Season 1
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. 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 ...
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...
Sept. 27, 2025
Real Talk on Resilience, Joy, and the Heart of Education with Gerrie Spellman
In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. podcast, we sit down with educator, leader, and podcaster Gerrie Spellmann —co-host of Love, Sweat, and Tears —to explore what it truly means to lead with heart...
Sept. 20, 2025
Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? | William D. Parker on Purposeful Leadership |Episode 56
In this empowering episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. podcast, I sit down with William D. Parker —executive coach, educator, speaker, and founder of Principal Matters, LLC . With decades of experience as an award-winning teach...
Sept. 13, 2025
Vision Beyond Sight: Leading with Purpose Through Adversity
In this inspiring episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. podcast, we’re joined by Kijuan Amey, founder and CEO of Amey Motivation, U.S. Air Force veteran, and motivational speaker. After a life-altering motorcycle accident left hi...
Sept. 6, 2025
My Story of HOPE in Action: Leading Through Life’s Challenges
In this special solo episode of the Lead with HOPE podcast, Brandi Kelly shares her personal journey of loss, resilience, and purpose. From the tragic loss of her brother Brandon to over 20 years as an educator and school lea...
Aug. 30, 2025
Empowering Educators with Purpose: A Conversation with Gretchen Bridgers - Episode 55
In this inspiring episode of the Lead with HOPE Podcast , Brandi Kelly sits down with Gretchen Bridgers—educator, coach, speaker, and founder of Always A Lesson. With over two decades of experience empowering teachers and tra...
Aug. 23, 2025
Wellness, Wisdom, and the Work That Matters: A Conversation with Amanda Younts-Episode 54
In this inspiring episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. podcast, Dr. Brandi Kelly welcomes Amanda Younts , leadership and personal growth expert known as The Midlife Catalyst . With over two decades of experience in education, ps...
Aug. 16, 2025
Women Who Lead with H.O.P.E.: Fierce, Fab, and Unstoppable in Education - Episode 53
In this empowering episode of Lead with H.O.P.E. , host Brandi Kelly sits down with two trailblazing women in education— Dr. Courtney Orzel , Superintendent of Lemont, IL, and Dr. Kate Koch , Assistant Superintendent of Human...
Aug. 2, 2025
The Magic Formula for Human Flourishing with Christian Ray Flores - Episode 51
Welcome to Lead with HOPE , the podcast where we explore leadership, resilience, and purpose-driven living. I’m your host, Brandi Kelly—and today’s guest truly embodies what it means to flourish through adversity. Christian R...
July 26, 2025
🎙 HOPE in the Hard Places with Kevin McNicholas - Epidsode 50
In this powerful episode of Lead with HOPE , Brandi Kelly sits down with Kevin McNicholas to reflect on the ROE #40 SEL Summit and explore what it means to find HOPE in the hard places . Kevin opens up about his experience at...
July 19, 2025
Be the Light: Spreading Kindness with Dr. Christopher Culver - Episode 49
In this inspiring episode, Brandi sits down with Chris Culver—educator, thought leader, and founder of Orange Sparrow—to explore the transformative power of kindness in leadership, education, and everyday life. With over a de...
July 11, 2025
Episode 48: Mastery Goals — The Path to Growth, Agency & Hope
Ready to build a life that’s rooted in purpose—not pressure? In this episode of Lead With Hope , we explore the power of mastery goals : goals that focus on growth over perfection, and progress over comparison. Inspired by la...