HEART Leadership
Welcome to Leading with HEART—the podcast redefining leadership from the inside out.
Hosted by Sara Valentine, HR executive, leadership strategist, and creator of the HEART Leadership Principle, this show is your weekly guide to leading with Hear, Empathy, Acknowledge, Respond, and Thank.
Each episode explores how real leaders bring humanity back into the workplace—through honest conversations, practical insights, and powerful personal stories.
Whether you’re a CEO, a new manager, or someone just trying to lead yourself better, this podcast will challenge you to show up with purpose, connect more deeply, and create impact that lasts.
Because leadership isn’t about control—it’s about connection.
And when we lead with HEART, we give others permission to do the same.
Episodes
12 episodes
Helping Leaders Rise: A Conversation with Dr. Karen Hills Pruden
What does it truly mean to lead with confidence, authenticity, and purpose?In this empowering episode of the HEART Leadership Podcast, Sara Valentine sits down with leadership expert, executive coach, and author Dr. Karen Hills Pruden fo...
Leadership, Legacy, and Letters from War with Dr. Mark Hertling
What does leadership look like when the stakes are life and death?In this powerful episode of the HEART Leadership Podcast, Sara Valentine speaks with Dr. Mark Hertling, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General, professor of le...
The Heart of People Leadership with Katie Pfingsten
What does it really mean to lead people well?In this episode of the HEART Leadership Podcast, Sara Valentine sits down with Katie Pfingsten, Vice President of People & Culture and Executive Director of the IAAPA Foundat...
The T in HEART- GRATITUDE
In this episode of the HEART Leadership Podcast, Sara explores the final letter in the HEART framework — “T” for Thank — and why gratitude is the thread that holds leadership, culture, and connection together.Gratitude isn’t a fee...
The R in HEART
In this episode of the HEART Leadership Podcast, Sara unpacks the “R” in HEART — Respond — and why action is the true test of leadership.When someone comes forward with a concern, request, or disclosure, silence is still a respons...
The A in HEART — Appreciate, Acknowledge, and Apologize
In this episode of the HEART Leadership Podcast, Sara unpacks the “A” in HEART — Appreciate, Acknowledge, and Apologize — and why these three leadership behaviors are essential to building trust, credibility, and healthy workplace...
The E in HEART: Why Empathy Changes Everything
Empathy is the leadership trait that separates managers from true leaders. In this episode, Sara explores why empathy matters, how it strengthens accountability, and why it is essential for giving feedback, navigating conflict, and building tru...
BONUS EPISODE: Her Voice, Her Vision, Her Victory – Live from the 2025 Sister Leaders Conference
In this special bonus episode of Leading with HEART, Sara Valentine shares her keynote address from the 2025 Sister Leaders Conference in Portsmouth, VA. This raw, powerful message weaves together her personal story of resilience with ...
H is for Hear: The Leadership Skill We Forget First
In this powerful episode, Sara Valentine explores the first pillar of the HEART Leadership framework: Hear. True leadership starts with listening—not just to what's said, but to what’s unsaid, uncomfortable, and sometimes hard to hear. S...
Episode 2: Interview with Cynthia A. Howell
In this episode, Sara sits down with purpose-driven HR leader Cynthia A. Howell to explore what it truly means to lead with faith, integrity, and compassion. From her early days in retail management to senior roles in human resources, Cy...