Leadership Tea

In this heartfelt conversation, Shelby and Belinda share their reactions to the 2025 Women in the Workplace report by McKinsey & LeanIn.org.  They highlight the deep fatigue and burnout women experience as they rise into senior leadership.They reflect on the emotional and logistical realities that the data doesn’t always capture: – women reaching the top of the ladder only to find exhaustion waiting for them – the cultural pressure in the U.S. to “do it all” without asking for help – the double standard where men receive quiet support systems while women feel judged for needing them – the loneliness of leadership, especially for women of color – the guilt that comes with caregiving and boundary-setting – the absence of sponsorship and empathetic leadership in many workplacesGrounded in personal stories—from missing their children’s milestones to carving out time for family despite career demands—they illustrate how women are not less ambitious; they’re simply navigating systems designed without them in mind.The episode ends with a call for leaders everywhere to build cultures rooted in trust, compassion, humane expectations, and real support—because meaningful leadership is not about suffering in silence; it’s about helping others rise with you.Referenced in this episode:McKinsey & Company: “Women in the Workplace Report”https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/women-in-the-workplaceSend us a comment!Recommit is a Feb 28 half-day retreat for people who are ready for more clarity, courage, and alignment. You’ll experience a private venue, brunch, guided reflection, and leave with a roadmap for what’s next.Click here to join the Early Bird list for lower ticket prices and early access.Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Join the Early Bird list here. We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Shelby and Belinda are joined by two financial professionals from the State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU): Samia "Sam" Salmon (Vice President of Retail Business Development) and Josh Barrett (Manager for Overseas Operations). They share actionable, no-nonsense advice to help you get your financial house in order as we head into 2026.We discuss how to think through competing financial priorities like paying off debt vs. building an emergency fund or making decisions about 401k withdrawals. Our guests also stress the importance of communicating with your lenders during periods of reduced income, furloughs, or career pivots.Shelby and Belinda are both long-time customers of SDFCU. We encourage you to check out their services at https://www.sdfcu.org In this episode:Why having good credit can be as important as having cash savingsShould you dip into your retirement accounts?The importance of asking your lenders about hardship relief optionsWhy reading the fine print of your loan paperwork could be a lifesaverWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ahkVrnEM4EgSend us a comment!Recommit is a Feb 28 half-day retreat for people who are ready for more clarity, courage, and alignment. You’ll experience a private venue, brunch, guided reflection, and leave with a roadmap for what’s next.Click here to join the Early Bird list for lower ticket prices and early access.Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Join the Early Bird list here. We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Belinda & Shelby break down the Sunday rituals that high-performing leaders use to reduce anxiety, set clear priorities, and start the week with confidence, not chaos.If you're a leader, executive, or high achiever who feels the Sunday pressure creeping in, this conversation is for you.What we cover:✨ Why successful leaders avoid emails on Sundays✨ How to set boundaries without guilt✨ Sunday planning routines to calm your mind✨ How to set clear expectations with your team & household✨ What tasks should wait until Monday — and which shouldn’t✨ Have clarity on weekly priorities > daily to-do lists or specific objectives ✨ Simple rituals that make Mondays feel lighterWhether you grocery shop, meal prep, fold laundry, or journal to reset — your rituals matter. A peaceful Sunday leads to a powerful week.Send us a comment!Recommit is a Feb 28 half-day retreat for people who are ready for more clarity, courage, and alignment. You’ll experience a private venue, brunch, guided reflection, and leave with a roadmap for what’s next.Click here to join the Early Bird list for lower ticket prices and early access.Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Join the Early Bird list here. We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

