Executive Hustle Podcast with Kirsten Yurich

Kirsten Yurich

The struggle is real.   Busy executives strive to do their best, be their best, and leave something left for "Act II" when they get home. This is the podcast explores the experiences and life journeys of local leaders. Each episode explores a facet of life, leadership, or learning in such a way that everyone listening walks away with at least one actionable way to level up their life.  

  1. Winning Isn't Beating Them. It's Beating You - Leading Teams with Lee Rubin

    14h ago

    Winning Isn't Beating Them. It's Beating You - Leading Teams with Lee Rubin

    In this episode of the Executive Hustle, former Nittany Lion and MVP Lee Rubin breaks it down. And I’m not talking football! As an alumni and fan, I wanted to – but we kept professional (mostly!). Lee Rubin was voted captain of just about every team he ever played on, including the Penn State Nittany Lions. Not because he was the biggest or the fastest. Because he embodied the principles his teammates were looking for, and he did them consistently. In this episode, Lee and I get into what actually builds a team that wins. We break down his Five C's framework, why winning has nothing to do with beating the other guy, and the one leadership skill nobody ever taught us. Lee shares the story of the CEO who made him feel heard 25 years ago, and how that one conversation still shapes how he shows up today. We also talk about why your team's real problem is rarely the problem, how chemistry gets forged under pressure instead of at happy hour, and what it looks like to stop performing the role of leader and start being one. If you have ever brought home someone else's leadership philosophy and wondered why it didn't stick, this one is for you.  Grab a coffee. This is a good one. Lee Rubin BIO: Lee Rubin is a keynote speaker and TEDx presenter known for his ability to help organizations understand the Five Components of Extraordinary Teams. For more than 30 years, he has been building high-performance teams in both corporate America and the collegiate sports world, setting the foundational cornerstone for a leadership and culture-building mindset that transforms a collection of talented individuals into extraordinary, machine-like teams. Lee’s foundation in teamwork was established early at Penn State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications with a minor in Business. As a college athlete, he served as Captain of the Nittany Lions football team and earned several accolades. Today, Lee is one of the most sought-after voices on team building, leadership development, and peak performance. He has delivered keynotes for leading Fortune 500 companies—including Johnson & Johnson, Sony, and JP Morgan—as well as colleges and organizations across the country. LinkedIn Website KIRSTEN YURICH BIO:  Kirsten is a licensed behavior analyst, speaker, author, and retired CEO who partners with business leaders to help them achieve more of what matters most to them. Kirsten’s clients are high performing CEOs, founders, and executives looking to “level up” in life and business.    Kirsten share’s her expertise in leadership, performance management, and learning with executives through coaching or consulting, peer groups, and speaking.   For more info, check out Kirsten Yurich HERE.

    52 min
  2. From the Body Blocker to Building Foundations with Carrie Traeger

    Apr 27

    From the Body Blocker to Building Foundations with Carrie Traeger

    In this episode of The Executive Hustle Podcast, Carrie Traeger and Kirsten dive deep into Carrie's long and successful career. Carrie has a gravatas that any person or team who knows her, benefits from. Carrie spent her early career as a body blocker. CFO of RDG Companies, 30+ years in one company, she thought loving her team meant standing in front of every hit coming their way. The hardest lesson of her career was learning to move aside. In this conversation, Carrie traces the shift from saving her people to letting them thrive, what 10 years on a local school board taught her about patience, why an ESOP is a leadership decision before it's a financial one.  A final treasure is hidden in the story of how her Rosie the Riveter grandmother still shapes the way she leads today. More gems in this episode, Carrie and Kirsten explore: ·      Dreams need foundations. A Thoreau quote from her valedictorian speech became the through-line of Carrie's career and her parenting. Dreaming is the easy part. The work underneath is what makes it real.  ·      Surround yourself with people who are better than you in their area of expertise and let them be better. Young leaders try to be the smartest in the room. Mature leaders build rooms full of smarter people.  ·      Local government moves slowly. Change in a school district requires patience in a way private business does not. Find out what Carrie uses to remember this lesson. ·      Teachers are heroes with responsibility and no authority. They sit alongside air traffic controllers and nurses as the most stressed roles in society, and we dismiss them with "but they have summers off."  ·      No one has expert status on people or technology. After three decades, Carrie still calls herself a novice in both. That humility is a feature, not a bug.   Carrie Traeger BIO: Carrie Traeger is the Chief Financial Officer of RDG Companies, a Central Pennsylvania real estate development and property management firm with nearly 300 employee owners and more than 6.5 million square feet under management. She has spent 31 years inside one company, growing from staff accountant into a CFO seat that oversees Corporate Accounting, IT, HR, Payroll, and Support Staff. A two-time Penn State graduate with a B.S. in Accounting and an MBA, Carrie has served the community in many ways.  She spent 10 years on the South Eastern School District Board of Directors. She lives in near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with her husband Paul and has two thriving adult children. Carrie recently took up painting and enjoys spending time in her new home library. LinkedIn Website KIRSTEN YURICH BIO:  Kirsten is a licensed behavior analyst, speaker, author, and retired CEO who partners with business leaders to help them achieve more of what matters most to them. Kirsten’s clients are high performing CEOs, founders, and executives looking to “level up” in life and business.    Kirsten share’s her expertise in leadership, performance management, and learning with executives through coaching or consulting, peer groups, and speaking.   For more info, check out Kirsten Yurich HERE.

