The Leader You’ve Always Been: Recognizing Your Hidden Leadership Moments

Leading Through the Fog: Decision-Making When the Path Isn't Clear

Welcome to Growing Up: The Age of Your Emotions, the podcast where we explore what it really means to mature as a leader — not by title, not by tenure, but by emotional growth, self-awareness, and the courage to evolve. In this episode, we’re stepping into a space every leader knows well: the fog. Those seasons when the path ahead is blurry, the answers aren’t obvious, and the weight of responsibility feels heavier because clarity is missing. This is where emotional age shows itself, not in how much you know, but in how you navigate what you don’t know. We explore how leaders make decisions when visibility is low, how to stay grounded when uncertainty rises, and how to guide others with honesty and steadiness even when you’re still finding your own footing. Because fog doesn’t mean you’re lost, it means you’re being invited to grow. Guest: Christina Cage, Director, Consumer Lending Products and Experience Christina Cage is a product and experience leader focused on rethinking how financial institutions design for real human behavior, not just digital interaction. She leads consumer lending strategy, shaping end-to-end journeys that connect digital, branch, and operational experiences. Her work sits at the intersection of product, data, and customer insight, turning complex financial systems into experiences that feel clear, intuitive, and trustworthy. With over 15 years in financial services and fintech, Christina has led initiatives across payments, credit, and digital platforms. Her approach is grounded in a simple belief: behind every financial decision is a real person, and the role of product is to build confidence in that moment. She is known for leading through uncertainty, helping teams move forward with clarity even when the path is not fully defined. Beyond her work, Christina is committed to community and expanding access to fintech, especially for young people. She is passionate about helping the next generation see themselves as builders and leaders shaping the future of the industry. Dr. Melanie Empowers is not a licensed mental health provider, therapist, or counselor. The content shared through this podcast is for educational, personal growth, and leadership development purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional mental health care. Dr. Melanie holds a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership and is a highly experienced leadership professional with over 30 years in Corporate IT, specializing in leadership and organizational development. She also holds multiple professional certifications, including being a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through an ICF‑credentialed institution. The insights shared here are grounded in leadership experience, coaching practice, and organizational expertise. If you are in need of mental health support, please seek guidance from a licensed mental health professional in your area. https://drmelanieempowers.com

The Leader You’ve Always Been: Recognizing Your Hidden Leadership Moments

Leadership isn’t something that begins with a title or a promotion. It begins in the everyday moments, the choices you make, the way you show up for people, the influence you have without even trying. In this episode, we’re uncovering the hidden leadership moments you’ve been practicing your whole life. At home. At work. In your relationships. In the quiet ways you support others, and in the courageous ways you’ve supported yourself. You’ve been leading far longer than you realize. And today, we’re going to name it, honor it, and help you step into it with intention. Let’s grow. Our Guest:  Ashley Christakis is a legal operations and data intelligence leader-turned-certified coach, known for helping people find clarity in moments of transition. After more than 20 years in the legal industry, most recently as Senior Manager of Legal Data Intelligence at CrowdStrike, she built a career at the intersection of data, technology, and high-stakes decision-making. Throughout her work, Ashley led complex initiatives, developed data-driven strategies, and uncovered insights that shaped business outcomes. Along the way, she realized that leadership is not just about titles or roles. It's about how we show up every day, often in ways we do not even recognize. Today, she brings that same grounded approach to coaching: helping people understand the motivations shaped by their life experiences so they can reconnect to their roots and rise into what’s next with clarity and confidence. Dr. Melanie Empowers is not a licensed mental health provider, therapist, or counselor. The content shared through this podcast is for educational, personal growth, and leadership development purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional mental health care. Dr. Melanie holds a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership and is a highly experienced leadership professional with over 30 years in Corporate IT, specializing in leadership and organizational development. She also holds multiple professional certifications, including being a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through an ICF‑credentialed institution. The insights shared here are grounded in leadership experience, coaching practice, and organizational expertise. If you need mental health support, please seek guidance from a licensed mental health professional in your area. https://drmelanieempowers.com

