

The Non-Anxious Leader Podcast
Jack Shitama
The Non-Anxious Leader Podcast uses a family systems theory approach to increase your spiritual, emotional and physical well-being so you can be the best leader possible. Each episode explores research and practical tips to help you be a personal and professional non-anxious presence.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 8, 2025 • 17min
Episode 360: Leadership through Self-Differentiation - Part 2 of 4 – Emotional Process, Sabotage, Pain & Responsibility (Rebroadcast)
Recognizing emotional process will not only help you avoid getting stuck, it will enable you to persist through the inevitable sabotage that comes when you are leading change.Show Notes:Anxious Church, Anxious People: How to Lead Change in an Age of Anxiety If You Met My Family, You’d Understand: A Family Systems PrimerBecome a Patron for as little as $5/month.Subscribe to my weekly Two for Tuesday email newsletter.

Dec 1, 2025 • 16min
Episode 359: Leadership through Self-Differentiation - Part 1 of 4 - Triangles (Rebroadcast)
The key to effective leadership is the ability to remain a non-anxious presence. Understanding triangles, as well as how to manage them, makes this easier.Show Notes:Anxious Church, Anxious People: How to Lead Change in an Age of Anxiety If You Met My Family, You’d Understand: A Family Systems PrimerBecome a Patron for as little as $5/month.Subscribe to my weekly Two for Tuesday email newsletter.

Nov 24, 2025 • 13min
Episode 358: 7 Ways Leaders Get Stuck and What to Do about It - Part 2 of 2
Discover how to overcome common leadership challenges known as 'blockers.' Learn about perfectionism and how a curious mindset can ease the pressure of making mistakes. Explore the pitfalls of comparison and why it's more effective to coach others instead. Find out strategies for setting boundaries to protect your energy. Finally, tackle feelings of not belonging by affirming your unique contributions and purpose. These practical tips can help you break free and lead authentically.

Nov 16, 2025 • 13min
Episode 357: 7 Ways Leaders Get Stuck and What to Do about It - Part 1 of 2
Discover the concept of "blockers" that can keep leaders stuck in their roles. Learn how the need to be involved can lead to micromanagement and ways to break this cycle. Explore the urgency bias that pushes leaders to act quickly, raising anxiety within their teams. Delve into the certainty trap, where being right can hinder connection and collaboration. The discussion ties these blockers to family systems, providing deeper insights into leadership dynamics. Stay tuned for more strategies in the next installment!

Nov 10, 2025 • 12min
Episode 356: 5 Implications of Child Focus for Families and Leaders
Dive into the intriguing concept of the Family Projection Process, where parental dynamics shape a child's emotional landscape. Discover how heightened child focus impacts a child's behavior and self-regulation. Insights from a study highlight the worrying tone in high-symptom families, emphasizing the need for positive communication. Learn how parental differentiation can reduce anxiety passed onto children and see parallels drawn for leaders navigating their own emotional landscapes. Unpack why intense focus, even positive, can become counterproductive.

Nov 3, 2025 • 13min
Episode 355: Three Ways Non-Anxious Leaders Respond to Political Division (Rebroadcast)
The political, cultural and theological divisions continue to widen. A non-anxious leader understands why AND how to respond.Show Notes:The Center for Family ProcessOnly My Opinion Counts: Myside Bias by Jamie Hale, M.S.The Bias That Divides Us: The Science and Politics of Myside Thinking by Keith E. StanovichBecome a Patron for as little as $5/month.Subscribe to my weekly Two for Tuesday email newsletter.

Oct 27, 2025 • 14min
Episode 354: The Importance of Extended Family Relationships
Phillip Klever's research unveils the impact of intergenerational emotional connections on family dynamics. He compares high and low symptom families, revealing that stronger ties reduce anxiety and improve health. Key findings highlight how multigenerational contact acts as a buffer against stress. The discussion also explores the importance of parental influence on sustaining these connections. Listeners learn practical steps to enhance family relationships, such as reaching out and embracing life changes to strengthen bonds.

Oct 20, 2025 • 10min
Episode 353: How "Gray Rocking" Helps You Be a Non-Anxious Presence
Learn about 'Gray Rocking,' a technique for dealing with difficult people by acting boring and non-reactive. Discover how to maintain a neutral demeanor and deflect toxic interactions without conflict. Hear a personal story about using this method during a tense moment at a church. The discussion also touches on when gray rocking is most effective, especially in family dynamics. Finally, get four practical steps to implement this approach while understanding its temporary nature and the need for self-care.

Oct 13, 2025 • 11min
Episode 352: How "Fogging" Can Help You Be a Non-Anxious Presence
This episode explores what "Fogging" is and how you can use it in anxious situations.Show Notes:When I Say No, I Feel Guilty by Manuel J. SmithThe Fogging Technique - Assertiveness Skills ArticlesBecome a Patron for as little as $5/month.Subscribe to my weekly Two for Tuesday email newsletter.

Oct 6, 2025 • 14min
Episode 351: How Positive Intelligence Helps You to Be a Non-Anxious Presence (Rebroadcast Part 2of 2)
This episode continues with an explanation of Positive Intelligence and covers the three strategies to increase your PQ so you can be a non-anxious presence.Show Notes:Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential AND HOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE YOURS by Shirzad ChamineTake the Saboteur Assessment | Positive IntelligenceBecome a Patron for as little as $5/month.Subscribe to my weekly Two for Tuesday email newsletter.


