The Leaders Who Believe in You Before You Believe in Yourself: A Conversation with Dr. Abigail Simone

The Leaders Who Believe in You Before You Believe in Yourself: A Conversation with Dr. Abigail Simone

Some leaders carry influence because they’ve learned how to see potential before it becomes visible. In this episode of LIFT with Sarah Layson, Sarah sits down with Dr. Abigail Simone, Director of the Honors Academy at Houston High School, for a conversation about mentorship, service, excellence, and the responsibility of helping young people become who they’re called to be. It’s thoughtful, deeply grounded, and rooted in the kind of leadership that shapes generations. At the center of this conversation is the belief that leadership begins with service and grows through accountability. Dr. Simone’s story reflects a life shaped by community, high expectations, and relationships that helped guide her forward. As a lifelong Memphian, she shares how her mother’s drive for excellence and her father’s gift for building relationships created a foundation that still influences the way she leads today. As the conversation unfolds, listeners will hear how mentors played a defining role in Dr. Simone’s path. From a professor who pushed her toward teaching to a principal who recognized gifts she hadn’t fully claimed yet, her journey shows the power of leaders who speak possibility into others. She also shares her experience advocating for world language education and how long-term relationships, preparation, and credibility can become tools for meaningful change. There’s a humility in this episode that gives the conversation real depth. Dr. Simone speaks about her grandmother’s work ethic, the “mop the floor test,” and the belief that no task is beneath a true servant leader. She also reflects on motherhood, setbacks, personal accountability, and the kind of honest friendships that help you stay aligned with your values when life gets full and complicated. If you’ve ever had someone believe in you before you believed in yourself, this conversation will feel familiar. If you’re leading students, children, teams, or communities, it will challenge you to consider how you’re using your influence. Leadership isn’t only about opening doors for yourself. It’s about preparing others to walk through doors with courage, character, and confidence. This episode points toward a future where leadership is more intentional, more relational, and more committed to developing people well. A future where students are challenged with love, mentors take their role seriously, and excellence is pursued with both discipline and grace. Dr. Simone’s story reminds us that the right leader at the right moment can change the direction of a life. To grow. To reflect. To lead with intention. Welcome to LIFT. Subscribe and follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/ [https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839] Website: sarahlayson.com And Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274]

Leading to Serve: Honoring Thomas McDaniel's Legacy, Impact, and Fatherhood

Some legacies aren’t built through grand gestures. They’re built through the way a person shows up, works hard, loves deeply, and makes others feel like they matter. In this Father’s Day conversation, Sarah Layson sits down with Mitch and Tommy to honor the life and legacy of their late father, Thomas McDaniel. Together, they reflect on a man whose leadership was steady, humble, and deeply rooted in service. At the center of this conversation is the belief that real leadership is lived before it’s ever spoken. Thomas McDaniel led through action. Through loyalty. Through a relentless work ethic. Through the way he cared for his family, served his community, and remained committed to the people and places he loved. His life reminds listeners that legacy is not what we say we value. It’s what our lives prove over time. As the conversation unfolds, Sarah, Mitch, and Tommy share stories of their father’s 50-year career, his dedication to his company, and the personal accountability that shaped how he moved through the world. They reflect on his “work hard, play hard” mentality, his ability to connect with people from all walks of life, and the way he made others feel welcomed, respected, and included. These memories reveal a leader who didn’t need a spotlight to make an impact. There is a deep emotional weight in this episode because it’s not just about leadership. It’s about love. It’s about the fierce devotion Thomas showed his wife, the example he set for his children, and the memories that continue to shape how they parent, lead, and serve today. His legacy lives in the ordinary moments that became sacred over time. If you’ve ever lost someone who shaped you, this conversation will meet you there. If you’ve ever wondered what kind of legacy your life is leaving, it will invite you to pause and reflect. Leadership begins in the daily choices. The way you treat people. The way you keep your word. The way you love those closest to you. This episode points toward a bigger vision of leadership that starts at home and reaches into every part of life. A vision where service matters, family matters, community matters, and the way we live becomes the message we leave behind. Thomas McDaniel’s story reminds us that a life well lived can keep leading long after someone is gone. To grow. To reflect. To lead with intention. Welcome to LIFT. Subscribe and follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839 Website: sarahlayson.com And Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274

The Grit and Grind of Entrepreneurship: A conversation with entrepreneur Ragan Ogelsby-Phillips

