In this powerful and deeply reflective conversation, Brandi Kelly sits down with Preston Zeller to explore how grief, creativity, and faith intersect to shape leadership and purpose.

Preston shares his journey through the sudden loss of his brother and how painting every day for a year became both a healing practice and a transformative leadership lesson. That creative discipline eventually led to The Art of Grieving, a documentary capturing his year-long artistic response to loss.

The conversation expands into faith, resilience, and technology as Preston introduces Psalm Log, an AI-powered biblical journaling and guidance app designed to help believers engage Scripture in a more personal, reflective, and accessible way.

Together, Brandi and Preston unpack what it means to lead through uncertainty, how to cultivate emotional and spiritual resilience, and why self-awareness is foundational for strong leadership.

Key Takeaways

• Grief can a catalyst for purpose when processed through creativity and reflection instead of avoidance.
• Leadership begins with self-leadership—you cannot lead others well without first leading yourself well.
• Creative expression can unlock healing that logic alone cannot reach.
• Faith and discipline help anchor resilience in seasons of uncertainty and pressure.
• AI can be a tool for spiritual reflection when used with discernment, not replacement of personal faith.

• Hope is built through focus on what you can control—your thoughts, actions, and obedience in the present moment.
• Growth often comes through discomfort and refinement, not ease or certainty.

Resources & Links

• Psalm Log (AI Biblical Journaling App): https://psalmlog.com/

• The Art of Grieving Documentary - Available on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV: https://theartofgrievingfilm.com/
• Connect with Preston Zeller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonzeller/
• Conversari Press - Legacy Partner of the Lead with HOPE Podcast: https://www.conversaripress.com/
• Spark HOPE Edu: https://sparkhopeedu.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility

00:56 Preston’s Personal Story and Loss of Brother

02:08 The Creative Process and Grief

03:57 Lessons Learned from Artistic Expression

07:10 The Power of Visual Art in Healing

09:09 Sharing Preston’s Artwork and Documentary

09:56 The Final Artwork and Its Meaning

12:29 Faith’s Role in Creating Psalm Log

12:49 Using AI for Biblical Guidance

14:54 The Purpose of Psalm Log as a Supportive Tool

16:15 Addressing Fears Around AI and Technology

19:27 Faith and Resilience in Uncertain Times

22:39 Building Hope and Community Through Faith

26:29 The Importance of Self-Reflection and Faith

29:11 What Gives Preston Hope Today

30:47 Practical Steps for Cultivating Hope and Faith

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Have you ever had a moment where everything feels off—but you can’t explain why? Your energy shifts, your confidence dips, and suddenly you’re questioning yourself for no clear reason.

In this episode, Brandi Kelly unpacks what’s really happening in those moments: not external chaos, but internal thoughts running unchecked. Through a personal story and practical teaching, she introduces a simple but powerful 5-step Thought Audit to help you pause, notice, and shift the thoughts shaping your emotions and decisions.

This is the quiet work of leadership most people never talk about—the ability to lead your thoughts before they lead you.

Key Takeaways

• Your emotional shifts are often driven by unexamined thoughts, not external events
• The brain naturally creates “stories” to make sense of situations—often leaning negative for protection
• You cannot change what you don’t notice
• Self-awareness is a leadership skill, not just a personal development idea
• Small mental shifts can create powerful changes in behavior, confidence, and clarity
• Progress begins with awareness, not perfection

Chapters

00:00 Recognizing Subtle Shifts in Energy

03:50 The Five-Step Thought Audit for Self-Awareness

08:26 Embracing Leadership and Hope

Resources Mentioned

• Spark Hope Community (for deeper leadership and mindset work)

👉 Learn more about Spark Hope: ⁠⁠https://sparkhopeedu.com⁠⁠👉 Legacy Partner - Conversari Press: https://www.conversaripress.com/

SEO Keywords

thought audit, self awareness, leadership mindset, emotional regulation, overthinking, mindset shift, personal development podcast, women in leadership, burnout recovery, cognitive reframing, mental clarity, leadership coaching, stress management, inner leadership, Spark Hope, Brandi Kelly podcast