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The Culture Soup Podcast®️

L Michelle Smith
  • 5.0 (11)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

This show airs in 70+ countries and boasts more than 315 episodes. It can be streamed on Apple Podcast and is in audio and video formats and it can also be hear whereever fine podcasts stream. It's where tech, culture and business collide. Executive producer, host and creator L. Michelle Smith has been interviewing her friends that exemplify innovation and thought leadership at the intersection of tech, culture and business, and sometimes, she shares her own thoughts based on trending conversations and hashtags. Called one of the best Black podcasts to binge by BLAVITY & AfroTech and listed as one of the podcasts you can't miss by Black Enterprise, binge it now.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Call and Response Conversation w/ Cynt Marshall

    If you couldn't be in the room, now's your chance to be a part. TOMORROW at noon, Thursday, March 5 we'll be streaming video of the kickoff to the Call and Response book tour that happened at the Barnes & Noble bookseller at Hillside Village on multiple platforms. It will be featured here on Linkedin, so grab your colleagues, family and friends and bring a journal: Cynt Marshall and I will be holding class, a different kind of Sunday School, not about religion, and not on a Sunday. It's all about a leadership revival during a time where harsh leadership trends, values misalignment, character failures and more are breaking trust at every level in business and beyond. Return to heart-centered leadership with us on The Culture Soup Podcast, because episode 199 is the live recording of that Feb 11th book event. It's guest hosted by my friend and former colleague Neil Foote of Foote Communications. Settle in for the hour, and light up the chat. I'll be in the chat live to answer your questions. The video and audio will also stream across all podcast platforms beginning at noon as well. Call and Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church is a collaboration between Amistad Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishing and JVL Media, the brainchild of the incomparable Viola Davis, Julius Lennon and Lavaille Lavette. Purchase your copy or audiobook ahead of the stream and follow along as we go!

    1h 38m
  2. A LIVE Call and Response Conversation w/Cynt Marshall

    2D AGO

    A LIVE Call and Response Conversation w/Cynt Marshall

    The Culture Soup Podcast® Live from Barnes & Noble: Call & Response — 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church In this special live episode of The Culture Soup Podcast®, L. Michelle Smith celebrates the launch of her newest book, Call & Response: Ten Leadership Lessons from the Black Church, recorded live at Barnes & Noble in Cedar Hill, Texas. Joined by trailblazing executive and former Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall, L. Michelle explores how leadership principles rooted in the Black church tradition translate into powerful lessons for modern leaders in business, community, and culture. Blending storytelling, neuroscience, positive psychology, and leadership strategy, this conversation highlights how cultural traditions can shape resilient, innovative, and heart-centered leadership. In This Episode Values as a Leadership North Star L. Michelle shares the three values that guide her leadership and decision-making: faith, family, and freedom. Values act as non-negotiables that help leaders determine when to say yes—and when to say no. Community: The Antidote to Isolation Strong leadership cultures are built on connection. Drawing from neuroscience, L. Michelle explains how human bonding and trust strengthen teams and create environments where people move together with shared purpose. Collaboration and Emotional Intelligence Great collaboration requires emotional awareness, cultural understanding, and trust. The conversation highlights how early experiences in community environments—like church choirs—can sharpen the emotional intelligence leaders rely on in the boardroom. Creativity and Innovation Innovation often emerges from constraint. Leaders who cultivate calm, focused thinking create the mental space needed for insight, creativity, and new ideas. Resilience That Builds Strength Resilience isn’t simply pushing through adversity. L. Michelle shares a powerful practice for navigating challenges: Name it – Identify what’s happening and the emotions attached to it Tame it – Process the experience rather than suppress it Reframe it – Discover the opportunity or lesson within it A Leadership Framework Throughout Call & Response, L. Michelle introduces three pillars of leadership growth: Self Work – mastering purpose, mindset, and personal leadership Relationship Work – building trust, collaboration, and community World Work – using leadership to create meaningful impact Learn More To learn more about Call & Response: Ten Leadership Lessons from the Black Church, visit: lmichellesmith.com/callandresponse There you can explore the Call & Response leadership curriculum, designed for corporations, universities, and ministries, and submit a speaker request to bring L. Michelle Smith to your organization or event.

