Stay Forth Leadership Podcast

In Episode 4 of our H2 Leader Summer Series, Alan and Jonathan hit on one of the most liberating leadership truths: “Who you are matters more than what you do.” In a world that obsessively equates titles, achievements, and performance metrics with worth, it’s easy to lose sight of the unshakeable identity and purpose beneath the surface. Join them as they unpack: The difference between your role (what shows up on your org chart) and your identity (your character, values, and calling) Why chasing “praise, promotions, and posts” leaves you vulnerable to burnout and emptiness How to begin leading from who you are, not just from what you produce Practical first steps—daily rhythms, margin, and non­transactional relationships—that reinforce your true identity If you’ve ever felt like you woke up and realized your career had swallowed your self-worth, this episode is for you. Press play, and start rooting your leadership in purpose, not performance. Key Topics Covered Role vs. Identity: Why a job description can never define your lasting worth Performance Traps: How external accolades both feed and betray your soul Identity Anchors: The character traits, values, and deep “why” that outlast any project or title Practical Shifts: Small daily practices to remind yourself of your true self Building non-transactional friendships who “aren’t impressed” but love you anyway Creating margin (walks, lunches, buffer time) to reconnect with your purpose Reflect & Apply Set aside 10–15 minutes with a journal or blank page, and explore these two questions: Who am I becoming as a leader? What core truths do I need to return to regularly? Don’t rush—let these questions guide you toward leading from your identity, not just from your job description.

Originally released on Johnny Levy’s Workplace Delight podcast, this episode was too good not to share with our Stay Forth audience! Alan Briggs—leadership & sabbatical coach, “mountain guide for the leadership journey,” and co-host of the Stay Forth Leadership Podcast—joins Johnny to explore why intentional sabbaticals are the next frontier in workplace culture. Whether you’re in HR, the C-suite, or you’ve built a startup from scratch, you’ll learn: How a sabbatical can release outdated mindsets and reset your priorities Why “get-tos” vs. “have-tos” reignite creativity, trust, and long-term retention The Harvard Business Review research proving sabbaticals drive innovation Practical “stress-test” pilots to evolve your policy without upheaval The two phases every leader experiences after sabbatical: Release & Reset Press play for a healthy dose of adventure, abundance mindset, and people-first strategy—then return tomorrow for Episode 3 of our H2 Leader Summer Series! Key Topics Covered Defining Sabbatical: From academic “research leave” to genuine life-giving renewal Personal Story: Alan’s first 10-week gift sabbatical—what he released & how he reset Abundance Mindset: “Get-tos” vs. “Have-tos,” and why rest is a human right Business Case: HBR findings, Big Tech sabbaticals, and the real ROI on renewal Implementation: Evolving vs. revolutionizing your policy—stress tests, pilots & partnerships Outcomes: Release old habits → Reset priorities → Reinvigorate individual & organizational performance Reflect & Apply Inventory Your “Get-Tos”: What creative or restorative activities have you shelved for “someday”? Identify Roadblocks: Which of Fear, Pride, or Permission is blocking sabbatical at your company? Pilot a Pilot: What small “stress-test” could you run this quarter—for example, extend someone’s vacation by one week? Links & Resources Watch the Full Interview on YouTube https://youtu.be/EfHh61p0hPE?si=J3FHcHJR5wE5Opdp Workplace Delight Substack (Johnny’s full show notes & takeaways) https://workplacedelight.substack.com/

Alan and Jonathan expose the dark side of hustle culture and introduce a far better alternative: rhythms. We all know the story—“push harder, grind longer, you’ll get your big payday.” It glitters until you crash. Instead, learn why top performers thrive on repeatable, sustainable habits and how you can wage war on burnout with simple, life-giving routines. You’ll walk away with: A clear definition of hustle vs. sustainable push How “humble hustle” can keep you moving without flaming out The science behind rhythms—and why everything from tides to seasons obey them The 4 P’s of building lasting habits: Permission, Process, Perseverance … and People Real-world examples of how small daily actions compound into massive gains Whether you’re launching a new initiative or just trying to make it through your week, this episode arms you with the tools to step off the treadmill of constant go-go-go and design a leadership cadence that fuels your best work—for years to come. Key Topics Covered The Glamour & the Grind: Why hustle culture hooks us—and when “go-go-go” becomes toxic Humble Hustle: How to lean in intensely and know when to pull back Rhythms Over Ruts: Why setting predictable patterns beats random sprints every time The 4 P’s of Habit Design: Permission—Give yourself the green light to start Process—Map out the simple steps that make it automatic Perseverance—Keep showing up, even when it’s not fun People—Invite accountability partners to multiply your momentum Leader as Model: How your personal cadence shapes team culture—whether you mean to or not Reflect & Apply Grab your journal (or the Right Side Up Journal ) and spend 10–15 minutes with these prompts. Then, take one concrete step this week to weave a new rhythm into your life: Zoom Out: Where are you currently running on fumes—in work or life? Rhythm Check: What small habit (10 min/day or 1 hr/week) would shift you off autopilot? Barrier Busters: Which of the “P’s” (Permission, Process, Perseverance, People) is tripping you up? Next Right Step: What one change will you make in the next 24 hours to protect that new rhythm? Links & Resources 📘 The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide → https://a.co/d/haM9rSR 📝 Right Side Up Journal (Stay Forth) → https://a.co/d/fUaXcFh A coach-designed, undated leadership journal—10 min/day to align your daily actions with long-term vision. Available in paperback, hardcover “Adventure Edition,” or digital.

