The Leadership Story Podcast

Lisa Jones
  • 5.0 (3)
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Real Woman, Real Leadership, Real Resilience! The Leadership Story is where real women share real leadership built on real resilience. Lisa Jones sits down with incredible women from every industry who have powerful stories about leadership. Through honest conversations with rising stars, seasoned executives, and the allies who champion women's success, this podcast helps you see your own experiences as the foundation for authentic leadership. leadershipstory.substack.com

  1. Layoff-Proof Career Strategies: Building Resilience for Women Leaders | EP15

    Jun 15

    Layoff-Proof Career Strategies: Building Resilience for Women Leaders | EP15

    The ground genuinely got less stable, and noticing it isn’t anxiety—it’s an accurate working instinct. In this solo episode, Lisa Jones brings two decades of business continuity expertise to the exact question women leaders are privately wrestling with right now: how do you build career security and survive corporate layoffs when the old corporate promises have quietly expired? Reframing career instability not as a personal failure but as a system design problem you can solve, Lisa shares how to apply real operational resilience tools directly to your life. Learn how to spot your career’s single point of failure, deliberately build income redundancy, and execute the one career transition planning exercise most professionals avoid. If you have been over-performing for a deal that no longer exists, this episode provides a strategic, clear-eyed roadmap to stop living in fear and start building a backup plan for your future. Key Topics We Explored * The Broken Corporate Promise: Why the Sunday-night hum isn’t fragility—it’s perception. * Your Single Point of Failure: The systemic risk of running your income, healthcare, identity, and network through one employer. * Building Career Redundancy: Lessons from Gen Z on managing single-paycheck panic and engineering portable skills. * The Career Tabletop Exercise: How to walk through a 90-day income disruption on paper so you are never deciding in a free fall. * The Carer’s Gap: Navigating the predictable, plannable financial exposure that impacts women leaders during peak earning years. Chapters 00:00 The Broken Promise 02:55 The Feeling You’ve Been Carrying 05:05 Single Point of Failure 07:54 Redundancy 12:18 The Tabletop 18:40 What this Looks Like as a Practice 21:00 Planning for Tomorrow Join the Community! Subscribe on Substack for exclusive content: Subscribe to Substack: leadershipstory.substack.com Follow on Instagram: @theleadershipstory Real Women. Real Leadership. Real Resilience!™ Shop the collection: Tools for The Story is live: black-girl-co.printify.me/ Connect with Lisa Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-jones Resources & sources Gen Z and multiple income streams: * Block / Cash App: ~54 million Americans now hold more than one income stream, up from 41 million two years prior; Gen Z drives the growth at roughly five times the rate of Baby Boomers (Bloomberg / Staffing Industry Review, June 2026). * Deputy “Big Shift” report: Gen Z makes up 55% of all workers holding multiple jobs simultaneously — the highest poly-employment rate in over a decade. * Fiverr “Next Gen of Work” report: 67% of Gen Z say multiple income streams are essential for financial security; 56% believe traditional employment will eventually become obsolete. Origin of the “single-paycheck panic” framing (Oct 2025). * Context / nuance: Gen Z switchers’ wage gains have fallen roughly 20 percentage points since 2022 — the old job-hopping playbook returns less now (Fortune, June 2026). The Carer’s Gap and women’s financial exposure: * PensionBee: a one-year pause in retirement contributions can compound to nearly $79,000 in lost savings; a five-year break, about $346,000 less at retirement (Oct 2025). * Women’s earnings track close to men’s early, then diverge during prime career years before narrowing after 55 — meaning women often enter peak earning years with lower lifetime earnings (Carry / BLS, Feb 2026). * Women’s longer life expectancy leaves fewer resources to stretch over more years (National Partnership for Women & Families). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leadershipstory.substack.com

    22 min
  2. Stop Overthinking, Start Moving: How Women Leaders Move to Execution | EP14