    49 min
  3. A Little Me Time

    JAN 29

    A Little Me Time

    In the first episode of year seven of the Culture Soup Podcast, L. Michelle Smith sits down with equity strategist, author, and Waymaker Change Group founder Tara Jaye Frank for a timely and deeply personal conversation about leadership, grief, obedience, and self-preservation. They explore the making of Tara’s new book, You Are Before the World: Lessons on Doing Good Without Being Undone, including why she chose to self-publish, how the aftermath of the 2024 election reshaped her work, and what it means to redefine helping in ways that no longer wound the helpers. This conversation unpacks the emotional and spiritual labor carried by Black women, the reality behind the 92 percent, and why boundaries, integrity, and trust matter more than performance. Together, they reflect on surrender, mission-driven work, and remembering who you were before the world placed its demands on you. This episode is for leaders, helpers, creatives, and change agents who are asking how to continue doing good without losing themselves in the process.

    49 min
  4. Full Circle: The Leadership Episode

    11/21/2025

    Full Circle: The Leadership Episode

    In this third installment of the Leadership Revival Series, L. Michelle Smith brings the journey full circle. After exploring history & culture in Part 1 and applied science in Part 2, today’s episode takes us into the final pillar of the Call & Response Leadership Revival Framework: leadership theory. This episode weaves together research, lived experience, and a deeply personal full-circle story that became a turning point in the creation of Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church (Amistad Books/HarperCollins, Feb 2026). You’ll hear: Why leadership theory is finally naming what many leaders have lived for generations How self-work, relationship work, and world work become the backbone of leadership with heart A powerful reading of L. Michelle’s essay, “When You Receive the Language for What You’ve Lived” A moving sidebar featuring her early connection with Abby West, now VP & Editorial Director at Amistad Books A special clip from Episode 161, “The Sound of Progress,” exploring storytelling, sound, community, and cultural leadership How one unexpected conversation led directly to the acquisition of Call & Response This is the episode where everything clicks — the moment theory, story, science, and culture meet in a single, resonant truth: Leadership isn’t changing. It’s returning. To community. To connection. To courage. To heart. And this episode marks that return. IN THIS EPISODE Part 3 of the Leadership Revival Series Leadership theory explained through a cultural, scientific, and human lens What it means to “receive the language for what you’ve lived” Why narrative and sound have always been leadership technologies How L. Michelle’s relationship with Abby West helped bring Call & Response to life The moment everything came full circle ABOUT THE BOOK Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church By L. Michelle Smith Amistad Books / HarperCollins | JVL Media Releases February 10, 2026 Pre-order & learn more: lmichellesmith.com/callandresponse FOLLOW & CONNECT Website: lmichellesmith.com Instagram: @lmichellespeaks LinkedIn: L. Michelle Smith Join SOAR Academy for leadership tools & resources

    19 min

  5. 09/26/2025

    Ep 196 w/Finding Your Giant Steps When the Ground Feels Shaky

    he Class of 2025 is shaken. Join me and Leilani M. Brown as we unpack how today’s grads can shift with intention—despite a wobbly job market. Practical tools, straight talk & career clarity await. Let’s talk about your giant steps forward.

    41 min
  6. Finding Your Giant Steps When the Ground Feels Shaky with Lelani Brown

