The H2 Leadership Podcast

In this special bonus episode, we’re hitting pause—so that you can learn the power of pressing pause. 

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.

🎧 What You'll Learn:

• 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

📄 Featured Resource:

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 

⏪ Missed the H2 Leader Series?

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!

💬 Let’s Talk!

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)

Welcome to Part 1 of our three-part series on the H2 Leader—a leader who is both Healthy and High-Impact. In this episode, Alan dives into the first crucial element of sustainable leadership: brakes.

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.

Alan Briggs sits down with Scott Cutlan—business leader, mountaineer, and author of Unreasonable: Seven Impactful Lessons Discovered Climbing the Seven Summits. Scott shares his journey from corporate executive to scaling the highest peaks in the world, and the deep leadership insights he uncovered along the way. They explore purpose, alignment, resilience, and the importance of saying "no" to stay focused on what truly matters.

1. The Call to Adventure

• 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.

2. Leadership & Mountain Analogies

• 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.

3. The “More” Concept

• 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.

4. Saying No to Say Yes

• 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.”

5. Resilience & The Why That Keeps You Moving

• 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.”

6. Isolation vs. Community

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

7. The 3 Types of Responses You’ll Get When Pursuing Your Purpose

• 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.

8. Business, Money, and Alignment

• 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.

9. The Most Important Pillar from His Book Right Now: Death

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

Resources & Next Steps:

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

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