Most leaders don’t fail because of a lack of ideas... they fail because those ideas never leave their heads. In this episode, Alan Briggs helps leaders make the crucial shift from intuitive to intentional, showing how to build systems and filters that multiply impact and prevent burnout. If your team constantly depends on you for decisions, it’s time to get what’s in your head into theirs — so your organization can grow beyond your personal capacity. Alan unpacks insights from the middle of his book, Anti-Burnout: A Lighter Way to Live and Lead in a Heavy World, and breaks down a practical process that will help you lead more effectively without carrying it all alone. What You’ll Learn Why your best ideas and decisions shouldn’t stay in your head The three essentials for moving from intuitive to intentional: process, courage, and trust How to clarify your vision, mission, and values so your team can act without hesitation The four H filters every leader needs (humble, hungry, honest, high-capacity) How to reduce decision fatigue and build simple, repeatable decision-making filters Why slowing down, documenting, and delegating is an investment, not a setback How releasing control can actually expand your influence and create new space for creativity Key Quote “Filters are pre-made decisions that make decision-making in the moment simple.” Resources Mentioned Book: Anti-Burnout: A Lighter Way to Live and Lead in a Heavy World by Alan Briggs Learn more about H2 Leadership: www.h2leadership.com Schedule a Breakthrough Coaching Session: h2leadership.com/#breakthrough Join the Conversation If this episode helped you rethink how you lead, leave a review or share it with a leader who’s carrying too much alone. Follow the H2 Leadership Podcast for more practical, human conversations that help you live and lead Healthy + High Impact.

Every leader has that project...The one that’s been sitting on your list for months (or years) because you don’t know where to start. In today’s episode, Alan breaks down a simple but powerful 3-step framework to help you get unstuck and finally take action on the work that matters most. Whether you’re writing a book, launching a new initiative, creating a new offering, or trying to push a big idea across the finish line, this episode gives you a proven path forward rooted in clarity, momentum, and healthy leadership practices. This teaching comes directly from the H2 coaching process and aligns with the principles in Alan’s book Anti-Burnout: A Lighter Way to Live and Lead in a Heavy World. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why feeling stuck is not a leadership flaw—it’s a signal The first mindset shift required to create movement The exact 3 questions you must ask to break through resistance How healthy leaders use who and how to move faster—with less stress A practical way to break down overwhelming projects into actionable next steps Three Questions to Get You Unstuck Who can help me? How can I do this more lightly (not harder)? What smaller chunks can I break this into? Resources Mentioned Anti-Burnout: A Lighter Way to Live and Lead in a Heavy World by Alan Briggs Coaching with H2 Leadership – Learn more at H2Leadership.com Subscribe & Review If this episode helped you get clarity, share it with a leader who needs momentum. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps more leaders discover tools for health and high impact. Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Why every leader gets stuck 02:40 – The difference between feeling stuck and being stuck 04:15 – Step 1: Naming the project 05:30 – Question #1: Who can help me? 07:45 – Question #2: How can I do this more lightly? 09:50 – Question #3: Break it into chunks 12:00 – Final leadership challenge & call to action

