Find one boundary to push, one limit to test, one box to break.
Rebel Mindset
(Formerly The Upshot Leadership) In a world where we’re told to follow the rules and fit into neat boxes, we’re here to question everything. We’ll dig into the minds of leaders who go beyond the status quo and chart their own paths—both in leadership and life. The Rebel Mindset podcast hosts leaders across industries and generations to have a frank discussion on what shapes us. Each month we feature a different leader who is a change-maker, someone who thinks differently and brings a unique perspective to leadership and success. The rebel leader rejects passivity and accepts the responsibility of thinking differently in the pursuit of authenticity, innovation, and change, even when that means standing apart or facing resistance. Tune in for fresh perspectives and actionable insights on how to redefine success and lead with intentionality. Hosted by professional coaches Kallie Knop and Kim Spikes, we hope this podcast inspires listeners to be part of a new wave of leadership that questions everything.
Episodes

Thursday Nov 20, 2025
Thursday Nov 20, 2025
Former police commander Dr. Eric Murray joins Kallie and Kim to talk about the psychology of hope—and why thriving under pressure starts with building “psychological capital.” Using his HERO framework (Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism), Eric shares lessons from 35 years in law enforcement, the military, and organizational leadership. From trauma to transformation, this episode explores how to create more confident, resilient, and hopeful individuals, leaders, and teams—no matter the environment.

Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Kelly Hayley has finished 100+ marathons, all while building a community that refuses to leave anyone behind. In this episode, we unpack what it means to become something—not just “try” it—by embracing discomfort, choosing strategy over ego (hello, run–walk), and building the stamina to keep showing up both at mile 20 and at work.
Kelly shares practical wisdom on training plans, rest as a requirement (not an afterthought), leading teams through hard things, why community and relationships are everything, and how identity is forged by doing. Plus: the wildest race stories ever, along with a reminder that confidence is earned one mile at a time.
Listen in if you’re ready to step fully into who you want to become.

Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
What if your job ended today; would you feel proud or regretful? In this episode of Rebel Mindset, we’re joined by Death Doula Ashley Bradney to explore how endings - of careers, roles, relationships, chapters and eventually life - can teach us to live more intentionally.
With 66% of professionals admitting to career regrets, this conversation invites you to pause, reflect, and align your daily actions with your deeper values. Legacy isn’t reserved for later, it’s created in real time, through aligning with what you value most, repairing relationships, and stepping into work that actually matters.
Tune in and reclaim your story before someone else writes your ending.

Monday Jul 14, 2025
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Compassion doesn’t usually show up in employee handbooks—but it should.
In this episode, Kallie and Kim talk with Heather Younger—TEDx speaker, author, and workplace empathy expert—about how small moments of awareness + action can create powerful connection and powerful teams.
Learn how to:- Pause and listen beyond the words- Use micro-moments to make others feel seen and valued- Discern when and how to be vulnerable with your team- Put people in positions of strength where they’re motivated, supported, and empowered

Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Yogi Hendlin—environmental philosopher, public health scholar, and rebel for humanity—to unpack the systems that shape our lives, often without our consent. From burnout culture to leadership that’s lost its heart, we explore how to challenge the status quo with awareness, compassion, and collective courage. If you’ve ever felt like a cog in the machine, this conversation is your call to recalibrate.

Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Nancy Bolen was told to “just get married” after high school. Instead, she aimed higher—becoming one of the first female administrative leaders in the Navy with the Blue Angels and Top Gun.
In this episode of The Rebel Mindset, we explore Nancy’s trailblazing path from being told marriage was her only option to commanding one of the busiest airports in the country. Her story is a masterclass in grit, leadership, and defying the odds.
🎧 Hear how she stayed mission-focused, broke barriers, and led with purpose—no matter who told her she couldn’t.

Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
This week on Rebel Mindset—formerly The Upshot—we’re exploring what it takes to break free from limiting beliefs with Vania Cao, a program manager at a major Bay Area philanthropy, startup consultant, career coach, and founder of Free the PhD. In this episode, we tackle the mental blocks that keep people stuck—imposter syndrome, analysis paralysis, and the fear of taking action before feeling “ready.” She breaks down why “fake it till you make it” is more than just a catchphrase—it’s a strategic mindset shift that builds confidence and momentum. Plus, she introduces identity flexing, a game-changing approach to embracing new opportunities with clarity and conviction. If you’re ready to stop second-guessing and start moving forward, this episode is for you. Tune in now!

Thursday Jan 16, 2025
Thursday Jan 16, 2025
Manifestation has become a buzzword, but is it as mystical as we think?
In reality, manifestation is about bringing clear visions to life through intentional action. It’s the power of the mind to create—"Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve."
In this episode of The Upshot Leadership podcast, Buddhist monk Gen Kelsang Menla joins us in part two to explore how to train your mind, identify your values and goals, and practice patience in turning them into reality. It’s not about quick fixes or "three-step formulas," but about clarity, dedication, and daily effort.
As we approach 2025, we’ll also discuss how our individual actions shape the world we co-create, and how to set goals that lead to true, sustainable happiness. Tune in for a fresh perspective on goal-setting and leading yourself into the new year!

Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Is what you're believing beneficial? This month we have a special year-end podcast episode with Buddhist monk and leader, Gen Kelseng Menla.
We hit on all aspects of mindfulness and service-based leadership. One topic we discuss throughout is ego and how your concept of yourself impacts how you lead. In psychoanalysis, ego is defined as "the part of the mind that mediates between the conscious and the unconscious and is responsible for reality testing and a sense of personal identity." In Gen Menla's practice of Kadampa Buddhism, clinging too tightly to the concept of ego can be explained as "self cherishing," or putting the self before others.
So how does what you choose to believe about yourself, others, your organization, and the world create your reality? Is it a reality that is beneficial in supporting your goals and values, or is it a deterrent? What would it be like to believe something different, and how might that impact your actions? Are you aware of the beliefs driving your inner narrative?
As we wrap up 2024, this is a great listen for reflection, but this podcast can be a great tune up for any season. Tune in:
Part two with Gen Menla coming in Jan. 2025, stay tuned!

Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Have you ever paused to ponder what makes you feel alive? And, if so, how often are you actually doing those activities? If you're anything like the vast majority of people, you are probably just trying to survive most of the time. Making space for what makes you feel alive might be considered a luxury versus a necessity. Yet, without making space for self-understanding and intention, as Yogi Berra said, "If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up somewhere else."
Our next guest on The Upshot Podcast is Chris Coward, a professional Master Certified Coach with over 20 years of experience in executive coaching, preceded by 10 years of leadership in social work. She owns Coaching to Fulfillment and is the VP of Coaching Services at Apollo Health, a company that combines medicine and technology to optimize cognition and reverse dementia.
Beyond her professional titles, Chris is a member of two rock bands and frequently travels to festivals. She is an avid outdoorswoman and skier. She makes time to mentor others and to pursue what lights her up on a weekly, if not daily, basis.
So, what does it take to live this way? And how might fear and boundaries aid in succeeding or sabotaging your intentions? If you say yes to what you really want, what do you have to say no to? (If you find a way to have it all without saying "no" to anything, let us know...) And this is often the real kicker - how do you even know what you want? The process starts with intentional life design.
Tune in to learn about how to create a life with intention, aligned with your values, vs. being blown by the wind and following the herd.


