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Love & Light Leadership Podcast

Love & Light Leadership Podcast

By: Dr. Phenessa A. Gray
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 In a ever-changing world, leaders need more than strategies — they need a place to steady their vision, renew their strength, and realign with God’s purpose. The Love & Light Leadership™ Podcast is that space: part anchor, part oasis, designed for faith-driven professionals who want to excel in their work without losing their peace, integrity, or calling.

Hosted by Dr. Phenessa A. Gray, a trusted guide and advocate who empowers leaders to rise with courage and lead with grace, each episode blends biblical wisdom, leadership best practices, and soul care strategies to help you:
  • Lead with clarity, courage, and compassion in complex environments
  • Build trust and engagement in your teams• Protect your energy while sustaining high performance
  • Integrate your faith into every sphere of influence
Here, leadership isn’t just a role — it’s a calling. And this is where your leadership is anchored, renewed, and empowered.

Download your thank-you gift for joining me today: Love & Light Leadership Podcast Companion Journal Template.

Enjoy the Meditation for Leaders on YouTube to start your week: https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLightLeadership.

✨ New episodes weekly — for deeper connection, exclusive resources, and a like-hearted community, join the Love & Light Leadership Movement.

💖Support the podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/love-light-leadership-podcast–6730707/support.

Love Bold. Live Lit. Lead Forward.Copyright 2025, Dr. Phenessa A. Gray Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success Spirituality
Episodes
  • Season 02: E04 | TRUTH - The Neuroscience of Truth-Telling for Burned-Out Leaders

    Season 02: E04 | TRUTH - The Neuroscience of Truth-Telling for Burned-Out Leaders
    Dec 21 2025
    You can be incredibly competent and emotionally exhausted at the same time. You can be crushing your goals while quietly suffocating under the weight of what you won't say out loud. Many leaders have built impressive résumés while quietly ignoring the truth their bodies have been screaming—confusing professionalism with pretending, strength with silence.In Episode 4 of the Take What You Need 100-day series, Dr. Phenessa Gray dismantles the dangerous narrative that honesty threatens leadership stability. Drawing from John 8:32, Psalm 51:6, and Psalm 42:11, this episode reveals what biblical truth actually looks like: alignment that liberates your nervous system and clarifies your leadership instead of collapsing it.You'll discover:- The Greek word ginōskō (to know experientially) and what it means for embodied truth- Why cognitive dissonance creates full-system stress responses in your brain- The F.I.N.E. framework: Frustrated, Insecure, Neurotic, Emotional—or Feelings In Need of Expression- How code-switching and emotional labor drain leaders who navigate multiple cultural contexts- The neuroscience of behavioral integrity and what happens when your words don't match your actions- How chronic misalignment compromises your prefrontal cortex and hyperactivates your amygdala- 4-4-6 breathwork practice to activate parasympathetic regulation- The practice of "energetic integrity"—one micro-move to restore nervous system relief- Why expressive writing about difficult truths creates neural pathways for healingPerfect for: Leaders who are tired of performing instead of processing—library directors, educators, nonprofit founders, ministry leaders, corporate managers, women in leadership, and anyone who's been saying "I'm fine" while their body screams otherwise.Accessible Resources & References (APA 7th Edition)Scripture Tools (Free, Accessible)- Bible Gateway. (n.d.). Free Bible reading and study tools. https://www.biblegateway.com/- Bible Hub. (n.d.). Interlinear and lexicon tools. https://biblehub.com/- Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Lexicon and word study resources. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Hebrew & Greek Word Studies- Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Strong's G1097 - ginōskō (to know, experientially). https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1097/kjv/tr/0-1/- Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Strong's H571 - emet (truth, reliability, faithfulness). https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h571/kjv/wlc/0-1/- Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Strong's H2910 - tuchoth (inward parts, hidden places). https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2910/kjv/wlc/0-1/- Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Strong's G1659 - eleutheroō (to set free, liberate). https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1659/kjv/tr/0-1/Biblical Reference Works- Brown, F., Driver, S. R., & Briggs, C. A. (1906). The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Hendrickson Publishers.- Kittel, G., & Friedrich, G. (Eds.). (1964). Theological dictionary of the New Testament (Vol. 1).- Eerdmans. Strong, J. (1890). Strong's exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Abingdon Press.Cognitive Dissonance & Psychological Alignment- Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford University Press.- Harmon-Jones, E., & Mills, J. (2019). An introduction to cognitive dissonance theory and an overview of current perspectives on the theory. In E. Harmon-Jones (Ed.), Cognitive dissonance: Reexamining a pivotal theory in psychology (2nd ed., pp. 3–24). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000135-001Neuroscience: Stress, Trauma & Integration- Damasio, A. R. (1994). Descartes' error: Emotion, reason, and the human brain. Putnam.- Sapolsky, R. M. (2004). Why zebras don't get ulcers (3rd ed.). Henry Holt and Company.- Siegel, D. J. (2012). The developing mind: How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.- Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.- McEwen, B. S. (1998). Protective and damaging effects of stress mediators. New England Journal of Medicine, 338(3), 171–179. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199801153380307- Lupien, S. J., McEwen, B. S., Gunnar, M. R., & Heim, C. (2009). Effects of stress throughout the lifespan on the brain, behaviour and cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 434–445. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2639Emotional Labor & Code-Switching- Hochschild, A. R. (1983). The managed heart: Commercialization of human feeling. University of California Press.- Grandey, A. A. (2000). Emotion regulation in the workplace: A new way to conceptualize emotional labor. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 5(1), 95–110. https://doi.org/10.1037/1076-8998.5.1.95- Brotheridge, C. M., & Grandey, A. A. (2002). Emotional labor and burnout: Comparing two perspectives of "people work." Journal of Vocational Behavior, 60(1), 17–39. https://doi.org/10.1006/jvbe.2001.1815- McCluney, C. L., Robotham, K., Lee, S., Smith, R.,...
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    21 mins
  • Season 2: Episode 3 | GRIT: When Your Strength Doesn’t Cost Your Soul

