Crossroads + Catalysts Leadership Podcast

Shenita Brown
  • 4.2 (5)
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  • Updated Weekly

Feeling stuck in your career? Passed over for promotion? Struggling with leadership challenges that no one prepared you for? You're not alone—and you don't have to navigate these crossroads by yourself. Crossroads & Catalysts is the executive leadership podcast for directors, senior managers, and ambitious professionals ready to advance their careers with strategic clarity and confidence. Shenita Brown, an executive and leadership strategist, delivers actionable career advice, proven leadership frameworks, and the mindset shifts you need to move from stuck to strategic. If you're ready to elevate your leadership and stop perpetuating the poor examples you may have witnessed, this show is for you. You'll learn the leadership development skills that get you promoted, career advancement strategies designed for mid-career professionals, and how to navigate workplace challenges with confidence. We'll tackle the messy, everyday realities of leading teams—giving feedback that lands, holding people accountable without damaging relationships, navigating difficult conversations, and building genuine engagement. And yes, this show will tell you the hard truths you need to hear—because sometimes the issue isn't just your team or your organization, it's you. Real growth requires honest self-reflection, and that's exactly what we'll do together. We'll also cover executive presence, strategic thinking frameworks, decision-making, and other tactics that actually work. Perfect for women leaders, directors seeking executive roles, and professionals ready to turn career uncertainty into their next breakthrough moment. No fluff, no theory—just strategic insights you can implement immediately. New episodes every week. Because every crossroads is an opportunity for growth—and every catalyst starts with a decision. crossroadsandcatalysts.com ( http://crossroadsandcatalysts.com )

  1. From Peer to Leader: The Mistake Most New Leaders Make & What To Do

    4d ago

    From Peer to Leader: The Mistake Most New Leaders Make & What To Do

    Transitioning from peer to leader is one of the most overlooked — and emotionally complex — shifts in leadership. In this episode of Crossroads and Catalysts, a leadership podcast for new leaders, Shenita B. discusses straightforward new leader strategies you can apply today as you navigate the challenges that come with leading former coworkers, establishing credibility, and adjusting to changing workplace dynamics. This conversation explores the leadership mindset shift required when moving into management and why so many first-time leaders feel unprepared for the emotional and relational changes that come with increased responsibility. Whether you’re stepping into your first leadership role, managing former peers, or preparing for future opportunities, this episode offers practical insight and thoughtful guidance to help you navigate the transition wisely and lead with greater intention. Joint me for the She Leads Her Money online workshop. Support the show and Buy Me A Coffee. Have some feedback or want to hear a topic? Leave a voice note or send an email I appreciate your listenership.

    14 min
  2. Managing Up Part 2: Self Advocacy Skills and Strategies for New Leaders

    May 18

    Managing Up Part 2: Self Advocacy Skills and Strategies for New Leaders

    Managing up is one of the most underrated new leader strategies — and a core self-advocacy skill. If you're a new leader looking for strategic thinking frameworks that in the real world, this episode is for you. I pick up where Part 1 left off, diving deeper into how learning to speak up in meetings and in the workplace is one of the most important leadership presence moves you can make — and why most people were never taught how to do it strategically. You'll learn how managing up creates the relational foundation that makes self-advocacy effective, why silence gets misinterpreted as agreement or availability, and how to communicate your needs clearly without coming across as demanding or self-promotional. I also cover how to advocate for your team without creating division, how to disagree professionally and affably, and why visibility and communication matter just as much as the quality of your work. Whether you're a new manager, a team lead, or a senior leader navigating complex workplace dynamics, this episode will help you build the trust, credibility, and communication skills needed to influence decisions, protect your team, and advance your career — without sacrificing your integrity or your relationships. Topics covered: self-advocacy skills, new leader strategies, strategic thinking frameworks, speak up in meetings, leadership presence, managing up, leadership communication, professional boundaries, how to disagree at work, advocating for your team, workplace visibility, career advancement, avoiding burnout, executive presence, leadership maturity. Continue advocating for yourself by taking charge of and leading your money. Join me for the live webinar, She Leads Her Money. Support the show and Buy Me A Coffee Have a topic you want to hear about or feedback you'd like to share? Send me a voicemail or email. Book time with me, click here to access my calendar. Looking for more to fuel your growth? The Catalysts newsletter is a short, thoughtful read designed to inspire and equip you for the week ahead. Leaders who are serious about growth don't wait for motivation to find them — they go after it. Subscribe today using the link in the show notes and let's keep growing together. The Catalysts

