In this episode of the Lead with Hope Podcast, Dr. Brandi Kelly tackles one of the most common leadership and personal development struggles: how to build habits when you’re overwhelmed.

If you’ve ever tried to start a new routine, improve your mindfulness, strengthen resilience, or follow through on goals — only to feel stuck — this episode is for you.

Rooted in behavioral science and inspired by principles from Atomic Habits, Brandi introduces the power of micro actions — tiny, consistent changes that create massive long-term impact.

You don’t need more willpower.You just need a tiny anchor.

Instead of chasing dramatic overhauls, you’ll learn how habit stacking makes new behaviors obvious and easy by anchoring them to routines you already do every day. Small change leads to momentum. Momentum builds resilience. Resilience sustains leadership.

In this episode, you’ll discover how to:

• Use micro actions to build sustainable habits• Apply habit stacking to strengthen goal setting• Practice 60-second mindfulness routines• Avoid burnout through consistency• Adopt the powerful mindset: never miss twice

Micro actions are the secret weapon of resilient leaders. Shrink your goals. Anchor them. Stack them. Start today.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Overcoming Overwhelm01:42 – The Power of Micro Actions03:45 – Habit Stacking for Success05:56 – The Challenge of Micro Actions06:43 – EmpowerHER Mastermind Announcement08:24 – Core HOPE Habits for Clarity09:27 – Embracing Leadership and Hope

Connect with our Legacy Partner

We’re proud to partner with Conversari, helping leaders strengthen communication, trust, and culture.

Learn more:
👉 https://www.conversaripress.com/

Don’t miss our monthly Midday EmpowerHER Mastermind sessions for women leaders focused on empowerment, sustainable leadership, and intentional growth.

Join the Spark HOPE Community here:
👉 https://sparkhopeedu.com/drbrandikelly-4049

Find your tiny anchor.Stack your micro action.And lead with H.O.P.E.

In this inspiring episode of Lead with H.O.P.E., I sit down with Rob Scheer, founder of Comfort Cases, to discuss his incredible journey from a child in the foster care system to a successful businessman and social impact leader. Rob shares how small acts of kindness, community involvement, and empathy can transform the lives of vulnerable children. Learn how Comfort Cases provides dignity and hope to children in foster care and why every child deserves a safe, caring start.

Key Takeaways:

• Rob Shear’s foster care journey began at age 12.

• Small acts of kindness can change lives.

• Comfort Cases provides essential items to children entering foster care.

• Dignity and hope are crucial for children entering the system.

• Comfort Cases has delivered over 300,000 comfort cases.

• Investing in children is investing in society’s future.

Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction: Lead with H.O.P.E.
2:15 – Rob Shear’s Foster Care Story
8:40 – The Birth of Comfort Cases
15:30 – The Power of Small Acts of Kindness
22:10 – Community Involvement & Social Impact
28:45 – Empathy & Teaching the Next Generation
35:20 – How You Can Make a Difference
40:00 – Closing Thoughts & Call to Action

Links & Resources:

• Legacy Partner – Convesary: https://www.conversaripress.com/

• Book a Call with Brandi at Spark HOPE Edu

• Contact Comfort Cases: https://comfortcases.org

Keywords: foster care, Rob Scheer, Comfort Cases, kindness, community, empathy, hope, nonprofit, children's welfare, social impact

🎧 Listen, share, and leave a 5-star rating to help spread hope and inspire leaders to make a difference in the lives of children in foster care!

In this episode of the Lead with H.O.P.E. podcast, host Dr. Brandi Kelly explores the profound impact of love and hope in leadership.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, Brandi shares personal reflections and leadership insights, drawing powerful lessons from children’s movies to illustrate that love is not merely a romantic idea.. it is a strategic, intentional force that builds connection, fuels growth, and strengthens courage.

Brandi also unpacks the Science of Hope, highlighting its cognitive components, goals, pathways, and agency, and explains how love fuels each one. When leaders lead with love, they create environments where people feel safe, valued, and empowered to pursue meaningful goals.

This episode is especially for female leaders who are tired of carrying leadership alone. You’ll be reminded that community matters, connection is essential, and leadership becomes truly transformational when love and hope work together.

• The word guiding Brandi’s leadership for 2026 is love

• Children’s movies teach powerful lessons about leadership and connection

• Hope is a cognitive process built on goals, pathways, and agency

• Love fuels all three components of hope

• Female leaders often carry heavy burdens alone—community is essential

• The Spark HOPE Community exists to support and empower female leaders

• Leadership becomes transformational when love and hope work together

Chapters

00:00 – The Power of Love in Leadership
06:01 – Hope as a Cognitive Process: Goals, Pathways, and Agency
07:55 – Building Community and Connection Through Love

Tune in, give us a 5 star rating to help us spread hope to other leaders, and keep leading with H.O.P.E.

A special thank you to Craig Williams and Conversari for supporting this episode! Learn more about their work at ⁠https://www.conversaripress.com

Join the Spark HOPE community to connect with like-minded women leaders through monthly masterminds, courses, and a supportive network designed to help you lead with heart, alignment, and purpose.

Sign up here: ⁠https://sparkhopeedu.com/drbrandikelly-4049⁠

If you want to learn more about HOPE-Fueled leadership, book your free consultation today: ⁠https://sparkhopeedu.com

Keywords

leadership, love, hope, community, connection, female leaders, personal growth, storytelling, intentionality, empowerment