Psych Leadership - A division of Rise Up Academics

Luke UpChurch
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From graduation caps to corner offices, the journey is anything but straightforward. The Psych Leadership Podcast blends real-world leadership experience with the science of human behavior to help you navigate work, life, and the space between. Whether you’re a recent graduate finding your footing or a seasoned professional looking to lead with greater impact, each episode delivers practical strategies grounded in psychology — from mastering first impressions and building resilience to influencing without authority and shaping your long-term career path. Host Luke UpChurch, a business leader and psychology graduate, draws from 28+ years in organizational leadership, process improvement, and talent strategy to bring you insights that work in the real world. Because leadership isn’t just for the people with the title — it’s a mindset, a skillset, and a toolkit you can start using today. Would these types of insights help your team grow? Consider booking a consultation with Psych Leadership!

  1. Leading Without the Title

    MAR 17

    Leading Without the Title

    Send us Fan Mail Titles are cheap, but influence is earned. In this episode, we break down the Psychology behind leading without authority, and why trust, reliability, and shared ownership drive real impact inside teams. Don't wait for the title or the money to fall into Place before you step into a leadership role within your team.  Przepiórka, A. (2025). The Resonant Organization: Informal Leadership, Strategy, and the Power of Silent Authority. Dinkum Journal of Social Innovations, 4(01), 43–50.Bilgin, E.L. (2025). Emergent Leadership. Junior Management Science, 10(2), 402–423.Liu et al. (2025). Political skill and informal leader emergence. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology.Journal of Business and Psychology (2025). Leadership Dynamics in Teams: The Reciprocity of Shared and Empowering Leadership.Van den Berg, B.J. (2025). The Relevance of Self-Leadership and Informal Leadership. GPR Journals.Support the show Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.  Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

    19 min
  2. Why Trust in a Superpower in Teams

    MAR 3

    Why Trust in a Superpower in Teams

    Send us Fan Mail What drives high team performance in today’s workplace? In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the science of trust in teams and why trust is one of the most powerful predictors of creativity, innovation, autonomy, and sustainable organizational performance. Grounded in industrial and organizational psychology research, this conversation breaks down how high-trust environments create psychological safety, strengthen team dynamics, and increase knowledge sharing across functions. Trust is directly linked to: • Psychological safety in the workplace • Creative problem-solving and innovation • Employee engagement and intrinsic motivation • Autonomy and decision-making confidence • Knowledge sharing and collaboration • Bench strength and organizational resilience When trust is present, teams move from compliance to commitment. Individuals feel safe taking interpersonal risks, sharing ideas, admitting mistakes, and contributing beyond their formal role. When trust is absent, performance stalls, creativity shrinks, and collaboration becomes transactional. We also discuss practical leadership strategies for building trust within teams, including micro-behaviors that increase relational credibility, reduce defensiveness, and strengthen workplace culture in the short term. If you are interested in leadership development, team effectiveness, workplace culture, psychological safety, or organizational performance, this episode provides research-backed insights and actionable tools you can implement immediately. Trust is not a soft skill. It is a structural driver of team performance. Listen now to learn how to build high-trust teams that outperform. Support the show Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.  Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

    28 min
  3. Emotional Intelligence at Work

    FEB 17

    Emotional Intelligence at Work

    Send us Fan Mail Emotional Intelligence at Work goes beyond the buzzword to explore what EI actually looks like in real workplaces, especially for students, recent graduates, and those early in their careers. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we break down emotional intelligence through an industrial–organizational psychology lens, focusing on how emotions show up at work, how they influence behavior, and how to manage them effectively. We’ll talk about the transition from school environments, where emotional expression and conflict often look very different, into professional spaces that require regulation, perspective-taking, and intentional communication. You’ll learn how to recognize emotional triggers, respond rather than react, and navigate emotionally charged situations with coworkers, managers, and teams—without suppressing who you are. This episode blends research-backed psychology with practical reflection points to help you build emotional intelligence that supports both your career growth and your well-being. Support the show Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.  Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

    23 min
  4. Comparison is stealing your joy

    FEB 3

    Comparison is stealing your joy

    Send us Fan Mail Comparison is everywhere…grades, internships, job offers, career milestones, and social media highlights. For students and early-career professionals, constant comparison can quietly erode self-esteem, motivation, and confidence. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the psychology of comparison, self-esteem, and identity development through the lens of Social Comparison Theory and modern psychological research. You’ll learn why comparison is a natural human tendency, how it becomes harmful in academic and workplace settings, and why it often leads to anxiety, burnout, and impostor feelings—especially during high school, college, and early career transitions. This episode goes beyond awareness and focuses on application. We break down research-backed strategies for managing comparison, strengthening self-worth, and shifting toward healthier self-evaluation, intrinsic motivation, and self-compassion. You’ll walk away with practical tools to recognize unhelpful comparison patterns and refocus on your own growth, values, and progress. If you’re feeling stuck, behind, or questioning your path because of how others seem to be doing, this episode will help you understand what’s happening psychologically—and how to reclaim your joy, confidence, and direction. Support the show Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.  Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

