Podcasts about global leadership summit

Good decisions depend on more than having the most information—they require knowing when to trust experience, whose judgment matters most, and how to keep hierarchy from getting in the way. In this episode, Andy Stanley draws from his latest book, What Great Leaders Do, which identifies seven practices of effective leadership. This conversation goes deeper on two: trusting your leadership intuition and resisting the "evolution of a court" around influential leaders. Andy explains why intuition is often acquired knowledge leaders cannot immediately articulate, how to draw that judgment out of the right people on your team, and why positional authority should not determine whose voice carries the most weight. He also explores the safeguards leaders need as their influence grows and why finishing well requires choosing enduring values over immediate pressures. The conversation was conducted by Life.Church founding pastor Craig Groeschel in front of a live audience at the 2026 Global Leadership Summit.

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're joined by Todd Wilson, co-founder of Exponential and a leader at Multipliers, where he helps churches and ministry leaders pursue multiplication and greater Kingdom impact. Todd has spent decades studying church planting, disciple-making, and movements, and his latest book, How Did We Get Here? Looking Back to Look Forward, explores the evolution of the American church growth movement and what it may mean for the future. Are churches working harder while reaching fewer people? Have our systems become better at producing activity than disciples? Todd challenges leaders to examine the operating system beneath modern church ministry and consider what needs to change if we want to see true reproduction and multiplication. We have a disciple-making problem. // For years, Todd has championed the goal of seeing more churches reproduce. Research once showed that fewer than 5% of U.S. churches were reproducing, and while that number has improved, multiplication remains rare. But Todd believes church planting is ultimately an outcome of a deeper issue: most churches do not have a functional culture of disciple-making. If disciples aren’t reproducing disciples, churches will struggle to reproduce churches. Reproduction has to become generational. // Multiplication begins when reproduction continues beyond the first generation. One disciple makes another disciple, who then makes another, and the process keeps going. The same is true with churches. A church plants a church, which plants another church, which plants another. Once reproduction moves across multiple generations, addition becomes multiplication and the potential for movement begins to emerge. The church growth system has slowly changed. // Todd’s research traces roughly 75 years of church growth history, beginning with missionary Donald McGavran. McGavran originally studied why some churches on the mission field grew while others did not and developed principles aimed at helping missionaries reach more people. Over time, those ideas moved into the American church and blended with seeker-sensitive ministry, the megachurch movement, purpose-driven strategies, multisite, church planting networks, and other innovations. Much good came from these eras, but Todd believes the system gradually shifted toward institutional and programmatic growth. Good intentions can still create the wrong outcomes. // Todd is careful not to blame previous generations of church leaders. Many of the people who shaped modern church ministry were deeply evangelistic and sincerely wanted to reach people. Yet over time, the dominant definition of success increasingly became bigger attendance, larger programs, and expanding organizations. The unintended result is a consumer-driven model that can attract people effectively but struggles to produce disciples who reproduce. The angst leaders feel is real. // Todd hears a growing frustration among pastors: churches are spending more money, employing more staff, and working harder while seeing less fruit. Even churches that appear successful can sense something isn’t right beneath the surface. Todd believes much of that angst comes from trying to produce multiplication through an operating system designed primarily for addition. Naming the problem is an important first step toward changing it. Leaders must model what they want reproduced. // Todd believes transformation has to begin with senior leaders. If disciple-making is going to become the church’s growth engine, lead pastors and elders must personally participate in a simple, reproducible disciple-making process. Rather than merely preaching about discipleship, pastors should be able to name the people they are actively discipling and allow those relationships to shape the way they lead and teach. Keep the process simple and reproducible. // Whatever model a church chooses, Todd believes it must be simple enough for anyone to reproduce. The goal isn’t another sophisticated program but a way of following Jesus that can move naturally from person to person. The same approach should work for a lead pastor, a volunteer, or even a teenager. Simplicity increases the possibility of multiplication. Give the next generation permission to experiment. // Todd isn’t calling churches to abandon everything they’ve inherited. Instead, he encourages leaders to learn from the past, retain what is fruitful, and recognize that the current operating system may be losing effectiveness. Churches should create space for younger leaders to experiment, learn, and discover more reproducible approaches to disciple-making without being forced to preserve every assumption of previous generations. To learn more about Todd Wilson, visit multipliers.org. You can also download a free PDF or audio version of How Did We Get Here? Looking Back to Look Forward at church-growth.org or pick up a paper copy on Amazon.com. In addition, check out Todd Wilson’s conversation with Carey Nieuwhof, and the interview A Simple & Scalable Way to Reproduce Christians with David Putnam. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Portable Church Your church is doing really well right now, and your leadership team is looking for solutions to keep momentum going! It could be time to start a new location. Maybe you have hesitated in the past few years, but you know it's time to step out in faith again and launch that next location. Portable Church has assembled a bundle of resources to help you leverage your growing momentum into a new location by sending a part of your congregation back to their neighborhood on Mission. This bundle of resources will give you a step-by-step plan to launch that new or next location, and a 5 minute readiness tool that will help you know your church is ready to do it! Click here to watch the free webinar “Launch a New Location in 150 Days or Less” and grab the bundle of resources for your church! Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. I am so glad that you have tuned in today for this reason, friends, lean in. um I want you to be a part of the conversation that we’re having today. The leader that we’ve got on the phone, on the I don’t know why say the phone because we have not been on phones for podcasts in, you know, 10 years, but on the line is really pressing on an issue that I know that a large portion, you know, almost 90 percent of the churches in the country need to be doing what we’re talking about today. And they’re not. And I really want you to lean in and learn from Todd Wilson. Rich Birch — If you do not know Todd Wilson, he has been the founding and co-founding member of a number of faith-based organizations, including Exponential and Multipliers. He has designed a number, and been a part of the launch of a multiple of national church planting networks. He’s currently a team member, or team leader at Multipliers and serves leaders and ministries who are pursuing multiplication, helping them develop vision and strategy ultimately for a 100 X impact. You know that I love that. Rich Birch — Recently, he wrote a book that caught my attention that I want to dive in on and kind of um unpack some of the core lessons for us today. It’s called, How Did We Get Here? Looking Back to Look Forward. And it’s really looking at the whole conversation, American church growth movement. Todd, welcome to the podcast. So glad you’re here.Todd Wilson — Rich, it’s great to be here with you. I’m really looking forward to this conversation.Rich Birch — Yeah, me too. So why don’t we start with kind of giving us a picture of Multipliers and the work that you’re focused on now, kind of set the context for us.Todd Wilson — Sure. It’s probably good to have the context, you know, at at my core, my own personal calling. I am an entrepreneurial engineer at my core. I love to envision, envisage opportunities, seek strategies and opportunities of the future. And so where I like to do it anywhere, there’s potential for a hundred X kingdom impact. And that’s what gets me in trouble often is the, wherever there’s potential for a hundred X kingdom impact.Todd Wilson — When I came out of the marketplace over 25 years ago into full-time ministry, the most natural hundred X place for me, in addition to being in the local church was, was church planting. I was just drawn to church planting. I got to spend almost 20 years, ah you know, leading Exponential and co-founding there.Todd Wilson — And in recent years, really trying to get even more focused really on the 100x impact. I want to spend my next decade as I’m getting older here, you know, what’s it look like for every hour, for every dollar, for every bit of energy, to see 100x return.Todd Wilson — And so the idea of Multipliers, and it’s a small team of us that, you know, we have a definite bias within the kingdom space to the disciple-making as the mission and engine of the church. And what’s it look like to get back to Jesus style disciple making. But then church planting and multiplication, what does it look like to be doing things that that are even capable of reproduction that can lead to multiplication and ultimately movement. So our goal is to just help champion at the personal level through personal calling, at the church level through disciple making and cultures of disciple making that can ultimately produce movements.Todd Wilson — And so we are a champion and advocate for that.Rich Birch — That’s fantastic. You and I are are similarly wired. And over the years, you know I’ve heard people talk about, you know, and they always they’ll do like a series at a church on spiritual gifts. And I’ve often wondered because of the kinds of things I’ve been involved in, if, you know, if I have some sort of apostolic gift, just because of the stuff I found myself doing and, you know, launching campuses and all that.Rich Birch — And it’s interesting that gift over the years I’ve heard, which is similar to the kind of work you’ve been doing over the years is the only gift that I’ve ever noticed that preachers, they seem to talk down about it. And they’re like, stop starting things like, you know, they’re like, they always, you know, are like on the negative side of, you know, being the guy who wants to be entrepreneurial and see new things.Rich Birch — And that’s a part of what I admire about you and the good work you’ve done. When you were at Exponential over those, you know, with you that you co-founded, you know, that almost 20 years, you know, they had this, they saw some amazing things happen there under your leadership, where this idea of moving church reproduction from under 5%, really trying to push us towards 16%.Rich Birch — So for people that are unaware of this, I think this is good context to kind of take a step back and talk about why that number, why are we actually, why are you giving decades of your life towards this idea of trying to move towards 16%? What do we mean by that when you you know talk about that? Because I think that’s a good foundational idea for today’s conversation.Todd Wilson — Yeah. I think it’s important it to understand, again, context for me. I didn’t grow up a Christian. I never had a dream to be in full-time vocational ministry. I’ve never wanted to be a lead pastor of anything. You know, ministry was the farthest thing from my mind growing up. When you’re asking kids, what do you want do when you grow up? Todd Wilson — So when God brought me into full-time vocational ministry, and I’m going to say kicking and screaming, I wanted to go start a company. I wanted to go make money. I wanted to go change the world. And so coming into full-time vocational ministry, why in the world would I want to see anything except movements happening? Rich Birch — That’s good.Todd Wilson — We read about movements in the New Testament. Why do I want to be personally satisfied if God’s calling me into a new life of ministry with anything less than seeing movements?Todd Wilson — And so that was my context of stepping in and and leading at Exponential and what was driving us. And your question from 5% to 16%. Well, Houston, we have a problem.Todd Wilson — If movements are multiplication, and multiplication is generational reproduction, and we, at the time we were starting Exponential, there were less than 5% of U.S. churches were reproducing. You just got to let that sink in.Rich Birch — Yeah.Todd Wilson — 95% of churches just 25 years ago, 95% of churches in the U.S. are not reproducing. It’s physically impossible, both mathematically and biblically, to see multiplication and ultimately movements if less than 5% of churches are reproducing.Todd Wilson — So the answer to where’s the 5 to 16, for me personally, God’s called me into a new life and a new ministry. I don’t want to be satisfied with just status quo, but the state of the U.S. church is such that we physically can’t see 100x impact in the operating system of how things are working. Todd Wilson — So the 5 to 16 was very simple. Let’s measure where we’re at. And so the 16% sociologists say that if you can get 16% of an audience acting a certain way, behaving a certain way, it will become normative for everyone else. I like to say, if you’re in a room and you start quacking like a duck to talk, if you can get 16% of the people in the audience quacking like a duck, then everybody’s going to communicate by quacking like a duck.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — And so it just became a conviction. Let’s move the needle from less than 5% to 16%. And then the language we would use is, at 16%, healthy church reproduction would become such a normative thing that we would see multiplication happening.Todd Wilson — Now, the little bit of an elephant in the room before we move on, church planting is just the outcome. So that 5% number, it’s an outcome of the system and what’s happening.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — The more ornery number is that the national studies that we did on what percentage of U.S. churches have a disciple-making culture. That’s also less than 5%.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — So 95% of churches don’t have a functional mission of disciple-making, and that’s their normative growth engine through disciple-making. So in reality, we have a disciple-making problem, not a church-planting problem. And so those two became very tied together, as as will become evident as we have this interview.Rich Birch — Yeah, absolutely. and And just can you define generational reproduction for folks that are listening in? When you when you when you say that, like, hey, we’re trying to move churches towards generational reproduction, kind of just unpack that a little bit more.Todd Wilson — Yeah, let’s let’s start at the personal level of disciple-making. If one person makes a disciple of another person, you’ve got one generation. If that person goes on to make another disciple two generations, that person makes a disciple three generations. We see that biblically. We see that in the leadership pipeline with Paul, that you know we need to see disciples who make disciples who make disciples.Todd Wilson — Once you get to the third or fourth generation of something reproducing itself, if you drew that on paper, one becomes two, two becomes four, four becomes eight, eight becomes 16. That is an exponential or a multiplication curve. So all you have to do to go from addition to multiplication is have healthy reproduction broad and wide multiple generations into the future.Todd Wilson — Now we just take that to the church level, a church that plants a church that plants a church that plants a church broad and wide.Todd Wilson — Now you’ve gone from one church to 16 churches. And now look at the collective attendance of those 16 churches. That’s what you call healthy growth. That’s what you call multiplication when you keep reproducing it over and over.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. And there’s actually been progress against this. This is one of the things that I’ve loved as a person just sitting on the outside looking in as you and the team, you know, Dave and the broader Exponential community have really been hammering away at this. You know, we’re not at 16% yet, but we’re seeing progress, which is which is amazing.Todd Wilson — Right. It’s in the studies that we did, and it’s been repeated a couple of times, the needle has moved to at least 7%. That may not sound like a lot, but if you go take the number of churches we’re talking about…Rich Birch — Yes.Todd Wilson — …and that needle moving from less than 5% to 7%. And we’re not taking credit for all that at Exponential. Rich Birch — Right. Todd Wilson — We’re getting to ride a wave that really started around 2000. Prior to 2000, denominations planted churches, not really churches or networks. We saw the birth of networks around 2000 in the U.S. It’s hard for people to realize, but like in the church planting world, groups like City to City and GlocalNet and Acts 29 and ARC and Church Multiplication Network and Stadia and New Thing Network, none of them existed.Rich Birch — Right. Right.Todd Wilson — Literally in a five-year time period, we saw the birth of all these church planting networks, and that happened to coincide with that we saw that need to start Exponential to serve those networks.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — So We we were a little bit the right group at the right place, advocating for the right thing.Todd Wilson — And I do think that generally the the wonderful thing is that as that needle is starting to move and the visibility is getting more and more, the next generation wants it. Rich Birch — Yes. Yeah, I would agree.Todd Wilson — They want the scorecard of that. So I feel very optimistic that we’re still a ways away from 16%, but the needle is moving in the right direction.Rich Birch — Yeah, I would echo that too. I think there is, um you know, one of the couple years ago, I had one of those ages in my life flip over with zero on the end that you kind of notice and you reflect back on life a little bit. And I would say one of the things I’ve noticed over, you know, almost 30 years of ministry is this issue is has become more normative. Like it’s it’s a part of the conversation. It’s not that everyone’s doing it, but it’s in the dialogue, which I think is is wonderful.Rich Birch — Well, I, so you know, there’s, you interact with a lot of church leaders across the country. You interact with a lot of people, you have a pulse on a lot of, you know, what’s going on. And there’s a growing sense, you have flagged that there’s a growing sense among leaders that there’s just something wrong. It’s like, you know, there’s like a stink in the bottom of our, our, garbage that’s like, oh it’s a little bit stinky. It’s not like overwhelming, but we can’t put our finger on exactly what that is. Rich Birch — They can’t necessarily name it, but we feel it. We kind of see that there’s maybe something in the way we’re doing what we’re doing that isn’t working. What are you hearing as you sit across the table from church leaders in across the country, you know, around all of these things that we’re talking about?Todd Wilson — Let me describe it a couple of different ways. I think the the word I would put on it is an angst. I think if you look at the definition of an angst, there’s a there’s a growing and an underlying angst. um I’m going to say, if I’m descriptive of the angst, that might not be the way people would exactly say it but it’s how I translate what I’m hearing.Todd Wilson — We are working a lot harder to reach less people and we don’t like the cultural Christian product we’re getting. We’re working a lot harder. We’re spending more money to reach fewer people. And we’re just having this angst that the product we’re producing is a little bit too much consumer cultural Christian as we’re working harder and spending more money. And that leaves somebody full time, know, if I mean, if you’re a full time vocational pastor, there’s an angst that sits in the middle of that dynamic going on. Todd Wilson — My mentor and friend, Robert Lewis, who led Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock for years, Robert’s handed off the leadership back in 2005. Robert describes it this way. He did the foreword on my recent book, and when he read and reviewed the book, he said, Todd, oh my goodness, this is first and foremost a walk down history lane. It’s like going back and looking at history. Todd Wilson — But he said, here’s the thing. I had this angst in 2005. Everything was up and to the right. We were growing. We were doing new campuses. We had started a church planting. Like we’re doing all of the stuff. People are turning to us. They’re looking at what we’re doing. We had started a leadership conference. And I just had this angst that something wasn’t right.Todd Wilson — And he said, I couldn’t name it. He said, I needed a therapist. But where does a megachurch pastor who’s having nothing but success with up and to the right, who’s feeling angst about the system, where do you go for therapy in that? He’s like, I didn’t know whether to feel like I was being ungrateful or what.Todd Wilson — And his words were, as you’ve traced the 75 years of the church growth movement and its evolution into a consumer-driven operating system, you have named my angst. I wish I would have had this book in 2005 to name my angst because half the battle is getting our hands around understanding why we’re feeling the way we do.Rich Birch — Yeah, I was talking to denominational leader within the last year to kind of add a bit more flavor even to that angst, who was saying, and this is a fantastic denomination, you know, Jesus loving, you know, fantastic group of people um and have, you know, very similar what you’re saying, like lots of good things going on.Rich Birch — And this was one of those like, After dinner conversations, you know, long ah a long ways away from a bunch of leaders, we were just chatting on the sideline. And he said, you know, the interesting thing, when you look at our tribe, his movement, he rattled off all their stats. We have a certain number of churches. We have a certain number of pastors. We have a certain number of, you know, baptisms every year. It rattles all that off.Rich Birch — And he said, you know, if you were to look at where we were 20 years ago, the number of churches is the same, the number of, and rattled off all these stats that are the same. Like we’re baptizing the same number of people, the attendance is the same, the the like all these things. He said, the only thing that’s gone up in the last 20 years is we’ve doubled our staff head count. There’s twice as many staff today as there was. And when I read, heard about your book and you talk about this angst, I was like, ooh, that’s exactly what he was describing. He’s like, wait a second. what’s happening here. And him as a denominational leader, he had the same read, hey, there’s something wrong with the way we set this thing up. Rich Birch — So your book, let’s actually dive into a little bit. It starts really at 70 year arc from Donald McGavron from 1955, all the way to today. And so for a leader who’s never really stepped back and thought about the history of like, what, how did we get here? It’s the name of your book. Why does knowing what got us to where we are today, this kind of consumer operating system that you describe, why does, how does understanding that help us as we think about the future?Todd Wilson — It’s a really good question. And I’m not sure, honestly, that I when I, when I set out to write this book, that, that that was even driving me to begin with, but very quickly that became the, I realized that’s why I need to write this book.Todd Wilson — So let, let me explain. And I need to give you a little bit of background to explain, because it’s an important question.Rich Birch — Yep, yep, for sure.Todd Wilson — So when I think about the moment that, that I realized we had a problem. Like that that, okay, we’re on this trajectory, things are moving the right direction to the 16%, and I’m back in the leadership of Exponential now. And I’m realizing, oh my goodness, we really do have a problem. And here’s here was what that looked like. Todd Wilson — I believed we had started learning communities and we had very vibrant learning communities And our learning communities got started because we felt like we need to shift the paradigm of people’s measure of success in the scorecard of church. It was very much about we need to shift paradigm. Alan Hirsch was involved with this on how do we shift from just growing large things to growing decentralized things that saturate. And it was very much about scorecard.Todd Wilson — And if you think about it, we’re wanting to move the needle from 5% to 16%. That’s a scorecard thing. So our initiating event was scorecard. But as we got into these learning communities, which in my opinion were the best things we were doing at Exponential. I mean, they were six to eight month learning journeys and we would rock people’s paradigm.Todd Wilson — We really would. People would go through it and be like, Oh my goodness, I got to have a different view of success in the church.Rich Birch — Right. yeahTodd Wilson — And guess what? They’d go home and Sunday’s coming. Rich Birch — Right. Todd Wilson — There’s, services to run, there’s people to pastor, there’s things to do. And the aha moment for me came, Rich, when I realized the the whole definition of insanity, that if you just keep doing the same thing over and over and hope for a different outcome, but that’s insanity. And here I am trying to lead a national organization to see a change in scorecard to move the needle to 16%.Todd Wilson — And I remember the day that I realized we’re not going to get there with the operating system we have in place in church right now. This operating system is not capable of getting us to the 16% number.Todd Wilson — That was a personal crisis. I’m leading an organization that’s up and to the right that the needle is moving. But as a futurist, I’m realizing we’re not going to get where we need to be with the operating system in the church. So the the operating system part was what drove me to start writing this book. I’ll let you ask a question there, and then we’ll circle back to the how does it relate to understanding how we got here, though.Rich Birch — Yeah, so ah just to underline what you’re saying there, um you know in in other conversations, I’ve heard leaders say, you know it’s like, um you know what you know what you reach people with is what you end up keeping them with. And so if what I hear you saying, just putting, I think, other language around it, but correct me, is kind of a consumer-oriented or a consumer cultural operating system that we’ve we’ve used as a church… Todd Wilson — Right.Rich Birch — …you know, obviously by definition, if you ah use a um consumption-based model, that doesn’t, leave you it’s very difficult to turn around and say, okay, now become a multiplier. You know, we got you here as a consumer. Okay, now how do we make you a multiplier? Is that the core pain?Todd Wilson — It is. And Rich, you’re painting the picture of why looking back to understand how we got here is important. If it’s true, that are ah If it’s true, and I want to suggest people ought to go look at it for themselves, that the underlying operating system that has evolved over the last 75 years, it’s not where it started with Donald McGavern in 1955. And there was never bad intentions by any of the good people through the 70 years.Rich Birch — Yeah, right.Todd Wilson — We have evolved from what was originally one thing. into a consumer model that is way more focused on success is growing big, success is making converts, not necessarily disciples. And we we can diagnose that if there’s a problem today, and I suggest there is a problem today, then how we got here and understanding how over 70 years, what was intended to be one thing, gradually (like the frog getting boiled in cold water) turned into something else.Todd Wilson — We’ve got to go through the the, if we really want to change the operating system, and I’ve seen how hard it is, guys can have the paradigm shift. We need to change. Then they go back home into the operating system that they’re operating in. And it is really, really hard to just throw off one operating system and embrace another oneTodd Wilson — And I wouldn’t even encourage people to do that. Don’t go home and just change your operating system overnight. But if you do want to make thoughtful, progressive change, the best way to do it is to start by going back and learn the lesson of how did we get where we are?Rich Birch — Yeah.Todd Wilson — How did things get off track to where to where we are?Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good.Todd Wilson — And that’s what ended you know, I started out the book really to go after understanding the operating system itself. And very quickly came to the conclusion, oh, we I’m not sure how we’re going to move to a new operating system if people don’t go through the hard work of looking back and understanding how well-intentioned people over time have delivered for us what we have today in a flawed system.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. You know, I know, again, from my own personal experience, not to bring this back to me, but to my own personal experience, again, it’s been interesting to see similar patterns. You know, every couple years, there’s like some new idea that comes up in the church. And oftentimes I’m like, yeah, this is just like of rehash of a thing I saw 10 years ago or 15 years ago or 20 years ago.Rich Birch — It’s like, oh, this is is brand new. It’s like, ah, it’s echoes of things we’ve seen in the past. So why don’t we just kind of give people a flyover or a walkover of the kind of eras that you kind of define as you went through the book, just to give people a high level. Rich Birch — Ultimately friends, you know, I’m encouraging you to to do two things out of today. One is to pick up, I think this could be a great book for you and your team to go through. You and your leadership team, buy copies of this, read it. I think it could be an interesting book for you or, and go and listen to Todd’s interview with Carey as well. Carey just takes longer in his podcast and has more time. So there’s going to be, there’s lots packed into that as well. Rich Birch — But why don’t you kind of give us a flyover of the eras? And then maybe when you think about each one of those, something that was like, really positive that came from that area something like hey there’s something good there or maybe there’s something there that we’ve got to be cautious about as we think about the future.Todd Wilson — Yeah. And just to be clear, Rich, you know this, ah I’m a local church guy. My calling is a local church. I’m still on staff at a local church. I love the local church. So this part of the, difficulty for me in spending two years and over a hundred hours of interviews and putting this timeline of history together is I love the church.Todd Wilson — And I I, don’t know that I’d be sitting here talking to you if it weren’t for several of these eras I’m getting ready to name to you. So you’ve got really, I think a common thread through across these areas as we jump into them is typically apostolic, evangelistically driven leaders who really want to reach people. Hell is real. Lost people are going there. We got to reach them. And I think that’s the driving factor across all these eras is well-intentioned people…Todd Wilson — And if I can start with the end point, I think we’ve sort of co-opted the more holistic disciple-making growth engine that’s capable of generational disciple-making with strategies for institutional programmatic growth that are not capable of reproduction. They’re very good at growing large things and reaching lots of people, but not necessarily making, you know, through relational disciple making, disciples who make disciples who plant churches that plant churches.Todd Wilson — So here’s how I would do the flyover. When I got started writing this history, I thought I was doing one chapter of this history in another book. Rich Birch — I love it.Todd Wilson — And one chapter turned into two chapters and three chapters. And eventually my editor said, Todd, you just need to do a full book.Rich Birch — Well, that’s a book.Todd Wilson — And it ends up turning into the longest book I’ve written because of the 75 year history. And ah Rich, seriously, don’t, people don’t need to feel bad if they don’t know all the history. I, I’m like a where’s Waldo through a lot of this history. I’ve had a seat at the table for a lot of the stuff through these eras.Todd Wilson — Until writing this book, I did not know how all the dots connected across these eras. And then it became there were so many, oh, oh, oh. So here’s here’s the shot I’ll give to you. Ididn’t really I knew I had heard of Donald McGavern. I knew he was considered the father of the modern church growth movement. I’ve never, prior to writing this book, read about him, gone off and studied him. Gary McIntosh is his by is Donald McGavern’s biographer. So I spent a lot of time with Gary. He pointed me in the right directions.Todd Wilson — And here’s what I learned. Donald McGavern, born in the late 1800s, international missionary in India. um His father and mother were missionaries in India. He came from the mission field and his context was the international mission field. Todd Wilson — Now, get this as the starting point in 1955. He’s an international missionary. He has planted 15 churches himself in his career, none of which ever grew to more than 100 people. So you got to let that sink in. The father of the modern church growth movement planted 15 churches, none of which grew to more than 100. And yet he’s the father of what we consider now the modern church growth movement.Rich Birch — Right. Interesting.Todd Wilson — So the kind the context was, he became fascinated after reading a research report on why some churches in provinces in India were growing and others weren’t. Sometimes churches in the same village that were growing and just down the street, others weren’t.Todd Wilson — So he kind of took a scientific approach, the study of church growth. Like let’s study this like it’s a science, like what’s causing some churches to grow. And he he had very clear conclusions out of that, but you know, a handful of conclusions of what’s causing that.Todd Wilson — And so ultimately, when he came off the mission field by 1960, 61, he started the Church Growth Institute, not for U.S. pastors, but for international missionaries who were on furlough to come home and learn about church growth principles that they could take back to the international mission field. He had no interest in U.S. pastors. Todd Wilson — So for multiple years in the 60s, he was doing that. And when Fuller wanted to start their International School of World Missions, one of their best faculty member ratings was Donald McGavern. So they invited him to come become the founding dean of the the Fuller School of World Missions.Todd Wilson — But he only agreed to do it if he could bring the Church Growth Institute with him. So by 1970, you’ve got that up and running. He’s built his team. He invited a guy called C. Peter Wagner off the mission field to come be on his faculty staff. And in 1970, 71, Peter Wagner convinced Donald McGavern that they ought to run one class for U.S. pastors on church growth.Todd Wilson — And the rest is history. That one class, it just turned into, Imean, people were very interested in it. Denominations became interested. And literally within a couple of years, you’ve got this up and to the right people latching on to church growth science.Todd Wilson — And that starts the process, you know. Even from the beginning, you start to see a little bit of co-opting away from McGavern’s things. Not fast, but a little bit. Todd Wilson — So right on the heels of that, in the 70s then, you’ve got this young kid, ah Bill Hybels… Rich Birch — Right. Todd Wilson — …who’s running you know going to go into business and he’s running a street ministry with youth. He’s being mentored by Robert Shuler.Rich Birch — Yes.Todd Wilson — And Shuler’s got the possibility thinking, think outside the box, very apostolic. Turns out Shuler not only mentors Hybels, but there’s some mentoring of Rick Warren. And so you’ve got the birth of the seeker-sensitive era then.Todd Wilson — You know, if the first era was the McGavern-Roots era, now we’ve got the seeker-sensitive era. And, you know, that can be a positive or a negative stigma. For me, in 1976, I’m in middle school going into high school, not a Christian, live down the street from this movie theater called the Willow Creek Movie Theater. Rich Birch — Right. Right.Todd Wilson — And my mom drags us kicking and screaming into the Willow Creek Movie Theater. We were the avatar family for the Seeker Sensitive family movement.Rich Birch — Right. Movement.Todd Wilson — From Seeker Sensitive, you get out of that the what Peter Drucker and Bob Buford would call the large church phenomena and the birth of Leadership Network then with the large church phenomena, which became the megachurch phenomena.Todd Wilson — You’ve got Rick Warren and his masterful work with the purpose-driven church. Rick’s able to put handles on this church growth part, but Rick was a disciple of Donald McGavern, so he’s got the McGavern roots. Todd Wilson — You’ve got Hybels with the Shuler roots. And in that 80 into the 90s with the birth of the Global Leadership Summit and the other, you’ve you’ve got this very influential large church phenomena, purpose-driven, being shaped by, you know, in large part, the combination of Leadership Network, Hybels, Rick Warren… And that brings us up to you know about 2000. Todd Wilson — And just as a flyover, I would then call the era of the externally focused church. You’ve got the rapid fire birth of church planting networks. You’ve got multi-site. People don’t realize prior to 2000, there’s less than 50 multi-site churches.Rich Birch — Yeah.Todd Wilson — Leadership Network engages it in 2000. And from 2000 to 2010 you see an up, I mean, radically up and to the right.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — The externally focused church, same thing. Rick Russo has book right in that time period. The missional guys, right in that time period. So the common theme between these church planning networks, the missional guys, the externally focused guys, the multi-site, is we’re now looking outside of ourselves.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — But in large part, we’re still looking outside of ourselves as growth strategies for our things. If you really go look under the hood of a lot of those.Todd Wilson — And then I would say coming out of the externally or outwardly focused era, 2015 to 2025, I just have no other name than the disruption era. As I was doing the research on this book, um I had to stop at like 12 major disruptions that happened in that time period with COVID right in the middle. Rich Birch — Right. Todd Wilson — And so that’s the…Rich Birch — Political upheaval. There’s a bunch in there in that same, you know, yeah, that there’s been a schism.Todd Wilson — You’ve got deconstruction of faith.Rich Birch — Yep.Todd Wilson — You’ve got cynicism. You’ve got platformed individualism with the birth of social media. Now anybody can be their own, you know, playlist influencer. There’s just so many disruptive factors in there.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — Now you look at all those disruptive factors with the evolution of what’s happening in the church and the church operating system. And it leaves us on a very shaky foundation at that point that, you know It kind of brings us up to where we are now, and you can either be a pessimist at that or an optimist. And I choose the optimist path that we’re poised for a new day and a new operating system is my prayer.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s amazing. And friends, as you can see, you just got a real thin slice of, you know, just all the various phases that you do such a great job unpacking for us to help us really understand how we we got here. It was It was wild, it’s wild thinking about a lot of that because I remember, you know, various phases of those over the last particularly 25 years, you know, seeing that up close and seeing, you know, kind of the impact that has had and then wondering about the future and where we go from here. Rich Birch — So thinking about the future and, you know, obviously you’ve, um you know, you’ve you’re making a clear clarion call around, hey, we’ve got to think differently than the consumer driven operating system. We’ve got to we’ve got to come up with something different. After all of that, um and we’ve kind of covered this already, but I’d love to make sure we kind of hone on this, have this resonate with people that are listening in. Why is it so difficult for that system, for the consumer-driven operating system to to really ultimately produce healthy reproduction and multiplication and in churches? What’s structurally ah broken about it? And what what would be some first steps we should be thinking about change to the future as we think about, okay, where we go from here? Todd Wilson — Yeah.Rich Birch — How do we, you know, build on the positive stuff, but also look for something different as we look to the future? Todd Wilson — Yeah. I think we don’t have to make it complex, Rich, if we just keep trying to come back to simplicity for a minute. Like the system that has evolved has actually become pretty complex when you think about it. I would say if we could just focus on, I’m not even going to say changing overnight, but if if I’m a lead pastor, if I’m on staff at a church, I’m really focused on disciple-making as the core mission and growth engine of the church. Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — Like what is it, most churches are going to say our mission is disciple making or it’s going to be part of it. They’re going to say we have a culture of disciple making, but it is not what the data shows. Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — You know, again, 95% of churches do not have a culture of disciple-making. They have a culture of program activity. Rich Birch — Right. Todd Wilson — And so I’m not an advocate of changing everything overnight, but if you want to shift from a culture of program activity to a true culture of disciple-making‚ it has to start with the lead minister having a simple, reproducible, in-practice disciple-making approach that is being modeled for the… I don’t mean discipling the staff. I mean there’s people the lead pastor are personally discipling, modeling that simple, reproducible process. Todd Wilson — Where we’re starting to see traction and where I think the breakthroughs are going to come in getting us to the new operating system of the future, it is going to start, and it’s it’s happening right now, with pastors who say, you know, if I’m really honest, I’ve been preaching the last 52 weeks. I’ve been leading meetings. I’ve been doing, I’ve been doing, I’ve done, but I’m not really personally making disciples. Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — And I think it’s going to start with the lead pastor, the elders, senior people saying, If we could only have one metric of success in the next 12 months, it’s not growth, it’s not the activities we do, it’s not the new building. If we only have one measure of success, it’s how many disciples have I personally, relationally been involved in? me Not how many have I preached to, not how many outreach events have we done where we’ve got, but what have I personally done on the disciple-making front?Todd Wilson — And I don’t want to make it more complicated than that. That’s what we’re missing right now.Rich Birch — That’s good. No, that’s really good. Yeah, that’s good. I love the practical takeaway of, um yeah, it’s like, who are the three people in your life that you’re actually discipling? Let’s start there. Rich Birch — So this is kind of a sidebar to it.Todd Wilson — Can I just look real quick?Rich Birch — Yes. Yep. Push back. Yep.Todd Wilson — So David Putman, who’s part of what we do at Multipliers, David’s longtime kingdom guy.Rich Birch — Yep.Todd Wilson — You should have him on as an interview here. David is completely focused on what he calls the 5-3-2 right now. Five simple reproducible principles, three rhythms, and and two relationships. So it’s a triad of three people that just keeps reproducing.Todd Wilson — Anybody can do it. A ninth grader can do it. A lead pastor can do it. I’m watching this model take different groups by storm right now. And whether you embrace the 5-3-2 or some other model like it, the key is going to be having a simple, reproducible process that works for the lead pastor and anyone else in the church. Same model.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Yeah we had David on back in 2020 and I’m like we got to get him back on uh the podcast. Rich Birch — So sidebar issue, so this is not something we’d you know kicked around ahead of time but it’s kind of adjacent to this. So I am not a I'm not a teaching pastor. Similar to you. I’m not, i never saw myself as a lead pastor. I’ve always been in the like, Hey, my job’s to be in the second chair, cheering for other lead pastors. I’ve worked for um really over my career as an XP three incredible communicator lead pastors who it would appear like, and it is, they, all three of them, God gifted them with this ability to speak and gather crowds. Like that was like core. And, and I, I’ve spent a lot of time like listening to them and watching them. And part of it just appears to be like, it’s definitely a gifting that’s going on there.Rich Birch — And I, over time, ah questions like the following would come up that I would I'd struggle with, where it’s like, it would appear like this person can gather a lot of people, and we can build more chairs in front of that person and people will hear that person and they’ll they’ll take steps towards Jesus. Rich Birch — And I understand that that’s not, or that’s not a full picture of discipleship. That’s one piece of the discipleship puzzle, but it’s not… And the the kind of organizational pressure is, okay, let’s keep figuring out how to build more seats in front of this person and and their gift. How do we get them to leverage their gift well? Rich Birch — And to be honest, I’ve been in conversations where I’ve been the voice of like, I want to line 100,000 people up in front of this person to hear this person speak because I think the way they talk about Jesus is different than what I’ve heard other people say and it it’ll make a difference. Rich Birch — That is, I think, at the center of this tension that there’s some there seems to be something about the gift of teaching that it’s not, I don’t know whether it’s not evenly distributed, or there’s like a brokenness in humanity and we only want to listen to certain kinds of people. I don’t know whether it’s one of those two things. So all I’ve done is describe a problem and I’m going to say, comment on it, Todd.Todd Wilson — Yeah. I think you’re right on the mark. I think I want to affirm that, you know, I mean, everybody has their definitions. I believe the preaching role is, and and the teaching and reaching is a piece of the discipleship equation.Rich Birch — Yep.Todd Wilson — I think if I’m defining the problem statement, We have made it the biggest piece… Rich Birch — Sure. Todd Wilson — …instead of a piece or a playing a role in it. So I think the issue is that how big we’ve made it. Like you, I was an executive pastor for years. And when I look back on that time, my role was not about holistic relational disciple making that could be the growth engine of the church. and it It was how do we get as many people in seats in the auditorium on Sunday? We need great marketing. We need great outreach.Todd Wilson — And again, I think all of those play a role in the disciple-making process ultimately. But let’s just be honest, that’s not disciple-making itself. It plays a role in the disciple-making process.Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — So the elephant in the room here is, how do we scale disciple-making? If I if I could be If I could be the czar of this, I’m not, but if I could be, I want the genius at the end. I want the unique gifts that are represented across the whole mosaic and the church, starting with that dynamic creature that can attract the crowd. I want it. Todd Wilson — But I also want those senior leaders of the organization I really want to be focused on what is our growth engine and what is our holistic disciple-making process. Rich Birch — Right.Todd Wilson — And the number one thing I want from those senior leaders is not their unique gift. I want their modeling, their personal modeling of the simple, reproducible, disciple-making growth engine that anybody in the church can do. Rich Birch — That’s good.Todd Wilson — I mean, that that preaching gift you’re talking about, that that one lead pastor can do, how many other people in the church can do that?Rich Birch — Right. Not many. Yep.Todd Wilson — So there’s their paradigm. So we need them doing it.Rich Birch — Yes.Todd Wilson — But I would argue what we need them doing even more than that inspiration is modeling the simple reproducible disciple making thing that people know that’s how we’re going to win here.Rich Birch — Yeah. Well, and I’ve that lines up, I’ve said it at probably, well, not a thousand times, but hundreds of times with lead pastors over the years that in the context of this conversation, I would rather them weave in the discussion about their discipleship relationships as like just a normative part of conversation rather than the, we’re doing six weeks on discipleship and how to become disciple making. I’m like, if you just pepper that stuff in week in, week out, it just is a normative part of the conversation that changes culture. Rich Birch — The kind of like, we’re going to make it a program. We’re going to brand it. We’ve got a great name on it. And my experience has been, it’s it’s a little bit like nailing jello to the wall. There’s there’s actually some of that containing of what we’re talking about actually kills the exact thing that we’re trying to do. And so, man, I think there’s a real tension there. And how do we help those people? Rich Birch — Because it’s not like we want them to do a worse job. It’s not like, hey, if you could stop talking in a way that attracts a crowd, that’s not the answer. But we’ve got to, like you say, how do we move them into those personal relationships? That’s fantastic.Rich Birch — Well, this has been a great conversation…Todd Wilson — My question would be, Rich, what what would happen…Rich Birch — Yep.Todd Wilson — …if an average lead pastor went on a one-year journey to to of disciple-making themselves? Call it a triad, call it four, five. They’re always, over the next year, going to be in a disciple-making small micro group… Rich Birch — Yep. Todd Wilson — …and all of their preaching is going to be informed.Rich Birch — Yep.Todd Wilson — That’s their laboratory of learning.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s their paradigm. Yeah, that’s good.Todd Wilson — That’s their paradigm. And now they’re bringing it to life, not just as periodic examples, but, you know, my whole frame of reference of my library is what comes out of that experience. Rich Birch — Yeah.Todd Wilson — And our problem right now is that’s just lack. It isn’t that it’s inserted a little bit. It’s just lacking.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, that’s good. Yeah, this has been great. what ah What a great conversation. And as you can tell, friends, there’s a lot we could talk about there. And a lot you know just there’s a rich conversation that could be had around this. Rich Birch — Let’s let’s pivot and kind of talk a little bit about the book specifically. i want to make sure people pick up copies of this. Again, the name of it is How Did We Get Here? Looking Back to Look Forward. People can get this on Amazon. Are there other places that you would send people if they want to pick up copies of this?Todd Wilson — Yeah. So if they go to church-growth.org, church-growth.org, that’s the book’s homepage. You can actually get the free PDF there. You can get the free audio version there. There’s a full wiki there that people can contribute to. What you kind of mentioned it in passing, but I’ll highlight, it is impossible to read this book and not see yourself in it. Rich Birch — Yes. Yeah.Todd Wilson — Anyone who’s been a Christian for a while, they, the editor of the book said the power of this is going to be, she said, I can tell you the page in the book that I entered the story. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s great. Todd Wilson — So you’ve got the free PDF, the free audio, the wiki, and then for people that just want the paper versions, you can get it on Amazon.Rich Birch — That’s great. And we’ll link to that friends so that you can, you know, find that quickly in the show notes and, and friends, I would encourage you again, to me, I think this could be a great resource to do with your leadership team, as I mentioned earlier. It would be a great kind of conversation starter and really context setter for us to think through these issues as we think about the future. Rich Birch — So kind of as we, as we come to close up today’s conversation, any final words as we wrap up today?Todd Wilson — Rich, I just appreciate the work you’re doing. I want to be an encouragement to pastors. Don’t let this book be, it’s not a deconstruction book. It’s not, oh my goodness, the church has fallen apart.Rich Birch — No, yeah.Todd Wilson — We need to keep plugging away doing what we’re doing, but we also have to have an eye on the future that this operating system that has evolved, everything has a beginning and an end. And this operating system, I believe, is in its final days. I think we’re we’re seeing you know less and less effectiveness with it. And I think we just need to be in a posture of giving permission to the next generations to do some trial and error and experimentation and not be locked into the paradigm of the of the past inheriting previous things.Rich Birch — No, fantastic, Todd. I appreciate you being here. And I would echo that, you know, you’re you’re the kind of leader that’s in our corner trying to help us get better. And so I appreciate the voice that you’ve had for for decades. And so I really appreciate that. Rich Birch — If people want to track with you, get connected, follow along with Multipliers where do we want to send them online?Todd Wilson — Multipliers.org can get me to all the different ways from email to phone to social media. So multipliers.org.Rich Birch — That’s great. Thanks so much, Todd. Appreciate you being here, sir.Todd Wilson — Thank you, Rich. Appreciate it.

