The Path To Leadership

Catalyst Development
  • 4.9 (10)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Leadership should not feel like a lecture. It should feel like a conversation you actually want to be part of. Welcome to The Path to Leadership, where Dr. Katie Ervin and creative strategist Rhonda Jolyean Hale team up to bring you real talk, real tools, and real transformation. Think of it as your weekly coffee date where leadership development meets creativity, brain science, humor, and the beauty found in both breakthroughs and breakdowns. Dr. Katie brings the research, the practicality, and her signature no-fluff honesty. Rhonda Jolyean brings the creativity, the reinvention energy, and a fresh perspective on how your brain, your story, and your environment shape who you are as a leader. Together, they explore what it takes to grow, adapt, inspire, and stay human in a world that never slows down. If you are leading people, leading projects, leading at home, or simply leading your own next chapter, this podcast gives you the mindset and momentum to do it with clarity, courage, and joy. Because leadership is not about being perfect. It is about showing up, getting curious, and choosing who you want to be today. Connect with the hosts: Dr. Katie Ervinwww.katieervin.com www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ Rhonda Jolyean Halewww.jolyean.com www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/

  1. 1D AGO

    The Art Of Saying No

    Send us Fan Mail Saying no can feel like slamming a door, but for most leaders it’s really a fight with belonging, approval, and the fear of missing out. We dig into why our default becomes “yes” even when we’re exhausted, why that split-second decision feels so personal, and how it quietly turns into resentment, inconsistent priorities, and burnout. If you’ve ever looked at your calendar and felt your stomach drop, you’re not alone and you’re not “bad at time management.” We also get specific about the neuroscience of overcommitment. When we chase the dopamine hit of being needed and avoid the social threat of rejection, we can end up in chronic stress. We talk about decision fatigue, what burnout can do to the prefrontal cortex, why cortisol isn’t built to run high forever, and how joy can literally stop registering when dopamine blunts. This isn’t just a productivity problem. It’s a leadership health problem with real consequences for how you think, decide, and lead. From there, we shift into practical tools you can use immediately: reframing no as alignment, using no to protect your yes, and modeling healthy boundaries so your team feels permission to do the same. We share simple filters to run every request through alignment, capacity, impact, and ownership plus ways to say “not now” when a full no feels like an identity loss. If you want better focus, stronger trust, and more sustainable leadership, this is your reset. Subscribe for weekly leadership conversations, share this with someone who’s drowning in yeses, and leave a review with the hardest boundary you’re trying to set right now. Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books:  52 Weeks of LEADERship:  https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGzYou Might Be an A*****e: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute:  www.katieervin.com/leaders   Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

    42 min

  2. APR 21

    How To Lead Like A Human In An AI Workplace

    Send us Fan Mail AI can write your performance reviews, summarize your meetings, and draft your agenda in seconds. But when you walk into a room and your top performer has gone quiet, two teammates are tense, and everyone is bracing for bad news, no algorithm can do the most important job: make people feel safe, seen, and steady. We break down the AI-proof leadership skills we lean on when the workplace is moving fast. We talk about reading the room with emotional intelligence, creating real psychological safety (and why it is neurological, not fluffy), and building trust the only way it is built: hundreds of small moments where you do what you said you would do. We also dig into accountability, because when a leader owns a miss publicly, defensiveness drops and ownership spreads. From there we go to the tough stuff AI cannot carry for you: the feedback you have been holding back, the conflict everyone is avoiding, and the “don’t be nice, be kind” courage it takes to tell the truth and stay present for what happens next. We close with meaning-making in uncertainty and the daily character choice AI cannot make for you: who you decide to be at work. If you want practical leadership development for the AI era, take our challenge: pick one skill and practise it deliberately this week. Subscribe, share with a teammate, and leave a review with the skill you are choosing to build. Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books:  52 Weeks of LEADERship:  https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGzYou Might Be an A*****e: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute:  www.katieervin.com/leaders   Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

    13 min

  3. APR 14

    AI Proof Leadership Skills

    Send us Fan Mail AI can draft the email, summarize the meeting, and even mimic a friendly voice. What it cannot do is make your team trust you, feel safe, or do brave work when the pressure is on. That’s where leadership gets real, and where the “AI-proof skills” conversation stops being hype and starts being a career advantage. We dig into what the research is signaling about the future of work, including the World Economic Forum’s prediction that a major share of core job skills will change by 2030 and that empathy, active listening, leadership, and social influence are rising fast. We also talk about the practical reality behind the headlines: AI targets tasks, not whole careers, which means the leaders who only manage transactions are the most exposed, while leaders who can lead humans become more valuable. From there we go deep on the skills AI cannot touch: trust building that drives engagement, creative problem framing that turns chaos into clarity, and resilience that keeps teams solving problems instead of stopping at “no.” We also connect psychological safety to neuroaesthetics, showing how environment, rituals, and small cues like visuals, plants, music, and feedback loops can change how people feel and perform. Finally, we challenge leaders to stop trying to “motivate” people and start removing demotivators that quietly drain energy, trust, and productivity. If you’re navigating AI adoption, culture change, or leadership development, listen, share it with a manager or teammate, and then leave a review. What’s the one AI-proof skill you want to build next? Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books:  52 Weeks of LEADERship:  https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGzYou Might Be an A*****e: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute:  www.katieervin.com/leaders   Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

