Podcast
Lead Into It
Hosted by Sara Greco · EN
Lead Into It is your go-to podcast for real, actionable leadership insights—no title required. Whether you're leading a team, a project, or just yourself, host Sara Greco brings you powerful conversations with leaders from corporate, nonprofit, hospitality, the U.S. military, and beyond. Each episode delivers tactical tools, fresh perspectives, and lasting inspiration to help you lead with confidence in your career and life.
Because leadership isn’t about a title—it’s about action.
Are you ready to lead into it?
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
72. Five Leadership Lessons I Wished I Learned Earlier
1w ago00:09:40Tap to summarizeOver my career, I’ve learned a lot about leadership. Some of it through great experiences and some (if not most) through doing things the hard way.Many lessons weren’t things people sat me down and taught me. They were things I learned over time through leading teams, making mistakes, getting overwhelmed, building confidence, and figuring out what leadership actually looks like in real life.In this solo episode, I’m sharing five leadership lessons that I wish I had learned earlier because I think they would have made navigating leadership (and my career in general) feel a little easier.I talk about: Why leadership is less about having all the answers and more about creating space where people feel safe to contribute Why you can’t lead everyone the same way—and how understanding communication and strengths matters Why burnout isn’t proof that you care (and what I’ve learned about leadership and rest) Why confidence usually comes after doing the thing, not before Why self-awareness might be one of the most important leadership skills you can buildWhether you’re leading a team, stepping into leadership for the first time, or just trying to grow in how you show up for others, I hope this episode gives you something to reflect on and maybe makes your leadership journey feel a little less lonely.Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, or reach out at hello@leadintoit.co. Excited to be with you!
Transcribe →71. Building your Authentic Leadership Style with Lacey Vestal
2w ago00:51:43Tap to summarizeWhat does it actually mean to build your own leadership style?In this episode of Lead Into It, Sara sits down with Navy Captain Lacey Vestal to explore the journey of becoming an authentic leader in environments that often reward conformity, hierarchy, and playing it safe. From attending the Naval Academy to leading in high pressure military environments, recruiting top talent, and finding her voice in senior leadership roles, Lacey shares the experiences that shaped her approach to leadership.Together, they unpack authentic leadership, emotional intelligence, confidence, imposter syndrome, and the idea that many leaders spend too much time waiting to feel ready instead of stepping forward and growing into the role.They also explore an often overlooked leadership topic: wellness. Lacey shares how fitness, self leadership, and building healthier workplace cultures have influenced the way she leads and develops others.If you’ve ever questioned your leadership style, struggled to trust yourself, or wondered how to lead without losing who you are, this conversation is for you.In this episode, we cover:• Building your leadership style over time• Authentic leadership in high pressure environments• Confidence vs. competence• Navigating imposter syndrome• Emotional intelligence and the future of leadership• Lessons from military leadership• Fitness, wellness, and sustainable leadership• Finding your voice as a leaderChapters00:00 Introduction to Lacey's Journey03:56 Choosing the Naval Academy06:46 Life on Deck: Early Leadership Experiences09:25 Transitioning from Sea to Shore Duty12:15 Navigating Leadership Challenges as a Woman14:58 The Importance of Authentic Leadership17:40 Building Authentic Leadership Skills20:16 Finding Your Leadership Style23:11 The Power of Introversion in Leadership27:20 Finding Authenticity in Leadership28:33 Navigating Imposter Syndrome31:42 The Role of Intuition in Leadership34:11 Fitness as a Path to Confidence38:46 Integrating Personal Passions into Leadership42:39 Trust-Based Leadership46:06 The Future of Leadership and Female Energy50:20 Embracing Authenticity and Doing Hard ThingsLet’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, or reach out at hello@leadintoit.co. Excited to be with you!
