Calm and Confident Leader Podcast

What if stress wasn’t just something to manage—but a signal pointing to something deeper? In this episode,AI helps us unpack key insights from my book,The Calm and Confident Leader (available on Amazon). You’ll discover the real reasons stress keeps showing up and, more importantly, how to create lasting change. Plus, I’m sharing an exclusive offer just for listeners—The Total Package Playbook—designed to help high-capacity leaders gain clarity, confidence, and alignment. Don’t miss this one!

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 trauma and personal stories shape workplace behavior• Why the silent tension in a team can be more dangerous than open conflict• Practical ways leaders can create environments where people feel safe enough to be honest• A powerful shift from employing people to deploying them into the roles where they thriveThis episode is packed with practical leadership wisdom about navigating differences, asking better questions, and building teams where diverse perspectives actually strengthen the organization instead of tearing it apart.Links mentioned in this episodeJason Stonehousehttps://jasonstonehouse.comDr. James Borishadehttps://borishade.comCircle Urban Ministrieshttps://circleurban.orgBook: Connecting Across Differences (available wherever books are sold, including Amazon)If this episode encouraged you or helped you think about leadership in a new way, share it with a friend or a colleague who could benefit from the conversation. And be sure to subscribe to the Calm and Confident Leader Podcast so you don’t miss any of the great content coming your way.

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 simple, powerful ways to stay grounded while leading through uncertainty.If you found this helpful, share the episode with a friend and subscribe so you don’t miss the next one.

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 meeting time: “What do you suggest?”Why doing $20 tasks when you’re paid to solve $500 problems is killing your momentumPractical ways to cut through the noise, build trust, and lead with clarity even if your team isn’t “there” yetAnd yes, we talk about why most people are promoted into leadership roles without ever being taught how to lead. Being the best at the job doesn’t mean you’re the best at leading others doing the job.This episode will challenge your assumptions, simplify your strategy, and help you get your time, energy, and sanity back.Links from the episode:Jimmy’s website: www.jblhighperformance.comJimmy’s book: Beat Burnout Ignite PerformanceJason’s leadership tool: www.TotalPackagePlaybook.comMore from Jason: www.JasonStonehouse.comListen now. Share with a fellow leader. And make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.Because leadership is hard enough. You shouldn’t have to do it alone.

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 space for people to fail forward without getting crushed.Jason and Kim dig into why so many change initiatives collapse under their own weight, what it really takes to move from talking about innovation to actually doing it, and how leaders can stop micromanaging outcomes and start trusting their teams to figure things out. They explore the difference between building a culture of permission and building a culture of trust, why failure has to be safe before experimentation becomes possible, and how to lead change when you don't have all the answers yet.If you've ever felt stuck between wanting your team to take ownership and feeling terrified when they actually do, this conversation will challenge how you think about control, risk, and what it means to lead in the middle of uncertainty.Links mentioned in this episode:Connect with Kim Bohr: kimbohr.comhttps://sparkeffect.com/calmandconfident/Courage to Advance podcast webpage. If this episode challenged your thinking, share it with another leader who needs to hear it. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a conversation that helps you lead with clarity and confidence.

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 you're talking about. Jason and Amos explore practical ways to communicate with authenticity, how to connect across generational divides in team meetings, and why asking better questions beats demanding confirmation every time.If you've ever walked into a meeting trying to sound confident but ended up winging it with PowerPoint slides and a prayer, this episode will help you find your real voice, the one people actually trust and remember.Links:Amos's website: amosbalongo.comJason's coaching resources: jasonstonehouse.comFree growth resource: totalpackageplaybook.comKnow a leader who needs to stop performing and start connecting? Share this episode with them, and subscribe to the Calm and Confident Leader podcast for conversations that cut through the noise.

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 beliefs that are quietly running your life, why high achievers are often the most disconnected from who they really are, and how to start making decisions based on what's actually true about you rather than what you've been told. Jason and Hanna dig into practical ways to recognize when you're living someone else's script, how to get honest about what you actually want (not what you think you should want), and why reclaiming your potential might mean disappointing some people.If you've ever felt like you're working hard at the wrong things, or wondered why success doesn't feel the way you thought it would, this episode will challenge everything you think you know about yourself.Links:Hanna's book: Reclaim Your Potential (available wherever books are sold)Hanna's website: hannabauer.comJason's coaching resources: jasonstonehouse.comFree growth resource: totalpackageplaybook.comThis episode could be the wake-up call someone in your life needs. SHARE it with a leader who's ready to stop living someone else's version of success, and SUBSCRIBE to the Calm and Confident Leader podcast for conversations that dig beneath the surface.

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, this episode will help you see why imagination might just be the leadership skill you’ve been missing.Links Mentioned:Free resources and the Elastic framework: RebeccaSutherns.comhttp://rebeccasutherns.com/podcastThe Total Package Playbook (from The Calm and Confident Leader) TotalPackagePlaybook.comIf this conversation got you thinking, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And be sure to subscribe to The Calm and Confident Leader so you never miss an episode that helps you live and lead from the inside out.

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 better question asker.Jason and JR also flip the script mid-episode, with JR coaching Jason live on the podcast, demonstrating exactly how powerful questions unlock deeper insights and genuine connection.If you've ever wondered why your team isn't being more honest with you or how you could lead with more influence, this conversation is for you.Links:JR's website: jrbriggs.comKairos Partnerships: kairospartnerships.orgJason's coaching resources: jasonstonehouse.comFree growth resource: totalpackageplaybook.comLove this episode? Share it with a leader who needs to hear it, and subscribe to the Calm and Confident Leader podcast so you never miss an episode.