    35 min

  4. APR 7

    Stop Stereotyping And Lead Multigenerational Teams Well

    Send us Fan Mail Generational conflict at work gets blamed on “kids these days” or “out of touch leaders,” but that story is way too small. We sit down to untangle what’s actually happening inside multigenerational teams and why the stereotypes about baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z keep getting repeated even when they don’t fit the real people in front of us. We talk about what truly shapes generations: the social and economic moments that become your “remember where you were when…” memories, plus the technology environment that rewires how you learn, communicate, and build community. From post-war stability to corporate restructuring, from 9-11 and the Great Recession to COVID-era boundary setting, we trace how values form and why the technology gap can make today’s workplace friction feel deeper and faster than it used to. Then we bring it back to leadership and motivation. Across every age group, people still want to feel competent, have autonomy, and experience connection. The difference is how those needs show up: independence versus flexibility, being included versus belonging, formal training versus self-directed learning. We also get blunt about the real issue many organizations face: weak middle management and outdated command-and-control habits that push talented people out. If you lead people or plan to, press play, share it with a manager who needs it, and leave us a review. What’s one generational assumption you’re ready to drop? Check out Dr. Katie's DisruptHR KC talk: https://disrupthr.co/vimeo-video/leadership-that-built-yesterdays-success-is-breaking-todays-workforce-dr-katie-ervin-disrupthr-talks/ Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books:  52 Weeks of LEADERship:  https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGzYou Might Be an A*****e: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute:  www.katieervin.com/leaders   Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

    49 min

  5. MAR 31

    You Can Build Better Leadership Habits One Week At A Time

    Send us Fan Mail A lot of leadership advice sounds great and then disappears the moment your calendar gets chaotic. We wanted something sturdier than motivation, so we’re sharing the story behind Dr. Katie Urban’s newest release: 52 Weeks of Leadership, a guided hardcover journal built to turn leadership development into a weekly practice you can actually keep. We talk through what makes the journal different from a typical workbook or inspirational read. Each week focuses on a leadership skill and moves you through a simple sequence: a clear definition, reflection prompts, an action to practice in real life, and a stretch that nudges you into the conversation you’ve been avoiding. Katie shares a concrete example from the Respect week, including how to name the boundary, value, or need that gets violated when you feel disrespected, and how to turn that moment into better communication, stronger relationships, and more confident leadership. We also get practical about format and access. The book is available on Amazon (including Amazon International), and you don’t need to be in Katie’s Catalyst Development programs or the Kansas City Leaders Institute to use it. Organizations can buy copies for employees, run book studies, and even explore bulk pricing through Katie. Because the journal is independently published, there’s flexibility for special prints for schools or teams while keeping the core leadership content intact.  If you’re ready for a leadership journal that blends emotional intelligence, growth mindset, active listening, and bias awareness into weekly reps, press play and join us. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more leaders can find the community. Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books:  52 Weeks of LEADERship:  https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGzYou Might Be an A*****e: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute:  www.katieervin.com/leaders   Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

    30 min

  6. MAR 24

    Showing Up Anyway: What Leadership Looks Like When You're Running on Empty

    Send us Fan Mail Some days you sit down to lead and the “right” message just won’t come out, because your body knows it would be a performance. Rhonda records a first-ever solo conversation and makes a real-time pivot into the thing many leaders never name: how to show up when you’re tired, burned out, or simply not feeling it, without slipping into fake positivity. We talk about the cultural habit of treating enthusiasm as currency and why it gets rewarded in professional spaces, social spaces, and creative work. Then we dig into the price tag: slow erosion of authenticity, stress that your team can sense, and a fast track to burnout. If you’ve ever answered “I’m good” when you weren’t, you’ll recognise how quickly “being on” becomes a leadership mask that undercuts trust and employee engagement. From there, we get practical about authentic leadership and psychological safety. Presence without pretense can sound subtle, but it changes everything: naming a slower week, setting clear expectations, communicating availability, asking for help, and taking a mental health day when it’s truly needed. We also explore the creativity cost of performed energy and why consistency often serves your team better than charisma. If this resonates, share it with a leader who needs permission to be real, then subscribe and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one place in your life where you’re performing enthusiasm instead of being present? Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books:  52 Weeks of LEADERship:  https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGzYou Might Be an A*****e: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute:  www.katieervin.com/leaders   Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