    Season 2: Episode 3 | GRIT: When Your Strength Doesn’t Cost Your Soul
    Dec 15 2025
    You can be incredibly strong and spiritually bankrupt at the same time. You can achieve remarkable things while losing remarkable parts of yourself. Many leaders have built impressive résumés while quietly eroding their souls—confusing perseverance with punishment, dedication with depletion.In Episode 3 of the Take What You Need 100-day series, Dr. Phenessa Gray dismantles the toxic narrative that strength requires soul sacrifice. Drawing from Matthew 11:28-30, Isaiah 40:31, and Psalm 23:2-3, this episode reveals what biblical grit actually looks like: Spirit-sustained strength that makes you more alive, not less.You'll discover:•The Hebrew word chālîyph (renew/exchange) and what it means for depleted leaders•Why self-generated grit always has a price tag—and God's strength doesn't•The Four Energy Dimensions framework for sustainable leadership (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual)•How allostatic load from chronic stress literally changes your brain structure•The practice of "soul-cost accounting" before saying yes to anything•A soul-restoration breathing meditation to reconnect with God's sustaining presence•How to audit whether your current strength is feeding or costing your soulPerfect for: Leaders who are tired of choosing between their calling and their wholeness—library directors, educators, nonprofit founders, ministry leaders, corporate managers, and anyone who's been sacrificing their soul for their impact.Scripture Tools (Free, Accessible)•Bible Gateway. (n.d.). Free Bible reading and study tools. https://www.biblegateway.com/•Bible Hub. (n.d.). Interlinear and lexicon tools. https://biblehub.com/•Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Lexicon and word study resources. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Hebrew & Greek Word Studies•Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Strong's H2498 - chālîyph (to change, renew, exchange). https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2498/kjv/wlc/0-1/•Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Strong's G373 - anapauō (to give rest, refresh). https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g373/kjv/tr/0-1/Howard Thurman Quote Source•Thurman, H. (1980). The growing edge. Friends United Press. (Quote widely attributed and verified through Thurman archives)________________________________________Credible Scholarly Works (APA 7th Edition)Energy Management & Sustainable Performance•Loehr, J., & Schwartz, T. (2003). The power of full engagement: Managing energy, not time, is the key to high performance and personal renewal. Free Press.•Schwartz, T., & McCarthy, C. (2007). Manage your energy, not your time. Harvard Business Review, 85(10), 63–73.•Sonnentag, S., & Fritz, C. (2015). Recovery from job stress: The stressor‐detachment model as an integrative framework. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36(S1), S72–S103. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1924•Dalal, R. S., Bhave, D. P., & Fiset, J. (2014). Within-person variability in job performance: A theoretical review and research agenda. Journal of Management, 40(5), 1396–1436. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206314532691Neuroscience: Allostatic Load & Chronic Stress•McEwen, B. S. (1998). Protective and damaging effects of stress mediators. New England Journal of Medicine, 338(3), 171–179. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199801153380307•McEwen, B. S., & Stellar, E. (1993). Stress and the individual: Mechanisms leading to disease. Archives of Internal Medicine, 153(18), 2093–2101. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1993.00410180039004•Juster, R. P., McEwen, B. S., & Lupien, S. J. (2010). Allostatic load biomarkers of chronic stress and impact on health and cognition. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 35(1), 2–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2009.10.002•Lupien, S. J., McEwen, B. S., Gunnar, M. R., & Heim, C. (2009). Effects of stress throughout the lifespan on the brain, behaviour and cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 434–445. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2639Breathwork & Contemplative Practices•Ma, X., Yue, Z. Q., Gong, Z. Q., Zhang, H., Duan, N. Y., Shi, Y. T., Wei, G. X., & Li, Y. F. (2017). The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 874. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874•Zaccaro, A., Piarulli, A., Laurino, M., Garbella, E., Menicucci, D., Neri, B., & Gemignani, A. (2018). How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12, 353. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353•Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W. W. Norton & Company.Burnout & Occupational Health•Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: Recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20311•Salvagioni, D. A. J., Melanda, F. N., Mesas...
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    18 mins
  • Season 02: E02 | GRACE: Permission to Be Human

