If you've ever thought sabbatical is for someone else, someone further along, someone with a bigger team — this one is for you.

What You'll Learn:

• The difference between micro, medium, and macro rest — and why you need all three to lead sustainably
• Why sabbatical is not discipline, not a vacation, and not an escape — and what it actually is
• The abundance vs. scarcity mindset that determines whether a leader can truly rest
• Why boards and congregations fear sabbaticals — and how to address every one of those fears honestly
• The surprising truth about sabbatical as a leadership development tool for your entire team
• Why church planters can't afford to wait — and what to start doing now even if you're only three years in
• The six R's framework Alan uses to help leaders prepare well and waste nothing
• "Don't resign, redesign" — what it looks like to come back from sabbatical ready for the next decade

Key Insight:

You are not as valuable as you think — and that's actually great news. Sabbatical forces the leadership development your team needs, creates the empowerment you've been meaning to build, and reminds you that God was never depending on you to hold it all together in the first place.

Reflection Question:

What's your honest excuse for not pursuing sabbatical right now — and is it rooted in scarcity thinking or genuine wisdom?

This episode originally aired on the Nexus Church Planting Podcast. We're grateful to Andrew and the Nexus team for sharing it with the H2 community.

Connect with Nexus:

Full episode: https://www.nexus.us/episode/06-alan-briggs--demystifying-sabbaticals

Website: https://www.nexus.us

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nexus-church-planting-podcast/id1838803043

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd5AMLFOOTjdiQ8wiwMW51Q I

nstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nexus_church_planting/

Resources Mentioned:

The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide — available on Amazon

Sabbatical Coaching Group — sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com

Lilly Foundation Clergy Renewal Grants — lillyfoundation.org

The answer is almost always the same. They've been tending the grove for a long time. They just couldn't see it yet.

In this episode, I'm talking about the difference between the grove and the grocery store — and why so many leaders are frustrated not because they're failing, but because their expectations are off. We want grocery store results on a grove timeline. And that gap is where discouragement lives.

What You'll Learn:

• Why the leaders who are winning right now have had things growing below the surface for a long time — and what that means for where you are today
• The grove vs. the grocery store: two images that will change how you think about growth, results, and timing
• Why winter seasons in your organization aren't a sign of failure — they're when the roots grow deepest
• How pruning, dormancy, and rest prepare you for the next season of fruit
• Why expectations around speed are the real killer for most leaders — not what they're producing or not producing
• The crucible: what to do in the in-between season when you've left Egypt but haven't reached the promised land
• Why internal cultivation — your heart, your maturity, your self-awareness — matters as much as what you're building externally
• The reminder every leader needs: you are cultivating, but you are also being cultivated

Key Insight:

The grocery store is an illusion. It hides all the work — the soil preparation, the transportation, the years of tending before a single piece of fruit made it to the shelf. When we build our expectations around the grocery store, we miss the beauty and the necessity of the grove.

Reflection Questions:

Are you longing for grocery store results when you're actually in a grove season — and what would it look like to tend that grove well right now?

What crucible season has shaped you most, and how is that work showing up in what you're building today?

Want More?

For coaching, resources, and tools to help you lead as a Healthy + High Impact leader, visit h2leadership.com.

In this episode, Alan Briggs shares five necessary skills he believes every leader needs right now. Not hacks. Not productivity tips. These are the deeper practices that keep you grounded, tethered, and leading with conviction instead of anxiety, even when everything around you feels like it's spinning.

This is fresh teaching from Alan. He describes it as something that was crystallizing for him in real time. And if you've been feeling the weight of these anxious times in your leadership, this one is for you.

What You'll Learn:

• Why the antidote to overwhelm is not certainty — it's clarity, and how fighting for even 5% of it shifts everything
• What it really means to listen to understand — and why this skill matters most when change is highest
• The gift of Sabbath and micro-rest that most leaders have left unwrapped for years
• How to discern when and how to respond to crisis — and why you are not a PR firm required to comment on everything
• Why you need to audit who and what you're listening to — and what to do when your inputs are producing bad fruit
• The most counterintuitive leadership shift Alan has seen in a decade: trading winning for faithfulness
• What changes when you lead from conviction and Spirit-guided wisdom instead of pressure and anxiety

Key Insight:

When overwhelm is high, the antidote is not certainty — it is clarity. And when you fight for even a small amount of clarity, overwhelm and clarity have an inverse relationship. One goes up, the other comes down.

Reflection Questions:

• What would change if you led from conviction and Spirit-guided wisdom instead of pressure or anxiety?
• Of these five skills, which one do you most need to lean into right now — and what's one step you can take this week?

Resources Mentioned:

Right Side Up Journal — coaching companion tool (available on Amazon)

Want More?

For coaching, resources, and tools to help you lead as a Healthy + High Impact leader, visit www.h2leadership.com.

More than you'd think.

Andy Freed has been to 95 Bruce Springsteen concerts. And somewhere along the way, he realized there's a reason they call him "the Boss"—and it's not just because he can put on a three-hour show at age 75.

It's because Bruce Springsteen understands something most leaders miss: communication is leadership. And the way you communicate—your preparation, your energy, your intentionality—determines whether people follow you or just show up for the paycheck.

Andy is the founder and CEO of Virtual, a company that works with some of the biggest organizations in the world (Google, Meta, Microsoft, Visa, MasterCard) to help them solve multi-company collaboration challenges. And what he's discovered is that even the biggest companies struggle with the same thing: bad meetings, ineffective communication, and leaders who don't realize that every moment is a performance.

In this conversation, Andy breaks down his Think, Feel, Do framework for effective communication, explains why most meetings are "business karaoke," and shares what leaders can learn from the way Bruce Springsteen prepares for a show, energizes an audience, and makes every band member feel like the most important musician on earth.

What You'll Learn:

• Why communication is leadership—and why you can't be an effective leader without the ability to communicate well
• The Think, Feel, Do framework: how to prepare for any communication by asking what you want your audience to think, feel, and do by the end
• Why most leaders communicate thinking about themselves, not their audience—and how to flip that script
• The efficiency vs. effectiveness trap in meetings: why leaders focus on doing all things fast instead of doing the right things well
• Why bad meetings happen (hint: it starts with bad preparation)—and how to make meetings actually useful
• The "business karaoke" problem: why PowerPoint has become the karaoke track of corporate America and how to use it more effectively
• What Bruce Springsteen does at the end of every show that creates loyalty and longevity in his band (and why leaders need to do the same)
• William James's insight: the deepest human need is the need to be appreciated—deeper than hunger, sex, or money
• How to inspire loyalty and retention: making people feel seen and appreciated in small, consistent ways
• Why technology makes communication easier but worse—and how to be more intentional despite the ease of Zoom, Teams, and PowerPoint
• The AI revolution: why it's bigger than the internet was, and how leaders need to engage with it (hint: just play with it for an hour or two every day)
• Why getting people back to the office matters for building trust and relationships—and what's lost when the only interaction is ineffective Zoom meetings
• The "crowd at chow time" principle: how people learn the unwritten rules of business by being in proximity to others
• Why every moment is a performance for leaders: if you're looking at your phone in a meeting, you haven't said anything—and yet you've said everything
• The difference between good leaders and exceptional ones: exceptional leaders think about the audience first and focus on creating more leaders, not protecting their fiefdom
• Why energy is vital in leadership: if you want your team at 95%, you better show up at 100%—because they'll never exceed your energy level
• The "Born to Run" lesson: Bruce has played it 1,878 times and gives it his all every time—because you need to hear a message seven times to remember it, but most leaders lose interest after two or three
• How intentional leadership compounds: when you're deliberate about where you invest your energy, every moment counts

Key Insight:

Nobody cares about the information you're presenting more than you do. If you come in at 70% energy and expect your team to respond at 95%, you're setting yourself up for failure. Great leaders understand that communication isn't just about what you say—it's about how you prepare, how you show up, and whether you're thinking about what your audience needs to hear (not just what you want to say).

And here's the truth: the concepts in this conversation aren't complicated. The ways to go from good to great on communication are within your grasp. You just have to want it, value it, and be intentional about it. It won't happen by accident.

Reflection Questions:

• When you communicate, are you thinking about yourself or your audience?
• What do you want people to think, feel, and do at the end of your next meeting or presentation?
• Are you showing up with the energy you expect from your team?
• Are you creating more leaders, or protecting your leadership fiefdom?
• What would you prioritize if you had to be more intentional with your leadership energy?

Resources Mentioned:

• Lead Like the Boss: Leadership Lessons from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band 
• Virtual (Andy's company): helping organizations build multi-company consortia and solve collaboration challenges

Connect with Andy

• Instagram: afreed29
• YouTube: @5minuteswithandy
• Email: Info@andyfreed.com

About Andy Freed:

Andy Freed is a leadership expert, CEO, and communication strategist who has spent decades helping leaders and organizations improve how they connect, collaborate, and get things done. As the founder and CEO of Virtual, Andy works with some of the world's largest companies—including Google, Meta, Microsoft, Visa, and MasterCard—to build multi-company consortia that solve complex challenges in areas like interoperability and security.

Before founding Virtual, Andy worked in politics, helping candidates run for president, governor, and senator, where he learned firsthand the power of effective communication under pressure. When he transitioned to the private sector, he brought those insights with him, discovering that even the biggest companies struggle with the same fundamental problems: bad meetings, poor communication, and leaders who don't realize that every moment is a performance.

Andy is also a devoted Bruce Springsteen fan who has attended 95 concerts and counting. In his book Lead Like the Boss: Leadership Lessons from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Andy distills decades of leadership experience and insights from watching the Boss into practical, actionable frameworks that any leader can use to improve their communication, energize their teams, and create more leaders.

Most leaders think the answer to overwhelm is speed—more efficiency, tighter schedules, faster execution. But what if the real problem isn't that you're doing too little? What if it's that you're running at an unsustainable pace that's hurting you, your family, your work, and your team?

In this final episode of our Five Spheres of an H2 Leader series, we're tackling pace, how fast you're running, why you're running that fast, and what it's costing you.

Most leaders execute from anxiety and shame, not focus and clarity. They're running FROM something instead of running TO something. And when you run too fast for too long, everything suffers—your health, your relationships, your creativity, and your team's culture.

Alan breaks down the difference between personal activation (how fast you're running) and communal activation (how fast you're driving your team to run). And he introduces the concept that changes everything: effectiveness over efficiency.

What You'll Learn:

• Why most leaders execute from anxiety and shame instead of focus and clarity—and how to shift from running FROM something to running TO something
• Personal activation vs. communal activation: how your pace directly impacts everyone around you (whether you realize it or not)
• The efficiency trap: why focusing on "doing all the things as fast as possible" kills creativity, presence, and quality
• Peter Drucker's definition of effectiveness: doing the right things well—not all the things quickly
• How to identify if you're running at a sustainable pace: the 1-10 self-assessment and why most leaders overestimate their capacity
• Four things that suffer when you run too fast: your health (cardiac issues, stress, sleep), those you love (presence, connection), your work (creativity, quality, enjoyment), and your team (culture, morale, burnout)
• The seasonal awareness principle: why some sprint seasons are okay—but only if you know they're seasons with a beginning and an end
• Why hurry is literally killing you: the science on how chronic rushing impacts everything from heart health to weight to sleep quality
• The communal cost of your pace: how your speed becomes your team's speed—and why your anxiety cascades down the org chart
• Sabbath as the killer app: one day a week where you get to just be human, not a leader—and why this weekly rhythm recalibrates your entire pace
• The scarcity mentality test: if you find yourself saying "there's never enough time to ___," you're running from scarcity, not toward clarity
• How to move from efficiency (doing all things fast) to effectiveness (doing the right things well)
• Why you're probably not behind: the lie that you need to run faster, and the truth that you need to run smarter
• The Right Side Up Journal: a 10-minute daily practice to focus your day, prioritize what matters, and remember that your son's basketball game tonight is more important than your task list

Key Insight:

You have way more influence than you think. The people around you are watching how you run, feeling your anxiety, and absorbing your pace. When you slow down, you give your team permission to breathe. When you focus on effectiveness over efficiency, you create space for creativity, presence, and quality. When you Sabbath weekly, you remind yourself—and your team—that the world runs just fine without you grinding 24/7.

Reflection Questions:

• How sustainable is the pace you're running at right now? (1-10)
• What would your family say about your pace?
• What would your team say about the pace you're setting?
• Are you running FROM something (anxiety, shame, scarcity) or TO something (purpose, clarity, mission)?
• What are the 3-4 right things you should be doing right now—and are you doing them well, or just fast?

Series Context:

This is the fifth and final episode in our Five Spheres of an H2 Leader series. The five spheres are:

1. Influence - How you wield your relational and positional power
2. Health - How you live integrated and aligned to values and needs
3. Self-Awareness - How your emotions, assets, and liabilities impact others
4. Design - How you maximize your talents and abilities
5. Pace - How you move and drive others to move

If you haven't listened to the full series, go back and start with Episode 1. These five spheres work together as a tapestry—below-the-surface aspects of leadership that won't show up on scorecards or P&L statements, but deeply affect you, your family, your team, and your organization.

Resources Mentioned:

• Right Side Up Journal (available on Amazon) - 10-minute daily planning tool, 90-day process, 4th edition coming soon
• Peter Drucker's work on effectiveness vs. efficiency

The Five Spheres Recap:

This series has been about things below the surface—aspects of leadership that don't show up on websites or win columns, but shape everything. The higher you are on the org chart, the more these spheres impact the people around you.

We've covered influence (your power), health (your integration), self-awareness (your emotional impact), design (your unique wiring), and now pace (your speed and sustainability).

These aren't destinations. You don't arrive and get a trophy. You're in direction of becoming a healthy, high-impact leader. And that's the journey we're on together.

Want More?

We believe you are designed by a Designer who invites you to co-design your life with Him. If you don't believe that, you'll just get pulled along by your life—by social media, email, news cycles, and other people's urgency. But we believe it's intelligent, personal, and purposeful. You are invited to collaborate in your own life.

For coaching, consulting, and resources to help you lead as a Healthy + High Impact leader, visit h2leadership.com.

In a culture obsessed with comparison and counterfeits, most leaders spend their entire lives trying to become someone else. They look at other leaders and think, "How do they do that?" They scroll through feeds, compare themselves to the competition, and slowly lose sight of the one thing that makes them irreplaceable: their unique design.

Here's the truth: God put you on this earth with a unique spiritual, practical, relational, and emotional fingerprint. You are uniquely designed for impact. But if you don't understand your design, you'll spend your life getting lived by your circumstances instead of actively living with purpose and agency.

In this episode, we're diving into the fourth sphere of an H2 Leader: Design. This is about how you maximize your talents and abilities—not by copying someone else's playbook, but by discovering and unleashing what you're uniquely wired to do.

What You'll Learn:

• Why most people are getting lived by their lives instead of actively living them—and the main reason they don't have agency
• The difference between form (spark, beauty, passion) and function (usefulness, practicality, value)
• Why focusing only on passion is incomplete—and why we need to talk more about purpose and usefulness
• The IKEA principle: how form without function (or function without form) leads to unfulfilling work
• How to design your life like a designer by balancing what energizes you with what serves others
• The power of asking "How can I be of value?" instead of "Here's what I'm bringing"
• Why understanding your design is the key to preventing burnout (not just working less)
• How to identify the environments where you thrive—and why this matters more than you think
• The myth that you'll figure this out at 22—and why design clarity comes over time as form and function converge
• Real stories: the leader doing world-changing work who was intimidated by a simple board retreat (because it's not his design)
• Why one organization has a literal waiting list of people wanting to join their team—and what that says about leadership below the surface
• The connection between self-awareness (last week's episode) and design—you can't understand your design without self-awareness first

Key Insight:

Most leaders don't know their design, so they try to live someone else's. But when you understand your unique design—your strengths, your environments, your spark and your function—you stop wasting energy trying to be someone you're not. You unleash what only you can bring to the world.

Design isn't just about doing what you love. It's about the convergence of what energizes you (form/spark) and what serves others (function/usefulness). When those two come together, you become irreplaceable.

The Form + Function Framework:

Form (Spark): What makes you come alive? What environments fire you up? What work do you wake up wanting to do?

Function (Usefulness): How can you be valuable? What needs do you uniquely meet? Where can you serve?

When form and function overlap—that's your design. That's where you thrive.

Reflection Questions:

1. In what area of your life or leadership have you lost the spark—and what would it look like to tweak some things so you could recover it?
2. In what area can you be more valuable to the team you serve?
3. What is your ideal day at work? What is your absolute non-ideal day? (The gap reveals your design.)
4. What environments do you absolutely love walking into—where you think, "I can't believe I get to do this"?

Practical Exercise:

Map out your ideal day at work. Then map out your ideal Sabbath day (rest and replenishment). Then map out your absolute worst day—what drains you and feels like a beat down. The patterns you see will reveal your design.

Do an audit at the end of each day for a week: Rate the day 1-10 and ask why. You'll start to see what energizes you versus what drains you.

Resources Mentioned:

• Anti-Burnout by Alan Briggs (design principles threaded throughout)
• H2 Leadership Coaching (three-day intensive experiences to uncover your unique design)

Want More?

A major reason people burn out is they don't understand their design—they're living counter to how they're wired. If you want to go deeper on this, check out Alan's book Anti-Burnout and explore coaching at h2leadership.com.

For leaders who know there's more—the "more" isn't out there. It's right here. Once you have clarity on your unique design, you can take courageous next steps to actually live in it.

Self-awareness isn't a buzzword. It's the difference between walking into a meeting grounded or bringing your frustration, anxiety, and chaos with you—and watching it cascade to everyone around you.

Here's the truth: as goes the leader, so goes the team. Your mood changes rooms. Your anxiety creates anxiety. Your groundedness brings clarity.