    27 min
  3. Managing Up Part 1: The New Leader Strategy That Gets You Noticed

    May 11

    Managing Up Part 1: The New Leader Strategy That Gets You Noticed

    Managing up is one of the most underrated new leader strategies — and a core self-advocacy skill that most people learn too late. Yet it's one of the highest-leverage moves you can make for your career and your team. In this episode, we're breaking down what it actually looks like to manage up with intention — not to impress your boss, but to create real alignment, communicate for impact, and close the gaps before they become problems. Because the leaders who move forward aren't just doing good work — they're making sure the right people understand it. If you've been waiting for someone to notice your contributions, this episode is your turning point. Managing up is how you take ownership of your own visibility, strengthen your leadership presence, and become a leader your manager sees, hears, and advocates for. Whether you're navigating workplace challenges, stepping into a new role, or simply ready to stop being overlooked — this is the new leader strategy that changes how you show up, speak up, and lead. Check-out Ep. 61 about your power and your choice. Join me for the She Leads Her Money live workshop. Leave a voicemail or email and let me know what topic you'd like to hear on a webinar. Enjoying what you hear? Become a supporter today and Buy Me A Coffee. Ready to take the next step in your journey? Book some time on my calendar.

    22 min
  4. Why High-Performing Women Struggle With Connection—And What To Do Differently

    May 4

    Why High-Performing Women Struggle With Connection—And What To Do Differently

    What happens when the traits that make you successful at work… start working against you at home? In this episode of Crossroads and Catalysts, we’re unpacking a tension many high-achieving women experience but rarely name—the disconnect between how you show up in leadership and how you show up in your relationships. If you’ve ever been called “too much,” “too controlling,” or “too opinionated” outside of work, this conversation will challenge you to take a closer look at how your leadership mindset is showing up outside of work. We’ll explore: The difference between leading and relatingWhy strong leadership traits like decisiveness, independence, and high standards can create disconnection when misappliedThe role of clarity, communication, and emotional intelligence in building stronger relationships This episode is for the woman who knows she’s capable—but is starting to question whether her approach is creating distance instead of connection. This episode is perfect for you if: You’re a high-achieving woman who leads confidently at work but feels tension in your personal relationships You’ve been told you’re “too much,” “too controlling,” or “hard to deal with”—and you’re trying to understand why You’re developing new manager leadership skills and want to apply them with more awareness and emotional intelligence You’re ready to strengthen both your leadership and your relationships—without dimming who you are Call to Action: If you’re ready to bring more clarity and confidence into another critical area of your life—your finances—I invite you to join me for my live, virtual workshop, She Leads Her Money, on June 13th at 10am. This beginner-friendly session will help you understand your money, your decision-making patterns, and how to build a strategy that actually works for you. Save your seat here. I want to hear from you. Leave a voicemail. Want to support the show? Buy Me A Coffee

    19 min
  5. Leading Yourself: Understanding Your Power & Choice

    Apr 27

    Leading Yourself: Understanding Your Power & Choice

    Have you ever told yourself "I don't have a choice" — and actually believed it? In this episode of Crossroads and Catalysts, I unpack one of the most powerful mindset shifts women in leadership can make: the difference between being stuck and avoiding a choice. Using the lens of relationships, careers, and money, Shenita explores how reclaiming your sense of power and choice is at the heart of leading yourself well — especially when the options in front of you feel uncomfortable, costly, or inconvenient. You'll walk away with a new way of looking at the moments you feel trapped, and a challenge to ask yourself: What would change if I started preparing to actually choose differently? In this episode: Why feeling stuck is often about rejecting the choices you do haveHow your finances quietly shrink or expand the options available to youThe mindset shift that moves you from victim of your circumstances to participant in themWhat it really means to take your power back Perfect for: Women in leadership, aspiring leaders, and anyone who has ever felt stuck in their career, their finances, or their life — and is ready to start making choices from a place of power. Mark your calendar for my live, virtual workshop She Leads Her Money — a space for women ready to use their finances as a tool for freedom, choice, and stronger leadership. Reserve your spot. Enjoying the show and wanna show support? Buy Me A Coffee Leave a voicemail for me with your questions or feedback at crossroadsandcatalysts.com Need leadership support? Book time on my calendar.

    19 min
  6. The Subtle Ways Leaders Destroy Confidence (And How to Build It Instead)

    Apr 20

    The Subtle Ways Leaders Destroy Confidence (And How to Build It Instead)

    Confidence doesn’t disappear overnight—it’s often shaped by everyday leadership behaviors that go unnoticed. In this episode of Crossroads and Catalysts, we take a closer look at how leaders—especially those developing new manager leadership skills—can unintentionally influence confidence, growth, and direction in both professional and personal spaces. Because this isn’t just about leadership at work. How you lead a team tends to mirror how you navigate relationships, communication, and personal growth. And when left unchecked, those patterns can quietly limit not only others—but you as well. This episode invites you to pause at the crossroads and consider: Are you creating space for growth… or unknowingly restricting it? If you’re committed to becoming a more intentional leader—in your career and in your life—this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership development, emotional intelligence, and personal responsibility. Follow Crossroads and Catalysts for more insights on leadership growth, self-mastery, and navigating life’s crossroads with clarity. Sign up for the virtual workshop: She Leads Her Money here. Let's talk about your situation. Book time on my calendar here. Ready to go deeper? Join The Catalyst, a weekly reflection designed to help you lead yourself first—and others more effectively. Wanna show support? Buy Me A Coffee

