Life is Life’ing | Vanessa Shaw on Leadership, Resilience and Reinvention

Human Connection & the AI Revolution With Rev. Kaloma Smith

In this episode, Kristen Kavanaugh sits down with pastor and technology commentator Kaloma Smith to explore the intersection of AI, faith, and human connection. Together, they discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on community, parenting, relationships, and leadership, while examining what technology can and cannot, replace. Kaloma shares why belonging, purpose, and genuine human connection remain essential in an increasingly digital world, and offers a hopeful perspective on the future of leadership, faith, and society. Key Takeaways * AI is a powerful tool, but it should never replace human judgment * Real relationships are built through presence, tension, and shared experiences * Social media and technology can create the illusion of connection without genuine community * Children learn important life skills through family, community, and in-person interactions * Emotional intelligence and problem-solving will remain valuable regardless of technological change * Healthy skepticism is essential when evaluating new technologies * Access to AI may create new socioeconomic divides * Purpose and belonging make people vulnerable to manipulation if they lack strong foundations * Faith communities can provide meaningful spaces for connection in an increasingly isolated world * Gen Z's willingness to question systems may be one of its greatest strengths * Work should serve life, not become the center of it * Human connection remains one of the most important needs we have In This Episode * [00:00] Introduction * [01:49] Leadership, vision, and supporting people through uncertainty * [03:20] Faith communities responding to AI * [05:24] The difference between real and synthetic relationships * [08:12] Family, community, and showing up in person * [10:54] COVID's impact on social development * [14:17] Using AI as a tool rather than a substitute for thinking * [17:05] The skills children will need in the future * [18:54] AI, inequality, and socioeconomic divides * [21:37] The economics behind artificial intelligence * [24:02] Separating AI hype from reality * [27:18] Frictionless relationships and the dangers of overreliance on AI * [30:49] Purpose, belonging, and healthy boundaries * [35:00] Faith, spirituality, and the search for meaning * [40:48] Why people are still looking for something greater than themselves * [42:15] Advice and encouragement for Gen Z * [45:11] Rethinking work and loyalty * [47:35] Leadership, politics, and creating something new * [50:23] Hope for the future * [52:41] Music minute: what's on the playlist? Our Guest Pastor Kaloma A. Smith has served as Senior Pastor of UAMEZ Church in Palo Alto since 2013, leading a diverse congregation while driving significant growth in community impact, funding, and outreach initiatives. A former corporate professional turned minister, he also pioneers AI and digital ministry programs focused on worship, outreach, and pastoral care. Beyond the church, Pastor Smith has played a key role in local civic leadership, serving as Chair of the Palo Alto Human Relations Commission and helping guide conversations on race, public policy, and community development. His contributions have earned him recognition, including the 2025 Tall Tree Award and designation as a Senior Fellow of American Leadership Forum Silicon Valley. Resources and Links * The Drive Home Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drive-home-with-kristen-kavanaugh-where-headlines/id1884941286] Pastor Kaloma A. Smith * UAMEZ Church: https://www.uamez.com/ [https://www.uamez.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalomasmith [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalomasmith] Kristen Kavanaugh * Website: https://www.kristenkavanaugh.com/ [https://www.kristenkavanaugh.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenkavanaugh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenkavanaugh] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristen_kavanaugh_official [https://www.instagram.com/kristen_kavanaugh_official] * Book: Courage Over Fear [https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Over-Fear-Harness-Uncertain/dp/B0FBYYP64X]

