McCoy Leadership

Transforming Fear into Strength: Insights from Navy Leader Jennifer Donahue

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Jennifer Donahue, a retired Navy captain, engineer, and now speaker and author. Jennifer shared her incredible journey—how building Barbie dream houses as a kid led to leading 1,800 Navy Seabees worldwide. We talked about the real foundations of leadership: being yourself, building trust, and adapting your style to empower your team. Jennifer also opened up about overcoming self-doubt and her upcoming book, Becoming: Harnessing Your Inner Strength by Silencing Self Doubt. If you’re ready to level up your leadership and make a lasting impact, this episode is a must-listen.
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Download your free episode guide here!
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00:00 Navy Engineer's Journey to Leadership
06:20 "Finding Leadership Through Authenticity"
07:29 "Leadership Through Selflessness"
13:31 "Building Trust in Crisis Leadership"
17:21 Adapting Leadership and Communication
18:53 "Tailoring Leadership to Individuals"
22:56 "Power of Overcommunicating Effectively"
28:30 "Building Requires Every Perspective"
32:20 "Bleacher Report Obsession Admitted"
33:09 "Thanks and Stay Tuned"
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Here are my top 3 takeaways from the conversation:
Authentic Leadership Wins: Jennifer Donahue stresses the power of being yourself as a leader. Trying to mimic others undermines trust; authenticity attracts loyalty and builds stronger teams.
Trust is Everything: Building trust before a crisis hits is essential. When tough moments arise, your team will follow you with confidence if you’ve invested in genuine relationships.
Adjust Your Style: Great leaders adapt their approach based on the team and situation. What motivates one person might overwhelm another—communication and flexibility are key to supporting everyone’s success.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Jennifer's Links
LinkedIn
Personal Website
Company Website
Book Recommendation
Jen's Book Pre-Order

Iron Five and Dad Nation: Mitchell Osmond’s Framework for Greater Success in Family and Leadership

On today's McCoy Leadership Podcast, we sat down with Mitchell Osmond, coach and host of the Dad Nation Podcast. Mitchell shared his powerful journey from personal struggle to success, talking candidly about overcoming family dysfunction, debt, and addiction, and how he rebuilt his home, health, and happiness. We dove into the importance of community, being open to help, and practical steps for maintaining balance as a leader and a dad. Whether you're navigating your own challenges or looking to grow, there’s a ton of inspiration and actionable advice in this episode. Check it out to elevate your impact—both at work and at home.
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Download your free episode guide here!
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00:00 Coaching Men for Fulfillment
03:47 "Living a Life of Legacy"
08:23 Family Dynamics Affecting Marriage
13:32 Breaking Autopilot to Embrace Change
14:23 "Iron Five: Power of Community"
18:05 "Why Helping Others Feels Mutual"
23:19 "Listen or Solve?"
24:40 "Men, Overwhelm, and Seeking Help"
28:50 "Identifying Energy Drainers"
30:33 "Prioritization and Personal Mission"
35:09 Defining Success Beyond Work Metrics
40:01 "ChatGPT: A Game-Changing Tool"
41:29 "Thanks for Your Support!"
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Here are my top 3 takeaways:
Your Past Is Your Power:
Mitchell Osmond reminds us that the struggles we've overcome uniquely qualify us to help others walking similar paths. Our lived experiences are not just scars—they’re credentials for contributing authentic value.
Redefine Success on Your Own Terms: It's easy to chase external definitions of success, but true fulfillment comes from having your own “success statements.” Whether it’s being present with family or achieving professional goals, clarity and regular check-ins help keep your journey intentional and rewarding.
Community & Accountability Are Game Changers: Transformation doesn’t happen in isolation.
Mitchell Osmond’s “Iron Five” framework highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with people who elevate you—those who are willing to both support and challenge you.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Mitchell's Links
LinkedIn
Website
Podcast
Book Recommendation

