LIFT With Sarah

Sarah Layson Marketing
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Entrepreneurship

The LIFT Podcast is where real leadership meets a purpose-driven life. Every week, Sarah brings honest conversations, practical wisdom, and faith-rooted perspective to help you grow into the leader you’re called to be. These episodes are designed to steady you, stretch you, and strengthen you as you lead at home, at work, and in your community. You’ll hear stories of resilience, lessons learned in the trenches, and insights that turn complex challenges into walkable steps forward. This is leadership for people who want to build something that lasts. It’s a place for those who care about culture, believe in the power of service, and want to rise with clarity, courage, and conviction. Whether Sarah is teaching, reflecting, or talking with leaders who are changing their corners of the world, every episode gives you the tools to lead with purpose and lift the lives around you.  Tune in, lean in, and grow with us.

  1. Sep 22

    Lessons in Leadership: Life Beyond the Scoreboard with Coach Ron Crawford

    Some leaders shape lives in ways that can’t be measured by a scoreboard. In this conversation, Sarah Layson sits down with longtime family friend and high school football coach Ron Crawford to reflect on 42 years of leadership, mentorship, faith, and service. His story carries the weight of decades spent investing in young athletes, not just to help them play better, but to help them become stronger people. At the center of this conversation is the belief that leadership is built through relationships. Coach Crawford’s journey began as the son of a coach, where he learned the value of work ethic, resilience, and showing up with consistency. Those early lessons became the foundation for the way he leads today, with purpose, discipline, and a deep respect for the people entrusted to his care. As the conversation unfolds, listeners will hear how mentors shaped Coach Crawford’s life and how he now carries that same responsibility for others. He shares what it means to look beyond wins and losses, to see the individual gifts inside each player, and to lead in a way that captures hearts before asking for performance. His approach reminds us that true influence starts with trust. There is a grounded honesty in the way Coach Crawford talks about difficult seasons, failure, and growth. He doesn’t present leadership as easy or polished. Instead, he reflects on the moments that require courage, prayer, humility, and a willingness to keep learning. His story shows that the best leaders don’t stop growing. They keep reflecting, keep serving, and keep allowing their calling to shape them. If you’re a coach, parent, mentor, leader, or someone walking with others through hard seasons, this conversation will speak to you. It will remind you that people need more than instruction. They need encouragement, accountability, belief, and someone willing to help them rise when they fall. This episode points toward a bigger vision of leadership rooted in character, faith, and lasting impact. A vision where success is measured not only by what’s won, but by who is strengthened along the way. Coach Crawford’s life reminds us that when leaders serve with intention, they help build people who carry those lessons far beyond the field. To grow. To reflect. To lead with intention. Welcome to LIFT. Subscribe and follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839 Website: sarahlayson.com And Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274

  2. Sep 15

    Pursuit of Excellence: Startup Realities & Mindset with Eric Alsobrook

    Leadership isn’t built in the moments when everything is going well. It’s shaped by the standards you keep, the choices you make under pressure, and the character you bring to the people counting on you. In this conversation, Sarah Layson sits down with Bartlett native, attorney, and business owner Eric Alsobrook to explore the experiences and values that shaped their shared drive for leadership, excellence, and meaningful impact. For Eric, pursuing excellence has always been connected to his upbringing and his competitive nature. But over time, he’s learned that leadership isn’t simply about being competitive. It’s about building a culture where people care about the standard, continue growing, and refuse to become complacent. Inspired by the leadership principles of Nick Saban, Eric reflects on what it takes to establish culture, maintain discipline, and lead with intention. That perspective becomes especially real when the conversation turns to business. Eric shares the early realities of co-founding Poplar Title and Escrow, including the financial discipline and difficult choices required to build something from the ground up. When circumstances are outside your control, the question becomes what you can control, and how you choose to respond. There’s also a deeper lesson in Eric’s approach to partnership and team-building. Strong leadership doesn’t mean everyone thinks or operates the same way. Sometimes the most meaningful growth happens when different strengths, personalities, and perspectives come together. The right partnership can create balance, build trust, and help each person become their best self. If you’re building a business, leading a team, or simply trying to grow with intention, there’s something here for you. What standards are you unwilling to compromise? Where have you allowed comfort to replace growth? And are you surrounding yourself with people who challenge, support, and encourage you to keep becoming? This conversation points toward a bigger vision of leadership. Excellence isn’t just about achievement. It’s about character, influence, service, and the people you lift along the way. It’s about using your gifts well, leading with purpose, and creating lasting impact through meaningful relationships. To grow. To reflect. To pursue excellence. To lead with intention. To serve others well. Welcome to LIFT. Subscribe and follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839 Website: sarahlayson.com And Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274