Legacy isn’t what you leave—it’s what you set in motion.In this conversation, David Green (Founder & CEO of Hobby Lobby) and Bill High (CEO of Legacy Stone) share insights from their new book, Legacy Life: Leading Your Family to Make a Difference for Eternity. Together they unpack how to think beyond success and retirement to build something that outlives you—faith, family, and purpose that multiplies through generations. What You’ll Learn What inspired Legacy Life and why legacy is a system, not a season The key difference between legacy and generosity Why retirement isn’t the finish line for leaders of faith How to clarify your identity, calling, and assignment The practical process to write your family vision, mission, and values Why storytelling is vital for passing down faith and wisdom A simple model for repairing conflict and celebrating progress The mindset of a 100-year leader and how to start now Episode Chapters 01:06 – The story behind Legacy Life03:34 – Rethinking retirement: calling never expires07:36 – Legacy vs. generosity: why generosity is a symptom10:21 – Inheritance vs. legacy: passing on what truly lasts12:15 – Creating family vision, mission, and values17:27 – Setting legacy in motion (not leaving it behind)22:09 – Simple steps to start your family legacy plan26:22 – Why storytelling keeps generations connected29:58 – Repairing the past and celebrating progress32:26 – The 100-year family mindset36:20 – Final takeaways: eternal impact through intentional living Guests David Green — Founder & CEO, Hobby LobbyBill High — CEO, Legacy Stone; co-author of Legacy Life: Leading Your Family to Make a Difference for Eternity Resources & Links 📘 Legacy Life — [https://a.co/d/1vS943R] Legacy Stone — https://www.legacystone.com/about Hobby Lobby — [hobbylobby.com] Learn more at [h2leadership.com] If this episode challenged or encouraged you, share it with one person you respect—and take 20 minutes this week to write down your family’s top five values. Legacy begins there.

Misalignment sneaks up slowly—and it’s expensive. When your life, work, or team drifts out of alignment, you start feeling it: fatigue, frustration, disconnection, and eventually burnout. In this episode, Alan unpacks how to spot misalignment early and realign your wiring, your purpose, and your team before things break down. You’ll hear: The story of a coaching client who ignored the “alignment rumble” too long Why wiring, purpose, and team are the three biggest alignment zones How to use the Working Genius Assessment to clarify your design The Drains & Fills exercise to reclaim energy and focus A simple Pacing Check to make sure your speed matches your team’s capacity Two reflection questions to realign your work this week “You will hit potholes. You will need realignment. It’s not if—it’s when.” Reflection Questions How can you align your work more closely to your wiring? What change can you make to align more closely with your team? Tools Mentioned Working Genius Assessment Drains & Fills list (simple two-column reflection exercise) Pacing Check (compare your pace to your team’s perception) visit www.h2leadership.com for more tools and resources. Chapters 00:00 – What is an H2 Leader? Health and high impact in harmony02:15 – The need for new brakes and better alignment03:30 – What misalignment looks and feels like05:00 – The story of “Tim”: when wiring, purpose, and team fall out of sync07:00 – The cost of misalignment in leadership and culture09:20 – The great disengagement: how misalignment kills engagement10:00 – Tools for realignment: Working Genius, Drains & Fills, Pacing Check11:45 – Reflection questions and next steps Subscribe and follow the H2 Leadership Podcast for more episodes. Share this episode with another leader who might be feeling “out of alignment.”

We said goodbye to Stay Forth—and hello to H2 Leadership.Same mission, sharper clarity. This episode is our official announcement and a roadmap for where we’re heading: helping leaders become healthy and high impact (H2). From a beach pop-up studio in Delray Beach, we unpack: Why the name change (clarity over clever): people loved our work but didn’t always “get” the name. What H2 Leadership means: health (heart, soul, mind, body, relationships) + sustainable impact. Energy > time: lead by ROE—Return on Energy, not just calendars and hustle. The core shift: moving from reactive to proactive leadership. Priorities → elimination: clarity creates riverbanks; a to-don’t list protects what matters. Who we serve: business, nonprofit, and ministry leaders—any catalyst who wants to lead well. You’ll learn A simple way to audit the 5 domains of health How to tune tension (like a guitar string) between health and impact Practical steps to reclaim focus and build momentum with your team What’s changing (brand, clarity, systems) and what’s not (our mission + coaching) Chapters00:00 Welcome & context01:05 Why we’re rebranding04:10 What “healthy + high impact” looks like06:20 The five domains of health09:20 What’s changing vs. what stays11:25 ROE: Return on Energy12:15 From reactive to proactive13:55 Priorities, riverbanks & elimination17:40 Who we serve (catalysts)20:05 What’s next + how to connect Links Start here: https://www.h2leadership.com The H2 Leadership Podcast hub: https://www.h2leadership.com/podcast Stay connected YouTube: @H2Leadership Instagram: @h2leaders LinkedIn: H2 Leadership Call to ActionIf this helped, follow the show and share it with a leader you care about. Want personal coaching or team support? Tap the link above and let’s begin your H2 journey.