    Jun 1

    Stop Overthinking, Start Moving: How Women Leaders Move to Execution | EP14

    Stop overthinking and start leading! Most women leaders aren’t missing the answer; they’re missing the move. In this solo episode, Lisa Jones breaks down the leadership strategy to move from analysis paralysis to decisive action. Learn the decision-making framework Lisa uses to break the overthinking loop with three core questions: * What’s the smallest version I can test? * What if it fails? So what? * What can I control to lower the risk? If you’ve ever confused more thinking with more progress, this episode provides the tools to get unstuck, improve your leadership mindset, and start moving. Key Topics We Explored * Why overthinking feels like diligence but functions as a stall * What the research says: the 99.5% finding and why women ruminate more * The belief that quietly feeds overthinking instead of solving it * The three-question framework for moving from analysis to action Chapters 00:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery 01:23 Overcoming Overthinking 05:25 Taking Action: The Small Steps 09:29 Moving Forward with Courage Join the Community! Subscribe on Substack for exclusive content: Subscribe to Substack: leadershipstory.substack.com Follow on Instagram: @theleadershipstory Connect with Lisa Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-jones Shop the Collection: 🚨“Tools for The Story” is live! Black Girl Co Store Real Women. Real Leadership. Real Resilience!™ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leadershipstory.substack.com

    12 min
  3. The Job Search System: Navigating ATS, Networking, and Career Alignment | EP13

    May 18

    The Job Search System: Navigating ATS, Networking, and Career Alignment | EP13

    Are you struggling with a career transition or wondering why your experience isn’t translating in today’s job market? In this episode of The Leadership Story, host Lisa Jones sits down with two-time bestselling author Irene Chukwuma to break down the job search system. In this insightful interview, Irene shares her journey from West Africa to the US, navigating the job market as an immigrant, and overcoming challenges in career re-entry. She discusses strategic job search techniques, the importance of networking, and her inspiring approach to career resilience, including her books on job searching and career restarting. Key Topics We Explored: * ATS Optimization: Why alignment with the job description matters more than application volume. * Strategic Networking: How to find advocates to speak for you in rooms you haven’t entered yet. * The “Restart” Mindset: Leveraging your experience and international credentials in a new market. * Resilience as Leadership: Staying consistent through market ambiguity and rejection. Chapters: 00:00 The Reality of the Invisible Job Search 02:15 Navigating the U.S. Job Market as an Immigrant 05:55 The Importance of Networking 09:45 Writing and Publishing Books 13:14 The Concept of Restarting vs. Starting Over 15:07 Advice for Job Seekers in a Tough Market 16:11 Defining Leadership: Reliability Join the Community! Subscribe on Substack for exclusive content: Subscribe on Substack: leadershipstory.substack.com Follow on Instagram: @theleadershipstory Real Women. Real Leadership. Real Resilience! ™ Connect with Irene LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/irenechukwuma-riskmanagement Irene’s Books 101 Job Search Tips for Immigrants and New Grads She Didn’t Start Over, She Restarted Connect with Lisa Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-jones This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leadershipstory.substack.com

    21 min
  4. Strategic AI Literacy: Why Women Leaders are Not Behind | EP12

    May 4

    Strategic AI Literacy: Why Women Leaders are Not Behind | EP12

    Lisa Jones reframes AI as a leadership opportunity, sharing strategies for women to leverage emotional intelligence and adaptability to lead in the age of AI. Key Topics We Explore Why women feel behind on AI (it has nothing to do with capability) AI as a leadership issue, not a technology problem The three strengths women bring to AI adoption: emotional intelligence, collaboration, ethical reasoning Four practical strategies: identify what’s draining you, start small, check for bias, bring your team in Mindset essentials: be a learner, normalize discomfort, invest in adaptability Chapters 0:00 Introduction to Leadership in AI 01:50 The Pressure of AI on Women in the Workforce 01:30 Why This is a Leadership Conversation 07:13 Practical Strategies for AI Integration 12:39 The Resilient Leader's Mindset 15:25 Final Thoughts on Leadership Resources Mentioned I Let AI Do My Busy Work. Now I Actually Have Time to Lead I Let AI Do My Busy Work. Now I Actually Have Time to Lead Connect with the Leadership Story 📖 Subscribe on Substack: leadershipstory.substack.com💼 Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-jones-mbcp-mbci-57872823📱 Follow on Instagram: @theleadershipstory Real Women. Real Leadership. Real Resilience!™ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leadershipstory.substack.com

