Psych Leadership - A division of Rise Up Academics
From graduation caps to corner offices, the journey is anything but straightforward. The Psych Leadership Podcast blends real-world leadership experience with the science of human behavior to help you navigate work, life, and the space between. Whether you’re a recent graduate finding your footing or a seasoned professional looking to lead with greater impact, each episode delivers practical strategies grounded in psychology — from mastering first impressions and building resilience to influencing without authority and shaping your long-term career path. Host Luke UpChurch, a business leader and psychology graduate, draws from 28+ years in organizational leadership, process improvement, and talent strategy to bring you insights that work in the real world. Because leadership isn’t just for the people with the title — it’s a mindset, a skillset, and a toolkit you can start using today. Would these types of insights help your team grow? Consider booking a consultation with Psych Leadership!
Episodes
You got the promotion. So why does everything feel harder than it did before?
In this Season 4 opener of the Psych Leadership Podcast, host Luke UpChurch tackles the transition that derails more early leaders than any other: moving from peer to leader. According to Gallup, only 18% of managers have a natural talent for leading others — and Harvard Business Review research puts the failure rate for new managers within their fir...
Nine episodes. Nine tools. One system. This is the Season 3 finale.
In this season finale of the Psych Leadership Podcast, host Luke UpChurch does something he hasn’t done all season: puts every framework from Episodes 42–49 in one place and shows how they were always one operating system, viewed from nine different angles. From RICE and SWAG to the Identity Audit, Know-Protect-Restore, the five-principle feedback framew...
You’ve rehearsed it in the shower. You’ve drafted the message and deleted it twice. And it’s still sitting there.
In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, host Luke UpChurch covers the full arc of difficult conversations — from the psychology of why we avoid them, to staying regulated when things get tense, to repairing the relationship when it does. Grounded in research on conflict av...
The reason you’re not getting useful feedback isn’t that nobody has anything to say. It’s that you’re not asking in a way that makes honesty possible.
In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, host Luke UpChurch breaks down the psychology behind why most feedback requests fail — and how asking better questions changes everything about the quality of information you get back. Groun...
You had the time blocked. Your calendar was clear. So why did you end up with almost nothing to show for it?
In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, host Luke UpChurch makes the case that time is not your most important professional resource — energy is. Drawing on current research in organizational psychology, neuroscience, and burnout science, this episode breaks down the four dimensions of human ene...
If someone asked you ‘who are you?’ right now — without your job title, your company, or your industry — what would you say?
In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, host Luke UpChurch tackles one of the most quietly damaging patterns he sees in early-career professionals: the fusion of identity with role. When your job title becomes your whole sense of self, every setback at work beco...
You walked out of that meeting feeling good. So why did the feedback say otherwise?
In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we tackle one of the most quietly career-limiting dynamics in early professional life: the gap between how you see yourself and how the room actually experiences you. Drawing on 28 years of working with emerging professionals, and grounded in the latest research on overconfidence, the D...
You already know the answer. So why are you still waiting for someone to tell you it’s okay to move?
In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, I will be breaking down the organizational psychology behind one of the most career-limiting patterns in early professional life: permission-seeking. It’s not a confidence problem. It’s a deeply wired psychological response… and once you underst...
What if setting limits at work wasn’t about protecting yourself, but about making yourself a better, more sustainable leader? In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we unpack the psychology behind why high-achieving, motivated professionals struggle to draw professional boundaries, and more importantly, how to rewire that pattern.
I will break down the science of social exchange theory, the fawn respo...
Titles are cheap, but influence is earned. In this episode, we break down the Psychology behind leading without authority, and why trust, reliability, and shared ownership drive real impact inside teams.
Don't wait for the title or the money to fall into Place before you step into a leadership role within your team.
- Przepiórka, A. (2025). The Resonant Organization: Informal Leadership, Strategy, and the Powe...
What drives high team performance in today’s workplace?
In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the science of trust in teams and why trust is one of the most powerful predictors of creativity, innovation, autonomy, and sustainable organizational performance. Grounded in industrial and organizational psychology research, this conversation breaks down how high-trust environments create psycho...
Emotional Intelligence at Work goes beyond the buzzword to explore what EI actually looks like in real workplaces, especially for students, recent graduates, and those early in their careers.
In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we break down emotional intelligence through an industrial–organizational psychology lens, focusing on how emotions show up at work, how they influence behavior, and how to ...
Comparison is everywhere…grades, internships, job offers, career milestones, and social media highlights. For students and early-career professionals, constant comparison can quietly erode self-esteem, motivation, and confidence.
In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the psychology of comparison, self-esteem, and identity development through the lens of Social Comparison Theory and modern...
The ability to listen well is one of the most underestimated leadership skills.
In this episode of Psych Leadership, we explore why listening is so powerful in classrooms, workplaces, and early career settings. Drawing from industrial-organizational psychology and humanistic theory, this conversation breaks down how listening builds trust, strengthens relationships, and increases influence, often more than speaking d...
Do you ever feel confused or frustrated by decisions your boss makes? Or unsure how to communicate in a way that actually lands? In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we break down how to manage up, not by manipulating others, but by understanding the psychology behind leadership personalities.
You’ll learn:
- How the Big Five personality traits show up in managers
- Practical strategies for adapting y...
When life knocks you down… a bad grade, a failed interview, or a project that doesn’t go your way, it’s easy to question your path. But real growth doesn’t come from avoiding setbacks; it comes from learning how to rise after them.
In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore how Resilience Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you bounce back when you feel lik...
Finding your voice isn’t always easy, especially when you’re still figuring out who you are in school, at work, or early in your career. In this episode of The Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore how to speak up for yourself without feeling rude, awkward, or “too much.”
Using insights from Assertiveness Theory, we’ll unpack the psychology behind confident communication, what it means to...
Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you try, there’s just never enough time? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore the psychology behind time management, procrastination, and focus—especially how executive function impacts your ability to plan, prioritize, and follow through.
We’ll break down why traditional “work harder” advice doesn&rs...
Why do some career wins feel hollow while others light you up inside? The answer often comes down to values. In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we explore how aligning your personal values with your work creates not just motivation, but meaning.
We’ll revisit Self-Determination Theory with a fresh lens—showing how autonomy, competence, and relatedness only truly drive growth when they’...
No one likes hearing tough feedback—but what if those hard conversations are exactly what you need to grow? In this episode of the Psych Leadership Podcast, we dive into how to hear hard things without fear by applying Growth Mindset and Feedback Intervention Theory.
You’ll learn why feedback often feels like a threat, how to reframe it as an opportunity, and practical strategies to make feedback your sup...
Popular Podcasts
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.