    17 min
  7. You’re Not Stuck—You’re Invested: Why You Keep Going in the Wrong Direction

    Apr 13

    You’re Not Stuck—You’re Invested: Why You Keep Going in the Wrong Direction

    You’re not stuck—you’re invested. If you’ve ever felt like you’re going in the wrong direction but can’t seem to change course, this episode will challenge how you think about commitment, growth, and leadership. And if you're looking for a mindset shift for leaders, especially women in leadership navigating difficult decisions, this episode will challenge how you think about staying the course and when to move on. At some point, we all face a moment where something no longer feels right…but walking away feels harder than staying. Why? Because of what we’ve already invested. In this episode, Shenita explores the hidden trap that keeps leaders stuck in misaligned roles, decisions, and environments—and why continuing forward isn’t always the most strategic move. You’ll walk away with a new perspective on: Why letting go can feel like failure (even when it’s not)The internal and external pressures that influence our decisions This episode is a reminder that leadership is more than decision-making. Perfect for: Women in leadership navigating uncertainty or misalignmentProfessionals questioning whether to stay or make a changeLeaders ready to rethink how they approach commitment and growthAnyone at a personal or professional crossroads Sometimes the biggest shift isn’t doing more—it’s deciding when to pivot. Sign up here for The Catalyst Newsletter. Schedule some time on my calendar to talk through your challenge. Support the show. Buy Me A Coffee

    16 min
  8. When Doing More Isn’t Better: A Smarter Approach to Leadership and Productivity

    Apr 6

    When Doing More Isn’t Better: A Smarter Approach to Leadership and Productivity

    If you’ve ever felt like doing more should lead to better results—but somehow leaves you feeling stuck—this episode is for you. In this conversation, we explore a common belief many of us have been taught: that more effort automatically leads to success. But is that really true? In this episode of Crossroads and Catalysts, Shenita breaks down the difference between effort and effectiveness in leadership and everyday life. You’ll learn why doing more can sometimes create confusion, dilute your message, and slow your progress instead of moving you forward. Through real-life examples—from overextending in relationships to overperforming at work without clear direction—this episode highlights how overdoing it can lead to burnout, frustration, and missed opportunities. More importantly, it offers a smarter approach to leadership and productivity rooted in clarity, intention, and self-leadership. This episode is perfect for leaders, professionals, and anyone focused on personal growth who wants to strengthen their leadership skills, improve productivity, and make more intentional decisions that actually lead to results. If you’re ready to stop overdoing and start leading with purpose, this conversation will help you rethink what it really means to be effective. 🎧 Listen now and discover how to shift from doing more to doing what truly matters. Get weekly reflections directly to your inbox. Sign up for The Catalyst Need support as you navigate doing less or want to talk through other leadership challenges? Schedule time on my calendar. Wanna support the show? Buy Me A Coffee

    18 min
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Trailer

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Feeling stuck in your career? Passed over for promotion? Struggling with leadership challenges that no one prepared you for? You're not alone—and you don't have to navigate these crossroads by yourself. Crossroads & Catalysts is the executive leadership podcast for directors, senior managers, and ambitious professionals ready to advance their careers with strategic clarity and confidence. Shenita Brown, an executive and leadership strategist, delivers actionable career advice, proven leadership frameworks, and the mindset shifts you need to move from stuck to strategic. If you're ready to elevate your leadership and stop perpetuating the poor examples you may have witnessed, this show is for you. You'll learn the leadership development skills that get you promoted, career advancement strategies designed for mid-career professionals, and how to navigate workplace challenges with confidence. We'll tackle the messy, everyday realities of leading teams—giving feedback that lands, holding people accountable without damaging relationships, navigating difficult conversations, and building genuine engagement. And yes, this show will tell you the hard truths you need to hear—because sometimes the issue isn't just your team or your organization, it's you. Real growth requires honest self-reflection, and that's exactly what we'll do together. We'll also cover executive presence, strategic thinking frameworks, decision-making, and other tactics that actually work. Perfect for women leaders, directors seeking executive roles, and professionals ready to turn career uncertainty into their next breakthrough moment. No fluff, no theory—just strategic insights you can implement immediately. New episodes every week. Because every crossroads is an opportunity for growth—and every catalyst starts with a decision. crossroadsandcatalysts.com ( http://crossroadsandcatalysts.com )

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