Her Next Power Move

L Michelle Smith
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Check out the new bi-weekly podcast called Her Next Power Move. These 10-minute audio episodes, will feature bestselling leadership author, Fortune 100 advisor and certified executive & personal coach L. Michelle Smith sharing evidence-based leadership insights, thought leadership and opinion that will move high-performing leaders closer to their life and leadership aspirations through behavioral and mindset shifts grounded in applied positive psychology and neuroscience. It's based on her Substack with the same name. Listen with a paid subscription on Substack. lmichellesmith.substack.com lmichellesmith.substack.com

  1. 12/24/2025

    2025: A Tough Year of Building and Blessings

    Seems befitting that a I leverage AI for my end-of-year wrap up, in a year where I integrated AI into my coach-facilitator and C-suite advisement practice. Her Next Power Move is officially in hiatus until the New Year, so take a listen to the podcast created with the data I fed the platform to create the audio and the visuals you see here. This year wasn’t about visibility.It was about validity.I spent 2025 heads down—researching, testing, translating, and pressure-checking ideas in real leadership environments. No big splash. No rush to summarize the work before it was ready.This visual is a glimpse into Call & Response, the book's core premise and a framework rooted in cultural wisdom, applied science, and lived leadership practice translated into modern theory. Years of interviews. Nearly 200 citations. A lot of listening.A decade from concept to publication.And to think, it all started in 2016 when someone asked, "Where'd you learn to speak like that?" when writing a book about this was furthest from my mind!This isn't a trend. It's a sustainable body of work.Universities, companies and churches are already asking about curriculum.If you're also interested, I've got you. Just reach out.Educators: my publishers will work with you on text books, we're already receiving requests. Alongside that work, I stayed in the classroom and in the field:– Continuing as adjunct faculty with the Executive Leadership Council Institute– Joining the faculty at The CaPP Institute to help prepare certified coaches for their ICF credentials– Onboarding as an Academy Partner with The Academy for Advancing Excellence as a coach and facilitatorNo big splash. Just alignment.The infographic I’m sharing is a snapshot of what that kind of year actually produces when you commit to substance over noise: leaders coached, insights delivered, programs built, and ideas translated into scalable impact.This wasn’t a year of visibility.It was a year of positioning.And I’m entering the next chapter clear, grounded, and ready.Next year, my team and I shift gears. Who's ready to join me?2026, let's go! Call and Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church is a collaboration between Amistad Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishing, the oldest and most storied publisher of Black voices in the nation and JVL Media, the imprint of Viola Davis, Julius Tennon and Lavaille Lavette. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lmichellesmith.substack.com/subscribe

    13 min
  2. Ep. 21 Conquering year-end leadership fatigue

    12/02/2025

    Ep. 21 Conquering year-end leadership fatigue

    Summary:As the year winds down, many high-performing leaders find themselves mentally drained in a way that sleep alone can’t fix. This episode breaks down the neuroscience of year-end fatigue—why your brain feels foggy, unfocused, or simply done—and why this season hits harder than any other quarter. Grounded in research from cognitive science and positive psychology, we explore how chronic decision-making depletes the prefrontal cortex, how emotional residue builds through the year, and why stress narrows your perception just when clarity matters most. You’ll learn how to shift from high output to high intention, simplify decisions, conserve cognitive energy, and reconnect to purpose so you can finish strong—without finishing yourself. In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why Q4 is the most cognitively expensive quarter of the year• What neuroscience says about cognitive fatigue and emotional residue• How chronic stress reshapes attention, motivation, and clarity• Why “pushing through” actually sabotages performance• How micro-rest practices restore cognitive energy• A weekly micro-practice to regain control and clarity• A powerful thought and coaching question to carry forward Micro-Practice:The Five-Minute Finish — a brief end-of-day ritual that restores clarity and reduces mental clutter. Powerful Question:What is one thing you can stop doing this season that will help you finish the year with strength and clarity instead of depletion? Call to Action:Preorder Call & Response: Ten Leadership Lessons from the Black Church and learn how to build grounded, unshakeable leadership rooted in science and cultural wisdom. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lmichellesmith.substack.com/subscribe

