There’s no question that loneliness has become a global epidemic and is now being recognized as the invisible illness of our day and age. And the sad reality is that it’s always the undiagnosed illnesses that are the most dangerous and deadly. Dr. Mark Mayfield defines loneliness as: “The state of being unseen or unnoticed—relationally, emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually. It’s marked by a deep sense of hopelessness.”

And loneliness is more than just a feeling. It’s a disease pathway, meaning as loneliness increases, so do levels of anxiety, depression, substance use, and even suicide risk. According to a Cigna survey of over 20,000 adults: 54% felt no one truly knew them, 43% said their relationships didn’t feel meaningful, and 36% said they didn’t feel like they had anyone to turn to. Again, that’s not just concerning—it’s a crisis. Because no matter who you are, where you're from, or what you've been through, you were designed to be connected. For this reason as we are nearing the end of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are bringing on a very special guest who is an expert in human connection and leadership - Jordan Montgomery. Jordan is a USA Today bestselling author, renowned performance coach, and keynote speaker, trusted by elite business executives, sales teams, professional athletes, and entrepreneurs. Known for his dynamic presence and transformative insights, Jordan has shared the stage with countless luminaries such as Jon Gordon, John Maxwell, Angela Duckworth, and many others. Additionally, he and his wife, Ashley, lead Montgomery Companies, a powerhouse team of nationally recognized speakers and coaches. Whether in the boardroom or on the sports field, their team excels at helping leaders and teams reach peak performance. Their impressive client roster includes Fortune 500 companies like John Deere, Northwestern Mutual, and Principal Financial, as well as elite athletes, Olympians, and Super Bowl champions. In today’s conversation we will be discussing his most recent book, The Art of Encouragement, in order to help you more effectively lead with, serve, connect, and spread love with those you interact with.

Jordan’s Website: https://www.montgomerycompanies.com/

Purchase Jordan’s Book, The Art of Encouragement - https://www.amazon.com/Art-Encouragement-Teams-Spread-Serve/dp/1394234473

Book Jordan to Speak: https://www.montgomerycompanies.com/speaking/

Listen to Jordan’s Podcast - Growth Over Goals - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growth-over-goals/id1518666353

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#83: Revenge of the Nerds? Credentialism, Expertise, and the Pastor's Lane