In this episode, we're diving into the third sphere of leadership that most people ignore: how your emotions, your wiring, and your weaknesses are impacting the people you lead. Whether you realize it or not.

Since Daniel Goleman published his work on emotional intelligence, self-awareness has been everywhere. It's in every leadership book, every conference, every corporate training. But here's the irony: we're at an all-time high for talking about self-awareness and an all-time low for actually practicing it.

Why? Because we're too busy being others-aware. Always looking at what everyone else is doing. Always comparing. Always feeling behind.

This episode cuts through the noise and gives you three practical aspects of self-awareness that will change how you lead:

What You'll Learn:

• Why being "others-aware" is making you dangerously self-unaware—and how to fix it
• Social contagion: the psychological reality that your mood spreads to your team whether you want it to or not
• The space between stimulus and response—and why mastering this one thing prevents unnecessary blowups
• How to identify your emotional triggers before they derail your day (and a real story of how this saved a family evening)
• Why context determines the course: how your energy and encouragement levels shape every conversation
• Your assets vs. your liabilities: understanding what work energizes you and what work drains you
• Patrick Lencioni's Working Genius framework and why it's a game-changer for understanding your wiring
• The six types: geniuses, frustrations, and competencies—and how to identify yours
• Why it's not the amount of work burning you out, it's the type of work (and what to do about it)
• Drains and fills: how to design your days around what gives you energy
• Why some leaders love conferences and others absolutely hate them (it's all about wiring)
• How to build a team that complements your strengths and covers your weaknesses

Key Insight:

Most leaders think they're burned out because they're doing too much work. The reality? You're doing the wrong type of work for your wiring. If you spent eight hours a day doing spreadsheets when you're wired for ideation, you'd be burned out in weeks. If you're wired for details and you're forced to brainstorm all day, same result.

Self-awareness means knowing your drains and your fills—and designing your role around both.

The Three Aspects of Self-Awareness:

1. Emotions - How my emotions impact others
2. Assets - What energizes and fulfills me (my wiring, my geniuses)
3. Liabilities - What drains me (my frustrations, my weaknesses)

Reflection Questions:

1. What is one situation that brings you emotions that are unhealthy or unfair to the people around you?
2. What are a few assets or parts of your wiring that you need to be utilizing more in your role?
3. What are some liabilities you need to name to your team—and how can you do less of those things?

A self-aware leader can serve others well with full awareness of who they are and who they're not. This is identity work. You cannot be all things. You are not good at all things. And you cannot compare off somebody else's paper and expect to lead like them.

Resources Mentioned:

• Patrick Lencioni - The Six Types of Working Genius (book and assessment available at workinggenius.com)
• Right Side Up Journal - Coaching companion tool (available on Amazon)
• Daniel Goleman - Work on emotional intelligence

Want to go deeper?

We offer Working Genius training sessions for teams. If you're interested in bringing this framework to your organization, reach out to us at h2leadership.com.

For coaching, consulting, and resources to help you lead as a Healthy + High Impact leader, visit h2leadership.com.

Leadership is complex, but it doesn't have to be lonely. Let's get after it.

In this episode, we're continuing our series on The Five Spheres of an H2 Leader with a focus on the second sphere: Health. This isn't just about eating better or working out more. It's about living integrated and aligned to your values and needs.

Here's what we unpack:

The Definition of a Healthy Leader A healthy leader lives integrated and aligned to their values and needs. Integrated means what you say matches what you do. Aligned means nothing is wearing down in the background—no misalignment that causes pain elsewhere in your life or leadership.

Aspirational vs. Actual Values Most organizations have values on the website. But are they aspirational (who we want to be) or actual (who we really are)? If you say you value rest but never take a day off, that's an aspirational value—not an actual one. This episode challenges you to audit the gap between what you say and what you do.

Understanding Your Needs: Heart, Soul, Mind, Body Leaders have needs. You're not a machine. You're a human with limitations. Using the framework of heart, soul, mind, and body, we explore what drains you, what fills you, and where you're neglecting recovery. High-octane leaders need high-quality fuel and recovery—just like world-class athletes.

The Cost of Ignoring Health When leaders don't take care of their needs, there are always consequences. You might feel the pain in a different area—like a misaligned car that wears down the tread. Burnout, decision fatigue, and lost trust are just a few of the costs.

The Benefits of Getting Healthy When you increase your health, you increase trust. Trust increases speed and momentum in your organization. You decrease decision fatigue. You build rhythms that feel natural instead of forced. And you become the kind of leader people want to follow—not because you demand it, but because you model it.

Reflection Questions: • What values in your life and leadership are aspirational but not actual? • What personal needs do you have that you're not meeting? • Where are you disintegrated—saying one thing but doing another?

If you're ready to lead healthy and high-impact in 2026, this episode is your wake-up call.

Listen now and take your next right step toward becoming an H2 leader.

For coaching, consulting, and resources to help you lead as a Healthy + High Impact leader, visit www.h2leadership.com.

Instead of starting the year with goal setting alone, we're going beneath the surface to who you are as a leader. Because here's the reality: you have way more influence than you think — and how you wield that leadership influence shapes everything around you.

This episode kicks off our new series on The Five Spheres of an H2 Leader, starting with Influence. Over the next five episodes, we'll unpack the foundational areas every Healthy + High Impact leader must pay attention to: Influence, Health, Self-Awareness, Design, and Space.

Today, we're tackling the first sphere: how to use your influence to build empowering cultures instead of toxic leadership environments.

The Tale of Two Leaders

One leader I coach lives under the shadow of an insecure boss who constantly needs attention and affirmation. This sharp, competent leader has been slowly diminished over time — beaten down by someone who doesn't comprehend their own influence.

The other leader I coach does the exact opposite. They're constantly asking, "How can I raise my team up? How can I get them to shine?" They form a protective line so their people — especially young leaders — can succeed.

Beat down or lift up. That's the question.

Do the people around you feel diminished by your presence, or empowered by it?

What You'll Learn About Leadership Influence:

• Why your mood and emotional presence change the atmosphere of every room you enter
• The difference between wielding influence to diminish vs. multiply team effectiveness
• How unexamined leadership authority wounds people (even when you don't mean to)
• Why creating empowering cultures requires regular rhythms, not one-off gestures
• Practical ways to delegate effectively and raise others up without losing organizational effectiveness
• How to prevent leadership burnout by building trust-based team dynamics
• The 70% rule for when to hand off responsibilities and empower team members

Three Steps to Healthy Leadership Influence:

1. Comprehend the power you have — Ask your team how your leadership impacts them (both positively and negatively)
2. Find tangible ways to raise others up — Give credit, take blame, empower decisions, delegate authority
3. Stay grounded with a posture of service — Regularly, not just once a year. This is how sustainable leadership works.

Signs You're Using Influence Poorly:

• Your team hesitates to bring you problems or bad news
• People wait for you to make every decision (no empowerment)
• You walk into meetings grumpy and the whole room shuts down
• Team members don't feel trusted until they've "earned it"
• High turnover or quiet quitting in your organization

How to Build an Empowering Culture:

• Start with trust instead of making people earn it (Stephen Covey's "Speed of Trust" principle)
• Use the 70% rule: If someone can do it 70% as well as you with upward momentum, hand it off
• Give credit publicly, take blame privately
• Bring others with you to high-visibility opportunities
• Create decision-making frameworks so your team can act without you

Reflection Questions for Leaders:

• Who are you actively empowering right now?
• How are you specifically doing that?
• Do people around you feel lifted up or beat down by your leadership?
• What would your team say about your emotional presence?

Memorable Quote:

"The leader who does not comprehend their influence is bound to wound the people around them."

What's Next in This Series:

Next week, we dive into Sphere 2: Health — why leaders who don't take care of themselves can't sustain impact. If you want to lead with clarity instead of chaos in 2026, this series is your foundation.

Take Your Next Right Step:

Visit h2leadership.com for leadership coaching, team consulting, and resources to help you lead as a Healthy + High Impact leader.

If this episode served you:

• Rate and review the podcast
• Share it with another leader dealing with team dynamics or leadership burnout
• Subscribe so you don't miss the rest of the series on sustainable leadership

Leadership is complex, but it doesn't have to be lonely. Let's get after it.

Everywhere you look, leaders are being told to set bigger goals, move faster, and start strong. But what if the reason you feel stuck, unclear, or overwhelmed right now isn’t a motivation problem or a discipline problem?

What if it’s a season problem?

In this New Year–focused episode, Alan Briggs helps leaders slow down just enough to ask a better question before setting goals for 2026:

What season of leadership am I actually in right now?

Because when goals don’t match seasons, leaders burn out, teams get frustrated, and momentum stalls.

This conversation reframes New Year goal-setting through the lens of leadership awareness, helping you name where you’ve been, where you are, and what kinds of actions actually make sense in this season of life and leadership.

And stay to the end — Jonathan tees up a brand new series launching next week: The Five Spheres of an H2 Leader, designed to help you lead with both health and high impact in 2026.

• Why January goal-setting often creates pressure instead of clarity

• How to identify the season of leadership you’re currently in

• Why the question “What time is it for you?” matters more than resolutions

• How leadership seasons show up across work, family, health, and relationships

• Why ignoring seasons is one of the fastest paths to burnout

• How to pair the right actions with the season you’re actually living in

Don’t rush these. These questions are meant to ground your New Year, not hype it.

• What season of leadership are you coming out of?

• When did (or will) that season end?

• What season are you in right now — or clearly heading into?

• What should you say yes to in this season?

• What should you say no to in this season?

• What feels uncertain, scary, or disorienting about this transition?

These are powerful to work through alone — and even more powerful with a spouse, trusted friend, or leadership team.

Next week, we launch a new series walking through The Five Spheres of an H2 Leader — how to identify them, strengthen them, and lead in a way that’s both sustainable and impactful.

If you’re starting this year wanting clarity instead of chaos, you’re in the right place.

For more leadership resources, coaching, and tools to help you lead with health and high impact, visit www.h2leadership.com.

If this episode helped reframe your New Year:

• Follow or subscribe to the podcast

• Leave a rating and review

• Share this episode with a leader who feels pressure to “get it right” this year

When we started this podcast, it was just a wild idea. 500 episodes later, we're more convinced than ever: leadership doesn't have to cost you everything. You can lead well and live well.

To kick off 2026, Alan tackles something most leaders are feeling but few are naming: leadership claustrophobia—that squeezed, stuck sensation where everyone needs you all the time and there's no way out.

Here's the truth: You feel stuck. But you're not actually stuck.

Alan walks through the four feelings that keep leaders trapped—overwhelmed, myopic, exhausted, and behind—and gives you a clear, practical pathway out of each one. This isn't theory. It's the same framework Alan uses with the leaders he coaches every day.

If you're heading into 2026 saying "everyone needs me all the time," this episode is your reset.

The 4 Leadership Traps + Their Pathways Out:

→ Overwhelmed? You're lacking creativity. The pathway out is space—build gaps into your calendar so your brain can think again.

→ Myopic (stuck in the weeds)? You're lacking perspective. The pathway out is vantage—schedule a Think Day and lift above your leadership.

→ Exhausted? You're lacking freshness. The pathway out is recovery—Sabbath and vacation aren't luxuries, they're necessities.

→ Behind? You're lacking urgency. The pathway out is constraints—small deadlines create the momentum big goals never will.

• "You feel stuck, but you are not actually stuck. You have options. You can change things."
• The shift from victim to designer: stop reacting and start creating pathways out.
• When clarity goes up, overwhelm goes down.
• Think Days: a quarterly rhythm to get above your leadership and solve the big problems you keep kicking down the road.
• Sabbath and vacation are always important, never urgent—you won't feel like you need them until you should have had them three months ago.
• Constraints create urgency. Without deadlines, we procrastinate. Without sub-goals, we drift.

00:00 — Welcome to 2026 + Celebrating 500 Episodes 01:30 — What is Leadership Claustrophobia? 02:45 — The lie: "Everyone needs me all the time" 03:30 — From Victim to Designer 04:15 — The 4 Feelings That Keep Leaders Stuck 04:45 — Overwhelmed → Space 07:00 — Myopic → Vantage (Think Days) 10:00 — Exhausted → Recovery (Sabbath + Vacation) 13:30 — Behind → Constraints (Deadlines + Tracking) 17:00 — Recap: Which trap are you in? What's your next step? 18:30 — What's coming in 2026

1. Which of the four traps are you most stuck in right now: overwhelmed, myopic, exhausted, or behind?
2. What's one practical change you can make this week to create space, vantage, recovery, or constraints?
3. When was the last time you took a full day just to think? What would it take to put a Think Day on your calendar this quarter?

• Anti-Burnout by Alan Briggs: Amazon Link
• Right Side Up Journal: Alan's tool for weekly reflection—looking backward, inward, and forward.

Website: www.h2leadership.com Coaching: Ready to break out of leadership claustrophobia? Book a Breakthrough Session Podcast: www.h2leadershippodcast.com

If this episode helped you, take 30 seconds to rate, review, and share the podcast. It's the best way to help other leaders discover H2.

Happy 2026. Let's keep climbing.

The H2 Leadership Podcast is your practical resource for becoming a healthy and high-impact leader. New episodes every Thursday.

This conversation is a practical guide to finishing well, regaining clarity, and building momentum without burning out or carrying unnecessary weight into the new year.

You’ll learn:

• Why real momentum begins with subtraction, pruning, and clarity — not doing more

• How to create simple decision filters so every choice doesn’t drain your energy

• The “dance floor vs. balcony” mindset — working on your leadership, not just inside the grind

• Why mature leaders practice necessary endings instead of clinging to what used to work

• How clarity leads to freedom, focus, and healthier impact

Use these reflection prompts as you reset for 2026:

• What is slowing you down right now?

• What is one change that would increase your momentum heading into 2026?

• What are you too close to that someone else should carry or share?

• When you zoom out, what becomes clear about what must stay, shift, or end?

Give yourself at least an hour (two is better) to look back honestly — and aim your energy intentionally toward the year ahead. The real currency of leadership isn’t time… it’s energy.

If this episode serves you:

• Visit h2leadership.com for more tools and resources

• Like, rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast

• Share this episode with another leader who wants to be both healthy and high impact

Alan and Jonathan pull back the curtain on H2 Leadership's biggest moves of 2025: restructuring, rebranding, and the roots work nobody sees. If you've ever wondered whether we actually live out what we teach, this episode is your answer.

If you've ever wondered whether we live out what we teach, this episode is your answer. 

In This Episode:

• Why healthy organizations run toward problems, not away
• The "awkward in-between" of restructuring (and why it's worth it)
• How to build systems that elevate your team and clients
• The difference between survival questions and flourishing questions
• Why the best moves feel worse before they feel better

Timestamps:

00:00 — Year-end reflections

01:07 — Two types of organizations in uncertain times

06:51 — Restructuring and the awkward in-between

12:25 — Elevating through systematization

14:44 — Brand clarity: H2 Leadership rebrand

22:00 — Integration: aligning systems and values

24:44 — Advancement: taking new ground

Resources:

• AntiBurnout by Alan Briggs: https://a.co/d/9Xzn5mJ
• The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide: https://a.co/d/59DGahr

Connect: Website: www.h2leadership.com Sabbatical Coaching: www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com

Gordon’s voice has shaped generations of leaders, and this episode captures why. Through stories, insights, and honest reflection, he gives leaders a practical roadmap for building resilient lives and ministries that last.

Whether you’re a pastor, organizational leader, or simply someone seeking deeper impact, this conversation offers clarity, perspective, and hope.

• Why spiritual friendship is essential for healthy leadership

• How to cultivate intergenerational mentoring relationships

• The stages of a leader’s calling—and how they develop over a lifetime

• Why older leaders must invest in younger leaders

• How to build communities that encourage resilience rather than burnout

• The hidden dangers leaders face in midlife and beyond

• What Gordon wishes every leader understood about marriage, family, and calling

Gordon MacDonald is a pastor, author of more than a dozen books, and the former Chancellor of Denver Seminary. For over 40 years, he has invested in leaders across the world through writing, preaching, mentoring, and spiritual formation work. His books Ordering Your Private World and Building Below the Waterline remain foundational leadership resources.

00:00 — Introduction 02:45 — Gordon’s early calling and formation 07:10 — The mentors who shaped him 12:40 — Why intergenerational friendship matters 18:25 — The role of spiritual friendship in leadership 24:55 — Healthy vs unhealthy leadership communities 31:20 — Calling after 60: why most leaders miss it 38:15 — Marriage, family, and the real “Lord’s work” 45:40 — What the next generation needs from older leaders 52:10 — Gordon’s challenge to leaders today 57:55 — Final thoughts

For coaching, resources, and tools for Healthy + High Impact leadership, visit: www.h2leadership.com

If this episode encouraged you, please:

• Rate the podcast

• Review the show

• Share it with another leader

• Subscribe so you never miss an episode

Your engagement helps other leaders discover conversations like this.

Jimmy brings honesty, clarity, and courage as he talks about race, unity, culture, marriage, and the everyday leadership choices that build trust. This is a practical and grounded guide for leaders who want to lead with compassion, stay curious in hard conversations, and create cultures where people feel seen and valued.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to have “family conversations” around race with honesty and safety

• Why unity is not uniformity—and what real unity requires

• How to ask better questions and lead with curiosity, not fear

• Practical language that diffuses tension and builds trust

• What healthy leaders must confront in themselves to lead others well

• Jimmy’s personal story of pain, growth, marriage restoration, and calling

Healthy and High Impact leaders lead with compassion, curiosity, and courage. This conversation is a masterclass in all three.

Connect with Jimmy Rollins: imjimmyrollins.com www.twoequalsone.com Instagram: @jimmyrollins

Connect with H2 Leadership: For coaching, resources, and tools to help you grow as a Healthy and High Impact leader, visit www.h2leadership.com

If this episode helps you, like, rate, review, and subscribe. It helps more leaders discover the podcast.