  3. Sep 8

    From Society’s Box to Creative Genius: Navigating Careers, Motherhood, and ADHD with Kim Flournoy

    In this episode of LIFT with Sarah Layson, Sarah sits down with Kim Flournoy for a thoughtful conversation about motherhood, entrepreneurship, personal growth, and the power of seeing difference through a new lens. Kim brings honesty, experience, and a deep love for people into a conversation that challenges how we define strength, success, and potential. At the center of this conversation is the belief that what the world often labels as a limitation may actually carry a unique kind of genius. Kim shares how her journey with ADD and ADHD helped her understand the way her mind works, the way she processes information, and the strategies she needed to lead and grow with intention. Her story reminds listeners that leadership begins with self-awareness. As the conversation unfolds, Kim reflects on the traits that have remained steady throughout her life: drive, creativity, and a genuine love for people. She shares how motherhood continues to shape her priorities and how building a career while raising children has required courage, discipline, and support. The conversation also explores the practical tools that helped her succeed, including writing things down by hand, creating systems, and learning how to work with her mind instead of against it. There is a deeply human thread running through Kim’s story. She speaks to the pressure parents often feel when their child learns differently, struggles to focus, or doesn’t fit neatly inside a traditional classroom setting. Instead of shame or fear, Kim offers a different perspective: curiosity, testing, understanding, and the right environment can help children see their gifts more clearly. If you’re a parent, leader, teacher, entrepreneur, or someone who has ever felt misunderstood because your mind works differently, this conversation will meet you there. It will remind you that development is not about forcing people into one mold. It’s about helping them discover how they learn, where they thrive, and what kind of support allows them to become their best self. This episode points toward a bigger vision of leadership rooted in empowerment, patience, and purpose. A future where parents feel equipped, children feel seen, and leaders create environments where different minds are not dismissed, but developed. Kim’s story reminds us that when we understand how people are wired, we can help them grow with confidence and live with impact. To grow. To reflect. To lead with intention. Welcome to LIFT. Subscribe and follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839 Website: sarahlayson.com And Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274

  4. Sep 1

    Leading with Faith and Service: A Conversation with Stacy Bramlett

    Faith has a way of shaping leadership long before anyone sees the title. In this episode of LIFT with Sarah Layson, Sarah sits down with Stacy Bramlett, Senior Vice President at Independent Bank and a mother of two, for a conversation about servant leadership, prayer, relationships, and the kind of strength that comes from staying rooted in what matters most. Stacy brings a calm, steady wisdom shaped by faith, family, and years of leading people through both business and life. At the center of this conversation is the belief that leadership begins with service. Stacy shares how her Christian faith forms the foundation of the way she leads, works, and cares for others. For her, leadership is not about status or control. It’s about integrity, humility, and being willing to put others first, even when it requires dying to self. As the conversation unfolds, listeners will hear how Stacy’s career in mortgage lending became more than a profession. It became a place to encourage people, pray with people, and create a supportive environment for those walking through personal and professional challenges. She reflects on the importance of bringing faith into the workplace with sincerity, not performance, and allowing purpose to guide the way you serve. There is deep emotion in Stacy’s story as she shares how God used her own difficult seasons to help others find healing. Through leading a divorce recovery class, she learned that pain can become a place of ministry when it’s surrendered with honesty and grace. Her story reminds us that suffering does not have to be wasted. It can become wisdom, comfort, and direction for someone else who needs hope. If you’re leading a team, raising a family, navigating change, or trying to stay grounded in a fast-paced season, this conversation will speak to you. Stacy’s words are a reminder that relationships are everything, time moves quickly, and the people closest to us need our focused presence. Prayer, scripture, and intentional connection are not extras. They are anchors. This episode points toward a bigger vision of leadership rooted in faith in action. A vision where leaders serve with integrity, families are strengthened through prayer, and difficult stories become places where others can find courage. Stacy’s life reminds us that when we lead with faith, we don’t just build careers. We make an impact. To grow. To reflect. To lead with intention. Welcome to LIFT. Subscribe and follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839 Website: sarahlayson.com And Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274

