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!

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June 16, 2026

Episode 103 | Meant for More with Karen Olsen

The conversation with Karen Olson, founder and CEO of Family Promise, delves into the power of turning pain into purpose, the importance of persistence, overcoming adversity, finding purpose and passion, building community an...

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June 15, 2026

Episode 102 | Surviving a Secret Life with Mandi Pratt

The conversation explores the journey of pain and purpose, highlighting the power of hope and leadership. It delves into facing unimaginable circumstances, finding purpose, taking micro steps, and leading at home and in busin...

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June 14, 2026

Episode 101 | Creating Breathing Room with Rachel D. Baker

The conversation with Rachel Baker explores the themes of hope, resilience, and the power of connection. Rachel shares her journey, emphasizing the importance of daily best, acts of kindness, and the cultivation of hope and o...

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June 13, 2026

Episode 100 | Holding H.O.P.E.: 100 Episodes, 100 Conversations, Countless Lives Impacted

What started as a podcast became a movement. In this special 100th episode of Lead with H.O.P.E. , Dr. Brandi Kelly reflects on the lessons, stories, and conversations that have shaped the journey. From the power of human con...

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June 8, 2026

Episode 105 | with Danny Steele

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June 6, 2026

Episode 99 | Finding Joy in the Journey with George Philhower

Are you feeling overwhelmed as a leader? Discover how focusing on joy can be an unexpected but powerful tool for inspiring your team and cultivating hope in education. In this episode, we explore superintendent George Philhow...

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May 30, 2026

Episode 98 | Real Leadership Starts with Healing, Hope, and Purpose

Dr. Brandi Kelly shares her journey of self-discovery and the importance of hope in leadership. She emphasizes the role of self-awareness, belief, and purpose in effective leadership, and introduces a system of hope to sustai...

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May 23, 2026

Episode 97 | Authentic Leadership Starts with Identity | Dr. Eric Moyer

Feeling overwhelmed by leadership, burnout, or uncertainty about your purpose? In this powerful episode, Dr. Eric Moyer explores how understanding your identity in Christ can transform the way you lead, grow, and navigate lif...

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May 16, 2026

Episode 96 | Stop Waiting for Permission: Leadership, Purpose, and Courage

In this inspiring episode of Lead with H.O.P.E. , Brandi Kelly reflects on two powerful experiences that reinforced a life-changing realization: she is no longer asking for a seat at the table—she’s changing the table. Drawin...

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May 9, 2026

Episode 95 | How Purpose-Driven Leadership Helps School Leaders Overcome Burnout and Lead with Clarity

Episode Summary In this powerful interview, Michelle Sloan shares her journey from educator to leadership expert, revealing how purpose-driven leadership transforms schools from the inside out. She breaks down how principals ...

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May 2, 2026

Episode 94 | The Self-Awareness Gap in Leadership (and How to Fix It)

Episode Summary You don’t need more leadership strategies... you need more self-awareness. In this episode, Brandi Kelly unpacks one of the most overlooked gaps in leadership today: the lack of understanding around how you ar...

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April 25, 2026

Episode 93 | Turning Pain Into Purpose with Preston Zeller

In this powerful and deeply reflective conversation, Brandi Kelly sits down with Preston Zeller to explore how grief, creativity, and faith intersect to shape leadership and purpose. Preston shares his journey through the sud...

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April 18, 2026

Episode 92 | How to Do a Quick Thought Audit (When Your Mind Starts Spiraling)

Have you ever had a moment where everything feels off—but you can’t explain why? Your energy shifts, your confidence dips, and suddenly you’re questioning yourself for no clear reason. In this episode, Brandi Kelly unpacks wh...

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April 11, 2026

Episode 91| The Power of Touching Dreams with Andrea Bitner

In this inspiring episode of the Lead with Hope Podcast , we sit down with educator, author, and speaker Andrea Bittner to explore how hope-driven leadership transforms classrooms and lives. With over 20 years of experience s...

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April 4, 2026

Episode 90 | Reset and Reclaim Your Power: A Guide to Overcoming Overwhelm | Lead with HOPE Podcast

Episode Summary Feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained? In this solo episode of the Lead with HOPE Podcast , Brandi Kelly shares practical tools to help you manage stress, regulate emotions, set healthy boundaries, and re...

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March 28, 2026

Episode 89 | Leadership & Identity: Anchored with Purpose

Summary In this episode of the Lead with Hope podcast, host Dr. Brandi Kelly is joined by Melissa Wilkinson, the founder of Anchored with Purpose . Melissa shares her powerful transition from leading a $28 million retail orga...

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March 21, 2026

Episode 88 | Consistency, Not Perfection: The Resilient Leader's Rule for Never Missing Twice

In this powerful episode of Lead with H.O.P.E. , Brandi Kelly dives into one of the biggest barriers in leadership—perfectionism—and reframes it through the lens of resilience, faith, and forward momentum. Grounded in the mes...

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March 14, 2026

Episode 87 | Grounded Leadership: Kristen Weikle on Courage, Culture, and Hope

Episode Summary In this episode of Lead with Hope , Dr. Kristen Weikle shares insights from her 30-year career in education, including her experiences as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. She reflects on the importanc...

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March 7, 2026

Episode 86 | Spreading Sunshine with Kindness

What can a children’s book teach us about leadership, culture, and hope? In this episode, host Dr. Brandi Kelly shares the inspiration behind her new children’s book Spreading Sunshine with Kindness and explores the powerful ...

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Feb. 28, 2026

Episod 85 | Building Trust in Leadership: A Conversation with Toby Travis

In this episode of Lead with Hope , Dr. Brandi Kelly sits down with educational leader Toby Travis to explore one essential truth: trust is the foundation of effective leadership in education . If you care about trust, leader...

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Feb. 21, 2026

Episode 84 | How to Build Habits When You’re Overwhelmed: The Power of Micro-Actions

In this episode of the Lead with Hope Podcast , Dr. Brandi Kelly tackles one of the most common leadership and personal development struggles: how to build habits when you’re overwhelmed . If you’ve ever tried to start a new ...

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