    Season 02: E02 | GRACE: Permission to Be Human
    Dec 7 2025
    What if grace isn’t the opposite of strength, but the source of it?In this second episode of the Take What You Need 100-day series, Dr. Phenessa Gray offers a deeply personal and research-informed invitation to rediscover grace—not as a soft sentiment, but as a strategic act of self-leadership. Rooted in Scripture and supported by leadership theory and neuroscience, this episode reframes grace as permission to be—to be honest, to be human, to be whole.Dr. Phenessa shares her own experience of burning out in silence, the weight of the “superwoman complex,” and the breakthrough that came when she finally allowed herself to stop performing and start healing. Through this lens, she introduces a grace-based leadership model—Pause, Perspective, Plan—designed to help leaders build emotional sustainability, prevent burnout, and re-engage with presence and intention.You’ll explore:The biblical concept of charis—grace as divine empowerment, not indulgenceEmotional sustainability as a leadership necessityHow chronic depletion disrupts executive functioning and decision-makingWhy grace doesn’t excuse outcomes—it preserves the leader delivering themThe neuroscience of recovery and the role of micro-shiftsA guided 4-4-6 breathwork practice to regulate and resetA poetic reflection on what grace sounds like in leadershipA heart–mind check and journal prompt to deepen awarenessActionable leadership shifts to help you lead from alignment, not exhaustionPerfect for:Leaders who feel stretched thin but stay silentWomen navigating the “strong Black woman” or “superwoman” identityLibrary directors, educators, nonprofit executives, and ministry leadersProfessionals managing emotional labor and invisible expectationsAnyone needing spiritual permission to rest, reset, and reclaim spaceWhether you’re navigating high demand, holding space for others, or just tired of leading from empty—this episode reminds you that grace is not weakness—it’s wisdom in motion.Join the ConversationShare your one-word intention using #TakeWhatYouNeed and connect with a community of leaders choosing presence over perfection. Together, we’re learning to Love Bold, Live Lit, and Lead Forward.Next Episode: Episode 3 – JOY: Resisting Hustle with Wholeness Connect with Dr. Phenessa💡 Website: EMSightGlobal.com📸 Instagram: @DrPhenessa💼 LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/phenessagray/✉️ Email: info@emsightglobal.com 🏮Subscribe to LeadInLight app (7-Day Trial for Premium Access)Love this episode?⭐ Leave a review on any podcast platform🔗 Share with a leader who needs this message🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode ________________________________________📚 APA 7 Reference List2 Corinthians 12:9–10. (n.d.). The Message. NavPress Publishing Group. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+12%3A9-10&version=MSGArnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Stress signalling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 410–422. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2648 Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Charis (G5485) – Grace. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G5485Hayes, S. C., Luoma, J. B., Bond, F. W., Masuda, A., & Lillis, J. (2006). Acceptance and commitment therapy: Model, processes and outcomes. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44(1), 1–25. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16300724/Hebrews 4:15–16. (n.d.). The Passion Translation. BroadStreet Publishing Group. https://www.bible.com/bible/1849/HEB.4.15-16.TPTHobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44(3), 513–524. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.44.3.513Neff, K. D. (2011). Self-compassion: The proven power of being kind to yourself. HarperCollins. https://books.google.com/books/about/Self_Compassion.html?id=6krvBkA78XcCPhilippians 1:6. (n.d.). The Voice Translation. Thomas Nelson. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1%3A6&version=VOICEBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/love-light-leadership-podcast--6730707/support.
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    19 mins
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