What if your calling was never about a specific job, title, or role, but about the impact you are uniquely called to make? In this special birthday episode of UNITED State of Women, Kalena James and Julie Deem celebrate from the Global Leadership Summit 2026 while reflecting on purpose, influence, faith, leadership, and the unexpected ways our lives and careers evolve.They explore the importance of knowing your why, asking God boldly for what you want, and paying attention to the doors that begin to open. Whether you are questioning your current path, trying to clarify your purpose, or wondering what your next season might look like, thisis your invitation to slow down, pay attention, and consider where your influence can make the greatest impact.What You Will Learn:Why your calling may be bigger than your current job, title, business, or role.How to identify the common thread connecting the different seasons of your life.Why knowing your why can help you avoid saying yes to everything and losing your direction.How your purpose can remain consistent even when the vehicle you use to fulfill it changes.Why asking better questions can create opportunities for progress and growth.How to become more intentional about asking God for what you want while remaining open to His timing and direction.Why effective leadership includes preparing for what happens after you leave.How succession planning can become part of your leadership strategy long before a transition occurs.Why influence is connected to helping other people see themselves clearly.How to identify the people you feel called to support and the problems you feel compelled to solve.Why the things you naturally notice in other people may provide clues about your own calling.FAQ:How do I figure out what my calling is?Look for the common denominator throughout the different roles, jobs, relationships, and seasons of your life. Pay attention to the problems you repeatedly feel drawn to solve, the people you naturally want to support, and what you are able to see in others that they may not see in themselves.What is the difference between a calling and a career?A career is one vehicle through which you can use your gifts and skills, while a calling can remain consistent even as your career, role, or circumstances change. The conversation describes calling as being connected to the impact you are meant to make rather than a specific title.How can I find my why?Slow down and examine the patterns and common threads throughout your life. Consider what you are passionate about, what experiences have shaped you, what problems you feel compelled to address, and why those things matter so deeply to you.Learn more about the latest tool for dynamic professionals in the self-improvement industry, LyfQuest. A mobile CRM platform that's uniquely made for you!Learn more at: https://lyfquest.io/Instagram:USW Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@uswkokomo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kalena James ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yesitskalenajames⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Julie Deem ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@indymompreneur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠--------------------------------------------------USW Kokomo ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Production by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Business Podcast Editor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Leaders communicate constantly, but not everything they say is remembered, internalized, or acted on. In this episode, David Ashcraft talks with Emma Kuhl Pitts, CEO of PullSpark and, about how leaders can create messages and experiences that stay with people. Emma shares why attention is not the same as impact, how memory shapes influence, and why leaders should ask, "What do I want people to believe?" before asking, "What do I want people to do?" PullSpark is also the official creative partner of the Global Leadership Summit, and this conversation gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Emma and her team help shape creative moments at the Summit, from openers and story videos to the details that help leaders engage more deeply. For pastors, executives, communicators, and team leaders, this conversation offers a practical framework for creating moments people do not just consume, but remember.