    40 min
  3. Stop Being Indispensable, Start Being Effective. With Rebecca Richwine

    Mar 6

    Stop Being Indispensable, Start Being Effective. With Rebecca Richwine

    In this episode of The Executive Hustle Podcast, Rebecca Richwine and Kirsten cover life, leadership, the unexpected and everything in between. Becki Richwine spent 20 years learning that over-functioning isn't leadership. As SVP of Operations at Merakey, she scaled children's services across six states and 800+ employees, but her biggest growth came when she stopped trying to control everything and started building teams she could trust. When her own teen son struggled to find mental health support, she channeled that pain into True Self Therapy, a virtual platform now serving teens and young adults across Pennsylvania. Her advice to leaders: delegate earlier, distribute pressure intentionally, embrace failure as fuel, and remember that being indispensable will only take you so far.  For the rest of her journey, advice, and impact tune in for the full conversation.  Rebecca’s BIO: Rebecca “Becki” Richwine is the Senior Vice President of Children & Family Services at Merakey, where she oversees program operations and leads clinical and business development. She joined Merakey in 2007 and has held multiple leadership roles, helping expand and improve services for children and families. Becki holds a BA in Psychology and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology with a focus on behavioral and social-emotional disorders, and has over 20 years of experience in human services.   For more info on Rebecca and Merakey: LinkedIn Website TrueSelf Therapy KIRSTEN YURICH BIO:  Kirsten is a licensed behavior analyst, speaker, author, and retired CEO who partners with business leaders to help them achieve more of what matters most to them. Kirsten’s clients are high performing CEOs, founders, and executives looking to “level up” in life and business.    Kirsten share’s her expertise in leadership, performance management, and learning with executives through coaching or consulting, peer groups, and speaking.   For more info, check out Kirsten Yurich HERE.

    45 min
  4. “Clear Is Kind: What a Cell Phone Ban Can Teaches Us About Policy Implementation:” A Superintendent’s Journey with Stacy Winslow

    Jan 9

    “Clear Is Kind: What a Cell Phone Ban Can Teaches Us About Policy Implementation:” A Superintendent’s Journey with Stacy Winslow

    SUMMARY:  In this episode, Kirsten interviews Stacy Winslow, Superintendent of Derry Township School District. She shares her journey from a seven-year-old who knew she'd be a life-long teacher to leading one of Pennsylvania's most innovative districts. She opens up about stepping into the superintendent role just months after COVID shut everything down, why she implemented one of the area's first cell phone bans, and how her team uses data and the "five-person rule" to separate noise from real concerns. The conversation covers belonging, transformation, and the courage it takes to make unpopular-but-right decisions.   Derry Township was one of the first districts in the region to implement a bell-to-bell cell phone ban, which she calls a game-changer for student engagement.  Stacy led the district through and out of COVID, successfully. Stacy shares, "Everything's a season. And you have to take care of yourself in the season because there's going to be stuff on the other side of it."    The conversation highlights some important lessons for leaders, including:  ·      Frameworks let you innovate within constraints. You don't have to blow up the system to transform it. ·      Remember that every hard season has another side. Take care of yourself in the season, not after. ·      Be courageous, not fearless. Fear is fine. Do the right thing anyway. ·      Don't let people live rent free in your head. Easier said than done—but essential for longevity. ·      Triangulate your data. Don't trust one survey or one source. Look for patterns across multiple inputs before acting.  ·      You cannot over-communicate. Say it until they mock how you say it. That's when it's starting to land. ·      Your kid's life unfolds in chapters. One hard chapter doesn't make a bad book. Help them title it and move on to the next one.   Stacy Winslow BIO:    Dr. Stacy Winslow is the Superintendent of schools for Derry Township School District. The 2024-25 school year is the start of her 4th year in this role and her 12th year in the district. She has 32 years of experience in education, with 14 of these years serving as an administrator. Dr. Winslow began her career as a social studies teacher at Manheim Township School District where she taught in grades 7-12 and a multitude of subjects throughout her 19 years in the classroom. Dr. Winslow has a passion for curriculum and building strong systems in schools that allow all students to have opportunity for rigorous coursework and instruction. She has worked to ensure that professional learning is an integral part of the districts she has served to ensure that adult learning remains innovative and continuous, thus enhancing student learning. Dr. Winslow earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies Education from Elizabethtown College, a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning from Penn State University and her Doctoral in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University.  As the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Winslow is dedicated to providing the highest quality of education, promoting innovation, and remaining fiscally responsible to the community she serves.  Dr. Winslow is happily married and the proud mother of two adult daughters. She enjoys time in nature, hiking and biking, reading and spending time with family.   For more info on Stacy: Linked In Website Instagram Facebook KIRSTEN YURICH BIO:  Kirsten is a licensed behavior analyst, speaker, author, and retired CEO who partners with business leaders to help them achieve more of what matters most to them. Kirsten’s clients are high performing CEOs, founders, and executives looking to “level up” in life and business.    Kirsten share’s her expertise in leadership, performance management, and learning with executives through coaching or consulting, peer groups, and speaking.   For more info, check out Kirsten Yurich HERE.