  5. Aug 18

    Borrowing the Experience of Others: Accelerating Leadership Growth with Don Hall

    Leadership rarely follows a straight line, and Don Hall’s story is a powerful reminder of that truth. In this episode of LIFT with Sarah Layson, Sarah sits down with Don Hall, CEO of Kingdom Homebuilders and broker for Keller Williams Midsouth in Mississippi, for a conversation about faith, resilience, family, and the courage to keep rebuilding when the path changes. His journey is grounded, honest, and full of wisdom for anyone leading through uncertainty. At the center of this conversation is the belief that leadership grows through humility, stewardship, and a willingness to learn from others. Don’s life reflects a deep commitment to faith first, family second, and business as a place of purpose and service. Whether he’s leading in real estate, construction, or at home with his five sons, his leadership is shaped by character more than position. As the conversation unfolds, listeners will hear how Don moved through real estate, banking, public service, and entrepreneurship with a steady willingness to grow. He shares how the 2006 recession led him into corporate banking, where he rose from a part-time teller to a regional vice president. He also reflects on leaving that security to run for mayor during a season when he felt called to lead with empathy, even though the outcome wasn’t what he hoped. There is real depth in Don’s story because he doesn’t hide the hard parts. After the election, he found himself unemployed and had to rebuild again. He leaned into a contractor’s license, drained his 401k during rising supply costs, practiced forgiveness through painful setbacks, and kept moving with faith. His story reveals the kind of resilience that’s formed when leaders choose responsibility over bitterness. If you’ve ever faced a closed door, a failed plan, or a season that forced you to start over, this conversation will meet you there. Don’s story reminds leaders that growth often comes through borrowed wisdom, hard lessons, and the humility to ask for help. It also challenges us to see people not only as they are today, but as who they can become. This episode points toward a vision of leadership that builds beyond one generation. Through Kingdom Homebuilders, Don is creating housing, opportunity, and a legacy he hopes to one day pass to his sons. It’s a picture of leadership rooted in faith, family, service, and the belief that every experience can become preparation for greater impact. To grow. To reflect. To lead with intention. Welcome to LIFT. Subscribe and follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839 Website: sarahlayson.com And Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274

  6. Aug 4

    The Heart of Hospitality: Matt Williams on Empathy-Driven Leadership

    Great hospitality is never just about food, service, or the room itself. It’s about how people feel when they walk in, how they’re cared for while they’re there, and whether they leave feeling seen. In this episode of LIFT with Sarah Layson, Sarah sits down with Matt Williams, director of operations and general manager for Moon Dance, The Overland, and Lafayette’s Music Room, for a conversation about leadership, growth, culture, and building experiences that last. At the center of this conversation is the belief that strong leadership begins with trust. Matt shares a grounded approach to leading teams by seeing people as human beings first. His philosophy is built on empathy, vulnerability, and the understanding that mistakes can become part of someone’s development when leaders respond with care instead of control. As the conversation unfolds, listeners will hear what it takes to grow multiple restaurant concepts while protecting the culture behind them. Matt reflects on preparing to open a fourth restaurant in Rogers, Arkansas, investing in leadership development, building systems with support from AI, and creating consistency without losing the heart of hospitality. He also shares how genuine kindness and southern hospitality shape every guest experience, from approachable dining to elevated service. There’s real weight in this episode as Matt looks back on seasons of crisis and transition. He shares how the team navigated COVID, the loss of business partners, grieving families, salary cuts, layoffs, and the fast pivot to curbside service. These moments reveal the kind of leadership that’s required when pressure is high and people are looking for steadiness. If you’re leading a team, building a business, or trying to grow without losing your values, this conversation will meet you there. It will challenge you to think about the culture you’re creating, the trust you’re building, and whether your leadership is helping people become their best selves. Growth matters, but how you grow matters just as much. This episode points toward a bigger vision of leadership rooted in service, excellence, and care. A future where businesses expand with purpose, leaders invest in people, and hospitality becomes a way to build community, connection, and lasting impact. Matt’s story reminds us that when leaders serve others well, growth can become more than success. It can become influence. To grow. To reflect. To lead with intention. Welcome to LIFT. Subscribe and follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839 Website: sarahlayson.com And Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274

  7. Jul 21

    Lifting as We Rise: Holly Holt on Navigating Career Pivots and Overcoming Adversity