In this solo episode, Alan unpacks a simple but powerful idea: only the hungry change. You can’t force your kids to change, your team to change, or your friends to change. You can barely force yourself to change. But when hunger meets a clear process, transformation becomes possible.

Alan walks through a practical framework he calls the Wheel of Transformation – moving from new awareness, to new actions, to new rhythms. He shares personal stories about getting called out on weak hamstrings, losing steam on his goals, and how small, consistent steps have led to real change over time.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve tried to fix the same thing a hundred times and you’re still stuck, this episode will give you language, hope, and a concrete path forward.

• Why frustration and disappointment are usually gaps in expectation, not signs that you’re failing

• What it means that “only the hungry change” – and how to honestly assess your own hunger

• How new awareness (internal or external feedback) is the first step toward real change

• Why information alone is not enough – and what has to come after clarity

• How to move from awareness to new actions through courage and small next right steps

• Why the real transformation happens when new actions become new rhythms

• Where most leaders stumble: trying to change without community, accountability, or a clear process

• How coaching, tools, and simple calendars can help you build consistency instead of chasing quick fixes

• “Only the hungry change. Hunger is the currency of change.”

• “Information isn’t bad. It’s just not enough.”

• “New awareness → new actions → new rhythms.”

• “Great leaders aren’t the ones who take one big step; they’re the ones who keep taking their next right step.”

• Wheel of Transformation Tool Want a simple visual tool to help you walk through this process? Request the Wheel of Transformation and we’ll send it to you. → Visit h2leadership.com and use the contact form to ask for the Wheel of Transformation tool.

• Breakthrough Coaching Session If you feel stuck in one area of life or leadership and need clarity on your next right step, you can request a free 30-minute breakthrough coaching session with our team. → Learn more and reach out at www.h2leadership.com.

In this episode, Alan sits down with culture coach and author Jenni Catron to unpack why culture matters more than we think and how clarity becomes the foundation for trust, engagement, and healthy growth.

Jenni shares her own journey from the music industry into executive church leadership, and the jarring contrast between a life-giving culture and a toxic one. She explains why leaders can’t just “hope” for a great environment – they need a plan to build it with intention.

They talk about the signs your culture is drifting, why people often go quiet long before they quit, how to invite honest feedback without losing your voice as a leader, and why patience and persistence are essential when you start changing long-standing patterns on your team.

If you lead a staff, a volunteer team, or you’re trying to rebuild a culture you inherited, this conversation will give you language, practical steps, and hope.

• Why great culture is really about clarity of who you are and how you work together

• How the environment leaders create can make or break team engagement

• The subtle warning signs your team has stopped believing their voice matters

• How to ask for feedback when some decisions aren’t actually up for debate

• Why culture change takes 6–12 months of patience and persistence

• Simple rhythms (meetings, one-on-ones, shout-outs) that reinforce a healthy culture over time

Healthy and high-impact leadership doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens in cultures that are clear, honest, and aligned around the mission. This episode will help you take your next step in building that kind of environment.

Jenni is the author of several books including Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence and The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership. She loves a fabulous cup of tea, great books, learning the game of tennis and hiking with her husband. Jenni can be found on social media at @jennicatron and at www.get4sight.com.

Grab a copy of Culture Matters

For more tools, coaching, and resources to help you become a healthy and high-impact leader, visit www.h2leadership.com.

And if this episode was helpful, please like, rate, review, and subscribe to the H2 Leadership Podcast. Every review helps other leaders discover the show.

But this conversation isn’t about fear. It’s about forming the kind of roots that can sustain real fruit.

Alan shares practical insights on:

• Why success often feels emptier than we expect

• The surprising truth that what got you here won’t get you there

• How success multiplies options, noise, and expectations

• Why leaders lose honest feedback when they gain influence

• The difference between external fruit and internal roots

• The identity dreams every healthy leader should define

• How to build a life that matches the person you’re becoming

• What it takes to grow without losing yourself, your family, or your soul

If you’re leading a team, building a company, or navigating a season of rapid growth, this episode gives you a framework to name what’s happening beneath the surface — and an invitation to design a healthier, more intentional way to live and lead.

• Success reveals weaknesses success created.

• Leaders need pre-made filters to protect their time and energy.

• Roots = identity, health, and formation. Fruits = visible impact.

• Without strong roots, success will topple you like a pine tree in a storm.

• Identity dreams > traditional goals.

• Investment always feels like loss before it feels like growth.

• Healthy leaders design their lives on purpose — not in reaction.

Include these in your notes for authority + click-through:

• Learn more about H2 Coaching: https://www.h2leadership.com

• Get Alan’s book “Anti-Burnout”: https://a.co/d/9Xzn5mJ

• Follow the H2 Leadership Podcast: https://www.h2leadershippodcast.com

If this episode resonated, share it with a leader who needs it — and leave a quick rating or review so more leaders can discover the show.

Episode Summary: If you’ve ever left a conversation wishing you’d asked a better question, this episode is for you. J.R. Briggs shares the mindsets and mechanics behind powerful questions at work, at home, in faith, and why leaders who cultivate curiosity build healthier, higher-impact teams. We explore obstacles like expertise traps, speed, and “question deserts,” then get tactical with preparation prompts, in-the-moment practices, and post-conversation reflection.

You’ll Learn: • The difference between clarity questions and connection questions • Practical coaching prompts: trade-offs, the capital-C Challenge, and “what do you really want?” • How one courageous question (Darryl Davis) can disarm hostility • A repeatable rhythm to prepare, participate, and reflect after conversations • How asking better questions reduces decision fatigue and builds trust

Key Quote: “Questions are pre-made decisions that make the moment simple.”

Giveaway: Ask J.R. your question and enter to win his new book. Email h2leadership.com

In this episode, Alan Briggs helps leaders make the crucial shift from intuitive to intentional, showing how to build systems and filters that multiply impact and prevent burnout. If your team constantly depends on you for decisions, it’s time to get what’s in your head into theirs — so your organization can grow beyond your personal capacity.

Alan unpacks insights from the middle of his book, Anti-Burnout: A Lighter Way to Live and Lead in a Heavy World, and breaks down a practical process that will help you lead more effectively without carrying it all alone.

• Why your best ideas and decisions shouldn’t stay in your head

• The three essentials for moving from intuitive to intentional: process, courage, and trust

• How to clarify your vision, mission, and values so your team can act without hesitation

• The four H filters every leader needs (humble, hungry, honest, high-capacity)

• How to reduce decision fatigue and build simple, repeatable decision-making filters

• Why slowing down, documenting, and delegating is an investment, not a setback

• How releasing control can actually expand your influence and create new space for creativity

“Filters are pre-made decisions that make decision-making in the moment simple.”

• Book: Anti-Burnout: A Lighter Way to Live and Lead in a Heavy World by Alan Briggs

• Learn more about H2 Leadership: www.h2leadership.com

• Schedule a Breakthrough Coaching Session: h2leadership.com/#breakthrough

If this episode helped you rethink how you lead, leave a review or share it with a leader who’s carrying too much alone.

Follow the H2 Leadership Podcast for more practical, human conversations that help you live and lead Healthy + High Impact.

Whether you’re writing a book, launching a new initiative, creating a new offering, or trying to push a big idea across the finish line, this episode gives you a proven path forward rooted in clarity, momentum, and healthy leadership practices.

This teaching comes directly from the H2 coaching process and aligns with the principles in Alan’s book Anti-Burnout: A Lighter Way to Live and Lead in a Heavy World.

• Why feeling stuck is not a leadership flaw—it’s a signal

• The first mindset shift required to create movement

• The exact 3 questions you must ask to break through resistance

• How healthy leaders use who and how to move faster—with less stress

• A practical way to break down overwhelming projects into actionable next steps

1. Who can help me?

2. How can I do this more lightly (not harder)?

3. What smaller chunks can I break this into?

• Anti-Burnout: A Lighter Way to Live and Lead in a Heavy World by Alan Briggs

• Coaching with H2 Leadership – Learn more at H2Leadership.com

If this episode helped you get clarity, share it with a leader who needs momentum. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps more leaders discover tools for health and high impact.

• 00:00 – Why every leader gets stuck

• 02:40 – The difference between feeling stuck and being stuck

• 04:15 – Step 1: Naming the project

• 05:30 – Question #1: Who can help me?

• 07:45 – Question #2: How can I do this more lightly?

• 09:50 – Question #3: Break it into chunks

• 12:00 – Final leadership challenge & call to action

Together they unpack how to think beyond success and retirement to build something that outlives you—faith, family, and purpose that multiplies through generations.

• What inspired Legacy Life and why legacy is a system, not a season

• The key difference between legacy and generosity

• Why retirement isn’t the finish line for leaders of faith

• How to clarify your identity, calling, and assignment

• The practical process to write your family vision, mission, and values

• Why storytelling is vital for passing down faith and wisdom

• A simple model for repairing conflict and celebrating progress

• The mindset of a 100-year leader and how to start now

01:06 – The story behind Legacy Life 03:34 – Rethinking retirement: calling never expires 07:36 – Legacy vs. generosity: why generosity is a symptom 10:21 – Inheritance vs. legacy: passing on what truly lasts 12:15 – Creating family vision, mission, and values 17:27 – Setting legacy in motion (not leaving it behind) 22:09 – Simple steps to start your family legacy plan 26:22 – Why storytelling keeps generations connected 29:58 – Repairing the past and celebrating progress 32:26 – The 100-year family mindset 36:20 – Final takeaways: eternal impact through intentional living

David Green — Founder & CEO, Hobby Lobby Bill High — CEO, Legacy Stone; co-author of Legacy Life: Leading Your Family to Make a Difference for Eternity

• 📘 Legacy Life — [https://a.co/d/1vS943R]

• Legacy Stone — https://www.legacystone.com/about

• Hobby Lobby — [hobbylobby.com]

• Learn more at [h2leadership.com]

If this episode challenged or encouraged you, share it with one person you respect—and take 20 minutes this week to write down your family’s top five values. Legacy begins there.

You’ll hear:

• The story of a coaching client who ignored the “alignment rumble” too long

• Why wiring, purpose, and team are the three biggest alignment zones

• How to use the Working Genius Assessment to clarify your design

• The Drains & Fills exercise to reclaim energy and focus

• A simple Pacing Check to make sure your speed matches your team’s capacity

• Two reflection questions to realign your work this week

“You will hit potholes. You will need realignment. It’s not if—it’s when.”

Reflection Questions

1. How can you align your work more closely to your wiring?

2. What change can you make to align more closely with your team?

Tools Mentioned

• www.h2leadership.com for more tools and resources.

00:00 – What is an H2 Leader? Health and high impact in harmony 02:15 – The need for new brakes and better alignment 03:30 – What misalignment looks and feels like 05:00 – The story of “Tim”: when wiring, purpose, and team fall out of sync 07:00 – The cost of misalignment in leadership and culture 09:20 – The great disengagement: how misalignment kills engagement 10:00 – Tools for realignment: Working Genius, Drains & Fills, Pacing Check 11:45 – Reflection questions and next steps

Subscribe and follow the H2 Leadership Podcast for more episodes. Share this episode with another leader who might be feeling “out of alignment.”

From a beach pop-up studio in Delray Beach, we unpack:

• Why the name change (clarity over clever): people loved our work but didn’t always “get” the name.

• What H2 Leadership means: health (heart, soul, mind, body, relationships) + sustainable impact.

• Energy > time: lead by ROE—Return on Energy, not just calendars and hustle.

• The core shift: moving from reactive to proactive leadership.

• Priorities → elimination: clarity creates riverbanks; a to-don’t list protects what matters.

• Who we serve: business, nonprofit, and ministry leaders—any catalyst who wants to lead well.

You’ll learn

• A simple way to audit the 5 domains of health

• How to tune tension (like a guitar string) between health and impact

• Practical steps to reclaim focus and build momentum with your team

• What’s changing (brand, clarity, systems) and what’s not (our mission + coaching)

Chapters 00:00 Welcome & context 01:05 Why we’re rebranding 04:10 What “healthy + high impact” looks like 06:20 The five domains of health 09:20 What’s changing vs. what stays 11:25 ROE: Return on Energy 12:15 From reactive to proactive 13:55 Priorities, riverbanks & elimination 17:40 Who we serve (catalysts) 20:05 What’s next + how to connect

Links

• Start here: https://www.h2leadership.com

• The H2 Leadership Podcast hub: https://www.h2leadership.com/podcast

Stay connected

• YouTube: @H2Leadership

• Instagram: @h2leaders

• LinkedIn: H2 Leadership

Call to Action If this helped, follow the show and share it with a leader you care about. Want personal coaching or team support? Tap the link above and let’s begin your H2 journey.

In this episode, Jonathan and Alan unpack why grounded leaders are desperately needed right now and how they shape healthier, more focused, and high-impact teams. You’ll hear:

• The difference between being efficient with tasks and being effective with people

• Why grounded leaders produce both internal fulfillment and external impact

• Practical ways to shift from scattered to grounded leadership

• The markers of a healthy, focused team versus a stressed, reactive one

• How to stop doing in the name of efficiency and start doing in the name of effectiveness

If you’re feeling the weight of distraction, burnout, or constant urgency, this episode will help you re-center on what matters most and lead in a way that protects both your health and your team’s impact.

👉 Don’t miss the other episodes in this leadership series:

• The Leadership Shift You Need Right Now

• Activity Is Not the Same as Action: The Value of Well-Crafted Work

This isn’t theory—it’s field-tested, grace-filled, and immediately actionable.

• Coaching vs. Counseling (the clean line): when you need tools to move forward vs. when you need to heal backward

• How to spot pop-psych “silver bullets” and what trustworthy care actually looks like

• A fast diagnostic lens for depression: intensity + duration (and what to do next)

• ADHD or overloaded attention? Trauma, screens, and why so many leaders are being mis-labeled

• Burnout’s bottom layer: dissociation/avoidance—and how to interrupt the loop

• Boundary basics for pastors (why “I don’t know—let me check” is leadership strength)

• How to build a staff culture of care (and discuss hard topics without guessing)

• 00:00 — Why this conversation matters now

• 02:30 — Coaching vs. counseling: the simplest way to decide

• 05:25 — The danger of pop psychology & “quick fixes”

• 08:20 — Inside The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry (how to use it fast)

• 12:25 — High-performing families & hidden pressure

• 16:30 — Where churches are actually making progress

• 19:10 — Staff discussions you should be having (and how)

• 20:40 — Depression in leaders: signs & next steps

• 32:30 — ADHD or attention trained by trauma & screens?

• 36:00 — What sits under burnout—and how to respond

• 40:50 — A word to lonely leaders: you don’t have to know it all

• Book: The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry — Dr. Mark Mayfield (Baker)

• Site: MentalHealthMadeSimple.life (discussion guides & tools) Mental Health Made Simple: For the churches

• Stay Forth: Coaching for healthy + high-impact leadership

Clinician, professor at Colorado Christian University, author, speaker, and former pastor. Mark equips churches to receive and care well for people in mental and emotional struggle—and to keep pastors healthy in the process.

Leaders who love what they do often give until they break. Arianna calls this deep shame — the disorienting feeling of losing yourself when the work you once loved starts consuming you. Together, Alan and Arianna explore how to recognize the early signs of burnout, why calling carries both resilience and risk, and how leaders can craft healthier rhythms to sustain their impact.

👉 In this episode:

• Why those who feel “called” are statistically the most prone to burnout

• The unique fingerprint of burnout that purpose-driven leaders face

• Practical daily, weekly, and quarterly rhythms to de-stress and reset

• The role of micro-breaks, community, and job-crafting in sustaining your leadership

• How to pre-plan rest before you need it

This isn’t a “work less” conversation — it’s a “work sustainably” conversation. If your leadership matters, your health matters more.

📘 Grab Arianna’s book Healthy Calling anywhere books are sold. 🌐 Connect with us at Stay Forth and learn how to lead healthy + high impact.

Recorded on location from the island of Terceira in the Azores, Alan shares reflections from his very first pilgrimage—a spiritual journey with a physical component. What began as a walk through unfamiliar terrain turned into a profound time of rest, reflection, and reconnection with God.

If you’ve ever felt burned out, spiritually dry, or simply curious about how to slow down long enough to hear from God… this one’s for you.

In this episode, Alan explores:

• What really is a pilgrimage—and why it matters today

• The tension between being a tourist and a seeker

• Unexpected spiritual lessons from Holy Spirit houses and Catholic cathedrals

• Questions that shaped each day: How have I limited God? How am I different when I rest?

• How nature, walking, and reflection unlock new clarity and connection

This isn’t your typical leadership episode—and that’s the point.

Feeling the nudge to take your own pilgrimage? Whether that looks like a long walk or a short retreat, we hope this conversation helps you slow down, listen deeper, and reorient around what truly matters.

Stay in the Loop Get resources, tools, and updates from the Stay Forth team: stayforth.com

Let’s Connect Leave a review, share this episode, and tag us on social: #StayForthLeadership

We all feel it. That little computer in our pocket is shaping our attention, our relationships, and even our leadership. But what if our phones aren’t just tools—they’re thorns?

In this episode of the Stay Forth Leadership Podcast, Alan Briggs sits down with Joey Odom, co-founder of Reclaim Well and the ARO Box

In this episode, Alan and Jonathan unpack why purpose acts like a compass — keeping you oriented, steady, and moving in the right direction when everything else feels chaotic. Alan shares his discipline of taking quarterly Think Days to step back, reflect, and regain clarity. You’ll hear how these rhythms not only renew his own leadership but also fuel alignment and energy for his entire team.

This conversation also dives into the Unique Design framework — the intersection of your wiring, gifting, and calling. When you discover and lead from your unique design, you stop running on fumes and start moving with focus, impact, and fulfillment.

