The H2 Leadership Podcast

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!

In the first part of this two-part conversation, Alan Briggs sits down with Steve Cuss, author of The Expectation Gap, to explore the challenges of managing expectations, staying human-sized in overwhelming spaces, and starting the year with curiosity instead of pressure.

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.

Highlights from Part 1:

• 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 Christmas edition of the Stay Forth Leadership Podcast, hosts Alan Briggs and Jonathan Collier invite you to take a deep breath, step back, and embrace the power of gratitude. As the year winds down, they share practical insights for leaders to close out the year with intentionality and step into the next chapter with clarity and focus.

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. 🌟

After a transformative six-week sabbatical, Alan Briggs returns to the Stay Forth and the Stay Forth Leadership Podcast to unpack his experience. Join co-host Jonathan Collier as he dives deep with Alan into the why, how, and unexpected joys of stepping back to recharge and recalibrate.

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.

Highlights:

• 🌄 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

Alan dives deep into the world of creativity and team dynamics with author, international speaker, and consultant, Todd Henry. His seven books have been translated into more than a dozen languages.

🌟 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!

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