
Stay Forth Leadership Podcast
Leadership is challenging, a lot like climbing a mountain. The Stay Forth Leadership Podcast is a resource to help you become an effective leader- someone who is healthy, self-aware, and working with the grain of their gifting at a sustainable pace to produce long-term impact. Each week, Alan Briggs hosts practical conversations with leadership experts designed to equip you with tools to produce the highest amount of change possible through new awareness, new information, new tools, and processes to guide you on your journey to become the healthiest and most impactful leader you can be.
Find out more about who we are and what we do at www.stayforth.com
Latest episodes

Aug 9, 2024 • 21min
The Expectation Gap: Unmet Expectations and Disappointment
In this episode of the Stay Forth Leadership Podcast, Jonathan Collier and Alan Briggs discuss the importance of clarifying expectations to avoid disappointment. They explore the concept of the expectation gap and how unmet expectations can lead to disappointment. They emphasize the need to name and clarify expectations in order to protect relationships and move beyond disappointment.
takeaways
The Right Side Up Journal is a helpful tool for grounding oneself and clarifying priorities
Disappointment often arises from unmet expectations, both internally and externally
Naming and clarifying expectations is crucial for protecting relationships and avoiding disappointment
Taking action and course correcting are key to moving beyond disappointment
Sound Bites
"We wanted to spend just a few minutes to talk about this guy and why we believe it is the standard."
"We often don't even realize what we expected until we experience this awful thing called disappointment."
"When you experience disappointment, it's always about unmet expectations."
Chapters
00:00Introduction to the Right Side Up Journal
04:05Disappointment and Naming Things
09:07Clarifying Expectations
12:39Taking Action and Course Correcting

Aug 7, 2024 • 29min
Self-Care Strategies for Long-Term Leadership Success: With Hal Donaldson
Hal Donaldson, CEO of Convoy of Hope and author of "What Really Matters," shares his journey from overcoming childhood challenges to leading impactful community initiatives. He discusses crucial self-care strategies for leaders, emphasizing the need for physical, emotional, and spiritual health to avoid burnout. Donaldson reveals how success can become detrimental if it leads to self-reliance and neglect of personal well-being. He encourages embracing hardships as avenues for growth and fostering a healthy culture within organizations.

Aug 5, 2024 • 30min
Antiburnout: Why Every Leader Must Confront Pain
In this episode of the Say Forth Leadership Podcast, we delve into why every leader must confront pain. Pain is an inevitable part of being human and even more so as a leader. The more people you influence, the more pain you'll be exposed to.
This discussion unpacks how leaders often overlook their own pain while focusing on the next task or goal, much like a rock climber so focused on the climb that they ignore their injuries.
We emphasize the importance of acknowledging both macro and micro pains to move toward healing and connection. We also explore the role of friends, therapists, coaches, and fellow strugglers in navigating this journey.
By confronting pain head-on, leaders can foster deeper connections and healthier communities. Tune in to learn practical steps to manage pain and build supportive relationships.

Jul 25, 2024 • 19min
AntiBurnout: Gaining momentum in the midst of change
In this episode, Alan and Jonathan discuss the topic of change and the importance of embracing experiments as a way to navigate through change. They highlight the need for clarity and awareness before taking appropriate action, and encourage small steps and experiments to shift the needle and gain momentum. They also emphasize the importance of not trying to control things that are outside of our responsibility. Overall, the episode provides practical insights and encouragement for leaders facing change.
Takeaways
Change is a constant in life and leadership, and it is important to embrace it rather than resist it.
Experiments are a powerful tool to navigate through change, as they allow us to test the future without pressurizing it.
Clarity and awareness are essential before taking appropriate action in times of change.
Small steps and experiments can help shift the needle and gain momentum in the midst of change.
It is important to focus on what is within our responsibility and not try to control things that are outside of our control.
Quotables
"Experiments test the future without pressurizing it."
"Experiments limit the pressure and increase our curiosity."
"You can't try something new until you know where to free up space"