Some of the most consequential leadership in an organization happens far from the stage. Lori Hermann has helped lead the Global Leadership Summit team for 14 years, drawing on more than three decades of experience creating events and experiences that serve leaders around the world. In this conversation with David Ashcraft, Lori explains how she learned to recognize her influence even though she did not fit the image of an outspoken, visionary leader. She also offers a practical look at the leadership behind the Summit: assembling people with complementary strengths, developing a shared standard of excellence, encouraging honest collaboration and finding the courage to speak up when the work begins to drift. Lori's approach demonstrates that excellence is not the same as perfection. It grows through continual learning, thoughtful preparation and leaders who care enough about the people they serve to ask difficult questions and keep improving.

Today’s headline news for Canadian IT solution providers: TD SYNNEX appoints Chris Fabes as President of Canada: TD SYNNEX announced today that Chris Fabes has been appointed President of Canada, with responsibility for driving the company’s distribution strategy and accelerating customer growth across the Canadian market. Fabes brings more than two decades of IT channel leadership, most recently from SHI where he led a multi-year strategic growth initiative across Canada, and previously from Lenovo where he served as Canadian channel chief and helped triple channel revenue to more than $1.2 billion. He succeeds Mitchell Martin, who retired earlier this year after more than 36 years with the company. Huntress warns of massive Azure CLI password spray attacks: A new Huntress report published Monday warns that threat actors have been running massive password spray attacks against Microsoft Azure Command Line Interface accounts, making more than 81 million attempts between June 12 and June 26, 2026. According to Huntress, attackers are exploiting a loophole in Azure CLI that does not support multifactor authentication, allowing them to target service accounts and non-human identities that are often poorly monitored. Huntress has reported the issue to Microsoft. MSSPs face employee retention problem driven by invisible work, says Guardz: MSSPs are facing a significant employee retention challenge driven by what the report calls “invisible work” – security analysts spending hours on manual data correlation and reporting that customers never see. Guardz, in announcing a new agentic reporting capability, said the problem is burning out analysts who feel their work lacks visible impact. The new tool uses an AI agent to automatically turn blocked threats and client risk data into formatted reports that MSPs can present to SMB customers. ManageEngine launches developer marketplace: ManageEngine has launched a developer marketplace for integrations, extensions, and AI agents across its IT management platforms. The marketplace is designed to allow partner-developers, independent software vendors, and customers to build and distribute add-ons. GAM Tech ranks No. 97 on 2026 MSP 501, No. 1 in Western Canada: GAM Tech has climbed to No. 97 globally on the 2026 MSP 501 and ranks No. 1 in Western Canada, according to the company. The MSP 501 list recognizes managed service providers based on metrics including recurring revenue, profit margin, and operational efficiency. Read Full Transcript Welcome to The Buzz from ChannelBuzz.ca, I’m Robert Dutt, today is Tuesday, July 21, 2026, and here’s what’s happening in the channel today. TD SYNNEX has appointed Chris Fabes as President of Canada, filling the role left by Mitchell Martin who retired earlier this year after more than thirty-six years with the company. In a statement, TD SYNNEX said Fabes brings more than two decades of IT channel leadership across vendor, distributor, and customer perspectives. He most recently led a multi-year strategic growth initiative at SHI across Canada, and before that served as Canadian channel chief at Lenovo, where he helped triple channel revenue to more than one point two billion dollars in three years. TD SYNNEX North America president Reyna Thompson said Fabes’ end-to-end understanding of the Canadian technology market makes him well positioned to lead the Canada business into its next chapter. The appointment comes at a time when TD SYNNEX has been expanding its vendor relationships in Canada, including recent global distribution deals with Fortinet and HPE. Canadian partners will be watching how Fabes shapes the distributor’s local strategy, particularly around AI, cybersecurity, and cloud marketplace growth. A new Huntress report published Monday warns that threat actors have been running massive password spray attacks against Microsoft Azure Command Line Interface accounts, making more than eighty-one million attempts between June 12 and June 26, 2026. According to Huntress, attackers are exploiting a loophole in Azure CLI that does not support multifactor authentication, allowing them to target service accounts and non-human identities that are often poorly monitored. The company said most affected accounts were from large enterprises with complex cloud footprints, and that MSPs managing customer Azure environments are particularly exposed because these CLI accounts often fall outside normal identity monitoring workflows. Huntress has reported the issue to Microsoft. The research underscores a growing tension in identity security: as organizations lock down human-facing accounts with MFA, attackers are shifting to non-human identities and service accounts that lack the same protections. Canadian MSPs with hybrid Azure and Microsoft 365 clients should be reviewing whether their RMM and identity tools are catching CLI-level authentication anomalies. MSSPs are facing a significant employee retention challenge, but salary is not the primary driver. According to a ChannelE2E feature published today, the main issue is what the report calls “invisible work” – security analysts spending hours on manual data correlation, reporting, and threat context that customers never see. Guardz, in announcing a new agentic reporting capability, said the problem is burning out analysts who feel their work lacks visible impact. The new tool uses an AI agent to automatically turn blocked threats, security activity, and client risk data into formatted reports that MSPs can present to SMB customers. Guardz is positioning the feature as a way to reduce the manual reporting burden while simultaneously demonstrating security value to clients. For Canadian MSPs, the issue is worth noting because talent retention in security operations is already tight, and any tool that reduces invisible overhead while improving client communication is likely to get attention from understaffed SOC teams. In Brief – ManageEngine launches a developer marketplace for integrations, extensions, and AI agents. GAM Tech ranks number ninety-seven globally on the two thousand twenty-six MSP five hundred one and number one in Western Canada. Later today on In The Channel, my conversation with Mark Sutor of Access Group and the Trust X Alliance on the Global Leadership Summit, the TXA AI agent, and the idea of distributor-as-platform is available now. That’s how we’re seeing the headlines today. I’m Robert Dutt for ChannelBuzz.ca, thanks for listening. Have a great day.

Mark Sutor, president of Access Group This episode of In The Channel is sponsored by Ingram Micro Canada. Mark Sutor, president of Access Group and Canadian co-president on the Trust X Alliance Global Advisory Board, joins the show to discuss the community’s recent Global Leadership Summit and what it means for Canadian solution providers. Sutor says the summit’s real differentiator is its focus: “This is not a summit about IT. It’s a summit about leadership.” He reflects on sessions with Constellation Research founder R “Ray” Wang, who warned that AI is commoditizing expertise and that real differentiation lies in experience and market understanding. Ingram Micro executive Sanjib Sahoo also featured heavily, pressing attendees to ask for “insights, not updates.” Sutor breaks down the TXA AI agent coming to the TXA Expand platform, which he says will make the global community feel smaller by surfacing partner skills and capabilities through natural language queries – including publicly available data from websites and LinkedIn. He also addresses the community’s aggressive expansion: new markets including India, the TXA Access program for countries without a formal footprint, and a target of 1,000 member companies by 2027. On the idea that communities like Trust X were an early form of “distributor as platform,” Sutor draws a direct line between the insights he gains at live Trust X events and the AI-surfaced insights he now receives logging into Ingram Micro Xvantage. He says the platform has freed up Ingram’s reps to have proactive business-building conversations rather than transactional ones. Finally, Sutor assesses where the Canadian channel sits on Ingram’s “crawl, walk, run” AI maturity curve. His verdict: the channel has moved past curiosity toward expectation, but execution remains uneven. For partners not yet in Trust X, he argues the community’s core value is collective growth: members share best practices, AI strategies, and vendor program leverage to outpace the broader market. Read Full Transcript Robert Dutt: Hello and welcome to In the Channel from ChannelBuzz.ca, bringing news and information to the Canadian IT channel community for the last sixteen years. I’m Robert Dutt, editor of ChannelBuzz.ca, and your host for the show. Today, a conversation about the evolution of partner communities in the AI age, and a look at how peer networks that predate the current platform buzzword may have been the original take on the “distributor as platform” idea. Mark Sutor is president of Access Group, a longtime solution provider in the Canadian channel, and he serves as Canadian co-president on the Trust X Alliance Global Advisory Board. He recently came back from the Trust X Alliance Global Leadership Summit in Texas and joined me to talk about what landed, where the community is headed, and how the Canadian channel fits into a rapidly expanding global peer network. Let’s get right into it, my chat with Mark Sutor. Robert Dutt: Mark, thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it. Mark Sutor: Glad to be here. The summit was a unique experience — unlike anything I’ve seen in the IT channel before. I’m taking back several action items for Access Group and the Canadian community. Robert Dutt: You mentioned a session with Level Up that stood out. Can you elaborate? Mark Sutor: The Level Up presenter, Patrick, laid out a clear structure for leadership skills. It resonated with what we already do, but gave us a concrete, actionable framework. Robert Dutt: What makes this summit different from other channel events? Mark Sutor: It isn’t an IT-focused summit; it’s a leadership summit for partners, vendors, and Ingram Micro staff. The content is dedicated to personal and professional development, not sales or product demos. Although the material has an IT flavor, the lessons are applicable across industries. Robert Dutt: At the summit, legendary analyst Ray Wang talked about expertise being commoditized by AI. How does that translate for a Canadian partner? Mark Sutor: Ray’s insight reinforced that experience, market understanding, and geography are the real differentiators. Those elements set us apart from purely AI-driven solutions. Robert Dutt: What were the big takeaways for you from the conference at large? Mark Sutor: Several points stood out. First, industry direction: we need to think long-term about AI’s impact on service delivery and customer interaction. Second, AI evolution: AI will move from substituting tasks to fundamentally reshaping processes — much like Uber redefined transportation. And third, leadership discipline: AI is becoming a strategic discipline, not just a technology trend. Robert Dutt: How is applied AI being positioned within the Trust X Alliance community? Mark Sutor: As a member of the Global Advisory Council, I saw that partners are at varied stages — some delivering AI solutions, others exploring internal use cases. We developed a playbook to help members integrate AI internally first, then translate those use cases into client solutions. Robert Dutt: Can you give me the nickel tour on the new TXA AI Agent coming to the Expand platform? Mark Sutor: The AI Agent streamlines partner discovery. Instead of manually searching for a partner with specific skills — for example, installing a Cisco router in Saskatchewan — you can ask the agent in natural language and receive accurate results instantly. It also surfaces vendor solutions across the ecosystem. The tool pulls data from public sources like websites and LinkedIn, as well as internal information, making the community more searchable and collaborative. Robert Dutt: It sounds like the difference between a classic keyword search and a modern, conversational search experience that can even surface new ideas. Mark Sutor: That is absolutely correct. Of course, the challenge is that we all need to make sure we provide the information it needs, but the AI tool is also very good at consuming publicly available information from our websites and LinkedIn. It’s not just looking inwardly. It’s super cool. You use it and you say, “Wow, this is really neat.” You can see where it potentially goes in terms of hooks into the other things that Ingram Micro is doing with AI and agentic tech as that rolls out. Robert Dutt: Trust X Alliance is expanding aggressively — new markets including India, the TXA Access program, and a target of 1,000 member companies by 2027. For the Canadian community, does global scale add value? Mark Sutor: It does impact us, for sure. It’s one of the things I enjoy most about the global events — the camaraderie with other markets. On the environmental stewardship front, for instance, the folks in the UK have been doing amazing things for a few years, and Canada has grown close and participated in some of those ventures. It’s a great way to get a leg up on things happening in other parts of the world. Historically, people liked to go to the U.S. events for a preview of what’s to come, and that is still valid. But I’ve learned many things from the DACH region, the UK, and the Netherlands. I can’t wait to see what comes out of these new markets. Robert Dutt: How do you feel about Canada’s role, given we’ve been there since before the Trust X name existed, dating back to VTN? We’ve always had a reputation for punching above our weight. Mark Sutor: That has definitely continued. Canada has always had a voice a little bit louder than our size. Per capita, we have a very strong membership in Canada — we’re sitting just shy of 100 members now, which by population is much larger than a lot of other geographies. We’re going to continue to have a loud voice because of the dedication of the Canadian members. We always say, “You get out what you put in,” and the Canadian members put in their hearts and souls. Robert Dutt: One of the things I’ve been thinking about, especially as distribution has increasingly redefined itself as a platform, is that in many ways the communities were the first take of “distributor as platform” — not a transactional entity, but a network to create business value, connections, shared intelligence, and leverage. Now we’ve got the technology side with Xvantage. So you’ve got the human community and the digital platform. How does one reinforce the other? Mark Sutor: It’s a great question, and I’m not sure that anybody really knows one hundred percent. Obviously, Sanjib Sahoo spends all of his waking hours thinking about this aspect of distribution. I can tell you that the Xvantage journey has really been quite helpful. Canada is a little bit farther along in that journey than some other geographies. Every day when I log into Xvantage, there are some things there called insights. I learn things for free about my business and about my customers just by logging in. AI has surfaced various insights about things happening in my own company that perhaps I wouldn’t have even known. It’s remarkable that today, in certain areas, the point of trust for me is actually the data coming out of Xvantage and not necessarily my own system. Because Ingram Micro has done such a good job of collecting appropriate data that really can give those insights. I think you’re right — there’s a lot of parallels. When I show up to a Trust X event, I gain insights from other members, from vendors, from Ingram Micro itself. The platform is really helping extend that. Not only does it help extend that through insights, but it’s really enabling the employees at Ingram Micro to take a much more proactive approach to understanding our business. I’m having those conversations more and more often where we’re no longer talking about what’s the price and where is it, and much more about how do we build business, how do we grow, how can we market together, how can we go together into various accounts and be stronger together. These are the conversations we’re having. On the back end, it’s Xvantage that has enabled those cycles to be freed up and for Ingram’s people to show up in a different way. I can tell you that in Canada, they do show up differently today than in the past. Robert Dutt: How so? Mark Sutor: I was preparing for a discussion with Ingram not that long ago, and this was front of mind — how Ingram had showed up differently. While I was preparing, I got a phone call from one of the reps at Ingram saying, “Hey, I just wanted to see if we could get something in the calendar to talk about how we can grow your Azure business together.” I thought, “Well, there you go. That’s exactly it playing out in real time.” These things didn’t necessarily used to happen with the intensity or the frequency in the past. Now these cycles have been freed up, where Xvantage is taking care of a lot of the mundane day-to-day stuff in the back end, and now we can have real conversations about building value for our customers. Robert Dutt: As you talk to your peers, both within Trust X and outside of it across the Canadian channel, do you feel that this idea of the new role of distribution is widely understood, widely taken advantage of, widely optimized? Or is it still a competitive differentiator for those who went in early? Mark Sutor: This is the problem we struggle with. Is it known? Yes. Is it well known? I would say not as well as it should be. I know a lot of members don’t take advantage of the various insights and things that I had mentioned earlier. Getting that word out is one of the objectives of the Trust X Alliance moving forward, both inside the community as well as to the broader Ingram family. Ingram is showing up differently, but I don’t think that the progress they have made is that well known. There’s still a little bit of thought that, well, they have a great website, which is true, but it’s way more than that today. It’s a platform that can do many, many things for your business. It’s extraordinary what Ingram has done in the past couple of years. There are new features being added to the Xvantage platform weekly, biweekly at this point, and it’s a fast-moving process. Part of the challenge, whenever you’re improving a platform so quickly, is to make sure that people stay current with those changes. It’s a huge advantage. It’s a great thing because it’s moving at the speed of the industry, but at the same time, it’s hard for everyone to keep up to date with those various changes. And just to be clear, they do a fantastic job of revealing those new features. They pop up on your dashboard as they’re being revealed. There are various trainings and other things that go on, but life is busy, right? So it’s hard to keep that front and center, but this is a very good problem to have. In the Trust X Alliance, we’re happy to support those efforts and to make sure that the word gets out in an appropriate way. Part of that is to do things like we’re doing today, to make sure that we continue to talk about the successes that we’re having as members and make sure that the community at large, as well as the Ingram family at large, sees those wins. Robert Dutt: Ingram’s overall AI strategy cadence has been the crawl, walk, run idea. Do you see the channel as an aggregate still in crawl, or are we moving towards walk? Mark Sutor: Everyone is still at a very different place in their journey. But I think what’s shifted — I heard someone use this term in one of our affinity meetings the other day — is that things have moved towards expectation. We’re now expecting that AI is going to be doing great things for us. It’s no longer a curiosity, necessarily. And that’s really the shift that I see happening today. But it doesn’t change the fact that everyone’s at a very different position. And in some cases, rightly so. By various industry segment, I think by the nature of those segments, it makes sense to be either ahead or even behind the curve sometimes. But as a community, we’re very focused on elevating everyone’s experience to the point that makes sense for their business, and focusing on that internal use case for AI has been what makes a lot of sense for members. Robert Dutt: If a Canadian MSP or solution provider isn’t in Trust X Alliance today, what are they actually missing that they can’t get from a vendor program or a buying group? Mark Sutor: Well, we’re growing. I think that’s one of the biggest ones. Part of our approach to the marketplace is to grow faster together. And by sharing best practices, by working on things like our AI strategy, by leveraging vendor programs, and so on, we’ve been able to grow faster than the marketplace. And that’s, I think, the continued expectation of the organization is to continue to grow. Robert Dutt: Last one for me. What’s the one thing you’d want Canadian partners to know about where Trust X Alliance is headed over the next twelve months? Mark Sutor: Definitely watch us. I think that we’re doing a lot of really good things in the industry. The Trust X Alliance is really being positioned as the place to go for expertise, the place to go for knowledge, the place to go if you want a good job done as an end client. So the brand is really being built out in a lot of very interesting ways. It’s no longer necessarily just a brand in the IT community, but it’s gaining a lot of traction out there as the brand for IT. So we do extraordinary work together as a community, and I think we’re going to continue to do that. And yeah, I can’t wait to see where we go. Robert Dutt: Thanks for the conversation, Mark. Mark Sutor: Thank you, Robert. It’s been a pleasure. Robert Dutt: There you have it, Mark Sutor from Access Group. I’d like to thank Mark for his time and for sharing his perspective on the Trust X Alliance community and the Canadian channel’s place in it. A few takeaways from me on this one: the idea that peer communities like Trust X were arguably the first iteration of “distributor as platform” — not transactional, but network-driven — and that Ingram Micro’s Xvantage platform is now extending that same logic into digital insights. Mark’s observation that AI has shifted from curiosity to expectation in the channel is worth sitting with. And the note that Canadian partners, in his view, still underutilize what these platforms and communities can actually deliver. If you found the conversation useful, please follow or subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts. We’re on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and most directories. Ratings and reviews help others in the IT channel find the show. Until next time, I’m Robert Dutt for ChannelBuzz.ca, and I’ll see you in the channel.

Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast – Episode 383 Release Date: July 14, 2026   Why the Leadership Pipeline Is a Myth, and What Actually Works What if the most widely accepted strategy for developing leaders in your church or business is fundamentally broken? In this episode, Justin Forman sits down with Pastor David Ashcraft, former lead pastor of LCBC Church, which grew to 25 locations and 28,000 weekend attendees, now serving with the Global Leadership Network. David pulls no punches: the leadership pipeline is a myth. What replaces it is a culture, one that produces leaders from within, in real time. David draws on decades of experience scaling a church from 200 to 28,000 and overseeing 300 staff, 275 of whom were developed from within the congregation. His insights on leadership development, faith-work integration, and measuring fruit over process offer a roadmap for any pastor, entrepreneur, or marketplace leader serious about building something that lasts. Key Topics: Why the "leadership pipeline" model fails, and the culture-based alternative that actually works How LCBC grew from 200 to 28,000 people across 25 locations by developing leaders from within The "just-in-time training" principle: why proximity to application accelerates leader development The Global Leadership Summit: roughly 400,000 leaders across 1,120 sites worldwide, and why it bridges pastors and marketplace leaders Data vs. fruit: how to measure discipleship and leadership without falling into box-checking traps How business leaders and churches can learn from each other, and why ministry happens everywhere, not just on Sunday   Notable Quotes: “You can have the money, but if you don't have the leaders, you're not going anywhere.” — David Ashcraft   “The whole idea of the leadership pipeline is a myth. It tends to be almost more of a class or a course. If you go through enough courses, somehow you're going to come out on the other end a trained leader—and you've received training, but it doesn't make you a leader.” — David Ashcraft   “If you're a leader, people are going to be attracted to whoever the leader is.” — David Ashcraft   Guest Bio: David Ashcraft served for decades as the founding lead pastor of LCBC Church (Lives Changed By Christ) in Pennsylvania, scaling it from a church plant in 1991 to 25 locations serving 28,000 people every weekend, with 275 of 300 staff members developed from within the congregation. He now serves with the Global Leadership Network (GLN), which hosts the Global Leadership Summit, an annual event reaching approximately 400,000 leaders across 1,120 sites worldwide. GLN features speakers including Jim Collins, Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, Arthur Brooks, and Patrick Lencioni.

In this episode of the One Life Podcast, Pastor Jared and Pastor DJ reflect on an incredible summer at One Life Church, celebrating stories of life change from youth camp, church growth, and what God is doing across every campus. Hear how students publicly declared their faith, responded to God's call at the altar, and nearly 100 first-time families have connected with One Life this summer.Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at what's coming this fall, including the upcoming Red Flags relationship series, baptism weekend, the Global Leadership Summit, and the vision driving the next season of ministry.If you want to hear encouraging stories of life change, practical leadership insights, and what's next for One Life Church, this episode is for you.

Great leadership isn't charismatic or flashy. It's consistent, faithful, and most of the time ... boring. In this live talk from the Global Leadership Summit, Craig breaks down why boring beats brilliant every time and the simple equation that turns ordinary habits into lasting influence. Get the free leader guide for this episode here: https://www.life.church/leadershippodcast/whats-really-behind-overnight-success-live-from-the-global-leadership-summit. ==================== JOIN THE COMMUNITY

There's no better way to kick off our countdown to this year's Global Leadership Summit than with a conversation featuring community leader Tony Hudson, CEO of Blue Jacket.Tony shares how faith, purpose, and a deep love for people have shaped his leadership journey and Blue Jacket's mission of creating pathways to employment, dignity, and hope for those facing significant barriers. From prison reentry to homelessness, Tony reminds us that leadership is about seeing value in people and helping them discover it for themselves.This is a powerful conversation about second chances, courageous leadership, and trusting God's direction even when the path forward isn't always clear.Learn more about Blue Jacket at www.bluejacketinc.org

What does it take to keep growing as a leader? In this episode, Pastor DJ sits down with John Cordes, U.S. Field Director for the Global Leadership Network, to talk about leadership growth, personal development, and the impact of the Global Leadership Summit.John shares how attending his first Summit shaped his leadership journey and why investing in growth continues to be one of the most important decisions leaders can make. Together, they discuss lessons that have influenced One Life Church, the value of learning from world-class leaders, and how leadership development can make a lasting impact in every area of life.Whether you lead a team, a business, a ministry, or your family, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to take your next step as a leader.Learn more about the Global Leadership Summit and how you can get involved today.

Send us Fan MailIn episode 301 of Beyond The Story, Sebastian Rusk interviews Dylan Welch, Founder of Intelligence Report Media and Podcast, Chief Development Officer for The Roosevelt Alliance, as he shares how he leveraged his passion for media and storytelling to transition from television producer to founder of a powerhouse digital media platform—one that's opening doors, creating relationships, and driving positive global change. Tune in and uncover actionable insights on building momentum, staying resilient, and making a lasting impact in business and beyond! TIMESTAMPS[00:00:05] The power of connection: From Summit at Sea to the podcast studio[00:02:50] Dylan's early media journey and the leap into entrepreneurship[00:06:32] Launching The Intelligence Report Podcast and global leadership[00:06:43] Monetization strategies: Packaging podcasts, events, and media for success[00:11:10] The Global Leadership Summit at the UN: Mission and impact[00:13:59] The future of real-life connections in a digital age[00:15:52] Final thoughts: Overcoming fear and taking action QUOTES"I'm getting paid to talk to people that I would literally pay to talk to." – Dylan Welch"When you do, you'll realize that there are so many people who want to support you." – Dylan Welch"Doing shit that matters is so, so very important." – Sebastian Rusk  ==========================Need help launching your podcast?Schedule a Free Podcast Strategy Call TODAY!PodcastLaunchLabNow.com==========================SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastlaunchlab/Facebook: Facebook.com/sruskLinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/sebastianrusk/YouTube: Youtube.com/@PodcastLaunchLab Dylan WelchEmail: dylan@dylanwelch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/welchinternational/ ==========================Take the quiz now! https://podcastquiz.online/==========================Need Money For Your Business? Our Friends at Closer Capital can help! Click here for more info: PodcastsSUCK.com/money==========================PAYING RENT? Earn airline miles when you use the Bilt Rewards MastercardAPPLY HERE: https://bilt.page/r/2H93-5474  

Episode 233 of The Hitstreak, a podcast where we talk about anything and everything!  This week we are joined by Author, Speaker, and Leadership Coach, Dan Owolabi!Episode in a Glance:In this episode of the Hitstreak, I get to have a deep conversation with leadership expert Dan Owolabi. We explore the significance of authentic leadership, the challenges of leading both at home and in business, and the importance of personal development. Dan shares insights from his organization, Branches, which aims to support leaders in their journey while fostering community. The episode also touches on the value of reading and learning as tools for growth, as well as the journey of writing a book on leadership. Tune in as we highlight the significance of authenticity in leadership and the impact of faith and belief in achieving personal and professional goals.Key Points:- Leadership is about inspiring others to grow alongside you.- Authenticity is crucial for effective leadership.- The challenges faced at home often mirror those in business.- Personal development should be prioritized to lead effectively.- Leading at home is often more challenging than leading at work.- Community support is essential for leaders to thrive.- Trust is essential for effective leadership.- Discipline and vision are key ingredients in leadership.- Personal growth is crucial for organizational evolution.- Authenticity in leadership fosters trust and connection.About our guest: Dan Owolabi is an author, speaker, and leadership coach whose work centers on one conviction: the world doesn't need more talented leaders — it needs more authentic ones. With more than a decade of experience working with leaders across 15+ countries and four continents, Dan has become a sought-after voice on authentic leadership, cultural intelligence, and personal identity. He is the founder of Branches Worldwide and Branches Consulting Co., where he equips leaders from the C-suite to pastors, educators, and entrepreneurs to lead with clarity and purpose. Dan is the author of Authentic Leadership and the Authentic Leadership Workbook, endorsed by Doug McMillon and Jon Gordon. A dynamic communicator, he has spoken at corporate conferences, church summits, and global leadership events including the Global Leadership Summit. Dan lives in Nashville with his family, where he continues to mentor leaders and help people discover the power of leading from their true identity.Follow and contact:Instagram: @iamdanowolabiwww.dan-owolabi.comSubscribe to Nick's top-rated podcast The Hitstreak on Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/NickHite⁠rFollow and Rate us on Spotify: ⁠https://spotify.com/NickHiter⁠Follow and Rate us on Apple Podcast: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/NickHiter⁠Follow and Rate us on iHeartRadio: ⁠https://www.iheart.com/NickHiter

Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN   Here are the podcast notes: Churchfront Podcast — Erwin McManus Lead Pastor, Mosaic Church (Los Angeles) | Author, The Seven Frequencies of Communication Guest background: Erwin McManus has led Mosaic in LA for 35 years, building a congregation averaging in its twenties across 40+ nationalities. He's also an author, speaker, and has been a longtime participant in the Global Leadership Summit at Willow Creek. Key Topics What holds church leaders back The most common internal limitation isn't skill or resources — it's the lack of felt permission. Pastors are often communal and loyal by nature, which also makes them dependent on someone saying "it's okay to go for it." The church culture tends to withhold permission rather than grant it. This is a big reason conferences are so magnetic — they're not primarily about information, they're about permission receiving. People go to be in a room where they feel free to dream, risk, and believe. Erwin said a large part of his life's work has been giving people permission: to dream big, to risk, to try low-percentage ideas, and to fail without that defining their worth. Giving permission downward in the org chart Leaders often receive permission at a conference and then come back and tell their team what to do — which is not the same as giving permission. True permission-giving means creating space for people to grow, develop, dream, and execute in their own way. Key principle: hold tight to where you're going, hold loosely to how you get there. Someone can execute at a high level and still do it differently than you would — and that's okay. "It's All About People" vs. "You Can't Take Everyone With You" (from Mind Shift)McManus intentionally places these as Chapter 1 and Chapter 3 as a juxtaposition. Most leaders lean hard toward one and neglect the other. His advice: read both, figure out which one resonates more, then go apply the other one. That tension is where relational elegance lives. When people leave, they attack your character At Mosaic, after major style and culture shifts, the people who left rarely said "I don't like the music." They attacked Erwin's character because it made them the hero of their story. He found the exceptions refreshing — the people who were honest ("the church is too young," "too diverse," "too evangelistic") made it easy to respond. His approach: when you bring clarity as a leader, you're giving people the gift of choice. If they hate who you are now, they're going to really hate who you're becoming — so this is actually a good time to part ways. "If you're everything, you're nothing." The white interior at Mosaic Hollywood During the 18-month pandemic shutdown, Aaron McManus pitched painting everything white — stage, speakers, walls. No precedent existed for it. The idea was: when people come back, we don't want them having a nostalgicexperience — we want them going forward. The white space became a blank canvas for projection and lighting in every direction. It's now been widely imitated. (They did the same thing at their current Pasadena theater space, which was the longtime home of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.) The Seven Frequencies of Communication The seven frequencies are a framework for understanding how people communicate and how they're heard — not just outwardly but internally, since your inner voice shapes the health of your soul. The frequencies: Commander, Challenger, Healer, Motivator, Professor, Seer, Maven. This isn't a static identity — it's a dynamic range you can access. The goal is mastery over your frequencies, not just defaulting to your primary one. Every frequency also has a shadow — the dark version of the same trait. Commander → Dictator. Seer → Perfectionist. Challenger → Manipulator. Motivator → Performer. We tend to access our shadows with zero effort and have to work to access the authentic frequency. That's true of all positive human characteristics: courage, forgiveness, integrity all require work. Their negative counterparts (fear, bitterness, dishonesty) require nothing. Practical example: Erwin's wife Kim is a Commander. 42 years of "turn off the lights and lock the doors" instead of "I love you." He learned to translate that as I love you, keep me safe. His daughter Mariah is a Challenger — she's always trying to elevate him, but it reads as reprimand. Understanding the frequency means getting offended less. Hire for character, not for frequency When Jake asked whether leaders need Commander or Challenger to run a department, Erwin's answer was simple: if the character is right, the frequency will work itself out. A high-Motivator leader who doesn't have Commander will still make people want to achieve for them — and the team will learn to push for clarity on execution. Environmental health matters more than frequency profile. Commanders and competency Commanders have competency as a core value. If you move a Commander into a new role without giving them enough context, resources, and framing, they won't feel like they're being trusted — they'll feel like they're being set up to fail. The key: make sure they feel equipped, not just trusted. "He just wants to make sure he has enough swords." Seers in leadership Many megachurch pastors are Commander-Seer combinations. The risk for Seers is confusing movement with momentum — pivoting sideways to get around an obstacle, while the team thinks the direction has changed entirely. The Seer knows they're still heading north; they forgot to communicate why they went east first. Solution from their team's side: instead of assuming the vision changed, ask "this feels like a direction change — is this a strategic move to get there faster? Help me communicate it well." Churchfront "Captive Consultant" segment Erwin's advice for Churchfront: since they're committed to serving churches exclusively, look for where churches are growing fastest — new residential development, emerging demographics — and think about what a scalable package looks like for smaller churches. The message is too important not to be heard clearly, which makes sound and AV integration genuinely mission-critical work. He also noted that once a building is built, the acoustic future is largely set — making early architectural involvement from integrators essential. Book/Resource mentioned: The Seven Frequencies of Communication — includes an assessment on their website.  Also mentioned: Mind Shift by Erwin McManus.

Former LCBC Senior Pastor David Ashcraft talks about the small church dysfunction he encountered when he arrived at LCBC when it was just a small church. Plus, he discusses how it scaled into a mega-church of 22,000, succession, and how he repositioned the Global Leadership Summit for the future.

Great leadership isn't just bold moves and big speeches. The real magic is in the quiet habits, clear communication, and meaningful connections the best leaders learn to make. Those were the themes of this year's Global Leadership Summit, a two-day event packed with world-renowned leadership experts. Katherine Coble is joined (finally) by her husband and business coach, Greg Coble, to recap their favorite moments from this year's Summit. From Craig Groeschel's call for consistency over charisma, to Nick Saban's surprising take on psychological safety, to Juliet Funt's bold message about reducing the noise, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and fresh energy for people-first leaders. Hit play for a fun, fast-paced breakdown you won't want to miss!   Additional Resources: Get the GLS Resource Guide! Follow Concentric Leadership Group on LinkedIn Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Consistency beats charisma in leadership impact. Focus only on what leaders uniquely should do. Clear writing equals modern-day empathy. Transformational leaders prioritize learning over results. Legacy leadership builds others for lasting significance.  

What happens when God calls you to more before you even know what "more" looks like? If you've ever felt stuck in a job that pays the bills but doesn't feed your soul, this conversation is for you. In this episode recorded live at the Global Leadership Summit 2025, Julie Deem sits down with Bailey Detamore, Financial Advisor at Thrivent. Bailey shares how faith-based leadership can transform not just your career but your entire life's purpose.Whether you're a Christian woman in business, a mom navigating career transitions, or simply someone searching for more meaning in your work, Bailey's story will remind you that leadership in the marketplace doesn't always mean being on stage. Sometimes it means showing up in the everyday moments, encouraging others to rise, and trusting that God's path for you will be worth every uncertain step.Episode Highlights:Aligning your professional goals with your personal values creates more meaningful work.Leadership isn't about being at the front, it's about lifting others up where they are.Supporting others through transitions can prepare you for your own moment to shine.Authentic conversations and connection matter for both personal and professional growth.It's not going to be easy, but it'll be worth it.Learn more about Thrivent:https://www.thrivent.com/Thank you Crossroads Community Church for hosting!Check them out at: https://ecrossroads.org/Learn more about the latest tool for dynamic professionals in the self-improvement industry, LyfQuest. A mobile CRM platform that's uniquely made for you!Learn more at: https://lyfquest.io/Instagram:USW Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@uswkokomo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kalena James ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yesitskalenajames⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Julie Deem ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@indymompreneur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠--------------------------------------------------USW Kokomo ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Production by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Business Podcast Editor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

It's the 9th and final episode in the 2025 Global Leadership Summit Recap Series on Stories from the River! This week, Katrina Batchelor, Associate Manager of Retail Operations for the South and West Regions, and Meagan Guzman, Associate Director of People Operations, reflect on Bradley Rapier's dynamic session at the Summit. Bradley Rapier—renowned choreographer, Emmy winner, and founder of the Groovaloos—brought incredible energy and inspiration through his “Groove Theory” and the concept of stepping into the circle. This powerful metaphor challenges leaders to embrace courage, vulnerability, and the boldness to use their voices. Katrina and Meagan share how Bradley's message personally resonated with them, sparking insights about stepping out of comfort zones, embracing mistakes as part of growth, and encouraging bravery within the Broad River Retail community. The conversation highlights: - Why courage and vulnerability are essential for leadership growth - How creating a supportive environment empowers Memory Makers to collaborate and share ideas - The importance of “mining for the gold” within each individual - Practical ways to overcome self-doubt and lead authentically This episode is a reminder that leadership is a continual journey—one where every Memory Maker has the opportunity to step into the circle, grow in confidence, and inspire others to do the same. Additional Resources:  Bradley Rapier - https://www.bradleyrapier.com   Connect with Bradley Rapier - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-rapier/   Bradley Rapier on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bradleyrapier/?hl=en   The Groovaloos - http://www.groovaloos.com/groovaloos/HOME.html   The Groovaloos on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/groovaloos/?hl=en   Watch the other episodes in the GLS 25 Recap series: Consistency Over Charisma: Takeaways from Craig Groeschel's Opening Keynote at the 2025 Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/cwNiyzyD-go       Unlocking Potential and Conquering Goals: Takeaways from Jon Acuff's Closing Keynote at the Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/TxtGAFeenSo       Live Life Like a Diversified Portfolio & More Insights from Thasunda Brown Duckett @ GLS25 - https://youtu.be/-qUowzD4-5M     Less Really Is More: Takeaways from Juliet Funt's Tactics to Cut Clutter at GLS25 - https://youtu.be/aa7gHNA_Wao     Leadership Lessons from Nick Saban: Process, Discipline, and Transformation at the Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/P7ldcRfsQrg     How Regenerative Performance Can Transform Work: Insights from Dr. James Hewitt's GLS Talk - https://youtu.be/rnMkFRvbqho   How to Leave a Legacy that Matters: Reflections from John Maxwell's GLS Talk - https://youtu.be/kJ4h56zdFWY  Fighting Drift and Finding Purpose: Reflections on Christine Caine's Powerful Message at GLS 25 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhdkM-iFmTs   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/002IfIE0RJQ  Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.  Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com     Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail 

Welcome to the eighth episode of the 2025 Global Leadership Summit Recap Series on Stories from the River! This week, CEO Charlie Malouf is joined by Carl Hillesland, Director of Retail Performance at Broad River Retail, to reflect on Christine Caine's powerful session at the Summit. Christine Caine—author, speaker, and founder of the A21 anti-human trafficking campaign—shared her personal journey of discovering her life's purpose and the critical turning point that led her to confront the realities of human trafficking. In her talk, she warned leaders about the danger of drift—the subtle but steady loss of vision and purpose that happens when we simply do nothing. Charlie and Carl explore how Christine's stories, like discovering she was adopted and later encountering the vast scope of human trafficking, illustrate the need to stay anchored to a clear why. They unpack her vivid analogy of two beach umbrellas representing boundaries that prevent us from drifting and discuss how Memory Makers can apply these ideas in their own work and lives. The conversation highlights: - How to recognize and combat “drift” in leadership and life - The importance of boundaries, vision, and purpose to stay aligned - Practical ways Memory Makers are already using Christine's message to realign with their mission - Why leaders must intentionally Re-Anchor, Rebuild, and Reignite their passion to avoid languishing or losing focus This episode is a call to action for Memory Makers to be intentional lighthouses—staying grounded, shining with purpose, and helping others navigate life's currents toward meaningful impact. Watch the other episodes in the GLS 25 Recap series: Consistency Over Charisma: Takeaways from Craig Groeschel's Opening Keynote at the 2025 Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/cwNiyzyD-go      Unlocking Potential and Conquering Goals: Takeaways from Jon Acuff's Closing Keynote at the Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/TxtGAFeenSo      Live Life Like a Diversified Portfolio & More Insights from Thasunda Brown Duckett @ GLS25 - https://youtu.be/-qUowzD4-5M    Less Really Is More: Takeaways from Juliet Funt's Tactics to Cut Clutter at GLS25 - https://youtu.be/aa7gHNA_Wao    Leadership Lessons from Nick Saban: Process, Discipline, and Transformation at the Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/P7ldcRfsQrg    How Regenerative Performance Can Transform Work: Insights from Dr. James Hewitt's GLS Talk - https://youtu.be/rnMkFRvbqho  How to Leave a Legacy that Matters: Reflections from John Maxwell's GLS Talk - https://youtu.be/kJ4h56zdFWY  Additional resources: Books by Christine Caine - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christine-Caine/author/B001JS7NIY?   The Vision Driven Leader by Michael Hyatt - https://visiondrivenleader.com     https://www.amazon.com/Vision-Driven-Leader-Questions-Energize-Business/dp/0801075270  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QhdkM-iFmTs  Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.  Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com     Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail 

In this episode of the Troy Gramling Podcast, Troy and Carson Gramling unpack key lessons on success and winning inspired by Nick Saban's talk at the Global Leadership Summit 2025. Together, they explore how true winning goes far beyond the scoreboard — it's about character, discipline, and building a life of lasting impact. Whether in sports, leadership, or personal growth, this conversation will challenge you to redefine what it really means to win.

In this episode of the Troy Gramling Podcast, Troy and Carson Gramling unpack key lessons on success and winning inspired by Nick Saban's talk at the Global Leadership Summit 2025. Together, they explore how true winning goes far beyond the scoreboard — it's about character, discipline, and building a life of lasting impact. Whether in sports, leadership, or personal growth, this conversation will challenge you to redefine what it really means to win.

It's the seventh episode of the 2025 Global Leadership Summit Recap Series on Stories from the River, and CEO Charlie Malouf is joined again by Will Luke, Senior Director of Project Management, to dive into John C. Maxwell's session at the Summit.  They reflect on Maxwell's legacy in leadership, his lifelong dedication to developing others, and the personal stories and frameworks that have shaped his teachings. John was presented with the Lifetime Leadership Legacy Award by Craig Groeschel at the Global Leadership Summit, and Craig referred to John Maxwell as the single greatest teacher and model of servant leadership in our lifetime.  After their conversation, John taught on legacy and leadership.  The conversation highlights Maxwell's influence not only on the world stage—including his founding of the nonprofit EQUIP to do transformative work with countries and then the nonprofit iLead to do transformational work with schools globally—but also within the Broad River Retail community, where his principles have become part of the company culture. Charlie and Will unpack Maxwell's three-part framework for leaving a legacy:  - the Compass (having a destiny to fulfill) - the Clock (making meaningful contributions in the present) - and Companions (developing others to carry the impact forward).  They share takeaways about the importance of intentionality in legacy-building, the wisdom of thinking long term, and how true significance comes from what you leave in people rather than just what you leave for them. Personal anecdotes about their own families and the practice of distilling their lives into a single meaningful sentence reinforce the episode's inspiring, relatable message: every Memory Maker has the chance to make a lasting difference by investing in others and living authentically. Additional resources:  John Maxwell's Nonprofit EQUIP - https://www.iequip.org   Maxwell Leadership Development Company - https://www.maxwellleadership.com   Maxwell Leadership Certified Team - https://johnmaxwellteam.com   iLead - https://www.maxwellleadership.org/ilead/   Maxwell Leadership Foundation - https://www.maxwellleadership.org/nonprofit-programs/   29 Leadership & Life Lessons from My Father (part 1) by John Maxwell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkfYG2OqVvw   29 Leadership & Life Lessons from My Father (part 2) by John Maxwell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj0R_w7gOCs   The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell - https://www.amazon.com/21-Irrefutable-Laws-Leadership-Anniversary/dp/0785288376   Leadership Not by the Book by David Green - https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Not-Book-Unconventional-Principles/dp/1540902242   The Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes and Barry Posner - https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Challenge-4th-James-Kouzes/dp/0787984914   High Road Leadership by John C. Maxwell - https://www.amazon.com/High-Road-Leadership-Bringing-Together/dp/B0CSBTNX1P  Today Matters by John C. Maxwell - https://www.amazon.com/Today-Matters-Practices-Guarantee-Tomorrows/dp/1931722528/  Maxwell Leadership Bible - https://www.amazon.com/Maxwell-Leadership-Bible-Hardcover-Comfort/dp/0785218548  Maxwell Leadership Bible (Leather Bound) - https://www.cornerstonechristiansupply.com/product/9780785218647   The Maxwell Daily Reader - https://www.amazon.com/Maxwell-Daily-Reader-Insight-Influence/dp/1400203392   Watch the other episodes in the GLS 25 Recap series: Consistency Over Charisma: Takeaways from Craig Groeschel's Opening Keynote at the 2025 Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/cwNiyzyD-go      Unlocking Potential and Conquering Goals: Takeaways from Jon Acuff's Closing Keynote at the Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/TxtGAFeenSo      Live Life Like a Diversified Portfolio & More Insights from Thasunda Brown Duckett @ GLS25 - https://youtu.be/-qUowzD4-5M    Less Really Is More: Takeaways from Juliet Funt's Tactics to Cut Clutter at GLS25 - https://youtu.be/aa7gHNA_Wao    Leadership Lessons from Nick Saban: Process, Discipline, and Transformation at the Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/P7ldcRfsQrg    How Regenerative Performance Can Transform Work: Insights from Dr. James Hewitt's GLS Talk - https://youtu.be/rnMkFRvbqho  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kJ4h56zdFWY  Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.  Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com     Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail 

