Right-side Up Leadership Podcast

You're not behind. You're just running too fast. Most leaders think the answer to overwhelm is speed—more efficiency, tighter schedules, faster execution. But what if the real problem isn't that you're doing too little? What if it's that you're running at an unsustainable pace that's hurting you, your family, your work, and your team? In this final episode of our Five Spheres of an H2 Leader series, we're tackling pace, how fast you're running, why you're running that fast, and what it's costing you. Most leaders execute from anxiety and shame, not focus and clarity. They're running FROM something instead of running TO something. And when you run too fast for too long, everything suffers—your health, your relationships, your creativity, and your team's culture. Alan breaks down the difference between personal activation (how fast you're running) and communal activation (how fast you're driving your team to run). And he introduces the concept that changes everything: effectiveness over efficiency. What You'll

You can never be them. They can never be you. So stop trying. In a culture obsessed with comparison and counterfeits, most leaders spend their entire lives trying to become someone else. They look at other leaders and think, "How do they do that?" They scroll through feeds, compare themselves to the competition, and slowly lose sight of the one thing that makes them irreplaceable: their unique design. Here's the truth: God put you on this earth with a unique spiritual, practical, relational, and emotional fingerprint. You are uniquely designed for impact. But if you don't understand your design, you'll spend your life getting lived by your circumstances instead of actively living with purpose and agency. In this episode, we're diving into the fourth sphere of an H2 Leader: Design. This is about how you maximize your talents and abilities—not by copying someone else's playbook, but by discovering and unleashing what you're uniquely wired to do. What You'll Learn: Why most people are getting lived by their liv

We're so busy watching everyone else—scrolling feeds, comparing ourselves to other leaders, checking what the competition is doing—that we've become incredibly others-aware and dangerously self-unaware. Self-awareness isn't a buzzword. It's the difference between walking into a meeting grounded or bringing your frustration, anxiety, and chaos with you—and watching it cascade to everyone around you. Here's the truth: as goes the leader, so goes the team. Your mood changes rooms. Your anxiety creates anxiety. Your groundedness brings clarity. In this episode, we're diving into the third sphere of leadership that most people ignore: how your emotions, your wiring, and your weaknesses are impacting the people you lead. Whether you realize it or not. Since Daniel Goleman published his work on emotional intelligence, self-awareness has been everywhere. It's in every leadership book, every conference, every corporate training. But here's the irony: we're at an all-time high for talking about self-awareness and an al

Most leaders understand the importance of health—but few actually live it out consistently.  In this episode, we're continuing our series on The Five Spheres of an H2 Leader with a focus on the second sphere: Health. This isn't just about eating better or working out more. It's about living integrated and aligned to your values and needs. Here's what we unpack: The Definition of a Healthy Leader A healthy leader lives integrated and aligned to their values and needs. Integrated means what you say matches what you do. Aligned means nothing is wearing down in the background—no misalignment that causes pain elsewhere in your life or leadership. Aspirational vs. Actual Values Most organizations have values on the website. But are they aspirational (who we want to be) or actual (who we really are)? If you say you value rest but never take a day off, that's an aspirational value—not an actual one. This episode challenges you to audit the gap between what you say and what you do. Understanding Your Needs: Heart, Sou

Leader, welcome back to 2026. We're going straight at it. Instead of starting the year with goal setting alone, we're going beneath the surface to who you are as a leader. Because here's the reality: you have way more influence than you think — and how you wield that leadership influence shapes everything around you. This episode kicks off our new series on The Five Spheres of an H2 Leader, starting with Influence. Over the next five episodes, we'll unpack the foundational areas every Healthy + High Impact leader must pay attention to: Influence, Health, Self-Awareness, Design, and Space. Today, we're tackling the first sphere: how to use your influence to build empowering cultures instead of toxic leadership environments. The Tale of Two Leaders One leader I coach lives under the shadow of an insecure boss who constantly needs attention and affirmation. This sharp, competent leader has been slowly diminished over time — beaten down by someone who doesn't comprehend their own influence. The other leader I coa

