Right-side Up Leadership Podcast

At our most pessimistic, our world can seem more divided than ever. One of those divides is a generational one, as we hurl generalizations and blame for our many cultural complaints.  In this podcast, Alan sits down with author and leader Grant Skeldon to talk about his book, "The Passion Generation." In his book, Grant calls us all to a larger unifying purpose, discipleship. Millennials care deeply about passion and purpose and Grant argues there is no bigger and compelling cause then the commission given to us by Jesus to go and make disciples.  Grant challenges the passion generation to get passionate about being discipled and discipling the next generation. So whether you are leading as a millennial or leading millennials this podcast is for you! Follow Grant @grantskeldon www.grantskeldon.com www.initiativenetwork.org Read The Passion Generation

We have a pretty audacious goal.  At Stay Forth Design's, we want to help shift the culture on what we celebrate in leadership.  Impact is great, but we often forget to celebrate the unsung hero's who are faithfully leading, innovating, investing and influencing their community for the Kingdom. Regardless of platform, scope or twitter following, we want to shine a light and affirm leaders all over the country, reminding them what they do matters!  We hope this can help shape what we celebrate as a leadership community AND we pray that it inspires you to affirm a faithful leader in your life, with a word, a card or maybe even an award!  Please celebrate with us as share the winners and honorable mentions of our 2019 Right-Side Up Awards. 

How did you do on your 2019 goals? Do you feel encouraged, discouraged, maybe even a little shame mixed in?  As many of us look back on 2019, we are left wondering why our January dreams never made it past March.  In this episode, Alan and David have a conversation on why so many of us don't grow year after year. There is a gap between who we currently are and who we'd like to be, whether that is spiritually, mentally, physically, or emotionally. And that gap is very hard to close through desire alone. We need a plan and a process.  Alan and David talk about 4 things that can help your dreams become achievable goals that you can tackle one step at a time.  We are thrilled to offer our "Right-Side Up Journal" which includes a wide array of tools, questions and resources for you to reach your daily, weekly, monthly and even quarterly goals.  TAKE YOUR NEXT RIGHT STEP Get your Right-Side Up Journal  Explore individual or group coaching  Explore our many guides, tools and trainings 

If you're blessed in your ministry and your leadership like you are praying for, what's your plan?  Most of us don't get that far. Our plan is to reach our goals and see the fruits of our labor. But what happens when you get it? What will you do with that blessing?  In this episode, David has a conversation with author and pastor, Mark Batterson about his new book, Double Blessing.  Mark unpacks the idea that we are blessed to be a blessing and as Christians we need to learn how to "flip the blessing." Mark is convinced that God loves to bless people who live with a posture of generosity. Meaning we need to be prepared to give God the glory and bless others with what God gives us before we're in a position to receive it.  Do you have a plan to flip the blessing that your praying for? Follow along with Mark @MarkBatterson www.markbatterson.com Read Double Blessing

Questions aren't always comfortable.  Sometimes they lead to more questions. Sometimes they make us feel uneasy and uncertain. Sometimes they expose bias or ignorance.  While questions aren't always safe, we believe they are essential for learning, growth and leadership.   In this episode, Alan had the privilege of talking with author, pastor, professor and podcaster, Stephanie O'brien. In this conversation, Stephanie walks us through her book, "Stay Curious." In the book she curates years of conversations, questions and her journey with questions and doubts that strengthened her faith. Stephanie helps us let go of the idol of "certainty" in favor or faith, trust and wonder.  Connect with Stephanie www.pastorsteph.com Read "Stay Curious" 

Sometimes the best thing you can do as a leader is get out of the way. There is freedom to know that it doesn't all rest on you, and sometimes you connecting and convening the right people together is where the magic truly happens.  In this episode, Alan sits down with leader and author, Brad Lomenick. Brad has worn many hats, including leading the Catalyst Leadership movement, a speaker, and an author. An obvious gift of Brad's is his ability to connect the right people together and this has opened up all sorts of opportunities for greater Kingdom impact.  Brad and Alan talk through leadership principles, trends and practical tips and tools for navigating life as a young or experienced leader.  Follow Brad  www.bradlomenick.com  www.catalystleader.com Read Brad's book H3 Leadership 

