About Leading Locally: A Podcast by Leadership Lee County
Leading Locally will offer listeners insightful discussions on leadership, community impact, and local initiatives. Hosted by Kristen Reeder, Executive Director of Leadership Lee County, each episode will feature in-depth interviews with a variety of leaders who are making a difference in Lee County, Alabama.
Ep. 15 | Leadership Starts with Seeing: Understanding ALICE in Lee County
Most of us assume that if someone has a job, they're doing okay.
But what if that's not true?
In this episode of Leading Locally, Kristen Reeder sits down with United Way of Lee County Executive Director, Tipi Miller, to discuss ALICE—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—a growing population of hardworking individuals and families who earn too much to qualify for assistance but still struggle to afford basic necessities.
From impossible financial choices to the "benefits cliff," this conversation challenges leaders to rethink what it means to support employees, strengthen communities, and lead with empathy.
If you're a business owner, manager, HR professional, or simply someone who wants to make a difference where you live, this episode will change the way you see your community.
In this episode you'll learn:
What ALICE means and why it matters
The surprising percentage of Lee County households living paycheck to paycheck
Why leadership starts with understanding the challenges people carry to work each day
Practical ways businesses and community members can become part of the solution
Connect with Leadership Lee County
Instagram: @leadershipleecounty (https://www.instagram.com/leadershipleecounty/)
Website: www.leadershipleecounty.org (https://www.leadershipleecounty.org/)
23 Jul 2026
Ep. 14 | Why Leadership Lee County Exists (And Where We're Going Next)
This episode is a little different than our typical conversations and intentionally so.
With applications now open for the 2026–2027 Leadership Lee County class, we wanted to pull back the curtain and share the heart behind the organization, where we're headed, and why leadership development matters now more than ever.
In this exclusive conversation, Executive Director Kristen Reeder shares:
• Why leadership isn't just for people with titles
• The biggest leadership gaps she sees in our community
• How Leadership Lee County is evolving beyond its annual leadership program
• The vision of becoming Lee County's leadership resource
• What participants actually experience during the nine-month Leadership Program
• Who should consider applying and why
Whether you're considering applying to this year's class, wondering if the program is the right fit, or simply curious about the future of Leadership Lee County, this episode offers an inside look at the vision driving everything we're building.
If you've been on the fence about applying, we hope you'll spend the next 30 minutes with us!
24 Jun 2026
Ep. 13 | The Leadership Lesson Found in Adventure Racing
In this episode of Leading Locally, Kristen Reeder sits down with Stewart Mills to discuss an unlikely leadership lesson that emerged through the world of adventure racing.
Stewart shares how trust, humility, and a willingness to be led transformed not only his racing experience but also an important professional relationship.
Together, they explore the power of finding common ground, working through conflict, building trust over time, and why some of the strongest leaders are those who know when to step back and allow others to lead.
Whether you're leading a team, serving your community, or navigating difficult relationships, this conversation offers practical leadership lessons that apply far beyond the race course.
Connect with Leadership Lee County
Instagram: @leadershipleecounty (https://www.instagram.com/leadershipleecounty/)
Website: www.leadershipleecounty.org (https://www.leadershipleecounty.org/)
Leadership Experts: Are you an experienced and trained leadership expert? We are always taking applications for local leadership experts who specialize in one-on-one coaching and group training. We will then add you to our public database that is shared with community partners and marketed publicly. Learn more here. (https://www.leadershipleecounty.org/resources)
18 Feb 2026
Ep. 12 | The Power of the Pause: Leadership, Boundaries, and Emotional Intelligence
In this episode of Leading Locally, Kristen sits down with Auburn City Council member, Beth Witten, to explore what it truly means to lead with integrity, emotional intelligence, and healthy boundaries—especially in the often demanding world of public service.
Beth shares candid reflections from her leadership journey, including the importance of managing expectations, setting boundaries in a 24/7 culture, and learning when to pause instead of react. From navigating difficult conversations to embracing the power of saying “I don’t know”, this conversation is full of practical wisdom for leaders at every level.
If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, conflict, or the pressure to always have the right answer, you'll appreciate this episode!
Connect with Leadership Lee County
Instagram: @leadershipleecounty (https://www.instagram.com/leadershipleecounty/)
Website: www.leadershipleecounty.org (https://www.leadershipleecounty.org/)
Leadership Experts: Are you an experienced and trained leadership expert? We are always taking applications for local leadership experts who specialize in one-on-one coaching and group training. We will then add you to our public database that is shared with community partners and marketed publicly. Learn more here. (https://www.leadershipleecounty.org/resources)
20 Jan 2026
Ep. 11 | “If You Want to Lead, You Better Be Ready to Serve” | Guest: Mark Coxwell
In this episode of Leading Locally, Kristen sits down with Mark Coxwell, founder of Butcher Paper BBQ, to unpack a leadership journey rooted in service, resilience, and community impact.
