Comfy Chairs

We’re taking our first-ever Summer hiatus here at the comfy chairs! We’ll be back with all-new episodes on September 2nd. Until then, we've curated a few of our shorter, comfyHQ episodes for you to revisit and enjoy.

So, this week, here's "hold this mindset," where we answer questions about balancing empathy and authority, and modeling accountability without harshness.

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Your most impactful self: A conversation about identifying blind spots.

In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate Johnson sits down with Benah Parker, PhD, a social psychologist and executive coach, to explore the power of intentional identity in leadership. Together, they delve into the importance of self-awareness and how blind spots can derail leadership effectiveness. Bena shares her five-step Strategic Identity Shift framework,...

In this comfyHQ episode of the comfy chairs, Kate tackles three everyday leadership questions with her signature blend of clarity, candor, and care.

→ How do I help my team members grow when there’s no clear promotion path?

→ How can I get better at listening instead of jumping in with solutions?

→ What’s one simple way to encourage more ownership from my team?

These questions reveal deeper truths about how leaders define their roles...

What happens when you stop hiring for experience and start hiring for strengths?

In this episode of the comfy chairs, I talk with Dr. Mike Neal, optometrist and founder of Build My Team, about the moment he realized traditional hiring wasn’t working—and what he built instead. Drawing inspiration from Disney and the Ritz-Carlton, Mike created a system that helps small businesses (especially medical practices) hire better, faster, and...

In this comfyHQ installment, Kate tackles three leadership questions that share a common root: self-awareness.

She shares best practices for time management that actually work, rethinks the idea of “work-life balance” through the lens of needs and priorities, and offers a grounded approach to self-advocacy that doesn’t veer into self-serving.

• What are the best practices for time management as a leader?

• What are tips or ...

Show up as trustworthy: A conversation about trust.

🪑🪑 Celebrating two years of big conversations from the comfy chairs.

What makes a leader trustworthy?

In this special anniversary episode of the comfy chairs, Kate and Angela revisit one of the most foundational—and often most fragile—elements of effective leadership: trust.

Together, they unpack how trust shapes team dynamics, leadership credibility, and even business outcomes....

In this episode of comfyHQ, Kate tackles three leadership questions that share a common root: self-awareness. She shares best practices for time management that actually work, rethinks the idea of “work-life balance” through the lens of needs and priorities, and offers a grounded approach to self-advocacy that doesn’t veer into self-serving.

• What are the best practices for time management as a leader?
• What are tips or suggestions...

Everyone owns it. A conversation for leaders about workplace culture.

What makes a workplace feel supportive—and what happens when it doesn’t?

In this episode, clinical social worker and Connect Counseling founder Sarah Harris joins Kate to talk about how culture isn’t just something you talk about; it’s something you live. They explore how communication, physical space, and policies shape the way employees experience their work—and ...

In this episode of comfyHQ, we answer two leadership questions that many managers quietly struggle with:

• How do leaders cultivate trust and credibility with their teams?
• How do I handle a team member who has great skills but a bad attitude?

Kate shares practical strategies to lead with consistency, communicate with clarity, and address behavioral issues without falling into the trap of vague “attitude” conversations. From per...

Early and well-structured: A conversation about confrontation.

In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate is joined by her father, Charlie, a seasoned leader with experience in higher education, the military, and church governance. Together, they unpack the often-misunderstood relationship between confrontation and leadership. Their conversation explores how direct and kind communication can strengthen teams, prevent unnecessary conf...

In this episode of comfyHQ, Kate tackles two key questions about modern leadership:

1. What role does mentorship play in leadership development?
2. How do you lead a remote or hybrid team effectively?

From structured mentoring programs to managing remote employees with clarity and care, Kate offers practical strategies for leaders who want to build trust, encourage learning, and lead well, no matter where their team is sitting. If ...

Continuously developed: A conversation about student leadership.

Rereleased on July 1, 2025, with corrected audio.

Kate is joined by Emily Barnett, former teacher and current Campaign Development Manager with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, to talk about preparing the next generation of leaders. Their conversation explores the importance of developing student leadership, the value of flexibility and dependability, and why invest...

BONUS! Welcome to the club! Introducing the Informed Readers podcast.

📚 Big opinions. Awesome books. And one shared belief: Reading makes us better leaders.

Here at the comfy chairs, I've been collaborating with Stephanie Lemek with The Wounded Workforce to launch a new podcast called Informed Readers—for people who love to talk about books and think about how stories shape the way we lead, learn, and live.

In our first episode, we c...

In this comfyHQ episode, we tackle three critical leadership challenges:

• Motivating teams through difficult times,
• Managing burnout, and
• Navigating the stress of constant change.

Through practical advice and personal anecdotes, Kate shares insights on how to communicate effectively, set realistic expectations, and create a sustainable work environment. Learn how to spot early signs of burnout, reduce stress by addressing its r...

Landscape of thought: A conversation about critical thinking.

In this episode, Kate welcomes Amelia Menk Brown, founder and CEO of Knowzy (formerly MyCited), for a thoughtful conversation about critical thinking, metacognition, and inclusive leadership. Together, they explore what it means to lead with intention—not by directing, but by cultivating communities where diverse perspectives and deep thinking thrive.

Amelia reflects on he...

In this comfyHQ episode, we’re answering two questions that hit close to home for many leaders:

1. How can I make space for learning when my calendar is packed?
2. How can I balance being a high performer with leading others effectively?

Kate challenges the idea that these are opposing demands—and offers practical ways to rethink your time, your role, and your definition of high performance. From the 70-20-10 model of learning to ...

Continue to be curious: A conversation about lifelong learning.

In this special episode of the comfy chairs, Kate sits down with someone who shaped her own learning journey—her mother.

With nearly three decades of experience leading a church education program, Kate’s mom brings a rich perspective to this conversation about growth, vocation, and the quiet power of community. Together, they reflect on how curiosity, empathy, and endura...

Balancing empathy and authority. Modeling accountability without harshness. These are questions that come up often in leadership conversations—and they point to something deeper: mindset.

In this episode, I’m exploring the relationship between power and empathy, the process of accountability as a shared practice, and how small shifts in mindset can shape the way leaders show up every day. This is an episode about reflection, relatio...

Beyond the obvious: A conversation about questions.

In this episode of the comfy chairs, Kate talks with leadership development consultant Amber Johnson, PhD, about the power of questions in leadership and everyday conversations. Amber shares how the best leaders don’t just have answers—they ask better questions. From sparking “uncommon insight” to building emotional safety, they explore how questions shift dynamics, foster deeper c...