PART I
What if the real bottleneck in our businesses isn’t strategy, hustle, or even talent — but a spiritual problem? In this conversation, Andrew Grinbaum, founder of the Spirituality in Business Institute and a leader who runs two companies on just one hour a week, reveals why meaning, purpose, and inner alignment are the missing engines of healthy organizations. From working with executives at major firms to guiding hundreds of small business owners, Andrew has witnessed how spiritual clarity transforms productivity, culture, and leadership. This episode explores the deeper forces at play beneath burnout, stagnation, and broken workplace systems — and how reconnecting with our “why” can radically change the way we work and lead.
Learn more at https://spiritualbiz.org/
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https://www.facebook.com/p/Spirituality-in-Business-61572174381879/ Connect with Andrew Grinbaum: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grinbaum/
In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong explores one of the most enduring truths found across spiritual traditions, psychology, and philosophy: we become what we think. Drawing from the Buddha, James Allen, Emerson, C.S. Lewis, and Bruce Lee, Jeff unpacks how our inner world shapes our outer lives—and why mindset is a spiritual issue long before it becomes a behavioral one.He also wrestles with the counter-argument that we are what we do, highlighting how action and intention intertwine. Through the lens of the SPIES well-being model, Jeff invites listeners to reclaim agency, choose purpose over passivity, and embrace the daily opportunity to be their best today and better tomorrow.A reflective, practical, and motivating episode for anyone seeking spiritual and personal renewal.
A recent backlash against actor and Christian commentator Kirk Cameron has reignited a long-standing debate within evangelical Christianity: Is eternal hell the central motivator of faith? And is personal salvation the primary point of the Christian life?In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong explores why the obsession with eternal outcomes may reflect a deeper spiritual problem—one that distracts us from the way of Jesus in the present. Drawing on Scripture, theology, cultural voices, and music, Jeff argues that Christianity is not merely about securing a future destination but about how we live now—for God and toward others. Referencing John 3:17, the Omega Point, spiritual evolution, NT Wright, Rob Bell, and Shinedown’s haunting question, “How did you love?”, this episode challenges listeners to reconsider what faithfulness really looks like.
In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong is joined by author, theologian, and Director of Communications and Engagement at ABWE, Alex Kocman, to discuss the spiritual crisis behind modern leadership and cultural division. Together, they consider how doctrine shapes not just belief, but mission — and how recovering a spiritually grounded theology might be the only way to heal our fractured world.
From the hollow performance of public faith to the privatization of moral conviction, this conversation explores what happens when the church’s message becomes unmoored from its spiritual roots. Alex offers thoughtful insights from his work in global missions and Christian media, helping us see how truth and love must once again meet in the spiritual formation of leaders, communities, and culture itself.
In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong welcomes Lisa Hamilton whose life embodies the spiritual seasons we all move through—pruning, overcoming, believing, and surrender. From designing fashion in New York and Los Angeles to launching global business ventures, to building homes in Austin and renovating in California, Lisa’s journey is a vivid tapestry of reinvention guided by faith. Drawing from her books Winds of Change and the Unstick Your Stuck Life series, she brings an honest, grounded perspective on how God shapes us through transitions, wrestlings, and unexpected callings. Together, we explore how our messy, very human paths reveal divine movement—and what it means to grow Spiritually in real time.Learn more about Lisa at https://www.lisahamilton.com/
In this episode, we explore “the glory of the Commons,” a reframing that transforms the classic tragedy-of-the-commons narrative into a hopeful vision for human and spiritual evolution. Drawing from a recent conversation with environmental leader Tim Christophersen, the evolutionary theology of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and themes from our previous episodes on selfishness, selflessness, the divided self, and the integration of the physical and spiritual, this episode examines how the Commons offers a spiritual path forward. We explore how the Commons becomes not just an ecological or economic idea but a lens for understanding human consciousness, moral development, and our potential for self-transcendence. Ultimately, we consider how moving from tragedy to glory may be the spiritual invitation of our era.
In this episode of the …We Have a Spiritual Problem Podcast, we explore the nature of the Self at a depth rarely examined in modern culture. What does it mean to be a “self” in a world overflowing with ego, entitlement, loneliness, and moral confusion? Using the contrast between selfishness and selflessness—not as good vs. bad, but as self-centered vs. other centered orientations—we dissect how our spiritual evolution depends on balancing identity, responsibility, and transcendence. Drawing inspiration from Gale Sayers’s powerful creed “I Am Third,” Teilhard de Chardin’s concept of the Omega Point, and the cautionary tale of the “Tragedy of the Commons,” this episode connects personal transformation with humanity’s collective future.
