What does leadership look like when you step completely outside your comfort zone? In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Blake Harvey, VP of Growth at Red Team Consulting, who has traveled to Ukraine four times in the past year—most recently for five weeks. From working U.S. hours in a Ukrainian village to navigating language barriers and limited resources, Blake shares powerful lessons about resilience, adaptability, and leading with values during times of turbulence. This conversation is not about politics—it’s about humanity, growth, and the courage it takes to lead when everything around you shifts. 🎧 Listen in and discover how his experiences abroad can inspire you to rethink resilience, leadership, and navigating uncertainty. To connect with Blake, visit his LinkedIn page here.Learn more about Red Team Consulting by visiting their webpage here.

What does it take to lead at the highest levels of federal law enforcement—and to do so as trailblazing women in a field long dominated by men? In this month's Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Kathleen Scudder, former Senior Executive of U.S. Border Patrol, and Patricia McGurk, the first woman to serve as Chief Patrol Agent in both the San Diego and Yuma Sectors. Together, Kathleen and Patricia open up about the grit, resilience, and integrity it takes to manage some of the most complex security challenges facing our nation—from transnational criminal organizations to humanitarian crises at the border. They share stories from their 20+ year journeys through U.S. Border Patrol, the personal sacrifices of leadership, and how they navigated the weight of responsibility while raising families, building partnerships, and breaking glass ceilings. This conversation isn’t just about border security—it’s about leadership under pressure, innovation in the face of crisis, and redefining what it means to "have it all" as women leaders. Whether you’re in government, business, or simply navigating your own leadership path, you’ll walk away inspired by their courage, wisdom, and humanity. If you’ve ever wondered what true resilience and service-driven leadership look like, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. To connect with Kathleen, visit her LinkedIn page here.To connect with Patricia, visit her LinkedIn page here.

In this month's Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett is joined by Christine Callahan, RN, MBA—Managing Partner at SeaHill Consulting Group. They dive into how federal leaders can reframe their résumés, redefine their value, and reposition themselves for success in the private sector. Christine shares strategies for translating government-speak, avoiding common résumé traps, and crafting a narrative that resonates with industry recruiters. If you're making the leap from public to private—or helping others do the same—this episode is packed with real talk, smart tips, and a dose of encouragement. To connect with Christine, visit her LinkedIn page here.To learn more about SeaHill Consulting Group, visit their website here.

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Mark Wigginton, Certified Professional Coach, Licensed Professional Counselor, and founder of Focusing On Results. With a background that bridges sales psychology and real-world resilience, Mark helps job seekers and career changers move from indecision to intentional action—especially those navigating the leap from federal to private sector life. Together, they explore the subtle mindset shifts that turn setbacks into stepping stones, the power of reframing your value, and why “playing it safe” is sometimes the riskiest move of all. If you’ve ever felt stuck, sidelined, or unsure how to tell your story in a way that lands—this conversation is for you. ✨ They talk about: How to get out of your own way when change hits hard Blending sales strategy with psychological insight to move forward Translating federal experience into private sector confidence The question that gets fence-sitters to finally leap And the well-meaning career advice Mark wishes we’d all stop repeating Listen in for a dose of tough love, strategic clarity, and real talk on what it means to bet on yourself. To connect with Mark, visit his LinkedIn page here.To learn more about Focusing on Results, visit their website here.Mark's free ebook Navigate the Transition From Federal Employment to the Private Sector can be downloaded here. If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Jens-Kristian Kiel—a speaker, branding professional, and content strategist who brings together German precision and American heart. With over 30 years of experience across advertising, marketing, IT, and higher education, Jens has led across continents and industries, leaving his mark through thoughtful storytelling, cross-cultural communication, and human-centered innovation. They talk about what it really means to lead with authenticity, how to express your value without just reciting a résumé, and why the best branding is grounded in service—not self-promotion. From overcoming imposter syndrome to designing solutions that meet people where they are, Jens shares both the mindset and methods that have made him a trusted advisor and award-winning leader in the West Virginia community and beyond. This episode is especially powerful for leaders in transition, professionals looking to refine their voice, and anyone wondering how to communicate their expertise without losing their humility. 🎧 Listen in as we unpack how to: ✔ Communicate across industries and cultures ✔ Balance humility with confident storytelling ✔ Remove pain points through clarity and curiosity ✔ Build a reputation rooted in trust, not titles ✔ Tell your story in a way that opens doors To connect with Jens, visit his LinkedIn page here. If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett chats with Jeff Grant, President and Founder of Schedule F Healthcare Strategies and former Operations Director at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, CMS. With over 30 years of experience leading major federal health programs, Jeff shares defining moments from his career, lessons learned across public and private sectors, and his journey toward founding Schedule F Healthcare Strategies to support laid-off federal employees. They discuss the challenges civil servants face during career transitions, how leadership principles evolve across industries, and what professionals should prepare for in today’s federal healthcare and contracting landscape. Jeff’s insights offer encouragement and practical advice for leaders navigating change and building new opportunities. To connect with Jeff, visit his LinkedIn page here. To learn more about Schedule F Healthcare Strategies, click here. If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett sits down with Kathleen Scudder, Delivery and Strategy Lead at Accenture Federal Services, former Executive Director at U.S. Border Patrol, and author of What Did I Sign Up For? to discuss leadership, resilience, and what it truly means to “have it all.” With over two decades in federal law enforcement, Kathleen shares the defining moments of her career, the leadership lessons she learned in high-stakes environments, and her journey transitioning from public service to the private sector. We explore how women can navigate career pivots, structure their lives for success on their own terms, and balance ambition with fulfillment. To connect with Kathleen, visit her LinkedIn page here. To learn more about Accenture Federal Services, click here.

