Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like everyone needs you all the time? You're not actually stuck, you just need a way out. Alan Briggs shares 4 practical pathways to break free and lead with clarity in 2026. Happy New Year—and welcome to Episode 500! 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. What You'll Learn 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. Key Takeaways "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. Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome to 2026 + Celebrating 500 Episodes01:30 — What is Leadership Claustrophobia?02:45 — The lie: "Everyone needs me all the time"03:30 — From Victim to Designer04:15 — The 4 Feelings That Keep Leaders Stuck04:45 — Overwhelmed → Space07:00 — 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 Reflection Questions Which of the four traps are you most stuck in right now: overwhelmed, myopic, exhausted, or behind? What's one practical change you can make this week to create space, vantage, recovery, or constraints? 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? Resources Mentioned Anti-Burnout by Alan Briggs: Amazon Link Right Side Up Journal: Alan's tool for weekly reflection—looking backward, inward, and forward. Connect With H2 Leadership Website: www.h2leadership.comCoaching: Ready to break out of leadership claustrophobia? Book a Breakthrough SessionPodcast: www.h2leadershippodcast.com Help Us Reach More Leaders 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.

Merry Christmas!!!!! This episode is Part 2 of our year-end series. Last week, we walked through the internal shifts our team made this year. Today, we hand that same framework to you — so you can reset, simplify, and refocus your leadership as you prepare for 2026. 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

We practice what we preach. Here's proof. 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

As we continue our Best of series, we wanted to highlight a very timely conversation. Gordon MacDonald—author, longtime pastor, and former Chancellor of Denver Seminary—joins us to share hard-won wisdom on calling, mentoring, and spiritual friendship. 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. What You’ll Learn 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 About Gordon MacDonald 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. Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction02:45 — Gordon’s early calling and formation07:10 — The mentors who shaped him12:40 — Why intergenerational friendship matters18:25 — The role of spiritual friendship in leadership24:55 — Healthy vs unhealthy leadership communities31:20 — Calling after 60: why most leaders miss it38:15 — Marriage, family, and the real “Lord’s work”45:40 — What the next generation needs from older leaders52:10 — Gordon’s challenge to leaders today57:55 — Final thoughts Connect + Take Your Next Step 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.

As we close out the year, we’re highlighting several of our most listened-to conversations—episodes that continue to shape leaders long after they air. Today’s conversation between Alan Briggs and Jimmy Rollins is one of those episodes: timeless and timely. 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.comwww.twoequalsone.comInstagram: @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.

If you feel frustrated, disappointed, or stuck right now, you’re not broken – you’re human. The real question isn’t “What’s wrong with me?” It’s “What needs to change, and how do I actually change it?” 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. In this episode, you’ll learn: 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 Key ideas and phrases “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.” Resources and next steps Wheel of Transformation ToolWant 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 SessionIf 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.

You can have a compelling mission and a sharp strategy, but if your culture is unhealthy or unclear, your team will stay stuck. 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. In this episode you’ll learn: 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.

Most leaders expect failure to be hard — but no one warns us how disorienting success can be. In today’s episode, Alan Briggs takes us inside a live leadership session and unpacks the real, often hidden challenges that come with growth: fulfillment gaps, maturity barriers, identity drift, disorientation, burnout, and the pressure of everyone wanting a piece of your time. 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. Key Takeaways 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. Resources 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.  

Great leaders don’t just give answers. They ask better questions. J.R. Briggs joins Alan to unpack how curiosity, coaching questions, and practical reflection rhythms build trust, unlock growth, and transform teams. 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 hello@h2leadership.com with subject line “Question for JR.” Links: H2 Leadership: h2leadership.com Email your question: hello@h2leadership.com The Art of Asking Better Questions

Most leaders don’t fail because of a lack of ideas... they fail because those ideas never leave their heads. 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. What You’ll Learn 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 Key Quote “Filters are pre-made decisions that make decision-making in the moment simple.” Resources Mentioned 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 Join the Conversation 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.

Every leader has that project...The one that’s been sitting on your list for months (or years) because you don’t know where to start. In today’s episode, Alan breaks down a simple but powerful 3-step framework to help you get unstuck and finally take action on the work that matters most. 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. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: 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 Three Questions to Get You Unstuck Who can help me? How can I do this more lightly (not harder)? What smaller chunks can I break this into? Resources Mentioned 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 Subscribe & Review 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. Chapters / Timestamps 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

Legacy isn’t what you leave—it’s what you set in motion.In this conversation, David Green (Founder & CEO of Hobby Lobby) and Bill High (CEO of Legacy Stone) share insights from their new book, Legacy Life: Leading Your Family to Make a Difference for Eternity. 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 You’ll Learn 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 Episode Chapters 01:06 – The story behind Legacy Life03:34 – Rethinking retirement: calling never expires07:36 – Legacy vs. generosity: why generosity is a symptom10:21 – Inheritance vs. legacy: passing on what truly lasts12:15 – Creating family vision, mission, and values17:27 – Setting legacy in motion (not leaving it behind)22:09 – Simple steps to start your family legacy plan26:22 – Why storytelling keeps generations connected29:58 – Repairing the past and celebrating progress32:26 – The 100-year family mindset36:20 – Final takeaways: eternal impact through intentional living Guests David Green — Founder & CEO, Hobby LobbyBill High — CEO, Legacy Stone; co-author of Legacy Life: Leading Your Family to Make a Difference for Eternity Resources & Links 📘 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.