    Some conversations carry the weight of history, trust, and lived experience. In this episode of LIFT with Sarah Layson, Sarah sits down with her close friend of 30 years, Atty. Holly Holt, for a deeply meaningful conversation about leadership, resilience, relationships, and the grace required to keep moving through life’s unexpected turns. This is a story shaped by friendship, faith, hard work, and the kind of strength that doesn’t always announce itself loudly. At the center of this conversation is the belief that leadership is never built in isolation. Holly’s life and career reveal the power of relationships, community, and staying connected to people who help shape your path. From family law to real estate law at AutoZone to her current corporate legal support role at International Paper, each season of her journey has been marked by relationships that opened doors, offered wisdom, and reminded her that success is rarely a solo effort. As the conversation unfolds, listeners will hear Holly reflect on professional pivots, personal growth, and the core values that have guided her through every season. She shares how hard work, kindness, integrity, and keeping commitments were instilled in her early and became anchors in both her career and life. Her story offers a steady reminder that leadership is not only about what you accomplish. It’s about how you show up, how you treat people, and how faithfully you keep your word. There is deep emotional honesty in Holly’s reflection on her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. She speaks with calm and clarity about a season that required her to let go of control, accept vulnerability, and allow others to love and support her. In a world that often celebrates independence, Holly’s story reminds us that receiving help is not weakness. Sometimes it’s one of the bravest forms of trust. If you’ve ever walked through uncertainty, faced a life change you didn’t choose, or struggled to let others carry part of the weight, this conversation will meet you there. It will invite you to think about the relationships you’re investing in, the values you’re living by, and the people you’re allowing close enough to support you when life gets hard. This episode points toward a bigger vision of leadership rooted in community, humility, and shared strength. A vision where we don’t just rise alone, but lift as we rise. Where success is measured not only by achievement, but by the people we love, serve, and bring with us along the way. To grow. To reflect. To lead with intention. Welcome to LIFT. Subscribe and follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839 Website: sarahlayson.com And Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274

  8. Jul 7

    The Leaders Who Believe in You Before You Believe in Yourself: A Conversation with Dr. Abigail Simone

    Some leaders carry influence because they’ve learned how to see potential before it becomes visible. In this episode of LIFT with Sarah Layson, Sarah sits down with Dr. Abigail Simone, Director of the Honors Academy at Houston High School, for a conversation about mentorship, service, excellence, and the responsibility of helping young people become who they’re called to be. It’s thoughtful, deeply grounded, and rooted in the kind of leadership that shapes generations. At the center of this conversation is the belief that leadership begins with service and grows through accountability. Dr. Simone’s story reflects a life shaped by community, high expectations, and relationships that helped guide her forward. As a lifelong Memphian, she shares how her mother’s drive for excellence and her father’s gift for building relationships created a foundation that still influences the way she leads today. As the conversation unfolds, listeners will hear how mentors played a defining role in Dr. Simone’s path. From a professor who pushed her toward teaching to a principal who recognized gifts she hadn’t fully claimed yet, her journey shows the power of leaders who speak possibility into others. She also shares her experience advocating for world language education and how long-term relationships, preparation, and credibility can become tools for meaningful change. There’s a humility in this episode that gives the conversation real depth. Dr. Simone speaks about her grandmother’s work ethic, the “mop the floor test,” and the belief that no task is beneath a true servant leader. She also reflects on motherhood, setbacks, personal accountability, and the kind of honest friendships that help you stay aligned with your values when life gets full and complicated. If you’ve ever had someone believe in you before you believed in yourself, this conversation will feel familiar. If you’re leading students, children, teams, or communities, it will challenge you to consider how you’re using your influence. Leadership isn’t only about opening doors for yourself. It’s about preparing others to walk through doors with courage, character, and confidence. This episode points toward a future where leadership is more intentional, more relational, and more committed to developing people well. A future where students are challenged with love, mentors take their role seriously, and excellence is pursued with both discipline and grace. Dr. Simone’s story reminds us that the right leader at the right moment can change the direction of a life. To grow. To reflect. To lead with intention. Welcome to LIFT. Subscribe and follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839 Website: sarahlayson.com And Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274

See All (21)

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

The LIFT Podcast is where real leadership meets a purpose-driven life. Every week, Sarah brings honest conversations, practical wisdom, and faith-rooted perspective to help you grow into the leader you’re called to be. These episodes are designed to steady you, stretch you, and strengthen you as you lead at home, at work, and in your community. You’ll hear stories of resilience, lessons learned in the trenches, and insights that turn complex challenges into walkable steps forward. This is leadership for people who want to build something that lasts. It’s a place for those who care about culture, believe in the power of service, and want to rise with clarity, courage, and conviction. Whether Sarah is teaching, reflecting, or talking with leaders who are changing their corners of the world, every episode gives you the tools to lead with purpose and lift the lives around you.  Tune in, lean in, and grow with us.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Layson Marketing
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 LIFT With Sarah
  • Show Website
    LIFT With Sarah

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