Right-side Up Leadership Podcast

Change means disorientation.  Whether it feels like "good" change or "bad" change, it will always bring a degree of fear, loss and the need to reorient yourself and your team. When we talk about change we often talk about managing it, but in this episode, Alan and David talk about practical ways to lead through change. Alan and David recap the recent changes in their lives and the excitement and fears that come along with that. They also unpack several practical steps you can take to lead through the change in your life.  If you or your organization are walking through a season of change and you need some help reorienting, consider reaching out to us to explore coaching or consulting. Stay Forth Designs has a team of coaches and consultants who thrive in bringing clarity and next steps during seasons of change.  Explore Coaching & Consulting What is coaching? - www.stayforth.com/coaching Meet our team! - www.stayforth.com/team

Sometimes God uses pain and tragedy to clarify calling.   In this episode, Alan has a conversation with Jake Skifstad about Shield 616. As a police officer and S.W.A.T. team member in Colorado Springs, Jake experienced two horrific active shooter events. In these moments, Jake realized two things. First, that law enforcement needs upgraded equipment to handle the kind of rifles being used in some of these shootings. Second, these officers who are laying their lives on the line need the hope of Jesus.  Jake shares both stories, which made national news, and how they birthed the vision of Shield 616, which bridges the gap between law enforcement and local churches. Through Shield 616 churches can partner to buy, active shooter protection kits and pray for, encourage and support the police officers in their own community.  Jake has seen so much fruit through this non-profit and Shield 616 was even featured during the 2019 NFL Super Bowl. Connect with Jake and Shield 616 www.shield616.org Super Bowl commerc

Do others need to fail so you can succeed? I think most of us would instinctively say "no, of course not!" But do we live like it is true? Do we want our "competitors" to succeed? Maybe a little, but lets not get carried away.  In leadership, a common trap that we can fall into is a scarcity mindset, where we fear there is only so much resources and market share to go around. This even bleeds over into church/kingdom work as we think others need to go backwards for us to go forward.  In this episode, Alan has a conversation with author Chris Horst about collaborating for the sake of greater impact. Chris works for Hope International and he and his co-author noticed the tendency for organizations and leaders to isolate and compete. Chris went on a journey to explore the challenges and benefits of working together for greater impact and he shares the beauty and real stories of organizations around the world learning that we are better together.  More about Chris www.chris-horst.com Follow Chris @ChrisHorst

Pain and heartbreak can often be an opportunity for impact. Obviously, we never go looking for pain but God has a knack for taking our brokeness and redeeming it with purpose. In today's episode, Alan has a conversation with Ben and Laura Harrison. Ben and Laura have an amazing story and purpose that was birthed out of their son's eye condition. Their son Jonas we born with an eye condition which required specialized eyewear to even have limited sight. As they went this journey, Ben and Laura realized a need for children's eyewear and out of that need they created their company "Jonas Paul Eyewear" where they create beautiful eyewear for kids and teens. Because of their experience they built their business on a model of "buy sight, give sight." With each eyewear purchase Jonas Paul Eyewear makes a donation to help kids all around the world deal with preventable eye disease.  Find Out More www.jonaspauleyewear.com

How do you lead through a difficult conversation? How do you lead when a topic is deeply personal and polarized?  There are few topics more polarizing than sexuality in our culture. New conversations have surfaced and people are waiting and watching to see how the church will respond.  In this episode, Alan has a conversation with pastor and author Bruce Miller about navigating and leading in a era of sexual questioning. Bruce offers encouragement and challenge to church leaders to face their own broken sexuality and to educate themselves on the issues that their people are wrestling with.  While this episode may bring up all sorts of emotions and questions, we pray that it ultimately brings freedom, healing and redemption to this area of your life and leadership.  Connect with Bruce www.brucemiller.com @Bruce_B_Miller Read his book "Leading the Church in a Time of Sexual Questioning"

In a special episode, Alan read's his eBook "Right-Side Up Leader."  This concept of healthy leadership is the motivation and foundation for the Right-Side Up Leadership Podcast. Alan did not set out to write this message, but through his own experience and working alongside countless leaders this message of health over impact bubbled to the surface. We are passionate about this message of health, longevity and impact because we truly believe it is possible to lead and preserve your soul in the process.  Want More? Download the Right-Side Up Leader eBook at www.stayforth.com/guides If you want to explore these principles more deeply, and implement them in your life, consider reaching out to our coaches for some one-on-one coaching to help you get healthy in your life and leadership.  Learn more about our coaching at www.stayforth.com/coaching