    46 min

  5. 11/14/2025 ·  Bonus

    Leading Others: The 3rd Simple Thing Successful Leaders Do Well.

    In the final installment of this 3-part series "Master These Three Things to Be a Successful Leader," we tackle the leadership paradox that stops most executives cold: You got here by DOING, but your next chapter is about BEING.  It is your being that is the key to leading others well. Discover the three vital levers that transform a group of individuals into an unstoppable team - and why your 11-year-old should understand your mission statement. A few things we unpack in this Bonus - solo episode:  Clarity: Because ambiguity and alignment cannot co-exist (and confused people always underperform)It's you or the system (rarely the people): Your broken system is producing broken results - it's the system 9 times out of 10, not your peopleBe Unsexy: The least sexy but most effective CEO move: institutionalizing weekly excellence cadencesThis and more - don't listen without a notebook nearby! KIRSTEN YURICH BIO:  Kirsten is a licensed behavior analyst, speaker, author, and retired CEO who partners with business leaders to help them achieve more of what matters most to them. Kirsten’s clients are high performing CEOs, founders, and executives looking to “level up” in life and business.    Kirsten share’s her expertise in leadership, performance management, and learning with executives through coaching or consulting, peer groups, and speaking.   For more info, check out Kirsten Yurich HERE.

    22 min
  6. “We Transform Lives, We Don't Fix People:” An Interview with Mary Quinn

    10/24/2025

    “We Transform Lives, We Don't Fix People:” An Interview with Mary Quinn

    SUMMARY:  In this episode, Kirsten interviews Mary Quinn, President and CEO of YWCA Greater Harrisburg. Mary shares her journey from government relations to leading an $8 million nonprofit serving 10,000 individuals annually. This powerful conversation explores the evolution of her leadership philosophy through personal tragedy, the difference between seeking feedback versus consensus, and how to maintain mission clarity while addressing complex social issues like human trafficking and domestic violence in our communities.   The conversation highlights some important lessons for leaders, including:  ·      The journey to soliciting feedback vs needing consensus  ·      Strength through tragedy ·      Staying one layer removed helps leaders lead effectively without being consumed ·      Finding your truth north within a broader mission   Mary Quinn BIO:  Mary Quinn is the President and CEO of the YWCA Greater Harrisburg, a 24/7 essential service provider that reaches more than 30,000 individuals each year. In this role, she leads with purpose-driven vision, ensuring the organization delivers high-quality programs while maintaining strong fiscal stewardship. As the YWCA’s primary spokesperson, Mary represents the organization to the community, board of directors, major donors, and YWCA USA. She oversees strategic planning, organizational operations, and financial management, guiding the YWCA’s mission to create lasting impact in the region. Mary was named to Central Penn Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2018 and recognized as one of Harrisburg Magazine’s Top Rising Leaders in 2015. She holds a Master of Public Administration and a graduate-level certification in Leadership and Human Resource Management from Penn State University. Originally from Michigan, Mary has called Harrisburg home for more than 25 years. For more info on Mary and the YWCA: Linked In Website KIRSTEN YURICH BIO:  Kirsten is a licensed behavior analyst, speaker, author, and retired CEO who partners with business leaders to help them achieve more of what matters most to them. Kirsten’s clients are high performing CEOs, founders, and executives looking to “level up” in life and business.    Kirsten share’s her expertise in leadership, performance management, and learning with executives through coaching or consulting, peer groups, and speaking.   For more info, check out Kirsten Yurich HERE.