Intro: Growing Up: The Age of Your Emotions

This is the first episode of the Growing Up podcast. An overview of what we will discuss, audience interaction, and why this podcast was created. We talk a bit about how our emotions often are not our current age. As a matter of fact, people usually react, interact, or engage with others based on past experiences, not necessarily based on the present moment. Growing Up: The Age of Your Emotions is a reflective, eye‑opening podcast that helps you understand the emotional age behind your reactions, relationships, and everyday interactions. At its core, the show invites you to explore how much of what you feel today is shaped by experiences from years ago, and how those buried emotional moments still influence the way you show up in the world.  Each episode creates a thoughtful space to examine the stories, triggers, and patterns that surface in adulthood but originate in childhood or earlier life chapters. Rather than offering therapy or advice, the podcast asks powerful questions, such as “What is the age of that emotion?” that guide you toward deeper self‑awareness and emotional maturity.  Listeners describe the conversations as enlightening, grounding, and transformative — a weekly opportunity to grow, heal, and understand yourself with more clarity and compassion. Dr. Melanie Empowers is not a licensed mental health provider, therapist, or counselor. The content shared through this podcast is for educational, personal growth, and leadership development purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional mental health care. Dr. Melanie holds a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership and is a highly experienced leadership professional with over 30 years in Corporate IT, specializing in leadership and organizational development. She also holds multiple professional certifications, including being a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through an ICF‑credentialed institution. The insights shared here are grounded in leadership experience, coaching practice, and organizational expertise. If you are in need of mental health support, please seek guidance from a licensed mental health professional in your area. We hope the podcast topics are interesting enough to keep you tuning in regularly and participating. Until next time, Peace and understanding, DrMelanieEmpowers https://drmelanieempowers.com

Leadership Mirror: What Your Team Reflects Back to You

In this episode, we’re stepping up to a different kind of mirror, the one held by your team. Because whether you notice it or not, the people you lead are constantly reflecting something back to you: your patterns, your presence, your blind spots, your strengths, and the emotional climate you create. This isn’t about judgment. It’s about awareness. It’s about understanding that leadership isn’t just what you intend, it’s what you produce in the people around you. So today, we’re diving into: * what your team’s behavior reveals about your leadership * how to read the reflections you’ve been avoiding * the emotional maturity required to see yourself clearly * and how to shift your impact when the mirror shows you something unexpected Because the truth is simple: your team is always telling you a story about your leadershi, the question is whether you’re willing to listen. Episode Guest: Becky Schwartz Corbett, MSW, ACSW, ACC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyscorbett/]is an international author, trainer, coach, and facilitator in leadership development, time & priority management, and workforce & personal wellness. She has 35 years of executive and operations management experience working with nonprofits, healthcare organizations, membership & trade associations, higher education, and the business community. Becky inspires others to live their best self and supports communities, organizations, and individuals to lead with intention and move to action. Becky Corbett - Publications: Leading Me Principles: Practical strategies to help you lead with intention [https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Principles-Practical-Strategies-Intention/dp/0960051104/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HT21E0X3HI33&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wIon4G34v1ww81WVPV6zdY5nRUdFLfbY9G5th4ld0jxzEERl7IKEddmTiyDj9GQsORkB8ieBdjaTET0sALJCgyaGOWSx8hiRHBHEuDPOqwjGHN4TyD8Px_Npq-KrTnEyOQ0kj5iGsT3NR9iSzVYg8C1YArtgZDPaZe9k6V4xJrYHvwcQNz5CBG7RaqGZ4UNMFkhbdKtQtRiCkd-otoVCA9Bt23WSD6NIHBw815fwoOk.zzqp1vcpIHm58URKx11lGei7ryBS7llAD662d7vb4OE&dib_tag=se&keywords=leading+me+principles&qid=1770216588&s=books&sprefix=leading+me+principle%2Cstripbooks%2C194&sr=1-1] | [available on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Principles-Practical-Strategies-Intention/dp/0960051104/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HT21E0X3HI33&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wIon4G34v1ww81WVPV6zdY5nRUdFLfbY9G5th4ld0jxzEERl7IKEddmTiyDj9GQsORkB8ieBdjaTET0sALJCgyaGOWSx8hiRHBHEuDPOqwjGHN4TyD8Px_Npq-KrTnEyOQ0kj5iGsT3NR9iSzVYg8C1YArtgZDPaZe9k6V4xJrYHvwcQNz5CBG7RaqGZ4UNMFkhbdKtQtRiCkd-otoVCA9Bt23WSD6NIHBw815fwoOk.zzqp1vcpIHm58URKx11lGei7ryBS7llAD662d7vb4OE&dib_tag=se&keywords=leading+me+principles&qid=1770216588&s=books&sprefix=leading+me+principle%2Cstripbooks%2C194&sr=1-1]] The Bridge to Hope & Healing: 9 principles to guide you in a moment of crisis [https://amzn.to/2CGEfPM] [available on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Hope-Healing%C2%AE-Principles-Moment/dp/0960051198]] Dr. Melanie Empowers is not a licensed mental health provider, therapist, or counselor. The content shared through this podcast is for educational, personal growth, and leadership development purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional mental health care. Dr. Melanie holds a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership and is a highly experienced leadership professional with over 30 years in Corporate IT, specializing in leadership and organizational development. She also holds multiple professional certifications, including being a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through an ICF‑credentialed institution. The insights shared here are grounded in leadership experience, coaching practice, and organizational expertise. If you are in need of mental health support, please seek guidance from a licensed mental health professional in your area. Contact@DrMelanieEmpowers.com https://drmelanieempowers.com

