If you're heading into change, feeling the weight of decision-making, or wanting to lead yourself more intentionally, this episode will help you slow down, think critically, and move forward with clarity. This week on The New Rules Podcast, Bri is joined by producer Lauren for a reflective, honest conversation to close out the year. Together, they unpack what it looks like to learn yourself deeply, take responsibility for your internal world, and develop the foresight needed to navigate pressure, transition, and uncertainty. This episode explores why reflection isn't just a year-end exercise, but a lifelong discipline that turns awareness into wisdom. From tracking patterns and managing fear to understanding responsibility, calling, and self-governance, this conversation offers language and perspective for anyone stepping into a new season. We cover: Why reflection is essential for growth, not just insight How to track patterns before they become problems The difference between awareness and responsibility Learning to anticipate pressure instead of reacting to it Self-governance and owning your internal world How commitment shapes maturity over time Using reflection as foresight, not hindsight Why knowing yourself matters more than controlling outcomes This episode is thoughtful, grounding, and deeply practical for anyone committed to becoming wiser, more self-aware, and more intentional in the year ahead. 📲 Connect with Us: We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
This week, we're diving into a skill most people skip but everyone needs: reflection. Not the "wow, that happened" kind. The kind that turns your past into information so you can build foresight, notice patterns, and stop repeating the same cycles in a new year. If you've ever set goals without slowing down long enough to understand what's actually been shaping you, this episode will give you language and a framework to make reflection a muscle, something you practice, not something you do once a year. Reflection takes internal fortitude, but it's how gratitude, correction, and growth become possible. We cover: Why reflection takes internal fortitude and why the moments you want to avoid are often where the lesson is How to "excavate" cringe/embarrassing moments instead of running from them Why we need to reflect on wins too (not just failures) so we can repeat what actually works The paradox: it's often what goes unaddressed that becomes your future The "watch film" framework for reviewing life with a bird's-eye view (good, bad, and everything in between) A practical way to reflect by reviewing what you've created (writing, work, episodes, output) as evidence of who you were How to separate what's you, what's influence, and what's fear because life is layered How to actually find time: silence, closing mental tabs, and making reflection a habit This episode is honest, practical, and gives you a framework to stop drifting so you can build a better future with clarity instead of just hoping things change. 📲 Connect with Us: More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
This week, we're bringing you a special Holiday Q&A Episode, featuring real questions from our listeners about navigating family, old patterns, and emotional pressure during the holidays. This is an episode that helps you lead yourself well and navigate the old patterns and challenging environments that the holidays often resurface. Listen for language, tools, and perspective to stay grounded, lead yourself well, and show up as the healthiest version of you. For your own growth or to be someone that encourages the people around you. We cover: How to stay grounded when you feel reactive or disconnected. Whether irritation means you haven't forgiven someone. How to set boundaries without creating unnecessary conflict. How to be around family members who are estranged from one another. What to do when you've outgrown old friendships back home. How to measure your resilience and self-awareness in real time. How to show up authentically without expecting others to change. How to care for yourself before and after the holiday environment. This episode is honest, practical, and full of wisdom for anyone walking into environments that pull on their history or test their growth. 📲 Connect with Us: We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules  To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader!  LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
In this episode of The New Rules Podcast, Adrian and Bri dive into one of the most overlooked forces shaping our lives: belief. Not blind optimism. Not hype. But the deep, internal conviction that fuels calling, direction, resilience, and identity. Starting with Winston Churchill's outrageous belief at 19 that he would one day save England, the conversation unpacks how belief forms, why it wavers, and how you can build it in your own life. Adrian opens up about his lifelong struggle with self-belief, how ADHD shaped his confidence, and the role others played in helping him see what he couldn't see in himself. They explore: Why belief often looks irrational from the outside. The tension between bold belief and foolishness. How belief anchors identity, especially in seasons of doubt. Why those with strong belief often experience deep lows. How belief in others (kids, spouse, team) shapes their future. Why calling needs both conviction and evidence. The role of time in confirming or correcting your belief. How to choose belief when the evidence isn't there yet. This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply human—helping you understand how belief works and what it will take to become who you're designed to be.  📲 Connect with Us: More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules
In this episode of The New Rules Podcast, Adrian and Bri unpack the truth behind one of the most overused ideas in culture: being "one of one." Everyone says they want to be different, but few are willing to fight the internal war it takes to truly become who they were designed to be. This conversation explores the cost of authenticity, the battle between your past and your future, and what it really means to live as a whole person, not a performance. They discuss: Why most people are chasing uniqueness for the wrong reasons. The real difference between being different and being whole. The war between your past and your future and how to win it. How pain, purpose, and calling are connected. Why becoming 1 of 1 isn't about fame, but transformation. This is a raw and hopeful episode about the fight to be real in a culture of copies. 📲 Connect with Us: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
In this episode of The New Rules Podcast, Adrian and Bri sit down with one of their favorite thinkers, Mark Sayers, pastor of Red Church in Melbourne and author of A Non-anxious Presence and Reappearing Church. Known for his insights on faith, culture, and leadership, Mark unpacks what it means to live and lead faithfully in a world defined by uncertainty, disinformation, and rapid technological change. Together, they explore: How AI and cultural instability are reshaping leadership. The hidden spiritual hunger emerging beneath global chaos. The loss of truth, the rise of tribalism, and what authentic hope looks like now. Why the next era of leadership requires depth, humility, and integrity rather than platforms. This is a timely and deeply grounded conversation about faith, formation, and the kind of leadership the future desperately needs. 📲 Connect with Us: More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
MAJOR MILESTONE: 100 EPISODES Today, Bri and Adrian reflect on how the show started, the doubts they had, the lessons learned along the way, and the growth they've seen in themselves and their audience. From filming on Clorox boxes to building a set, from almost quitting to finding their rhythm, this episode is about perseverance, purpose, and the power of just taking the first step. We're talking: The fears and insecurities that almost stopped the podcast early on. How commitment for one year changed everything. The evolution of authenticity and communication. What it means to take risks and be "seen trying." The role of mentorship, feedback, and intergenerational trust. How seasons of uncertainty can still lead to clarity and conviction. Why building something that lasts matters more than going viral. This episode is a thank you to every listener, every share, every message, and every person who's believed in this journey. Here's to the next hundred. 📲 Connect with Us: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences. We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
In this episode of The New Rules Podcast, Adrian and Bri sit down with innovator, creator, and futurist, Vince Hunt, to talk about AI and the future of leadership. Instead of reacting to technology with fear, this conversation explores how we can lead with curiosity, responsibility, and courage in an era defined by rapid innovation. They unpack: The tension between fear and curiosity in how we approach AI. What AI reveals about human creativity, control, and insecurity. How faith and ethics can guide innovation. Why authentic leaders must embrace, not avoid, technological change. How to stay human while leveraging the power of machines. This is a forward-looking and deeply human conversation about progress, purpose, and the kind of leadership the future demands. 📲 Connect with Us: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences. We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
In this episode of The New Rules Podcast, Adrian and Bri dig into one of the most powerful but misunderstood concepts in our culture: authenticity. We hear the word everywhere—but what does it actually mean to live authentically? And why is it so difficult in a world obsessed with image, branding, and performance? Adrian and Bri unpack: The true definition of authenticity (beyond "just being yourself") The hidden costs of living authentically—and the freedom it brings Why vulnerability is essential to authenticity How leaders can model authenticity without oversharing Guardrails that keep authenticity from becoming performance Why authenticity is the key to trust, connection, and real growth This episode is a challenge to stop performing, let go of the need for approval, and step into the wholeness of living authentically. 📲 Connect with Us: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences. We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media.  More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules  To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
In this episode of The New Rules Podcast, Bri and Adrian dive into the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk and wrestle with one of America's most charged conversations: freedom. Is our idea of "freedom" really making society better or is it fueling violence, division, and selfishness? From political hypocrisy to the misuse of Christianity in culture wars, Bri and Adrian ask the tough questions about faith, politics, and power in today's America. They explore: Why America's definition of freedom is unraveling. The political and faith-based reactions to Charlie Kirk's death. The parallels between today's unrest and historical violence. The dangers of weaponizing Christianity in politics. How leaders can choose resilience, responsibility, and restraint in moments of chaos. This is a raw, challenging, and necessary conversation for anyone navigating leadership, faith, or cultural tension in America today. 📲 Connect with Us: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences. We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