Grounded leaders don’t just manage tasks—they create focus, health, and high impact across their teams. In this episode, Jonathan and Alan unpack the difference between efficiency and effectiveness, the markers of grounded leadership, and practical ways to stop leading scattered and start leading with clarity

Pastors and ministry leaders are carrying more than ever—and too many are doing it in silence. Dr. Mark Mayfield (author of The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry, professor, clinician, and former pastor) joins Alan to demystify mental health in the church, unpack the real difference between coaching and counseling, and give you a practical playbook for when struggles walk into your office… or show up on your staff. This isn’t theory—it’s field-tested, grace-filled, and immediately actionable. In this episode you’ll learn: Coaching vs. Counseling (the clean line): when you need tools to move forward vs. when you need to heal backward How to spot pop-psych “silver bullets” and what trustworthy care actually looks like A fast diagnostic lens for depression: intensity + duration (and what to do next) ADHD or overloaded attention? Trauma, screens, and why so many leaders are being mis-labeled Burnout’s bottom layer: dissociation/avoidance—and how to interrupt the loop Boundary basics for pastors (why “I don’t know—let me check” is leadership strength) How to build a staff culture of care (and discuss hard topics without guessing) Chapter Markers 00:00 — Why this conversation matters now 02:30 — Coaching vs. counseling: the simplest way to decide 05:25 — The danger of pop psychology & “quick fixes” 08:20 — Inside The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry (how to use it fast) 12:25 — High-performing families & hidden pressure 16:30 — Where churches are actually making progress 19:10 — Staff discussions you should be having (and how) 20:40 — Depression in leaders: signs & next steps 32:30 — ADHD or attention trained by trauma & screens? 36:00 — What sits under burnout—and how to respond 40:50 — A word to lonely leaders: you don’t have to know it all Resources Mentioned Book: The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry — Dr. Mark Mayfield (Baker) Site: MentalHealthMadeSimple.life (discussion guides & tools)Mental Health Made Simple: For the churches Stay Forth: Coaching for healthy + high-impact leadership About Dr. Mark Mayfield Clinician, professor at Colorado Christian University, author, speaker, and former pastor. Mark equips churches to receive and care well for people in mental and emotional struggle—and to keep pastors healthy in the process.

Feeling called to your work is a gift — but it can also be the very thing that burns you out. In this conversation, Alan sits down with Dr. Arianna Molloy, author of Healthy Calling: From Toxic Burnout to Sustainable Work, to unpack the hidden costs of living from a deep sense of purpose. Leaders who love what they do often give until they break. Arianna calls this deep shame — the disorienting feeling of losing yourself when the work you once loved starts consuming you. Together, Alan and Arianna explore how to recognize the early signs of burnout, why calling carries both resilience and risk, and how leaders can craft healthier rhythms to sustain their impact. 👉 In this episode: Why those who feel “called” are statistically the most prone to burnout The unique fingerprint of burnout that purpose-driven leaders face Practical daily, weekly, and quarterly rhythms to de-stress and reset The role of micro-breaks, community, and job-crafting in sustaining your leadership How to pre-plan rest before you need it This isn’t a “work less” conversation — it’s a “work sustainably” conversation. If your leadership matters, your health matters more. 📘 Grab Arianna’s book Healthy Calling anywhere books are sold.🌐 Connect with us at Stay Forth and learn how to lead healthy + high impact.