    13 min

  3. 11/18/2025

    Ep. 20: When it feels like the wrong people are winning

    Episode 20 — When It Feels Like the Wrong People Are Winning OverviewEvery leader eventually encounters a moment when it looks like the wrong people are getting ahead — the shortcut-takers, the corner-cutters, the ones who maneuver instead of lead. It’s frustrating, not because you’re chasing recognition, but because you’re committed to integrity. In today’s episode of Her Next Power Move™, we explore what happens in the brain during these moments and how to rise above them without letting cynicism cloud your purpose. Grounded in neuroscience and positive psychology, this conversation helps you understand why unfairness hits so hard — and what strong, values-based leaders do to protect their clarity, character, and direction. What You’ll Learn The neuroscience behind “unfair wins” and why your brain reacts so strongly How moral disgust, reward prediction errors, and social comparison affect motivation Insights from positive psychology on psychological capital and justice sensitivity How principled leaders sustain influence even in broken systems A simple micro-practice (“The Integrity Audit”) to regain agency and clarity Powerful Thought The wrong people may win rounds, but they never win destinies. Character compounds. So does clarity. Coaching Question Where is your integrity asking you to stay the course, even when the path feels unfair? Call to Action If you want to build this kind of grounded, unshakeable leadership in a community that puts heart and humanity at the center, I invite you to preorder my forthcoming book, Call & Response: Ten Leadership Lessons from the Black Church, published by Amistad/HarperCollins and JVL Media. If today’s message stirred something in you, this book will give you the framework and the muscle to lead with conviction, purpose, and truth — no matter what’s happening around you. Preorder wherever books are sold. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lmichellesmith.substack.com/subscribe

    15 min

  4. 11/04/2025

    Episode 19: Leading Through Uncertainty

    Uncertainty is the leader’s constant companion. When everything around you feels unstable, it’s not about avoiding the chaos—it’s about learning to lead through it. In this episode of Her Next Power Move™, I explore what happens in the brain during moments of instability and how leaders can use neuroscience-backed tools to stay calm, clear, and focused. You’ll learn why calm isn’t just an emotional state—it’s a leadership strategy. What You’ll Learn * How uncertainty triggers the amygdala and shuts down strategic thinking * The neuroscience behind why breathing, reframing, and purpose reset the brain * How to reengage clarity and composure when leading through volatility * Three practical tools for keeping yourself and your team grounded in turbulent times Her Next Power Move is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Powerful Thought Uncertainty doesn’t always mean danger. Sometimes it means possibility. The leaders who thrive in it aren’t the ones who always know what’s next—they’re the ones who stay calm long enough to see clearly when others can’t. Coaching Question When uncertainty strikes, what helps you regain calm—and how can you model that same composure for your team? Resources Join The Circle, my online leadership growth group, where leaders like you learn to apply neuroscience and positive psychology to real-world leadership challenges.Learn more at lmichellesmith.com/thecircle. Pre-order Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church and become a Call & Response Ambassador. Learn more at lmichellesmith.com/callandresponse. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lmichellesmith.substack.com/subscribe

    12 min
  5. How Leaders Can Build Trust in Times of Uncertainty

    10/15/2025

    How Leaders Can Build Trust in Times of Uncertainty

    The world feels unsteady. You can see it in the way people hold their breath in meetings, measure their words, guard their ideas. We can’t fix everything out there—but as leaders, we can build trust in here. Psychological safety isn’t warm and fuzzy. It’s powerfully practical. It’s the thing that makes teams speak up before problems grow, collaborate more fully, and dare to imagine something better. Start small. Acknowledge uncertainty. Reward the brave thing someone says. Model your own imperfection. When people feel safe, they don’t shrink. They expand. Reach out if you’d like explore what it might take to ground your team culture in trust. LMS Her Next Power Move is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lmichellesmith.substack.com/subscribe

    2 min

  6. 10/07/2025

    Episode 18: Redefining Success

    🎙️ Show Notes Thank you for your patience as I’ve been on deadline for the past several days but we still managed to crank this episode out for you. Enjoy! OverviewWe’ve been taught that the harder we grind, the more successful we’ll be. But what if that belief is holding us back? In this episode of Her Next Power Move™, we’re dismantling the myth of hustle culture and redefining success on our own terms. Grounded in positive psychology and neuroscience, I’ll show you why overwork sabotages creativity and decision-making — and how rest, reflection, and sustainability fuel the kind of leadership that truly lasts. This isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing what matters most — and leading with clarity, intention, and impact. 🔑 What You’ll Learn * Why hustle culture is a leadership trap — and what the data says about productivity and burnout. * How Dr. Martin Seligman’s PERMA framework redefines success as flourishing, not overworking. * The neuroscience behind rest, creativity, and sustained high performance. * Four micro-practices to help you step off the hamster wheel and lead with purpose. 💡 Micro-Practice Block 30 minutes of white space on your calendar each day this week — no meetings, no email, no tasks. Use that time to think, reflect, and recharge. Notice how it changes the way you lead. ✨ Powerful Thought Your value as a leader isn’t measured in hours or output — it’s reflected in the clarity of your vision, the depth of your impact, and the sustainability of your brilliance. 🧭 Coaching Question Where have you been confusing busyness with impact — and what might shift if you pursued sustainability and significance instead? 🔗 Resources & Links * Join The Circle: lmichellesmith.com/thecircle * Follow me on LinkedIn, Threads, and Bluesky: @lmichellesmith This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lmichellesmith.substack.com/subscribe