Unraveling Ambition with Valia Glytsis

Is your ambition driving your purpose or quietly running your life? In this episode, Kristen Kavanaugh talks with Valia Glytsis, author of Unraveling Ambition, about burnout, toxic ambition, and the pressure millennials grew up with to chase success at all costs. Together, they explore the difference between external, approval-driven ambition and a more purposeful path rooted in values, rest, and self-awareness. The conversation also touches on AI anxiety, Gen Z’s approach to work and life, and how small daily shifts can lead to a more meaningful life. Tune in for an honest conversation about ambition, burnout, purpose, and building a life that actually feels like your own. Key Takeaways * Ambition can be both a creative force and a destructive addiction * Many people inherited achievement pressure long before entering the workforce * Panic attacks and burnout are often signals that something deeper needs attention * The old formula for success no longer works in today’s rapidly changing world * Asking “Is there more for me?” is often the beginning of transformation * Courage starts in small, everyday moments rather than dramatic life changes * Rest is not the enemy of ambition,  it is what makes the marathon possible * Sustainable ambition requires pace, not constant speed * Purpose lives at the intersection of strengths, values, and what the world needs * AI is amplifying fear, uncertainty, and competition in many workplaces * Human-centered skills like discernment, creativity, and connection will matter even more moving forward * Gen Z is redefining ambition through a more holistic approach to life and work * Community and honest conversations help counter isolation and overwhelm * Unraveling your ambition can become the path back to yourself In This Episode * [00:00] Welcome to The Drive Home * [00:29] Introduction to Valia Glytsis * [01:14] Chaos and holding on * [02:08] Redefining ambition today * [03:00] The old formula for success has broken * [03:38] Valia's ambition origin story * [06:13] Breaking point and panic * [07:00] Kristen's own story: the EKG machine and the Tesla years * [08:32] What does it mean to "unravel" ambition? * [11:41] Micro courage practices * [13:43] Two Things Can Be True: ambition is not the enemy * [16:09] Pace over speed * [16:58] Purpose driven ambition * [18:55] Calling meets exhaustion * [20:18] Micro steps toward purpose * [22:04] Quiet mind enoughness * [23:01] AI fear and ambition * [24:29] Human skills in AI era * [27:31] Privilege, change, and courage * [29:38] Community after isolation * [31:10] A message for Gen Z and what we can learn from them * [34:58] Practical advice: what to do today * [36:31] Music minute: what Valia listens to * [37:37] Where to find Valia and her work Our Guest Valia Glytsis is the CEO and Founder of The Paradox of Leadership, a boutique leadership development firm helping executives and teams build trust, communication, and alignment through workshops, keynotes, and coaching. Known for her transformative, inside-out approach to leadership, Valia explores the intersection of business, spirituality, and purpose. Her debut book, Unraveling Ambition, reflects her passion for helping people rewrite their stories and create more meaningful ways of living and leading. Resources and Links * The Drive Home Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drive-home-with-kristen-kavanaugh-where-headlines/id1884941286] Valia Glytsis * LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/valia-glytsis-724baa3 [http://linkedin.com/in/valia-glytsis-724baa3] * The Paradox of Leadership:https://theparadoxofleadership.com/ [https://theparadoxofleadership.com/] * Book: Unraveling Ambition [http://amazon.com/Unraveling-Ambition-Living-Leading-Inside-Out/dp/B0CHKWCQ9W] Kristen Kavanaugh * Website: https://www.kristenkavanaugh.com/ [https://www.kristenkavanaugh.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenkavanaugh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenkavanaugh] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristen_kavanaugh_official [https://www.instagram.com/kristen_kavanaugh_official] * Book: Courage Over Fear [https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Over-Fear-Harness-Uncertain/dp/B0FBYYP64X]

Life is Life’ing | Vanessa Shaw on Leadership, Resilience and Reinvention

In this episode, host Kristen Kavanaugh turns the mic over to her executive coach of six years, Vanessa Shaw, for a candid conversation about resilience, reinvention, and finding joy in uncertain times. Kristen reflects on rebuilding her life after divorce and a lost business partnership, while Vanessa shares the realities of balancing aging parents, young children, and personal growth. Together, they explore the idea of “savoring,” inspired by Yale wellness research, as a more grounded alternative to forced positivity. The conversation also tackles economic anxiety, AI disruption, and the importance of staying adaptable through a beginner’s mindset. They close by revisiting Kristen’s “villages” coaching exercise and the power of community, reflection, and appreciating how far you’ve already come. Tune in for an honest, grounding episode that offers perspective, hope, and practical wisdom for navigating change. Key Takeaways * The pressure many leaders feel is not just professional. It is deeply personal and often invisible * Midlife can bring a convergence of responsibilities that force a reevaluation of priorities * High performers tend to normalize stress instead of questioning it * Success without alignment can lead to quiet dissatisfaction * Your relationship with money is often tied to deeper beliefs about worth and security * Leadership evolves from proving yourself to understanding yourself In This Episode * [00:00] Introduction  * [01:44] Navigating mid-life and the "sandwich generation" * [03:23] Kristen's "phoenix" moment * [05:29] Finding calm amid chaos * [08:20] The power of feeling your emotions * [10:33] The science of savoring joyful moments * [13:40] Navigating global uncertainty * [17:38] Entrepreneurship as a path forward * [18:41] Privilege and social responsibility * [23:14] Advice for Gen Z * [26:01] Adopting a beginner's mindset * [30:02] The "villages" exercise for rediscovery * [33:38] Reflecting on the journey * [35:42] Music minute: what's on the playlist?  Notable Quotes * [02:02] "Life is full and I feel like every day is just the full human experience of joy and fear and 'I feel like I've got things figured out' and then 'I have no idea if I have anything figured out.'" — Vanessa Shaw * [11:17] "What actually creates wellness came down to savoring. Don't take out your phone and take a picture, just savor it. Being really in that goodness is what scientifically shows much more long-term satisfaction." — Vanessa Shaw * [26:34] "What I've done to get me this far has built a lot of wisdom. But the people I see being more useful are those using a model of: I'm a beginner here. Just like everybody. We're all beginners in this moment." — Vanessa Shaw * [28:06] "You've got to be willing to say 'I don't know' and try something different and step into the fear of the moment and just do the best you can and be willing to fail at it." — Kristen Kavanaugh Our Guest Vanessa Shaw is the founder of Momentous Work and an executive coach with decades of experience working with senior leaders, executives, and organizations navigating major transitions. Known for her direct, warmhearted approach, Vanessa helps leaders close the gap between who they are and who they are trying to become,  especially when the pressure is high and the path forward is unclear. She is a mother of two, a member of the sandwich generation, and an avid Bad Bunny fan. She works from home, where the playlist starts the moment the kids arrive.  Resources and Links * The Drive Home Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drive-home-with-kristen-kavanaugh-where-headlines/id1884941286] Vanessa Shaw * Momentous Work:https://momentouswork.com/ [https://momentouswork.com/] * LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vanessashaw [http://linkedin.com/in/vanessashaw] Kristen Kavanaugh * Website: https://www.kristenkavanaugh.com/ [https://www.kristenkavanaugh.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenkavanaugh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenkavanaugh] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristen_kavanaugh_official [https://www.instagram.com/kristen_kavanaugh_official] * Book: Courage Over Fear [https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Over-Fear-Harness-Uncertain/dp/B0FBYYP64X] Mentioned in the episode * NPR's Through Line [https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510333/throughline] podcast * Bad Bunny (especially "Tee Tee" / "Tití Me Preguntó")