From the Dugout to the Boardroom: Joel Goldberg’s Approach to Winning Teams

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Joel Goldberg, veteran sports broadcaster and author, as he shared powerful lessons from his journey in baseball and business. Joel dove into the importance of building trust, practicing your craft, and how small daily actions lead to big success—whether you’re leading a major league team or growing your company. If you’re ready to step up your leadership, connect authentically, and drive results, this conversation is packed with insights you can use right now.
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Download your free episode guide here!
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00:00 Broadcasting, Baseball, and Business Ventures
05:39 Social Media's Impact on Socializing
07:32 "Work, Learning, and Digital Socializing"
11:23 "Job Hunting Before the Internet"
15:15 "Importance of Communication Cues"
17:02 "Growth, Connection, and Success Advice"
21:35 "Start Writing by Logging Thoughts"
25:00 "Building Trust Through Interviews"
30:08 Accountability and Leadership in Sports
32:07 "Baseball Misread and Coaching Error"
37:18 "Small Ball, Big Impact"
38:43 Storytelling for Everyday Inspiration
43:36 "Raising Others One Inch"
46:07 "Controlling Energy Over Outcomes"
49:21 "Legacy of the Negro Leagues"
51:18 iPad Pro: Game Day Essential
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Key Takeaways:
Relationships Matter More Than Ever: Whether it’s breaking into TV with resume tapes (or links!), or standing out in a sea of LinkedIn messages, Joel Goldberg emphasized that personal connection—through a phone call, email, or face-to-face meeting—truly sets you apart.
Small Ball, Big Results: Success isn’t just about home runs. Joel Goldberg shared how small, intentional actions—like accountability, trust-building, and doing the little things no one sees—add up to transformational results, both in baseball and business.
Leaders Lift Others Up: Great leaders show positivity and are “energy givers.” Whether you’re an athlete, executive, or entrepreneur, creating a safe environment and taking responsibility—especially when things go wrong—cultivates trust and lasting impact on your team.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
LinkedIn
Website
Book Recommendations
The Soul of Baseball
Small Ball Big Dreams
Small Ball Big Results
 

Empathy, Authenticity, and Trust: Leadership Foundations with Adam Malone

 
On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Adam Malone, founder of the Tenacious Operator. We dove deep into what it really takes to build trust and resilience in teams—whether you’re leading in the boardroom or on the plant floor. Adam shared his journey from navigating distrust in the corporate world to becoming a leadership consultant, and we explored how empathy, authentic communication, and embracing healthy conflict can transform not only your business, but your whole community. If you want to elevate your impact as a leader, don’t miss these powerful insights!
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Download your free episode guide here!
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00:00 "Resilience Amid Nexus of Distrust"
05:25 No "They" in Teamwork
06:13 Empathy Builds Trust in Leadership
11:55 Workplace Communication Challenges
13:01 "Fostering Healthy Conflict Through Humility"
19:12 Embracing Conflict in Leadership
22:12 Merit-Based Diversity Hiring
25:34 Understanding Trust, Bias, and Leadership
27:59 "Communication and Connection Journey"
30:18 "Impact of Empathy and Trust"
34:17 Avoid Assuming Intent
37:46 AirPods and Perplexity Insights
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Here are 3 key takeaways that resonated with me:
🔹 Trust is Built on Empathy and Authenticity: Adam shared that trust hinges on leaders consistently demonstrating empathy ("Do you care about me?") and showing up authentically. When people feel seen and understood, team cohesion and performance soar.
🔹 Healthy Conflict Requires Intellectual Fallibility: Great leaders create environments where it’s safe to disagree and share ideas, addressing issues rather than avoiding them. Embracing the idea that we don’t have all the answers paves the way for better solutions and genuine collaboration.
🔹 The Value of Diverse Teams is Unlocked Through Psychological Safety: It’s not enough to focus on demographic diversity. Adam emphasized that the performance edge comes when teams are diverse and psychologically safe—so every voice can be heard and conflict becomes constructive, not destructive.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
Adam's website
LinkedIn
Book Recommendations
It's Your Ship
Unreasonable Hospitality
 