In this special episode, Alan Briggs steps away from the usual pace of life—and leadership—and invites us into a slower, deeper rhythm. Recorded on location from the island of Terceira in the Azores, Alan shares reflections from his very first pilgrimage—a spiritual journey with a physical component. What began as a walk through unfamiliar terrain turned into a profound time of rest, reflection, and reconnection with God. If you’ve ever felt burned out, spiritually dry, or simply curious about how to slow down long enough to hear from God… this one’s for you. In this episode, Alan explores: What really is a pilgrimage—and why it matters today The tension between being a tourist and a seeker Unexpected spiritual lessons from Holy Spirit houses and Catholic cathedrals Questions that shaped each day: How have I limited God? How am I different when I rest? How nature, walking, and reflection unlock new clarity and connection This isn’t your typical leadership episode—and that’s the point. Feeling the nudge to take your own pilgrimage?Whether that looks like a long walk or a short retreat, we hope this conversation helps you slow down, listen deeper, and reorient around what truly matters. Stay in the LoopGet resources, tools, and updates from the Stay Forth team: stayforth.com Let’s ConnectLeave a review, share this episode, and tag us on social: #StayForthLeadership

Our phones promise connection but often choke out what matters most. Alan Briggs and Joey Odom dive into the “PID loop” of proximity, interaction, and dependence — and share practical ways to reclaim your time, creativity, and relationships from constant distraction. We all feel it. That little computer in our pocket is shaping our attention, our relationships, and even our leadership. But what if our phones aren’t just tools—they’re thorns? In this episode of the Stay Forth Leadership Podcast, Alan Briggs sits down with Joey Odom, co-founder of Reclaim Well, to have a candid conversation about what phones are doing to us and how leaders, families, and organizations can respond. Together they unpack: Why phones act like “thorns in our pockets” that choke out fruitfulness The PID loop: proximity → interaction → dependence How to break proximity and start resetting your relationship with your device The connection between phones, mental load, and Sabbath rest Practical daily practices to reduce dependence (from 5-minute breaks to putting your phone to bed at night) Why this isn’t just a church issue or leadership issue — it’s a human issue This episode isn’t anti-phone. It’s pro-presence. Joey and Alan share small, practical rhythms to help you regain focus, reclaim creativity, and reconnect with the people and purpose that matter most. Resources & Links Learn more about Reclaim Well and the ARO Box Book recommendation: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Alan’s book The Sabbatical Journey — your field guide for deep rest and reorientation Subscribe, rate, and review the Stay Forth Leadership Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Every leader faces seasons of busyness, drift, and distraction. When that happens, what helps you stay the course? Your purpose. In this episode, Alan and Jonathan unpack why purpose acts like a compass — keeping you oriented, steady, and moving in the right direction when everything else feels chaotic. Alan shares his discipline of taking quarterly Think Days to step back, reflect, and regain clarity. You’ll hear how these rhythms not only renew his own leadership but also fuel alignment and energy for his entire team. This conversation also dives into the Unique Design framework — the intersection of your wiring, gifting, and calling. When you discover and lead from your unique design, you stop running on fumes and start moving with focus, impact, and fulfillment. Whether you’re leading a business, an organization, or your family, this episode will help you rediscover your compass and navigate with confidence. What You’ll Learn: Why leaders lose clarity when they don’t create space to think How a Think Day can reset your focus and energy The 4 H’s Alan looks for in every coaching client How to spot your “fills and drains” and delegate wisely The critical difference between dumping and delegating Why aligning with your Unique Design increases resilience and impact Two key reflection questions to help you realign with your deeper purpose Resources Mentioned: Unique Design Framework — Want to discover your unique leadership design?👉 Email: hello@stayforth.com with subject line “Unique Design Framework” to get a free copy. Book Mentioned: 10X is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan & Benjamin Hardy Coaching & Resources: Stayforth.com Reflect + Respond: Take a moment to sit with these two questions: What’s the deeper purpose that’s driving your life and leadership? Where have you lost sight of that purpose along the way? Use them to journal, fuel a team discussion, or even guide your own Think Day. Remember: Your purpose is your compass. Stay true to it, and you’ll lead yourself — and others — with clarity, health, and lasting impact.