Whether you’re leading a business, an organization, or your family, this episode will help you rediscover your compass and navigate with confidence.

• Why leaders lose clarity when they don’t create space to think

• How a Think Day can reset your focus and energy

• The 4 H’s Alan looks for in every coaching client

• How to spot your “fills and drains” and delegate wisely

• The critical difference between dumping and delegating

• Why aligning with your Unique Design increases resilience and impact

• Two key reflection questions to help you realign with your deeper purpose

• Unique Design Framework — Want to discover your unique leadership design? 👉 Email: Stayforth.com

Take a moment to sit with these two questions:

1. What’s the deeper purpose that’s driving your life and leadership?

2. Where have you lost sight of that purpose along the way?

Use them to journal, fuel a team discussion, or even guide your own Think Day.

Remember: Your purpose is your compass. Stay true to it, and you’ll lead yourself — and others — with clarity, health, and lasting impact.

In this episode, Jonathan Collier and Alan “Stay Forth” Briggs unpack why self-leadership is the hidden competitive advantage in today’s world, how to model it for your team, and what practical habits build trust faster than any title or resume ever could.

You’ll learn:

• Why consistency breeds credibility (and how to spot it on any team)

• The simple 3-foot rule that keeps your leadership grounded

• How to model behaviors your team will actually copy

• Why deadlines and follow-through create instant trust

• How to manage your energy, not just your calendar

• The tension between bringing your best and not being perfect

• Practical steps to raise your self-leadership game this week

Reflection Questions:

1. Where are you leaking time and energy?

2. What’s one area in your leadership where you need more accountability?

Resources Mentioned:

• Right Side Up Journal by Stay Forth — https://a.co/d/fUaXcFh

Subscribe for more healthy + high-impact leadership conversations so you can multiply your influence without losing yourself in the process.

You’ll learn Alan’s 3-C framework for navigating change (Change | Clarity | Communication), plus practical habits to build both proactive steadiness and responsive flexibility so you can lead with confidence through every season.

• What Is Resilience? Why it’s not grit or forced optimism, but the ability to maintain your values, boundaries, and priorities when your world shifts.

• The 3-C Framework:

  1. Change is inevitable—embrace that it’s coming.

  2. Clarity lets you decide your next move, even in uncertainty.

  3. Communication (louder and clearer!) keeps your team trusting you through every pivot.

• Proactive vs. Responsive Practices: – Proactive: Routines that build your “resilience muscle” (sleep, exercise, Sabbath rhythms). – Responsive: Short breaks and mental shifts when the unexpected pops up (a tech failure, a new tariff, a sudden deadline).

• Why Reevaluation Matters: How and why you must regularly revisit your goals, metrics and projections as conditions evolve.

• Quick Tips for Staying Grounded: – Five daily habits Jonathan and Alan swear by. – The “stimulus → pause → response” window you can train for.

• Change never knocks—it busts in like the Kool-Aid Man.

• You can’t control every shift—but you can control how you prepare and respond.

• Communicate more (not less!) when things feel most uncertain.

• Clarity of next steps beats false hope: ask “Who can help me?” and “What 2–3 areas do I need to grow?”

• Stop chasing certainty—build your resilience through repeated small wins and honest conversations.

1. Pause & Reflect: How do you typically respond when change hits?

2. Pick One Practice: Schedule one proactive habit this week (e.g. a 10-minute walk, dedicated Sabbath hour, or quick mindfulness break).

3. Reevaluate: Block off 15 minutes to update your top 3 priorities in light of any recent shifts.

• Right Side Up Journal — Alan’s go-to tool for weekly audits and clarity

• Anti-Burnout — a coaching-powered guide to sustainable leadership

What You’ll Learn:

• Why Hobbies Matter: How leisure activities serve as mental rest, spark creativity, and renew passion for work and family.

• Focal Practices: The power of “idle,” present-moment activities that reconnect you to what truly matters.

• Benefits of Hobbies: From distraction of weighty issues to replenishment cycles that boost productivity.

• Rediscovery vs. Discovery: Tips for uncovering the hobbies you loved as a kid—or stumbling on new ones today.

• Practical Steps: How to schedule your first hobby session in two weeks—no guilt, no strings attached.

Key Takeaways:

• Hobbies are “get-to” activities in a “have-to” world.

• Even large organizations credit “white-space” time for breakthroughs.

• Simple focal practices (gardening, evening walks, hammocking) anchor joy and presence.

• Your work, relationships, and well-being depend on carving out hobby time.

Action Challenge: Block off a 2-hour window in your calendar this week for your rediscovered hobby—whether it’s fly-fishing, woodworking, dancing, or simply sitting in a hammock—and notice how you feel afterward.

Resources Mentioned:

• Anti-Burnout: A Coaching Pathway

• The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide

Have questions or want to share your hobby rediscovery story? Drop us a note at hello@stayforth.com or leave a comment wherever you listen.

• The difference between transactional (BNI-style) and relational (Coharbor-style) approaches

• How a high-trust culture drives better engagement, retention, and results

• The 3 Cs every leader needs—Curiosity, Care, and Consistency—and how to practice them

• Real-world signs your organization is drifting into “just manage” mode

• Reflection questions to help you shift from “What can they do for me?” to “How can I serve them?”

Whether you lead a small team or a global enterprise, you’ll come away equipped to strengthen trust, spark engagement, and multiply your impact—one authentic connection at a time.

1. Welcome & Summer Check-in

   • Mid-summer realities: schools shopping in July, transactional everywhere

   • Why relational leadership matters now

2. Two Networking Models

   • Transactional: “Get leads, hit quotas” (BNI-style)

   • Relational: “Get to know the person first” (Coharbor-style)

3. Why Trust Trumps Transactions

   • As goes the leader, so goes the culture

   • Real-life boardroom example: cold, closed vs. warm, open

4. Signals of Low-Trust vs. High-Trust Cultures

   • Do people feel safe to speak up?

   • Are values just on the wall, or lived daily?

   • Celebration vs. checkbox mentality

5. The 3 Cs of Relational Leadership

   1. Curiosity: Ask what’s really on people’s minds

   2. Care: Show genuine concern for the human, not just the role

   3. Consistency: Do your values and words match your actions—every day

6. Practical Steps to Shift

   • Check your own inbox: person or task?

   • Communicate context + clarity + candor

   • Use “three strikes” principle: when a tool or process fails repeatedly, pick up the phone

7. Reflection Questions

   • How relational is my current leadership?

   • Where am I defaulting to transactions over relationships?

   • Who needs more of my presence (not just my direction)?

• Anti-Burnout ⇒ https://a.co/d/89z1Vrr

• The Sabbatical Journey ⇒ https://a.co/d/i5dXSLS

If you enjoyed this episode, please:

1. Subscribe to “Stay Forth Leadership” on Apple Podcasts

2. Rate & Review—your five stars help others find the show!

3. Share with a friend or colleague who’s ready to lead from relationship, not just transaction

Press play to learn how to develop “healthy tunnel vision” in a scattered world, why prioritization and elimination go hand-in-hand, and how to stay accessible (not available) so you can protect your best work. If you find yourself grasping at tasks like kids in a wind-tunnel booth grabbing dollar bills, this episode will give you a clearer, calmer path forward.

Key Takeaways

• Scattered vs. Strategic: Today’s world bombards us like a wind-tunnel booth of swirling dollar bills. You must choose a few priorities—and let the rest go.

• Effectiveness > Efficiency: Machines optimize for efficiency; leaders optimize for impact by focusing on the right 2–3 actions.

• Prioritize & Eliminate: To truly excel, ruthlessly say “no” to good things so you can say “yes” to the best things.

• Accessible ≠ Available: You can remain reachable without being on-call 24/7—protect deep-work blocks as sacred.

• Model the Change: A leader’s bandwidth sets the bar for their team. Guard your own focus to help everyone guard theirs.

Set aside 10–15 minutes today with your journal or notes app. Answer honestly:

1. How scattered am I right now? Where is your attention leaking?

2. What’s distracting me from what matters most? Identify the “dollar bills” you’re chasing.

3. What’s one commitment I must say “no” to this fall so I can laser-focus on my top priorities?

📘 The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide → https://a.co/d/haM9rSR

📓 Right Side Up Journal (Weekly & Quarterly Audit) → https://a.co/d/fUaXcFh

You’ll discover:

• Why rest requires trust—and how to build it in real time

• The 7 types of rest (creative, sensory, spiritual, and more) that recharge you

• Real stories from their June adventures (Grand Canyon epiphanies, half-day schedules, family trips)

• How to move from negative-one burnout mode to a place of abundance

• The power of “accessible vs. available” boundaries for sustainable rest

Press play, clear your mental clutter, and unlock the productive power of true rest.

• Rest ≠ Inaction: Rest as a powerful, generative action—an investment, not waste

• Trust & Rest: Why letting go (half-day schedules, family getaways) is the first step

• 7 Types of Rest: Creative, sensory, spiritual, and more (from Sacred Rest by Sandra Dalton-Smith)

• Negative-One vs. Abundance: How to tell if you’re operating from a deficit—and how to climb back to zero

• Accessible vs. Available: Setting rest boundaries while remaining dependable

Grab a journal or open your notes app. Spend 10–15 minutes exploring:

1. When was the last time I felt truly rested? (Six months ago? A year? More?)

2. Which form of rest does my mind/body/spirit need most right now? (Creative, sensory, physical, spiritual, social, etc.)

3. What’s my next single step to develop a healthy, repeatable rhythm of rest?

The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide → https://a.co/d/haM9rSR

Right Side Up Journal (Weekly & Quarterly Audit) → https://a.co/d/fUaXcFh

Sacred Rest by Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith (on the 7 Types of Rest) → [Search “Sacred Rest Dalton-Smith” on your favorite bookstore]

Discover how a simple weekly audit in the Right Side Up Journal helps Alan pull back from the whirlwind, process his emotions, and plan ahead so he can truly be with the people he leads and loves. You’ll learn why:

• Leadership is about service, not performance.

• Emotional contagion means your mood sets the tone for every room you enter.

• Scheduled margin—micro-pauses, meeting buffers, and Sabbath—keeps you grounded.

• Non-transactional relationships (“friends who aren’t impressed by your title”) are vital.

• Private reflection unlocks public presence.

Press play and prepare to be challenged—but also to find freedom in leading from a place of presence, not pressure.

• Performance vs. Presence: Why striving to “wow” hurts your authenticity

• The 3-Page Weekly Audit:

  1. Look Back: Wins, unfinished business, tough conversations, healthy choices, blessings

  2. Look Within: Emotional check-in—where you performed vs. where you were present

  3. Look Ahead: Intentional planning—block evening margin, “to-don’t” list, relational commitments

• Emotional Contagion: How the most anxious person wields the greatest influence

• Micro-Practices for Presence: 5–10 minute breathing breaks, buffer time between meetings

• Macro-Practices: A true Sabbath—one full day off to reset

Set aside 10–15 minutes and journal through these prompts:

1. Emotional Presence Audit: How present am I, emotionally, with those I lead and love?

2. Avoidance Check: What emotions (fear, grief, frustration, etc.) have I been sidestepping?

3. Next-Right Step: What one boundary or buffer will I schedule this week to protect my presence?

Right Side Up Journal (Alan’s weekly–and–quarterly personal audit tool) → https://a.co/d/fUaXcFh

Join them as they unpack:

• The difference between your role (what shows up on your org chart) and your identity (your character, values, and calling)

• Why chasing “praise, promotions, and posts” leaves you vulnerable to burnout and emptiness

• How to begin leading from who you are, not just from what you produce

• Practical first steps—daily rhythms, margin, and non­transactional relationships—that reinforce your true identity

If you’ve ever felt like you woke up and realized your career had swallowed your self-worth, this episode is for you. Press play, and start rooting your leadership in purpose, not performance.

• Role vs. Identity: Why a job description can never define your lasting worth

• Performance Traps: How external accolades both feed and betray your soul

• Identity Anchors: The character traits, values, and deep “why” that outlast any project or title

• Practical Shifts:

  • Small daily practices to remind yourself of your true self

  • Building non-transactional friendships who “aren’t impressed” but love you anyway

  • Creating margin (walks, lunches, buffer time) to reconnect with your purpose

Set aside 10–15 minutes with a journal or blank page, and explore these two questions:

1. Who am I becoming as a leader?

2. What core truths do I need to return to regularly?

Don’t rush—let these questions guide you toward leading from your identity, not just from your job description.

Whether you’re in HR, the C-suite, or you’ve built a startup from scratch, you’ll learn:

• How a sabbatical can release outdated mindsets and reset your priorities

• Why “get-tos” vs. “have-tos” reignite creativity, trust, and long-term retention

• The Harvard Business Review research proving sabbaticals drive innovation

• Practical “stress-test” pilots to evolve your policy without upheaval

• The two phases every leader experiences after sabbatical: Release & Reset

Press play for a healthy dose of adventure, abundance mindset, and people-first strategy—then return tomorrow for Episode 3 of our H2 Leader Summer Series!

• Defining Sabbatical: From academic “research leave” to genuine life-giving renewal

• Personal Story: Alan’s first 10-week gift sabbatical—what he released & how he reset

• Abundance Mindset: “Get-tos” vs. “Have-tos,” and why rest is a human right

• Business Case: HBR findings, Big Tech sabbaticals, and the real ROI on renewal

• Implementation: Evolving vs. revolutionizing your policy—stress tests, pilots & partnerships

• Outcomes: Release old habits → Reset priorities → Reinvigorate individual & organizational performance

1. Inventory Your “Get-Tos”: What creative or restorative activities have you shelved for “someday”?

2. Identify Roadblocks: Which of Fear, Pride, or Permission is blocking sabbatical at your company?

3. Pilot a Pilot: What small “stress-test” could you run this quarter—for example, extend someone’s vacation by one week?

Watch the Full Interview on YouTube https://youtu.be/EfHh61p0hPE?si=J3FHcHJR5wE5Opdp

Workplace Delight Substack (Johnny’s full show notes & takeaways) https://workplacedelight.substack.com/

You’ll walk away with:

• A clear definition of hustle vs. sustainable push

• How “humble hustle” can keep you moving without flaming out

• The science behind rhythms—and why everything from tides to seasons obey them

• The 4 P’s of building lasting habits: Permission, Process, Perseverance … and People

• Real-world examples of how small daily actions compound into massive gains

Whether you’re launching a new initiative or just trying to make it through your week, this episode arms you with the tools to step off the treadmill of constant go-go-go and design a leadership cadence that fuels your best work—for years to come.

• The Glamour & the Grind: Why hustle culture hooks us—and when “go-go-go” becomes toxic

• Humble Hustle: How to lean in intensely and know when to pull back

• Rhythms Over Ruts: Why setting predictable patterns beats random sprints every time

• The 4 P’s of Habit Design:

  1. Permission—Give yourself the green light to start

  2. Process—Map out the simple steps that make it automatic

  3. Perseverance—Keep showing up, even when it’s not fun

  4. People—Invite accountability partners to multiply your momentum

• Leader as Model: How your personal cadence shapes team culture—whether you mean to or not

Grab your journal (or the Right Side Up Journal ) and spend 10–15 minutes with these prompts. Then, take one concrete step this week to weave a new rhythm into your life:

1. Zoom Out: Where are you currently running on fumes—in work or life?

2. Rhythm Check: What small habit (10 min/day or 1 hr/week) would shift you off autopilot?

3. Barrier Busters: Which of the “P’s” (Permission, Process, Perseverance, People) is tripping you up?

4. Next Right Step: What one change will you make in the next 24 hours to protect that new rhythm?

📘 The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide → https://a.co/d/haM9rSR

📝 Right Side Up Journal (Stay Forth) → https://a.co/d/fUaXcFh A coach-designed, undated leadership journal—10 min/day to align your daily actions with long-term vision. Available in paperback, hardcover “Adventure Edition,” or digital.

In this kickoff episode, Jonathan and Alan introduce the theme for the summer, reflect on past unhealthy and high-impact seasons of their own leadership, and share why this H2 tension is so important in today's fast-paced world.

You’ll get a clear picture of what this series will cover—and how you can follow along to grow in your leadership without burning out.

• What is an H2 Leader—and why is it so hard to be both healthy and high impact?

• How success creates more options—and why options without boundaries are dangerous

• Why burnout and overachievement often masquerade as productivity

• Why designing your leadership around your unique wiring is essential

• The power of seasons, filters, and healthy teams to sustain long-term leadership

This episode includes 3 powerful questions to help you activate what you’re learning:

1. What does health look like for you this summer?

2. What does high impact mean in your current season?

3. What would it look like to commit to this journey over the summer?

Grab a journal, take 10 quiet minutes, and start answering these. These aren’t just questions—they’re the map for becoming an H2 Leader.

The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide (on Amazon) → https://a.co/d/haM9rSR

The Sabbatical Journey Learning Experience (Self-Paced Course) → https://www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com/sabbaticaljourney

FREE Whitepaper: Sabbaticals & Leadership (Harvard-backed research) → https://www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com/why-leaders-need-sabbaticals-harvard-research

The Right Side Up Journal (Stay Forth) → https://a.co/d/fUaXcFh A purpose-driven journal created from hundreds of hours of coaching to help leaders align daily actions with long-term goals. Designed for just 10 minutes a day, this tool blends intentional planning, personal development, and reflection to build sustainable momentum. Available in paperback, hardcover “Adventure Edition,” and digital format.

This summer series will explore the core characteristics of an H2 Leader in short, practical episodes you can apply immediately. Topics include:

• How to build healthy rhythms

• Leadership boundaries

• Personal sustainability

• Strategic rest (and yes, sabbatical!)

Each episode is built for reflection, activation, and longevity in your leadership.

Welcome to the H2 Leader Summer Series. Let’s get after it.