January is loud. Everywhere you look, leaders are being told to set bigger goals, move faster, and start strong. But what if the reason you feel stuck, unclear, or overwhelmed right now isn’t a motivation problem or a discipline problem? What if it’s a season problem? In this New Year–focused episode, Alan Briggs helps leaders slow down just enough to ask a better question before setting goals for 2026: What season of leadership am I actually in right now? Because when goals don’t match seasons, leaders burn out, teams get frustrated, and momentum stalls. This conversation reframes New Year goal-setting through the lens of leadership awareness, helping you name where you’ve been, where you are, and what kinds of actions actually make sense in this season of life and leadership. And stay to the end — Jonathan tees up a brand new series launching next week: The Five Spheres of an H2 Leader, designed to help you lead with both health and high impact in 2026. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why January goal-sett

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like everyone needs you all the time? You're not actually stuck, you just need a way out. Alan Briggs shares 4 practical pathways to break free and lead with clarity in 2026. Happy New Year—and welcome to Episode 500! When we started this podcast, it was just a wild idea. 500 episodes later, we're more convinced than ever: leadership doesn't have to cost you everything. You can lead well and live well. To kick off 2026, Alan tackles something most leaders are feeling but few are naming: leadership claustrophobia—that squeezed, stuck sensation where everyone needs you all the time and there's no way out. Here's the truth: You feel stuck. But you're not actually stuck. Alan walks through the four feelings that keep leaders trapped—overwhelmed, myopic, exhausted, and behind—and gives you a clear, practical pathway out of each one. This isn't theory. It's the same framework Alan uses with the leaders he coaches every day. If you're heading into 2026 saying "everyone needs me all the

Merry Christmas!!!!! This episode is Part 2 of our year-end series. Last week, we walked through the internal shifts our team made this year. Today, we hand that same framework to you — so you can reset, simplify, and refocus your leadership as you prepare for 2026. This conversation is a practical guide to finishing well, regaining clarity, and building momentum without burning out or carrying unnecessary weight into the new year. You’ll learn: Why real momentum begins with subtraction, pruning, and clarity — not doing more How to create simple decision filters so every choice doesn’t drain your energy The “dance floor vs. balcony” mindset — working on your leadership, not just inside the grind Why mature leaders practice necessary endings instead of clinging to what used to work How clarity leads to freedom, focus, and healthier impact Use these reflection prompts as you reset for 2026: What is slowing you down right now? What is one change that would increase your momentum heading into 2026

We practice what we preach. Here's proof. Alan and Jonathan pull back the curtain on H2 Leadership's biggest moves of 2025: restructuring, rebranding, and the roots work nobody sees. If you've ever wondered whether we actually live out what we teach, this episode is your answer. If you've ever wondered whether we live out what we teach, this episode is your answer.  In This Episode: Why healthy organizations run toward problems, not away The "awkward in-between" of restructuring (and why it's worth it) How to build systems that elevate your team and clients The difference between survival questions and flourishing questions Why the best moves feel worse before they feel better Timestamps: 00:00 — Year-end reflections 01:07 — Two types of organizations in uncertain times 06:51 — Restructuring and the awkward in-between 12:25 — Elevating through systematization 14:44 — Brand clarity: H2 Leadership rebrand 22:00 — Integration: aligning systems and values 24:44 — Advancement: taking new ground Resources: AntiB

As we continue our Best of series, we wanted to highlight a very timely conversation. Gordon MacDonald—author, longtime pastor, and former Chancellor of Denver Seminary—joins us to share hard-won wisdom on calling, mentoring, and spiritual friendship. Gordon’s voice has shaped generations of leaders, and this episode captures why. Through stories, insights, and honest reflection, he gives leaders a practical roadmap for building resilient lives and ministries that last. Whether you’re a pastor, organizational leader, or simply someone seeking deeper impact, this conversation offers clarity, perspective, and hope. What You’ll Learn Why spiritual friendship is essential for healthy leadership How to cultivate intergenerational mentoring relationships The stages of a leader’s calling—and how they develop over a lifetime Why older leaders must invest in younger leaders How to build communities that encourage resilience rather than burnout The hidden dangers leaders face in midlife and beyond What Go