Welcome to Year 3 of our Summer Series—and this time, we're going all in on what it means to become an H2 Leader: someone who is both healthy and high impact. In this kickoff episode, Jonathan and Alan introduce the theme for the summer, reflect on past unhealthy and high-impact seasons of their own leadership, and share why this H2 tension is so important in today's fast-paced world. You’ll get a clear picture of what this series will cover—and how you can follow along to grow in your leadership without burning out. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: What is an H2 Leader—and why is it so hard to be both healthy and high impact? How success creates more options—and why options without boundaries are dangerous Why burnout and overachievement often masquerade as productivity Why designing your leadership around your unique wiring is essential The power of seasons, filters, and healthy teams to sustain long-term leadership ✍️ Reflect + Apply: This episode includes 3 powerful questions to help you activate what you’re learning: What does health look like for you this summer? What does high impact mean in your current season? What would it look like to commit to this journey over the summer? Grab a journal, take 10 quiet minutes, and start answering these. These aren’t just questions—they’re the map for becoming an H2 Leader. Links + Resources: The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide (on Amazon) → https://a.co/d/haM9rSR The Sabbatical Journey Learning Experience (Self-Paced Course) → https://www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com/sabbaticaljourney FREE Whitepaper: Sabbaticals & Leadership (Harvard-backed research) → https://www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com/why-leaders-need-sabbaticals-harvard-research The Right Side Up Journal (Stay Forth) → https://a.co/d/fUaXcFh A purpose-driven journal created from hundreds of hours of coaching to help leaders align daily actions with long-term goals. Designed for just 10 minutes a day, this tool blends intentional planning, personal development, and reflection to build sustainable momentum. Available in paperback, hardcover “Adventure Edition,” and digital format. What’s Next: This summer series will explore the core characteristics of an H2 Leader in short, practical episodes you can apply immediately. Topics include: How to build healthy rhythms Leadership boundaries Personal sustainability Strategic rest (and yes, sabbatical!) Each episode is built for reflection, activation, and longevity in your leadership. Welcome to the H2 Leader Summer Series. Let’s get after it.

We’ve been holding this one close, and it’s finally time to share the big news... After years of coaching hundreds of leaders through sabbaticals—and taking a few ourselves—we’re beyond thrilled to announce a double launch that we believe could change how leaders rest, recover, and re-enter their work with purpose. In this episode, Alan and Jonathan unveil: The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide — a beautifully designed, practical, anti-book book that walks you step-by-step through your sabbatical. The Sabbatical Journey Learning Experience — a self-paced, story-rich, coaching-informed digital journey for those who want transformation without the 1-on-1 coaching price tag. If you’re a leader (or know a leader) who’s curious about sabbatical, overwhelmed by the idea, or already mid-journey but feeling a little lost—this episode is your invitation to breathe, recalibrate, and take a next step into one of the most meaningful investments you’ll ever make. This isn’t just theory. It’s the best of what we’ve learned after guiding leaders through deeply personal sabbatical seasons—and what we’ve lived ourselves. What You’ll Learn: Why sabbatical is essential (and not just a long vacation) The top mistakes leaders make when going into sabbatical What’s inside The Sabbatical Journey field guide—and why it’s not a traditional book How the new learning experience bridges the gap between content and coaching How to use these tools with your board, team, or organization to normalize and implement sabbatical culture What it really looks like to return from sabbatical reoriented, not just rested Resources & Links: The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide (Amazon) → https://a.co/d/haM9rSR The Sabbatical Journey Learning Experience (Self-paced Digital Resource) → https://www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com/sabbaticaljourney Free Whitepaper: Why Leaders Need Sabbaticals (with Harvard Research) → https://www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com/why-leaders-need-sabbaticals-harvard-research Visit the Sabbatical Coaching Group → https://www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com Call to Action: Buy Two Copies of The Sabbatical Journey — one for yourself, and one for the leader in your life who’s overwhelmed, burned out, or ready to step into a life-giving break from their work. And if you're curious about sabbatical but don't know where to start, head to the Learning Experience. It’s designed to meet you exactly where you are. 📩 Got questions or want to share your sabbatical story? Reach out through the contact form on the site — we’d love to hear from you.