A layoff can feel like a verdict. We treat it as a turning point. In this candid conversation, we unpack what it means to “fail forward” when the spotlight is brightest and the Sunday Scaries won’t quit. Shelby shares the raw aftermath of being laid off from a high-profile role and the unexpected freedom that came from choosing silence, setting boundaries, and designing a schedule that serves her. Belinda digs into the shame loop many leaders fall into, why scapegoating thrives in political environments, and how reframing misalignment can restore agency and momentum.Two questions anchor this episode: Who can you trust, and what are you willing to tolerate? Whether you’re processing a layoff, questioning a misaligned role, or trying to end the Sunday Scaries, these strategies help you regain control of your time, your message, and your outcomes. If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a colleague who needs it, and leave a review so more leaders can find us. Then tell us: what boundary are you setting this week?Send us a comment!Recommit is a Feb 28 half-day retreat for people who are ready for more clarity, courage, and alignment. You’ll experience a private venue, brunch, guided reflection, and leave with a roadmap for what’s next.Click here to join the Early Bird list for lower ticket prices and early access.Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Join the Early Bird list here. We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Belinda and Shelby host a candid conversation with a panel of high-achieving women from South Africa: Samantha Kavuma, Ayanda Nkosi, Lehlohonolo Siwundla, and Carmin Varnicker. We discuss internal barriers that can block our professional progress, such as limiting beliefs and doubting our own abilities.We share practical leadership strategies, including the vital skill of knowing which battles are truly worth fighting, and why the word “resilience” is not the flex it seems to be. We encourage you to define your long-term vision by separating what you need from what you want, and give advice for budding entrepreneurs.In this episode:Overcoming self-doubt and recognising your past achievements to shore up your confidenceHow resilience can sometimes be code for tolerating abuseKnowing you can’t speak up on every issue, and how to know when to speak upTips for starting a coaching business Find our guests on LinkedIn:Samantha Kavuma - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssnkavuma/Ayanda Nkosi - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayanda-nkosi/Lehlohonolo Siwundla - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lehlohonolo-s-199a7920/Carmin Scheepers Varnicker - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmin-scheepers-varnicker-lion-64551727/Send us a comment!Recommit is a Feb 28 half-day retreat for people who are ready for more clarity, courage, and alignment. You’ll experience a private venue, brunch, guided reflection, and leave with a roadmap for what’s next.Click here to join the Early Bird list for lower ticket prices and early access.Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Join the Early Bird list here. We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

In the newly launched Sunday Scaries to Sunday Strategy Series as part of the Leadership Tea Podcast, Belinda and Shelby help executives with tips to lean into the week and strategies for long-term professional growth. This episode highlights how to future-proof your career in an unpredictable world, focusing on four critical soft skills: digital fluency, influence without authority, cross-cultural communication, and purpose-driven career design. Not theory—practical habits, stories from Belinda and Shelby’s experience as diplomats and executives leading enterprise teams, and concrete steps to leverage your personal brand and network to stay ahead. Join the conversation and learn how to prepare for future challenges while building a legacy in your executive role.Send us a comment!Recommit is a Feb 28 half-day retreat for people who are ready for more clarity, courage, and alignment. You’ll experience a private venue, brunch, guided reflection, and leave with a roadmap for what’s next.Click here to join the Early Bird list for lower ticket prices and early access.Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Join the Early Bird list here. We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Airports jammed, paychecks paused, nerves frayed—crisis has a way of revealing what actually keeps leaders steady. Belinda and Shelby peel back the layers of the recent shutdown and run our lessons through “priority screening,” naming the habits and guardrails that matter when systems fail and people still need direction.First, Belinda and Shelby get practical about money. Financial fragility isn’t just stressful; it impairs judgment. They also challenge unbounded vulnerability. Empathy fuels trust, but unchecked venting drains morale. Values become the compass: hold standards, keep momentum, and resist the urge to pass your frustration down the chain. Finally, Belinda and Shelby share how boundaries protect high-EQ leaders from burnout.As they close the shutdown series, Belinda and Shelby preview a new flow of episodes, “No Sunday Scaries,” designed to reset your week with intention and ease. Your take matters—what lessons make the cut for priority screening?Send us a comment!Recommit is a Feb 28 half-day retreat for people who are ready for more clarity, courage, and alignment. You’ll experience a private venue, brunch, guided reflection, and leave with a roadmap for what’s next.Click here to join the Early Bird list for lower ticket prices and early access.Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Join the Early Bird list here. We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Belinda and Shelby are joined by tech policy and AI governance expert, Soribel Feliz, also known as The AI Therapist. Soribel tackles the anxiety currently gripping the professional world: fear of being replaced by artificial intelligence. If you're wondering what your kids should study, how to upskill mid-career, or how to maintain your mental health amid constant doom-and-gloom headlines, this episode is for you.Soribel discusses the legitimate concerns surrounding AI, from plagiarism in higher education to the AI automation impacting white-collar work. She dispels one of the biggest myths—that AGI will be "god-like.” And she offers practical advice on how to manage your anxiety around AI by focusing on what you can control, and how executives can build a collaborative AI adoption strategy. Also in this episode:Legitimate concerns everyone should have about AI's impact on work and societyWhy learning all the AI tools is an overwhelming and ineffective strategySoribel's advice for maximizing your data privacy and security immediatelyHow leaders can create a vision for integrating AI on their teamsFind Soribel:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soribelfeliz/YouTube: https://youtube.com/@soribelaitherapistYou can also watch our conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A-RocnSZfl0Send us a comment!Recommit is a Feb 28 half-day retreat for people who are ready for more clarity, courage, and alignment. You’ll experience a private venue, brunch, guided reflection, and leave with a roadmap for what’s next.Click here to join the Early Bird list for lower ticket prices and early access.Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Join the Early Bird list here. We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Finding Growth in Discomfort: Strategies for Transition and CopingIn this episode of the Leadership Tea Podcast, hosts discuss the challenges and growth opportunities during a shutdown. Shelby shares her experiences transitioning out of government work, dealing with introversion through networking, and finding new ways to communicate and cope during uncomfortable times. Belinda talks about the importance of focus for entrepreneurs, challenges in self-promotion, and breaking down larger goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed. They both highlight the importance of family communication and maintaining relationships during financial strains. The episode emphasizes finding hope and possibilities even in challenging circumstances, offering practical advice and personal anecdotes.00:00 Introduction to the Leadership Tea Podcast00:16 Embracing Discomfort for Growth00:56 Shelby's Networking Strategies03:32 Belinda's Entrepreneurial Focus05:49 The Challenge of Self-Promotion10:52 Communicating Through Crisis18:24 Finding Hope and Possibilities19:56 Conclusion and Community SupportJOIN THE LEADERSHIP LOUNGEIf you're a leader who wants more than surface-level advice, join Shelby & Belinda for exclusive content, practical tools, and a supportive community that fuels your growth. Learn more at https://www.stirringsuccess.com/leadershiploungeSend us a comment!Recommit is a Feb 28 half-day retreat for people who are ready for more clarity, courage, and alignment. You’ll experience a private venue, brunch, guided reflection, and leave with a roadmap for what’s next.Click here to join the Early Bird list for lower ticket prices and early access.Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Join the Early Bird list here. We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.

Shelby and Belinda reflect on managing personal and professional lives amidst the prolonged government shutdown. They discuss its impacts, such as the end of SNAP benefits and continued layoffs at major companies. Shelby and Belinda also draw parallels between the resilience seen in the World Series and the mindset needed to navigate challenging times. They emphasize the importance of mutual support, filling each other's cups, and maintaining a 'game seven mentality' to stay motivated and impactful. The episode concludes with a call for listeners to share their thoughts and strategies for approaching 2026. *Please note, the reference to Manuel Rojas was an error; in their excitement, the hosts misspoke and meant to say Miguel Rojas.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Leadership Tea Podcast00:10 Reflecting on the Government Shutdown01:35 Personal Impacts and Client Success Stories04:04 Mentees and Restoring Faith07:42 Lessons from the World Series14:11 Filling Each Other's Cups18:15 Conclusion and Call to ActionJOIN THE LEADERSHIP LOUNGEIf you're a leader who wants more than surface-level advice, join Shelby & Belinda for exclusive content, practical tools, and a supportive community that fuels your growth. Learn more at https://www.stirringsuccess.com/leadershiploungeSend us a comment!Recommit is a Feb 28 half-day retreat for people who are ready for more clarity, courage, and alignment. You’ll experience a private venue, brunch, guided reflection, and leave with a roadmap for what’s next.Click here to join the Early Bird list for lower ticket prices and early access.Join us on February 28th, 2026 at the DC Wharf for the Recommit: Winter Retreat. Join the Early Bird list here. We publish new episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe to the Leadership Tea Podcast Subscribe to Leadership Tea on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Leadership_Tea for more inspiration and insights.