Ep. 111: From the CIA to Storytelling - Tessa Robinson on Leadership, Resilience, and Service

Send us Fan MailTessa Robinson is seasoned communicator and storyteller with a rich background in public service and the military community joins Martin Foster on Passing The Torch. They discuss the importance of storytelling, the challenges of navigating bureaucracy, and Tessa's leadership philosophy shaped by her experiences. Tessa shares personal anecdotes about her family life, her work with military spouses, and the impact of community connections. The conversation also touches on her series, The Deployment Diary, which offers a candid look at military family life, and concludes with reflections on legacy and the joy of living authentically.-Quick Episode Summary:Tessa Robinson shares leadership, storytelling, and resilience from remarkable experiences.-SEO Description:Join Martin Foster as he interviews Tessa Robinson, award-winning author and storyteller, about leadership, authentic storytelling, and impactful mentorship.-🌟 Torch Takeaways and Key highlights:Everyone has a story, and the most important stories are often the ones that aren’t being told.Leadership means seeing—and appreciating—the people who keep things moving forward, whether they’re in the spotlight or behind the scenes.Vulnerability, authenticity, and mentorship are powerful gifts: give them and seek them.-Chapters:00:00 Dancing, Stress, and Super Bowl04:25 Storytelling Through Animated Design10:21 Leadership's Most Important Question13:02 Burnout, Transition, and Gratitude14:43 Passion for Supporting Military Spouses18:57 Storytelling's Power in Leadership21:49 Embracing Imperfection and Authenticity25:43 Surround Yourself with Inspiring People30:59 The Power of Mentorship32:08 Support Through Life TransitionsSupport the showConnect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartinMore Amazing Stories:Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You InsecureEpisode 81: Kurt Warner – Perseverance, Humility, and Lighting the Way Episode 90: Michelle 'MACE' Curran – How to Turn Fear into Fuel------------© 2026 TORCH LEAP®, LLC. All rights reserved.