After years of coaching hundreds of leaders through sabbaticals—and taking a few ourselves—we’re beyond thrilled to announce a double launch that we believe could change how leaders rest, recover, and re-enter their work with purpose.

In this episode, Alan and Jonathan unveil:

• The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide — a beautifully designed, practical, anti-book book that walks you step-by-step through your sabbatical.

• The Sabbatical Journey Learning Experience — a self-paced, story-rich, coaching-informed digital journey for those who want transformation without the 1-on-1 coaching price tag.

If you’re a leader (or know a leader) who’s curious about sabbatical, overwhelmed by the idea, or already mid-journey but feeling a little lost—this episode is your invitation to breathe, recalibrate, and take a next step into one of the most meaningful investments you’ll ever make.

This isn’t just theory. It’s the best of what we’ve learned after guiding leaders through deeply personal sabbatical seasons—and what we’ve lived ourselves.

• Why sabbatical is essential (and not just a long vacation)

• The top mistakes leaders make when going into sabbatical

• What’s inside The Sabbatical Journey field guide—and why it’s not a traditional book

• How the new learning experience bridges the gap between content and coaching

• How to use these tools with your board, team, or organization to normalize and implement sabbatical culture

• What it really looks like to return from sabbatical reoriented, not just rested

The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide (Amazon) → https://a.co/d/haM9rSR

The Sabbatical Journey Learning Experience (Self-paced Digital Resource) → https://www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com/sabbaticaljourney

Free Whitepaper: Why Leaders Need Sabbaticals (with Harvard Research) → https://www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com/why-leaders-need-sabbaticals-harvard-research

Visit the Sabbatical Coaching Group → https://www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com

Buy Two Copies of The Sabbatical Journey — one for yourself, and one for the leader in your life who’s overwhelmed, burned out, or ready to step into a life-giving break from their work. And if you're curious about sabbatical but don't know where to start, head to the Learning Experience. It’s designed to meet you exactly where you are.

📩 Got questions or want to share your sabbatical story? Reach out through the contact form on the site — we’d love to hear from you.

They unpack how leaders can make intentional use of this season to reflect, recalibrate, and reengage before heading into the fall sprint. From practical tips on celebrating small wins to the value of solitude, this conversation blends storytelling, humor, and deeply practical wisdom.

If you're looking for a healthier rhythm and renewed momentum for the second half of the year, this one’s for you.

Takeaways:

• Why the “7th inning stretch” is more than a fun break—it’s a leadership reset.

• The value of pausing with purpose and reconnecting with your “why.”

• How leaders can use summer for reflection, realignment, and renewed energy.

• Alan’s and Jonathan’s favorite summer slowdown practices—and how you can find your own.

Listener Questions to Reflect On:

1. What’s one practice helping you slow down this summer?

2. What’s something you need to let go of?

3. What are you hopeful for in the second half of the year?

Resource Mentioned: Download our free 7th Inning Stretch for Leaders Checklist and follow along with our summer series: Becoming an H2 Leader.

Brandon brings over 25 years of frontline leadership experience, from elite military operations to scaling nonprofits and navigating complex corporate restructures. This isn’t a theoretical conversation—it’s a grounded, real-world exploration of how mission-focused leaders can build perseverance, resist burnout, and lead with clarity in unpredictable environments.

• Brandon’s formative years in the Army and how special operations shaped his leadership foundation

• The difference between endurance and perseverance—and why the latter is essential for modern leaders

• Why leaders are facing “justification fatigue” and how to build speed to trust using the C.A.R.E. model (Candor, Authenticity, Reliability, Empathy)

• How to counter the loneliness of leadership through shared emotional load and intentional relational rhythms

• Strategic pauses vs. false finish lines: how tactical rest can save your mission

• The five pillars of perseverance: Change, Uncertainty, Acceptance, Choice, and Growth

• Why clarity—not certainty—is the real antidote to fear-based decision-making

• How to lead others through ambiguity using frameworks drawn from combat-tested leadership models

• Practical tips for shrinking your world to reclaim agency and make wise decisions under pressure

• Leadership doesn’t have to be lonely—but it does have to be intentional.

• False finish lines will break your team. Build tactical halts into your rhythm.

• Clarity creates agency. Shrink your focus, extend your vision.

• Rest isn't quitting—it's preparation for longevity in mission-critical environments.

• The mission is greater than the moment. Don’t mistake pressure for purpose.

Brandon Young is a former US Army Ranger with four combat rotations to Afghanistan. He has spent over 25 years building and leading teams in the military special operations, corporate healthcare, and nonprofit sectors.

He is the coauthor of Perseverance > Endurance: Lead With Resilience. Grow Through Adversity. Win Together.  Brandon has built partnerships with some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Nike, Walmart, Starbucks, Microsoft, and Amazon. He is the recipient of the Quest Diagnostics Regional Excellence Award for Commercial Leadership for his work in cancer diagnostics.

He’s been published in various magazines and peer-­reviewed academic journals; assessed, mentored, and trained more than 1,000 Ranger leaders while serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment; and placed third in the 2006 Best Ranger Competition.

Brandon lives in Littleton, Colorado, with his wife, Kelly. They have two adult children: Jaden is a Soldier in the US Army and Elliot is a student at the University of Colorado Boulder. Brandon holds a master of divinity in leadership from Denver Seminary, and his passions are faith, family, community, and adventure. 

• Get the book: Perseverance Is Greater Than Endurance 

• Learn more about Brandon and Applied Leadership Partners

• Brandon on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonyoung14/

   
• Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandon.young14/  

• Follow Stay Forth for more leadership tools and coaching: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCETGsJdac-zQu6yl5XFNJig

• Lead a team through uncertain waters

• Feel the pressure of constant decision-making without clarity

• Want to shift from surviving the week to leading for the long haul

• Are seeking practical, real-world leadership insight with military-grade wisdom

Subscribe and leave a review if this episode helps you lead with more clarity, conviction, and calm under pressure. This is the space for leaders who want to grow resilient, sustainable influence in a changing world.

In this reflective and unscripted episode, Alan shares how two very different moments—a family memorial and a coaching session—led to the same life-altering question: What truly matters?

A Alan is joined by surprise guest Wayne Francis, who shares powerful insights from his own Vision Refresh—a deep-dive coaching experience built to help leaders zoom out, gain clarity, and dream again.

• Why “eulogy values” matter more than “resume values”

• What a Vision Refresh is—and how it’s changing leaders’ lives

• Wayne’s real-time takeaways from his second Vision Refresh

• The spiritual power of naming your identity and impact goals

• How leaders can avoid burnout through “inhale and exhale” rhythms

• The role of adventure, surprise, and sacred space in creating clarity

“Without clarity, there's collisions.” – Wayne Francis “Disorientation often produces transformation.” – Alan Briggs “Naming is spiritual. If you don’t name it, it’s hard to live it.” – Wayne Francis

• A leader facing transition or burnout

• Craving clarity for your next season

• Ready to rediscover what really matters

• Curious about coaching or life planning

Email: www.stayforth.com

Leave a rating and review if this episode gave you a fresh perspective—and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an update.

“If you don’t plan your summer, it will plan you.”

Whether you're a parent, a leader, or someone just feeling May-Sember chaos, this episode is your summer strategy session.

Alan helps you zoom out and get real about what matters most this summer—because this season is short, but the impact can last a lifetime.

• You’ll walk away with a framework and the right questions to:
• Create Unplanned Space – Ironically, it only happens when you plan for it.
• Replenish Your Soul – Identify what actually fills you up, not just drains you more.
• Reconnect Relationally – With friends, family, and the people who matter.
• Pursue Intentional Growth – Don’t sleep on the summer when it comes to personal and professional momentum.

Perfect for:

• Parents prepping for school break
• Leaders looking for clarity, not chaos
• Anyone tired of letting another summer “just happen”

Questions We’ll Help You Answer:

• When will you make space for nothing?
• What actually replenishes you?
• Who do you need to reconnect with?
• What do you need to learn and who will you learn from?

📥 Download the Free Summer Planning Guide → [https://summer.stayforthcoaching.com/plan-for-the-summer] 📝 Journal Prompts + Planning Blocks Included

About Dave

Dave has over 25 years of experience as a CEO and independent board member of public and private companies both in the U.S. and internationally. Dave has spent his career rebuilding and exponentially growing organizations in a strategic and sustainable way. His success throughout his career organically led him to his encore work in supporting other CEOs in experiencing the same success he did.

Dave holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and is Certified as a DISC and Emotional Quotient consultant for individuals and teams. Additionally, he is a certified facilitator in a system based on Verne Harnishes’ Rockefeller Habits and the book Traction. He’s an avid sailor, accomplished pilot and fierce yet mediocre golfer!

Key Takeaways:

• Disengagement is a systems issue, not a people issue.

• Gen Z and younger managers are demanding purpose—not just paychecks.

• Culture beats compensation: engaged employees rarely leave for small raises.

• Better alignment on purpose and priorities can slash turnover and boost performance.

• Meetings should be a catalyst for engagement—not a drain on energy.

“Disengagement is the enthusiasm we leave in the parking lot Monday morning.” – Dave Garrison

“All of us are smarter than any of us. Leaders must learn to draw out that collective genius.” – Dave Garrison

“People don’t burn out when they care deeply about what they’re doing.” – Dave Garrison

Grab your copy of The Buy-In Advantage and explore tools, assessments, and resources mentioned in the episode at buyinbook.com.

Mac shares why so many organizations struggle with developing leaders rather than recruiting them, and how we can begin to shift the culture from leadership borrowing to leadership building. They dive deep into:

• Why leadership development is still the #1 challenge for churches and nonprofits

• How to disciple leaders like Jesus did—slowly, intentionally, and with purpose

• The overlooked importance of “pre-leadership” and helping people see their own potential

• The difference between competency and confidence—and how to build both

• Why Mac finally wrote Leading Yourself, and how it's helping people define their mission and grow their influence

• Health, habits, and why maximizing your energy is a leadership strategy

Whether you’re a pastor, entrepreneur, or emerging leader, this conversation will stretch you and equip you.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Leading Yourself by Mac Lake

• The Multiplication Effect and The Discipling Leaders Series

• Multiply Group (www.multiplygroup.org)

Connect with Mac Lake:

Instagram - @multiply_group YouTube - youtube.com/maclake  Facebook - facebook.com/maclake24 LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/maclake Blog - maclakeonline.com Website - multiplygroup.org Books: https://multiply-group.myshopify.com/collections/books

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to grow their leadership!

Together, Alan and Stephanie unpack what it really means to lead diverse teams in an age of cultural complexity and generational divide. They dive into her powerful leadership framework—A.L.L.Y. (Ask, Listen, Learn, You Take Action)—and discuss how leaders can earn the right to be called allies, not just declare it.

• Stephanie’s journey from the tarmac to the boardroom

• Why the acronym A.L.L.Y. is more than a buzzword—it’s a roadmap for relational leadership

• The reality of leading across six generations in today’s workforce

• How to overcome bias by rewiring your brain through exposure and empathy

• What it really takes to earn the title of "ally leader" (Hint: receipts required!)

• The surprising advantages of a diverse, opinionated team—and how to manage it

• Practical steps to ask better questions, lead with curiosity, and rally your people around a shared mission

“Don’t overcomplicate leadership. Same stuff you learned in kindergarten—ask, listen, learn.” – Stephanie Chung “You can’t self-anoint yourself as an ally. You have to earn it.” “Curiosity is the birthplace of better leadership.”

Ally Leadership: How to Lead People Who Aren’t Like You Available wherever books are sold. Visit Stephanie’s website for more info.

• Instagram: @thestephaniechung

• TikTok: @thestephaniechung

• Website: stephaniechung.com

Arianna combines academic research, personal story, and spiritual wisdom to expose the surprising dark side of calling. Together, they unpack why some of the most driven and passionate people—those who feel most called to their work—are also the most vulnerable to burnout.

From relational shame to boundary shaming, calling-driven burnout has unique roots—and this episode offers practical ways forward.

About Dr. Arianna Molloy

Arianna is a Communication professor at Biola University, where she designs and teaches Organizational Communication courses. She has also partnered with Biola’s Office of Faculty Advancement, leading the Pedagogy Development Consulting program.

Her research focuses on meaningful work, work as a calling, and the link between humility and burnout, with publications in premier journals such as the International Journal of Business Communication and Communication Studies. One of her collaborations won “Article of the Year” in the Journal of Management, Spirituality, and Religion.

She views her role as a professor through the lens of being a mentor who loves to learn. While she’s been honored with awards like Biola’s Provost Award for “Excellence in Teaching” and the “Faculty Excellence” award, her deepest joy comes from witnessing the transformation in her students' lives.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why calling can lead to deeper burnout than a regular job or career

• The difference between general burnout and "calling burnout"

• The role of humility in avoiding burnout and leading sustainably

• How boundaries (and boundary-shaming) impact your emotional health

Reflection Questions:

• Am I pursuing my calling—or idolizing it?

• How close am I on the spectrum from healthy to burnout?

• Have I been shamed for setting boundaries… or doing that to others?

• Am I confusing hustle with faithfulness?

• What would Sabbath look like if I truly stopped for one day each week?

Pick Up the Book: Healthy Calling: From Toxic Burnout to Sustainable Work by Dr. Arianna Molloy Now available wherever books are sold!

From economic instability to organizational shifts to personal burnout, leaders today are being shaken more than ever before. But you don’t have to be a shaky leader. This episode will help you recognize the signs of instability, process the weight of change, and equip your leadership with the tools to stay calm, clear, and contagious—in all the right ways.

• Why leadership “shocks” matter now more than ever

• The danger of becoming a reactive vs. proactive leader

• How unprocessed pain shows up in your leadership (and what to do about it)

• What a “replenishment cycle” looks like for sustainable leadership

• Why resilience is contagious—and how to share stability with your team

• Feedback + Feed Forward Framework – Learn from the past, plan for the future

• Therapy & Emotional Processing – Address the fear and exhaustion under the surface

• Replenishment Cycle

  • Weekly Sabbath

  • Daily/Weekly Margin

  • Vacation & Extended Rest (not just a perk—it's a leadership essential)

1. Which area do you most need to focus on—your speed, your alignment, or your shocks?

2. What one step can you take to slow down?

3. What one step can you take to re-align with your wiring?

4. What one step can you take to re-align with your team?

5. What one step can you take to strengthen your shocks?

This wraps up our mini-series on H2 Leadership—covering Brakes, Alignment, and Shocks. If you missed the earlier episodes, go back and catch up! And if you’re ready to go deeper, check out our Breakthrough Coaching Sessions via Stay Forth. The next level of your leadership might be one coaching conversation away.

Stayforth.com

If you’ve ever felt a low-grade frustration at work… like something’s just a little “off”... or noticed your team drifting apart, this episode is for you.

From the inside-out burnout of a coaching client named Tim to the practical tools that help leaders realign, this conversation will help you:

• Identify signs of personal and team misalignment

• Understand the high cost of being out of sync with your wiring, purpose, or people

• Apply practical tools to get back on track—before burnout or breakdown hits

• The 3 major areas where leaders commonly experience misalignment

• Why subtle misalignment can become costly over time

• How the Working Genius Assessment helps pinpoint your strengths and working frustrations

• The simple (but powerful) “Drains and Fills” exercise for energy management

• Why a “Pacing Check” can keep you and your team in rhythm

1. How can you align your work more closely with your wiring?

2. What change can you make to align more closely with your team?

• Working Genius Assessment – Understand your wiring & align your work

• Drains & Fills List – Get a pulse on what energizes vs. drains you

• Pacing Check – Is your leadership pace sustainable for your team?

This episode dives into the growing conversation around sabbaticals—not just as a nice-to-have, but a strategic leadership development tool. You’ll hear a compelling narration of our latest white paper, inspired by a powerful Harvard Business Review article and infused with our own research and years of practical coaching insights from the Stay Forth team.

Whether you're a leader on the verge of burnout or an organization seeking sustainable impact, this episode offers a practical and transformative take on why sabbaticals matter now more than ever.

• Why sabbaticals are no longer just for academia and ministry

• The holistic benefits of sabbaticals for leaders and organizations

• Common fears that hold leaders back—and how to overcome them

• Different types of sabbaticals and how to choose the right one

• Action steps to prepare and normalize sabbaticals in your organization

• Insights from Harvard researcher DJ Dydana alongside our findings

We’ve compiled this wisdom into a free downloadable white paper, available now on our site. Perfect for leaders, HR teams, and organizations looking to plan purposeful rest.

🔗 Download the Sabbatical White Paper 

Don’t forget to catch the ongoing 3-part H2 Leader series every Thursday:

• Episode 1: What is the H2 Leader? (Live now)

• Episode 2: Coming this Thursday

• Episode 3: Coming next Thursday

Subscribe so you don’t miss a beat!

If this episode speaks to your leadership journey or organizational goals, let’s connect. Explore sabbatical coaching and consulting at Stay Forth (Insert actual website link)

Many leaders today are moving way too fast—making decisions at a breakneck pace, pushing their teams beyond capacity, and ultimately heading toward burnout. But real impact doesn’t come from speed alone; it comes from intentionality, alignment, and reflection.

Join Alan as he unpacks:

The dangers of moving too fast in leadership Why effective leaders must learn to slow down and pump the brakes The shift from efficiency to effectiveness—why rushing through tasks can hurt your team The power of daily, weekly, and quarterly reflection in leadership growth Practical tools to help leaders audit their schedules and regain control

If you find yourself constantly saying, “I just need to go faster,” this episode is for you. Learn how slowing down can actually make you more effective, present, and impactful in your leadership journey.

Resources & Next Steps: Anti-Burnout: Get your copy on Amazon Right Side Up Journal – A practical tool for daily, weekly, and quarterly reflection. Get your copy on Amazon.

