Leadership Tea

Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson Farrier
  • 4.9 (71)
  • Careers
  • Updated Biweekly

On Leadership Tea, we talk about what it takes to reach the executive level, and how to thrive when you get there. Powerful leaders share their journeys, insights, and triumphs in conversations with hosts Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson Farrier. Join us every other Wednesday to be inspired by the unvarnished stories of amazing executives who know what it's like to be "the only" at the table and who have succeeded regardless. They have proven leadership experience in their respective fields, from international affairs to the private sector to academia, and want to help others create their own success stories.

  1. 4d ago

    Before You Move Abroad: The Money Mistakes No One Warns You About

    You've dreamed about it. Maybe you've even Googled it. But what does moving abroad actually cost — financially, practically, and emotionally? In Part 2 of our series with the State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU), Shelby and Belinda sit back down with Sam Salmon and Josh Barrett — two financial professionals who aren't just advising on international living, they're currently doing it. From hidden garbage taxes in Spain to bills buried in junk mail in Belgium, this conversation gets into the real details that most people don't think about until they're already on the plane. We cover banking across borders, credit strategy, U.S. tax obligations that follow you everywhere, and what to do in the 12-18 months before you make the move. If you've ever seriously considered planting roots somewhere new, this one's for you. Here are a few acronyms that were used in this episode: WISE (Wise is an international money movement solution); SDFCU has info on WISE on their website, https://sdfcu.org/FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Reporting Requirements) AARO (Association of American residents overseas)FAWCO (Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas)ACA (American Citizens Abroad)Missed Part 1? We kicked off this series talking about raising money-smart kids — find it wherever you're listening now. Learn more about SDFCU's international services: https://sdfcu.org/ Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

  2. Jul 15

    How Great Leaders Raise Money-Smart Kids | Financial Lessons Every Parent Needs

    How do you raise children who understand the value of money in a world where almost every payment is digital? In this episode of Leadership Tea, Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson welcome back financial experts Sam Salmon and Josh Barrett from the State Department Federal Credit Union to discuss practical strategies for raising financially confident kids. Together, they explore allowances, saving, budgeting, first jobs, spending habits, and how parents can build healthy financial mindsets through consistent conversations, not fear or shame. Whether you're raising young children or preparing teenagers for adulthood, this conversation offers practical ideas that leaders can apply both at home and at work. In this episode: • The biggest mistake parents make when teaching kids about money • Why communication matters more than the size of an allowance • Helping children understand needs versus wants • Teaching financial responsibility in a cashless world • Preparing teens for their first paycheck • Why it's never too late to build better money habits Part 1 of a two-part series with the State Department Federal Credit Union. -------------------- Our company, Grounded and Global Advisory, is pleased to offer a quarterly advisory retainer. For $275 per month (billed quarterly, with the option to renew each quarter), you'll receive: One 60-minute coaching session per month Priority access to our calendar One annual 90-minute strategic intensive This offer is for the person who knows what good advisory support feels like and doesn't want to lose it. Spots are limited.  If you're interested, email us directly at hello@stirringsuccess.com, and we'll be in touch. Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

  3. Jul 12 ·  Bonus

    Bonus Episode -- New Studio + A Big Announcement: Cape Town 2027

    Surprise! We recorded from a new space this week, Cowo & Crèche here in the DMV, and it feels like the start of a new chapter for Leadership Tea. We're also making an announcement we've been sitting on: Rooted & Rising, our first international leadership retreat, taking place January 17–22, 2027 in Cape Town, South Africa. We talk through what to expect: Table Mountain, wine country in Stellenbosch, meaningful reflection tied to Dr. King's birthday, and real connection with local business leaders — and why this is the next chapter for our company, Grounded & Global. Early bird pricing ends July 31. Full details and booking: https://tri.ps/UCyae  As always, community is clutch. For more information on Cowo & Crèche, check out their website https://www.cowocreche.com/ or follow them on IG, https://www.instagram.com/cowo.creche/ Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

  4. Jul 1

    Take Back Your Power After a Forced Career Pivot | Cathy Duffy

    What happens when the career you've spent decades building suddenly ends? In this special re-release of one of Leadership Tea's most impactful conversations, executive leader Cathy Duffy shares how being unexpectedly pushed into early retirement became the beginning of an entirely new chapter. Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson explore identity, leadership, resilience, and what it truly means to take your power back after a forced career pivot. If you're navigating layoffs, organizational change, or questioning what's next in your own career, this episode offers practical leadership lessons that feel especially relevant today. -------------------- Our company, Grounded and Global Advisory, is pleased to offer a quarterly advisory retainer. For $275 per month (billed quarterly, with the option to renew each quarter), you'll receive: One 60-minute coaching session per month Priority access to our calendar One annual 90-minute strategic intensive This offer is for the person who knows what good advisory support feels like and doesn't want to lose it. Spots are limited.  If you're interested, email us directly at hello@stirringsuccess.com, and we'll be in touch. Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