What happens when the lines between work and home become fuzzy? In this episode, we sit down with two couples who are in the trenches of small business risks, and side hustles. Our conversation is all about business and marriage and how you navigate the very real challenges, wins and losses of starting a business together.  First, Alan and Juile talk with Travis and Niki Fields who own FH Beerworks in Colorado Springs, CO. They opened their doors in 2014 but recently added a second location which was/is a massive financial and logistical undertaking. They discuss the challenges of balancing work and family life, and also the strength that comes from the different gifts they both bring to the table. Second, Alan and David sit down with Josh and Alli Hunter, who run Banner Wake Designs from their home in Colorado Springs. Alli and Josh started BWD while Josh was working full-time at a church and right before their 5th child was born. Translation, "free-time" was in short supply. Their why behind their "side-

What would your church or non-profit look like if the gifts and leadership of women were untapped and maximized?  In this episode, leader and author Kadi Cole has a conversation with Alan about how church leaders can intentionally develop the women leaders around them. Kadi unpacks the often controversial topic of woman and leadership in the church from a posture of challenge but not condemnation. Kadi challenges assumptions and bad habits in order to help leaders tap into the God-given potential of women in the local church. Regardless of denominational stance, or personal theological conviction, Kadi offers practical wisdom in how ministry leaders can empower and develop the women around them.  Connect with Kadi Facebook Twitter Instagram www.kadicole.com Read "Developing Female Leaders"   

What sets you apart? What are you uniquely positioned to do that others can't?  In this podcast, Alan has a conversation with Jesse Cole about finding the thing that sets you apart. Jesse is uniquely talented at creating a scene of fun, curiosity and wonder. He encourages you to "find your yellow tux", the thing in your life, leadership and business that helps you stand out. He and Alan talk baseball, business, leadership, marketing and self-care. However, with Jesse, it's clear that it all comes down to people and creating as much value as you can for others.  Connect with Jesse www.findyouryellowtux.com twitter/YellowTuxJesse Read "Find Your Yellow Tux" 

If someone asked you, "Are you a writer?" What would you say? Yes? No? Maybe?  In this episode, Alan and David talk about the barriers, paradigm shifts, and practices that come with consistently writing.  Whether you are a confident writer, a hesitant beginner or a curious onlooker we hope this episode gives you some insight and tips into what it means to dive into the habit and craft of writing.  Want more?  Check out both of Alan's "Busy Bum Guide to Writing..."                   at www.stayforth.com/guides

You don't have to spend much time on the internet to know we live in a polarizing time. While we are connected more than ever through technology, things can feel incredibly divided.  In this episode, Alan has a conversation with pastor and author Dan White. Dan discusses his book "Love Over Fear" and shares the beauty and power when we choose to love in the midst of division. Our common response to people outside of our tribe is to retreat or to fight, but Dan reminds us of a third way, love. You'll hear stories from his neighborhood, some psychology behind arguing on the internet and some practical tips to stay healthy.  Connect with Dan www.loveoverfearproject.com Pick up "Love Over Fear" @danwhitejr

Writing can be a daunting task. You may have a profound idea, or story that you're passionate about, but what does it take to go from your head to a book? That gap can paralyze us from exploring an idea. In this episode, Alan sits down with Alex Field to talk about writing, publishing and ultimately what it takes to write a book. This conversation demystifies the process of writing as Alex let's you behind the curtain into the publishing process.  Alex and Alan talk about the long-term commitment, hustling and grind that comes from, not only writing, but then sharing that book with the world. While writing a book is still a massive undertaking, we hope this conversation gives you a framework if you are considering taking the next step in your writing journey.  Connect with Alex www.thebinderyagency.com   Check Out These Writing Resources www.stayforth.com/guides

We love coffee and more often than not we are drinking a fine cup during each episode.  In today's episode, we host a conversation with friends that either manage or own a coffee shop/roaster. Even though these guys make nationally recognized coffee, it became obvious that coffee isn't their main priority - It's people.  Coffee has become a conduit for relationships and coffee shops have become a thriving "third space" for people to meet outside of home and work. We talk about developing a team, creating a culture of hospitality and avoiding burnout.  Whether you are into coffee or not, there is a ton to learn from these industry leaders as they teach us how to cultivate meaningful community in our cities.  Check out their Coffee!  www.loyalcoffee.co www.peakplace.com & www.holdfastcoffeeco.com www.switchbackroasters.com