Jul 18, 2024 • 20min
AntiBurnout: From Exhaustion to Replenishment
Welcome back to episode three of our Anti-Burnout Summer Series! This week, we tackle a phrase many leaders find all too familiar: "I'm so tired."
On this episode we dive into the different types of fatigue leaders face and the journey from exhaustion to replenishment. Discover practical strategies to identify and combat expected, extended, and extreme fatigue. Learn the importance of intentional replenishment cycles and how daily and weekly habits can transform your energy levels and the trajectory of of your leadership.
If you're feeling drained, this episode is your guide to finding renewed vitality and balance. Tune in and take the first step towards a lighter, more fulfilling leadership journey. #AntiBurnout #Leadership #Replenishment #PodcastSeries #SelfCare
Takeaways
Exhaustion and fatigue can lead to burnout and should not be ignored.
There are three types of fatigue: expected fatigue, extended fatigue, and extreme fatigue.
It is important to identify the level and source of fatigue, whether it is physical, mental, relational, emotional, or spiritual.
Creating a replenishment cycle with daily and weekly habits can help combat fatigue and replenish energy.
The Right Side Up Journal is a useful tool for self-reflection and accountability in maintaining a replenishment cycle.
Quotables
"I'm so tired. I am so tired."
"Exhaustion: The Obstacle to Replenishment"
"Energy leaks effortlessly, but replenishment requires intentionality."
Grab a right side up journal:
https://www.rightsideupjournal.com
Join a leadership development cohort: https://effective.stayforthcoaching.com

Jul 16, 2024 • 41min
An unlikely missionary, succession and leading something you didn't start: With Tanner Peake
Tanner, the CEO of Every Home for Christ, shares his journey from rural Montana to leading a global ministry. He discusses the audacious mission of Every Home for Christ and the various ways they carry Christ to everyone and every place. Tanner also talks about his experience of taking over leadership from the legendary Dick Eastman and the challenges of succession. He emphasizes the importance of boundaries, play, and seeking support in maintaining health while traveling. Tanner shares his favorite cereal, guilty pleasure song, and a quote that inspires him. He concludes with a message of encouragement for those feeling discouraged.
Takeaways
Every Home for Christ has an audacious mission to carry Christ to everyone and every place.
Succession can be a challenging process, but intentional communication and trust-building are key.
Setting boundaries and prioritizing health, both physically and mentally, is crucial for leaders who travel frequently.
Play and humor can humanize leadership and strengthen relationships within a team.
Gratitude and taking small steps are important during difficult times.
Every Home for Christ's website (www.everyhome.org) is a great resource to learn more about their work.
Sound Bites
"I think getting good at saying no, really weighing out whether this is truly important or not."
"Play disarms and allows us to have relational connection."
"Listen, you're in good company. The world is a hard spot. I think everybody in the world at some point experiences some kind of suffering."

Jul 12, 2024 • 25min
AntiBurnout Summer Series: Finding Newness and Freshness When Feeling Stuck
In this episode of the Stay Forth Leadership Podcast, Alan and Jonathan discuss the theme of finding newness and freshness when feeling stuck. They emphasize the importance of changing pace, place, and perspective to gain a new outlook. They also explore the mindset shifts necessary to move from feeling stuck to being a designer of one's own life. The conversation covers various strategies for finding newness, including getting away from technology, changing environments, and cultivating new relationships.
The episode concludes with reflection questions and a call to take action.
Takeaways
Changing pace, place, and perspective can help bring newness and freshness when feeling stuck.
Mindset shifts are necessary to move from feeling stuck to being a designer of one's own life.
Strategies for finding newness include getting away from technology, changing environments, and cultivating new relationships.
Reflection and taking action are key to transforming information into meaningful change.
Quotables
"It's refreshing and it's just a different way to communicate important information."
"Change of pace plus change of place equals change of perspective."
"Being away from just instant information and supercomputers that fit in our pockets is probably one of the better ways that I can find newness."

Jul 5, 2024 • 31min
AntiBurnout Summer Series: Overwhelm and Clarity: Overcoming Obstacles
In this episode, Jonathan and Alan introduce their summer series on living and leading in a lighter way. They discuss the purpose of the series and how it differs from their regular podcast episodes. The main theme of this episode is overwhelm and the opportunity for clarity. They explore the lies associated with overwhelm and the importance of taking action to find clarity. They provide examples and encourage listeners to identify the sources of overwhelm in their own lives and take steps towards greater clarity.
Takeaways
The summer series is designed to provide a more transformational look at living and leading in a lighter way.
Overwhelm is an obstacle that can be overcome through clarity.
There are two types of overwhelm: positive overwhelm (having too many good things) and negative overwhelm (feeling burdened by responsibilities).
The lies associated with overwhelm are the need for certainty and the belief that everything must be done by oneself.
Taking action and seeking clarity are essential to overcoming overwhelm.
Identify the sources of overwhelm in your life and take steps towards greater clarity.
Quotables
"When clarity goes up, overwhelm goes down."
"Overwhelm is something that is standing between you and where you want to be."
Chapters
00:00Introduction to the Summer Series
09:24Overwhelm and Clarity
13:27The Lies of Overwhelm
19:04Identifying Sources of Overwhelm
23:19Steps Towards Greater Clarity

