When Leadership Becomes an Addiction

Fitness Accountability & Culture

In this episode of Trail Talks, Kelly sits down with Jason Ham, Air Force Chief Exercise Physiologist and longtime human performance expert, for a conversation that goes way beyond push-ups, run times, and checking the fitness box. 🏃‍♀️💪 They talk about the difference between a culture of testing and a culture of fitness, what really gets in the way of our health, why sleep matters more than we want to admit, and how small habits quietly shape the way we show up every day. 🧠🌙 And because it is Trail Talks, there is also a Memorial Day detour involving celebrity BBQ teams, backyard games, and just enough chaos to make you question who should ever be trusted near the grill. 🔥🍔🇺🇸 Listen now to Episode 25.

Why Teams Stay Stuck

🌀 What happens when a team talks about the same problem over and over… but nothing actually changes? In this episode of Trail Talks 🎙️, Kelly officially welcomes Vanessa Valdez as co-host as they unpack why teams, workplaces, and even friendships can get stuck in the same cycles. Through leadership stories 💡, Ted Lasso references ⚽, practical conversation, and a hilarious detour into airplane etiquette ✈️😂, this episode explores what creates movement inside a team — and what quietly keeps people spinning in circles. Because sometimes the biggest leadership challenge is not identifying the problem… It’s helping people move forward. 🌲

When Leadership Becomes an Addiction

In this episode of Trail Talks, Kelly and Terra are joined by counselor Jill Defayette for a powerful conversation on leadership addiction. 🎯 What happens when your title becomes your identity? When work replaces purpose? When control feels safer than connection? Together, they unpack the psychology behind workaholism, toxic leadership, identity loss, burnout, and why some leaders struggle to step away. They also share practical tools to help leaders build healthier identities beyond the role. 🌱 Topics include: 🔹 Leadership addiction explained 🔹 Workaholism vs purpose-driven work 🔹 Toxic leadership patterns 🔹 Identity outside your job title 🔹 Why control becomes addictive 🔹 Tools for healthier leadership 🎧 If you’ve ever tied your worth to productivity, this one is for you.  The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as professional counseling, medical, or legal advice.

Leadership Isn't Hard - You're Avoiding It

After a heavy conversation on toxic leadership and silent bullying, this episode brings it back to what actually matters. Because here’s the truth:  Leadership isn’t complicated… it’s uncomfortable.  And too often, we avoid the very things that make leadership effective. In this episode of Trail Talks, we break down: *  The 5 basics of leadership: clarity, consistency, communication, ownership, and care  *  The 3 essentials of followership: ownership without authority, courage, and contribution  *  A simple self-check to help you evaluate how you’re showing up—no matter your role  This isn’t theory.  This is what people actually feel when leadership is done right—and what breaks when it’s not. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by leadership (yours or someone else’s), this episode is your reset. Because if it’s not: *  Clear  *  Consistent  *  Communicated  *  Owned  *  And grounded in care  …it’s not leadership. 🎧 Press play and get back to the basics.

Toxic Leadership Isn't Always Loud

In this episode of Trail Talks, Kelly and Terra are joined by Sue and Heather for a real conversation about a form of workplace toxicity that often goes unrecognized—silent bullying. This isn’t about obvious conflict or explosive leaders. It’s about the behaviors that happen quietly: *  Avoiding hard conversations  *  Withholding feedback  *  Excluding people from information or opportunities  *  Creating environments where people feel unseen, unsupported, or unsure where they stand  And the impact? It’s real. It affects trust, performance, confidence—and ultimately, people. Together, they unpack: *  What silent bullying actually looks like in leadership spaces  *  Why it often goes unaddressed  *  The subtle behaviors that signal something deeper is off  *  And what leaders—and teammates—can do to change it  This conversation is honest, at times uncomfortable, and necessary. Because leadership isn’t just about what you say.  It’s also about what you don’t say—and the space that silence creates. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are our own and do not reflect those of the Department of War or the United States Air Force.