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 clients. He shares why apologizing might be the most underrated leadership skill, how systems like EOS work best when leaders do their inner work first, and practical steps any leader can take today to build more self-awareness and show up better for their team.This conversation gets real about the mirror every entrepreneur faces and what it takes to become the kind of leader people actually want to work for.Resources mentioned:CalRiley.com for a free self-assessment surveyEntrepreneurial Compassion (all proceeds go to Stop Soldier Suicide)JasonStonehouse.com for free leadership resources and coaching infoTotalPackagePlaybook.com to learn how to bring your whole self to your workIf this episode challenged how you think about leadership, subscribe to the Calm and Confident Leader podcast, share it with another entrepreneur who needs to hear this, and leave a like. Life is a process, so don't do it alone.

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 think and reflect, and why having time for people is your greatest point of influence.This conversation is for every leader who's tired of the treadmill, who wants to stop managing their image and start leading from a place of peace.Resources mentioned:UnhurriedLiving.com - Alan's website with weekly podcasts, articles, and resourcesJasonStonehouse.com - Free leadership resources, blog, and coaching infoIf this episode resonated with you, subscribe to the Calm and Confident Leader podcast, share it with another leader who needs to hear this, and leave us a like. Leadership starts from the inside out...let's do this journey together.

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 do differently in their next team meeting to move from performance theater to meaningful progress.Links:Get Radhika's free OHL toolkit: radicalproduct.comConnect with Radhika on LinkedInLearn more about Jason: jasonstonehouse.comIf this episode challenges how you think about leadership and progress, hit that share button and let others in on the conversation. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss insights that could transform how you lead from the inside out.

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 JasonIf this episode helped you lead a little better, share it with someone who needs it and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.

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 humility that builds stronger teams and healthier cultures.Links from this episode:Learn more about Jason’s coaching and resources: jasonstonehouse.comGet Dennis Edwards’ book: Humility Illuminated👉 If this episode challenged or encouraged you, share it with a friend and subscribe so you do not miss the powerful conversations coming in the weeks ahead.

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're wearing a mask in leadership or wondered what would happen if people really knew the real you, this conversation will show you a better way forward.Resources mentioned:"Formed to Lead" by Jason JensenTotal Package Playbook: totalpackageplaybook.comFound this helpful? Share it with another leader who needs to hear this, hit that like button, and subscribe for more conversations that go beneath the surface of leadership.

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.

What if your gut is getting it all wrong?We’ve been told to trust our instincts, think positively, and overanalyze every move. But what if those habits are actually sabotaging your leadership?In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with elite mindset coach Gary Chupik to uncover the truth about fake confidence, the danger of positivity without preparation, and how overthinking keeps you stuck. You’ll learn the two real ways to build lasting confidence, and why most leaders are doing it backwards.Want to grow your confidence the right way?Take Gary’s Elite Mindset Assessment for free at EliteMindsetAssessment.com with code: ELITE100Learn more about Gary’s live event at OneDayElevate.comFollow him on Instagram: @EliteMindset (look for the blue dot)If this episode challenged or helped you, like, share, and subscribe and let someone else grow because of you.

Why do smart leaders keep getting stuck in the same patterns, even when they know better?In this episode, Jason Stonehouse sits down with Dr. Sharon Spano to explore what’s really going on beneath the surface. It's more than just mindset. We're talking invisible patterns, hidden trauma, and what Sharon calls meta-awareness: the ability to notice what’s actually driving you in the moment, not just after the fact.You’ll learn:Why self-awareness alone doesn’t lead to changeHow success can be fueled by unresolved traumaWhat “mapping” your patterns looks like and why it mattersHow your relationship with time and money might be sabotaging youSimple steps to start spotting and shifting your own leadership defaultsIf you've ever thought, “Why do I keep doing this?” or “Why isn’t this working anymore?” this conversation is your next move.Grab Sharon’s free tool for Calm and Confident Leader listeners at sharonspano.com/calm&confidentleaderCheck out Jason's resources, including lots of free tools:www.jasonstonehouse.com(We SINCERELY apologize for softer audio on this episode)If you found this episode helpful, share it with a fellow leader, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a quick review.

What if your leadership training is sabotaging your future?The skills that got you promoted might be the exact things keeping you stuck. In this game-changing conversation, leadership expert Todd Bolsinger reveals why our best instincts often backfire and what it actually takes to lead transformation instead of just managing change. Todd drops serious truth bombs about why the three hardest words for any leader aren't "I love you" but "I don't know," and how Google discovered that psychological safety beats expertise every time. You'll learn the Lewis and Clark leadership lesson about dropping your "canoes," why people resist loss (not change), and how to move from being the expert to becoming the learner your organization actually needs.Todd Bolsinger is the founder of AE Sloan Leadership and author of Canoeing the Mountains and the Practicing Change series. Check out his work at AESloanLeadership.com and find more leadership resources at JasonStonehouse.com. This episode will challenge everything you think you know about leadership. If it shifts your perspective like it did ours, share it with another leader who needs to hear this message and subscribe to The Calm and Confident Leader podcast for more insights that transform how you lead from the inside out.