Julie Deem sits down with Cheryl Graham. Cheryl has spent 33 years at United Way serving Howard and Tipton Counties, leads as AFL-CIO labor activity director, chairs the Howard County Plan Commission, and serves on the Kokomo Farmers' Market board. She takes us inside real-life leadership: staying adaptable in a fast-changing world, learning to “fail fast,” and reframing the small daily tasks that quietly support a meaningful life. This episode was recorded live at Crossroads Community Church during Global Leadership Summit.Episode Highlights:Adaptability is a core leadership muscle, especially with technology shifts like AI.“Fail fast” is not reckless; it is a rhythm of deciding, learning, and moving forward.Reframing mundane tasks as intentional steps toward comfort and peace removes resentment.Know when to stop; rest and safety are leadership choices, not luxuries.Lifelong learning keeps long careers joyful and relevant.Thank you Crossroads Community Church for hosting!Check them out at: https://ecrossroads.org/United Way of Howard and Tipton Counties, 765-457-4357 (HELP)Learn more about the latest tool for dynamic professionals in the self-improvement industry, LyfQuest. A mobile CRM platform that's uniquely made for you!Learn more at: https://lyfquest.io/Instagram:USW Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@uswkokomo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kalena James ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yesitskalenajames⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Julie Deem ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@indymompreneur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠--------------------------------------------------USW Kokomo ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Production by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Business Podcast Editor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this sixth episode of the 2025 Global Leadership Summit Recap Series on Stories from the River, CEO Charlie Malouf is joined by Will Luke, Senior Director of Project Management, to recap insights from Dr. James Hewitt's Global Leadership Summit keynote on regenerative performance.  Dr. Hewitt, a former world-class cyclist turned human performance scientist, shared his journey from relentless “go, go, go” living to understanding the necessity of pausing and reflecting, especially after surviving cancer. The discussion introduces the concept of “cognitive gears,” a metaphor for the varying levels of mental focus and energy: low (rest and simple tasks), middle (emails and meetings), and high (deep, priority-driven work). Most workers get caught in the “middle gear” — a cycle of distractions and meetings — which can lead to burnout and inefficiency. Charlie and Will explore Dr. Hewitt's practical strategies, like batching emails, rethinking meeting culture, leveraging AI for smarter workflows, and recognizing the value of rest and breaks, not just as luxuries, but as critical tools for sustainability and peak performance. They emphasize aligning work with one's natural circadian rhythms and highlight the power of quality sleep and strategic downtime for creativity and long-term effectiveness. The episode closes with a call for leaders to model regenerative practices, acknowledging that when Memory Makers are encouraged to replenish their mental and physical capacity, it has a ripple effect throughout the organization, boosting both wellbeing and performance. Additional resources: Dr. James Hewitt (Human Performance Scientist) - https://drjameshewitt.com   Regenerative Performance by Dr. James Hewitt - https://www.amazon.com/Regenerative-Performance-Always-Sacrificing-Well-Being/dp/B0F7N8KM55   When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink - https://www.amazon.com/When-Scientific-Secrets-Perfect-Timing/dp/0735210632   Win the Day by Mark Batterson - https://www.amazon.com/Win-Day-Habits-Stress-Accomplish-ebook/dp/B088F3HKQ4/   The Art of Impossible by Steven Kotler - https://www.amazon.com/Art-Impossible-Peak-Performance-Primer/dp/0062977512   Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker - https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Sleep-Unlocking-Dreams/dp/1501144324   The Story of Purpose by Joey Reiman - https://www.amazon.com/Story-Purpose-Creating-Brighter-Greater/dp/1118443691   The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham - https://www.amazon.com/Road-Less-Stupid-Keith-Cunningham/dp/0984659269   Thrive Global (founded by Arianna Huffington) - https://thriveglobal.com   Huberman Lab by Dr. Andrew Huberman - https://www.hubermanlab.com   Watch the other episodes in the GLS 25 Recap series: Consistency Over Charisma: Takeaways from Craig Groeschel's Opening Keynote at the 2025 Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/cwNiyzyD-go     Unlocking Potential and Conquering Goals: Takeaways from Jon Acuff's Closing Keynote at the Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/TxtGAFeenSo     Live Life Like a Diversified Portfolio & More Insights from Thasunda Brown Duckett @ GLS25 - https://youtu.be/-qUowzD4-5M   Less Really Is More: Takeaways from Juliet Funt's Tactics to Cut Clutter at GLS25 - https://youtu.be/aa7gHNA_Wao   Leadership Lessons from Nick Saban: Process, Discipline, and Transformation at the Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/P7ldcRfsQrg   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rnMkFRvbqho  Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.  Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com     Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail   

The 2025 Global Leadership Summit Recap Series continues today on Stories from the River! CEO Charlie Malouf welcomes back guest Kellie Jones, Senior Manager, Retail Operations.  The two deep dive into Nick Saban's interview with Paula Faris at the Global Leadership Summit. The episode kicks off with enthusiastic reflections on Broad River's recent Experts Soirée at STK Steakhouse and the Grand Reopening of the Columbia store, highlighting the importance of community, transformation, and celebrating success with fellow Memory Makers. They also discuss the recent "Pioneering the Path - a Purpose 8:28 Experience" event, sharing excitement over keynote speakers such as Jon Acuff and Kristen Hadeed, and the motivational trading cards featuring company experts. The heart of the episode centers on Nick Saban's leadership insights, with Kellie expressing how, despite not being a college football enthusiast, she resonated deeply with his principles on leadership, routine, adaptability, and self-assessment. They explore Saban's philosophy of transformational leadership, the necessity of focusing on the process rather than just results, and the value of developing both individual and collective visions within organizations.  Key themes include the importance of discipline, continuous self-assessment, guarding against complacency, and fostering a mindset of positivity and perseverance—parallels Kellie draws to her own journey and to the growth mindset encouraged among Memory Makers at Broad River Retail.  The episode closes on a note of inspiration, with resounding takeaways on legacy, purpose, and being a positive force both within the company and the wider community. Watch the other episodes in the GLS 25 Recap series: Consistency Over Charisma: Takeaways from Craig Groeschel's Opening Keynote at the 2025 Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/cwNiyzyD-go    Unlocking Potential and Conquering Goals: Takeaways from Jon Acuff's Closing Keynote at the Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/TxtGAFeenSo    Live Life Like a Diversified Portfolio & More Insights from Thasunda Brown Duckett @ GLS25 - https://youtu.be/-qUowzD4-5M  Less Really Is More: Takeaways from Juliet Funt's Tactics to Cut Clutter at GLS25 - https://youtu.be/aa7gHNA_Wao  Additional resources: Your Story: A Tribute to Coach Saban (Video) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJHkjMlVSR0   "The Road Less Travelled" book by M. Scott Peck - https://www.amazon.com/Road-Less-Traveled-Psychology-Traditional/dp/0671250671   "How Good Do You Want To Be?: A Champion's Tips on How to Lead and Succeed at Work and in Life" (Book by Nick Saban) - https://www.amazon.com/How-Good-You-Want-Champions/dp/0345500849   Nick's Kids Foundation - https://www.nickskidsfoundation.org   Saban Center - https://sabancenter.org   The Leadership Secrets of Nick Saban: How Alabama's Coach Became the Greatest Ever - https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Secrets-Nick-Saban-Alabamas/dp/1637740832   "Permission to Screw Up" book by Kristen Hadeed - https://www.amazon.com/Permission-Screw-Up-Learned-Everything/dp/1591848296/   Kristen Hadeed website - https://www.kristenhadeed.com   "All It Takes Is a Goal" book by Jon Acuff - https://www.amazon.com/All-Takes-Goal-Massive-Potential/dp/1540900819   "Soundtracks" book by Jon Acuff - https://www.amazon.com/Soundtracks-Surprising-Overthinking-Jon-Acuff/dp/1540900800/   Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck - https://jonacuff.com/product/soundtracks-the-conversations-card-deck/   Jon Acuff website - https://jonacuff.com   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/P7ldcRfsQrg  Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.  Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com     Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail   

Julie Deem sits down with Katie Tharp to talk about balancing career, family, faith, and creativity . This episode was recorded live at Crossroads Community Church during Global Leadership Summit.Episode Highlights:Thank you Crossroads Community Church for hosting!Check them out at: https://ecrossroads.org/Connect with Katie on Instagram at:@katietharpcollectionsLearn more about the latest tool for dynamic professionals in the self-improvement industry, LyfQuest. A mobile CRM platform that's uniquely made for you!Learn more at: https://lyfquest.io/Instagram:USW Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@uswkokomo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kalena James ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yesitskalenajames⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Julie Deem ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@indymompreneur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠--------------------------------------------------USW Kokomo ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Production by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Business Podcast Editor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to the fourth episode of the 2025 Global Leadership Summit Recap Series on Stories from the River. Host Carl Hillesland, Director, Retail Performance, and guest Kellie Jones, Senior Manager, Retail Operations, dive into insights from Juliet Funt's talk on Leadership Precision and against gluttony at the Global Leadership Summit. The discussion centers around the dangers of leaders overloading themselves, likening the approach to a buffet where piling on more projects and initiatives gives the illusion of progress but ultimately spreads everyone too thin. Drawing from Funt's analogy of the "peanut butter spread too thin tears the bread," Carl and Kellie explore why leaders feel compelled to keep adding priorities, the impact this has on organizational effectiveness, and the challenge of letting go of good—but not necessarily great—ideas. The conversation moves to the alternative: adopting a reductive mindset that focuses on prioritization, improvement, and most importantly, reduction—stripping away nonessential work to sharpen focus and increase productivity. They share practical tools from Funt's talk, like the "Spin Launcher," a five-step process for cutting clutter and making space for what really matters. Both Carl and Kellie reflect on real-world examples within Broad River Retail, emphasizing how shrinking the pile of work gives Memory Makers more lift and allows for higher-value contributions.  The episode wraps with concrete suggestions for Memory Makers and leaders alike to bring more efficiency, focus, and freedom into their daily work by learning the value of saying no and making strategic cuts. Watch the other episodes in the GLS 25 Recap series: Consistency Over Charisma: Takeaways from Craig Groeschel's Opening Keynote at the 2025 Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/cwNiyzyD-go    Unlocking Potential and Conquering Goals: Takeaways from Jon Acuff's Closing Keynote at the Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/TxtGAFeenSo    Live Life Like a Diversified Portfolio & More Insights from Thasunda Brown Duckett @ GLS25 - https://youtu.be/-qUowzD4-5M Additional Resources:  Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast with Juliet Funt ("Fortune 500 Advisor on Why This One Minute Will Change Your Workday") - https://www.life.church/leadershippodcast/fortune-500-advisor-on-why-this-one-minute-will-change-your-workday-juliet-funt/   Juliet Funt's website: https://www.julietfunt.com   "A Minute to Think" book by Juliet Funt - https://www.julietfunt.com/book/   Watch the first two episodes in our GLS 25 Recap series: Consistency Over Charisma: Takeaways from Craig Groeschel's Opening Keynote at the 2025 Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/cwNiyzyD-go    Unlocking Potential and Conquering Goals: Takeaways from Jon Acuff's Closing Keynote at the Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/TxtGAFeenSo    Additional resources: Success Is in Your Reach by Jada Grandy-Mock - https://www.amazon.com/Success-Your-Reach-Leadership-Circumstances/dp/B0C4MWNQHS   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aa7gHNA_Wao  Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.  Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com     Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail      

Brian Hunt grew up redeeming Coke bottles for a nickel, and now leads a century‑old, family‑founded manufacturer as its first non‑family CEO. In this episode, Brian shares how humble beginnings shaped his work ethic, how “getting cultured” in Boston taught him to be more assertive, and why he left a Fortune 250 track to join a family business built on servant-hearted values. Brian Hunt is the President and CEO of Southern Champion Tray. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-hunt-44ab7813).  This episode was recorded with a live audience at the Global Leadership Summit. If you like this episode, we think you'll also like: Jay Dale's Morning Cup (E42) Tom Glenn's Morning Cup (E125) Jason Provonsha's Morning Cup (E130) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!

It's the third episode of the 2025 Gobal Leadership Summit Recap Series on Stories from the River! In today's episode, CEO Charlie Malouf welcomes Meagan Guzman, the newly hired Associate Director of People Operations. Just two months into her journey at Broad River Retail, Meagan reflects on her cross-country move from San Diego, her early experiences at the company, and the energizing environment of the Global Leadership Summit. This conversation highlights the value of attending the Summit with fellow leaders from Broad River and other community members, emphasizing the power of collective learning and networking, including a memorable instance of connecting with a potential future Memory Maker. The heart of the episode centers on insights from the keynote by Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of TIAA. Charlie and Meagan delve into Duckett's inspiring rise from humble beginnings as a "first generation integration" leader to overseeing $1.6 trillion in assets. They discuss her powerful lessons about consistent excellence, gratitude for those behind the scenes, and her refreshingly honest take on work-life balance as a "diversified portfolio," where giving oneself grace is essential.  Meagan relates personally to Duckett's advice, especially when navigating tough personal moments as a new leader. The episode also celebrates Duckett's mentorship style—her use of "coffee and tea" conversations to break down barriers, gather feedback from diverse groups, and uplift the next generation of leaders. Watch the first two episodes in our GLS 25 Recap series: Consistency Over Charisma: Takeaways from Craig Groeschel's Opening Keynote at the 2025 Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/cwNiyzyD-go   Unlocking Potential and Conquering Goals: Takeaways from Jon Acuff's Closing Keynote at the Global Leadership Summit - https://youtu.be/TxtGAFeenSo   Additional resources: Success Is in Your Reach by Jada Grandy-Mock - https://www.amazon.com/Success-Your-Reach-Leadership-Circumstances/dp/B0C4MWNQHS  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TxtGAFeenSo   Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.  Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com    Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail     

What keeps leaders energized and thriving over the long haul?This week, we explore the powerful concept of “red threads”... those igniting moments and passions that instill purpose and continuity in our leadership journey.Drawing from recent Global Leadership Summit lessons and decades of experience, we reveal how:Identifying and leaning into your “red threads” prevents burnout and sparks flowAligning your energy cycles with your daily tasks maximizes impactAuthentic storytelling connects deeply and builds lasting leadership influencePurpose-grounded leadership creates fulfillment amid inevitable challengesSmall moments of joy make a monumental difference for resilience and gritWhether you're starting out or scaling up, this episode shows how to find what truly energizes you to lead with passion, clarity, and sustainability.

