Comfy Chairs

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...

In this comfyHQ episode of the comfy chairs, we’re talking about what it really takes to build strong, adaptable teams—starting with two foundational leadership questions:

• How do I foster a culture of continuous learning?
• How do I develop resilience and mental toughness as a leader?

We explore the mindsets, habits, and frameworks that help leaders grow alongside their teams—and show up with steadiness, curiosity, and compassi...

Experiment with me: A conversation about human-centric teams.

What does it mean to lead in a truly human-centric way—and what gets in our way when we try?

In this episode, Kate is joined by Rachel Anderson, owner of Pivot Studies, a fractional CMO, and leadership coach who invites us to experiment with a different kind of leadership—one rooted in curiosity, courage, and care. Together, they unpack the tension leaders often feel betwe...

In this comfyHQ episode, we’re looking at three everyday leadership challenges: when your team over-relies on you, when you don’t have the answers, and how to make it safe for people to ask questions. These moments are common—and fixable. We explore practical ways to shift patterns, build trust, and lead with clarity, even in uncertainty.

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Connect to perform: A conversation about developing leadership teams.

What makes a leadership team truly great? In this episode, I sit down with James Madison, CEO of On Purpose Life, to explore the traits that elevate leadership teams—starting with purpose, alignment, and trust. From personal vision statements to the power of humility and relational health, this conversation is a masterclass in intentional leadership.

Listen in, ref...

We hear it all the time: “Managers manage, leaders lead.” But is that really true? In this episode of comfyHQ, I explore the distinction between leadership and management—why we tend to separate them, why that might be a mistake, and what actually matters when it comes to guiding people and work.

We also tackle two other big topics: workplace language and feedback. Some leadership buzzwords—like mission, vision, and strategy—get thr...

The 25 problems myth: A conversation about problem-solving.

In this episode of the comfy chairs, I sit down with Jamie Flinchbaugh to unpack the complexities of leadership problem-solving. We challenge the conventional “bring me solutions” mindset, exploring why real leadership requires both structure and imagination. Jamie shares insights on the power of coaching, the necessity of sponsorship, and why problem-solving is less about ...

Leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all role—so why should your leadership style be?

In this episode, we explore how to identify your strengths, recognize how they shape your leadership, and intentionally refine your approach to align with your values and your team’s needs. We’ll break down the five key elements of leadership style—communication, relationships, structure, development, and failure—and explore how to craft a leadership p...