
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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 37 | Founded | 9 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BusinessCareersManagement | |||

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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Apple Podcasts | #62 |
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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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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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Recent guests on Leading Ain't Easy include:
1. Rene Guerrero
2. Frank Hopkins
3. Matt Quinn
4. Alicia Sanders
5. John Moore
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