In this unique episode, Jonathan and Alan explore how the 7th inning stretch in baseball offers a powerful metaphor for leadership—especially during the summer. Whether you're crushing your goals or feeling stuck halfway through the year, summer provides a built-in opportunity to pause, reset, and reconnect. They unpack how leaders can make intentional use of this season to reflect, recalibrate, and reengage before heading into the fall sprint. From practical tips on celebrating small wins to the value of solitude, this conversation blends storytelling, humor, and deeply practical wisdom. If you're looking for a healthier rhythm and renewed momentum for the second half of the year, this one’s for you. Takeaways: Why the “7th inning stretch” is more than a fun break—it’s a leadership reset. The value of pausing with purpose and reconnecting with your “why.” How leaders can use summer for reflection, realignment, and renewed energy. Alan’s and Jonathan’s favorite summer slowdown practices—and how you can find your own. Listener Questions to Reflect On: What’s one practice helping you slow down this summer? What’s something you need to let go of? What are you hopeful for in the second half of the year? Resource Mentioned: Download our free 7th Inning Stretch for Leaders Checklist and follow along with our summer series: Becoming an H2 Leader.

In this episode of the podcast, leadership strategist Alan is joined by Brandon Young—Army Ranger veteran, leadership expert, and co-founder of Applied Leadership Partners. Together, they explore how leaders can develop the mindset and skill set to thrive, not just survive, through seasons of high pressure, deep uncertainty, and prolonged adversity. Brandon brings over 25 years of frontline leadership experience, from elite military operations to scaling nonprofits and navigating complex corporate restructures. This isn’t a theoretical conversation—it’s a grounded, real-world exploration of how mission-focused leaders can build perseverance, resist burnout, and lead with clarity in unpredictable environments. Topics Covered: Brandon’s formative years in the Army and how special operations shaped his leadership foundation The difference between endurance and perseverance—and why the latter is essential for modern leaders Why leaders are facing “justification fatigue” and how to build speed to trust using the C.A.R.E. model (Candor, Authenticity, Reliability, Empathy) How to counter the loneliness of leadership through shared emotional load and intentional relational rhythms Strategic pauses vs. false finish lines: how tactical rest can save your mission The five pillars of perseverance: Change, Uncertainty, Acceptance, Choice, and Growth Why clarity—not certainty—is the real antidote to fear-based decision-making How to lead others through ambiguity using frameworks drawn from combat-tested leadership models Practical tips for shrinking your world to reclaim agency and make wise decisions under pressure Key Takeaways: Leadership doesn’t have to be lonely—but it does have to be intentional. False finish lines will break your team. Build tactical halts into your rhythm. Clarity creates agency. Shrink your focus, extend your vision. Rest isn't quitting—it's preparation for longevity in mission-critical environments. The mission is greater than the moment. Don’t mistake pressure for purpose. About the Guest: Brandon Young is a former US Army Ranger with four combat rotations to Afghanistan. He has spent over 25 years building and leading teams in the military special operations, corporate healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. He is the coauthor of Perseverance > Endurance: Lead With Resilience. Grow Through Adversity. Win Together.  Brandon has built partnerships with some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Nike, Walmart, Starbucks, Microsoft, and Amazon. He is the recipient of the Quest Diagnostics Regional Excellence Award for Commercial Leadership for his work in cancer diagnostics. He’s been published in various magazines and peer-­reviewed academic journals; assessed, mentored, and trained more than 1,000 Ranger leaders while serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment; and placed third in the 2006 Best Ranger Competition. Brandon lives in Littleton, Colorado, with his wife, Kelly. They have two adult children: Jaden is a Soldier in the US Army and Elliot is a student at the University of Colorado Boulder. Brandon holds a master of divinity in leadership from Denver Seminary, and his passions are faith, family, community, and adventure.  Resources & Links: Get the book: Perseverance Is Greater Than Endurance  Learn more about Brandon and Applied Leadership Partners Brandon on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonyoung14/   Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandon.young14/   Follow Stay Forth for more leadership tools and coaching: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCETGsJdac-zQu6yl5XFNJig Tune In If You: Lead a team through uncertain waters Feel the pressure of constant decision-making without clarity Want to shift from surviving the week to leading for the long haul Are seeking practical, real-world leadership insight with military-grade wisdom Subscribe and leave a review if this episode helps you lead with more clarity, conviction, and calm under pressure. This is the space for leaders who want to grow resilient, sustainable influence in a changing world.