In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong explores the mystery of Christ as the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning, the becoming, and the beyond. Drawing on the insights of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Dr. Armstrong examines how our daily struggles, tensions, and imperfections are not obstacles but the very forces moving us toward spiritual evolution and divine fulfillment. Through the lens of the SPIES model—Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social wellness—he invites us to see how Christ’s wholeness as fully God and fully human serves as both our model and our destiny. This is not just a discussion about theology; it is a reflection on what it means to live as evolving beings directed toward divine perfection.
In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong explores how our personal and collective struggles—political division, social tension, relational friction, and inner conflict—are not detours from spiritual growth but the very conditions that make it possible. Drawing from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s concept of the Omega Point, the SPIES model of holistic wellness, physiological principles of adaptation, and the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, Dr. Armstrong reflects on how life’s pressure and resistance serve as catalysts for spiritual evolution. Through personal stories of marriage, family, and work, he invites listeners to consider that the friction we resist might actually be forming us into something higher—something more whole, connected, and divine.
In a world where image is everything, we’ve become masters at performance. We curate our feeds, filter our flaws, and craft public versions of ourselves that are more polished than true. But beneath the surface—beneath the filters, the branding, and the professional polish—something deeper is happening. We’re losing touch with who we really are.In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong explores The Human Facade—why we present masks to the world, how it shapes our relationships, corrodes our leadership, and ultimately impedes our spiritual evolution. Drawing on the SPIES model of whole-person wellness and insights from both psychology and spirituality, Dr. Armstrong invites us to rediscover authenticity not as an aesthetic, but as a spiritual practice.
American leadership is at a crossroads. Public life and many institutions celebrate power, performance, and personality — and too often those traits are labeled “service.” In this episode Dr. Jeff Armstrong diagnoses the rise of what he calls “self-servant leadership” and contrasts it with true servant leadership as taught by Ken Blanchard and modeled by Jesus. Drawing on Martha C. Stewart’s biography of Ken Blanchard (Episode 44), Blanchard’s practice of “catch people doing things right,” Teilhard de Chardin’s vision of spiritual evolution toward the Omega Point, and the SPIES framework (Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social), we explore why servant leadership is both a practical leadership model and a spiritual practice. Jeff revisits his conversation with Greg Stewart about how “What Would Jesus Do?” was reshaped into political and religious postures like Christian Nationalism, and considers the cultural cost when leaders substitute spectacle for service. Practical takeaways include ways to cultivate servant posture in homes, workplaces, churches, and civic life — because leadership rooted in service accelerates spiritual evolution while self-serving leadership deepens division.
**This special episode of ...We Have a Spiritual Problem also aired on The Aging Well Podcast.**Ken Blanchard has shaped how millions of people think about leadership. From The One Minute Manager to his philosophy of "Catching People Doing Things Right," his work has redefined what it means to lead with purpose, compassion, and effectiveness.
In this special episode of ...We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong speaks with Martha C. Lawrence, longtime collaborator and author of the forthcoming biography Catch People Doing Things Right: How Ken Blanchard Changed the Way the World Leads. Drawing on more than two decades of working alongside Blanchard, Lawrence shares insights into the man behind the message: his values, his journey, and the principles that made him one of the most beloved management thinkers of our time.
Together, they explore how Blanchard’s leadership philosophy remains relevant in today's rapidly changing world—and how older adults can continue to lead with wisdom and purpose.
When we feel threatened, we instinctively react: we fight, flee, freeze, or fawn. These survival patterns are ancient, hardwired into our nervous system. But what if there’s another option? A Third Way.
In this episode, Dr. Jeff Armstrong explores the fight-flight-freeze-fawn response through both a biological and spiritual lens, drawing from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Rob Bell’s teachings, and Walter Wink’s concept of nonviolent resistance. This “Third Way” is not about passive submission or aggressiveretaliation—it’s about creative, courageous engagement that disrupts cycles of fear and hostility.
We’ll examine how this principle integrates with the SPIES model (Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social wellness), how it connects to spiritual evolution (Teilhard de Chardin), and why it may be the response our polarized political and religious culture most needs right now.
This is a conversation about moving beyond instinct—about choosing response over reaction, courage over fear, and evolution over survival.
