Stay Forth Leadership Podcast

If someone asked you, "Are you a writer?" What would you say? Yes? No? Maybe?  In this episode, Alan and David talk about the barriers, paradigm shifts, and practices that come with consistently writing.  Whether you are a confident writer, a hesitant beginner or a curious onlooker we hope this episode gives you some insight and tips into what it means to dive into the habit and craft of writing.  Want more?  Check out both of Alan's "Busy Bum Guide to Writing..."                   at www.stayforth.com/guides

You don't have to spend much time on the internet to know we live in a polarizing time. While we are connected more than ever through technology, things can feel incredibly divided.  In this episode, Alan has a conversation with pastor and author Dan White. Dan discusses his book "Love Over Fear" and shares the beauty and power when we choose to love in the midst of division. Our common response to people outside of our tribe is to retreat or to fight, but Dan reminds us of a third way, love. You'll hear stories from his neighborhood, some psychology behind arguing on the internet and some practical tips to stay healthy.  Connect with Dan www.loveoverfearproject.com Pick up "Love Over Fear" @danwhitejr

Writing can be a daunting task. You may have a profound idea, or story that you're passionate about, but what does it take to go from your head to a book? That gap can paralyze us from exploring an idea. In this episode, Alan sits down with Alex Field to talk about writing, publishing and ultimately what it takes to write a book. This conversation demystifies the process of writing as Alex let's you behind the curtain into the publishing process.  Alex and Alan talk about the long-term commitment, hustling and grind that comes from, not only writing, but then sharing that book with the world. While writing a book is still a massive undertaking, we hope this conversation gives you a framework if you are considering taking the next step in your writing journey.  Connect with Alex www.thebinderyagency.com   Check Out These Writing Resources www.stayforth.com/guides

We love coffee and more often than not we are drinking a fine cup during each episode.  In today's episode, we host a conversation with friends that either manage or own a coffee shop/roaster. Even though these guys make nationally recognized coffee, it became obvious that coffee isn't their main priority - It's people.  Coffee has become a conduit for relationships and coffee shops have become a thriving "third space" for people to meet outside of home and work. We talk about developing a team, creating a culture of hospitality and avoiding burnout.  Whether you are into coffee or not, there is a ton to learn from these industry leaders as they teach us how to cultivate meaningful community in our cities.  Check out their Coffee!  www.loyalcoffee.co www.peakplace.com & www.holdfastcoffeeco.com www.switchbackroasters.com

Rest is a consistent theme on this podcast and today we discuss a distinct concept of rest, called sabbatical.  Sabbatical is an extended break from your work. Generally, your church, school or organization gifts you with this extended time away after a certain amount of years of service. We've seen that leaders can struggle enough with a weekly day of rest, so when they are given several weeks of "nothingness" it can seem daunting, aimless and disorienting.  In today's episode, David and Alan talk about their experiences with the topic of sabbatical and discuss some tips and things to keep in mind as you prepare for sabbatical. As Alan says, sabbatical will likely "wreck you" in so many different ways. It is a disorienting but in can be the environment to help us find deep clarity and peace in our calling, identity and path forward as we come back to our work refreshed.  If you are about to take a sabbatical or are currently in one, we'd love to hear what you're thinking or how its going.  Reach out to us at www.stayforth.com/contact

We're passionate about people finding health in their lives. One of the most powerful ways we've experienced this is through coaching. In this episode, Alan and David sit down to talk about coaching. They unpack what coaching is and what coaching isn't and ultimately why it is crucial to what we do at Stay Forth Designs.  Want to explore more?  Check out our coaching page at www.stayforth.com/coaching And explore our team of coaches at www.stayforth.com/team

We talk a ton about personal health, but what about team health?  In this episode, Lance Witt comes back on the podcast to talk with Alan about healthy teams. Lance believes that a healthy team will be a high impact team. The conversation is centered around practical ways to cultivate a healthy team environment. Alan and Lance cover topics like developing the people around you and even best practices in leading the toughest person on your team...yourself.  We want to encourage you to find the thing(s) within this podcast to not only wrestle with but take back to your team, in order to pursue greater health and impact.  Connect with Lance www.replenish.net Pick up Lance's book, "High Impact Teams"   

There are moments in life that feel like "a leap." And more specifically a leap without full knowledge of where you'll land.  Maybe you can relate with a moment like this, or maybe you are creeping toward the edge of a moment like this and it's both terrifying and exciting.  In this episode, David and Alan sit down to discuss Alan's recent and BIG decision to jump head-first into "Stay Forth Designs" full-time. Up until recently, Stay Forth had been a substantial "side hustle" for Alan and his wife Julie, where they pour into leaders through training, coaching, consulting and making content. At the beginning of this summer they discerned that Alan would take the leap into doing it all "full-time."  Alan unpacks his heart for helping leaders find health and all of the fear and excitement that came from this decision. We hope that this conversation gives you insight and encouragement as you discern and make big decisions in your life.  Find out more about Stay Forth Designs and what we do at www.stayforth.com

Does anxiety get in the way of your leadership?  I think most of us would answer yes, in some shape or form. The very nature of leadership is fertile ground for anxiety to spring up in our lives.  In this episode, Alan has a conversation with pastor and author, Steve Cuss. Through Steve's early experience as a hospital chaplain and years of pastoral ministry, anxiety has been a consistent presence within leadership.  Steve talks about practical ways of acknowledging our anxiety, through physical cues in our bodies. He gives insight into some of our deeper sources of anxiety in leadership, like identity and performance. And ultimately Steve offers hope through practical ways of addressing the very real anxiety that exists in our lives.  We encourage you to listen to this one with your friends, team or spouse as a way to unpack and name this reality in your life. Find Steve's book "Managing Leadership Anxiety" below. It is such a crucial read for any leader.  Connect with Steve www.stevecusswords.com @stevecusswords Managing Leadership Anxiety

Does your leadership diminish those around you, or does it multiply their intelligence, capacity and effectiveness.  In this episode, Alan has a conversation with researcher, author, speaker and advisor, Liz Wiseman about her book, "Multipliers." In it she unpacks the crucial differences and practices of a "diminisher" and a "multiplier." A diminisher knowingly or unknowingly, stifles the creativity, potential and intelligence of those they lead. Whereas, a multiplier draws that out of those they lead. This conversation is crucial for anyone wanting to help their team thrive in their roles and gifting.  Connect with Liz www.thewisemangroup.com linkedin Pick up Multipliers on Here