What if chaos, stress and anxiety didn't have to be the routine? What if we could march to the beat of a different drum?  In this episode, Alan has a conversation with speaker, blogger and best-selling author Rebekah Lyons to talk about her book, Rhythms of Renewal.  Rebekah draws on her own battle with anxiety to encourage all of us that there are rhythms that we can grab hold of that help us swap stress and anxiety for peace and purpose. Rebekah talks about how our culture instills in us unhealthy and unsustainable rhythms that we must acknowledge and reshape to help us pursue God and the ways he's designed us to live.  Explore more Read Rhythms of Renewal Learn more about Rebekah and take the anxiety quiz at www.rebekahlyons.com

You may think "I don't have a creative bone in my body." However, if you are in leadership, you are creative. It may not be in the narrow sense that we've defined it, only within the arts. But leadership is helping to guide people into a new experience, challenge or preferred future and that journey is inherently creative.  In this episode, we do something a little different. Alan had the opportunity to speak to a leadership class at Denver Seminary about creativity and leadership. Alan pulls out concepts and principles from his book "Everyone's a Genius" to encourage us to embrace the creativity that comes with leading anything and the change that comes along with the process.  Whether you classify yourself as a creative or not - if you are a leader in any sense of the word, this episode is for you.  Explore More Read "Everyone's a Genius" here Connect with us or leave us feedback at www.stayforth.com/podcast

Does our life beg a question? Does our faith lead to curiosity?  In this episode, Alan sits down with author and Pastor of New Life Church, Brady Boyd. The conversation moves through two of Brady's books, "Addicted to Busy" and "Remarkable." Brady unpacks rhythms of rest and longevity, as well as how we can reclaim the curious and "salty" lives the early church models in scripture. Brady shares decades of ministry and leadership experience and some of the ways we can avoid the pitfalls that seem to be waiting for every kingdom leader.  Connect with Brady Follow him @pastorbrady Read Addicted to Busy: Recovery for the Rushed Soul Read Remarkable: Living a Faith Worth Talking About Listen to the Essential Church Podcast

Change means disorientation.  Whether it feels like "good" change or "bad" change, it will always bring a degree of fear, loss and the need to reorient yourself and your team. When we talk about change we often talk about managing it, but in this episode, Alan and David talk about practical ways to lead through change. Alan and David recap the recent changes in their lives and the excitement and fears that come along with that. They also unpack several practical steps you can take to lead through the change in your life.  If you or your organization are walking through a season of change and you need some help reorienting, consider reaching out to us to explore coaching or consulting. Stay Forth Designs has a team of coaches and consultants who thrive in bringing clarity and next steps during seasons of change.  Explore Coaching & Consulting What is coaching? - www.stayforth.com/coaching Meet our team! - www.stayforth.com/team

Sometimes God uses pain and tragedy to clarify calling.   In this episode, Alan has a conversation with Jake Skifstad about Shield 616. As a police officer and S.W.A.T. team member in Colorado Springs, Jake experienced two horrific active shooter events. In these moments, Jake realized two things. First, that law enforcement needs upgraded equipment to handle the kind of rifles being used in some of these shootings. Second, these officers who are laying their lives on the line need the hope of Jesus.  Jake shares both stories, which made national news, and how they birthed the vision of Shield 616, which bridges the gap between law enforcement and local churches. Through Shield 616 churches can partner to buy, active shooter protection kits and pray for, encourage and support the police officers in their own community.  Jake has seen so much fruit through this non-profit and Shield 616 was even featured during the 2019 NFL Super Bowl. Connect with Jake and Shield 616 www.shield616.org Super Bowl commerc

Do others need to fail so you can succeed? I think most of us would instinctively say "no, of course not!" But do we live like it is true? Do we want our "competitors" to succeed? Maybe a little, but lets not get carried away.  In leadership, a common trap that we can fall into is a scarcity mindset, where we fear there is only so much resources and market share to go around. This even bleeds over into church/kingdom work as we think others need to go backwards for us to go forward.  In this episode, Alan has a conversation with author Chris Horst about collaborating for the sake of greater impact. Chris works for Hope International and he and his co-author noticed the tendency for organizations and leaders to isolate and compete. Chris went on a journey to explore the challenges and benefits of working together for greater impact and he shares the beauty and real stories of organizations around the world learning that we are better together.  More about Chris www.chris-horst.com Follow Chris @ChrisHorst