Julie Deem sits down with Sherry Rahl from Brady Insurance Group. This episode was recorded live at Crossroads Community Church during Global Leadership Summit.Thank you Crossroads Community Church for hosting!Check them out at: https://ecrossroads.org/Learn more about Brady Insurance:https://www.bradyinsurancegroupllc.com/ Learn more about the latest tool for dynamic professionals in the self-improvement industry, LyfQuest. A mobile CRM platform that's uniquely made for you!Learn more at: https://lyfquest.io/Instagram:USW Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@uswkokomo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kalena James ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yesitskalenajames⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Julie Deem ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@indymompreneur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠--------------------------------------------------USW Kokomo ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Production by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Business Podcast Editor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

As we kick off Season 9 of the Global Leadership Podcast, Whitney Putnam sits down with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft to hear about some of his favorite moments from the 2025 Global Leadership Summit. David also shares wisdom regarding why it's so important for leaders to own their own leadership growth and development.  

In this second episode of the 2025 Global Leadership Summit (GLS) Recap Series on Stories from the River, host Charlie Malouf welcomes Steve Ramjit, the Regional Manager of Broad River Retail's North Region.  Steve, who oversees seven stores and has been with Broad River since October 2024, shares his impressions of attending his first GLS, describing it as an incredible, life-changing experience. The conversation not only highlights Steve's journey from Florida to the Carolinas and his background with other furniture retailers, but also touches on the significance of August milestones for Broad River Retail and the excitement around hosting Jon Acuff as a keynote at their upcoming Pioneering the Path - a Purpose 8:28 Experience. Much of the episode centers around Jon Acuff's practical frameworks for goal setting and overcoming procrastination, vital for the Memory Makers as they pursue the ambitious goal of $272 million in revenue for 2025. Steve and Charlie break down Acuff's memorable strategies, such as the "Dream-Plan-Do-Review" model, the importance of positive soundtracks, and the necessity to confront self-doubt.  Insights on leadership, the psychology behind reaching one's potential, and the need for intentional positivity—backed by data—are emphasized as essential tools for Memory Makers to unlock greater productivity and fulfillment. The conversation ends with encouragement to lead with purpose, stop procrastinating, and give one's best both at work and at home, reinforcing the company's commitment to growth and empowerment. Additional resources: Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff - https://www.amazon.com/Soundtracks-Surprising-Overthinking-Jon-Acuff/dp/1540900800   All It Takes Is a Goal: The 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential by Jon Acuff - https://www.amazon.com/All-Takes-Goal-Massive-Potential/dp/1540900819   Procrastination Proof: Never Get Stuck Again by Jon Acuff (Available April 14, 2026) - https://www.amazon.com/Procrastination-Proof-Never-Stuck-Again/dp/154090380X  Consistency Over Charisma: Takeaways from Craig Groeschel's Keynote at the Global Leadership Summit - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwNiyzyD-go   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TxtGAFeenSo  Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com                                Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail    

Welcome to a brand new series from Stories from the River featuring the 2025 Global Leadership Summit.  19 Memory Makers attended the Global Leadership Summit on August 7th and 8th from the local host site at The Park Expo and Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, where there was a big screen for all of the Memory Makers along with all attendees to virtually watch all of the speakers and videos from GLS 25.  This GLS 25 recap series will highlight the experiences and takeaways from one speaker at a time.   CEO Charlie Malouf introduces the series and sets the stage by expressing the importance of not just absorbing powerful leadership talks but deeply internalizing them and discussing how their messages can lead to real application in the company. The episode kicks off with a recap of the opening keynote message from Craig Groeschel, who emphasized that "great leadership is boring"—underscoring that consistency, faithfulness powered by keystone habits exercised over a long period of time are the key to lasting impact. This episode features return guests Carl Hillesland, Director of Retail Performance, and Mark Deulley, Manager of Retail Data, Strategy, and Platforms, who dive deeper into Groeschel's message by discussing how consistent, small actions and faithfulness over time are the true drivers of meaningful leadership and personal growth. They reflect on the idea that Memory Makers don't need to be flashy or possess exceptional charisma; rather, becoming a great leader is about finding and sticking to those keystone habits that spark positive change across all areas of life. Carl and Mark share personal insights on scheduling true priorities, the practical power of persistence, and how embracing the "boring" can actually bring balance, peace, and significant long-term results for both Memory Makers and the people they serve.  The episode wraps up with encouragement to stay faithful, keep growing, and bring the heat every day—reminding listeners that the results everyone admires are built on the quiet, unseen disciplines their Memory Makers practice consistently. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cwNiyzyD-go  Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com                                Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail    

Julie Deem sits down with Haley Verbosky from Hewitt Molding to discuss workplace culture. This episode was recorded live at Crossroads Community Church during Global Leadership Summit.Thank you Crossroads Community Church for hosting!Check them out at: https://ecrossroads.org/Learn more about the latest tool for dynamic professionals in the self-improvement industry, LyfQuest. A mobile CRM platform that's uniquely made for you!Learn more at: https://lyfquest.io/Instagram:USW Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@uswkokomo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kalena James ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yesitskalenajames⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Julie Deem ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@indymompreneur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠--------------------------------------------------USW Kokomo ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Production by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Business Podcast Editor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join me as I dive into the transformative experiences of the 2025 Global Leadership Summit. Discover why this event is more than just a conference—it's a catalyst for change. I'll share my top five takeaways from world-class speakers, including the importance of anchoring yourself in vision, embracing consistency, and leading with integrity. Whether you're leading a team or guiding your personal goals, this episode provides actionable insights to integrate into your daily life and ignite transformation in your leadership journey.

Leadership guru John Maxwell shocked many by publicly honoring disgraced pastor Bill Hybels at the Global Leadership Summit at Willow Creek.

Leadership guru John Maxwell shocked many by publicly honoring disgraced pastor Bill Hybels at the Global Leadership Summit at Willow Creek.

In this special birthday episode recorded live at the Global Leadership Summit, Kalena James and Julie Deem reflect on their four-year tradition hosting UNITED State of Women, the power of focusing on “one thing,” and how living with intention shapes your impact. They share personal stories of how God has used their gifts to open unexpected doors, why consistent “boring” work leads to meaningful change, and how knowing what you really want makes it easier to say no to distractions. From podcasting to leadership brunches, they explore how faith, purpose, and intentionality create ripples that last far beyond any single season.Episode Highlights:Clarifying what you really want makes decision-making and prioritizing easier.Consistent, faithful “boring work” creates the biggest long-term impact.Your gifts will open doors when you align them with service and purpose.Learn more about the latest tool for dynamic professionals in the self-improvement industry, LyfQuest. A mobile CRM platform that's uniquely made for you!Learn more at: https://lyfquest.io/Instagram:USW Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@uswkokomo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kalena James ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@yesitskalenajames⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Julie Deem ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@indymompreneur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠--------------------------------------------------USW Kokomo ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Production by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Business Podcast Editor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Stories from the River, host Charlie Malouf, recognized as one of Charlotte's most admired CEOs, is the one being interviewed! Jacotron Potts, Director of Community CARE at The Park Church in Charlotte, welcomes Charlie onstage on Day One of the Global Leadership Summit at the local host site, where they delve into the culture and leadership approach at Broad River Retail. Charlie shares insights about how Memory Makers are central to the organization's purpose of "Furnishing Life's Best Memories." He highlights initiatives like the Pioneer Promise from the recent GM Rx where the Retail Performance leaders made a commitment towards achieving the 2025 Pioneer goal, and discusses the importance of faith and resilient leadership, referencing pivotal moments from the company's history, including a challenging period in 2015 when faith became the foundation and cornerstone for overcoming obstacles. A significant focus of the conversation is The Lighthouse Fund, a crisis assistance program designed to offer confidential support to Memory Makers facing personal hardships. Charlie explains how the fund was inspired by a desire to institutionalize compassion through structured processes, drawing inspiration from other successful organizations. He emphasizes the importance of leading with purpose, mentoring others, and prioritizing personal growth for all Memory Makers—regardless of title. The episode is filled with heartfelt stories, leadership wisdom, and encouragement for anyone striving to make a lasting impact within their organization or community. Learn more about The Lighthouse Fund: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYZpX9KD7OqYBbLy1GJzYteB1Q4kT4jwu  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tBlgUOGIe_0  Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com                                Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail     

With the 2025 Global Leadership Summit just a few weeks away, GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft sits down with Senior Vice President, Summit Experiences, Lori Hermann. to talk about how she leads the people that create and execute the world's premier leadership event year after year. They also explore how leaders can get the most out of an event like the Summit, and which speakers they are looking forward to hearing.  

Why is nothing happening? Todays guest Dan Owolabi talks about as a high achiever, it can be difficult to have quiet time, or down time. You may always wondering whats next for me? What is the next big thing? That voice may be quieter while working towards something, but once you achieve it, there's that voice again. It's important to remember that God calls us to do exactly what we need to be doing. So if he is calling you for quiet, what can you hear during that time?  In this episode, you'll discover…  What is a key trait to winning at work, and at home? (1:14) Leadership vs Manipulation (4:48) From head to heart when it comes to Christianity. (11:20) How Dan makes sure he wins at home. (36:44)   Dan's Bio:  As Branches Worldwide's Executive Director, Dan has extensive experience helping faith driven leaders develop influence with customers, colleagues, and their community. He served as a pastor at a megachurch in Ohio before accepting the invitation to become our founding director. In addition to serving as the Executive Director, Dan is also the author of “Authentic Leadership” and a co-founder of Owolabi Leadership. Dan holds a BA from Malone University, and a MA from Ashland University. He lives in Ohio with his wife Erica and two daughters. Dan has always believed that Authentic Leaders are servants first. That's why he has made it his mission to help others achieve exceptional results by leading from a mindset of serving. More about Branches here.    What's Next?  NEW!! Join the new RISE community. Check out my newest book, 'Rise and Go', HERE!

In a world where mistrust is the default, trust is hard to earn and easy to lose. If you want to build a healthy culture, care for people, and lead with lasting impact, trust isn't optional. It's essential.Watch video and download the leader guide: https://www.life.church/leadershippodcast/building-a-culture-of-trust-live-from-the-global-leadership-summit

David Ashcraft, CEO of the Global Leadership Network, is a dynamic leader with a proven ability to transform lives. He grew Lives Changed By Christ (LCBC) Church from a small congregation into one of the largest in the Northeastern U.S. Now leading the Global Leadership Summit, the world's largest leadership conference, David empowers pastors and leaders to drive lasting change in their communities. His story is one of growth, resilience, and a commitment to building leadership cultures that help churches and organizations thrive.

A quick survey of Jo Saxton's life would tell you that she is deeply passionate about developing leaders. Whether it's through speaking, her leadership of the Ezer Collective and Bethel University's “The 25,” her podcast or her books, her mission is easy to see. Fresh off the stage at the 2024 Global Leadership Summit, she sat down with Jason Jaggard to talk about her work, and shared wisdom on what young leaders bring to the workplace and how seasoned leaders can engage this emerging generation.

This week, Ruth welcomes artist and pastor Delwin Eiland to discuss the spiritual practice of tarrying. Delwin shares his experience as a worship leader, emphasizing the importance of silence and restraint in spiritual life. The episode delves into how communal tarrying can create space for deeper connection with God and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding these moments. Ruth and Delwin also discuss how silence can act as a form of resistance and sovereignty over one's inner life. The episode concludes with a tarrying moment held by one of Delwin's songs, titled 'Wait for You.' We are journeying through Lent with a podcast season entitled “Tarry with Me Awhile: Learnings from the Black Church.” We will use Dr. Selina Stone's book, Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith, as a guide. Black spirituality has much to offer us in understanding the practice of tarrying as a Lenten practice. Together we will seek a deeper understanding of waiting on God in the liminal space—where the resurrection feels far off, and our deaths and suffering are present.    Delwin Eiland (TC19) is an artist, pastor, & leader who exists to create trustworthy connections, God-centered affirmation, empathetic challenge, and steady, vulnerable leadership. He sees his work as a means to the end of building bridges and cultivating lasting connections. With over 25 years as a professional musician, Delwin brings experience and leadership in church environments and venues ranging from 30 to 30,000. He is a proven strategic & creative collaborator with work including Bethany Christian Services, the FILO Conference, and the Global Leadership Summit. Delwin currently serves as the worship pastor for Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI, as well as the worship leader for The Transforming Center. He and his wife, Ashlee, have three children.   Music this season is provided by Julian Davis Reed. Julian Davis Reid (TC20) is an artist-theologian from Chicago who uses sound and word to offer hope to the searching, presence to the sorrowful, and rest to the weary. A pianist, composer, and producer, his projects featured on this podcast are the two solo piano records Rest Assured (2021) and Beside Still Waters (2024) and his single Moan (Matthew 2:18) featuring Tramaine Parker, released on Inauguration Day 2025 on the project When Souls Cry Out. Julian steadily releases music under his own name and with his group, The JuJu Exchange. You can learn more about his work at juliandavisreid.com. Mentioned in this episode: Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith by Dr. Selina Stone The Sovereignty of Quiet: Beyond Resistance in Black Culture by Kevin Quashie Music Credit: Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist Yesterday, Today, Forever from Music in Solitude Wait For You by Delwin Eiland Are you interested in learning more about Haven, our newest community offering from the Transforming Center? Haven is a community that meets alternately online and in person to create space for leaders to forge a stronger connection between their souls and their leadership. Each gathering (online and in-person) offers spiritual practices that increasingly open us to God over time. This new 18-month community experience will provide more intentional opportunities to engage with a diverse community of believers who are united around Christ. Learn more about dates and how to apply! Support the podcast! This season patrons will receive special bonus episodes with each guest, exploring different practices associated with Lent, such as solitude, self-examination, confession, and more. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!     The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.   *this post contains affiliate links