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 raw, unfiltered truths of leading others; whether it’s in the military, the public sector, or the private world of business.
We’re not here with corporate buzzwords or textbook definitions. Instead, you’ll hear:
Episodes run 45-60 minutes (long enough to go deep, short enough for a commute) and drop weekly. Some weeks it’s just us, other weeks we’ll bring in guests (current and aspiring leaders) to share their own unfiltered journeys.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re cut out for this role, questioned yourself after making a hard call, or felt like a fraud even with the title… this podcast is for you.
Because leading ain’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone.
I’m Erny Epley; public-sector leader, lifelong learner, and co-host of Leading Ain’t Easy. My leadership journey has been shaped by hard lessons, honest conversations, and the reality that people don’t follow titles, they follow trust. I care deeply about developing people, owning mistakes, and doing the right thing even when it’s uncomfortable. This podcast is a space for real talk about leadership; the kind you can feel, not just read about in a handbook.
I’m Ryan Calkins; Marine Corps veteran, career-alignment coach, and co-host of Leading Ain’t Easy. I’ve spent two decades leading teams across the military and civilian world, learning firsthand that leadership is rarely glamorous and almost never simple. Today, through my coaching practice, Reframe & Rise, I help professionals rebuild confidence, realign with purpose, and lead with character. On this podcast, I bring the same honesty, vulnerability, and real-world experience that shaped me.