    19 min
  5. The silent power of listening

    JAN 20

    The silent power of listening

    Send us Fan Mail The ability to listen well is one of the most underestimated leadership skills. In this episode of Psych Leadership, we explore why listening is so powerful in classrooms, workplaces, and early career settings. Drawing from industrial-organizational psychology and humanistic theory, this conversation breaks down how listening builds trust, strengthens relationships, and increases influence, often more than speaking does. You’ll learn the difference between hearing and truly listening, how poor listening quietly undermines leadership credibility, and practical ways to become a better listener as a student, intern, or emerging professional. Whether you’re navigating group projects, mentoring relationships, or your first job, this episode will help you use listening as a real leadership tool, not just a soft skill. Support the show Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.  Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

    19 min
  6. Managing up: how to work with your boss’s personality

    JAN 6

    Managing up: how to work with your boss’s personality

    Send us Fan Mail Do you ever feel confused or frustrated by decisions your boss makes? Or unsure how to communicate in a way that actually lands? In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we break down how to manage up, not by manipulating others, but by understanding the psychology behind leadership personalities. You’ll learn: How the Big Five personality traits show up in managersPractical strategies for adapting your communication styleWhy Leader-Member Exchange (LMX Theory) matters for your career opportunitiesHow to strengthen trust and influence from any levelWhether you’re working your first campus job, navigating an internship, or stepping into your early career, this episode gives you tools to feel more confident and successful in the workplace. 🎧 Hit play and start building a better relationship with the person who plays a big role in your growth… your leader. Support the show Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.  Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

    20 min
  7. Resilience: bouncing back when you feel like quitting

    12/23/2025

    Resilience: bouncing back when you feel like quitting

    Send us Fan Mail When life knocks you down… a bad grade, a failed interview, or a project that doesn’t go your way, it’s easy to question your path. But real growth doesn’t come from avoiding setbacks; it comes from learning how to rise after them. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore how Resilience Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you bounce back when you feel like quitting. You’ll learn how to reframe negative thoughts, manage self-doubt, and turn failure into forward motion. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or early-career professional, this episode will help you understand the science of resilience,  and how to use it to build a mindset that bends but doesn’t break. 🎧 Tune in to discover the tools that make persistence your superpower. Support the show Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.  Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

    19 min
  8. Self-advocacy: speaking up without feeling pushy

    12/09/2025

    Self-advocacy: speaking up without feeling pushy

    Send us Fan Mail Finding your voice isn’t always easy, especially when you’re still figuring out who you are in school, at work, or early in your career. In this episode of The Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore how to speak up for yourself without feeling rude, awkward, or “too much.” Using insights from Assertiveness Theory, we’ll unpack the psychology behind confident communication, what it means to balance respect for others with respect for yourself. You’ll learn practical strategies for advocating for your needs, setting boundaries, and expressing ideas clearly, whether in the classroom, group projects, or the workplace. If you’ve ever struggled to ask for what you deserve or feared being labeled “pushy,” this episode will help you reframe assertiveness as a strength, not a flaw. Support the show Want to be part of our mission: 👉 Donate Today Psych Leadership is a division of Rise Up Academics - A 501(c)(3) focused on building leadership and mentoring opportunities for high school and college students. All proceeds go towards this purpose.  Want to connect? Email me at psychLeadership@riseupacademics.org

    20 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

From graduation caps to corner offices, the journey is anything but straightforward. The Psych Leadership Podcast blends real-world leadership experience with the science of human behavior to help you navigate work, life, and the space between. Whether you’re a recent graduate finding your footing or a seasoned professional looking to lead with greater impact, each episode delivers practical strategies grounded in psychology — from mastering first impressions and building resilience to influencing without authority and shaping your long-term career path. Host Luke UpChurch, a business leader and psychology graduate, draws from 28+ years in organizational leadership, process improvement, and talent strategy to bring you insights that work in the real world. Because leadership isn’t just for the people with the title — it’s a mindset, a skillset, and a toolkit you can start using today. Would these types of insights help your team grow? Consider booking a consultation with Psych Leadership!

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