As we close out the year, we’re highlighting several of our most listened-to conversations—episodes that continue to shape leaders long after they air. Today’s conversation between Alan Briggs and Jimmy Rollins is one of those episodes: timeless and timely. Jimmy brings honesty, clarity, and courage as he talks about race, unity, culture, marriage, and the everyday leadership choices that build trust. This is a practical and grounded guide for leaders who want to lead with compassion, stay curious in hard conversations, and create cultures where people feel seen and valued. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to have “family conversations” around race with honesty and safety Why unity is not uniformity—and what real unity requires How to ask better questions and lead with curiosity, not fear Practical language that diffuses tension and builds trust What healthy leaders must confront in themselves to lead others well Jimmy’s personal story of pain, growth, marriage restoration, and calling Healthy

If you feel frustrated, disappointed, or stuck right now, you’re not broken – you’re human. The real question isn’t “What’s wrong with me?” It’s “What needs to change, and how do I actually change it?” In this solo episode, Alan unpacks a simple but powerful idea: only the hungry change. You can’t force your kids to change, your team to change, or your friends to change. You can barely force yourself to change. But when hunger meets a clear process, transformation becomes possible. Alan walks through a practical framework he calls the Wheel of Transformation – moving from new awareness, to new actions, to new rhythms. He shares personal stories about getting called out on weak hamstrings, losing steam on his goals, and how small, consistent steps have led to real change over time. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve tried to fix the same thing a hundred times and you’re still stuck, this episode will give you language, hope, and a concrete path forward. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why frustration and disappo

You can have a compelling mission and a sharp strategy, but if your culture is unhealthy or unclear, your team will stay stuck. In this episode, Alan sits down with culture coach and author Jenni Catron to unpack why culture matters more than we think and how clarity becomes the foundation for trust, engagement, and healthy growth. Jenni shares her own journey from the music industry into executive church leadership, and the jarring contrast between a life-giving culture and a toxic one. She explains why leaders can’t just “hope” for a great environment – they need a plan to build it with intention. They talk about the signs your culture is drifting, why people often go quiet long before they quit, how to invite honest feedback without losing your voice as a leader, and why patience and persistence are essential when you start changing long-standing patterns on your team. If you lead a staff, a volunteer team, or you’re trying to rebuild a culture you inherited, this conversation will give you language, pract

Most leaders expect failure to be hard — but no one warns us how disorienting success can be. In today’s episode, Alan Briggs takes us inside a live leadership session and unpacks the real, often hidden challenges that come with growth: fulfillment gaps, maturity barriers, identity drift, disorientation, burnout, and the pressure of everyone wanting a piece of your time. But this conversation isn’t about fear. It’s about forming the kind of roots that can sustain real fruit. Alan shares practical insights on: Why success often feels emptier than we expect The surprising truth that what got you here won’t get you there How success multiplies options, noise, and expectations Why leaders lose honest feedback when they gain influence The difference between external fruit and internal roots The identity dreams every healthy leader should define How to build a life that matches the person you’re becoming What it takes to grow without losing yourself, your family, or your soul If you’re leading a t

Great leaders don’t just give answers. They ask better questions. J.R. Briggs joins Alan to unpack how curiosity, coaching questions, and practical reflection rhythms build trust, unlock growth, and transform teams. Episode Summary: If you’ve ever left a conversation wishing you’d asked a better question, this episode is for you. J.R. Briggs shares the mindsets and mechanics behind powerful questions at work, at home, in faith, and why leaders who cultivate curiosity build healthier, higher-impact teams. We explore obstacles like expertise traps, speed, and “question deserts,” then get tactical with preparation prompts, in-the-moment practices, and post-conversation reflection. You’ll Learn: • The difference between clarity questions and connection questions • Practical coaching prompts: trade-offs, the capital-C Challenge, and “what do you really want?” • How one courageous question (Darryl Davis) can disarm hostility • A repeatable rhythm to prepare, participate, and reflect after conversations • How asking

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)

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

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 Life 03:34 – Rethinking retireme

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 www.h2leadership.com for more

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