Leadership in America is facing a crisis—not just political or organizational, but spiritual. In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong welcomes back Dr. Greg Stewart, counselor, executive coach, former pastor, and author of the new book I³ for Leaders: Unleash the Rage of Negative Emotions Against the Obstacles of Becoming More.
Together, they explore why leadership has strayed from principles of service, character, and spiritual depth toward power, performance, and polarization. Drawing from the SPIES wellness model (Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social), We unpack the spiritual roots of this leadership deficit, the shift from "What Would Jesus Do?" to "Make America Great Again", and how leaders at every level can rediscover humility, empathy, and moral courage.
This conversation blends faith, emotional intelligence, and practical wisdom, offering a roadmap for leaders who want to heal divisions, foster human flourishing, and align leadership with spiritual values in a fractured world.
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In this conversation, Jeff Armstrong and Lauryn Axelrod explore the themes of free will, choices, and accountability in the context of personal and spiritual growth. They discuss the importance of reflection and transformation, the nature of forgiveness, and the complexities of decision-making in a world filled with false binaries. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of making conscious choices and the impact those choices have on our lives and the world around us.Takeaways:• We often focus on the choices others make rather than our own.• Accountability is crucial for personal growth and societal change.• Forgiveness is about changing the future, not the past.• Every choice we make has the potential to change our lives.• We must navigate the complexities of choices with discernment.• Spiritual growth requires reflection on our decisions.• The cycles of nature reflect the cycles in our lives.• Questioning our beliefs is essential for spiritual evolution.• Empathy and judgment must coexist for healthy relationships.• Our opinions can become attachments that cloud our judgment.
In this episode, we explore the fascinating and sometimes controversial world of psilocybin—yes, the active compound in what many call “magic mushrooms”—and its potential for Spiritual growth, healing, and transformation. Dr. Armstrong shares his recent experience in Colorado, where I was joined by his two guests, Sandi Griffin and Sam Stroman for his first psilocybin journey. Together, they discuss not only the science and Spirituality of psilocybin but also the deeply personal side of encountering the unknown within themselves.
To learn more about where you can legally access therapeutic mushrooms:Grow Your Own Thoughts219 E Vermijo Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903https://www.growyourownthoughts.org/
Schools in the United States are at a crossroads—protected, pressured, and often emptied of purpose. In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong examines how cultural trends, psychology, and spiritual imagination collide in modern education. Drawing on Lukianoff & Haidt, Eric Goff, Brian Cranley, Malcolm Gladwell, and Teilhard de Chardin, we consider practical ways to teach resilience, rekindle wonder, and orient learning toward Spiritual evolution.
Anxiety, addiction, and apathy are often seen only as medical or psychological struggles. But what if they are also symptoms of something deeper—a collective spiritual starvation? In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong explores how our modern malaise reveals not just broken psyches, but a fractured relationship with meaning, connection, and transcendence. Drawing on Carl Jung, Gabor Maté, Parker Palmer, Dr. Robb Kelly, Lauryn Axelrod, and the dangers of spiritual bypassing, this conversation reframes mental health crises as spiritual signals, pointing us toward wholeness, integration, and the possibility of a more deeply human life.
We are told that loneliness is an epidemic. But what if loneliness isn’t the real problem? What if it is only a symptom of something deeper? In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong explores why our ache for connection is spiritual at its core. Drawing on Teilhard de Chardin’s vision of the Omega Point, the mystery of quantum entanglement, and practical frameworks like the SPIES model, Jeff unpacks how we can move beyond surface-level connection into relationships that truly form us. From the “magic wand question” to the six degrees of separation, this episode invites listeners to rediscover what it means to belong, to be known, and to take part in a greater story of Spiritual evolution.
Science and faith are too often framed as rivals—one claiming reason, the other clinging to belief. But what if they’re both part of the same search for truth, grounded in wonder? In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong is joined by Brian Cranley, biomedical engineer, theologian, and author of The Call of Wonder. Together they explore how discoveries like the Big Bang and evolution can deepen, not diminish, our sense of the sacred. From the Genesis creation narratives to the insights of Greek philosophy, and from the shared traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to today’s scientific frontiers, Cranley shows how faith and science can be partners in spiritual depth. If you’ve ever wrestled with how to reconcile your curiosity about the universe with your belief in God, this conversation is for you.BUY The Call of Wonder on Amazon and support this podcast: https://amzn.to/45q9Rap.