Pain and heartbreak can often be an opportunity for impact. Obviously, we never go looking for pain but God has a knack for taking our brokeness and redeeming it with purpose. In today's episode, Alan has a conversation with Ben and Laura Harrison. Ben and Laura have an amazing story and purpose that was birthed out of their son's eye condition. Their son Jonas we born with an eye condition which required specialized eyewear to even have limited sight. As they went this journey, Ben and Laura realized a need for children's eyewear and out of that need they created their company "Jonas Paul Eyewear" where they create beautiful eyewear for kids and teens. Because of their experience they built their business on a model of "buy sight, give sight." With each eyewear purchase Jonas Paul Eyewear makes a donation to help kids all around the world deal with preventable eye disease.  Find Out More www.jonaspauleyewear.com

How do you lead through a difficult conversation? How do you lead when a topic is deeply personal and polarized?  There are few topics more polarizing than sexuality in our culture. New conversations have surfaced and people are waiting and watching to see how the church will respond.  In this episode, Alan has a conversation with pastor and author Bruce Miller about navigating and leading in a era of sexual questioning. Bruce offers encouragement and challenge to church leaders to face their own broken sexuality and to educate themselves on the issues that their people are wrestling with.  While this episode may bring up all sorts of emotions and questions, we pray that it ultimately brings freedom, healing and redemption to this area of your life and leadership.  Connect with Bruce www.brucemiller.com @Bruce_B_Miller Read his book "Leading the Church in a Time of Sexual Questioning"

In a special episode, Alan read's his eBook "Right-Side Up Leader."  This concept of healthy leadership is the motivation and foundation for the Right-Side Up Leadership Podcast. Alan did not set out to write this message, but through his own experience and working alongside countless leaders this message of health over impact bubbled to the surface. We are passionate about this message of health, longevity and impact because we truly believe it is possible to lead and preserve your soul in the process.  Want More? Download the Right-Side Up Leader eBook at www.stayforth.com/guides If you want to explore these principles more deeply, and implement them in your life, consider reaching out to our coaches for some one-on-one coaching to help you get healthy in your life and leadership.  Learn more about our coaching at www.stayforth.com/coaching

What happens when the lines between work and home become fuzzy? In this episode, we sit down with two couples who are in the trenches of small business risks, and side hustles. Our conversation is all about business and marriage and how you navigate the very real challenges, wins and losses of starting a business together.  First, Alan and Juile talk with Travis and Niki Fields who own FH Beerworks in Colorado Springs, CO. They opened their doors in 2014 but recently added a second location which was/is a massive financial and logistical undertaking. They discuss the challenges of balancing work and family life, and also the strength that comes from the different gifts they both bring to the table. Second, Alan and David sit down with Josh and Alli Hunter, who run Banner Wake Designs from their home in Colorado Springs. Alli and Josh started BWD while Josh was working full-time at a church and right before their 5th child was born. Translation, "free-time" was in short supply. Their why behind their "side-

What would your church or non-profit look like if the gifts and leadership of women were untapped and maximized?  In this episode, leader and author Kadi Cole has a conversation with Alan about how church leaders can intentionally develop the women leaders around them. Kadi unpacks the often controversial topic of woman and leadership in the church from a posture of challenge but not condemnation. Kadi challenges assumptions and bad habits in order to help leaders tap into the God-given potential of women in the local church. Regardless of denominational stance, or personal theological conviction, Kadi offers practical wisdom in how ministry leaders can empower and develop the women around them.  Connect with Kadi Facebook Twitter Instagram www.kadicole.com Read "Developing Female Leaders"   

What sets you apart? What are you uniquely positioned to do that others can't?  In this podcast, Alan has a conversation with Jesse Cole about finding the thing that sets you apart. Jesse is uniquely talented at creating a scene of fun, curiosity and wonder. He encourages you to "find your yellow tux", the thing in your life, leadership and business that helps you stand out. He and Alan talk baseball, business, leadership, marketing and self-care. However, with Jesse, it's clear that it all comes down to people and creating as much value as you can for others.  Connect with Jesse www.findyouryellowtux.com twitter/YellowTuxJesse Read "Find Your Yellow Tux" 

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