Don’t Give Up on America Yet: A Former Pentagon Insider’s Case for Hope with Tony Johnson

What happens when the people who spent decades strengthening America’s institutions have to watch them be dismantled at terrifying speed? In this episode, Kristen Kavanaugh sits down with longtime friend Tony Johnson, a former U.S. Navy officer, senior Pentagon advisor, and scholar at Georgetown University Center for Security Studies, to unpack the emotional reality of watching once-trusted systems unravel in real time. Tony explores a deeper crisis of leadership legitimacy, where the gap between stated values and real actions has eroded trust across government, business, academia, and society. Kristen and Tony hold two truths at once: institutions do need reform, but the speed and scale of disruption have created real human costs that cannot be ignored. For listeners, especially Gen Z, this conversation is both a reality check and a challenge. Do not give up on the system, but do not engage blindly either. Bring bold ideas, ask hard questions, and lead with discipline, civility, and earned hope when everything feels uncertain. Key Takeaways * The gap between stated values and real behavior is where trust breaks down * You can’t rebuild institutions without first rebuilding truth and accountability * Leaders must define their personal red lines before pressure hits * Civil discourse and respectful communication are critical to moving forward * Gen Z’s energy is powerful, but must be channeled with discipline and structure * Hope still exists, but it requires participation, not disengagement In This Episode * [00:00] Welcome and guest introduction * [01:18] First meeting at the 2016 convention * [03:31] Institutions collapsing in real time * [09:03] Leadership, trust, and legitimacy crisis * [12:34] Democracy under threat and loss of trust * [17:53] Holding two truths at the same time * [20:43] Understanding “black hole” decision-making * [23:57] Where rebuilding actually begins * [25:26] Leadership lessons from Truman-era thinking * [28:22] Why innovation must be unified * [30:05] The challenge of choosing priorities * [33:36] Leading when everything is under pressure * [37:23] Knowing your red lines and your duty * [41:55] Accountability, honesty, and vision in leadership * [44:29] Real advice for Gen Z in this moment * [49:36] Music minute: what Tony listens to * [53:22] You’re not alone and where to find Tony * [54:41] Closing thoughts and thanks Notable Quotes * [04:31] “Most people like us who served in the last administration… we’re all kind of stuck in this place somewhere between abject horror and disbelief.” — Tony Johnson * [23:16] “People voted for change. They weren’t expecting this, but this is what we’ve got. So our 250-year-old democracy has to think about who we have to be next.” — Tony Johnson * [38:17] “The decisions you make and the standards you hold… that becomes the institutional inheritance you pass along to whoever comes behind you. You are laying track.” — Tony Johnson Our Guest Tony Johnson is a senior scholar at Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies and a senior advisor at Purposeful Advisors. He is the publisher of Reconnecting the Republic on Substack, a newsletter dedicated to reimagining America’s future. Tony previously served as the intelligence advisor to the Deputy Secretary of Defense and as President & CEO of the Truman National Security Project. He is a former Navy officer, a husband, and an amateur DJ (formerly known as “DJ Wonder Bitch”). He lives with his husband and writes daily about leadership, trust, and what comes next for the country. Resources and Links * The Drive Home Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-drive-home-with-kristen-kavanaugh-where-headlines/id1884941286] Tony Johnson * Substack (Reconnecting the Republic): https://www.reconnectingtherepublic.org/ [https://www.reconnectingtherepublic.org/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamtonyjohnson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamtonyjohnson/] * Georgetown Center for Security Studies: https://global.georgetown.edu/ [https://global.georgetown.edu/] Kristen Kavanaugh * Website: https://www.kristenkavanaugh.com/ [https://www.kristenkavanaugh.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenkavanaugh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenkavanaugh] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristen_kavanaugh_official [https://www.instagram.com/kristen_kavanaugh_official] * Book: Courage Over Fear [https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Over-Fear-Harness-Uncertain/dp/B0FBYYP64X]