Leadership Reflection Challenge: What immediate change will you make to slow down? Ask your team or family for feedback!

Subscribe & Share: Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the podcast and share it with a fellow leader who needs to hear this conversation.

• Scott was led by faith to leave his high-powered corporate job, climb the Seven Summits, start a nonprofit, and self-fund it—all without any prior mountaineering experience.
• The initial challenge of stepping into the unknown and trusting the process.

• Scott describes himself as a “mountain guide for the leadership journey,” drawing parallels between climbing and business leadership.
• Alignment is key—leaders must be clear on their purpose to make the right decisions.

• Many people misunderstand "more" as adding complexity. Instead, Scott defines "more" as expansion that comes through alignment with purpose.
• Purpose = The best of what you have for others.
• Fulfillment = The result of choosing to live in that purpose.

• Leaders face decision fatigue—executives make an estimated 40,000 decisions daily.
• Scott is shifting from 30+ speaking engagements a year to only six highly intentional ones.
• “The power of yes is in alignment, not just saying yes.”

• Scott’s harrowing Everest solo climb:
  • Facing brutal conditions on the North side, alone, at extreme altitude.
  • The moment of exhaustion when he almost sat down—knowing that sitting meant death.
  • The significance of the colored band on his wrist, representing his “why.”

• Isolation is one of the greatest threats to leaders.
• The importance of linking arms with others for accountability, support, and shared growth.

• Eye Rolls: Dismissive people who don’t understand.
• Blank Stares: Those who aren’t ready to process it.
• Tell Me Mores: The people who are curious, hungry, and ready to engage—Scott’s focus.

• Money can be a distraction or a tool—it must be aligned with purpose.
• Scott shares how he self-funded his mission, trusting that provision would come.

• Not physical death, but dying to oneself daily.
• Taking time to pause, realign, and ensure decisions reflect core values, not external pressures.

Book: Unreasonable: Seven Impactful Lessons Discovered Climbing the Seven Summits – Available on Amazon. Leave a review!

Self-Assessment: Take the Unstoppable Clarity assessment to gain insight into your alignment and purpose. Text CLIMB to 33777.

Stay Connected: Follow Scott for more leadership insights and adventure-driven wisdom. https://www.scottcutlan.com/

Subscribe & Share: Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the podcast and share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation!

"If you sit, you die. Keep moving." – Scott Cutlan

About Jenni Catron

Jenni Catron is a leadership coach, author and speaker. Her passion is to cultivate healthy leaders to lead thriving organizations. She speaks at conferences and events nationwide, seeking to help leaders develop the clarity and confidence to lead well. As Founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, she consults organizations on leadership, team culture and organizational health. With over 20 years experience in corporate and non-profit organizations, Jenni has a passion for helping leaders “put feet to their vision”.

Jenni is the author of several books including Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence and The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership. She loves a fabulous cup of tea, great books, learning the game of tennis and hiking with her husband. Jenni can be found on social media at @jennicatron and at www.get4sight.com.

Gran a copy of Culture Matters

Reclaim your brain: visit www.magicmind.com today and use code BRIGGS at checkout for an exclusive discount. 

Join us for our next Demystifying Sabbatical Webinar on March 19th.

Brad unpacks the difference between networkers vs. connectors, the importance of relational intelligence, and how leaders can curate experiences that foster true connection. They also dive into:

• Why curiosity is the bridge between knowledge and action
• How to read the room and pivot your leadership approach in real-time
• The power of invite-only, high-impact gatherings
• How faith, influence, and leadership intersect in today’s world
• Practical strategies to become a better connector and steward relationships wisely

If you're a leader, entrepreneur, pastor, or someone who wants to level up their ability to connect and influence, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical takeaways.

Coaching questions for you:

• What am I wired to do? – What are my natural strengths, skills, and abilities?
• What do I love to do? – What work excites and energizes me?
• What is God calling me to do in this season? – What is my purpose or divine assignment right now?
• What can I do that creates income and sustainability? – How can I make this a viable, long-term pursuit?

Connect with Brad:

https://www.bradlomenick.com/

Attend our next demystifying sabbaticals webinar: https://www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com/webinars-and-trainings#registration

John Ortberg was born in Rockford, Illinois. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College, and his M.Div. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has also studied at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. From 1985 to 1990 he served as senior pastor at Simi Valley Community Church, and then from 1990 to 1994 at Horizons Community Church (now Baseline Community Church) in Claremont, California. He then moved from California to Illinois to serve as a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois until 2003, when he became the senior pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, a multi-campus church in Northern California. Now, John leads the ministry Become New focused on helping people grow spiritually one day at a time through daily teaching and community. 

John's wife, Nancy, is also a pastor and published author. She currently leads Transforming the Bay with Christ in San Jose, California. John and Nancy have three children: Laura, Daniel, and John III. 

A central theme of John’s teaching is spiritual formation, the transforming of human character through authentic experiences with God. John was a friend and mentee of the late Dallas Willard, a Christian teacher and author who wrote works such as The Divine Conspiracy and Renovation of the Heart. John draws much of his inspiration from Dallas. Today John continues to work alongside authors and teachers such as John Mark Comer, the founder and leader of Practicing the Way.

John has been a speaker at many events including: Promise Keepers, Global Leadership Summit, Catalyst, and Practicing the Way.

John is currently working on a new book based on the Become New teaching series “Ashes to Beauty” in which he explores the importance of embracing personal inadequacy as a means to experience spiritual renewal.

✅ Why pain is often the greatest catalyst for spiritual growth ✅ The lessons John has learned from suffering and how they changed him ✅ How true connection and healing come through vulnerability ✅ What the church can learn from AA and the 12-step journey ✅ The power of confession, community, and finding a fully disclosing friend ✅ Why hitting rock bottom may actually be the beginning of real hope

Key Quotes:

💬 "There is no barrier to my joyfully serving God today." 💬 "We can only be fully loved when we are fully known." 💬 "The worse your story, the warmer your welcome—who does that sound like? That’s Jesus." 💬 "God’s address is at the end of your rope."

Resources & Links:

📖 John Ortberg’s latest book: Steps – Get Your Copy Here 🎧 John Ortberg’s Daily Podcast: Listen Here 📚 Recommended Reading: Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In this episode, Jonathan and Alan dive deep into the overlooked yet powerful concept of leadership seasons. They discuss how understanding the phase you're in—whether it's one of pruning, growth, acceleration, or transition—can bring clarity, reduce overwhelm, and lead to more effective actions.

Your goals aren’t the problem—your season might be. Are you in a time of expansion or a period where slowing down is wiser? Seasons change, and so should your leadership strategy. You can’t hustle the same way at 40 as you did at 25. Naming your season brings clarity. Learn two powerful methods for identifying where you are. Leadership isn’t always about acceleration. Organizations, teams, and individuals go through rhythms of pruning and growth. Action follows awareness. Once you know your season, what courageous steps will you take?

Hit pause, grab a journal, and reflect on these: What season have you just come from? When did (or will) that season end? What season are you currently in? What should you say yes to in this season? What should you say no to? What’s scary about this season change?

Key Moments:

• Childhood & Faith Journey: Zach's unique story of growing up in a Jewish household and finding Jesus through authentic relationships with mentors like Alan.
• Lessons in Leadership: Insights from Zach's experiences at the Asbury revival and how 16 days transformed his understanding of humility and spiritual leadership.
• The Crushing & Formation: Zach shares candidly about personal failures, the painful process of restoration, and how God uses "compost moments" to cultivate growth.
• Radical Humility Defined: A deep dive into the biblical concept of humility as "agreeing with God's assessment of who we are and who He is."
• Living in Tension: Zach talks about the paradox of writing a book on humility and navigating the challenges of staying grounded while sharing his story widely.

Quotes to Remember:

• "Humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself; it’s agreeing with who God says you are and trusting Him to lead."
• "You can choose to let suffering deform you—or let it form you into the image of Christ."
• "Radical humility is one of the most countercultural and compelling traits Christians can live out today."

A Message for the Weary: If you're in a season of crushing, Zach offers encouragement rooted in Ephesians 2:10: "You are God’s workmanship, created for good works." He shares a powerful reminder to trust the process and let God’s Spirit testify to your adoption, even in the midst of hardship.

Resources Mentioned:

• Zach Meerkreebs’ book, Lower: The Journey of Radical Humility
• Philippians 2:1-11 – A passage that anchored Zach during the Asbury revival

Call to Action: Be sure to grab your copy of Lower to dive deeper into the principles of radical humility and the stories that shaped Zach’s faith. Available on Amazon and other major retailers now! https://bit.ly/lowerzm

Steve shares powerful tools to notice and navigate reactivity, align your beliefs with God’s truth, and relax into His presence. This episode is packed with practical strategies and wisdom to help leaders thrive emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.

• How reactivity blocks our awareness of God’s presence—and ways to overcome it.
• Strategies for quieting the inner critic and embracing God’s truth over self-condemnation.
• Why predictable patterns in leadership and faith keep us stuck—and how to break free.
• The importance of staying "human-sized" in leadership and relationships.
• Practical ways to trip over God’s love throughout your day.

Resources Mentioned:

• Steve Cuss’s book: The Expectation Gap
• Steve Cuss’s Website
• Listen to Steve’s Podcast, Being Human
• Register for the Demystifying Sabbaticals Webinar on January 29th: Learn More Here

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review on iTunes to share what resonated with you most.
• Follow us on YouTube for more inspiring conversations and practical tools.

We’ll see you next week with more content to help you live and lead with clarity, purpose, and impact!

Steve shares personal stories about imposter syndrome, the power of micro-habits, and practical tools to help you "stub your toe" on God's love throughout your day. This episode is packed with insight for leaders, parents, and anyone feeling the weight of expectations as the year begins.

• Why New Year’s resolutions often miss the mark and how to set achievable goals.
• The concept of staying “human-sized” in rooms that feel too big.
• Practical ways to manage the inner critic and reconnect with God’s love.
• Steve’s reflections on his own predictable patterns and how to break free.

Resources Mentioned:

• Steve Cuss’s book: The Expectation Gap
• Demystifying Sabbaticals Webinar - January 29th (Register now!)
• Follow us on YouTube for more practical content every single week.

Be sure to tune in next week for Part 2, where Steve dives deeper into recognizing reactivity, breaking predictable patterns, and sharing his favorite tools for lasting change.

In this special highlights episode, we revisit two standout conversations from 2024:

1. Todd Henry on Creativity and Consistency Creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s for everyone. Todd Henry, a creative powerhouse and leadership expert, challenges the notion that creativity is reserved for a select few. He breaks down what it means to show up every day and bring your best work to the world. If you’ve ever doubted your creative potential, this conversation will ignite your imagination and give you practical tools to unleash your brilliance in 2025.

2. John Tyson on Reclaiming Manhood Addressing the cultural crisis in manhood, John Tyson shares profound insights from his book Chasing Shadows. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complexities of identity, purpose, and legacy. While the message is aimed at men, it resonates deeply with listeners of all backgrounds, offering hope and practical wisdom for building a life of consequence.

What We’re Excited About for 2025: Alan and Jonathan get candid about their goals, dreams, and projects for the year ahead. From upcoming books and sabbatical guides to hosting leadership retreats in Colorado, this segment is full of inspiration for leaders looking to make an impact while maintaining balance.

Upcoming Webinar: Join us on January 29th for our next webinar in the series that’s empowering leaders to thrive. Whether you’re dreaming of a sabbatical or want to learn how to implement meaningful pauses in your life, this event is for you. head to sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com to register—don’t miss it!

Connect with Us:

• Dive deeper into these conversations with the full episodes linked below.
• Explore resources like the Growth Game Plan to help align your identity, dreams, and impact.
• Follow us on social media for daily leadership insights.

Closing Thought: As Alan says, “The year only gets as crazy as you let it.” Let’s commit to a 2025 that’s full of intentionality, creativity, and lasting impact. See you next week!

This episode is packed with reflections on:

• How gratitude rewires your brain and transforms your leadership approach.
• Two powerful year-end exercises: creating a gratitude list and embracing "necessary endings."
• Heartfelt shoutouts to the Stay Forth team, coaching clients, and loyal listeners.

Alan and Jonathan also revisit some of the year's standout podcast episodes. Get ready to be inspired by their conversation with Patrick Lencioni on organizational health and leadership and an energizing chat with Tabitha Scott on aligning productivity with purpose.

Whether you're cozying up with family this holiday season or finding solitude in nature, Alan and Jonathan encourage you to rest deeply, reflect intentionally, and set the tone for a healthier, impactful year ahead.

Key Takeaways:

• Gratitude is more than a feeling—it's a leadership discipline.
• The value of pruning and making space for what's truly important.
• Highlights from memorable episodes featuring Patrick Lencioni and Tabitha Scott.

Resources & Links:

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive video clips from this episode.
• Listen to the full episodes with Patrick Lencioni and Tabitha Scott.

Call to Action: As you wind down your year, don't miss the chance to reflect, refocus, and recharge. Subscribe, share, and join the Stay Forth community as we walk this leadership journey together. 🌟

In this episode, Alan reveals:

• The pivotal reasons behind his sabbatical decision after seven years.
• How "place, pace, and perspective" reshaped his vision for work and life.
• The unexpected clarity and creativity that emerged from intentional rest.
• Practical tips for leaders contemplating a sabbatical of their own.

Discover how intentional rest isn't just a luxury but a necessity for sustainable impact. Whether you're a visionary leader, coach, or someone feeling the weight of burnout, this episode will inspire you to explore your own rhythms of rest and renewal.

• 🌄 Mountaintop Moments: The breathtaking adventures that helped Alan reconnect with nature, purpose, and God.
• 🔧 Sparks of Creation: How welding became a metaphor for leadership restoration.
• 📖 Margin = Imagination: Why space for rest fuels creativity and clarity.
• 🎯 Practical Sabbatical Tips: From planning to executing a rest-filled, budget-friendly sabbatical.
• 🔥 Clarity After the Pause: Alan’s renewed perspective on leading his team, family, and life post-sabbatical.

🎙️ Quotes to Remember:

• “Without margin, there’s no imagination.”
• “The question isn’t just, ‘What do I need to do?’ but, ‘Who do I need to be?’”
• “Your team can’t be more clear than you are as a leader.”

👉 Connect with us:

• Visit our website: Stay Forth
• Learn more about sabbatical coaching: Sabbatical Coaching Group

🌟 Todd Todd Henry has been a guiding force in the realm of creativity, coaching teams towards excellence and teaching them how to thrive together. His insights and strategies have reshaped the way creative teams operate and collaborate.

🔥 What You'll Discover The Essence of Team Creativity: Explore how Todd Henry has empowered creative teams to "live well" together, fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration. Journey of Change: Todd opens up about his personal decision to move beyond good opportunities in pursuit of great ones, and the bravery it took to embrace change. Practical Wisdom: Gain valuable insights from Todd's experiences and learn how you can apply these lessons to your own creative endeavors and team dynamics.

📚 Todd's Work For more about Todd Henry and his work, check out his website https://www.toddhenry.com/

👉 Stay Connected Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more episodes. Share your thoughts in the comments below and let us know how you're applying these insights in your life!

✅ Subscribe for More If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe for more insightful conversations with industry leaders.

Key topics include:

• The danger of "quiet resignation" and living half-heartedly.
• The transformative power of risk, adventure, and community.
• Practical ways men can reconnect with their purpose, strengthen their marriages, and cultivate meaningful friendships.
• The importance of mentorship—both giving and receiving—and how it can change your life.

Lantz also shares his passion for guiding men through spiritual leadership expeditions and marriage adventures, offering insights into how taking intentional time away can lead to breakthroughs in every area of life.

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Right now, through December 6th, take advantage of Magic Mind’s Black Friday deal: 50% off your first subscription. Visit magicmind.com/stayforthleadershipBF and discover how you can boost your efficiency and lead from a healthier place.

Connect with Lantz Howard:

• Website: LantzHoward.com
• Daily insights on LinkedIn: Lantz Howard

Inside This Episode:

• Why consistent exercise fuels energy and clarity.
• The game-changing power of consistent sleep and rise times.
• How scheduling family time proactively strengthens relationships.
• The underrated art of taking intentional time off.
• Mastering deep work with tips inspired by Cal Newport.
• How the Right Side Up Journal can simplify your priorities and boost productivity.
• Why surrounding yourself with life-giving people is essential for thriving leadership.

This episode isn’t just about habits—it’s about shaping a life that aligns with your values. Whether you’re relaxing post-Thanksgiving feast or planning for the new year, this conversation is your guide to stepping into 2025 with clarity and confidence.

📖 Mentioned in this episode:

• The Right Side Up Journal – A tool for leaders to plan their days with purpose. Available on Amazon.
• Cal Newport’s book, Deep Work.

🔔 Don’t Forget:

• Subscribe on YouTube
• Grab the Right Side Up Journal here to simplify your life and leadership.

Connect With Us:

• Website: Stay Forth
• Follow us on social: @stayforth

Take a moment today to rest, reflect, and embrace the habits that shape the life you’re striving to live. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful Thanksgiving!

Listeners will gain actionable insights on how to align personal energy with organizational goals, unlock the potential of their teams, and embrace a mindset of empowerment in the face of constant change.

Key Takeaways:

• Organizations, like living organisms, must innovate to thrive.
• Change management is outdated; leaders need to learn how to flow with change.
• Energy management is critical for avoiding burnout and sustaining leadership impact.
• Sabbaticals are an essential tool for leaders to gain perspective and re-energize.
• Productivity stems from being energized and driven by a clear purpose.
• The future of leadership demands a shift towards empowerment and authenticity.
• Listening to energy levels, both personal and organizational, is key for effective decision-making.

Sound Bites:

• "What the heck is a business futurist?"
• "Stop trying to chase change."
• "Listen to what's in the current."

