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The Level Up Leader with Michael King

The Level Up Leader with Michael King

By: Michael King
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 What does it really take to lead at the next level? The Level Up Leader is where growth-minded executives, founders, and trailblazers come to sharpen their edge. Hosted by acclaimed executive coach and keynote speaker Michael King, each episode pulls back the curtain on the habits, mindsets, and decisions that define extraordinary leadership. With candid conversations from some of today’s most impactful business minds, Michael unpacks the real stories behind the titles—what they got right, what they got wrong, and how they leveled up when it mattered most. From scaling companies and navigating crisis, to building cultures that last—this podcast is your go-to resource for bold, practical leadership. Whether you're leading a team of ten or a global organization, you'll walk away each week with clarity, conviction, and the challenge to grow. About the Host: Michael King is a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 executives, growth-stage founders, and creative leaders around the world. With decades of experience helping high performers find clarity and alignment, his coaching style blends strategy, authenticity, and results. He's on a mission to help leaders build lives and companies they’re proud of. New episodes drop weekly. Hit follow—your next level starts here. Email michael@teams.coach.©2024 Michael King and Teams.Coach LLC Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Tracy Phillips and The Magic of Customer Stories

    Tracy Phillips and The Magic of Customer Stories
    Aug 11 2025
    Dive into an electrifying conversation where video testimonial wizard Tracy Phillips and Michael explore the transformative power of customer stories in leadership and business success. From karaoke laughs to game-changing leadership insights, this episode is a heartfelt blend of humor and wisdom that will challenge and inspire. About Michael King: Award-winning executive coach Michael King, recently featured in NY Weekly as one of the Top 10 Inspirational Coaches to Follow in 2025, helps leaders and teams achieve breakthrough performance through clarity, creativity, and strategic execution. With a track record spanning solo entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 executives, Michael blends high-performance coaching with real-world business expertise to transform leadership, culture, and results. Connect with Michael King: www.michaelkingjr.com https://www.facebook.com/michaelrkingjr75 https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkingjr75/ https://www.youtube.com/@michaelkingjrofficial About Tracy Phillips: Tracy Phillips is an Emmy-nominated video and visibility expert who has harnessed her 23 years of video production experience and award-winning documentary skills to help businesses create testimonial videos that do the selling, recruiting, or fundraising for them. Tracy is celebrated for her unmatched expertise, her quick wit, and her boundless enthusiasm for guiding her clients and students in the effective use of video to impact both internal and global audiences. Her signature 'laugh & learn' style of presenting has made her one of the most sought-after speakers, trainers, and workshop facilitators in her field. Tracy's client roster boasts New York Times best-selling authors, top players in the real estate industry, and Fortune 500 companies. Connect with Tracy: https://testimagical.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/testimagical https://www.facebook.com/tracy.phillips.754 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIQdj4UYRKKJ1KUTMVQoVZQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Ava Thomas: Resilience, Results & Real Leadership

    Ava Thomas: Resilience, Results & Real Leadership
    Jun 29 2025
    In this episode of The Level Up Leader, Michael King sits down with powerhouse media executive Ava Thomas. With over 30 years of experience navigating transformation in the rapidly evolving world of journalism, Ava has climbed the ladder from classified ads to the C-suite, all while raising a family and pioneering leadership initiatives that uplift women across the Midwest. This conversation explores how Ava leads with resilience in one of the most disrupted industries today, the importance of empathy and accountability, and how results-driven leadership doesn't mean sacrificing humanity. If you're leading through change, balancing legacy with innovation, or just trying to figure out how to lead and live authentically,this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn: Ava’s journey from single mom to regional media executive What Covid isolation taught her about stillness, clarity, and introverted leadership The secret to sustaining influence across decades of disruption Why “Results Matter, They Always Matter” is her leadership mantra The balance between empathy and execution in decision-making What to ask your team to uncover effort, energy, and engagement gaps The origin story and impact of the Inspire Women’s Leadership Initiative Leadership Gems: “Hard work doesn’t always guarantee success in sales. But results still matter.” “In the age of disruption, it’s never been more important to be human.” “Empathy without decisive action is not leadership.” Featured Segment: Michael and Ava unpack a hiring lesson that became a defining moment in her leadership,how she made the hard call to part ways with a great person who just couldn’t meet performance expectations. It’s a masterclass in balancing compassion with accountability. About the Inspire Initiative: Ava founded the Inspire Women’s Leadership Initiative after realizing how many influential women were shaping Lincoln and Omaha. What started as an idea on a cold boardroom has grown into a regional movement that recognizes and empowers women leaders. 💬 "When the vision has a life of its own, you know you’re building a legacy." Resources & Links: Connect with Ava Thomas on LinkedIn Learn more about Lee Enterprises Nominate a leader or attend the Inspire Women’s Leadership Events in Lincoln & Omaha Connect with Michael on LinkedIn Connect with Michael on Facebook Connect with Michael on the Internet Final Takeaway: “Show up every day with Level 10 effort. Effort matters. Results matter. But most importantly, be human.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Clarity in the Chaos: Leading Through Communication with Paul Baltes

    Clarity in the Chaos: Leading Through Communication with Paul Baltes
    Jun 6 2025
    Hosted by: Michael King www.michaelkingjr.comFollow Michael on LinkedIn, Facebook, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. In this episode of The Level Up Leader Podcast, host Michael King sits down with Paul Baltes, Director of Communications at Nebraska Medicine, to explore what it really takes to lead with clarity in times of crisis. Paul shares his unique journey from a career in journalism to becoming a communications leader in one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the country. He opens up about what it means to build trust within a team, how internal communication can impact everything from retention to morale, and why storytelling is a leadership tool—not just a PR tactic. You’ll hear real stories from high-stakes moments like the Ebola outbreak and the early days of COVID, as well as practical takeaways for any leader who wants to get better at communicating when it counts. Whether you're leading a startup or a Fortune 500 team, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you show up, how you communicate, and how you build trust that lasts. Paul’s background in journalism laid the foundation for strategic leadership in communications. Trust is non-negotiable in leadership—it’s what everything else rests on. Crisis communication is not a theory. It’s a muscle built through experience and preparation. Internal communication isn’t just HR—it’s a leadership strategy. Storytelling connects people to purpose and to each other. Hiring is more than finding skills. It’s about finding people who fit your culture. Communication must be intentional, strategic, and consistent. Time management is one of the biggest challenges for leaders—and one of the most important to master. Effective communication creates engagement. Engagement builds culture. Culture drives success. "You can't do everything." "Crisis communication is vital." "Hiring for cultural fit is crucial." "It's all about fit." "Building trust is essential." "Time is our currency." leadership, communication, trust, crisis management, internal communication, storytelling, hiring, organizational culture, time management, Nebraska Medicine Website: Nebraska Medicine LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulbaltes Website: michaelkingjr.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelkingjr Facebook: facebook.com/michaelkingjr75 Subscribe, like, and follow The Level Up Leader Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your leadership content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins
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