What separates leaders people trust from leaders they just tolerate?It’s not charisma.It’s not talent.It’s self-leadership — the ability to lead yourself with consistency, clarity, and accountability before you ever try to lead others. In this episode, Jonathan Collier and Alan “Stay Forth” Briggs unpack why self-leadership is the hidden competitive advantage in today’s world, how to model it for your team, and what practical habits build trust faster than any title or resume ever could. You’ll learn: Why consistency breeds credibility (and how to spot it on any team) The simple 3-foot rule that keeps your leadership grounded How to model behaviors your team will actually copy Why deadlines and follow-through create instant trust How to manage your energy, not just your calendar The tension between bringing your best and not being perfect Practical steps to raise your self-leadership game this week Reflection Questions: Where are you leaking time and energy? What’s one area in your leadership where you need more accountability? Resources Mentioned: Right Side Up Journal by Stay Forth — https://a.co/d/fUaXcFh Subscribe for more healthy + high-impact leadership conversations so you can multiply your influence without losing yourself in the process.

Summer’s winding down, kids are heading back to school, and your weekly rhythm is about to look very different. In this episode of our H2 Leaders summer series, Jonathan and Alan define what true resilience looks like for a leader—and why it has nothing to do with “toughing it out” and everything to do with maintaining what matters most in your life. You’ll learn Alan’s 3-C framework for navigating change (Change | Clarity | Communication), plus practical habits to build both proactive steadiness and responsive flexibility so you can lead with confidence through every season. What You’ll Learn What Is Resilience?Why it’s not grit or forced optimism, but the ability to maintain your values, boundaries, and priorities when your world shifts. The 3-C Framework: Change is inevitable—embrace that it’s coming. Clarity lets you decide your next move, even in uncertainty. Communication (louder and clearer!) keeps your team trusting you through every pivot. Proactive vs. Responsive Practices:– Proactive: Routines that build your “resilience muscle” (sleep, exercise, Sabbath rhythms).– Responsive: Short breaks and mental shifts when the unexpected pops up (a tech failure, a new tariff, a sudden deadline). Why Reevaluation Matters:How and why you must regularly revisit your goals, metrics and projections as conditions evolve. Quick Tips for Staying Grounded:– Five daily habits Jonathan and Alan swear by.– The “stimulus → pause → response” window you can train for. Key Takeaways Change never knocks—it busts in like the Kool-Aid Man. You can’t control every shift—but you can control how you prepare and respond. Communicate more (not less!) when things feel most uncertain. Clarity of next steps beats false hope: ask “Who can help me?” and “What 2–3 areas do I need to grow?” Stop chasing certainty—build your resilience through repeated small wins and honest conversations. Action Challenge Pause & Reflect: How do you typically respond when change hits? Pick One Practice: Schedule one proactive habit this week (e.g. a 10-minute walk, dedicated Sabbath hour, or quick mindfulness break). Reevaluate: Block off 15 minutes to update your top 3 priorities in light of any recent shifts. Resources Mentioned Right Side Up Journal — Alan’s go-to tool for weekly audits and clarity Anti-Burnout — a coaching-powered guide to sustainable leadership

In today’s episode, Alan shares how a rare open Saturday—spent hiking into the Colorado mountains to fly-fish—quickly turned into another to-do list. He realized that our most life-giving pursuits (hobbies) are constantly at risk of becoming tasks we “have to” check off. In this conversation, Alan unpacks why hobbies are essential to flourishing, offers a framework for rediscovering them, and gives practical steps to reclaim joy, creativity, and rest in the midst of our busy “have-to” lives. What You’ll Learn: Why Hobbies Matter: How leisure activities serve as mental rest, spark creativity, and renew passion for work and family. Focal Practices: The power of “idle,” present-moment activities that reconnect you to what truly matters. Benefits of Hobbies: From distraction of weighty issues to replenishment cycles that boost productivity. Rediscovery vs. Discovery: Tips for uncovering the hobbies you loved as a kid—or stumbling on new ones today. Practical Steps: How to schedule your first hobby session in two weeks—no guilt, no strings attached. Key Takeaways: Hobbies are “get-to” activities in a “have-to” world. Even large organizations credit “white-space” time for breakthroughs. Simple focal practices (gardening, evening walks, hammocking) anchor joy and presence. Your work, relationships, and well-being depend on carving out hobby time. Action Challenge:Block off a 2-hour window in your calendar this week for your rediscovered hobby—whether it’s fly-fishing, woodworking, dancing, or simply sitting in a hammock—and notice how you feel afterward. Resources Mentioned: Anti-Burnout: A Coaching Pathway The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide Have questions or want to share your hobby rediscovery story? Drop us a note at hello@stayforth.com or leave a comment wherever you listen.

