank you so much for listening to Confessions of a Terrible Leader. We so appreciate you giving us some of your very valuable time, and making us part of your podcast listening experience. We want to show our appreciation by hosting a little giveaway to celebrate our listeners AND to celebrate the launch of our brand new YouTube channel! That’s right; Confessions of a Terrible Leader is making its debut on YouTube on Wednesday, January 8th,...
Dec 25, 2024•58 sec•Season 3Ep. 27
In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, Layci chats with Lynn Daniel, the CEO and founder of The Daniel Group. Lynn, a veteran in transforming customer journeys since 1989, dives into the dramatic evolution from customer service to customer experience. Discover how real-time feedback, employee engagement, and senior leadership can revolutionize your business. Lynn also shares his entrepreneurial highs and lows, the game-changing decision to hire a COO, and the courage to innovate. T...
Dec 18, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 26
In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, Layci engages in a profound conversation with Sharissa Deppin, CEO of Leadership Mastery Alliance. Sharissa specializes in empowering introverted servant leaders to thrive in a world often skewed towards extroverts. They delve into Sharissa’s journey from tech leadership to coaching, addressing the unique challenges and strengths of introverted leaders. They discuss practical strategies for introverts to advocate for themselves, the importance...
Dec 11, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 25
In this episode, Layci and Producer Mary discuss how leaders can finish strong during the busy holiday season. They emphasize the importance of recognizing the multiple commitments everyone has during this period, both at work and at home. Layci provides concrete steps for effective prioritization and maintaining productivity without burning out. The episode also covers the importance of meaningful gift-giving for employees and shares personal family traditions to remind listeners of the value o...
Dec 04, 2024•16 min•Season 3Ep. 24
CW: This episode mentions miscarriage and severe allergic reactions In this episode of 'Confessions of a Terrible Leader,' Layci engages in a heartfelt conversation with Melissa Hurrington, CFO and VP of Operations at Premiere Claims. Melissa shares her insights on female leadership empowerment and the complex balance between personal life and professional responsibilities. They discuss the challenges of maintaining authenticity in leadership roles and the importance of showing vulnerability. Me...
Nov 27, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 23
In this episode, Layci welcomes conflict resolution specialist and entrepreneur Amy Armstrong. Amy shares her journey from dealing with a painful divorce to becoming a trusted figure in resolving high-conflict situations, including personal disputes and court-ordered mediations. She emphasizes the importance of personal growth, self-management, and setting boundaries in her professional and personal life. Amy also discusses the challenges men and women face in accessing their emotions and the fa...
Nov 20, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 22
In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, producer Mary Skop chats with Layci about the timely topic of quiet quitting. They explore the concept, origins, and implications of quiet quitting, particularly noting how remote work post-lockdown has exacerbated the issue. They highlight the importance of leadership clarity, empathy, and genuine human connection in preventing quiet quitting. The discussion includes practical advice for leaders on setting clear expectations and creating a su...
Nov 13, 2024•21 min•Season 3Ep. 21
In this episode, Layci welcomes Chris Seifert, founder of Enabling Empowerment, a manufacturing executive advisor, and author. Chris shares his journey from submarine force leadership in the Navy to roles in manufacturing and consulting. They discuss the common struggles leaders face in root cause analysis and decision-making, highlighting the need for improved decision-making skills in complex environments. Chris explains how he developed a decision-making framework to empower leaders, emphasiz...
Nov 06, 2024•22 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Transition and Growth: From Family Business to Industry Leadership with Amber Kendrick In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, Layci welcomes Amber Kendrick, the third-generation business owner of Pete's Auto Parts, located in Michigan. Amber shares her journey from working in the family business, initially avoiding it to eventually falling in love with business growth during her tenure at a condominium management company. She discusses key experiences, including a lack of salary re...
Oct 30, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 19
In this episode of Confessions of a Terrible Leader, Layci sits down with Kathleen Donaldson, a mental health advocate and founder of the Trusted Adult Program. Kathleen shares her personal journey with mental health, beginning with her experiences with panic attacks at a young age. She discusses the challenges of navigating mental health stigma and the importance of community support. Kathleen's journey led her to create the Calm and Connected Toolkit, a resource designed to address mental heal...
Oct 23, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 18
CW: This episode discusses death and end-of-life care for loved ones. Imagine being a beginner chaplain in hospice care, surrounded by the profound experiences of life's final chapter. That's where Benjamin Kintisch found his inspiration for "Life Review," a musical that delves into the complexities of death and dying. From the initial spark of an idea to the final performance, Benjamin's journey was a testament to the power of teamwork and perseverance. Building a strong team was essential to b...
Oct 16, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 17
In this episode, Layci and Mary discuss the importance of strategic, annual, and quarterly planning for organizations. Layci also shares some tips on how to effectively implement these planning processes. Key Takeaways Strategic planning is essential for setting a clear direction for the organization and aligning the leadership team. Annual planning builds on the foundation laid by strategic planning, ensuring accountability and clarity in execution. Quarterly planning helps to maintain momentum...
Oct 09, 2024•25 min•Season 3Ep. 16
In this short episode, Producer Mary unpacks how Transcend Leadership Collective can help with strategic, quarterly, and annual planning for individuals and organizations. Discover how these planning methods can help you set clear goals, prioritize tasks, and achieve long-term success. Key Points: Strategic Planning: Provides a roadmap for long-term goals. Helps align resources and efforts. Ensures a clear direction for the future. Quarterly Planning: Breaks down strategic goals into manageable ...
Oct 02, 2024•3 min•Season 3Ep. 15
CW: This episode discusses pregnancy and birth trauma. Join us as we chat with the inspiring Parijat Deshpande, a pioneer in the field of medical trauma healing and founder of Ruvelle, a company that focuses exclusively on helping individuals heal from traumatic pregnancies and revolutionize their health moving forward. Parijat shares her journey from personal experience to becoming a leader in supporting women in having healthier pregnancies. Key Takeaways Breaking New Ground: Learn about Parij...
Sep 25, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 14
