A new kind of leadership is emerging and this generation is reshaping it with empathy, cooperation, and authenticity. In this episode, Dr. Heather Penny sits down with Dr. Lisa Smith, professor at Pepperdine and author of Hammer & Fire, to explore how young leaders are redefining what it means to lead well.

Lisa shares why today’s young adults see leadership as a shared enterprise, how they value every voice at the table, and why being seen as a whole person matters more than ever. They’re skeptical of traditional authority, but when they find a leader they can trust, they show up with their whole heart.

Together, they discuss the invitation for parents, mentors, and leaders to slow down, ask better questions, and come alongside rather than fix. From navigating constant public pressure to learning courageous conversations and intelligent risk-taking, this episode highlights the challenges and the strengths of shaping the next generation.

Take a breath, stay curious, and discover what this rising generation is teaching all of us about leadership.

Step into The Life You're Made For, I'm cheering you on!
heatherpenny.com
@heatherpennyphd
Music & Production by Jason Squires

Welcome to Part 2 of our conversation with Brian Taylor. In this episode, we explore what authentic leadership really looks like. Leadership isn’t just strategy; it’s relationships, trust, and the courage to stay curious. We talk about building circles of people who can see you, challenge you, and cheer you on. Because no leader can do it alone. You’ll hear practical tools like learning to pause before responding, listening all the way to the end, and creating space for others to shine. We unpack how to evolve with your team, honor each person’s growth, and lead with generosity instead of ego. If you’re a leader who wants to build healthier teams, stronger relationships, and a leadership style rooted in humility and presence, this episode is for you.

Connect more with Brian Taylor at https://briantaylor.co/

Step into The Life You're Made For, I'm cheering you on!
heatherpenny.com
@heatherpennyphd
Music & Production by Jason Squires

It’s easy to look like a great leader on the outside while quietly falling apart within. In this episode, executive coach Brian Taylor shares his journey from high performance to personal breakdown as well as how rediscovering his faith, family, and inner peace transformed the way he leads. Heather and Brian unpack what happens when achievement outpaces what you want to be doing, why slowing down can actually make you stronger, and how self-leadership begins with emotional and spiritual honesty. If you’ve ever felt exhausted, disconnected, or unsure what “winning” really means, this conversation will remind you that true leadership starts on the inside. Learn how to build rhythms of rest, rediscover your sacred center, and lead with clarity, confidence, and courage.

Step into The Life You're Made For, I'm cheering you on!
heatherpenny.com
@heatherpennyphd
Music & Production by Jason Squires

We all hold clarity, confidence, and courage within us—they’re not earned, they’re uncovered. In this episode, Dr. Heather Penny talks with Kimberly Miller, co-author of Boundaries for Your Soul, about how true leadership starts from the inside out. Together they explore how self-awareness, compassion, and a healthy inner dialogue can transform the way we lead. Learn how to quiet your inner critic, embrace your true self, and lead with strength, tenderness, and peace.

Step into The Life You're Made For, I'm cheering you on!
heatherpenny.com
@heatherpennyphd
Music & Production by Jason Squires

Join Dr. Heather Penny and Neptune’s President, Jennifer Draughon, as they unpack what it means to lead from the inside out. They dive into overcoming false beliefs, building trust, and finding the courage for tough conversations. If you’ve faced self-doubt, conflict, or burnout in leadership, this episode will equip you with practical insights to lead with authenticity, responsibility, and resilience. It's not about perfection—it’s about responsibility. They discuss how leaders can create environments where truth, trust, and transparency move beyond words on a wall and become lived experiences for every team member.

Step into The Life You're Made For, I'm cheering you on!
heatherpenny.com
@heatherpennyphd
Music & Production by Jason Squires

Join Heather Penny and her husband, Darren, as they explore what it means to lead with your whole self. From mentors who shaped their paths to the daily choices that keep us aligned, they share how authenticity, integrity, and wholeness transform leadership. Walk away encouraged to slow down, listen to your life, and give yourself permission to lead with courage and peace.

Step into The Life You're Made For, I'm cheering you on!
heatherpenny.com
@heatherpennyphd
Music & Production by Jason Squires

As the series on relationships and this season of The Life Your Made For wraps up, join Audrey Kostka and Dr. Heather Penny as they talk about how life long relationships lead to amazing things!

In The Life You’re Made For, Heather talk about the “tire swing”—those moments that remind us of simple joy.

Sometimes people forget what brings them life. They get so caught up in doing that they forget how to be. Everyone has to shut down the mind chatter to really ask: What makes me feel peaceful? What brings me joy?

Audrey shared this so beautifully in this conversation. When she slowed down, clarity came. And with clarity came permission—the freedom to live life the way she was designed to. No more cramming life full to prove her worth. Just presence, peace, and the joy of missing out (JOMO).

Enjoy Heather’s E-Course (normally $97) for free! Heather shares the code in the podcast. The Life You’re Made For E-Course is available at www.heatherpenny.com.

Step into The Life You're Made For, I'm cheering you on!
heatherpenny.com
@heatherpennyphd
Music & Production by Jason Squires

If you’ve ever felt your friendships shift as life changes—like when your kids leave the nest, your schedule empties (or overflows), or you crave connection beyond surface-level chats—this episode will speak to you deeply. For this podcast conversation, we turn the tables with Kelley Gray interviewing Heather. It is a warm, honest conversation about adult friendships: the longing for deeper bonds, the awkwardness of reaching out, and the vulnerability of naming what you need. We talk about “friendship shopping,” the courage to say “I’m lonely,” and how to create space for relationships that feel mutual, spiritual, and real. Whether you’re navigating grief, a season of transition, or simply trying to figure out who your people are now, this episode is like a heart-to-heart with a trusted friend. You’ll hear about the power of showing up—sometimes with a meal, sometimes with silence, and sometimes just with presence. We’ll unpack how crises can either rupture or deepen relationships and how honesty, intention, and grace can carry friendships through hard seasons. If you’ve ever felt shame around changing connections or wondered how to “date” new friends as an adult, this episode gives you language, permission, and hope. Tune in for encouragement, laughter, and wisdom. You’re not alone in this, and your next meaningful friendship might be one brave conversation away.

Step into The Life You're Made For, I'm cheering you on!
heatherpenny.com
@heatherpennyphd
Music & Production by Jason Squires