Halfway through summer and already feeling the rush of back-to-school and end-of-year deadlines? In this episode of the H₂ Leader Summer Series, Alan Briggs and Jonathan Collier challenge the “grind-only” mentality by uncovering the power of relational leadership over mere transactions. You’ll learn: The difference between transactional (BNI-style) and relational (Coharbor-style) approaches How a high-trust culture drives better engagement, retention, and results The 3 Cs every leader needs—Curiosity, Care, and Consistency—and how to practice them Real-world signs your organization is drifting into “just manage” mode Reflection questions to help you shift from “What can they do for me?” to “How can I serve them?” Whether you lead a small team or a global enterprise, you’ll come away equipped to strengthen trust, spark engagement, and multiply your impact—one authentic connection at a time. Show Notes Welcome & Summer Check-in Mid-summer realities: schools shopping in July, transactional everywhere Why relational leadership matters now Two Networking Models Transactional: “Get leads, hit quotas” (BNI-style) Relational: “Get to know the person first” (Coharbor-style) Why Trust Trumps Transactions As goes the leader, so goes the culture Real-life boardroom example: cold, closed vs. warm, open Signals of Low-Trust vs. High-Trust Cultures Do people feel safe to speak up? Are values just on the wall, or lived daily? Celebration vs. checkbox mentality The 3 Cs of Relational Leadership Curiosity: Ask what’s really on people’s minds Care: Show genuine concern for the human, not just the role Consistency: Do your values and words match your actions—every day Practical Steps to Shift Check your own inbox: person or task? Communicate context + clarity + candor Use “three strikes” principle: when a tool or process fails repeatedly, pick up the phone Reflection Questions How relational is my current leadership? Where am I defaulting to transactions over relationships? Who needs more of my presence (not just my direction)? Resources & Links Anti-Burnout ⇒ https://a.co/d/89z1Vrr The Sabbatical Journey ⇒ https://a.co/d/i5dXSLS How to Subscribe & Review If you enjoyed this episode, please: Subscribe to “Stay Forth Leadership” on Apple Podcasts Rate & Review—your five stars help others find the show! Share with a friend or colleague who’s ready to lead from relationship, not just transaction  

We’re living through a hurricane of distraction—constant pings, endless opportunities, and FOMO-fueled comparison. In Episode 5 of our H2 Leader Summer Series, Alan and Jonathan unpack why today’s leaders feel overwhelmed yet under-productive, and share a simple but counter-intuitive answer: do fewer things—better. Press play to learn how to develop “healthy tunnel vision” in a scattered world, why prioritization and elimination go hand-in-hand, and how to stay accessible (not available) so you can protect your best work. If you find yourself grasping at tasks like kids in a wind-tunnel booth grabbing dollar bills, this episode will give you a clearer, calmer path forward. Key Takeaways Scattered vs. Strategic: Today’s world bombards us like a wind-tunnel booth of swirling dollar bills. You must choose a few priorities—and let the rest go. Effectiveness > Efficiency: Machines optimize for efficiency; leaders optimize for impact by focusing on the right 2–3 actions. Prioritize & Eliminate: To truly excel, ruthlessly say “no” to good things so you can say “yes” to the best things. Accessible ≠ Available: You can remain reachable without being on-call 24/7—protect deep-work blocks as sacred. Model the Change: A leader’s bandwidth sets the bar for their team. Guard your own focus to help everyone guard theirs. Reflect & Apply Set aside 10–15 minutes today with your journal or notes app. Answer honestly: How scattered am I right now? Where is your attention leaking? What’s distracting me from what matters most? Identify the “dollar bills” you’re chasing. What’s one commitment I must say “no” to this fall so I can laser-focus on my top priorities? Links & Resources 📘 The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide→ https://a.co/d/haM9rSR 📓 Right Side Up Journal (Weekly & Quarterly Audit)→ https://a.co/d/fUaXcFh    