    50 min
  7. From Radio Waves to Leadership Stages: The Power of Raising Your Hand with Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams

    10/10/2025

    From Radio Waves to Leadership Stages: The Power of Raising Your Hand with Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams

    In this episode, Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams, President and CEO of Central Penn College and Kirsten, discuss Linda's remarkable journey from radio personality "Lynn Kelly" to leading a $19 million educational institution forging a new path in today’s changing secondary education landscape. This conversation explores the intersection of motherhood and executive leadership, the power of vulnerability in building authentic partnerships, and practical strategies for navigating the executive hustle while maintaining work-life integration. Listen as we dive deeper into the following:  1. Raise Your Hand and Stay Open to Opportunities – a means to getting to the top. 2. Most Leadership Stress is Self-Imposed – the path inward is the longest. 3. Ask for Help and Integrate, Don't Separate – the narratives that hold us back. 4. Vulnerability Creates Connection, Not Weakness – use this as a superpower. 5. No One Tells Your Story Better Than You – a lesson every leader must learn.   Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams BIO:  Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams became Central Penn College’s 10th president in June 2018, bringing with her a renewed vitality and commitment to excellence. Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams has focused on improving the student learning experience inside and outside the classroom. Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams artfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthened the college's financial position despite a universally challenging time for higher education. She also developed innovative new programs and certificates to help meet local workforce needs. Dr. Fedrizzi-Willliams addressed systemic concerns about college affordability by having Central Penn College pioneer a free housing scholarship to students in good academic and judicial standing. Dr. Fedrizzi was named one of the “Top 20 Leaders in Career Education” by the national Career Education Review in 2022 and was one of three people to receive the Top People Changing Career Education Award in September 2025. She was honored as one of the region's “Power 100” by Central Penn Business Journal in 2023, 2024, and 2025, she serves on the boards of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, the Presidents’ Advisory Board for the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, and Career Education Colleges and Universities Legislative Committee, and she was chosen as a 2021 recipient of the “Woman of Influence Award” from Central Penn Business Journal. Dr. Fedrizzi earned a Doctor of Education from Benedictine University, a Master of Arts in Organizational Communication and a Bachelors of Arts in Communication from Marist College, and an associate of arts from SUNY Orange. Dr. Fedrizzi is married to Glen Williams, and they have two sons, Jake, 17 and Luke 15, and a spoiled Weimaraner named Oakley. For more info on Linda: Linked In Website OfficeOfThePresident@centralpenn.edu  KIRSTEN YURICH BIO:  Kirsten is a licensed behavior analyst, speaker, author, and retired CEO who partners with business leaders to help them achieve more of what matters most to them. Kirsten’s clients are high performing CEOs, founders, and executives looking to “level up” in life and business.    Kirsten share’s her expertise in leadership, performance management, and learning with executives through coaching or consulting, peer groups, and speaking.   For more info, check out Kirsten Yurich HERE.

    42 min

  8. 09/12/2025 ·  Bonus

    Why being the "nice guy" leader isn't enough—How to master the systems and processes that drive real business impact.

    Senior leaders don't fail from lack of effort—they fail from building weak systems and tracking the wrong results. This episode breaks down the essential domain of "leading things" and reveals why your ability to harness systems and processes determines whether you (and your organization) will thrive or just survive. Part of the essential 3-domain leadership framework: Leading Yourself, Leading Teams, and Leading Things. Key Takeaways: Get ruthlessly clear on what winning looks like — Not generic KPIs, but precise, business-critical outcomes that everyone can understand and rally behindDesign systems so simple they actually get used — The strongest systems succeed through radical simplicity, not complexity. Make performance visual, public, and trackablePractice real accountability starting with yourself — Before pointing fingers when things go wrong, ask "How did I set my team up for success?" True accountability begins with leadership ownershipFocus on people, process, and product — When you nail these three fundamentals, the profits take care of themselves For more on "CUJO" and Debrief to Win:  https://robertteschner.com/  KIRSTEN YURICH BIO:  Kirsten is a licensed behavior analyst, speaker, author, and retired CEO who partners with business leaders to help them achieve more of what matters most to them. Kirsten’s clients are high performing CEOs, founders, and executives looking to “level up” in life and business.    Kirsten share’s her expertise in leadership, performance management, and learning with executives through coaching or consulting, peer groups, and speaking.   For more info, check out Kirsten Yurich HERE.

    17 min
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The struggle is real.   Busy executives strive to do their best, be their best, and leave something left for "Act II" when they get home. This is the podcast explores the experiences and life journeys of local leaders. Each episode explores a facet of life, leadership, or learning in such a way that everyone listening walks away with at least one actionable way to level up their life.  

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