    1h 4m

  7. MAR 17

    100 Episodes Of Leadership Lessons

    Send us Fan Mail The leadership journey most of us expect is clean, linear, and predictable. The one we actually live is full of detours, wrong turns, awkward lessons, and surprising resets and that’s exactly where the growth happens. For this special 100th episode of The Path to Leadership, I’m going solo to reflect on what I’ve learned from building this podcast, coaching leaders, and watching people navigate real careers in real time.  I share why Catalyst Development is a “how-to-do leadership” company, because most of us already know why leadership matters. What we need are practical leadership skills: self-awareness, decision-making, communication, relationship-building, and the ability to learn fast when things don’t go as planned. This reflection also comes after International Women’s Day conversations in Kansas City, including a powerful moment with Dynamic Logistics where we talked about how teams can show up for each other and create stronger workplace culture together.  You’ll hear two stories that land like bookends: a coaching client stepping into the perfect next role after earlier timing didn’t align, and a soon-to-be graduate facing the discouraging reality of finding that first job. Different chapters of life, same core takeaway: the best decisions are often “best in the moment,” and leadership development is turning those moments into momentum.  Before you go, I give simple homework: picture where you want to be in one year, name the skills and relationships you’ll need, and choose intentional actions to invest in that future. If this resonates, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a rating or review, then message me on LinkedIn with your path to leadership and what you want to hear next. Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books:  52 Weeks of LEADERship:  https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGzYou Might Be an A*****e: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute:  www.katieervin.com/leaders   Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

    12 min

  8. MAR 10

    How Giving A Damn Builds Better Companies with Justin Ricklefs

    Send us Fan Mail What if the real performance hack is deceptively simple: give a damn. We sit down with Justin, author of Give a Damn, to unpack a leadership framework that trades fear-based pressure for human-centered excellence—and proves that care and commerce not only coexist, they compound. Justin takes us from sports business and sales rooms to noisy production floors to reveal where culture is won or lost: in small, consistent choices. We walk through the four catalysts—curiosity, clarity, compassion, and consistency—and hear how each one turns values into results. Curiosity opens the lens so leaders decide with context, not ego. Compassion becomes empathy in action, addressing issues directly and respectfully. Clarity removes guesswork by naming standards and success signals. Consistency keeps the fire burning, building trust day after day instead of relying on one-off hype. The stories land hard and practical. A fear-fueled “mandatory meeting” shows how shame torches engagement. A factory-wide name effort demonstrates how simple recognition boosts retention in male-dominated, high-churn environments. We dig into why standards aren’t micromanagement, how to give teams shared language for the “unsaid” of great work, and what it means to build a brand heartbeat that beats from the inside out—aligning strategy, culture, and storytelling so growth feels natural, not forced. You’ll leave with tools you can use today: questions that spark real listening, phrases that set kind boundaries, and a vivid metaphor—the match—that reminds leaders they carry power to scorch or to light the way. If you’ve been told you must choose between people and profit, this conversation will change your mind and your playbook. Enjoy the episode, then share it with the leader who needs a better way. And if it resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it along to someone building a team that deserves to thrive. Buy Justin's book and connect:  https://www.justinricklefs.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareguildcollective/ Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ www.jolyean.com www.katieervin.com Check out Rhonda's Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThingsForge Order Dr. Katie's books:  52 Weeks of LEADERship:  https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=afiG9oMq4YoXnvxsSD9PDjTrezQvZd6A7vBE1T2yaGzYou Might Be an A*****e: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=O4ZMvNNamwFzFFUAjJB1s6pjudAiHrUlcUX0iMUlzI6Learn more about Catalyst LEADERs Institute:  www.katieervin.com/leaders   Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/

    48 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Leadership should not feel like a lecture. It should feel like a conversation you actually want to be part of. Welcome to The Path to Leadership, where Dr. Katie Ervin and creative strategist Rhonda Jolyean Hale team up to bring you real talk, real tools, and real transformation. Think of it as your weekly coffee date where leadership development meets creativity, brain science, humor, and the beauty found in both breakthroughs and breakdowns. Dr. Katie brings the research, the practicality, and her signature no-fluff honesty. Rhonda Jolyean brings the creativity, the reinvention energy, and a fresh perspective on how your brain, your story, and your environment shape who you are as a leader. Together, they explore what it takes to grow, adapt, inspire, and stay human in a world that never slows down. If you are leading people, leading projects, leading at home, or simply leading your own next chapter, this podcast gives you the mindset and momentum to do it with clarity, courage, and joy. Because leadership is not about being perfect. It is about showing up, getting curious, and choosing who you want to be today. Connect with the hosts: Dr. Katie Ervinwww.katieervin.com www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/ Rhonda Jolyean Halewww.jolyean.com www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/

Information

  • Creator
    Catalyst Development
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    107
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Path To Leadership
  • Show Website
    The Path To Leadership