The Trailhead Podcast: Lead | Create| Inspire | Interviews

075: Building & Sustaining Teams, with Jared Hogue In order to accomplish big things leaders must assemble great teams. In this interview Jared Hogue presents practical advice on building and sustaining teams. blaze-trails.com Connect with Jared:  Creative Sheep The Leadersheep Podcast Connect with Benji: Instagram: benjiblock Email: benji@blaze-trails.com More Trailblazer content: blaze-trails.com

074: Do You Know Who You Are? Great art flows from authenticity & leaders seeking to make a great impact must lead from a place of knowing who they truly are. In this special talk, Benji talks about the importance of knowing who we are. Announcements:  Shirt giveaway simply leave review or post on Instagram and tag @We_Are_Trailblazer Upcoming Guests: Jared Hogue: Founder of Creative Sheep and the Leader Sheep Podcast Donnie Maib: Athletic Trainer at UT  blaze-trails.com Episode Highlights:  In light of whose you are should you be worried about the things you are worried about? If you really believe Scripture should you be nervous about the stuff your nervous about? We all want to be consumers of the miracles, and I just wonder if tonight God is saying come on son, come on daughter, stop just being a fan, stop just listening to message after message... stop just seeing miracle after miracle…Realize that regardless of season I am still in control, I still see you, I am still leadi

073: Strengthen Your Strengths, with Nii Abrahams  It can be easy to become a generalist, but to be an expert you'll need to be intentional and strategic. We are talking all about maximizing your strengths. Announcements:  Shirt giveaway simply leave review or post on Instagram and tag @We_Are_Trailblazer Upcoming Guests: Jared Hogue: Founder of Creative Sheep and the Leader Sheep Podcast Donnie Maib: Athletic Trainer at UT  blaze-trails.com Episode Highlights:  Take a Personality Test now, click here.  Refuse to take on to much. What is good for you to take on?  Books Mentioned:  Tale of 3 Kings - Gene Edwards Scary Close - Donald Miller   Connect with Nii Abrahams:  Connect with Nii on Instagram, click here Connect with Benji: Instagram: benjiblock Email: benji@blaze-trails.com More Trailblazer content: blaze-trails.com

072: The Poison of Pride With each decision, some seemingly insignificant and others that are really big decisions our pride builds walls around who we are meant to be… Announcements:  Shirt giveaway simply leave review or post on Instagram and tag @We_Are_Trailblazer Upcoming Guests: Jared Hogue: Founder of Creative Sheep and the Leader Sheep Podcast Donnie Maib: Athletic Trainer at UT  blaze-trails.com Episode Highlights:    We don't fully realize how dangerous pride is or how powerful humility is. Pride builds walls around who we are meant to be. James 4:1-2 What leads to the unending quarrels and conflicts among you? Do they not come from your hedonistic desires that wage war in you? You are jealous and covet what others have and your lust goes unfulfilled; so you murder. You are envious and cannot obtain the object of your envy; so you fight and battle. Hedonism - A person whose life is devoted to the pursuit of self-gratification. In Greek Hedone means simply: I live for m

071: Millennial Mentorship & Discipleship, with Grant Skeldon Behind every great leader and creative are mentors. Discipleship is key to longterm success. So how do we walk in this way? Find out in this episode. Announcements:  Shirt giveaway simply leave review or post on Instagram and tag @We_Are_Trailblazer Upcoming Guests: Jared Hogue: Founder of Creative Sheep and the Leader Sheep Podcast Donnie Maib: Athletic Trainer at UT  blaze-trails.com Episode Highlights:  We all love Jesus, we just don't want to do what he did. We would rather be fans then let him be our role model.  Change your playground & change your playmates.  Mentorship is less about coffee meetings and more about "come follow me".  Want to Stand out? Try these 4 things: 1) Put away your phone 2) Ask Good Questions  3) Take Notes 4) Apply what you learn  Books Mentioned:  How to Win Friends & Influence People  Tipping Point  Good to Great Crazy Love Scary Close Fr

Culture is who we are not who we say we are.  Here's a good way to identify our current values: "Our church does _____________ because we value _________________." The first blank is WHAT you do. The second blank (your values) is WHY you do it. Examples: Eikon does high quality social media because we believe that the wonderful news of the gospel deserves the most excellent presentation possible.  Our church does Eikon Youth because we believe that kids and teenagers are not the church of tomorrow, but instead they are the church of today. We will invest our best into the younger generation! Our staff reviews every service in staff meeting because we value having the most excellent services we can possibly have and we place high value on continuing to get better.  The Culture I want to be a part of:  ·  Teachable Spirit: Be a learner and accept feedback without defensiveness. · Transparent: Be vulnerable and authentic with each other. · Consistent: Be the sam