We’re halfway through summer—and if you’re like most leaders, you’re both craving a break and wrestling with guilt, unfinished to-dos, and screen addiction. In Episode 6 of our H2 Leader Summer Series, Alan and Jonathan go deep on rest as a strategic, creative, and spiritual practice—not just “doing nothing.” Learn why resting well actually multiplies your impact, how to design your unique rest rhythm, and why trust (in God, yourself, your team) is the secret ingredient. You’ll discover: Why rest requires trust—and how to build it in real time The 7 types of rest (creative, sensory, spiritual, and more) that recharge you Real stories from their June adventures (Grand Canyon epiphanies, half-day schedules, family trips) How to move from negative-one burnout mode to a place of abundance The power of “accessible vs. available” boundaries for sustainable rest Press play, clear your mental clutter, and unlock the productive power of true rest. Key Topics Covered Rest ≠ Inaction: Rest as a powerful, generative action—an investment, not waste Trust & Rest: Why letting go (half-day schedules, family getaways) is the first step 7 Types of Rest: Creative, sensory, spiritual, and more (from Sacred Rest by Sandra Dalton-Smith) Negative-One vs. Abundance: How to tell if you’re operating from a deficit—and how to climb back to zero Accessible vs. Available: Setting rest boundaries while remaining dependable Reflect & Apply Grab a journal or open your notes app. Spend 10–15 minutes exploring: When was the last time I felt truly rested? (Six months ago? A year? More?) Which form of rest does my mind/body/spirit need most right now? (Creative, sensory, physical, spiritual, social, etc.) What’s my next single step to develop a healthy, repeatable rhythm of rest? Links & Resources The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide→ https://a.co/d/haM9rSR Right Side Up Journal (Weekly & Quarterly Audit)→ https://a.co/d/fUaXcFh Sacred Rest by Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith (on the 7 Types of Rest)→ [Search “Sacred Rest Dalton-Smith” on your favorite bookstore]

In this powerful—and at times convicting—fourth episode of our H2 Leader Summer Series, Jonathan and Alan tackle emotional presence in leadership. Far too often we slip into “performance mode,” juggling screens, tasks, and to-do lists at the expense of our families, teams, and even our own well-being. Discover how a simple weekly audit in the Right Side Up Journal helps Alan pull back from the whirlwind, process his emotions, and plan ahead so he can truly be with the people he leads and loves. You’ll learn why: Leadership is about service, not performance. Emotional contagion means your mood sets the tone for every room you enter. Scheduled margin—micro-pauses, meeting buffers, and Sabbath—keeps you grounded. Non-transactional relationships (“friends who aren’t impressed by your title”) are vital. Private reflection unlocks public presence. Press play and prepare to be challenged—but also to find freedom in leading from a place of presence, not pressure. Key Topics Covered Performance vs. Presence: Why striving to “wow” hurts your authenticity The 3-Page Weekly Audit: Look Back: Wins, unfinished business, tough conversations, healthy choices, blessings Look Within: Emotional check-in—where you performed vs. where you were present Look Ahead: Intentional planning—block evening margin, “to-don’t” list, relational commitments Emotional Contagion: How the most anxious person wields the greatest influence Micro-Practices for Presence: 5–10 minute breathing breaks, buffer time between meetings Macro-Practices: A true Sabbath—one full day off to reset Reflect & Apply Set aside 10–15 minutes and journal through these prompts: Emotional Presence Audit: How present am I, emotionally, with those I lead and love? Avoidance Check: What emotions (fear, grief, frustration, etc.) have I been sidestepping? Next-Right Step: What one boundary or buffer will I schedule this week to protect my presence? Links & Resources Right Side Up Journal (Alan’s weekly–and–quarterly personal audit tool)→ https://a.co/d/fUaXcFh