What Happens If Ideology Rules Public Education?

What happens when ideology starts replacing science in the classroom and test scores take priority over curiosity? That’s the reality Abigail Gray experienced as a third-grade teacher in Texas, which led her to run for the State Board of Education. In this episode, host Kristen Kavanaugh speaks with Abby, a former elementary teacher and curriculum expert, about how education policy is shaped in Texas, why many decision-makers lack classroom experience, and how standardized testing is crowding out subjects like science and social studies while accelerating teacher burnout. Abby also unpacks the controversial “Bluebonnet” curriculum, highlighting thousands of errors and its heavy use of biblical content, along with the state’s push toward ideologically driven materials. She shares practical tools for parents from opting out of certain lessons to having honest conversations with their kids and explains why voting in down-ballot races matters more than people think. The takeaway: parents have more power than they realize, and a love of learning can still be nurtured at home. Key Takeaways * Texas State Board of Education is partisan; many members lack education experience. * Teachers leave within 5 years due to test-prep pressure and lack of support. * Science and social studies are sidelined because they aren’t tested until later grades. * Bluebonnet reading curriculum has 4,200+ errors and Bible passages. * Texas offers schools extra money to adopt Bluebonnet, a financial incentive for ideology. * Parents can opt their child out of objectionable curricula with written notice. * Most important education elections are at bottom of ticket, especially State Board. * Two candidates to watch: Tiffany Perkins (District 7) and Thomas Ray Garcia (District 2). In This Episode * [00:00] Welcome to The Drive Home * [00:24] Meet Abigail Gray * [03:42] Partisanship in the state board of education * [04:35] Shift from science to ideology * [06:10] Abby’s qualifications & curriculum review experience * [10:42] Erosion of trust in public institutions * [12:15] Balancing personal beliefs and public education * [15:15] Impact on teachers: classroom realities * [17:44] Impact on students: testing anxiety & loss of joy * [20:09] Bluebonnet series & required reading lists * [21:31] Funding incentives & curriculum choices * [22:50] Advice & options for parents * [25:23] Taking action: voting & curriculum review * [29:16] Researching candidates & local elections * [30:36] Abby’s educational content & platforms * [32:37] Final advice for parents * [34:05] Music minute: Abby’s playlist Notable Quotes * [01:23] “When I think about everything that’s going on with education here in Texas… it’s a shit show for sure.” — Abigail Gray * [06:46] "We're not supposed to sit here for a month just focusing on how to teach kids how to take a test. Like that's not what learning is.” — Abigail Gray * [11:15] “Religion can be weaponized to justify cruel acts and an ‘us against them’ mentality. That’s what’s happening, people feel called to push their gospel into public spaces.” — Abigail Gray Our Guest Abigail Gray (Abby) is a former third‑grade teacher with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She is currently completing a master’s in public affairs and ran as a candidate for the Texas State Board of Education. Through her platform “Schooled Policy,” she breaks down complex education policy on TikTok, Instagram, and soon YouTube and Substack. She lives in Texas with her husband and continues to advocate for science‑based, child‑centered education. Abigail Gray * Website: https://www.abigailgraytx.com/ [https://www.abigailgraytx.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-gray-m-ed-41731825b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-gray-m-ed-41731825b/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abigailgray_tx/ [https://www.instagram.com/abigailgray_tx/] * TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@schooledpolicy [https://www.tiktok.com/@schooledpolicy] Kristen Kavanaugh * Website: https://www.kristenkavanaugh.com/ [https://www.kristenkavanaugh.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenkavanaugh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenkavanaugh] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristen_kavanaugh_official [https://www.instagram.com/kristen_kavanaugh_official] * Book: Courage Over Fear [https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Over-Fear-Harness-Uncertain/dp/B0FBYYP64X]