Calm and Confident Leader Podcast

Why do smart, successful leaders keep repeating the same patterns even when they know exactly what to do?What if the problem isn't a lack of discipline, motivation, or another leadership framework? What if the real issue is the story you're telling yourself about who you are?In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, Jason Stonehouse sits down with Connie Kwan, a five-time Chief Product Officer, former product leader at Microsoft and Atlassian, and author of the upcoming book STORYHabits. Together, they explore how the stories we carry shape our identity, our leadership, and ultimately our habits.Connie shares practical examples of leaders who transformed their behavior not by trying harder, but by discovering the deeper values and beliefs driving their actions. You'll learn why generic advice often falls flat, how emotions can reveal the stories running beneath the surface, and a simple framework for rewriting the narratives that may be holding you back.If you've ever wondered why lasting change feels so difficult, this conversation may help you uncover what's really going on beneath the habits you're trying to change.Connect with Connie:storyhabitsbook.comConnect with Jason:jasonstonehouse.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a leader who could benefit from the conversation. Every share helps us equip more leaders to lead with greater calm, confidence, and intention.

What happens when your skills outgrow your character?In this episode of the Calm and Confident Leader podcast, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Dr. O. Alan Noble to explore why so many capable leaders eventually collapse under the weight of success, not because they lacked talent, but because their inner foundation was never strengthened to carry it.Together, Jason and Alan unpack the difference between competency and character, why modern culture rewards efficiency over integrity, and how leaders can rebuild the inner scaffolding needed to lead with wisdom, courage, temperance, and endurance. They discuss the dangers of image management, the pressure to always perform, the paralysis that comes from overthinking decisions, and why suffering is not always a sign that something has gone wrong.This conversation is thoughtful, honest, and deeply practical for leaders who are tired of chasing performance while neglecting the person behind the title. If you’ve ever felt exhausted trying to keep up appearances, uncertain about difficult decisions, or stretched thin by the constant demand for more, this episode will help you slow down and rethink what it actually means to live and lead well.Jason Stonehouse is joined by Dr. O. Alan Noble, associate professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, fellow at the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, and author of the new book To Live Well. Links mentioned in this episode:• Dr. Alan Noble: OAlanNoble.com• Jason Stonehouse: JasonStonehouse.com• Follow Dr. Alan Noble on Substack: Alan Noble on SubstackIf this episode encouraged you or challenged your thinking, share it with someone else who could benefit from the conversation. And be sure to subscribe to the Calm and Confident Leader podcast so you never miss an episode filled with practical wisdom, honest conversations, and tools to help you lead from the inside out.

Most leaders think their job is having all the answers. But what if the real power lies in asking the right questions?In this episode, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with JR Briggs, founder of Kairos Partnerships and author of The Art of Asking Better Questions, to explore why the best leaders might not be the ones with all the solutions. JR has spent over a decade coaching everyone from business owners to college presidents to Black Hawk helicopter operators, and he's discovered something that could flip your entire approach to leadership.JR reveals there are four levels of questions, and most of us are stuck at level one. He explains why humility, curiosity, and courage are essential to asking better questions, and how moving from "answer person" to "question asker" can transform your team's trust, creativity, and ownership. You'll discover why questions create connection in ways answers simply can't, and learn one practical thing you can start doing today to become a better question asker.Jason and JR also flip the script mid-episode, with JR coaching Jason live on the podcast, demonstrating exactly how powerful questions unlock deeper insights and genuine connection.If you've ever wondered why your team isn't being more honest with you or how you could lead with more influence, this conversation is for you.Links:JR's website: jrbriggs.comKairos Partnerships: kairospartnerships.orgJason's coaching resources: jasonstonehouse.comFree growth resource: totalpackageplaybook.comLove this episode? Share it with a leader who needs to hear it, and subscribe to the Calm and Confident Leader podcast so you never miss an episode.

What if the most productive thing you could do today is slow down?Most leaders are running on empty, convinced that busier equals better. But what if that equation is completely backwards? What if your anxiety isn't the fuel driving your success...it's actually burning you out?In this episode, Jason Stonehouse sits down with Alan Fadling, founder of Unhurried Living and author of An Unhurried Leader and A Non-Anxious Life, to explore a counterintuitive truth: the most influential leaders aren't the ones moving fastest. Alan helps leaders around the world rest deeper, live fuller, and lead better, and he's about to challenge everything you thought you knew about productivity.We dig into the difference between making a splash and bearing fruit that lasts, why busy people might actually be lazy, and how to lead from overflow instead of deficit. Alan shares the squirrel-on-a-bike-trail analogy that perfectly captures how anxiety hijacks our leadership, practical strategies for creating space to think and reflect, and why having time for people is your greatest point of influence.This conversation is for every leader who's tired of the treadmill, who wants to stop managing their image and start leading from a place of peace.Resources mentioned:UnhurriedLiving.com - Alan's website with weekly podcasts, articles, and resourcesJasonStonehouse.com - Free leadership resources, blog, and coaching infoIf this episode resonated with you, subscribe to the Calm and Confident Leader podcast, share it with another leader who needs to hear this, and leave us a like. Leadership starts from the inside out...let's do this journey together.