In Episode 4 of our H2 Leader Summer Series, Alan and Jonathan hit on one of the most liberating leadership truths: “Who you are matters more than what you do.” In a world that obsessively equates titles, achievements, and performance metrics with worth, it’s easy to lose sight of the unshakeable identity and purpose beneath the surface. Join them as they unpack: The difference between your role (what shows up on your org chart) and your identity (your character, values, and calling) Why chasing “praise, promotions, and posts” leaves you vulnerable to burnout and emptiness How to begin leading from who you are, not just from what you produce Practical first steps—daily rhythms, margin, and non­transactional relationships—that reinforce your true identity If you’ve ever felt like you woke up and realized your career had swallowed your self-worth, this episode is for you. Press play, and start rooting your leadership in purpose, not performance. Key Topics Covered Role vs. Identity: Why a job description can never define your lasting worth Performance Traps: How external accolades both feed and betray your soul Identity Anchors: The character traits, values, and deep “why” that outlast any project or title Practical Shifts: Small daily practices to remind yourself of your true self Building non-transactional friendships who “aren’t impressed” but love you anyway Creating margin (walks, lunches, buffer time) to reconnect with your purpose Reflect & Apply Set aside 10–15 minutes with a journal or blank page, and explore these two questions: Who am I becoming as a leader? What core truths do I need to return to regularly? Don’t rush—let these questions guide you toward leading from your identity, not just from your job description.

Originally released on Johnny Levy’s Workplace Delight podcast, this episode was too good not to share with our Stay Forth audience! Alan Briggs—leadership & sabbatical coach, “mountain guide for the leadership journey,” and co-host of the Stay Forth Leadership Podcast—joins Johnny to explore why intentional sabbaticals are the next frontier in workplace culture. Whether you’re in HR, the C-suite, or you’ve built a startup from scratch, you’ll learn: How a sabbatical can release outdated mindsets and reset your priorities Why “get-tos” vs. “have-tos” reignite creativity, trust, and long-term retention The Harvard Business Review research proving sabbaticals drive innovation Practical “stress-test” pilots to evolve your policy without upheaval The two phases every leader experiences after sabbatical: Release & Reset Press play for a healthy dose of adventure, abundance mindset, and people-first strategy—then return tomorrow for Episode 3 of our H2 Leader Summer Series! Key Topics Covered Defining Sabbatical: From academic “research leave” to genuine life-giving renewal Personal Story: Alan’s first 10-week gift sabbatical—what he released & how he reset Abundance Mindset: “Get-tos” vs. “Have-tos,” and why rest is a human right Business Case: HBR findings, Big Tech sabbaticals, and the real ROI on renewal Implementation: Evolving vs. revolutionizing your policy—stress tests, pilots & partnerships Outcomes: Release old habits → Reset priorities → Reinvigorate individual & organizational performance Reflect & Apply Inventory Your “Get-Tos”: What creative or restorative activities have you shelved for “someday”? Identify Roadblocks: Which of Fear, Pride, or Permission is blocking sabbatical at your company? Pilot a Pilot: What small “stress-test” could you run this quarter—for example, extend someone’s vacation by one week? Links & Resources Watch the Full Interview on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/EfHh61p0hPE?si=J3FHcHJR5wE5Opdp Workplace Delight Substack (Johnny’s full show notes & takeaways)https://workplacedelight.substack.com/