In this raw episode, Bri and Adrian take an honest look at what the last few months have been like. From internal battles with fear and shame to external pressures of leadership, parenting, and running a growing company, they open up about the weight they've been carrying. This conversation covers the reality of mental health, the cycles of fear that resurface even with growth, and the paradox of showing up for others while struggling internally. It's an inside look at the cost of leadership, partnership, and authenticity when life feels overwhelming. If you've ever faced seasons where fear, pressure, or self-doubt made you question everything, you're not alone. This episode is a reminder that resilience is forged in the fire, and authenticity often looks like admitting when life feels too heavy. 📲 Connect with Us: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences. Listen to the full conversation on your favorite platform: We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
This week on the New Rules Podcast, we flipped the script. Our incredible producer Lauren stepped in front of the mic with full permission to ask Adrian anything with no prep, no rules, no limits. From the lighthearted "What five items would resurrect your ghost?" to the deeply personal balancing calling, insecurity, and vanity, this conversation goes everywhere: marriage, parenting, community, leadership, childhood memories, and even Lauren's obsession with fire. It's unscripted, unfiltered, and unexpectedly vulnerable. If you've ever wondered what Adrian really thinks when he's off the cuff, this is the episode for you. In this episode: Marriage lessons + parenting reflections What he's learned from watching his kids grow up Childhood imagination, courage, and calling Why self-doubt and waiting felt like torture AI, authenticity, and the future of leadership Community as joy and inconvenience Why you can't force someone's growth  📲 Connect with Us: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences. Listen to the full conversation on your favorite platform: Listen on Spotify (linked) Listen on Apple Podcasts (linked) Watch on YouTube (linked on lib) We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules  To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
We often hear, "Don't doubt yourself. Be confident." But what if self-doubt isn't always the enemy? What if it's a tool that, when used wisely, can actually make you sharper, more grounded, and more effective? In this raw and honest conversation, Adrian and Bri explore the pros and cons of self-doubt… when it can hold you back, and when it can actually push you forward. You'll hear: Why too much confidence can be just as dangerous as too little How to recognize healthy vs. unhealthy doubt Stories of leaders and creators who leveraged self-doubt for growth Practical tools to turn insecurity into insight How to balance confidence with humility in real life This episode isn't about pretending you don't have doubts, it's about learning to think differently about them so they fuel your growth instead of your fear. 📲 Connect with Us: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences. We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules  To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
In a world overflowing with hot takes, trending reels, and endless scrolling, are you actually thinking for yourself or just reacting to what the algorithm feeds you? If you've ever felt overwhelmed by constant noise, frustrated by polarized thinking, or stuck in a loop of reacting instead of reflecting, this episode is for you. Adrian Crawford and Breezy dive deep into the discipline of critical thinking and why it's becoming a rare but essential skill for leaders, creators, and anyone navigating modern life. We explore: Why groupthink is more dangerous than ever How anxiety and overstimulation quietly erode creativity and wisdom The difference between information and understanding How to filter, process, and apply wisdom in a fast-paced world This isn't just a conversation, it's a challenge to stop living in the loop of consumption and start applying what you know. Because wisdom isn't found in knowing more… it's in thinking better.  📲 Connect with Us: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences. For Libsyn: More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules  To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader!  LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules
This week's episode takes a deeply personal turn. Adrian sits down with his daughters for a raw and reflective conversation about what it's really like to grow up watching a parent live on mission. From the moments that shaped them to the things they never said out loud until now, we explore the unseen cost of leadership at home—and what it takes to lead and love well in both public and private. Together with Bri, they explore honest questions, emotional moments, and meaningful reflection. This is a conversation for anyone navigating purpose, leadership, and parenthood.  📲 Connect with Us: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences. We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