    17 min
  5. Rebuilding After Job Loss: Your Leadership Identity | EP11

    Apr 20

    Rebuilding After Job Loss: Your Leadership Identity | EP11

    Lisa Jones shares a strategic blueprint for navigating a Reduction in Force (RIF) and re-centering your leadership identity when a job title ends. With nearly 90,000 jobs eliminated from just three major companies in early 2026, and a job market that’s harder for older workers and women specifically, Lisa shares data, strategy, and honest reflection on navigating layoff, ageism, faith, and what it actually means to build resilience.This isn’t a ‘blessing in disguise’ conversation. It’s the real version. And it’s for anyone who’s been laid off, is watching others go through it, or is wondering how to move through uncertainty with both grace and strategy. Key Topics We Explore Unexpected job loss and the disorientation that comes with it The pressure to perform positivity after layoff Ageism & gendered ageism in hiring and career advancement The job market reality in early 2026 Long-term unemployment rates for older workers Faith and grief existing together Six practical strategies for navigating job loss How to support someone who has lost their job The resilience you did not know you already had Chapters 00:00 Facing Unexpected Job Loss 08:32 Navigating the Job Market Challenges 16:42 The Emotional Impact of Job Loss 24:48 Strategic Job Searching and Networking 32:37 Moving Forward with Resilience Join the Community! Subscribe on Substack: leadershipstory.substack.com Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-jones-mbcp-mbci-57872823Follow on Instagram: @leadershipstory Real Women. Real Leadership. Real Resilience!™ Companion article on Substack: “Congratulations! You’ve Been Restructured!” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leadershipstory.substack.com

    33 min
  6. Leaving Corporate: The Pre-Tirement Blueprint | EP10

    Apr 6

    Leaving Corporate: The Pre-Tirement Blueprint | EP10

    Amy Palmer and Lisa Jones explore “pre-tirement” and the strategic decision to leave corporate life to find a more authentic professional identity. A former senior executive, award-winning actress, and lifetime content creator, Amy walked away from corporate life without a backup plan and discovered something unexpected on the other side. Key Topics Explored The decision to leave corporate without a backup plan What “pre-tirement” means and why it’s resonating with so many women How corporate conditioning shaped who we thought we needed to be Gen X vs. Gen Z: What each generation is getting right and what they can learn from each other Redefining productivity and ambition outside of corporate metrics The role of rest, spirituality, and listening to your body How to redesign your life when you can’t leave your job The moment Amy turned down the “ideal” corporate role Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:54 Leaving the Corporate World: The Decision to Transition 06:30 Navigating Mental and Physical Health Challenges 09:05 The Importance of Rest and Reflection 11:43 Preparing for Change: Taking Breaks and Seeking Support 14:22 Embracing Vulnerability and Asking for Help 17:17 Shifting Focus: From Destination to Journey 19:44 Creating a New Identity Beyond Corporate Expectations 22:15 The Concept of Pre-Tirement: Redefining Retirement 24:49 Finding Joy and Fulfillment Before Retirement 27:18 Navigating Ageism and the Concept of Pre-tirement 30:13 Generational Perspectives on Work and Life 35:08 Creating Content and Finding Purpose 38:46 Listening to Our Bodies and Redefining Success 45:38 Expansive Leadership: Redefining Ambition Join the Community! Subscribe on Substack for exclusive content: Subscribe on Substack: leadershipstory.substack.com Follow on Instagram: @theleadershipstory Real Women. Real Leadership. Real Resilience!™ Connect with Amy Follow on Instagram: @amypalmer.today Website: amypalmer.bio YouTube: Amy Palmer | Blueprint Breakers Connect with Lisa Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-jones This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leadershipstory.substack.com

