A Different Kind of Leadership - Genesis of the Hauer Hour Podcast

Leadership today often feels like it demands loudness, bravado, and the constant performance of strength. But in the quiet rooms where the real work of healing happens — at a bedside, in a family meeting, during a whispered conversation with a parent who is afraid — a different kind of leadership thrives.

The Hauer Hour was born from a deep need to celebrate that quieter form of strength: what we call gentle power — leadership rooted not in hierarchy or volume, but in wisdom, presence, and compassion.

And fittingly, it all started at a rooftop bar in Denver, Colorado.

Fresh off a full day of palliative care conference sessions, a small group of women gathered as the sun set over the Rocky Mountain peaks. Some of us had known each other for years; others were meeting for the first time. We sipped old fashioneds and local craft beers, sharing the easy conversation that only comes after a full, thoughtful day. We honored the mess and the beauty of our different phases of life and career, soaking in the rare chance to be together in real time.

And of course, we wanted to soak up every drop of wisdom from Dr. Julie Hauer — a role model whose presence and practice have shaped so many of us.

As the sky turned from gold to deep blue, someone joked, "This feels like the Hauer Hour!"
Another laughed, "That sounds like a podcast!"
And just like that, we were off — sketching ideas on cocktail napkins, interrupting each other in a flurry of excitement, dreaming aloud about what it would mean to share the kind of wisdom we so often wish more people had access to.

This project is deeply personal. It reflects the spirit of that evening: candid, joyful, imperfect, wise. It’s not about polished sound bites or leadership from a pedestal. It’s about presence. It’s about love. It’s about recognizing that true leadership is found in listening deeply, honoring dignity, and moving through the world with courage and grace.

This week, I had the immense pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Hauer to record the very first episode of the podcast. Being back in the learner’s seat reminded me how transformative it is to slow down and listen with an open heart. I won’t spoil the whole conversation, but one theme that stayed with me is this: When we lead by listening — to parents, to kids, to our colleagues — we lead by love.

The Hauer Hour is a space where we’ll lift up voices like hers — voices that model everyday leadership, the kind that shapes the world not by force, but by steady, loving presence.

In the weeks ahead, we’ll explore themes like:

• How believability in families builds better care

• Why presence matters more than perfection

• What it means to reframe challenges into opportunities for grace

• How gentle power can transform teams, workplaces, and lives

I’m thrilled to invite you to join me on this journey. Whether you’re a healthcare worker, a caregiver, a leader (formal or informal), or simply someone who believes in a kinder world — there is a seat at the table for you.

Subscribe to the Hauer Hour and listen to our first episode when it drops on May 5.
In the meantime, I invite you to reflect:

Where in your life could a little more gentle power make a difference?

Let’s start leading differently — together.