Welcome back, friends! After a short break, the Grounding and Growing Podcast is officially relaunching with a conversation that couldn’t be more timely. Tara is joined by Dr. Ashley Lang; ALIGN leadership coach, Grounded Leadership facilitator, Assistant Professor of Practice at UNI, and trusted friend. Ashley was even kind enough to be our very first guest back.

In this episode, they explore how AI is showing up in workplaces and universities, what it can do well for leaders, and where its limits still matter. From drafting communication and organizing thoughts to practicing tough conversations, Tara and Ashley share practical, low-risk ways leaders can use AI, while emphasizing the importance of ethics, critical thinking, and human discernment.

This episode is thoughtful, approachable, and grounding; an easy re-entry into conversations about leadership, technology, and staying human in a rapidly changing world.

Registration for our next Grounded Leadership cohort is now open! 

Registration for our next Growth-Focused Leader cohort is now pen!

SHIFT Leadership Event is returning for 2026! Interested in becoming a sponsor for SHIFT, learning more about the SHIFT event, or learning more about our special guest speaker, Jon Acuff? Click HERE.

At the Grounding and Growing Leadership podcast, we believe everyone is a leader and that leadership starts with you. Join Tara Gronhovd, Gallup Certified Clifton Strengths Coach and e2Grow High Performing Team Coach, and Pamela Nelson, Gallup Certified Clifton Strengths Coach, Counselor, and Spiritual Director, as we navigate conversations to grow you and your teams on your leadership journeys.    

CliftonStrengths (aka Strengthsfinder) is an assessment that is based on positive psychology and measures core motivations. It’s an extremely powerful tool for personal and professional development as well as improving team dynamics. You will hear us reference Strengths frequently in our podcasts. If you are interested in learning more and taking the CliftonStrengths assessment for you or your team, please reach out to tara@aligntransform.com.    

Comments or questions about this episode? Ideas for future podcast topics and guests? We’d love to hear from you!    

Resources: 

Gallup

ALIGN Q1 Workshop - Leveraging AI for Leadership

GROW™ Leadership Capacity Assessment

Gallup Training on AI Use in Coaching

The Law Firm Owner Podcast - The Future of Law: AI, Innovation, and What It Means for Your Firm with Ernie Svenson