The H2 Leadership Podcast

Jenni Catron and Alan Briggs explore the complexities of leadership and organizational culture. They discuss the importance of open communication, feedback loops, and the need for leaders to be aware of the cultural dynamics within their teams. Jenni emphasizes the significance of patience and persistence when implementing change, as well as the responsibility leaders have in shaping the lives of their team members. The discussion highlights the need for clarity, emotional intelligence, and the impact of a positive culture on overall organizational success.

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.

Alan Briggs is joined by Brad Lomenick, leadership consultant, author, and connector of world-changing leaders, to discuss the art of building meaningful relationships, creating transformational gatherings, and leading with curiosity.

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

In this deeply moving and insightful conversation, Alan Briggs sits down with bestselling author and pastor John Ortberg to explore the profound relationship between pain, spiritual growth, and authentic community. Drawing from his own personal journey, the teachings of Jesus, and the wisdom of the AA movement, John shares how embracing our brokenness can lead to deep transformation.

About John

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.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ 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

We often hear about "awareness" and "seasons" in leadership, but what if the key to making better decisions isn't about setting the right goals—but recognizing the season you're actually in? 

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.

Key Takeaways

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?

Reflection Questions

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?

In this episode, Alan sits down with author, pastor, and speaker Zach Meerkreebs to explore the journey of humility, pain, and redemption that led to his powerful new book, Lower. Zach shares how God shaped his life through challenges, failures, and moments of transformation. The conversation dives deep into themes like radical humility, the crushing seasons of life, and finding God's presence in unexpected places—whether it’s cleaning windows or working at a donut shop. Zach offers raw, heartfelt reflections on grief, leadership, and the power of embracing the low places to let God work in profound ways.

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

In the second half of this two-part series, Alan Briggs continues his conversation with Steve Cuss, diving deeper into the challenges leaders face in managing their inner critic, breaking predictable patterns, and finding freedom in their faith.

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.

Highlights from Part 2:

• 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!