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 00:21 – Understanding the Growth Cycle
• 01:08 – Organization as a Living Organism
• 03:21 – Assess, Align, and Adapt
• 04:26 – The Currency of Leadership: Energy
• 05:43 – Markers of Organizational Decline
• 07:11 – Markers of Personal Overwhelm
• 08:38 – The Power of Sabbaticals
• 09:08 – Knowing When to Push or Rest
• 10:20 – The Transformational Power of Nature
• 13:08 – Productivity and Purpose
• 15:22 – Finding Purpose in Serving Others
• 20:38 – Focusing on the Present
• 22:08 – Conclusion

About Tabitha Scott: Tabitha Scott is a renowned business futurist and energy management expert. She has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives, including the creation of the world’s largest solar-powered community, and her innovative work has been recognized by the White House. A prolific writer, Tabitha has been featured in publications like Forbes and CEO Magazine and is certified in diverse fields, from energy management to blockchain technology.

With advanced degrees in Finance and Business Management and certifications in holistic and organizational practices, Tabitha is uniquely equipped to guide leaders and organizations toward innovation and resilience.

Connect with Tabitha:

• Website: www.tabithascott.com
• Books: Tabitha’s Works Register for Demystifying Sabbaticals: https://www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com/webinars-and-trainings/event-one-b58ml-2can2-afchj

Get focused energy and sharper clarity without the caffeine crash! Use code BRIGGS at checkout for a discount. Check it out here!

Listeners will hear about:

• The importance of community in combating burnout
• Alan’s “mountain guide” approach to leadership coaching
• His unique take on balancing health, growth, and impact
• How leaders can reframe success for sustainable influence

About Alan Briggs

Alan Briggs is the founder of Stay Forth Designs, a leadership coaching organization focused on supporting leaders and teams to thrive without burnout. A former pastor turned entrepreneur, Alan brings a deep understanding of meaningful leadership and personal sustainability. His latest book, Anti-Burnout, introduces practical tools and frameworks to help leaders find the right rhythm between work and rest, so they can experience greater purpose and health in their leadership journey.

Alan is also the co-founder of Co Harbor, a coworking space designed to foster community and collaboration among entrepreneurs in Colorado Springs. With a life mission rooted in living well and empowering others, Alan remains dedicated to coaching leaders and cultivating spaces where people can thrive authentically.

Connect with Alan:

• Website: Stay Forth
• Book: Anti-Burnout on Amazon
• Follow Stay Forth for Upcoming Webinars and Resources

Upcoming Webinar Alert:

Join us on November 13, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. MST for the next installment of the Demistifying Sabbatical series, focusing on “Rest for Renewed Leadership and Organizational Growth.” This free webinar, hosted by Sabbatical Coaching Group, is ideal for leaders looking to deepen their approach to rest and rejuvenation.

Register here: https://www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com/webinars-and-trainings/event-one-b58ml-2can2

About Dan Rockwell

Dan Rockwell delivered his first presentation at sixteen and has been captivating audiences with his insights and workshops ever since. In 2010, his passion for leadership inspired him to start the Leadership Freak blog, now read in nearly every country and followed by almost 500,000 people across social media.

Named among Inc. Magazine’s "Top Fifty Leadership and Management Experts" and one of the “Top 100 Great Leadership Speakers,” Dan’s work has been widely recognized. The Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness has called Leadership Freak the “most socially shared leadership blog on the Internet.”

Dan’s reach extends beyond the digital sphere through his keynotes and workshops with an impressive range of clients, including the National Institutes of Health, Home Depot, Ascension Health, Geisinger Health System, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Holding an MBA and degrees in Theology, Pastoral Ministry, and Construction & Design, Dan’s diverse background includes owning two businesses and working as a Workforce Development Consultant for Penn State. In this role, he designed courses, mentored instructors, and gave hundreds of presentations to audiences worldwide. Today, he continues his work as a leadership coach and consultant while actively serving in his local community.

Dan lives in central Pennsylvania with his wife, his high school sweetheart of over 40 years.

Connect with Dan

Website: Leadership Freak

Book: The Vagrant: Inner Journey of Leadership Parable

Reclaim your brain with Magic Mind. Use Code BRIGGS at checkout for 20% off your order. 

visit https://magicmind.com/

takeaways

• Leaders often focus on the future, which can lead to anxiety.
• It's essential to balance future planning with present engagement.
• Small practices can help leaders stay grounded in the present.
• A weekly review can highlight victories often overlooked.
• Quarterly audits provide a deeper reflection on goals and achievements.
• The Innovation Triangle helps leaders assess their focus areas.
• Self-reflection is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Healthy leaders create healthy cultures around them.
• Understanding fears about the future can lead to better planning.
• Leaders are wired for impact, but must prioritize their well-being.

• The Balance of Past, Present, and Future: Learn how the healthiest leaders embrace all three timeframes, without overemphasizing one, to live and lead with impact.
• The Power and Pain of Memories: Alan shares a deeply personal story about a memorable road trip with his sons, reflecting on how cherished moments can bring both joy and sadness.
• Selective Memory in Leadership: Discover the danger of romanticizing the past and how it can prevent you from embracing new opportunities.
• Turning Pain into Purpose: Hear inspiring examples of how deep pain can become a catalyst for meaningful work that impacts others.
• Letting Go and Moving Forward: Alan discusses the challenge many leaders face in letting go of past successes, particularly in the post-pandemic world, and why mature leadership requires looking ahead.

Alan also offers reflective questions to help you process the most formative memories from your leadership, friendships, and family over the past decade.

Reflection Questions:

1. What are the three most formative memories from the last decade of your leadership?
2. What’s one beautiful and one painful memory from your friendships over the last decade?
3. What’s one beautiful and one painful memory from your family?

If we can appreciate how the past has shaped us through both beautiful and broken moments, we can leverage it to influence our present and future. Tune in next week as we explore the power of living in the present.

• "Ineffective leaders create a dysfunctional culture."
• "Effective leaders create life and vitality around them."
• "Work is meant to bring dignity and meaning."

• "Activity is not the same as action"
• "Slow can be good, fast can be good, rushed is bad"
• "People are seeking things that are rare and valuable right now"

We discuss the pressure on modern manhood, the influence of faith, and the guidance older generations need to offer Gen Z. John brings in perspectives from popular culture, his personal experiences, and a clear, actionable message of what it looks like to be a man in the way of Jesus.

Plus, we talk about the Primal Path—Jon’s framework for guiding young men through a meaningful rite of passage. If you’re a dad, you’ll want to check this out.

Key Topics Discussed: – The challenges modern culture poses to manhood – How faith plays a role in shaping men today – The struggles Gen Z men face and how older men can support them – Ambition, purpose, and what it means to be a man in the way of Jesus – Jon’s Primal Path program and how it’s helped me guide my own son through a rite of passage

Key Takeaways:

1. Momentum in Fall:

   • Fall is a season of high momentum, with both opportunities and challenges. Alan and Jonathan discuss how leaders can harness this momentum to drive their teams and organizations forward.

2. Critical Questions for Leaders:

   • Alan outlines essential questions to ask yourself as a leader:
     • How can I schedule for what I really care about?
     • How can our team raise our level of impact?
     • How can I guard against burnout before it’s too late?
     • How do I get out of the weeds?
     • How can I raise the leadership capacity of my team members?
     • How can I be a unifying force in a disunified world?

3. Importance of Prioritization:

   • The hosts emphasize setting clear 90-day goals and the value of identifying and focusing on your top priorities. This ensures that leaders are not overwhelmed but are instead intentional about what truly matters.

4. Guarding Against Burnout:

   • With the increased pace of fall, it's crucial to be proactive in preventing burnout. Alan shares strategies for maintaining physical and mental health, highlighting the importance of keystone habits that anchor your well-being.

5. Raising Team Leadership Capacity:

   • Alan and Jonathan discuss the importance of developing your team members' leadership skills. They provide practical advice on how to help your team grow by focusing on a few key areas, rather than overwhelming them with too many expectations.

6. Being a Unifying Force:

   • In a divided world, leaders have a unique opportunity to be a voice of unity and hope. The hosts encourage leaders to stay grounded, remain hopeful, and avoid getting distracted by the chaos around them.

Resources Mentioned:

• Right Side Up Journal: A tool for leaders to set and track their 90-day goals, manage priorities, and maintain a balanced life.
• Declutter Quadrant: A framework to help leaders identify and eliminate low-value tasks to focus on what truly matters.
• Annual Energy Map: A tool to plan and allocate energy throughout the year, especially during high-intensity seasons like fall.

Cohort Opportunities:

• Effective Leader Cohort: Led by Chad, this cohort focuses on eight core leadership skills essential for any leader looking to grow.
• Anti-Burnout Cohort: Led by Alan, this cohort is based on his book, Anti-Burnout, and is designed to help leaders overcome obstacles and find opportunities amidst challenges.

Call to Action: If you're ready to grow as a leader and not be left behind this fall, consider joining one of the Stay Forth cohorts. They offer a community experience at a fraction of the cost of traditional leadership coaching, providing you with the tools and support needed to take your leadership to the next level.

Connect with Us:

• Visit Stayforth.com for more information on coaching and cohorts.
• Follow us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes and announcements.

Subscribe and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review on your favorite platform. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more leaders like you!

Upcoming Episodes: Stay tuned for big announcements coming in the next few weeks. You won’t want to miss what we have in store!

• "There's a difference between being critical and being cynical."
• "Cynicism is a dead end, curiosity is an on-ramp."
• "If we don't believe that it's possible for leaders to change, then we need to get out."

• "The obstacle is resistance. The opportunity is movement."
• "When we bravely take steps forward, we are whispering to ourselves, this is worth it."
• "Resistance cannot be seen, touched, heard or smelled, but it can be felt."

• "We wanted to spend just a few minutes to talk about this guy and why we believe it is the standard."
• "We often don't even realize what we expected until we experience this awful thing called disappointment."
• "When you experience disappointment, it's always about unmet expectations."

Takeaways

• Taking care of oneself physically, emotionally, and spiritually is essential for long-term service and avoiding burnout.
• Leaders should prioritize their own well-being and model a healthy culture within their organizations.
• Success can be more dangerous than failure if it leads to self-reliance and neglect of personal health.
• Hardship is often followed by opportunities and miracles, and leaders should embrace the lessons and growth that come from difficult times.
• Leaders should be selective in their response to needs and seek guidance through prayer to discern their role in serving others.

Key Quotes

• "Everyone can do something, just do the next kind thing that God puts in front of you."
• "Success is more dangerous than failure."

Buy the book

https://bit.ly/4dBxvlz

This discussion unpacks how leaders often overlook their own pain while focusing on the next task or goal, much like a rock climber so focused on the climb that they ignore their injuries.

We emphasize the importance of acknowledging both macro and micro pains to move toward healing and connection. We also explore the role of friends, therapists, coaches, and fellow strugglers in navigating this journey.

By confronting pain head-on, leaders can foster deeper connections and healthier communities. Tune in to learn practical steps to manage pain and build supportive relationships.

• "Experiments test the future without pressurizing it."
• "Experiments limit the pressure and increase our curiosity."
• "You can't try something new until you know where to free up space"

On this episode we dive into the different types of fatigue leaders face and the journey from exhaustion to replenishment. Discover practical strategies to identify and combat expected, extended, and extreme fatigue. Learn the importance of intentional replenishment cycles and how daily and weekly habits can transform your energy levels and the trajectory of of your leadership.

If you're feeling drained, this episode is your guide to finding renewed vitality and balance. Tune in and take the first step towards a lighter, more fulfilling leadership journey. #AntiBurnout #Leadership #Replenishment #PodcastSeries #SelfCare

Takeaways Exhaustion and fatigue can lead to burnout and should not be ignored. There are three types of fatigue: expected fatigue, extended fatigue, and extreme fatigue. It is important to identify the level and source of fatigue, whether it is physical, mental, relational, emotional, or spiritual. Creating a replenishment cycle with daily and weekly habits can help combat fatigue and replenish energy. The Right Side Up Journal is a useful tool for self-reflection and accountability in maintaining a replenishment cycle.

Quotables "I'm so tired. I am so tired." "Exhaustion: The Obstacle to Replenishment" "Energy leaks effortlessly, but replenishment requires intentionality."

Grab a right side up journal:  https://www.rightsideupjournal.com Join a leadership development cohort: https://effective.stayforthcoaching.com

• "It's refreshing and it's just a different way to communicate important information."
• "Change of pace plus change of place equals change of perspective."
• "Being away from just instant information and supercomputers that fit in our pockets is probably one of the better ways that I can find newness."

• "When clarity goes up, overwhelm goes down."
• "Overwhelm is something that is standing between you and where you want to be."

Grab you offer here: https://bit.ly/3XwfDn8

Use code BRIGGS at checkout for an exclusive discount.

In episode, Dr. Tashion Macon takes us on a journey through her remarkable career in pop culture and positive psychology. Join us as she delves into her new book, Coming in Hot: A Blueprint for Black Women Setting the World Ablaze, and shares powerful insights on showing up as your greatest self.

About Dr. Tashion Macon

Dr.Tashion Macon is a trailblazer. Her professional experience lives at the intersections of brand marketing, pop-culture, philanthropy, and positive psychology.

Growing up in East St. Louis, IL, Dr. Macon’s traumatic and transformative experiences showed her that she could accomplish anything. Her life trajectory gives her the ability to authentically invite everyone she encounters to achieve their highest vibration.

Dr. Macon has helped iconic companies like Arista/LaFace Records, Interscope/Universal, NBC, T-Mobile, and Warner Brothers achieve their financial and marketing objectives, and she’s led mission-focused organizations like Akoin, Communi- ties In Schools, South Carolina Institutes of Information and Innovation, The Teaching Lab, The Weitz Foundation, Voice Vision Value, and Women’s Foundation of the South to fulfill their purpose. She uniquely understands how to strike – when the proverbial iron is HOT to maximize career-enhancing outcomes.

Her new book, Coming In Hot: A Blueprint For Black Women Setting The World Ablaze is a love letter to Black Women. Dr. Macon introduces her innovative “Hotlist”, a framework to support Black women as they count the costs and the coins to cultivate a career path that is as authentic and unique as they are.

A best-selling author, speaker, and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Dr. Macon’s Coming in Hot offers Black women a thought-provoking and straight-talking guide for professional access, agency, and ascension – one borne of experience and steeped in wit and wisdom.

If you enjoyed this book and found the information useful, please help others find it by leaving a review on the site where you purchased it. Reviews are the most effective way to spread the word that this book brings value to others like you!

Sound Bites:

"Purpose does not need permission to be what it's born to be."

"Your title is something you rent, your talent is something you own."

"Bet on your own blaze, push all your chips in on that."

Key Takeaways:

Show up as your greatest self and cultivate a career that is uniquely yours.

Bring your essence and talent to everything you do.

Trust your unique design and bet on your own blaze.

Divine doors will open for you, even in times of discouragement.

Declare what you desire and follow the direction of divine discontent.

Connect with Dr. Tashion Macon

Books: https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Hot-Blueprint-Setting-Ablaze-ebook/dp/B0D4VYV611?ref_=ast_author_dp&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1cMKFxP3fhaqj0QiSmGoyA.Oe9WzymZkX1fv1jUsJlq_Eob_XrVydE0qHgQAwuTprM&dib_tag=AUTHOR

Website: https://www.tashionmacon.com/

They outline the three phases of a healthy sabbatical: prepare, experience, and reorient. The hosts emphasize the need for engagement and intentional decision-making during sabbatical, and the value of having a sabbatical coach to guide and support the process.

If you or someone you know are experiencing, planning or thinking about a sabbatical ingest this episode!

To pursue your free Breakthrough Sabbatical Coaching session head to www.stayforth.com/coaching

Takeaways

Sabbatical is a valuable opportunity for pastors and leaders to rest, reflect, and reorient.

There are three phases of a healthy sabbatical: prepare, experience, and reorient. Sabbatical is not an escape from life, but an engagement with deep personal and relational matters.

Having a sabbatical coach can provide guidance and support throughout the sabbatical process.

Quotables

"We want to demystify sabbatical."

"I've experienced sabbatical being incredibly life-giving opportunity and gift."

"Sabbatical is different for each person."

Order a Right Side Up Journal to help plan your summer. https://www.rightsideupjournal.com

Our guest today is Pastor and Author Greg Lindsay, who opens up about his own experience of crashing and burning as a pastor. Greg shares insights from his new book, "The Rest of Your Story," a candid account of his journey through shame, suicidal thoughts, and the long road to restoration.

We discuss the significance of understanding one's story, the impact of past traumas, and the importance of experiencing Jesus in the healing process. Greg emphasizes the necessity of community and trusted relationships in finding true freedom and redemption.

Whether you're a leader who's been through a similar fall or someone seeking hope and encouragement, this episode promises to provide valuable insights and inspiration. Join us as we explore the path to healing and the importance of staying true to one's calling despite life's challenges.

About Greg Lindsey

Greg Lindsey is a trial attorney turned church planter who has been the lead pastor of Discovery Church in Colorado Springs for over fifteen years. He is also one of the founding leaders of COSILoveYou, a Colorado Springs-based organization committed to uniting and igniting the local church in love for the city. Greg and his wife, Stacy, have been married forty years and have four daughters and nine grandkids.

Connect with Greg

Book: https://amzn.to/4cbjJp8

Instagram: @greglindseyauthor

Twitter: @greglindsey

Tik Tok: @greglindseyauthor

Facebook: @greglindseyauthor

Connect with our Sponsor

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About Steve Carter

Steve Carter is the best selling author of The Thing Beneath The Thing, host of the Craft and Character podcast, a coach to communicators who are looking to find their unique voice or take their next step of growth in speaking and teaches regularly at churches, conferences, and various businesses around the country. He is the former lead teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church and currently serves as a teaching pastor at Forest City Church. He lives outside Chicago, Illinois, with his wife and two kids.