Jun 20, 2024 • 24min
Pop Culture, Positive Psychology & Leadership | 'Coming in Hot' with Dr. Tashion Macon
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In episode, Dr. Tashion Macon takes us on a journey through her remarkable career in pop culture and positive psychology. Join us as she delves into her new book, Coming in Hot: A Blueprint for Black Women Setting the World Ablaze, and shares powerful insights on showing up as your greatest self.
About Dr. Tashion Macon
Dr.Tashion Macon is a trailblazer. Her professional experience lives at the intersections of brand marketing, pop-culture, philanthropy, and positive psychology.
Growing up in East St. Louis, IL, Dr. Macon’s traumatic and transformative experiences showed her that she could accomplish anything. Her life trajectory gives her the ability to authentically invite everyone she encounters to achieve their highest vibration.
Dr. Macon has helped iconic companies like Arista/LaFace Records, Interscope/Universal, NBC, T-Mobile, and Warner Brothers achieve their financial and marketing objectives, and she’s led mission-focused organizations like Akoin, Communi- ties In Schools, South Carolina Institutes of Information and Innovation, The Teaching Lab, The Weitz Foundation, Voice Vision Value, and Women’s Foundation of the South to fulfill their purpose. She uniquely understands how to strike – when the proverbial iron is HOT to maximize career-enhancing outcomes.
Her new book, Coming In Hot: A Blueprint For Black Women Setting The World Ablaze is a love letter to Black Women. Dr. Macon introduces her innovative “Hotlist”, a framework to support Black women as they count the costs and the coins to cultivate a career path that is as authentic and unique as they are.
A best-selling author, speaker, and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Dr. Macon’s Coming in Hot offers Black women a thought-provoking and straight-talking guide for professional access, agency, and ascension – one borne of experience and steeped in wit and wisdom.
If you enjoyed this book and found the information useful, please help others find it by leaving a review on the site where you purchased it. Reviews are the most effective way to spread the word that this book brings value to others like you!
Sound Bites:
"Purpose does not need permission to be what it's born to be."
"Your title is something you rent, your talent is something you own."
"Bet on your own blaze, push all your chips in on that."
Key Takeaways:
Show up as your greatest self and cultivate a career that is uniquely yours.
Bring your essence and talent to everything you do.
Trust your unique design and bet on your own blaze.
Divine doors will open for you, even in times of discouragement.
Declare what you desire and follow the direction of divine discontent.
Connect with Dr. Tashion Macon
Books: https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Hot-Blueprint-Setting-Ablaze-ebook/dp/B0D4VYV611?ref_=ast_author_dp&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1cMKFxP3fhaqj0QiSmGoyA.Oe9WzymZkX1fv1jUsJlq_Eob_XrVydE0qHgQAwuTprM&dib_tag=AUTHOR
Website: https://www.tashionmacon.com/

Jun 13, 2024 • 1h 15min
Demystifying Sabbatical: A Journey of Rest and Reorientation
In this episode, Alan Briggs and Chad Lunsford demystify the concept of sabbatical and share their personal experiences. They discuss the importance of sabbatical for pastors and leaders, and how it can be a life-giving opportunity for rest, reflection, and reorientation.
They outline the three phases of a healthy sabbatical: prepare, experience, and reorient. The hosts emphasize the need for engagement and intentional decision-making during sabbatical, and the value of having a sabbatical coach to guide and support the process.
If you or someone you know are experiencing, planning or thinking about a sabbatical ingest this episode!
To pursue your free Breakthrough Sabbatical Coaching session head to www.stayforth.com/coaching
Takeaways
Sabbatical is a valuable opportunity for pastors and leaders to rest, reflect, and reorient.
There are three phases of a healthy sabbatical: prepare, experience, and reorient. Sabbatical is not an escape from life, but an engagement with deep personal and relational matters.
Having a sabbatical coach can provide guidance and support throughout the sabbatical process.
Quotables
"We want to demystify sabbatical."
"I've experienced sabbatical being incredibly life-giving opportunity and gift."
"Sabbatical is different for each person."
Order a Right Side Up Journal to help plan your summer. https://www.rightsideupjournal.com