From hosting backyard barbecue parties to building a food truck by hand, Mark shares how taking small steps (even before he had everything figured out) eventually led to something much bigger than a business.
Mark’s vision goes beyond food. It’s about creating a space where everyone is welcome, where people from all walks of life can gather, and where leadership shows up through serving others well.
Connect with Leadership Lee County
Instagram: @leadershipleecounty (https://www.instagram.com/leadershipleecounty/)
Website: www.leadershipleecounty.org (https://www.leadershipleecounty.org/)
Leadership Experts: Are you an experienced and trained leadership expert? We are always taking applications for local leadership experts who specialize in one-on-one coaching and group training. We will then add you to our public database that is shared with community partners and marketed publicly. Learn more here. (https://www.leadershipleecounty.org/resources)
17 Dec 2025
Ep. 10 | Leadership Is the Great Equalizer: A Year-End Reflection on Leading Right Where You Are
Christina Klutz reflects on leadership lessons from the year, emphasizing that leadership belongs to everyone and highlighting the impact of authenticity and purpose in everyday actions.
20 Nov 2025
Ep. 9 | Leading With Love: How One Leap of Faith Became a Legacy
Renae Waldrop, Executive Director of Our House, discusses transitioning from law to community service, highlighting how a small act of kindness evolved into a significant ministry, in this interview.
21 Oct 2025
Ep. 8 | Everyone is Worth It: Building Community Through Everyday Leadership
Host Kristen interviews Craig Hyatt, co-owner of Our Home Pharmacy, who reveals how leading with integrity and valuing people shapes his community-centered approach to business and service.
22 Sept 2025
Ep. 7 | Coaching Through Connection: Rob Taylor’s Leadership Philosophy
Robb Taylor, Auburn's wheelchair basketball head coach, discusses his leadership philosophy, emphasizing relationship building and understanding to bring out the best in others in this interview.
19 Aug 2025
Ep. 6 | Finding Purpose in the Margin | Guest: Kim Hudson
Host [Host Name] interviews Kim Hudson, who shares how she found purpose in life's detours, emphasizing generosity and boundaries for impactful leadership.
23 Jul 2025
Ep. 6 | The Power of Showing Up and the Human Touch | Guest: Laura Cooper
Laura Cooper, Executive Director, discusses how her upbringing influenced her conviction that everyone deserves a place, highlighting the impact of compassion and presence in transforming lives in this interview.
25 Jun 2025
Ep. 5 | Building Unity, Earning Trust: The Leadership of Pastor Clifford Jones
Pastor Clifford Jones discusses leading with integrity, building trust, and reconciling people through accountability, offering insights on staying grounded and leading by example in this interview.
27 May 2025
Ep. 4 | From Insurance to Insects: Rusty Prewett on Embracing the Challenges
Rusty Prewett discusses his career transition from insurance to pest control, highlighting the importance of adaptability and people-first values in building a resilient business in this interview.
25 Apr 2025
Ep. 3 | Delegation, Structure and The Tiny Things That Shape Our Course | Guest: Eloise Stewart
At 26 years old, Eloise Stewart walked away from teaching design courses at Auburn University and stepped into the unknown. With no guarantees, she started Eloise Design Co. — a business built on helping others discover who they are and communicate it clearly. Nine years later, she’s grown a thriving brand rooted in intentionality, purpose, and deep connection. In this episode, Eloise shares the pivotal moment that led to starting her business, how she leads with clarity and generosity of her...
30 Mar 2025
Ep. 2 | Navigating Leadership: Lessons from Sports, Politics, and Influence | Guest: Jeremy Gray
In this episode, we sit down with Jeremy Gray, a former NC State football player turned entrepreneur, community leader, and Alabama State Representative for the 83rd District. From his early days in Opelika to playing sports and stepping into politics, Jeremy shares how leadership, influence, and personal branding have shaped his journey. He discusses the importance of influence over authority, leading with empathy, and the power of compromise in politics to drive real change. With an u...
19 Feb 2025
Ep. 1 | Be the Kind of Leader You'd Want to Work For | Guest: Todd Shackett
Welcome to the first episode of Leading Locally! We're excited to feature leaders within our community and highlight the impact they're having in Lee County, Alabama. Our first guest is Todd Shackett, President of Southern Union State Community College, who shows us how leadership skills are transferrable as he takes us through his career starting in manufacturing to leading a strong team at Southern Union. From his years of experience in leadership, he shares advice on hiring the...
Who has been a guest on Leading Locally: A Podcast by Leadership Lee County
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Renae Waldrop
Craig Hyatt
Robb Taylor
Kim Hudson
Laura Cooper
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 16 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
19
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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