  5. Jun 17

    When the Career You Loved Ends: Rebuilding After a Layoff

    After nearly three decades of public service, Shelby shares her experience navigating a Reduction in Force (RIF), the grief that follows career loss, and the challenge of rebuilding professional identity after an unexpected transition. In this candid coaching conversation, Belinda and Shelby explore what it means to process professional grief, move forward without bitterness, and build confidence in the face of uncertainty. They discuss leadership during difficult seasons, the importance of community, and why resilience often begins by remembering the challenges you've already survived. In this episode: Professional grief and career lossLeadership during personal transitionRebuilding confidence after a layoffIdentity shifts and reinventionCoaching, therapy, and resilienceFaith, community, and healingMoving from reflection to actionIf you're navigating a career transition, organizational change, retirement, or an unexpected life pivot, this conversation offers practical wisdom and encouragement for the road ahead. -------------------- Our company, Grounded and Global Advisory, is pleased to offer a quarterly advisory retainer. For $275 per month (billed quarterly, with the option to renew each quarter), you'll receive: One 60-minute coaching session per month Priority access to our calendar One annual 90-minute strategic intensive This offer is for the person who knows what good advisory support feels like and doesn't want to lose it. Spots are limited.  If you're interested, email us directly at hello@stirringsuccess.com, and we'll be in touch. Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

  6. Jun 3

    When Leaders Become Caregivers: Family Crisis, Boundaries & Hard Decisions

    Leadership often means making difficult decisions, staying calm under pressure, and showing up for others. But what happens when the hardest leadership challenge isn't at work, it's at home? In this episode, Shelby and Belinda sit down with former diplomat and operations leader Brittany Carroll to discuss becoming a caregiver for her father while managing a demanding professional career. Together, they explore: Leadership during personal crisisCaregiving and aging parentsDifficult family conversationsWorkplace flexibility and employee supportBoundaries, resilience, and decision-makingFinancial and legal preparednessThe hidden challenges many professionals face outside the officeWhether you're a leader supporting employees through difficult seasons, caring for a loved one yourself, or simply preparing for the future, this episode offers practical insights and thoughtful leadership lessons about navigating life's most complex responsibilities. -------------------- Our company, Grounded and Global Advisory, is pleased to offer a quarterly advisory retainer. For $275 per month (billed quarterly, with the option to renew each quarter), you'll receive: One 60-minute coaching session per monthPriority access to our calendarOne annual 90-minute strategic intensiveThis offer is for the person who knows what good advisory support feels like and doesn't want to lose it. Spots are limited.  If you're interested, email us directly at hello@stirringsuccess.com, and we'll be in touch. Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

  7. May 27

    Brewing Purpose: Building a Life-Giving Space from the Ground Up

    In this episode of Leadership Tea, Shelby and Belinda sit down with Kahana Samms, founder of Good Spirit Cafe, to discuss reinvention, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building community after uncertainty. After years working in federal IT and cybersecurity, Kahana found herself navigating furloughs, layoffs, and major life transitions, prompting her to rethink stability, purpose, and what it truly means to build a meaningful life.  Together, they discuss: Entrepreneurship and sacrificeBuilding a “third space” for healing and connectionThe emotional realities of starting overLeadership, energy, and authenticityCreativity as a pathway to purposeWhy community-centered spaces matter now more than everThis conversation is grounding, inspiring, and honest, especially for anyone navigating transition or building something from the heart. -------------------- Our company, Grounded and Global Advisory, is pleased to offer a quarterly advisory retainer. For $275 per month (billed quarterly, with the option to renew each quarter), you'll receive: One 60-minute coaching session per monthPriority access to our calendarOne annual 90-minute strategic intensiveThis offer is for the person who knows what good advisory support feels like and doesn't want to lose it. Spots are limited.  If you're interested, email us directly at hello@stirringsuccess.com, and we'll be in touch. Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

  8. May 13

    Your Employee Was Blindsided by Their Review. That’s On You.

    Performance reviews are not just paperwork. They’re a reflection of leadership. In this episode, Shelby and Belinda break down how strong leaders handle employee evaluations, difficult feedback, and accountability conversations without damaging trust or team morale. They discuss: Why employees should never be surprised by feedbackHow to write more specific and actionable evaluationsThe difference between performance issues and personality conflictsWhy documentation and HR processes matterWhat leaders get wrong about firing employees Whether you’re a first-time manager or a seasoned executive, this episode offers practical leadership advice for navigating one of the hardest parts of management: evaluating people fairly and effectively. ------------------------------------ Our company, Grounded and Global Advisory, is pleased to offer a quarterly advisory retainer. For $275 per month (billed quarterly, with the option to renew each quarter), you'll receive: One 60-minute coaching session per monthPriority access to our calendarOne annual 90-minute strategic intensiveThis offer is for the person who knows what good advisory support feels like and doesn't want to lose it. Spots are limited.  If you're interested, email us directly at hello@stirringsuccess.com, and we'll be in touch. Send us a comment! Support the show We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea PodcastSubscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube!Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

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4.9
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About

On Leadership Tea, we talk about what it takes to reach the executive level, and how to thrive when you get there. Powerful leaders share their journeys, insights, and triumphs in conversations with hosts Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson Farrier. Join us every other Wednesday to be inspired by the unvarnished stories of amazing executives who know what it's like to be "the only" at the table and who have succeeded regardless. They have proven leadership experience in their respective fields, from international affairs to the private sector to academia, and want to help others create their own success stories.

Information

  • Creator
    Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson Farrier
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Leadership Tea
  • Show Website
    Leadership Tea

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