069: The Creative Process, with Mark Barlow In this episode Benji interviews Mark Barlow of Isla Vista Worship as he takes us behind the scenes of their brand new album.  Announcements:  Shirt giveaway simply leave review or post on Instagram and tag @We_Are_Trailblazer Upcoming Guests: Jared Hogue: Founder of Creative Sheep and the Leader Sheep Podcast Grant Skeldon: Executive Director of the Initiative Network in Dallas (Millenials) Donnie Maib: Athletic Trainer at UT  blaze-trails.com Episode Highlights:  Isla Vista Worship: http://islavistaworship.com Keep Your Love on by Danny Silk The Bible  Bands to Check out: Anderson Pack, Jack Garratt, Kevin Garrett, Young the Giant, Tom Mish, Bruno Major, United Pursuit, DENM Connect with Mark Barlow:  Instagram: @barkmarlow Isla Vista Worship on Instagram: @islavistaworship   

068: SIMPLE RULES FOR LEADING BETTER As leaders it can be easy to be busy and not be sure if we are leading to the best of our ability. Today we unpack simple rules to help us continue to lead better! Announcements:  Shirt giveaway simply leave review or post on Instagram and tag @We_Are_Trailblazer Upcoming Guests: Jared Hogue: Founder of Creative Sheep and the Leader Sheep Podcast Grant Skeldon: Executive Director of the Initiative Network in Dallas (Millenials) Donnie Maib: Athletic Trainer at UT  blaze-trails.com SIMPLE RULES FOR LEADING BETTER: 1. Praise Progress Praise progress not perfection, be in the business of catching people doing the right things far more often than you catch them doing wrong things. 2. Trust trumps suspicion Lead from a place of trust and not suspicion. Let's trust people, and allow them the space to do big things! 3. Become a problem solver. Is the problem the people I'm leading or is the problem me?  4. Interpret and translate what you do…  Train othe

Episode 067: In this episode we discuss how we will not become who we want to be, we will become who we work to be. Review the show on iTunes or share on Instagram for a chance to win a FREE Trailblazer t-shirt! blaze-trails.com Instagram: @We_Are_Trailblazers Episode Highlights: You will not become who you want to be, you will become who you work to be. Successful people give up a short term mindset: I dont want to run… but I want to be in shape… I dont want to eat at home, but I want to save money… I dont want to be up late editing podcast episodes but I want to gain wisdom and be a part of compelling conversations that push me forward.  The habits you have now will determine the kind of person you will become unless you change those habits now. Connect with Benji: Instagram: benjiblock Email: benji@blaze-trails.com blaze-trails.com for all things "Trailhead"

Episode 066: In this episode we are exploring what it takes to truly be great! Review the show on iTunes or share on Instagram for a chance to win a FREE Trailblazer t-shirt! blaze-trails.com Instagram: @We_Are_Trailblazers Episode Highlights: Matthew 25:14-30 Matthew 20:20-28 May our eyes be so fixed on the goodness of Jesus that it leads us to live lives of greatness. What has God given that you've hidden? "Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life." Galatians 6:4-5  10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 Are you ready to carry the weight of sacrifice necessary to be great in God's kingdom? The level of greatness will be measured by the level of sacrifice. What would i

Episode 065: There's plenty of pros and cons to social media. Today we explore it all and work to establish a better way forward. blaze-trails.com Instagram: @We_Are_Trailblazers Episode Notes:  What I love about social media: - Connects us to others - Creates social awareness - Helps spread ideas quickly What I hate about social media: - Slacktivists - Screens > People - Comparison & Envy - Selfishness Stats: Americans spend eleven hours each day with digital devices.  Smartphone users, on average check their phones every six and a half minutes.  (Nielsen study 2013 "An Era of Growth: The Cross-Platform Report Q4") Questions:  How could you use your social platforms to do the most good? Is there a way to be selfless on your social media channels? How can you lift others up and get eyes off yourself on social media? Connect with Benji: Instagram: benjiblock Email: benji@blaze-trails.com blaze-trails.com for all things "Trailhead"