Leadership, Grace, and Healing: A Raw Conversation After Crisis

On this episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, we got real about the power of grace, community, and vulnerability in leadership. I opened up about a recent personal tragedy and how the support, forgiveness, and empathy from those around me helped transform pain into purpose. Joined by the insightful Traci Austin, we discussed how offering grace—to others and ourselves—builds true belonging, drives growth, and strengthens teams. If you’re ready to lead with impact, remember: don’t isolate. Lean into your community, be intentional, and start making positive change today.
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Download your free episode guide here!
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00:00 "Tragic Road Incident in Hagerstown"
05:57 Healing Through Grace and Community
08:31 Grace in Leadership and Community
11:18 Therapy, Leadership, and Trauma Healing
16:22 Bitter or Better: A Choice
18:12 Leadership Through Adaptation and Positivity
21:41 "Big Picture vs. Individual Tasks"
26:49 "Reflection on Emotional Impact"
28:14 Behavior's Impact on Others
32:27 Learning to Embrace Help
36:15 Change Starts With You
38:25 Intentional Daily Practices Matter
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Here are three key takeaways for anyone looking to elevate their leadership impact:
Grace starts with yourselfBefore you can extend grace to others—at work or beyond—you have to learn how to offer it to yourself. Self-forgiveness lays the foundation for authentic, empathetic leadership.
Isolation vs. CommunityWhen hardship strikes, you have a choice: to isolate and grow bitter, or embrace community and become better. Healing, growth, and transformation almost always happen in connection with others.
Intentional Daily ChangeReal change in leadership and life comes from making intentional shifts—no matter how small—every single day. Whether it’s how you build your team, practice gratitude, or seek help, don’t wait for tomorrow to start. Begin today.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
Traci's LinkedIn
Trici's Website

Bridging School and Industry: Preparing Students for Success with Dr. Cynthia Rapaido

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Cynthia Rapaido, a powerhouse in K-12 education and leadership. We talked about the challenges of transitioning from teaching students to leading adults, the game-changing role of mentorship, and how to define—and redefine—your personal “why” as you climb the ladder. Dr. Cynthia dropped insights on building inclusive, thriving school cultures and preparing students for real-world success, plus she shared wisdom from her new book, “Step Up Your School Leadership Game.” If you want actionable strategies to elevate your impact as a leader, this episode is packed with gold.
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Download your free episode guide here!
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00:00 "From Struggle to Teaching Passion"
05:12 Universal Value of Apprenticeships
08:50 Mentorship Toward Principalship Journey
11:16 "Discovering and Evolving Your Why"
17:16 Creating a Positive School Environment
18:58 Bridging Schools and Industry Needs
23:51 "Preparing Students for Opportunities"
28:07 "Should Everyone Be a Principal?"
29:33 "Choosing Leadership in Education"
33:23 "Rapid Fire Leadership Questions"
36:46 AI Advancements and Future Connections
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Here are my top 3 takeaways:
💡 Mentorship is Essential: Dr. Rapaido emphasized that real growth happens with strong mentorship—both from within your school and across your professional network. Don’t wait to be assigned a mentor; proactively seek out guidance to expand your perspective.
🧭 Your “Why” Will Evolve: Your motivation for leading will shift over time. Dr. Rapaido encourages leaders to regularly reassess their ‘why’—it’s not just about personal growth or compensation. Staying grounded in your purpose is key to navigating challenges and inspiring those you lead.
🚀 Hands-On Learning Trumps Theory: There’s no substitute for real-world experience. Whether it’s “student principling” or shadowing others, Dr. Rapaido recommends practical learning opportunities to bridge the gap between theory and day-to-day leadership realities.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
Cynthia's LinkedIn
Cynthia's Book
Book Recommendation
 

