Crossroads + Catalysts Leadership Podcast
Leadership gets more complicated the higher you go—and too often, you're expected to figure it out as you go. Crossroads & Catalysts is a leadership podcast for managers, directors, emerging leaders, and experienced professionals who want practical strategies for becoming more effective and thoughtful leaders. Hosted by Shenita Brown, financial executive, leadership strategist, and speaker, each episode tackles the challenges that come with actually leading people: difficult conversations, accountability, team performance, communication, decision-making, executive presence, managing up, leading through change, and the transition from individual contributor to leader. But great leadership isn't only about how you manage others. It's also about how you manage yourself. That's why we explore the judgment, self-awareness, discipline, courage, and strategic thinking required to lead well—especially when the answer isn't obvious. You'll hear practical leadership advice, real-world experiences, and perspectives designed to help you think more critically about how you lead and what you can do differently. Whether you're a new manager learning how to lead a team, a director preparing for executive leadership, or an experienced leader sharpening your skills, you'll find conversations here that meet you where you are—and challenge you to keep growing. Because becoming a better leader isn't a destination. It's a practice. New episodes every week.
Choose your favorite podcast player
Crossroads + Catalysts Leadership Podcast
This is a podcast for professionals at a career crossroads - whether you're looking at entering entrepreneurship, feeling stuck in a job that no longer serves you, or navigating leadership changes that leave you questioning your next move. Each episode explores the real challenges behind these momen...
Recent Episodes
85
Oct. 12, 2026
How to Speak Up at Work: Self-Advocacy Skills Every Leader Needs
Want greater influence at work? Learning how to advocate for yourself is part of becoming a more effective—and more visible—leader. But speaking up doesn't mean being demanding, self-promotional, or always getting your way. Effective self-advocacy is knowing when to use your voice, what to communicate, and how to do it strategically. In this encore episode of Crossroads & Catalysts, we're exploring how managing up creates the relational foundation that makes self-advocacy more effective—and why
84
Oct. 5, 2026
Ready for Your Next Leadership Opportunity? Why Waiting Could Cost You (and What to Do Instead)
Are you waiting to feel ready before making your next move? Whether you're considering a career opportunity, stepping into greater responsibility, launching something new, or pursuing a goal you've been putting off, waiting for confidence and certainty can keep you standing still. In this encore episode of Crossroads & Catalysts, we're exploring the connection between readiness, confidence, and self-doubt—and challenging the belief that you have to feel ready before you act. Sometimes preparat
83
Sept. 28, 2026
What Executive Presence Really Is (And Why It Matters)
Executive presence can influence whether you're trusted with bigger opportunities, invited into important conversations, or seen as ready for the next level. But what exactly is executive presence—and how do you develop it? In this encore episode, we're moving beyond confidence and looking at the external behaviors that shape how others experience your leadership. If you want to increase your influence at work, strengthen your leadership presence, or be seen as a leader before receiving the tit
82
Sept. 21, 2026
Are You Developing Your Team—or Blocking Their Growth?
Are you developing your team—or unintentionally standing in the way of their growth? Leadership development requires more than coaching and encouragement. Leaders also have to create the access, exposure, and opportunities employees need to gain experience and prepare for greater responsibility. In this episode, we're exploring how leaders can unintentionally delay employee growth by holding onto work, limiting exposure, or waiting until someone is "ready" before giving them opportunities to de
81
Sept. 14, 2026
How to Develop Good Judgment in Your Team
How do you develop good judgment in your team? As a leader, coaching and delegation can build capability and ownership—but eventually, your employees must be able to make sound decisions when you're not there to give them the answer. In this episode of Crossroads & Catalysts, we're exploring how leaders can help employees strengthen their judgment, use knowledge and experience to evaluate what's in front of them, and recognize when something deserves another question. We'll also look at the ro
80
Sept. 7, 2026
How to Delegate: A Leadership Tool for Developing Your Team
Learning how to delegate effectively is an essential leadership skill—but delegation isn't just about managing your workload. Used intentionally, delegation can be a powerful tool for developing employees, building ownership, and strengthening your team. In this episode of Crossroads & Catalysts, we're looking beyond the traditional idea of delegation as simply getting work off your plate. You'll learn how the right assignment can become a development opportunity, why explaining the "why" behin
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
iHeartRadio
Amazon Music
PocketCasts
Pandora