We’ve all had those moments where we “just knew”. We had a feeling, perhaps a “gut feeling” that one direction was right and another was not. There’s no proof or evidence that can help you know for sure. But there is a a tug toward action that gets acted upon, or ignored. Looking back on these moments leads us to understand that is often true that those instincts were valid.

In this conversation, Katie Navarra-Bradley, Professional Facilitator and Leadership Coach with Katie the Coach, and Ginny Telego, President of Collaboration Partners, talk about the intersection of mental health awareness and the healing power of horses.

In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month in May of 2025, they share personal stories of how horses have provided emotional support during challenging times, discuss the stigma surrounding mental health, and emphasize the importance of mindfulness and emotional regulation in both personal and professional settings.

The conversation highlights practical strategies for improving mental well-being and encourages listeners to seek support and foster connections in their communities.

The Leading With Instinct Podcast is brought to you by Collaboration Partners and KatieTheCoach.com.

Takeaways

-Horses can provide emotional support and healing.

-Personal experiences with grief can shape our relationship with horses.

-Organizations can benefit from removing stigma around mental health.

-Horses help regulate emotional states and promote connection.

-Mindfulness practices can enhance productivity and well-being.

-Grief can stem from various life experiences, not just loss of loved ones.

-Setting boundaries is crucial for mental health.

-Community support is vital for navigating mental health challenges.

-Engaging with nature can significantly improve mental well-being.

Episode Resources:

• Horses Helping Seniors: https://horseandrider.com/horse-health-care/horses-helping-seniors/
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a 24/7 treatment referral and information service.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7, confidential support for people in distress.
• FindTreatment.gov helps people seek treatment for mental and substance use disorders.
• National Institute of Mental Health outlines additional mental health services.
• Get trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). You can be the difference through MHFA, a course that teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use challenges.
• APA Article: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/06/coping-chaotic-workplace

We’ve all had those moments where we “just knew”. We had a feeling, perhaps a “gut feeling” that one direction was right and another was not. There’s no proof or evidence that can help you know for sure. But there is a a tug toward action that gets acted upon, or ignored. Looking back on these moments leads us to understand that is often true that those instincts were valid.

In this conversation, Katie Navarra-Bradley, Professional Facilitator and Leadership Coach with Katie the Coach, and Ginny Telego, President of Collaboration Partners, explore the concept of intuitive intelligence and its significance in leadership and decision-making.

They discuss how intuition can complement rational and emotional intelligence, the challenges leaders face in decision-making, and share personal experiences that highlight the importance of listening to one's gut feelings.

The conversation also delves into the lessons learned from horses about intuition and instinct and offers practical strategies for leaders to enhance their intuitive intelligence.

The Leading With Instinct Podcast is brought to you by Collaboration Partners and KatieTheCoach.com.

Takeaways

-Intuitive intelligence can be developed and sharpened.

-Decision-making is a significant challenge for many leaders.

-Intuition is a skill that complements analytical thinking.

-Horses can teach us valuable lessons about intuition.

-Our brains are wired for survival, not success.

-Listening to our gut feelings can lead to better outcomes.

-Intuition is based on experience and pattern recognition.

-Data overload can hinder effective decision-making.

-Self-awareness is key to recognizing intuitive signals.

-Engaging with trusted advisors can validate gut feelings.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:52 The Role of Intuition in Decision-Making

08:06 Understanding Intuitive Intelligence

10:18 The Intersection of Logic and Emotion

15:42 Lessons from Horses on Intuition

25:47 Trusting your Gut Feeling

31:02 Action Steps: Striking the Balance Between Intuition and Data

33:44 Conclusion and Future Discussions

Helpful Links:

Ginny Telego, Collaboration Partners: https://www.thecollaborationpartners.com/

Katie Navarra-Bradley, Katie The Coach: https://katiethecoach.com/

Change can be good. It can stretch us, it can push us out of our comfort zones, pull us into new opportunities. Never ending change, however, can be crippling. Especially change that leaves us feeling out of control, out of touch and in fear for what's next. In 2025, now more than ever, change is changing our lives.

In this conversation, Katie Navarra-Bradley, Professional Facilitator and Leadership Coach with Katie the Coach, and Ginny Telego, President of Collaboration Partners, host an authentic conversation about the challenges leaders face in navigating rapid and complex changes in their organizations. They explore how horses can teach us about resilience and adaptability in the face of change, while sharing personal experiences related to change.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of acknowledging fear and anxiety associated with change, and offers strategies for managing these feelings while leading teams effectively.

Takeaways

-Success isn't just about what you know, it's about adaptability to change.

-Change can create anxiety and confusion.

-Staying ahead of change can seem impossible.

-Fear is a real feeling that needs to be addressed.

-Change affects everyone differently, and it's important to acknowledge that.

-Horses demonstrate incredible resilience to change.

-Relaxed readiness helps in navigating uncertainty.

-Adaptability Quotient (AQ) is essential for leaders.

-Acknowledging the reality of change is the first step in managing it.

Chapters

00:38 Introduction to Leading with Instinct

01:54: Current State of Change

05:12 Navigating Change in Leadership

11:47 Lessons from Horses on Change Resilience

18:42 Understanding Adaptability and Change

27:45 Discussion about AQ (Adaptability Quotient)

30:30 Strategies for Managing Change Effectively

The Leading With Instinct Podcast is brought to you by Collaboration Partners, and KatieTheCoach.com.

Helpful Links:

Ginny Telego, Collaboration Partners: https://www.thecollaborationpartners.com/

Katie Navarra-Bradley, Katie The Coach: https://katiethecoach.com/

Sometimes, the hardest step to take in business is the first step. The fear that leaders face in starting something new can keep great ideas at bay. But when you dedicate yourself to a mission or a cause, you surround yourself with the right team, and you set up deadlines and expectations to take that first step, then the second step has a chance to follow.

It is with this idea of launching something new that we welcome you to the first episode of the Leading With Instinct Podcast. In this pilot episode, hosts Ginny Telego of Collaboration Partners and Katie Navarra-Bradley of KatietheCoach.com introduce themselves to you and to the spirit behind equine experiential leadership development.

This episode focuses on the purpose of the Leading With Instinct podcast. The show promises to teach the importance of collaboration in leadership and how experiences with horses can provide valuable insights into instinctual leadership. Katie and Ginny discuss the challenges leaders face today and emphasize the need for adaptability and self-care, two things that can be learned through equine experiential development and training.

Takeaways

-Collaboration is key to achieving potential.

-Success involves adaptability and understanding communication styles.

-Horses serve as role models for instinctual leadership.

-Rest is essential for productivity and well-being.

-Many workers do not utilize their PTO effectively.

-Adaptability is crucial in today's fast-paced environment.

-Leaders often feel isolated and need support.

-Experiential learning can lead to personal growth.

-Creating a supportive culture enhances team dynamics.

-Listeners are encouraged to share topics for future episodes.

Chapters

00:33 Introduction to Leading with Instinct

03:11 Launching the Podcast

07:40 The Importance of Collaboration in Leadership

11:15 Learning from Horses: Instincts and Leadership

16:20 What to Expect with Leading with Instinct

--------

The Leading With Instinct Podcast is brought to you by Collaboration Partners, and KatieTheCoach.com.

Helpful Links:

Katie Navarra : https://katiethecoach.com/

Ginny Telego: https://www.thecollaborationpartners.com/