Transcribe →70. Rewind Episode: Happiness in the Workplace with Dr. Raj Raghunathan
3w ago01:05:05Tap to summarizeIn this rewind episode from 2020 (yes, in the midst of the pandemic!), I sit down with Dr. Raj Raghunathan, an award-winning Professor of Marketing at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, whose work focuses on the connection between our decisions, happiness, and fulfillment.We talk about happiness in the workplace and why it matters far more than people often realize.From burnout and belonging to leadership, culture, and connection, this conversation dives into what actually helps people thrive both at work and in life. Dr. Raj also shares insights from his research on happiness, including his BAMBA model and how leaders can create environments where people feel supported, valued, and empowered.In this episode, we discuss: The connection between happiness and productivity Why belonging matters so much in the workplace The impact leaders have on team well-being Burnout, stress, and operating in survival mode Dr. Raj’s BAMBA model for happiness How to cultivate more fulfillment at work and in everyday life Dr. Raj is also the author of If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Happy? and teaches the popular Coursera: A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment.You can learn more about Dr. Raj and his work at happysmarts.com. Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, or reach out at hello@leadintoit.co. Excited to be with you!
Transcribe →69. Unlock Your Potential using the Life Quadrants Framework with Sammy Nicole Bell
4w ago01:06:18Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I sit down with Samantha Nicole Bell, a wellness coach and owner of Active & Attractive, and we dive deep into the essential connection between self-awareness, self-care, and leadership. Sammy shares powerful insights on how mastering your inner world can unlock better health, relationships, and professional success, emphasizing that true leadership begins from within and how cleaning your house might be the beginning step to all of it. Key topics:The four quadrants of life: home, body, relationships, and businessHow your environment reflects your internal state and impacts your progressThe importance of defining what you want through intentional self-inquiryUsing world building as a metaphor for creating a supportive life structurePractical steps to declutter your space and mind to access greater energy and clarityThe role of self-worth and how it influences your capacity to lead others How to identify and overcome internal glass ceilingsThe power of clarity in goals to turn visions into tangible projectsStrategies for navigating seasons of change without losing self-trustReal-life success stories of transformation through environment and mindset shiftsTimestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Why internal leadership is foundational for external success02:15 - Sammy’s journey from exercise physiology to empowering women05:08 - Recognizing how self-worth influences physical and emotional health10:00 - The significance of leading yourself first to lead others effectively15:00 - Understanding the importance of knowing what you want20:00 - The concept of pillars and quadrants for life organization25:00 - How to design your environment to support your goals30:00 - Decluttering as a catalyst for mental and emotional clarity35:00 - How relationships reflect your inner state and influence your outcomes40:00 - The process of working through glass ceilings with strategic shifts45:00 - Building your life as a project: vision, definition, and action50:00 - Overcoming feeling stuck by identifying what you truly want55:00 - The power of visualization and spiritual alignment in manifesting change60:00 - The leadership impact of investing in your internal ecosystem64:00 - Final thoughts: Embracing the journey of self-leadership and creating your ideal worldConnect with Sammy:Instagram - @activeandattractiveFacebook - Samantha Nicole BellAbout Sammy Nicole Bell: Samantha Nicole Bell is a passionate health and fitness coach with a master's degree in exercise physiology. With a diverse background that includes teaching, research, and personal training at prestigious gyms like Equinox, she brings a wealth of knowledge about the human body and self-care. Her mission is to empower individuals, especially female leaders and entrepreneurs, to prioritize their health and self-worth. Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, or reach out at hello@leadintoit.co. Excited to be with you!
Transcribe →68. Failure Files: The Feedback (How I Got Feedback Wrong as a New Leader)
Apr 2800:08:31Tap to summarizeNo one teaches you how to give feedback—you’re just expected to know how to do it. In this Failure Files episode, I share a leadership moment I got completely wrong, what I learned, and how to approach difficult conversations better.In this episode, I talk about: What went wrong in a feedback conversation The pressure new leaders feel to perform and prove themselves Why avoiding difficult conversations makes things worse The difference between something being wrong vs. just different What I wish I had done differently when giving feedback A simple question that has changed how I lead today This is one of the most common leadership challenges out there:You know something needs to be said… but you don’t know how to say it.Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, or reach out at hello@leadintoit.co. Excited to be with you!
Transcribe →67. Redefining Success as a Leader with Natasha Skolny
Apr 2100:48:33Tap to summarizeThis conversation with Natasha Skolny is one that makes you think about how you’re actually showing up as a leader.Natasha, a leadership coach and founder of The Leadership Cabin, and I talk about redefining success, doing the work of self-discovery, and why vulnerability and trust aren’t optional if you want to lead well. She shares how aligning your personal values with your professional life changes everything and how growth often comes through the uncomfortable moments.We also get into fear, confidence, and the lessons she’s carried from her figure skating background into leadership today.If you’re still figuring out your leadership style or what success really looks like for you, this one’s worth a listen.Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, or reach out at hello@leadintoit.co. Excited to be with you!