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett talks with Mark Amtower - consultant, speaker, best-selling author, and host of Amtower Off Center - on the power of LinkedIn for career transitions, personal branding, and career growth in the federal market. With decades of experience advising professionals on government marketing and thought leadership, Mark shares expert insights on optimizing LinkedIn profiles, building meaningful professional relationships, using LinkedIn for job searches, and leveraging content to establish credibility. He also explores how business owners can use LinkedIn to generate leads and win government contracts.

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, host Laura Bennett catches up with Shelley McGuire, Chief Strategy Officer at OrangeSlices AI and Owner of Shelley’s Events, to talk about the power of networking and how federal employees can use events to build meaningful career opportunities.   Shelley has spent years bringing the government contracting community together through online and in-person events. She shares expert insights on how job seekers can identify the right events, prepare effectively, make a lasting impression, and build strong professional relationships. We also discuss the differences between virtual and in-person networking and how to stand out in a crowded room.   If you are a federal employee in career transition or looking to grow your network, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you connect with the right people and take the next step in your career.

OrangeSlices.ai is thrilled to welcome Jordan Burris, VP & GM of Public Sector at Socure, to Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged with Laura Bennett, Podcast Host, Leadership Coach and GovCon Consultant! Jordan is a trailblazer in government innovation and digital trust, having led transformative tech and cybersecurity efforts at the White House and across the public sector. In this episode, we dive into the big questions shaping the future of government technology: 🔹 Balancing Innovation & Security – How do agencies foster innovation without compromising compliance and risk management? 🔹 Enabling Service Delivery for All – What’s standing in the way of equitable access to digital services, and how can technology help? 🔹 The Future of Tech in Government – From AI to identity verification, what trends are reshaping public sector IT? 🔹 Driving Digital Transformation – What leadership principles fuel modernization in complex organizations? Jordan’s insights are a must-hear for anyone passionate about technology, leadership, and the future of public service. Stay tuned for the full episode. This is one you won’t want to miss!

In this episode of Coach’s Corner: Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennett talks with Katrina Sizemore, Senior Program Manager at Index Analytics (former Division Director at CMS CCIIO MITG), to discuss the realities of leading in high-stakes environments. They explore how Katrina fosters resilience and agility, manages constant change, and champions inclusivity in leadership. Katrina shares insights on preventing burnout, the power of self-awareness in leadership, and why creating space for every voice at the table leads to stronger teams. Whether navigating leadership challenges or looking to build a more adaptable, engaged team, this conversation is packed with practical strategies and wisdom. 📢 This podcast was recorded on January 10, 2025, and only represents the personal views of the guest, not those of her employer. Learn more about OrangeSlices AI here.

In this episode of Coach’s Corner – Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennet sits down with Brian Chidester, a global leader in public sector innovation and the host of The Government Huddle podcast. As the Head of Global Strategy & Innovation for Public Sector at Adobe, Brian has helped shape the future of government services through digital transformation, customer experience (CX), and bold leadership. We dive into how agencies can build trust, balance personalization with privacy, and embrace technology to create meaningful citizen interactions. Beyond CX, the two explore transformational leadership—how leaders can navigate change while maintaining team trust and cultivate a growth mindset in the face of uncertainty. If you’re a leader looking to drive impact in an evolving digital world, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! Learn more about OrangeSlices AI here.

In this episode of Coach’s Corner, Leadership Unplugged, Laura Bennet sits down with Kristina Tanasichuk, Founder & CEO of the Government Technology & Services Coalition, for an inspiring conversation on leadership and passion. Kristina takes us on her remarkable career journey, sharing how she built avenues for collaboration in homeland security, the founding of Women in Homeland Security, and the driving force behind her servant-based leadership philosophy. Whether you’re a leader looking to level up or someone navigating their own career journey, this episode offers actionable insights and heartfelt inspiration. Don’t miss Kristina’s wisdom and stories of impact!

Dive into an engaging series where leadership, innovation, and personal stories intersect in the realms of federal government and industry. Laura Bennett hosts this podcast series with the first episode featuring Jeremy Wood, Chief for Enterprise Architecture at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and host of The Geek Within podcast. If you’re curious about the intersection of leadership, storytelling, and mission-driven careers, this is a must-listen episode!