Life In Process Podcast

Why is this person so difficult to work with?You've asked it. Every leader has. And the answer probably isn't what you think.Most of us assume difficult people are just... difficult. Wrong personality. Bad fit. Too much drama. But what if the real problem is that you're trying to fix behavior when the actual issue is motivation? Those are two completely different problems, and they require two completely different solutions.In this episode, Jason Stonehouse sits down with Joey Schewee, management consultant, executive coach, and longtime Enneagram expert, to talk about what's actually driving the friction on your team. Joey has spent 30 years helping leaders get past surface-level personality typing and into the harder, more useful question: why do people do what they do? Her new book, When Working Together Doesn't Work, is essentially a field manual for leaders who are tired of the same team problems showing up in different people.In this conversation, Jason and Joey dig into why self-awa

What if the person on your team who frustrates you the most isn’t the problem… but the clue?In this episode of the Calm and Confident Leader Podcast, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Dr. James Borishade, author of Connecting Across Differences, to unpack why so many leaders struggle with conflict and communication, and what they might be missing.Dr. Borishade brings a fascinating perspective shaped by leading in high tension environments, serving as CEO of Circle Urban Ministries, becoming the first African American CEO in the challenge course and zip line industry, and helping organizations rethink how people work together. Together, Jason and James explore a powerful idea. What if the behaviors that irritate us in others are actually rooted in their story, their experiences, and even their unique design?In this conversation you’ll discover:• Why many relational struggles begin with the belief that something is wrong with us• The difference between God designed uniqueness and emotional immaturity• How tr

Have you ever felt like you’re leading… while quietly wondering if you’re lost?What do you do when you’re not where you used to be, not yet where you thought you’d be, and the map feels a little blurry?In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, Jason Stonehouse sits down with writer, educator, and leadership developer Donna Barber, author of Enough for Today: 40 Reflections for Surviving the Wilderness. Together, they explore the leadership reality we don’t talk about enough, the wilderness seasons.Not the dramatic collapse.Not the highlight reel success.But the in-between.Donna shares what gets stripped away in the wilderness. The props. The image management. The illusion that leaders are somehow above the earthquake while everyone else feels the tremors. She offers a powerful reminder that leadership does not require superhuman strength. It requires honesty, humility, and the courage to admit we are in it too.You’ll hear them unpack:What wilderness seasons reveal about our fears, insecurities, and mi

Ever walk into a meeting where everyone’s spiraling, and one calm voice changes everything? What if you could be that person?In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with transformational executive coach and founder of Sawubona Leadership, Susan Inouye, to talk about how presence, authenticity, and emotional clarity can become your biggest leadership advantages.With insights from coaching leaders in over 600 companies, Susan shares:Why most leaders get change wrong and how to fix itHow to uncover the natural gifts in your team without using a testThe underrated power of observing people with curiosityHow one leadership team doubled profits by simply putting the right people in the right seatsYou'll also hear why walking slowly outside might be the secret to becoming a better leader. Really.To grab a free chapter of Susan’s book, get access to her resources, or book a discovery call, visit:www.susaninouye.com/CCLHosted by Jason Stonehouse, this episode gives you sim

Ever feel like your whole job is just reacting to other people’s bad decisions with a smile? Like you’re less of a leader and more of a glorified problem sponge?In this episode, we’re flipping that script.Host Jason Stonehouse sits down with leadership expert and former British military officer Jimmy Burroughes, who’s led in combat zones and corporate chaos and somehow lived to write a book about it. Together, we unpack how leaders get stuck in the hamster wheel of hyper-responsiveness and more importantly, how to get off without everything catching fire.This one’s for the leaders who are tired of being everyone's backup plan.Jason and Jimmy dig deep into why so many leaders spend their days putting out fires instead of moving anything forward and what to do about it. You’ll learn:Why your constant availability might be the most expensive thing in your organizationHow to diagnose whether you’re dealing with a skill, will, or blind spot problem on your teamThe simple question that could save you hours of m

What if the biggest barrier to innovation in your organization isn't a lack of ideas but a lack of trust?Most leaders say they want change. They want innovation, creativity, teams that take initiative. But when someone actually steps up to try something new, the response is usually some version of "Wait, did you get approval for that?" We've created systems that demand permission slips for experimentation, and then we wonder why nothing actually changes.On this episode, host Jason Stonehouse interviews Kim Bohr, President and COO of SparkEffect, architect of the Trust Elasticity framework, and a leader with over 25 years of experience guiding organizations through leadership transitions, AI rollouts, and messy restructures. Kim helps executive teams lead through disruption without losing their people in the process, and she doesn't deal in theory or aspirational vision statements. She's all about what actually works when you're trying to shift culture, build trust, and create spa