Rest is a consistent theme on this podcast and today we discuss a distinct concept of rest, called sabbatical.  Sabbatical is an extended break from your work. Generally, your church, school or organization gifts you with this extended time away after a certain amount of years of service. We've seen that leaders can struggle enough with a weekly day of rest, so when they are given several weeks of "nothingness" it can seem daunting, aimless and disorienting.  In today's episode, David and Alan talk about their experiences with the topic of sabbatical and discuss some tips and things to keep in mind as you prepare for sabbatical. As Alan says, sabbatical will likely "wreck you" in so many different ways. It is a disorienting but in can be the environment to help us find deep clarity and peace in our calling, identity and path forward as we come back to our work refreshed.  If you are about to take a sabbatical or are currently in one, we'd love to hear what you're thinking or how its going.  Reach out to u

We're passionate about people finding health in their lives. One of the most powerful ways we've experienced this is through coaching. In this episode, Alan and David sit down to talk about coaching. They unpack what coaching is and what coaching isn't and ultimately why it is crucial to what we do at Stay Forth Designs.  Want to explore more?  Check out our coaching page at www.stayforth.com/coaching And explore our team of coaches at www.stayforth.com/team

We talk a ton about personal health, but what about team health?  In this episode, Lance Witt comes back on the podcast to talk with Alan about healthy teams. Lance believes that a healthy team will be a high impact team. The conversation is centered around practical ways to cultivate a healthy team environment. Alan and Lance cover topics like developing the people around you and even best practices in leading the toughest person on your team...yourself.  We want to encourage you to find the thing(s) within this podcast to not only wrestle with but take back to your team, in order to pursue greater health and impact.  Connect with Lance www.replenish.net Pick up Lance's book, "High Impact Teams"   

There are moments in life that feel like "a leap." And more specifically a leap without full knowledge of where you'll land.  Maybe you can relate with a moment like this, or maybe you are creeping toward the edge of a moment like this and it's both terrifying and exciting.  In this episode, David and Alan sit down to discuss Alan's recent and BIG decision to jump head-first into "Stay Forth Designs" full-time. Up until recently, Stay Forth had been a substantial "side hustle" for Alan and his wife Julie, where they pour into leaders through training, coaching, consulting and making content. At the beginning of this summer they discerned that Alan would take the leap into doing it all "full-time."  Alan unpacks his heart for helping leaders find health and all of the fear and excitement that came from this decision. We hope that this conversation gives you insight and encouragement as you discern and make big decisions in your life.  Find out more about Stay Forth Designs and what we do at www.stayforth

Does anxiety get in the way of your leadership?  I think most of us would answer yes, in some shape or form. The very nature of leadership is fertile ground for anxiety to spring up in our lives.  In this episode, Alan has a conversation with pastor and author, Steve Cuss. Through Steve's early experience as a hospital chaplain and years of pastoral ministry, anxiety has been a consistent presence within leadership.  Steve talks about practical ways of acknowledging our anxiety, through physical cues in our bodies. He gives insight into some of our deeper sources of anxiety in leadership, like identity and performance. And ultimately Steve offers hope through practical ways of addressing the very real anxiety that exists in our lives.  We encourage you to listen to this one with your friends, team or spouse as a way to unpack and name this reality in your life. Find Steve's book "Managing Leadership Anxiety" below. It is such a crucial read for any leader.  Connect with Steve www.stevecusswords.com @s

Does your leadership diminish those around you, or does it multiply their intelligence, capacity and effectiveness.  In this episode, Alan has a conversation with researcher, author, speaker and advisor, Liz Wiseman about her book, "Multipliers." In it she unpacks the crucial differences and practices of a "diminisher" and a "multiplier." A diminisher knowingly or unknowingly, stifles the creativity, potential and intelligence of those they lead. Whereas, a multiplier draws that out of those they lead. This conversation is crucial for anyone wanting to help their team thrive in their roles and gifting.  Connect with Liz www.thewisemangroup.com linkedin Pick up Multipliers on Here

Marriage isn't always easy, but it can be legendary.  In this Episode, Alan & Julie sit down with Justin & Danielle Williams to talk about health and marriage. The Williams share the ups and downs of their lives and what its like to work so closely together. They unpack practical habits and tips that help each of them bring their best selves to the relationship. They bring insight, wisdom and a lot of laughter to the podcast.  Follow along at: www.legendarymarriage.com The Legendary Marriage Podcast Facebook