After a hiatus, Kristen and Mike return to Love and Leadership with a new tiny co-host in tow. They pull back the curtain on what the past few months have really been like—from an unplanned C-section to navigating the gaps in U.S. parental leave policies. They share what they've learned about partnership under pressure, why their pre-baby work on fighting better has paid off, and how they're managing to show up for each other when sleep is scarce and stress is high. If you've ever wondered what leadership actually looks like when the stakes are personal and the challenges are right in front of you, this conversation offers a real-world test case. Plus, they explain what to expect from the podcast going forward and why there will be more "love" in Love and Leadership from here on out.

Highlights:

• Kristen and Mike share their experience becoming new parents, including Kristen's unplanned C-section at 37 weeks and the challenges of the early postpartum period
• They discuss the broken state of parental leave and maternal support in the United States, including limited time off and a healthcare system that often fails new mothers
• Mike explains what he learned about infant brain development and nervous system regulation, including why the "cry it out" method isn't supported by neuroscience
• The couple opens up about how becoming parents has tested their partnership and why their pre-baby work on communication (including reading Fight Right by the Gottmans) has been essential
• They share practical strategies for managing the transition to parenthood as a team, including not competing over who has it harder and actively supporting each other through rest and childcare
• Kristen highlights the value of mom support groups and community during the postpartum period
• Mike discusses the importance of long-term thinking in business, drawing parallels between supporting families and retaining institutional knowledge in organizations
• They announce the podcast will continue on a biweekly schedule for now, with fewer guest episodes until they establish a more consistent routine with their son

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Fight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict into Connection by John Gottman and Julie Gottman
• La Vie En Doula (Kristen & Mike’s postpartum night doula)

Podcast Website: www.loveandleadershippod.com
Instagram: @loveleaderpod

Follow us on LinkedIn!
Kristen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenbsharkey/
Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-364970111/

Learn more about Kristen's leadership coaching and facilitation services: http://www.emboldify.com

Mike and Kristen dive deep into Michael Bungay Stanier's The Advice Trap, exploring why our natural instinct to give advice actually makes us worse leaders. This episode reveals the uncomfortable truth: your advice isn't as good as you think it is, and constantly offering solutions is damaging your team and overwhelming your schedule. The hosts get painfully honest about their own advice-giving habits while breaking down the three personas of the "advice monster" - Tell It, Save It, and Control It. They explore the psychological rewards we get from playing rescuer (#winsnotwins) and share practical strategies for staying curious longer instead of rushing to solutions. If you've ever wondered why your team keeps coming to you with problems instead of solutions, or why you feel like the only person holding everything together, this episode will help you understand the hidden costs of advice-giving and show you a better way forward.

Highlights:

• Why advice damages organizations by demotivating receivers, overwhelming givers, and limiting team potential
• The three advice monster personas (Tell It, Save It, Control It) and their shared DNA belief: "I'm better than the other person"
• Understanding #winsnotwins - the short-term rewards that keep you stuck in advice-giving patterns and why recognizing these prizes is key to change
• Why taming your advice monster requires battling between present you and future you (the adult marshmallow test)
• The TERA framework for psychological safety using Tribe, Expectation, Rank, and Autonomy to create safer conversations
• Six "foggy-fiers" that derail problem-solving, from "twirling" (first problem isn't the real problem) to "yarning" (too much storytelling)
• Moving beyond single questions to strategic coaching combos that uncover real challenges
• Specific language patterns for interrupting conversations without damaging relationships
• How your background affects when and how you should give away power as a leader
• Making coaching a regular interaction instead of formal compliance meetings

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier
• The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
• Download Additional Book Resources from MBS
• Love & Leadership Episode #9: The Coaching Habit
• What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
• The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Podcast Website: www.loveandleadershippod.com
Instagram: @loveleaderpod

Follow us on LinkedIn!
Kristen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenbsharkey/
Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-364970111/

Learn more about Kristen's leadership coaching and facilitation services: http://www.emboldify.com