    09/25/2025 · VIDEO

    Finding Your Giant Steps When the Ground Feels Shaky with Lelani Brown

    ???? Episode SummaryThe job market isn’t giving today’s college seniors much to smile about—and that includes the Class of 2025. On this timely and powerful episode of The Culture Soup Podcast®, L. Michelle Smith welcomes leadership expert and author Leilani M. Brown for a heart-to-heart on what it takes to launch strong, even in uncertain times. With candor, warmth, and serious know-how, Leilani unpacks what students, families, employers—and even leaders—need to understand about the transition from campus to career. You’ll hear about the emotional toll of today’s job market, what matters most to Gen Z job seekers, and how both individuals and organizations can shift with intention. ???? Show ShoutoutsPeople Mentioned Leilani M. Brown – Guest, author, CEO of Giant Steps LLCL. Michelle Smith – Host, author, executive coachLeilani’s son – Class of 2025, mentioned as a source of inspirationParents & college students – Broad shoutout to listeners navigating this landscapeOrganizations & Institutions Giant Steps LLC – Leilani’s consulting and leadership firmSpelman College – Both Leilani and L. Michelle are alumnaeHoward University – Mentioned in context of the HBCU communityThe Culture Soup Podcast® – In its 8th year, hosted by L. Michelle SmithThe Circle – L. Michelle’s leadership growth and coaching communityNSC Coaching – Executive & personal coaching firm founded by L. MichelleSOAR Academy – Digital learning platform for leadersBooks From Campus to Career – Career launch guide for young professionals by LeilaniYour Giant Steps – Leilani’s latest book on professional clarity and growthNo Thanks: 7 Ways to Say I’ll Just Include Myself – L. Michelle’s bestselling bookCultural/Professional Themes Class of 2025 – Core focus of the episodeGrit, grace, gumption – Leilani’s leadership mantraPurpose, performance, people – Three pillars for career success“The kids are not alright” – Referenced as a cultural truth“You’re not stuck—you’re shifting” – A powerful Leilani quote echoed by L. Michelle???? Learn MoreLeilani M. Brown – leilanimbrown.comL. Michelle Smith & The Culture Soup Podcast® – lmichellesmith.com/theculturesouppodcastJoin The Circle – lmichellesmith.com/thecircle

    41 min

  7. 08/22/2025

    Valorie Burton on Rules of Resilience | The Culture Soup Podcast Live

    Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about building a system that makes you stronger, wiser, and better. Join me for Episode 195 of The Culture Soup Podcast with my mentor coach and longtime friend, Valorie Burton, bestselling author of Rules of Resilience. We’ll unpack 10 practical rules for thriving through uncertainty and leading with authenticity. This extended edition streams live this Thursday.

    49 min
  8. Rules of Resilience

    08/21/2025 · VIDEO

    Rules of Resilience

    In this episode, I welcome back my dear friend of more than 25 years, Valorie Burton — bestselling author of 14 books, CEO of the Coaching and Positive Psychology (CaPP) Institute, and my mentor coach. Valorie joins me to talk about her newest release, Rules of Resilience: 10 Ways Successful People Get Better, Wiser, and Stronger, dropping September 16, 2025. Together we explore why resilience is more than a buzzword, how it looks in real life (hint: sometimes messy), and why it’s a system you can strengthen with intentional practices. ✨ What You’ll Learn Why resilience isn’t about being “tough” but about getting back up — even when it’s messy. How cognitive distortions like catastrophizing can derail you, and the tools to counter them. The critical link between values, purpose, and resilience. Why resilience should be taught in schools and practiced in organizations. How Valorie applied her own rules while writing the book, facing down her inner “gremlins.” The bonus rule: paying resilience forward to your peers, family, and future generations.

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

This show airs in 70+ countries and boasts more than 315 episodes. It can be streamed on Apple Podcast and is in audio and video formats and it can also be hear whereever fine podcasts stream. It's where tech, culture and business collide. Executive producer, host and creator L. Michelle Smith has been interviewing her friends that exemplify innovation and thought leadership at the intersection of tech, culture and business, and sometimes, she shares her own thoughts based on trending conversations and hashtags. Called one of the best Black podcasts to binge by BLAVITY & AfroTech and listed as one of the podcasts you can't miss by Black Enterprise, binge it now.

Information

  • Creator
    L Michelle Smith
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    205
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 The Culture Soup Podcast®️
  • Show Website
    The Culture Soup Podcast®️
  • Provider
    no silos communications llc