Ever wonder why your best employee just handed in their two weeks notice without warning, while that person who drives everyone crazy is still hanging around?Join host Jason Stonehouse and management expert Nick Agnoli as they tackle the real-world challenge every leader faces: keeping your top 10% performing at their peak while dealing with that 80% who do just enough to get by.This isn't your typical leadership fluff. Nick breaks down why high performers often get ignored (spoiler: they're not on autopilot), reveals the hidden danger of rewarding great work with more work, and shares practical, non-monetary ways to keep your stars engaged when raises aren't an option. Plus, discover how to handle that team member who technically does their job but makes everyone else brace for impact.You'll walk away with specific questions to ask in one-on-ones, strategies for creating advancement without building an exclusive inner circle, and Nick's game-changing concept of "negative work" that every manager needs to understand.Ready to transform how you manage your team? Share this episode with other leaders who need these insights and hit subscribe so you don't miss the practical leadership wisdom coming your way.

Ever feel like you're managing spreadsheets instead of people?In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Chris Hallberg, ranked #9 on Inc. Magazine’s Top 50 Leadership & Management Experts (just ahead of Simon Sinek) and a coach who’s helped over 100 teams win “Best Places to Work” honors.Chris brings the heat with battle-tested wisdom, zero fluff, and the kind of candor leaders actually crave. From breaking the cycle of “ghost accountability” to handling breakdowns without blame, this episode is packed with practical tools for leaders who want results without losing their people or themselves.If you're tired of leadership theory that only works in a vacuum, this one’s for you.Mentioned in the episode:bizsgt.com - Chris’s leadership coaching and consultinggoexpand.com - Free trial of his AI-powered leadership platformtotalpackageplaybook.com - A free tool for leading from the inside outjasonstonehouse.com - Coaching, resources, and connection with JasonIf this episode helped you lead a little better, share it with someone who needs it and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.

Ever catch yourself being one person in the boardroom and someone completely different at home? You're not alone, and it's slowly killing your leadership.In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Jason Jensen, Vice President of Spiritual Foundations for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and author of the new book "Formed to Lead," to tackle the dangerous split many leaders experience between their public persona and private reality.Jensen reveals why the pressure to perform creates two different people, the early warning signs that you're living divided, and practical steps to bring your being, becoming, and calling back into alignment. This isn't about becoming perfect. It's about becoming whole.You'll discover why tender humility and bold faith actually need each other, how to ask the scary questions that unlock growth, and when it might be time to get some professional help for your inner world.If you've ever felt like you're wearing a mask in leadership or wondered what would happen if people really knew the real you, this conversation will show you a better way forward.Resources mentioned:"Formed to Lead" by Jason JensenTotal Package Playbook: totalpackageplaybook.comFound this helpful? Share it with another leader who needs to hear this, hit that like button, and subscribe for more conversations that go beneath the surface of leadership.

Are you accidentally training yourself to be fragile?We live in a world designed for comfort and predictability, but retired Navy SEAL Commander Rich Diviney says this culture of convenience is creating a hidden vulnerability. We're losing our ability to handle uncertainty. In this episode, host Jason Stonehouse explores why your comfort zone might be your biggest weakness and how to turn uncertainty from your enemy into your advantage.Rich Diviney is a retired Navy SEAL Commander and bestselling author who spent over 20 years in the military completing 13 overseas deployments. He was in charge of SEAL selection and training, created the first-ever MIND Gym to help special operators perform under extreme stress, and has since worked with organizations like American Airlines, the San Francisco 49ers, and Deloitte on leadership and performance.You'll discover the difference between peak performance and optimal performance, why anxiety is always fiction, and Rich's powerful "moving horizons" technique that Navy SEALs use to maintain control in chaotic environments. Plus, learn the simple question framework that can help you regain control when everything feels uncertain: "What do I know? What can I control?"Links mentioned:Rise Ready Course: lifeinprocess.com/risereadyRich's website: theattributes.comRich's book: "The Masters of Uncertainty"Instagram: @rich_divineyLinkedIn: Rich DivineyIf this episode helped you see uncertainty differently, hit subscribe, share it with a leader who needs to hear this, and leave us a like. Remember, leadership starts from the inside out.