The Leading Below the Surface Podcast with LaTonya Wilkins

LaTonya Wilkins

Honest conversations on leadership, emotional strength, and human connection in a chaotic world. Hosted by LaTonya Wilkins—award-winning executive coach and author of Leading Below the Surface—this podcast explores inclusive leadership, psychological safety, and personal growth. Whether you’re a leader, coach, or simply navigating life with intention, you’ll walk away with real tools to lead and live more authentically. Learn more at changecoaches.io.

  1. 6D AGO

    Ep: 60: Everyday Mental Health Practices for Leadership and Life (with Dr. Caroline Adelman)

    In a world that increasingly feels uncertain — and at times, broken — how do we stay grounded as leaders and human beings? In this powerful conversation, LaTonya Wilkins sits down with Dr. Caroline Adelman, clinical psychologist, coach, and founder of Chicago Psychotherapy, to explore what it truly means to lead and live well amid chaos. Together, they uncover how chronic stress, disconnection, and unpredictability shape our lives — and how we can rebuild connection through everyday mental health practices that actually work. Dr. Adelman shares evidence-based techniques rooted in therapy and neuroscience that help leaders regulate emotions, create stability, and bring real compassion into the workplace. Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or just trying to stay grounded yourself, this conversation offers practical wisdom for navigating a complex, broken world — one human moment at a time. Connection — not control — is the foundation of resilience. Stress disconnects us from ourselves, others, and what matters most; awareness and intention reconnect us. Leaders don’t need to have all the answers, but they do need to show care, humility, and hope. Simple rituals — listening, check-ins, walk-and-talks — can transform workplace wellbeing. Human-centered leadership is the antidote to fear-based systems. Dr. Caroline Adelman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, coach, and founder of Chicago Psychotherapy. She completed her PhD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and fellowships at the Yale Child Study Center. She previously served on the clinical faculty at Northwestern University and has spent over fifteen years helping children, adults, and professionals navigate anxiety, trauma, and transitions. Dr. Adelman’s work integrates evidence-based therapy with compassion, humor, and authenticity. She’s a frequent speaker and consultant on resilience, wellness, and leadership. To learn more, visit ChicagoPsychotherapy.com/dr-caroline-adelman.  Resources Mentioned Leading Below the Surface (2nd Edition): leadingbelowthesurface.com LaTonya’s article “The Relationship Between Psychological Safety and Accountability”: changecoaches.io/the-relationship-between-psychological-safety-and-accountability 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: changecoaches.io/podcast 🔗 Follow LaTonya Wilkins on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins 🔗 Follow Change Coaches: linkedin.com/company/change-coaches 🌐 Learn more about our work: changecoaches.io

    44 min
  2. SEP 22

    Ep 59: Dominant Leadership Standards: Why They’re Failing Us

    Authoritarian, fear-based leadership might seem loud and everywhere—but that doesn’t mean it’s working. In this solo episode, LaTonya Wilkins, award-winning executive coach and author of Leading Below the Surface (second edition out Sept. 30), unpacks why dominant leadership standards—rigidity, perfectionism, and toxic meritocracy—are failing organizations today. Drawing on Chapter 2 of her book, LaTonya contrasts authoritarian and relational leadership, shares personal insights from the field, and explains why relational leadership is the future in an era of mental health challenges, AI disruption, and broken systems. She also teases upcoming guest conversations on mental health and conscious leadership. If you’ve been told to “toughen up” or “lead with fear” to get results, this episode will give you evidence, strategies, and courage to lead differently. Authoritarian leadership OwlCast episode referenced: Spotify Apple Key Insights: Dominant leadership standards (rigidity, fear, optics) are outdated and erode innovation and psychological safety. Authoritarian leadership thrives on fear and appears louder than it is—but relational leadership creates sustainable performance. Relational leadership is essential as workplaces face unprecedented challenges and employees bring their whole selves to work. Situational leadership and coaching cultures are powerful relational tools that drive inclusion, collaboration, and trust. Sticking with relational leadership—even when pressured to adopt authoritarian tactics—pays off in alignment, creativity, and resilience. Let's Stay in Touch: Subscribe/Follow: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Change Coaches YouTube Channel to catch every episode. Leave a Review or Share: If this episode resonated, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share it with a colleague or friend. Explore More: Visit LeadingBelowTheSurface.com and ChangeCoaches.io for book updates, keynotes, workshops, and coaching. Book Talks: Want a Leading Below the Surface book talk for your team? Email info@changecoaches.io to schedule—limited slots each month. Connect with LaTonya: LinkedIn — share your thoughts or let her know how relational leadership is showing up in your world. Next Episode Preview: Don’t miss next week’s conversation on Everyday Mental Health Practices for Leadership and Life—practical ways leaders can support wellness in a world that feels broken.