Misalignment sneaks up slowly—and it’s expensive. When your life, work, or team drifts out of alignment, you start feeling it: fatigue, frustration, disconnection, and eventually burnout. In this episode, Alan unpacks how to spot misalignment early and realign your wiring, your purpose, and your team before things break down. 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 How can you align your work more closely to your wiring? What change can you make to align more closely with your team? Tools Mentioned Working Genius Assessment Drains & Fills list (simple two-column reflection exercise) Pacing Check (compare your pace to your team’s perception) visit www.h2leadership.com for more tools and resources. Chapters 00:00 – What is an H2 Leader? Health and high impact in harmony02:15 – The need for new brakes and better alignment03:30 – What misalignment looks and feels like05:00 – The story of “Tim”: when wiring, purpose, and team fall out of sync07:00 – The cost of misalignment in leadership and culture09:20 – The great disengagement: how misalignment kills engagement10:00 – Tools for realignment: Working Genius, Drains & Fills, Pacing Check11:45 – 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.”

We said goodbye to Stay Forth—and hello to H2 Leadership.Same mission, sharper clarity. This episode is our official announcement and a roadmap for where we’re heading: helping leaders become healthy and high impact (H2). 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) Chapters00:00 Welcome & context01:05 Why we’re rebranding04:10 What “healthy + high impact” looks like06:20 The five domains of health09:20 What’s changing vs. what stays11:25 ROE: Return on Energy12:15 From reactive to proactive13:55 Priorities, riverbanks & elimination17:40 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 ActionIf 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.

Grounded leaders don’t just manage tasks—they create focus, health, and high impact across their teams. In this episode, Jonathan and Alan unpack the difference between efficiency and effectiveness, the markers of grounded leadership, and practical ways to stop leading scattered and start leading with clarity

Pastors and ministry leaders are carrying more than ever—and too many are doing it in silence. Dr. Mark Mayfield (author of The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry, professor, clinician, and former pastor) joins Alan to demystify mental health in the church, unpack the real difference between coaching and counseling, and give you a practical playbook for when struggles walk into your office… or show up on your staff. This isn’t theory—it’s field-tested, grace-filled, and immediately actionable. In this episode you’ll learn: 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) Chapter Markers 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 Resources Mentioned 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 About Dr. Mark Mayfield 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.

Feeling called to your work is a gift — but it can also be the very thing that burns you out. In this conversation, Alan sits down with Dr. Arianna Molloy, author of Healthy Calling: From Toxic Burnout to Sustainable Work, to unpack the hidden costs of living from a deep sense of purpose. 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.

In this special episode, Alan Briggs steps away from the usual pace of life—and leadership—and invites us into a slower, deeper rhythm. 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 LoopGet resources, tools, and updates from the Stay Forth team: stayforth.com Let’s ConnectLeave a review, share this episode, and tag us on social: #StayForthLeadership

Our phones promise connection but often choke out what matters most. Alan Briggs and Joey Odom dive into the “PID loop” of proximity, interaction, and dependence — and share practical ways to reclaim your time, creativity, and relationships from constant distraction. 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, to have a candid conversation about what phones are doing to us and how leaders, families, and organizations can respond. Together they unpack: Why phones act like “thorns in our pockets” that choke out fruitfulness The PID loop: proximity → interaction → dependence How to break proximity and start resetting your relationship with your device The connection between phones, mental load, and Sabbath rest Practical daily practices to reduce dependence (from 5-minute breaks to putting your phone to bed at night) Why this isn’t just a church issue or leadership issue — it’s a human issue This episode isn’t anti-phone. It’s pro-presence. Joey and Alan share small, practical rhythms to help you regain focus, reclaim creativity, and reconnect with the people and purpose that matter most. Resources & Links Learn more about Reclaim Well and the ARO Box Book recommendation: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Alan’s book The Sabbatical Journey — your field guide for deep rest and reorientation Subscribe, rate, and review the Stay Forth Leadership Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Every leader faces seasons of busyness, drift, and distraction. When that happens, what helps you stay the course? Your purpose. 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. What You’ll Learn: 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 Resources Mentioned: Unique Design Framework — Want to discover your unique leadership design?👉 Email: hello@stayforth.com with subject line “Unique Design Framework” to get a free copy. Book Mentioned: 10X is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan & Benjamin Hardy Coaching & Resources: Stayforth.com Reflect + Respond: Take a moment to sit with these two questions: What’s the deeper purpose that’s driving your life and leadership? 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.