The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey
Join Dr. Ken Huey on The Voice of Hope, where real stories and expert insights meet to inspire healing and transformation. With decades of experience in behavioral health and trauma therapy, Dr. Huey draws from his personal journey and professional expertise to offer practical advice for families, adoptees, and anyone seeking growth. Discover strategies to navigate trauma, build stronger relationships, and embrace hope in every episode. Tune in for thoughtful conversations that uplift and empower.
The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey
Landon Kirk: Trauma-Informed Leadership, People-First Culture & Building Elite Teams
In this compelling episode of The Voice of Hope, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Landon Kirk - executive coach, leadership strategist, and trauma-informed culture-builder. Together, they unpack the critical role of authentic leadership, trauma-informed decision-making, and how to manage burnout in high-emotion environments like behavioral health.
From co-founding Calo Programs to building the Embark “People Machine,” Landon shares lessons learned over two decades of leading with purpose. You’ll hear hard-won insights on balancing empathy with accountability, how to know when it’s time to let a staff member go, and why success - not self-care - is the antidote to burnout.
Whether you're a clinician, entrepreneur, or leader seeking to grow your team (and yourself), this episode is packed with real, practical wisdom.
Topics include:
- Building trust through time and evidence
- The myth of burnout prevention - and what really works
- Why “ACEs attract ACEs” in behavioral healthcare
- Hiring mistakes even top executives make
- Landon's favorite leadership test: “Would you trust them to treat your child?”
00:00 – Introduction
Ken introduces Landon Kirk and reflects on their shared history co-founding Calo.
01:10 – "What’s the through line in your approach to helping people grow?"
Landon: Relationships. Trust comes from time and evidence.
02:28 – "Any specific make-or-break advice on building trust?"
Landon: Authenticity. You can’t fake who you are.
03:04 – "When did you first recognize yourself as a leader?"
Landon: I resisted the title at first but leaned in as I saw the impact.
04:13 – "What were the early leadership lessons at Calo?"
Landon: Balancing empathy with challenge is key to true growth.
05:18 – "How do you balance being trauma-informed while still leading assertively?"
Landon: Sometimes the kindest thing is letting someone go when their role activates unresolved trauma.
07:31 – "What was the Embark People Machine?"
Landon: A system for excellence across the entire employee life cycle.
10:58 – "What’s the first thing a new leader should master?"
Landon: Time management and intentional one-on-ones.
12:11 – "What’s next after time discipline?"
Landon: Hiring discipline. Past performance > good interview.
14:26 – "How do you prevent (or respond to) burnout?"
Landon: Give people experiences of success. That’s the antidote.
16:59 – "Does self-care actually help with burnout?"
Landon: Surface-level self-care doesn’t heal. Success does.
18:04 – "What’s a leadership blind spot you see often?"
Landon: Ego. Also: undisciplined time, and trying to do everything yourself.
20:40 – "How do you evaluate right people, right seats?"
Landon: Would I trust them with my child, my money, my mission?
21:55 – "What if someone’s talented, but in the wrong seat?"
Landon: Assess culture vs performance. Redeploy if they align culturally.
22:58 – "What’s a hard leadership lesson you’re grateful for?"
Landon: Time isn’t peanut butter. Don’t spread it evenly — be strategic.
24:45 – "What are you doing now at Next Level Growth?"
Landon: Coaching leadership teams using the 5 Obsessions framework.
26:29 – "How can someone get in touch with you?"
Landon: Visit Next Level Growth, or take the free Leadership Health Check.
27:38 – Closing
A heartfelt exchange of gratitude and mutual respect between Landon and Ken.