Transcribe →66. The Heart of Resiliency with Hanna Bauer
Feb 2401:02:17Tap to summarizeWhat if the hardest thing you’ve ever gone through became the very thing that shaped how you lead?In this episode, Sara sits down with Hanna Bauer to talk about resilience in the most real, human way possible. Diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition as a child, Hanna shares how adversity, family support, and even her scars helped shape who she is today.She also introduces her method for leadership: a values-based approach rooted in service, alignment, and living what you believe.This conversation is honest, powerful, and deeply human… a reminder that the experiences that challenge us most often become the ones that define how we live and how we lead.Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, or reach out at hello@leadintoit.co. Excited to be with you!
Transcribe →65. The Art of Authentic Branding with Amanda Hofman
Feb 1000:41:13Tap to summarizeBranded merchandise is often treated as an afterthought—but it can be a powerful reflection of leadership, culture, and values.In this episode of I’m joined by Amanda Hofman, founder of Go To>Market, to explore how print on demand is reshaping the way brands connect with their people. Amanda shares her journey from corporate burnout to building a values-driven business, and why authenticity matters in branding, leadership, and community building.We talk about why traditional swag often misses the mark, how personalized and sustainable merchandise can boost connection and morale, and what leaders should consider when defining their brand both internally to their teams and externally to the public. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on using creativity and intention to lead more effectively.Perfect for leaders, entrepreneurs, and marketers who want to move beyond one-size-fits-all branding and create something that actually reflects who they are.Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, or reach out at hello@leadintoit.co. Excited to be with you!
Transcribe →64. Leading Into the Next Season
Feb 400:12:05Tap to summarizeThe past year changed how I think about leadership...and in this episode, I’m sharing why.In the Spring 2026 season opener of Lead Into It, I reflect on a year of growth, challenge, and transformation, shaped by my experiences in the military, coaching, and building community. We’ll explore what it really means to lead in alignment with your values, why human-centered leadership matters now more than ever, and how small shifts can create meaningful change.This episode sets the tone for the season ahead. We're focused on practical leadership tools, honest conversations, and personal growth for leaders at every level.If you’re navigating change, craving clarity, or wanting to lead with more intention, this episode is for you.Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, or reach out at hello@leadintoit.co. Excited to be with you!
Transcribe →63. And That’s a Wrap: Best of 2025 Highlights
Nov 1800:35:34Tap to summarizeWhat if the biggest leadership lessons of your year are already sitting in the stories you’ve lived and the conversations you’ve had?For our final episode of 2025, we’re rewinding and revisiting some of the most impactful moments from this year’s twenty episodes of Lead Into It. You’ll hear insights on confidence, failure, self-awareness, communicating with intention, leading through challenge, and taking better care of yourself as both a leader and a human.Featuring voices from leaders, creators, military professionals, entrepreneurs, and change-makers, this highlight reel is packed with perspective and encouragement you can carry into the new year. Want to explore more from a specific conversation? Check out the links below to jump directly to the full episodes.End-of-Year Homework: What is one leadership lesson from 2025 that you want to take with you into 2026?__________________________Episode Guide: 00:00 Owning the Room with Lydia Fenet05:22 Leading from the Inside Out: Mindset Coaching with Margaret "MJ" Jennings10:26 The Power of Debriefing with Robert "Cujo" Teschner14:37 Ownership, Leadership and Attitude with Mike Minihan16:39 Fueling Leadership Through Empowerment with Maj Gen Dan Tulley 21:19 From Colonel to Cacao: A Leadership Journey with Maria Carl 22:33 Diving Deep: Empowering Volunteers and Protecting Sea Turtles with Tabitha Siegfried25:29 Science Meets Leadership: Navigating the Unknown with Diane Fraser27:03 Cultivating Curiosity as a Leader with Thomas Greek28:07 The Power of Storytelling with Karen Eber30:57 Redefining Leadership with Brooke Brzozowske32:41 Leadership Meets Flexibility with Whitney Munro33:35 The Failure Files: The Email with SaraLet’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, or reach out at hello@leadintoit.co. Excited to be with you!
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