Some leaders build businesses. Others build spaces where people feel seen, welcomed, and cared for. In this episode of LIFT with Sarah Layson, Sarah sits down with Ragan Oglesby-Phillips, a Memphis entrepreneur, mother, and owner of Perch 74, Lady Fingers Catering, and Med Clean Solutions. Her story is one of grit, grace, resilience, and the kind of leadership that’s shaped through real life, not theory. At the center of this conversation is the belief that leadership is built through responsibility. Ragan’s journey began long before the titles and businesses. Becoming a mother at 17 changed the direction of her life and gave her a deeper reason to keep going. What could have become a limitation became fuel. Her story reminds listeners that leadership often begins in the moments where quitting would make sense, but purpose asks you to keep moving. As the conversation unfolds, Ragan shares the experiences that shaped her work ethic, her heart for hospitality, and her ability to build across multiple industries. She reflects on the mentorship of Jeff Presley, whose guidance helped her understand business structure, ownership, and what it takes to step fully into entrepreneurship. From commercial cleaning to catering to creating a restaurant rooted in connection, every part of her work carries intention. There is a deep emotional honesty in this episode. Ragan speaks about becoming a young mother, walking through a difficult first marriage, and learning to rebuild with strength and clarity. She also shares the heart behind Perch 74, a place inspired by the relaxed hospitality of Paris, where people are invited to slow down, gather, and feel at home. It’s business, but it’s also ministry in motion. It’s community through food, service, and presence. If you’ve ever had to start over, build while healing, or lead while carrying more than people realize, this conversation will meet you there. Ragan’s story is a reminder that your past doesn’t disqualify you. It can become the foundation that teaches you how to serve, how to lead, and how to build something meaningful for others. This episode points toward a bigger vision for leadership in Memphis and beyond. One where entrepreneurship creates belonging, mentorship opens doors, and success becomes a way to lift families, communities, and future generations. Ragan’s next chapter, from signature products like maple bacon jam to retail shelves, reflects a leader still dreaming, still building, and still choosing to grow. To grow. To reflect. To lead with intention. Welcome to LIFT. Subscribe and follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839 Website: sarahlayson.com And Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274

Voices of Tomorrow: The Class of 2026 Graduate Edition

Leadership looks different when viewed through the eyes of the next generation. In this special conversation, Sarah Layson sits down with the Class of 2026 students Ava, Elliot, and Izzy to explore what leadership means in a world shaped by constant change, comparison, and uncertainty. Their perspective is refreshing, honest, and deeply important for anyone who hopes to influence the leaders of tomorrow. At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful truth: leadership isn't about titles, popularity, or authority. It's about presence. The next generation is looking for people who show up consistently, speak truth with compassion, and create spaces where others feel seen, valued, and supported. Leadership, in their eyes, is less about being in charge and more about being available. As the discussion unfolds, Ava, Elliot, and Izzy share personal experiences that reveal what students are navigating today. They reflect on the mentors who helped guide them through difficult seasons, the challenges of growing up in an increasingly connected yet often isolating world, and the qualities that earn trust and respect among their peers. Their stories offer a clear picture of what young people need from the adults and leaders around them. There is a sincerity throughout this conversation that can't be ignored. These students speak openly about pressure, uncertainty, and the desire for genuine connection. They remind us that confidence is often built through encouragement, that resilience grows through relationships, and that a single person who believes in you can change the direction of your life. Their honesty creates space for reflection, not only for students, but for parents, teachers, coaches, and leaders alike. If you've ever wondered how to better support the next generation, this conversation offers valuable insight. You'll hear what young people are asking for, what they're struggling with, and what helps them thrive. More importantly, you'll be challenged to consider the kind of leader you're becoming and the example you're setting for those who are watching. This episode points toward a future where leadership is rooted in authenticity, connection, and service. A future where communities are strengthened because people choose to invest in others, where mentorship becomes a priority, and where young leaders are equipped with the confidence and character to make a meaningful impact. To grow. To reflect. To lead with intention. Welcome to LIFT. Subscribe and follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839 Website: sarahlayson.com And Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274

Beyond the Boardroom: Cultivating Ownership and Community Impact

Leadership often leaves its deepest mark through quiet example, and that’s exactly what unfolds in this conversation between Sarah Layson and Steve Simon. With decades of experience in human resources, community service, faith leadership, and mentorship, Steve brings a lifetime of wisdom shaped not by titles alone, but by a commitment to serving others well. His story is a reminder that leadership is less about position and more about the responsibility we choose to carry every day. At the heart of this conversation is a powerful belief: true leaders think like owners. Not because they hold stock certificates or occupy corner offices, but because they care deeply about the success of the people, organizations, and communities they serve. Steve shares how adopting an ownership mentality transformed the way he approached every opportunity, teaching that commitment, stewardship, and personal responsibility are often the foundations of lasting influence. As the conversation unfolds, listeners will hear stories that span family farms, boardrooms, community leadership, and life-changing mentorships. Steve reflects on lessons learned from parents whose integrity and work ethic shaped his character long before his professional career began. He shares how a mentor’s belief in his potential helped open doors that changed the trajectory of his life, becoming the first in his family to attend college. Along the way, the discussion explores servant leadership, communication, and the simple but profound practice of making people feel seen. There is a depth and humility woven throughout every story. From memories of his father’s experiences as a World War II veteran to reflections on providing essential services that improve the lives of entire communities, Steve demonstrates that meaningful leadership is often built through ordinary acts of faithfulness. His stories reveal that success is rarely measured by what we gain, but by the impact we leave on others. If you’ve ever wondered whether your role matters, whether your contribution is seen, or whether leadership requires a title before it can make a difference, this conversation will challenge that thinking. You’ll be reminded that influence begins long before recognition and that the smallest acts of service often create the greatest ripple effects. This episode points toward a future where leadership is rooted in stewardship, mentorship, and genuine care for people. A future where businesses succeed because leaders invest in others, communities thrive because people take ownership, and lives are transformed because someone chose to believe in another person’s potential. To grow. To reflect. To lead with intention. Welcome to LIFT. Subscribe and follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftwithsarahlayson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583340696839 Website: sarahlayson.com And Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lift-with-sarah/id1886005274