The Courage to Lead: Emotional Bravery in Difficult Moments

The Courage to Lead: Emotional Bravery in Difficult Moments  Leadership requires courage—not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act with emotional honesty. This episode explores how leaders cultivate courage, especially when the stakes are high. In this episode, a special guest, Denise Kirksey, Engagement Director, will share insights on how she leads with courage, faith, and inclusion.  Denise Kirksey Bio  Denise Kirksey – Engagement Director | Senior Living Specialist Denise Kirksey is a compassionate and results-driven Engagement Director with over 29 years of experience in senior living, specializing in life enrichment programming and resident engagement. Currently serving at Arbor Terrace Senior Living, Denise is known for creating vibrant, meaningful experiences that enhance the quality of life for older adults, including those living with cognitive challenges. At the heart of Denise’s work is her personal mission: to help seniors thrive by watching their sparks come to life. She is deeply committed to creating environments where residents feel seen, valued, and inspired to engage fully in each day. Throughout her career, Denise has demonstrated excellence in program development, team leadership, and relationship-building with residents, families, and staff. She is a dedicated advocate for purposeful aging and believes that every resident deserves dignity, joy, and connection. Denise’s passion for service extends beyond her professional role. She is also the owner of the 7th Trumpet, a transportation service focused on supporting seniors and individuals with disabilities—ensuring access, independence, and community connection. Her outstanding contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including Employee of the Year, the Alzheimer's Association's Inspiring Caregiver of the Year, and multiple resident-choice honors. Denise is also an experienced facilitator and a trusted leader who brings integrity, warmth, and creativity to everything she does. Known affectionately by colleagues as “Sparkle,” Denise continues to inspire those around her through her unwavering commitment to excellence, faith, and service. Dr. Melanie Empowers is not a licensed mental health provider, therapist, or counselor. The content shared through this podcast is for educational, personal growth, and leadership development purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional mental health care. Dr. Melanie holds a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership and is a highly experienced leadership professional with over 30 years in Corporate IT, specializing in leadership and organizational development. She also holds multiple professional certifications, including being a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through an ICF‑credentialed institution. The insights shared here are grounded in leadership experience, coaching practice, and organizational expertise. If you are in need of mental health support, please seek guidance from a licensed mental health professional in your area. Contact@DrMelanieEmpowers.com https://drmelanieempowers.com