From Air Force to Admin Innovator: Molly Denham’s Lessons on Leadership and Adaptability

On today’s episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast, we sat down with Molly Denham—Air Force veteran, admin expert, and founder of Vexa Services and Vexa Software. Molly shared her inspiring journey from flipping slides on an overhead projector to leading executive support at the Pentagon and building her own tech company. We explored how admin professionals are true leaders and strategic partners in any organization, the power of adapting to change, and why communication is the secret sauce to success—especially in the virtual world. If you’re ready to level up your impact, this episode is packed with practical insights you won’t want to miss!
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Download your free episode guide here!
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00:00 Administrative Career Progression Shifts
05:54 Adapting to Technological Progress
07:23 "Evolution of Administrative Tools"
13:16 "Admins as Strategic Leaders"
14:47 Admin Professionals as Office Leaders
21:14 Virtual vs. In-Person Roles
25:20 Virtual Communication Essential for Success
27:41 Miscommunication in Business Deals
30:32 Clarifying Executive Instructions
35:48 "Subscribe and Rate Us
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3 Key Takeaways:
Adaptability is Non-Negotiable: Technology, from the first workplace computers to AI, has never “replaced” great administrative professionals—instead, it’s those who adapt who remain valuable. “The environment will change and you either have to change with it or you will be replaced by somebody who does.”
Leadership Isn’t About Titles: Molly stressed that true leadership can come from any seat in an organization. Admin professionals act as a central point, often having a unique, influential perspective that can drive teams forward.
Communication is King—Especially Virtually: With remote work on the rise, Molly shared that the #1 reason virtual admin relationships fail is lack of clear, consistent communication. Setting expectations and maintaining regular check-ins is critical for success.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
Molly's Website
LinkedIn
Book Recommendation

Leadership for Every Generation: Managing Up, Feedback, and Bridging Experience Gaps

On today’s McCoy Leadership Podcast, I sat down with executive coach John Little to talk all things leadership growth. John shared how his journey from sports and broadcasting to coaching taught him that practice and personal development never stop—no matter your career stage. We dug into overcoming limiting beliefs, building your leadership brand, and why accountability is truly the highest form of kindness. If you’re ready to level up your impact, remember: keep showing up, keep practicing, and never stop learning. For more insights, check out the full episode!
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Download your free episode guide here!
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00:00 Leadership Journey Across Industries
04:42 "Leadership Lessons from Sports Struggles"
07:35 "Continual Learning for Lasting Success"
10:37 Preparing Teams for Success
14:26 Breaking Small Business Mindset Cycles
19:02 "Self-Branding for Leadership Success"
19:57 "Leaders: Connect as People"
25:04 Seek Clarity, Show Understanding
29:20 Bridging Generational Gaps at Work
31:17 Understanding Personal Perceptions
35:49 Navigating Difficult Conversations
39:51 "Accountability: Keys to Success"
43:08 AI Fashion Feedback for Gen X
44:06 "Rate and Explore More Episodes"
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Here are three key takeaways for anyone looking to elevate their leadership:
✅ Practice isn’t just for athletes or musicians—it’s critical for leaders, too. Ongoing self-development, whether through reading, feedback, or new challenges, is the key to sustainable success.
✅ Building strong teams starts with intentional onboarding and training. If your team isn’t performing, first look at the processes and preparation you’ve provided—not just the results.
✅ Your identity as a leader is your brand. You can (and should) evolve it! Consistency, vulnerability, and a growth mindset help you connect with your team and create a culture of accountability and continual improvement.
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Want to learn more about McCoy Leadership?  Check out our website, https://www.mccoyleadership.com/ and don't forget to subscribe to receive all the latest podcast episode.
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Links
John's website
LinkedIn
Leadership Confidence Assessment
Book Recommendations
1000+ Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently
Emotional Intelligence