Lead with HOPE Podcast
Lead with Hope Podcast is dedicated to educators who need a little hope and inspiration! Brandi Kelly, Superintendent of Mt. Olive CUSD #5, is the host. Leading with hope is an intentional practice requiring self reflection and self awareness. Check out my website at leadwithhope.net . This bi weekly podcast will inspire and empower you to Lead with HOPE!
Recent Episodes
Jan. 24, 2026
Episode 80 | Stressed Leaders Stay in the Game: Burnout, Purpose and Thriving in Leadership
Are you a leader feeling the stress? Join us as we talk with Dan Stecken , a superintendent, former varsity head coach, and founder of the Stressed Leaders Retreat . Dan shares his unique approach to wellness and vulnerabilit...
Jan. 17, 2026
Episode 79 | Hope Over Hustle: The Keys to Sustainable Leadership
A special thank you to Craig Williams and Conversari for supporting this episode! Learn more about their work at https://www.conversaripress.com In this empowering episode of Lead with HOPE , we give you a sneak peek of the f...
Jan. 10, 2026
Episode 78 | Hope-Fueled Leadership with Dr. Lindsey Hall
🤝 Legacy Sponsor This episode of the Lead with Hope Podcast is proudly supported by our Legacy Sponsor, Conversari - https://www.conversaripress.com/ What happens when strong, capable leaders reach the end of what an unsust...
Jan. 3, 2026
Episode 77 | Burned Out as a Leader? I Didn’t Lose My Leadership in 2025 — I Found It
In this episode of the Lead with Hope podcast, Dr. Brandi Kelly discusses the challenges of leadership, particularly in the context of burnout and emotional exhaustion . She shares her personal journey of feeling depleted whi...
Dec. 31, 2025
🎙️ Episode 76 | Juggling the Job of Leadership with Dr. Robert Thornell
In this episode of Lead with H.O.P.E. , Brandi Kelly welcomes Dr. Robert Thornell, Ed.D. —a veteran educator, school leadership coach with The Center for Model Schools , and bestselling author of Inside the Principal’s Office...
Dec. 27, 2025
Episode 75 | Storytelling, Adversity, and HOPE with Craig Williams of Journey12
CEO of Journey12 —an organization dedicated to helping schools, especially in rural America, reclaim their narratives and strengthen community connections through authentic storytelling and strategic communication. Craig shar...
Dec. 24, 2025
Episode 74 | From Parapro to Teacher with Dr. Matthew Flippen
There are more than 1.2 million paraprofessionals working in schools across the United States—supporting instruction, building relationships with students, and keeping classrooms running every day. Many of them dream of becom...
Dec. 20, 2025
Episode 73 | Leadership on the Rocks with Bethany Rees
In this episode of Lead with HOPE, Dr. Brandi Kelly interviews Bethany Rees, an experienced educator, administrator, and leadership coach. Bethany, author of Leadership on the Rocks , helps leaders simplify complexity, build ...
Dec. 17, 2025
Episode 72 | From Wilderness to Calling: How Faith and Neuroscience Help Women Renew Their Minds
What if your breaking point was actually your launching point? In this episode of Lead with H.O.P.E. , host Brandi Kelly sits down with Amy Wadlington , author, speaker, and host of the Prophetic Breakthrough for Christian Wo...
Dec. 13, 2025
Episode 71 | HOPE-Fueled Leadership: How to Thrive Without Sacrificing Yourself with Carman Murray
In this episode, we’re honored to be joined by Carman Murray —speaker, coach, and author who helps educators reconnect with what matters most without sacrificing themselves in the process. With over 20 years in education, inc...
Dec. 10, 2025
Episode 70 |Finding Purpose Through Pain: The Brave Way Home with Ben & Crystal Woods
In this powerful episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. Podcast , host Dr. Brandi Kelly sits down with Ben and Crystal Woods, founders of The Brave Way Home and leaders of the Look Out for the Left Out (LOFTLO) movement. For more ...
Dec. 6, 2025
Episode 69 | The Solo Spark: Why You Can't Do This Alone
In this special solo episode, Dr. Brandi Kelly offers a timely, heartfelt reflection on community, self-awareness, and the transformative power of HOPE as we close out the year. Tying into the December theme of “You Can’t Do ...
Nov. 29, 2025
Episode 68: Macoupin CEO Program | The Power of Mentors and Coaches with Tommy Campbell
Welcome to Lead with Hope! In this episode of Lead with Hope , Dr. Brandi Kelly sits down with Tommy Campbell , 2025 Macoupin CEO Alum, to explore how mentors and coaches shape young leaders. Tommy shares what he learned from...
Nov. 22, 2025
🎙️ Episode 67 | Building Relationships & Leadership Through the CEO Program with Jack Kessinger
In this episode of Lead with H.O.P.E. , Brandi Kelly sits down with Jack Kessinger to explore the power of relationships, networking, and leadership development through the CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program...
Nov. 15, 2025
Episode 66 | Macoupin County CEO Program with Macie Wright
In this episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. Podcast , host Brandi Kelly, Ed.D., LCSW sits down with Macie Wright , a 2025 graduate of Gillespie High School and current Millikin University student studying art therapy. Macie is ...
Nov. 9, 2025
Episode 65 | From the Classroom to Corporate Impact with Cheryl Mitchell
✨ In this inspiring episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. Podcast , host Dr. Brandi Kelly sits down with Cheryl Mitchell—a former educator, corporate trainer, keynote speaker, and author—whose story reminds us that purpose often ...
Nov. 1, 2025
🎙️ November CEO Spotlight | Lead with H.O.P.E. Podcast Episode 64
This month, we’re shining a light on the incredible Macoupin County CEO Program — a transformative experience preparing the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs! 🌟 In today’s episode, I’m joined by current students...
Oct. 25, 2025
Episode 63 | Teaching, Parenting & Beating Burnout with Erin Shook
In this episode of Lead with H.O.P.E. , Brandi sits down with Erin Shook , a passionate high school teacher and mom of four, who is redefining what it means to thrive as both an educator and a parent. With more than 17 years ...
Oct. 18, 2025
Episode 62 | How Love, and a Little Ruckus, Can Transform School with Danny Bauer
In this episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. podcast, we welcome Danny Bauer , a true “Ruckus Maker” who challenges traditional education and inspires leaders to create schools worth showing up for. We dive into leading with lov...
Oct. 11, 2025
The Value of Teacher Leadership with Dr. Chris Jochum | Reignite Your Passion & Lead with H.O.P.E.
Are you an educator feeling exhausted and questioning your future? In this episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. podcast, we're joined by Dr. Chris Jochum, author of "The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadershi...
Oct. 4, 2025
🎙️ Episode 60 | Blessings and Lessons in Leadership – My Dad’s Legacy
In this deeply personal episode of Lead with H.O.P.E. , Brandi Kelly reflects on her father’s life and the lasting leadership lessons left behind. Through stories of warmth, humor, resilience, and quiet strength, Brandi share...
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