Takeaways

Embrace grief and learn to sit with the pain in order to find healing and renewal.

Forgiveness is a powerful gift that allows us to release bitterness and anger and experience freedom.

Finding a sense of place and belonging can be a significant part of the healing process.

Leaders often struggle with grieving and celebrating, but both are essential for personal growth and maturity.

There is hope and a surprise waiting for leaders who are hurting, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Quotes

"Grieve what is, grieve what I thought it was gonna be, grieve how key people let me down, breathe in the new mercies, exhale all bitterness and resentment and anger, and receive what I need to learn, receive what I need to own, receive who I need to become."

"Go to the desert and wait for instructions because I am... I was trying to achieve my way out of it. I was trying to figure out, okay, like, where can I go? What's a bigger city? What's a better opportunity? Because that's how I'd always handled my sadness and stress was just look to go do something more. And I thought the desert was metaphorical, but I took out my journal and just started to write similar to the donut shop and... I just wrote down the line, you can't achieve your way out of this, you can only grieve your way through it."

"Trust is a mathematical formula. Safe plus consistent, again and again, over and over on repeat, makes you worthy of trust. Unsafe, consistent, again and again, over and over, makes you unworthy of trust. And safe but inconsistent, again and again, over and over on repeat, makes you unworthy of trust. The question is, are you worthy of trust?"

Connect with Steve

Website: https://www.stevecarter.org/

Book: https://amzn.to/3x87cnc

Go take the assessment at www.WorkingGenius.com.

If you would like Alan to lead a training to translate this assessment into your tea, email us at hello@stayforth.com

About Pat Lencioni

Pat is one of the founders of The Table Group and is the pioneer of the organizational health movement. He is the author of 13 books, which have sold over 8 million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages.

As President of the Table Group, Pat spends his time speaking and writing about leadership, teamwork, and organizational health and consulting with executives and their teams.

Prior to founding the firm in 1997, Pat worked at Bain & Company, Oracle Corporation and Sybase. Pat lives in the Bay Area with his wife and four boys.

Takeaways

Understanding the six types of working genius can transform teams and improve productivity and morale.

Borrowing geniuses across teams can lead to increased innovation and success.

Understanding frustrations can be liberating and prevent burnout.

The team map is a valuable tool for visualizing the distribution of geniuses and frustrations within a team.

Using the vocabulary of working genius can improve team communication and project flow.

Understanding individual and team dynamics is crucial for improving productivity and avoiding conflict.

The concept of working genius identifies six types of genius that individuals possess.

Clarity and communication are essential for ensuring alignment within teams.

Working genius can be connected to other concepts introduced by Lencioni, such as the five dysfunctions of a team and the ideal team player.

Taking the working genius assessment can provide valuable insights for individuals and teams.

Quotables

"Nobody on their team had the genius of wonder."

"Let's just put people in the right role and give them the right responsibilities that correspond to what gives them joy and energy."

"She has enablement, which means whenever a customer or an employee says, I need help, she's right there."

"You have to see how it comes about. And we know it's going to be painful for you."

"People can now actually call each other out on things in a way that doesn't feel like they're being judged or attacked, but they're being honored."

"People talk to one another using the language of working genius, which in a good way objectifies feedback that used to feel personal."

About Pat Lencioni

Pat is one of the founders of The Table Group and is the pioneer of the organizational health movement. He is the author of 13 books, which have sold over 8 million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages.

As President of the Table Group, Pat spends his time speaking and writing about leadership, teamwork, and organizational health and consulting with executives and their teams.

Prior to founding the firm in 1997, Pat worked at Bain & Company, Oracle Corporation and Sybase. Pat lives in the Bay Area with his wife and four boys.

 Takeaways

Organizational health is important for avoiding burnout and creating healthy cultures.

The six types of working genius are wonder, invention, discernment, galvanizing, enablement, and tenacity.

Wonderers ask questions and ponder new ideas, while inventors come up with new ideas and solutions.

Discerners evaluate ideas and have great pattern recognition instinct.

Galvanizers rally the troops and inspire others, while enablers answer the call for help and support.

Tenacious individuals plow through obstacles and finish tasks.

Both disruptive and responsive geniuses are needed in a team.

IGs (Invention and Galvanizing) are naturally excited about new ideas and enjoy sharing them.

IDs (Invention and Discernment) evaluate and edit ideas as they come up with them.

Understanding and celebrating each other's geniuses can lead to a more productive and joyful team.

An ideal day for an ID might involve coming up with new ideas and having coaching conversations.

An ideal day for an IG might involve launching new ideas and getting people excited about them.

About Chris

Chris received a master of arts in speech from Northwestern University and a master of arts in counseling psychology from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. He is the co-founder and CEO of Restoration Project (restorationproject.net), a ministry devoted to helping men recover their hearts by healing their wounds, knowing God, and restoring the world. He is a licensed professional counselor, and the founder and CEO of ReStory® Counseling (restory.life), leading a diverse and collaborative team of Storywork counselors around the country.

Chris has been married to Beth for 27 years and they have three mostly adult children. After spending the better part of a decade in missions in the Near East, they settled in his home state of Colorado. But their love for travel permeates their home and dinnertime conversations and a good adventure is always in the works.

Connect with Chris

Sage

Man Maker Project

Restoration Project

ReStory Counseling

• "Leaders are readers."
• "Don't just feedback, feed forward."
• "Go slow or go fast, but don't rush."

Grab a copy of AntiBurnout here: https://bit.ly/3VXiVz9

Grab your copy here 

They discuss important shifts leaders must make if they want to avoid burning out. The conversation touches on the six types of working genius and the power of leaning into one's natural strengths. This episode provides practical insights and strategies for leaders to avoid burnout and lead with purpose. 

These shifts are important for leaders to make in order to be effective and impactful in their roles. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to have clarity, prioritize their tasks, and be intentional in their decision-making. It also highlights the importance of developing others and being effective with people rather than just being efficient.

Takeaways

Shifting from reactive to proactive leadership brings freedom and allows for intentional living. Investing energy in areas that bring fulfillment and multiply impact is more valuable than managing time. Understanding and leaning into one's natural strengths can lead to greater fulfillment and effectiveness in leadership. Living proactively and investing energy in the right areas can help leaders avoid burnout and lead with purpose. Leaders must have clarity in order to be effective. Prioritizing tasks and focusing on priorities rather than being in triage mode is crucial for leaders. Leaders should shift from intuitive thinking to intentional decision-making. Developing others and being effective with people is essential for leaders. Efficiency is important, but effectiveness with people should be prioritized. From Confusion to Clarity: The Importance of Having Clarity as a Leader

Quotables

"Now I find myself having greater impact and somehow putting in less output." "We cannot design our lives when we are reacting to them." "The currency of leadership is energy." "Leaders must have clarity." "The first job of a leader is to define reality." "Clarity brings confidence."

Grab your copy of AntiBurnout here: https://bit.ly/3VXiVz9

Takeaways

The greatest obstacles we face as leaders can lead to the greatest opportunities if we are resilient and push through them. Living a 'whelmed' life means living at our capacity and avoiding both underwhelm and overwhelm. Experiments and prototypes are vital for finding our way to open new doors and close others. Pain is an invitation to seek connection with others who understand our struggles. Disappointment can be an opportunity for growth and learning when we name the gap between our expectations and reality. Resistance is a normal part of shaping the future, and movement is the key to overcoming it. Cynicism can be overcome by cultivating curiosity and a mindset of possibility. Exhaustion should be addressed through intentional replenishment of what has been depleted. Change requires experimentation and prototyping to test new ideas and approaches. Overwhelm can be reduced by seeking clarity and focusing on the present moment.

Quotables "The greatest obstacles you face as a leader can lead to the greatest opportunities you will have." "Change yields loss before yields opportunity." "A whelmed life is a good life. A whelmed life is a full life."

• "We're in the midst of a burnout epidemic."
• "We cannot give what we do not have."
• "We must fight for a lighter way to live and lead."

Order your copy of AntiBurnout today: http://bit.ly/3VXiVz9

For more than 15 years, J.R. served in pastoral roles in mega-churches, church plants, and house church networks. Since starting Kairos Partnerships, he has served and invested in a wide variety of leaders, including business owners, pastors, university administrators, non-profit directors, entrepreneurs, attorneys, Blackhawk army helicopter operators, U.S. Olympic athletes, and Division I college coaches.

In addition to coaching leaders and consulting with businesses, organizations, universities, and non-profits, he also speaks and teaches.

He has taught in higher education since 2017. Currently, he serves as a faculty mentor for Kairos University and as a guest instructor at Friends University in the Masters of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Leadership program. He has guest lectured, taught, and spoken at over a dozen colleges, universities, and seminaries around the U.S.

He also serves as the Director of Leadership & Congregational Formation for The Ecclesia Network and as a National Trainer and Strategist for Fresh Expressions U.S.

He has written or co-written thirteen books on a wide variety of topics and served as one of the contributors to the Abide Bible. He has written over 50 published articles, both online and in print, with Christianity Today, Huffington Post, Preaching Today, American Bible Society, N.T. Wright Online, Missio Alliance, Boundless.org and Relevant Magazine, and several others.

He hosts the Resilient Leaders podcast, a weekly podcast equipping leaders in a wide variety of backgrounds to grow in their resilience and health.

He serves on the Board of Directors for Jerusalem University College and the Board of Advisors for the Institute for Bible Reading.

J.R. loves swimming, kayaking, hiking, reading, traveling to new places, eating fish tacos, and watching the Philadelphia Phillies.

He and his wife Megan have been married for over 21 years and have two teenage sons, Carter and Bennett. They live in Lansdale, PA in the greater Philadelphia area.

• Cynicism is a prevalent issue in our culture and can erode trust and hope.
• Leaders are particularly susceptible to cynicism and must guard against it.
• Cynicism is different from skepticism, as it assumes a closed-minded posture.
• During election season, leaders need to be mindful of cynicism and strive to bring hope.
• Practices such as gratitude, giving others the benefit of the doubt, and surrounding oneself with hopeful people can help guard against cynicism.

About Tabitha

Tabitha is known for her groundbreaking expertise in leveraging the principles of modern and ancient science to accelerate innovation, productivity and adaptation for organizations. Tabitha led efforts to create the world’s largest solar-powered community and was recognized for her numerous innovative uses of advanced technology at the White House.

She has published dozens of original works in leading industry publications, like Forbes, the Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, the Encyclopedia of Energy Engineering and Technology, and CEO Magazine on energy, behavior change, corporate leadership, and avoiding burnout. Tabitha is a Certified Energy Manager and Certified Demand Side Manager through the Association of Energy Engineers. 

She is Blockchain Certified through MIT, and is a Certified Practitioner in bio-field holistic practices. Tabitha has a bachelor’s degree in Finance from University of Louisville, a master’s degree in Bank Management from the Graduate School of Retail Bank Management at the University of Virginia, and an MBA from Fairfield University. She is also certified as an AEM-Cube consultant and a CultureTalk partner.

Connect with Tabitha

Website: https://www.tabithaascott.com/

Books: https://www.tabithaascott.com/books/

Alan sits down with his kids for a fun episode where they each take turns asking him the hardest questions he's had to answer to date. You don't want to miss this one!

We want to thank everyone who has helped us on this journey and we're excited for another 400!

Remember, it is possible to live and lead without burning out.

About Peter Greer

Prior to joining Hope International, Peter worked internationally as a micro-finance advisor in Cambodia, technical advisor for Self-Help Development Foundation in Zimbabwe, and managing director for Urwego Community Bank in Rwanda. He received a B.S. in international business from Messiah College and an MPP from Harvard’s Kennedy School. As an advocate for the Church’s role in missions and alleviating extreme poverty, Peter has been a speaker at a number of conferences, and he has been featured by Christianity Today, World, Forbes, CNN, and RELEVANT. He has also written The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good (with Anna Haggard, 2013), Mission Drift (with Chris Horst, 2014; selected as a 2015 Book Award Winner from Christianity Today), Entrepreneurship for Human Flourishing (with Chris Horst, 2014), Stop Helping Us (2014), Watching Seeds Grow (with his son Keith, 2014), The Giver and the Gift (with David Weekley, 2015), 40/40 Vision (with Greg Lafferty, 2015), Created to Flourish (with Phil Smith, 2016), The Board and the CEO (with David Weekley, 2017), and Rooting for Rivals (with Chris Horst, 2018).

About Charaia

Charaia Rush is a writer and speaker who is passionate about telling the story of the gospel and watching how it softens the hardened corners of our hearts and illuminates the dark rooms of our spirits. She has written for outlets such as Christian Parenting and SheReads Truth. She resides in Colorado with her two lovely children.

Preorder her book Courageously Soft here https://www.amazon.com/Courageously-Soft-Daring-Tender-Heart/dp/1540903435/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19MEG3RJ0U0YT&keywords=charaia+rush&qid=1708122280&sprefix=charaia+rush%2Caps%2C328&sr=8-1

In this episode Sabbatical Coaches Alan Briggs and Chad Lunsford demystiy the WHY and WHAT of sabbatical. You can apply for one-on-one sabbatical coaching or our Summer Sabbatical Cohort to receive guidance during your sabbatical

Learn More: www.stayforth.com

Visit www.reachthelost.com to see how they can help your church or ministry win searches.

Increase your focus and productivity with Magic Mind. 

https://magicmind.com/products/magic-mind-productivity-shots?selling_plan=858325126

Use code Briggs at checkout for a 20% discount. 

Purchase a Right Side Up Journal:

https://www.rightsideupjournal.com

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: @stayforthld

Grab your copy today: www.rightsideupjournal.com

About Todd

Todd Henry teaches leaders and organizations how to establish practices that lead to everyday brilliance. He is the author of seven books (The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Louder Than Words, Herding Tigers, The Motivation Code, Daily Creative, The Brave Habit) which have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and he speaks and consults across dozens of industries on creativity, leadership, and passion for work.

With more than fifteen million downloads, his podcast offers weekly tips for how to stay prolific, brilliant, and healthy.

Website: www.toddhenry.com

Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B004IRLB9K/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=10bcf995-1341-49fc-8905-0cb687232735

Podcasts: https://www.toddhenry.com/podcasts/

About Ryan

Ryan Deiss is a best selling author, founder of multiple companies collectively employing hundreds around the globe, and one of the most dynamic speakers on marketing in the United States today. Ryan is the founder and CEO of DigitalMarketer.com and Founder and Managing Partner of RivalBrands.com and plattr.com. Ryan is the creator of the “Customer Value Optimization” methodology and have introduced and popularized many of the digital selling strategies that modern companies now take for granted. Ryan is also the founder and host of the Traffic & Conversion Summit, the largest digital marketing conversion conference in North America.

Connect with Ryan

Website: https://www.ryandeiss.com

About Jordan

Jordan Raynor is a serial entrepreneur and national bestselling author of Called to Create, Master of One, and Redeeming Your Time. He serves as the executive chairman of Threshold 360, a venture-backed tech startup that has built the world’s largest library of 360° experiences of hotels, restaurants, and attractions. He has twice been selected as a Google Fellow and served in the White House under President George W. Bush. He has spoken at Harvard University, SXSW, and many other events around the world. A sixth-generation Floridian, Jordan lives in Tampa with his wife and their three young daughters.

About Henry Kaestner

Henry Kaestner co-founded the Faith Driven Entrepreneur and Faith Driven Investor ministries, and has been a catalyst behind both movements. He and his team seek to serve faith driven entrepreneurs, investors, funds, partners, and advisors through content, community, and connections.

Henry is also a Co-Founder and Partner at Sovereign’s Capital, a private equity and venture capital management company that invests in faith driven entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia and the U.S. from its offices in Silicon Valley, Durham, Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Jakarta, Indonesia. Prior to co-founding Sovereign’s Capital, Henry was Co-founder and previous CEO, and then Chairman, of Bandwidth (NASDAQ:BAND) and its sister company, Republic Wireless (which spun out of Bandwidth in 2016). Together the companies have grown from $0 to more than $600 million in revenue. The founding values of Bandwidth are: Faith, Family, Work and Fitness (in that order). Prior to co-founding Bandwidth.com with David Morken, Henry founded Chapel Hill Brokers (a predecessor to ICAP Energy), an institutional energy derivatives broker that became the top ranked electricity broker in the country.

Henry has been involved in a number of other ministries and philanthropic activities. He co-founded DurhamCares, was a founding Board Member of Praxis, and sits on a variety of business and ministry boards including Valley Christian Schools where his 3 boys attend. Go Warriors!

Henry is a member of the broader Church in the Bay Area, attends Venture Christian Church in Los Gatos, CA and serves as an elder in the Presbyterian Church of America. Henry lives in Los Gatos with his wife Kimberley and their three sons.

Connect with Henry

LinkedIn

Twitter

Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast

We hope you enjoy these clips, and as you rest over the holidays take time to listen to one, or all of the episodes mentioned. 

Episodes Mentioned. 

342: Jimmy Rollins https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-9u7w7-136994d

343: B.J. Thompson https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-6byfa-1373b86

344: Alyson Caffrey https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-d4s7j-137def9

350: Melissa Hughes https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-3gu46-13bb1b3

381: Faith Eury Cho https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-wffg6-14ebbdf

We hope you enjoy these clips, and as you rest over the holidays take time to listen to one, or all of the episodes mentioned. 

Episodes Mentioned. 

379: With Erwin McManus. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-mw9ap-14c9a4a

382: With Hal Elrod. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-wbypn-14f45a5

374: With Dr. Jamie Shapiro. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-fkrmu-149d12a

376: With Dan Rockwell. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-zw5gh-14afaef

367: with Gordon MacDonald. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jaixh-1455e91

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