In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Christina and guest Criss Moody continue exploring what it means to lead people, not just processes, through change.

Picking up where Part 1 left off, this episode dives deeper into the human side of leadership: how emotions, empathy, and psychological safety influence whether change succeeds or falls apart.

Criss shares insights from her research on the Bridges Transition Model and Kotter’s Leading Change, emphasizing that transformation isn’t just about strategy or structure, it’s about connection. When leaders take time to earn trust, validate emotions, and communicate the “why” behind every shift, they cultivate lasting buy-in and resilience across their teams.

We unpack what it looks like to navigate resistance, build environments where people feel safe to speak up, and use empathy as a leadership superpower, not a weakness.

In this episode:

• Why psychological safety is the foundation for effective change
• How empathy strengthens communication and trust
• The difference between addressing emotions and being ruled by them
• The unique challenges military leaders face when leading change
• How to leverage emotional intelligence and structure together for lasting impact

Criss also shares how women can embrace their natural strengths, empathy, collaboration, and emotional awareness, as superpowers that elevate modern leadership.

Whether you’re leading through policy shifts, organizational restructuring, or culture change, this episode will remind you that the most effective leadership begins with heart.

RESOURCES:

Kotter, J. P. (2012). Leading Change. Harvard Business Review Press.

Bridges, W., & Bridges, S. (2016). Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change

(4th ed.). Da Capo Lifelong Books.

Criss Moody Research Paper:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b-tAmIMdUaU8g9v_FZT310Eoh4drDVlL/view?usp=sharing

Join the Strong and Resilient Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/336774597179247

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode84

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

Change is inevitable, especially in leadership. But how we lead through change determines whether our teams grow stronger or fall apart in the process.

In this first part of a two-part conversation, Christina sits down with Criss Moody, an Air Force officer turned small business owner and researcher, to explore what it really means to lead people, not just processes, through transition. Drawing from her master’s research on leadership and change management, Criss shares her insights on what makes change succeed or fail and how leaders can balance structure with empathy.

Together, they unpack the difference between managing and leading change, the leadership styles that best support transformation, and why keeping people at the center of every decision matters more than ever.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The key differences between managing change and leading change
• What transformational and servant leadership look like in action
• How autocratic and transactional styles can serve a purpose, when used intentionally
• Why adaptability and emotional intelligence are essential leadership skills
• How leaders can balance structure, deadlines, and the human side of transition
  
  
  

Whether you’re navigating an organizational shift, a new policy, or a culture change, this episode will help you reflect on how you show up for your people through uncertainty.

Tune in next week for Part 2, where Christina and Criss dive deeper into the emotional side of change, psychological safety, empathy, and the leadership superpowers that help us build trust and resilience in our teams.

RESOURCES:

Kotter, J. P. (2012). Leading Change. Harvard Business Review Press.

Bridges, W., & Bridges, S. (2016). Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change

(4th ed.). Da Capo Lifelong Books.

Criss Moody Research Paper:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b-tAmIMdUaU8g9v_FZT310Eoh4drDVlL/view?usp=sharing

Join the Strong and Resilient Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/336774597179247

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode83

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

For many women in the military community, service becomes more than a career, it becomes an identity. The rank, the mission, the structure, and the pride of wearing the uniform can shape who we believe we are. But what happens when that role changes… or ends?

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Leading With Heart, I’m exploring the concept of identity beyond the uniform, how to rediscover who you are at your core, separate from your career, your rank, or your accomplishments.

Whether you’re still serving, preparing for transition, or navigating life after the military, this conversation will help you reconnect with yourself, the woman behind the service. I’ll share my own story of tying my self-worth to performance, the lessons I learned when that identity was challenged, and the practical steps you can take to rebuild your sense of self from the inside out.

Because you are more than your AFSC, your MOS, or your title. You are a whole human being, with passions, values, gifts, and a purpose that go far beyond your career.

In This Episode:

• Why career setbacks or transitions can trigger identity crises
• How to begin separating your self-worth from your rank, performance, or achievements
• Four practical ways to rediscover who you are, journaling, values work, reflection, and identity statements

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Who am I outside of the uniform?” this episode will help you begin to find the answer.

RESOURCES:

2026 LYL Retreat Waitlist:

https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/179b1e79ae

Identity Statement Resource:

https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/de6f72ebb6

SIGN UP FOR THE APP:
https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode82

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.