The Step UP

Kent Kniebel spent more than 20 years in leadership development at organizations like Korn Ferry, Cargill, and General Mills before launching The Step UP, and that corporate background shows in the best possible way. This is not a podcast that deals in vague motivational quotes. Every episode follows a deliberate two-part structure: the first half explores a guest's background and leadership philosophy, and the second half delivers exactly three practical tools or strategies you can put to work immediately. That structure is the show's secret weapon. Guests like Kari Loken (who runs Fierce Conversations workshops) and Elena Agaragimova (a human performance specialist) bring real expertise, and Kniebel is skilled at pulling specific, usable advice out of them instead of letting the conversation drift into generalities. His episode on the delegation trap is particularly relevant for new managers — he addresses the specific mental blocks that keep you doing everything yourself and gives you a framework for letting go without losing control. Episodes run about 45 minutes each, which is longer than some management podcasts, but the consistent structure means you always know what you are getting. The show releases weekly, and with 39 episodes so far, it is building a strong catalog of leadership topics including performance management, coaching techniques, career transitions, and the ongoing debate between hard skills and soft skills. The Step UP holds a perfect 5.0 rating from 10 reviews. It is a newer show that deserves more attention, especially from managers who want concrete takeaways rather than abstract leadership theory.