Episode Description: We spend so much time building resumes—but what will people really say at our memorials? In this reflective and unscripted episode, Alan shares how two very different moments—a family memorial and a coaching session—led to the same life-altering question: What truly matters? A Alan is joined by surprise guest Wayne Francis, who shares powerful insights from his own Vision Refresh—a deep-dive coaching experience built to help leaders zoom out, gain clarity, and dream again. In This Episode: Why “eulogy values” matter more than “resume values” What a Vision Refresh is—and how it’s changing leaders’ lives Wayne’s real-time takeaways from his second Vision Refresh The spiritual power of naming your identity and impact goals How leaders can avoid burnout through “inhale and exhale” rhythms The role of adventure, surprise, and sacred space in creating clarity Notable Quotes: “Without clarity, there's collisions.” – Wayne Francis “Disorientation often produces transformation.” – Alan Briggs “Naming is spiritual. If you don’t name it, it’s hard to live it.” – Wayne Francis Perfect For You If You’re: A leader facing transition or burnout Craving clarity for your next season Ready to rediscover what really matters Curious about coaching or life planning Learn More or Apply for a Vision Refresh: Email: www.stayforth.com Leave a rating and review if this episode gave you a fresh perspective—and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an update.

Time is your most precious resource—and summer is slipping up fast. In this episode, Alan Briggs lays out 4 practical, life-giving keys to intentionally plan a summer that actually replenishes you instead of overwhelming you. “If you don’t plan your summer, it will plan you.” Whether you're a parent, a leader, or someone just feeling May-Sember chaos, this episode is your summer strategy session. Alan helps you zoom out and get real about what matters most this summer—because this season is short, but the impact can last a lifetime. You’ll walk away with a framework and the right questions to: Create Unplanned Space – Ironically, it only happens when you plan for it. Replenish Your Soul – Identify what actually fills you up, not just drains you more. Reconnect Relationally – With friends, family, and the people who matter. Pursue Intentional Growth – Don’t sleep on the summer when it comes to personal and professional momentum. Perfect for: Parents prepping for school break Leaders looking for clarity, not chaos Anyone tired of letting another summer “just happen” Questions We’ll Help You Answer: When will you make space for nothing? What actually replenishes you? Who do you need to reconnect with? What do you need to learn and who will you learn from? 📥 Download the Free Summer Planning Guide → [https://summer.stayforthcoaching.com/plan-for-the-summer] 📝 Journal Prompts + Planning Blocks Included

In this powerful episode, host Alan Briggs sits down with Dave Garrison—former multinational CEO and author of The Buy-In Advantage—to unpack one of the workplace’s biggest hidden threats: employee disengagement. Drawing from decades of experience and real-world data, Dave shares why disengagement is accelerating, what’s really behind it, and how today’s leaders can reverse the trend and re-engage their teams. About Dave Dave has over 25 years of experience as a CEO and independent board member of public and private companies both in the U.S. and internationally. Dave has spent his career rebuilding and exponentially growing organizations in a strategic and sustainable way. His success throughout his career organically led him to his encore work in supporting other CEOs in experiencing the same success he did. Dave holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and is Certified as a DISC and Emotional Quotient consultant for individuals and teams. Additionally, he is a certified facilitator in a system based on Verne Harnishes’ Rockefeller Habits and the book Traction. He’s an avid sailor, accomplished pilot and fierce yet mediocre golfer!     Key Takeaways: Disengagement is a systems issue, not a people issue. Gen Z and younger managers are demanding purpose—not just paychecks. Culture beats compensation: engaged employees rarely leave for small raises. Better alignment on purpose and priorities can slash turnover and boost performance. Meetings should be a catalyst for engagement—not a drain on energy. Notable Quotes: “Disengagement is the enthusiasm we leave in the parking lot Monday morning.” – Dave Garrison “All of us are smarter than any of us. Leaders must learn to draw out that collective genius.” – Dave Garrison “People don’t burn out when they care deeply about what they’re doing.” – Dave Garrison Learn More: Grab your copy of The Buy-In Advantage and explore tools, assessments, and resources mentioned in the episode at buyinbook.com.