The Path To Leadership
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 Ervin
www.katieervin.com
www.linkedin.com/in/katieervin/
Rhonda Jolyean Hale
www.jolyean.com
www.linkedin.com/in/rhondajhale/
Episodes
86 episodes
Lead Smarter With AI, Not Harder
Ever feel like your inbox is a novel and your day is a string of tiny decisions that drain the joy out of leading? We dig into a practical way forward: using AI to cut noise, spark ideas, and protect your judgment. Not to replace your voice—onl...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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1:01:10
Introducing A New Co‑Host And A New Chapter
A messy, beautiful October turned into a bigger move: adding Rhonda as our new co‑host and doubling down on leadership that feels human, not performative. We open the door to our coffee-table conversations and invite you into a space where crea...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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28:22
Quarter Four as the Bridge to Quarter One: Momentum, Boundaries, and Better Leadership
The way we finish the year decides how we start the next. Instead of coasting through December and losing a month of momentum, we walk through a clear, practical strategy for treating quarter four as the bridge to a stronger quarter one. We sha...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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15:56
Leading with Intention with Mark Stewart
Ever wonder what happens when a leader intentionally designs workplace culture instead of letting it evolve by chance? Mark Stewart, President and CEO of Agriculture Future of America (AFA), reveals the transformative power of "culture by desig...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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56:31
Empty Nests and New Beginnings
Welcome back to Season 3 of the Path to Leadership! After an extended summer break filled with family transitions, academic pursuits, and professional growth, we're excited to dive into new leadership insights.• Moving into the "wonderf...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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16:15
Cultivating What Matters: A Season of Intentional Growth
Summer often calls us to pause and realign our priorities, which is exactly why I'm announcing a brief hiatus from "The Path to Leadership" podcast. Despite the momentum from recent episodes on authenticity and overnight success that sparked me...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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12:16
Behind the Highlight Reel: The Myth of Overnight Success
Have you ever watched someone seemingly burst onto the scene out of nowhere and wondered, "How did they get so successful so fast?" The truth is far more complex and fascinating than what meets the eye.Success isn't a sudden event but a...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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21:23
Stop Faking It: Why Authentic Leadership Matters More Than You Think
"Fake it till you make it" might be one of the most damaging pieces of advice ever offered to aspiring leaders. This simple phrase sets us up for imposter syndrome, erodes our authenticity, and creates an exhausting façade that eventually crumb...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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14:19
Bloom Where You're Planted: Finding Focus in Busy Seasons
When May arrives with its blooming flowers and lengthening days, most of us face a paradox: excitement for new possibilities alongside the overwhelm of jam-packed calendars. This tension creates the perfect opportunity to revisit our approach t...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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23:31
How To Turn Your Office Grouch Into Your Greatest Ally
Ever wonder why some people always seem to have a dark cloud over their head at work? Rather than avoiding them, I've made it my mission to sit next to the grumpiest person in every room. What I've discovered might surprise you.Behind a...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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21:39
From Burnout to Beauty: Rhonda Jolyean Hale's Transformation Through Aesthetic Exploration
Feeling stuck in a linear career path or struggling to see yourself as creative? In this illuminating conversation, Rhonda Jolyean Hale , founder of Jolyean Creative, overturns conventional thinking about creativity, career progression, and per...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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45:58
Building Communities Through Economic Vision with Jason Smith
Leadership isn't about following a straight line—it's about navigating unexpected turns while keeping your vision clear. Jason Smith, President and CEO of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, exemplifies this journey, having transformed from...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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42:58
Rising to Lead: Kristen Hoffman's Leadership Journey
From hourly employee to C-suite executive, Kristen Hoffman's leadership journey at Delta Dental of Kansas defies conventional career paths. As Chief Operating and Experience Officer, she oversees critical business functions while driving innova...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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27:06
Leadership Lessons from the Frontlines of Youth Development
Chuck Knapp's journey from aspiring late-night talk show host to President and CEO of Jobs for America's Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) reveals how powerful leadership can transform lives. After 23 different jobs and years in public service, Chuck fo...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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36:02
Beyond the Gavel: A Judge's Leadership Journey
What does it mean to carry your professional identity everywhere you go? Judge Courtney Boehm of Kansas's 8th Judicial District pulls back the curtain on her journey from public defender to the bench, revealing the surprising reality that she's...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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19:29
From Transportation Executive to Visionary Leadership Coach: Jim Bramlett's Journey
Jim Bramlett never expected to find his calling helping other business leaders navigate their challenges. After four decades in transportation and logistics, followed by entrepreneurial ventures that taught him hard-earned lessons about leaders...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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51:32
Is Your Workplace Secretly Demotivating?
Are you feeling unmotivated at work? You're not alone, and this episode of Path to Leadership dives into the deeper truths about employee satisfaction and the common pitfalls that can lead to demotivation. In a world where workplace culture is ...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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24:00
Transforming Setbacks into Stepping Stones for Leadership
Ever felt overwhelmed by factors beyond your control, especially in leadership roles? Discover how to transform anxiety into growth by mastering what you can actually control. In our latest episode, we promise to equip you with the tools to red...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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18:46
Building Connections and Resilience in Leadership with Heath Horyna
Discover the remarkable journey of Heath Horyna, whose career path took an unexpected turn from biologist to the Manager of Distribution Project Management at Evergy. Heath shares how a personal tragedy inspired him to seek new horizons, leadin...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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38:54
James Williams's Dedication to Leading with Purpose
Discover the incredible journey of James Williams, the regional public affairs manager for Black Hills Energy, as he shares how his early experiences with the American Red Cross shaped his passion for community service and energy education in K...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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31:56
Cultivating Growth and Connection: Reflections and Aspirations for 2025
Amidst a whirlwind January, I find myself reflecting on how quickly time has passed and the impactful connections made along the way. From reconnecting with Leadership Kansas classmates to engaging with both longstanding and new clients, the mo...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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16:49
Navigating Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Kansas with Josh Shorter
Join us for an insightful exploration featuring Josh Shorter, COO of Integrated Components, as he unfolds his inspiring entrepreneurial journey in the challenging world of aerospace manufacturing. Founded by his father on September 11, 2001, a ...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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39:39
From Classroom to Community: Dan Smith's Impactful Shift
Kansas City's entrepreneurial scene takes center stage as we sit down with Dan Smith, co-founder of Porter House KC. Get ready to uncover the fascinating journey of a man who transitioned from teaching entrepreneurship at the University of Kans...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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39:52
Brad Douglas's Journey: Embracing Change and Driving Impact
Prepare to be inspired as Brad Douglas, a multitalented leader with a background as diverse as it is impressive, shares his journey from concert-level pianist to influential positions in law, politics, and business. Brad's story is a remarkable...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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40:37
Blake Vargas on Balancing Passion and Community Service
Blake Vargas shares his journey from a business path to becoming a superintendent driven by passion for education and community service. His experiences reveal the importance of mentorship, bridging resource gaps in rural education, and fosteri...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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34:40