Episode 064: In this SPECIAL Fathers Day episode we are sitting down with my dad to hear life lessons from 35 years in leadership! blaze-trails.com Instagram: @We_Are_Trailblazers   Episode Highlights:  Acrostic for raising up leaders: B - Believe E - Empower S - Speak T - Time Books Mentioned:   Tale of 3 Kings by Gene Edwards Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Emerson Coleman The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson Connect with Chip Block: Email: chipblock@iobcc.org Church Website: iobcc.org Connect with Benji: Instagram: benjiblock Email: benji@blaze-trails.com blaze-trails.com for all things "Trailhead"

Episode 063: It's so easy in this fast paced world to lose sight of why we do what we do. Keeping vision central is difficult but so necessary and we are talking all about that in this episode.  blaze-trails.com Instagram: @We_Are_Trailblazers Episode Highlights: It is way more about the next step and way less about your 5 year plan.  I stretch myself and dream, but I don't quit because I can't do it all in this moment. What are you about to give up on that you need to give another chance? Connect with Benji: Instagram: benjiblock Email: benji@blaze-trails.com blaze-trails.com for all things "Trailhead"

Episode 061: It's so easy in this fast paced world to lose sight of why we do what we do. Keeping vision central is difficult but so necessary and we are talking all about that in this episode.  blaze-trails.com Instagram: @We_Are_Trailblazers     Connect with Benji: Instagram: benjiblock Email: benji@blaze-trails.com blaze-trails.com for all things "Trailhead"

Episode 061: Great leaders and creatives are people who live lives of authenticity. That is easier to say than do, so today we unpack the importance of taking off  our masks.  blaze-trails.com Instagram: @We_Are_Trailblazers Episode Highlights:   Genesis 3:6-11 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you? 10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." This story begs th

Episode 060: In this episode Benji unlocks 4 keys that will help you make the most of the summer.  blaze-trails.com Instagram: @We_Are_Trailblazers Episode Highlights:   When am I resting? Pause, get quiet, sleep in... How am I growing? read, listen, watch, new hobby... Who am I seeing? new friends or rekindling old ones... Where am I going? travel, see, taste, move often...   Connect with Benji: Instagram: benjiblock Email: benji@blaze-trails.com blaze-trails.com for all things "Trailhead"

Episode 057: In this episode we are talking about the importance of personal deadlines and how you can use them to achieve your goals.  blaze-trails.com Instagram: @We_Are_Trailblazers Episode Highlights: When we have proper perspective of who Jesus is it leads to lives of worship. Sometimes Songs can be more than just songs. Worship aligns our heart toward Jesus. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" Mark 4:37-41 (NIV) Jesus did not yell over waves, he spoke to them. The same power that is in Jesu

Episode 058: In this episode we sit down with Natalie Brown a 23 year old missionary to Uganda. Hear her inspiring story and be challenged to make a bold move. blaze-trails.com Instagram: @We_Are_Trailblazers Books Mentioned: Peter Pan Author: Phillip Yancey Author: C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity, Narnia)   Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard Connect with Natalie Brown: Blog: http://hallelujahinthedark.blogspot.com Doors Ministry Website: http://doorsministries.org Connect with Benji: Instagram: benjiblock Email: benji@blaze-trails.com blaze-trails.com for all things "Trailhead"

Episode 057: In this episode we are talking about the importance of personal deadlines and how you can use them to achieve your goals.  blaze-trails.com Instagram: @We_Are_Trailblazers Episode Highlights:   Create Your Own Finish Lines There are seasons for everything!  Six in six - Six tasks to do over the next six weeks "Things to do when life slows down" - still need deadlines, this cant just be wishful thinking… This list will get to long. What is the next step in any given area that will move you toward where you would like to be.  Is there a decision that you could make today that would make your life better? Does it start with reading something? Doing something? Setting up a meeting of some kind?  Connect with Benji: Instagram: benjiblock Email: benji@blaze-trails.com blaze-trails.com for all things "Trailhead"

Show Notes Episode 057:    Today we talk with Sarah Barlow, she's moving out from behind her camera to talk to us about finding your gifts, photography and creativity. Sarah is the photographer behind Taylor Swifts "1989" album. She has also done photoshoots for Pharrell, Halsey, and hollister.   --- SUBSCRIBE / RATE / REVIEW ---   Song Suggestion: "Somebody Else" by The 1975 Books Mentioned:  Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz The Principles & Power of Vision by Myles Munroe Love is a Killer App by Tim Sanders How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie Connect with Sarah: Instagram: sarahbarlow Website: low-field.com Connect with Benji: Instagram: benjiblock Website: blaze-trails.com