    13 min

  7. 09/23/2025

    🎙️ Episode 17: The Science of Hope

    Uncertainty is the leader’s constant companion. But what if you had a tool that didn’t just help you endure the unknown—but helped you thrive in it? In this episode of Her Next Power Move™, I dive into Hope Theory, developed by Dr. C.R. Snyder, and show you how hope is more than a feeling. It’s a framework—rooted in psychology and neuroscience—that gives leaders both the belief they can act and the creativity to find new pathways forward. Backed by research, personal stories, and practical steps, this episode will help you understand how to cultivate hope for yourself and spread it to your teams. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode * What Hope Theory really is and how leaders can apply it * How hope activates the prefrontal cortex and releases dopamine, fueling creativity and persistence * Why hopeful leaders are more resilient, engaged, and effective under pressure * Practical ways to shift from fear to hope in your daily leadership 💡 Micro-Practice to Try Today At the end of your day, take five minutes to write down two things: * A challenge you faced * One pathway you see toward progress Even small steps train your brain to seek possibility over paralysis. ✨ Powerful Thought Hope isn’t a soft skill—it’s a leadership edge. It doesn’t erase uncertainty, but it paints possibility across it. 📝 Coaching Question Where in your leadership right now do you need to shift from fear to hope—and what’s one pathway you can begin to create today? 🔗 Resources & Links * Join The Circle—my online leadership growth group where we explore topics like resilience, hope, and emotional agility in real time: lmichellesmith.com/thecircle * Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky: @lmichellesmith This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lmichellesmith.substack.com/subscribe

    10 min

  8. 09/09/2025

    🎙️ Episode 16: Post-Traumatic Growth

    Here are the show notes for Episode 16 of Her Next Power Move™. Episode OverviewAdversity is something every leader will face—whether it’s a failed launch, a tough layoff, or even personal loss. These moments can shake us to our core. But they can also become the very soil where new growth takes root. In this episode of Her Next Power Move™, I explore post-traumatic growth—the powerful transformation that can happen after hardship. Backed by neuroscience and positive psychology, you’ll learn how adversity reshapes the brain, how optimism fuels recovery, and how setbacks can be reframed into stepping stones. This isn’t about “bouncing back.” It’s about rising stronger, wiser, and more purpose-driven than before. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode * What psychologists mean by post-traumatic growth and why it matters for leaders * How adversity changes the brain through stress and neuroplasticity * Why optimism and reframing are critical for resilience and renewal * Four practical strategies leaders can use to turn adversity into an advantage 💡 Micro-Practices to Try Today * Name the adversity — don’t minimize or gloss over it * Seek meaning — ask: What can this experience teach me? * Lean on relationships — growth happens in community * Reframe setbacks as stepping stones toward clarity and purpose ✨ Powerful Thought Adversity doesn’t define you—it refines you. The scar doesn’t erase the wound; it shows you healed. 📝 Powerful Question What’s one challenge you’ve faced that—when you look closely—may have planted the seeds for growth you didn’t expect? 🔗 Resources & Links * Join The Circle—my online leadership growth group where we explore topics like resilience, growth, and emotional agility in real time: lmichellesmith.com/thecircle * Register for the AI-Ready Leader Masterclass Series: lmichellesmith.com * Book me to speak: lmichellesmith.com/speaking * Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky: @lmichellesmith This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lmichellesmith.substack.com/subscribe

    12 min
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About

Check out the new bi-weekly podcast called Her Next Power Move. These 10-minute audio episodes, will feature bestselling leadership author, Fortune 100 advisor and certified executive & personal coach L. Michelle Smith sharing evidence-based leadership insights, thought leadership and opinion that will move high-performing leaders closer to their life and leadership aspirations through behavioral and mindset shifts grounded in applied positive psychology and neuroscience. It's based on her Substack with the same name. Listen with a paid subscription on Substack. lmichellesmith.substack.com lmichellesmith.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    L Michelle Smith
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    331
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © L Michelle Smith
  • Show Website
    Her Next Power Move