What if the polished version of you is actually keeping you from real influence?In this powerful episode, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Amos Balongo, global leadership coach and communication expert who's trained everyone from senior military commanders to Fortune 500 executives. Amos challenges one of the biggest lies in leadership culture: that you need to fake confidence until you make it.Amos breaks down why authenticity beats polish every single time, comparing "fake it till you make it" to building a house on eggshells. He reveals that the longest distance between two points is actually a shortcut, and that real communication power comes from genuinely believing in what you're saying. This isn't about sounding good, it's about being real.This conversation digs into why so many leaders know their stuff but still struggle to communicate clearly, the difference between confidence and performance, and why people can sense when you're not genuinely passionate about what y

What if everything you believed about your potential was based on someone else's opinion of you?In this powerful episode, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Hanna Bauer, executive leadership coach and author, to unpack why so many talented leaders feel stuck living lives that don't actually fit them. Hanna reveals a truth that hits hard: most of us are operating from beliefs about ourselves that were handed to us by teachers, parents, bosses, or critics—and we never questioned whether those beliefs were actually true.Hanna shares her own story of being told she wasn't leadership material, only to discover years later that she'd internalized a lie that shaped her entire career trajectory. She introduces the concept of "reclaiming your potential"—not finding some hidden superpower, but excavating the real you from underneath all the shoulds, supposed-tos, and other people's expectations that have been piled on top.This conversation tackles the messy work of identifying the belief

Resisting the DriftYou can be crushing it at work while quietly falling apart inside. It rarely happens all at once. It happens slowly. Subtly. A few late nights. A few missed moments at home. A quiet slide into becoming someone you never meant to be.Host Jason Stonehouse talks with Peter Greer, president of Hope International and author of How Leaders Lose Their Way, about the early warning signs of drift and the small, intentional steps that can bring you back before it's too late.Are you becoming someone you never intended to be?How do you know if you're drifting?What actually helps you reconnect with who you are?If this episode helps you, share it with a friend. And make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode of The Calm and Confident Leader.

What if your team isn’t stuck because they’re resistant to change, but because they literally can’t imagine what’s next? In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Dr. Rebecca Sutherns, CEO of Sage Solutions, strategist, and author of Elastic: Stretch Without Snapping or Snapping Back. Together, they unpack what Dr. Sutherns calls a failure of imagination, why teams stall out when they can’t see the future they’re being asked to build.You’ll hear how imagination isn’t just for dreamers or creatives. It’s a strategic skill that can unlock innovation, build adaptability, and help teams move through uncertainty without losing heart. Rebecca shares her “hallway” metaphor for leading through transition, practical ways to help your team stay grounded when there’s “no door in sight,” and the surprising link between imagination, adaptability, and emotional resilience.Whether you lead a business, a church, or a team that’s tired of hearing the same conversations on repeat, t

Most leaders think their job is having all the answers. But what if the real power lies in asking the right questions?In this episode, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with JR Briggs, founder of Kairos Partnerships and author of The Art of Asking Better Questions, to explore why the best leaders might not be the ones with all the solutions. JR has spent over a decade coaching everyone from business owners to college presidents to Black Hawk helicopter operators, and he's discovered something that could flip your entire approach to leadership.JR reveals there are four levels of questions, and most of us are stuck at level one. He explains why humility, curiosity, and courage are essential to asking better questions, and how moving from "answer person" to "question asker" can transform your team's trust, creativity, and ownership. You'll discover why questions create connection in ways answers simply can't, and learn one practical thing you can start doing today to become a be

What if being "too compassionate" is actually the most profitable thing you could do as a leader?Most entrepreneurs think compassion makes you weak. That caring too much about your team means lower standards, missed goals, and a business that runs you instead of the other way around. But what if that's completely backwards?In this episode, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Cal Riley, combat veteran, entrepreneur, leadership coach, and author of Entrepreneurial Compassion: An Entrepreneur's Journey Through Combat, Suicide, and the Discovery of Compassionate Leadership. Cal is on a mission to develop 1 million compassionate leaders by 2035 and prevent 100,000 suicides by helping leaders build healthier companies and more humane systems.Cal challenges the biggest myths about compassionate leadership, including why tolerating poor performance isn't compassionate at all, how the most driven entrepreneurs can pair their intensity with compassion to get better results, and why your team matters more than your cli

What if the most productive thing you could do today is slow down?Most leaders are running on empty, convinced that busier equals better. But what if that equation is completely backwards? What if your anxiety isn't the fuel driving your success...it's actually burning you out?In this episode, Jason Stonehouse sits down with Alan Fadling, founder of Unhurried Living and author of An Unhurried Leader and A Non-Anxious Life, to explore a counterintuitive truth: the most influential leaders aren't the ones moving fastest. Alan helps leaders around the world rest deeper, live fuller, and lead better, and he's about to challenge everything you thought you knew about productivity.We dig into the difference between making a splash and bearing fruit that lasts, why busy people might actually be lazy, and how to lead from overflow instead of deficit. Alan shares the squirrel-on-a-bike-trail analogy that perfectly captures how anxiety hijacks our leadership, practical strategies for creating space to th