    47 min
  7. Leading Through Trauma: Identity and Healing | EP9

    Mar 16

    Leading Through Trauma: Identity and Healing | EP9

    Jenna Muniz and Lisa Jones discuss how personal history and trauma can be transformed into a source of empathetic and effective leadership. Jenna shares her journey from a challenging childhood marked by trauma to becoming a licensed professional counselor and business owner. She discusses the impact of her upbringing on her understanding of leadership, the importance of vulnerability in both her personal and professional life, and how her experiences shape her parenting. Jenna emphasizes the significance of empathy, resilience, and the transformative power of acknowledging one’s own vulnerabilities in the healing process. Key Topics We Explore Jenna’s childhood experiences shaped her understanding of leadership. She found purpose in her pain and used it to help others. Empathy is a crucial skill developed through her experiences. Parenting is a reflection of one’s own vulnerabilities. Vulnerability is essential for effective leadership. Chapters 00:00 Childhood and Early Leadership Experiences 05:49 Finding Purpose in Pain 08:55 Becoming a Therapist and Specializing in Trauma 11:56 Lessons from Mentorship and Leadership 14:33 Starting a New Practice 17:25 Parenting Through a Lens of Trauma 21:21 Vulnerability in Leadership 24:58 Final Thoughts and Reflections Join the Community! Subscribe on Substack for exclusive content: Subscribe on Substack: leadershipstory.substack.comFollow on Instagram: @theleadershipstory Connect with Jenna 🌐Check the website: Echoes and Embers Therapy Connect with the LisaFollow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-jones References 📺Becky Kennedy: The Most Important Parenting Strategy 🌐Brene Brown Parenting Manifesto: The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto - Brené Brown This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leadershipstory.substack.com

    26 min
  8. Overcoming Career Barriers: The Path to Business Ownership | EP8

    Mar 2

    Overcoming Career Barriers: The Path to Business Ownership | EP8

    Kiersten M. Talbert details the persistence required to overcome industry barriers and the strategic mindset needed to launch a successful business. She shares her journey from struggling through 12 years of licensing attempts to becoming one of the youngest first-generation funeral home owners in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She opens up about learning the business in heels and a pocketbook, the personal losses that fueled her determination, and the divine guidance that led her to build her own chapel instead of someone else’s brand. This is a story about faith, persistence, and the courage to bring your authentic self—rhinestones and all—to an industry that doesn’t always expect it. When asked for one word to describe her leadership story, Kiersten’s answer says it all: Consistent. Key Topics We Explore The 12-year journey to passing the national funeral director boards and what finally made the difference Learning funeral service from a female director who insisted on doing it all, in heels How personal loss and a colleague’s question became the catalyst for finally getting licensed The moment Kiersten decided to build her own business instead of someone else’s brand Starting a funeral home from scratch with no loans, the real obstacles of entrepreneurship Breaking barriers as a young, first-generation funeral home owner in Montgomery County, PA How prayer, fasting, and faith guide business decisions in a practical, difficult industry Creating comfort for families through authentic presence and signature style Why consistency, not perfection, is the real key to leadership Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:28 Educational Journey and Career Start 05:48 Apprenticeship Experience 10:31 Overcoming Personal and Professional Challenges 17:38 Starting Her Own Funeral Home 21:31 Business Challenges and Vision 25:40 Incorporating Personal Style and Faith 27:04 Legacy and Leadership Join the Community! Subscribe on Substack for exclusive content: Subscribe on Substack: leadershipstory.substack.comFollow on Instagram: @theleadershipstory Connect with Kiersten: 🌐Check the website: Kiersten M. Talbert Funeral Chapel 📱Follow on Instagram: @kmtalbertfuneralchapel 📔Follow on Facebook: Kiersten M Talbert Funeral Chapel, Inc ☑️Follow on TikTok: KMTalbert Funeral Chapel Connect with Lisa Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-jones Subscribe, rate, and review The Leadership Story wherever you listen to podcasts. Your reviews help other women find these conversations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leadershipstory.substack.com

    30 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Real Woman, Real Leadership, Real Resilience! The Leadership Story is where real women share real leadership built on real resilience. Lisa Jones sits down with incredible women from every industry who have powerful stories about leadership. Through honest conversations with rising stars, seasoned executives, and the allies who champion women's success, this podcast helps you see your own experiences as the foundation for authentic leadership. leadershipstory.substack.com

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