In an era where performance is currency and platforms reward polished personas, how do we return to what's real? In this episode of The New Rules Podcast, Adrian and Bri get brutally honest about… well, honesty. From pop culture moments like Love Island and social media virality to systemic mistrust in government and leadership, we trace the cultural shift that's made authenticity feel more like a performance than a practice. We ask: Why do we praise vulnerability online but punish it in real life? What happens when we lose ourselves in the name of influence? Can we lead authentically in a world built on curated identity? This episode is a raw, challenging unpacking of why honesty is now a radical act and why the leaders who choose truth over performance will shape the future. 👉 Whether you're a creative, a leader, or just someone trying to stay grounded in a noisy world, this conversation is for you. 📲 Connect with Us: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules #AuthenticLeadership #BlackLeadership #LeadershipGrowth #RealLeadership #SpiritualLeadership #FutureOfLeadership #TylerBurns #DuBoisAKeen #LeadershipSummit #NewRulesPodcast Â
In this powerful episode of The New Rules Podcast, recorded live at the Black Leadership Summit, Adrian and Bri are joined by two respected voices in leadership, Tyler Burns and Du'Bois A'Keen, for an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes conversation. They don't offer platitudes or recycled leadership clichĂ©s. Instead, they get honest about the weight of responsibility, the danger of being platformed too early, and the tension between authenticity and expectation. Together, they reflect on their personal leadership journeys, the pressure of leading while being watched, and the internal work it takes to lead with integrity, not image. If you've ever wondered whether you're doing leadership "right" or felt like the weight of it was too much, this conversation is for you. Check out Du'Bois Here: https://www.duboisakeen.com/ Check out Tyler Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pass-the-mic/id1435500798 📲 Connect with Us: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences. We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader!  LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
In a world where creativity is reserved for artists and leadership is reserved for extroverts, this episode challenges both assumptions. Adrian and Bri pull back the curtain on a deeper, more integrated view of creativity, one rooted not in flair, but in function. From basketball courts to boardrooms, from faith to finance, they explore how real creativity emerges, sometimes out of desperation. It's about solving problems, building what's missing, and refusing to wait for permission. Together, they tackle why most people underestimate their creative potential, how fear and anxiety suppress imagination, and why black-and-white thinking keeps us from designing real solutions. They also reflect on how leadership without creativity is obsolete and why the future belongs to those who can build what hasn't existed yet. Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or just trying to believe in yourself again, this conversation will ignite your sense of ownership and remind you: you're more creative than you think. 🎧 Subscribe for new episodes every week. đź’¬ Drop a comment below, what's a problem in your life you're ready to solve creatively? 📲 Connect with Us: Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
We're confronting the reality of modern leadership in a politically divided, hyper-visible world. From the ICE raids in California to increasing polarization, the episode explores what it means to lead when every move is public, every opinion is politicized, and trust in leadership is eroding. We discuss "Terrarium Leadership,"  a new era where leaders are fully visible, constantly observed, and expected to act with both authenticity and transparency. They unpack: Why real leadership is more scarce than ever. What happens when influence outpaces character. The tension of leading when everyone is watching. The power (and cost) of quiet leadership in loud times. If you've ever wrestled with the weight of responsibility or wondered how to lead when everything feels politicized — this episode is for you. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules 📲 Connect with Us: We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â
In a culture that equates influence with volume and leadership with visibility, this episode flips the script. Adrian Crawford unpacks a different kind of leadership—one that isn't loud, flashy, or ego-driven. It's the leadership of presence, conviction, and consistency. The kind of leadership that doesn't need to shout to be heard — because it holds the standard in silence. This conversation explores the cost of real leadership — not the external pressure, but the internal tension of leading with integrity when it would be easier to bend. It's about the leaders who don't need the spotlight because they're committed to shaping things that last — from culture to character. If you've ever felt like your quiet leadership doesn't count… or wondered whether your steady influence still has a place in this fast, loud world — this one's for you. Real leadership isn't always seen. But it's always felt. đź“Ť Subscribe & follow for new episodes every week đź’¬ Drop your thoughts below — what's your take on quiet leadership? More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules 📲 Connect with Us: We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media. To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford Instagram: @writenewrules TikTok: @writenewrules Â