Ever set a goal that had everyone fired up for three days, then by week two the energy vanished and you're awkwardly reminding people about it in meetings? Turns out the very systems designed to motivate high performers are actually killing momentum and creating what Radhika calls "performance theater."What if everything we've been taught about goal-setting is backwards? In this eye-opening conversation, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking and upcoming book "Escaping the Performance Trap," to unpack why traditional goal-setting creates perverse incentives that crush curiosity, collaboration, and real progress.Radhika reveals how high performers end up gaming the system, why reflection beats optimization, and introduces her OHL framework (how well is it working, what have we learned, what will we try next) that's already transforming teams in over 40 countries. This isn't just theory - she breaks down exactly what leaders can

Ever wonder why your best employee just handed in their two weeks notice without warning, while that person who drives everyone crazy is still hanging around?Join host Jason Stonehouse and management expert Nick Agnoli as they tackle the real-world challenge every leader faces: keeping your top 10% performing at their peak while dealing with that 80% who do just enough to get by.This isn't your typical leadership fluff. Nick breaks down why high performers often get ignored (spoiler: they're not on autopilot), reveals the hidden danger of rewarding great work with more work, and shares practical, non-monetary ways to keep your stars engaged when raises aren't an option. Plus, discover how to handle that team member who technically does their job but makes everyone else brace for impact.You'll walk away with specific questions to ask in one-on-ones, strategies for creating advancement without building an exclusive inner circle, and Nick's game-changing concept of "negative work" t

Stop Leading Alone: Why Shared Leadership Changes EverythingWhat if the problem isn’t your calendar but your operating system? In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader Podcast, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Dr. Eun Strawser to unpack why leadership is not meant to be a solo act and how shifting from control to collaboration can transform the way we lead.We explore:Why shared leadership isn’t about delegating tasks but about redefining powerThe pitfalls of traditional “power over” and “power through” leadership modelsHow creating psychological safety and process accountability builds stronger, more sustainable organizationsWhat leaders can do this week to begin practicing shared leadershipHow Eun’s book You Were Never Meant to Lead Alone gives both practical tools and fresh perspectiveIf you’ve ever felt the weight of leadership pressing down on you, or wondered if there’s a healthier, more sustainable way to lead, this conversation will give you hope and a roadmap forward.Learn more about Eun a

Ever feel like you're managing spreadsheets instead of people?In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Chris Hallberg, ranked #9 on Inc. Magazine’s Top 50 Leadership & Management Experts (just ahead of Simon Sinek) and a coach who’s helped over 100 teams win “Best Places to Work” honors.Chris brings the heat with battle-tested wisdom, zero fluff, and the kind of candor leaders actually crave. From breaking the cycle of “ghost accountability” to handling breakdowns without blame, this episode is packed with practical tools for leaders who want results without losing their people or themselves.If you're tired of leadership theory that only works in a vacuum, this one’s for you.Mentioned in the episode:bizsgt.com - Chris’s leadership coaching and consultinggoexpand.com - Free trial of his AI-powered leadership platformtotalpackageplaybook.com - A free tool for leading from the inside outjasonstonehouse.com - Coaching, resources, and connection with JasonI

What if the secret to winning at work and in life isn’t looking stronger but becoming more real?In this episode of The Calm & Confident Leader Podcast, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Dennis Edwards, author of Humility Illuminated, to explore why humility might be the most overlooked leadership superpower. We tackle the tough questions leaders are actually wrestling with:Can humility thrive in a culture that rewards competition and self-promotion?How do you champion your team without sabotaging your own career?What’s the difference between being a humble leader and being a pushover?How do we start listening to the voices we have been trained to ignore?Dennis brings more than 30 years of experience leading in demanding environments, from planting churches in Brooklyn to serving as dean at North Park Seminary. He shows how humility is not weakness but strength that multiplies. This conversation will challenge how you think about success and give you practical steps you can take this week to lead with h

Ever catch yourself being one person in the boardroom and someone completely different at home? You're not alone, and it's slowly killing your leadership.In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Jason Jensen, Vice President of Spiritual Foundations for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and author of the new book "Formed to Lead," to tackle the dangerous split many leaders experience between their public persona and private reality.Jensen reveals why the pressure to perform creates two different people, the early warning signs that you're living divided, and practical steps to bring your being, becoming, and calling back into alignment. This isn't about becoming perfect. It's about becoming whole.You'll discover why tender humility and bold faith actually need each other, how to ask the scary questions that unlock growth, and when it might be time to get some professional help for your inner world.If you've ever felt like you&#

Ever feel like you are supposed to grow as a leader but have no idea what that actually means for your emotional life? In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, host Jason Stonehouse talks with Matthew Stafford about the role emotions play in leadership growth. They explore how self-awareness shapes decisions, how to balance confidence with humility, and why true growth is more about consistency than perfection. Matthew shares personal stories, practical examples, and ways to handle tough conversations while staying emotionally connected.Links mentioned in this episode:JasonStonehouse.com – connect with Jason for leadership coaching and resourcesBuildGrowScale.com – resources and strategies for scaling your businessIf you found this episode helpful, please like, share, and subscribe so more leaders can grow with us.