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Artwork for Leading Ain't Easy

Leading Ain't Easy

Ryan Calkins and Erny Epley
Leadership
Imposter Syndrome
Work-Life Balance
Communication
Training
California
Promotion
Decision Making
Employee Accountability
Management Training
Empathy
Remote Work
Project Management
Generational Gap
Workplace Family (concept)
Burnout
Culture
Executive Presence
Middle Management
Loneliness In Leadership

Leadership looks shiny on social media. But the reality is it’s messy, isolating, and full of self-doubt. Leading Ain’t Easy pulls back the curtain on the side of leadership nobody puts on their résumé.

Hosted by Ryan Calkins (Marine Corps veteran, career/leadership coach, and founder of Reframe & Rise) and Erny Epley (public-sector leader and founder of Bus Pro Network), this show dives into the... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes37Founded9 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessCareersManagement

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Artwork for Leading Ain't Easy

Latest Episodes

A viral LinkedIn post claimed that if five employees leave within a year of your leadership, you're the problem. Ryan Calkins, John Moore, and returning show staple Erny Epley take that take apart, share real stories from their own careers, and get h... more

Ryan Calkins and John Moore get into the leadership echo chamber; how it forms, why it's usually the leader's own doing, and what it costs when the people around you stop telling you the truth. If you've ever wondered whether your team is actually gi... more

Ammie Bird (Brandon) led operations for 15 years at a Fortune 250 waste management company, one of the most male-dominated and physically dangerous industries around. She joins Ryan Calkins and John Moore for an honest conversation about earning resp... more

Ryan Calkins and John Moore talk through what happens when you can't separate the manager from yourself; when your team's struggles start to feel like your own failures. This one's for anyone who's ever cared too much about people who didn't ask for ... more

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Recent Guests

Rene Guerrero
Assistant Public Works Director, City of Ontario, California; adjunct professor
City of Ontario; Citrus Community College
Episode: Respect vs Likability (feat. Rene Guerrero)
Frank Hopkins
Executive coach
Episode: Executive Presence (feat. Frank Hopkins)
Matt Quinn
Professional at Consolidated Electrical Distributors
Consolidated Electrical Distributors
Episode: Being the FNG (F’ing New Guy): Earning Trust From the Start (feat. Matt Quinn)
Alicia Sanders
Director of Supply Chain Management with focus on hospital logistics
Unspecified (guest)
Episode: Coaching in Leadership (feat. Alicia Sanders)
John Moore
Leadership professional with 20+ years in corporate training and leadership coaching
(not explicitly provided)
Episode: Leading As Yourself (w/ John Moore)

Hosts

Ryan Calkins
Host of Leading Ain't Easy (intro mentions host); Marine Corps veteran and founder of Reframe & Rise
Erny Epley
Co-host, public-sector leader; founder of Bus Pro Network
John Moore
Co-host, fellow leader

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Executive Presence (feat. Frank Hopkins)
Q: But what are some of the first steps you would tell someone just starting out to establish an executive presence that is beneficial for them and the team they're leading?
Be as composed as you can, speak clearly, use your best judgment, and build an environment where people want to follow you even when they don't have to, while staying consistent.
Respect vs Likability (feat. Rene Guerrero)
Q: Is there anything wrong with wanting to be liked as a leader, and how do you balance that with respect?
While the instinct to be liked is natural, the panel agrees that balance is essential; you can be both respected and likable by staying authentic, transparent, and consistent, and by demonstrating competence and care for your team.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Leading Ain't Easy

What is Leading Ain't Easy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show focuses on the real, imperfect side of leadership, trimming away glossy tropes to explore the doubts, tough calls, and practical tactics managers face across military, public sector, and private industry. Conversations lean into personal stories, hard-won lessons, and frameworks for decision-making, accountability, and team dynamics. Episodes often center on the psychology of leadership under pressure, balancing empathy with standards, and the day-to-day realities of coaching, performance, and organizational culture. A standout element is the candid, two-host format that pairs veterans with corporate and public-sector perspectives, frequently weaving in practical takeaways, checklists, and resources for listeners aiming to lead mo... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Leading Ain't Easy:

1. All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

How many episodes of Leading Ain't Easy are there?

Leading Ain't Easy launched 9 months ago and published 37 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Leading Ain't Easy?

Recent guests on Leading Ain't Easy include:

1. Rene Guerrero
2. Frank Hopkins
3. Matt Quinn
4. Alicia Sanders
5. John Moore

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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