    24 min
  3. AUG 25

    Ep 57: Is Psychological Safety Enough? Rethinking How We Lead and Work

    Psychological safety has become one of the most popular leadership buzzwords in recent years. But is it enough on its own? Inspired by Amy Edmondson’s recent Harvard Business Review article, executive coach and author LaTonya Wilkins explores the six most common misconceptions about psychological safety — and what leaders can do to move beyond them. LaTonya also shares exciting news about the second edition of her award-winning book Leading Below the Surface, coming this fall, and gives three practical tips for keeping psychological safety alive in your organization. Why psychological safety isn’t about being “nice” or avoiding accountability The difference between safety and job security How safety drives performance and collaboration, not the opposite Why everyone — not just senior leaders — can create safety 🌟 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why psychological safety isn’t about being “nice” or avoiding accountability The difference between safety and job security How safety drives performance and collaboration, not the opposite Why everyone — not just senior leaders — can create safety Three practical ways to make psychological safety last 🔗 Resources & Links Official Podcast Hub: leadingbelowthesurface.com HBR Article: What People Get Wrong About Psychological Safety by Amy C. Edmondson & Michaela J. Kerrissey LaTonya’s Article: The Relationship Between Psychological Safety and Accountability Change Coaches on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/change-coaches LaTonya Wilkins on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins Coaching Below the Surface Program: changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/

    22 min
  4. AUG 11

    Ep 56: Selling Yourself Without Selling Out: Navigating the Tension Between Self-Promotion and Staying Grounded

    In this episode of Leading Below the Surface, LaTonya Wilkins sits down with sales strategist Kelly Hoppesch to unpack the art of selling yourself without feeling fake, pushy, or “salesy.” Whether you’re a CEO, a coach, or simply navigating your career, sales is a skill we all need, even if we don’t think of ourselves as salespeople. Kelly shares her insights on empathy in sales, how to build authentic influence, and why selling is really about connection and clarity, not scripts and pressure. You’ll walk away with actionable ways to position yourself, your ideas, and your value; all in a way that feels natural and aligned. Guest Bio: Kelly Hoppesch is a seasoned sales strategist, specializing in the HR Tech space. She’s held revenue leadership roles at powerhouse brands like LinkedIn, CareerBuilder, and Glassdoor, but her true passion lies in the messy, high-stakes world of startups. In 2021, she founded KH LLC, a consulting firm built to help tech founders unlock revenue and scale smarter, faster, and with purpose. Kelly believes revenue problems aren’t just about numbers — they’re rooted in people, operations, and execution. Through her work, she helps founders uncover the real heartbeat of their business, rewiring what’s broken so they can move forward with clarity and confidence. Stay in Touch with Change Coaches: -Change Coaches Guide to Create Psychological Safe Conversations Across Differences -Change Coaches Newsletter Connect with us: Email us at info@changecoaches.io Learn more about Change Coaches Follow LaTonya on LinkedIn Follow Change Coaches on LinkedIn For More on the Book Leading Below the Surface

    39 min
  5. JUN 30

    Ep 54: Attached or Avoidant? Why Your Patterns Matter in Love, Leadership, and Life

    Have you ever wondered why you job hop, overfunction on teams, or struggle with work relationships? The answer might lie below the surface—in your attachment style. In this solo episode, LaTonya Wilkins, award-winning executive coach and author of Leading Below the Surface, breaks down the four attachment styles (anxious, avoidant, disorganized, and secure) and how they show up at work, in leadership, and in love. You’ll walk away with: A quick self-diagnosis guide to help you identify your style Insights on how each style impacts your work relationships and leadership Coaching tips tailored to each style—no psychology degree required A powerful reminder that self-awareness is the gateway to becoming a better leader Whether you’re leading teams, navigating workplace tension, or just trying to understand yourself better, this episode offers a grounded, human-centered framework to help you lead and live more authentically. 🎧 Mentioned in this episode: Ep. 47 – The Leadership Echo: How Childhood Trauma Affects the Way You Lead ft. Blythe Landry https://open.spotify.com/episode/3GW4CVfAwZO8w4KgXwkaEI 🔗 Learn more about Coaching Below the Surface: https://changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/ 🔗 Follow LaTonya Wilkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/ 🔗 Follow Change Coaches on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/change-coaches

    16 min
  6. JUN 17

    Ep 53: Staying Ahead of the Curve: How to Upskill with AI and Emerging Tech

    In this episode of the Leading Below the Surface podcast, host LaTonya Wilkins sits down with Mel Milloway—servant leader, learning experience designer, and Co-Founder of This Side Up—to explore how AI and emerging learning technologies are reshaping leadership, learning, and performance. Mel shares how leaders and learning professionals can stay ahead of the curve by upskilling with digital tools, human-centered design, and experimentation. They discuss practical ways to think differently about learning tech, the importance of lifelong curiosity, and how the role of learning teams is shifting in real time. Whether you’re in L&D, leading teams, or just curious about how AI is reshaping work, this conversation will help you reimagine what it means to lead and learn today. Guest Bio: Mel Milloway is a people leader and learning experience designer with over 14 years in corporate learning. She’s led high-impact programs at Amazon and Miro, and champions innovative approaches including xAPI, UX/UI, and servant leadership. Mel publishes a newsletter on LinkedIn called This Side Up, where she shares videos, frameworks, and practices from the frontlines of modern learning. 📍 Learn more about Mel: https://melmilloway.github.io/about https://www.linkedin.com/in/melmilloway/ 🙏🏾 Please share this episode if it resonates with you, or if you know someone who’s navigating these shifts in learning and leadership. 🔗 Stay connected: Change Coaches: https://www.changecoaches.io Change Coaches on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/change-coaches LaTonya Wilkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/ Leading Below the Surface: https://www.leadingbelowthesurface.com Coaching Below the Surface: https://changecoaches.io/coaching-below-the-surface/

    32 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Honest conversations on leadership, emotional strength, and human connection in a chaotic world. Hosted by LaTonya Wilkins—award-winning executive coach and author of Leading Below the Surface—this podcast explores inclusive leadership, psychological safety, and personal growth. Whether you’re a leader, coach, or simply navigating life with intention, you’ll walk away with real tools to lead and live more authentically. Learn more at changecoaches.io.