Calm and Confident Leader Podcast

Hosted by Jason Stonehouse

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Lead with Clarity. Conquer Stress. Maximize Your Impact. The Calm & Confident Leader Podcast helps high-performing executives, professionals, and influencers shift from reactive & overwhelmed to intentional & unshakable. The real game-changers in leadership aren’t external, they’re internal: resilience, emotional mastery, & stress-proof leadership. Hosted by Coach, Strategist, and Author Jason Stonehouse, this podcast blends 30 years of leadership with a Master’s in Counseling to deliver real, practical, and sometimes humorous insights to help you lead with clarity, courage, and confidence.

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June 9, 2026Episode 941 min

S4-Episode 9-Winning at the Wrong Game?-Louis Markos

What if all your success still doesn't answer the deepest questions you're carrying?Most high-performing leaders know how to solve problems, hit goals, and keep moving forward. But beneath the surface, many wrestle with questions they rarely say out loud:What if I'm winning at the wrong game?What if success still doesn't satisfy?What happens when I can't control the outcome?In this thought-provoking episode of The Calm and Confident Leader Podcast, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with renowned author, professor, and C.S. Lewis scholar Louis Markos to explore the questions that sit underneath leadership, purpose, faith, suffering, identity, and meaning.Drawing from his new book, My Apologetics Dinner Party, Louis shares insights gained from years of hosting conversations with people from every worldview imaginable. Together, Jason and Louis discuss the relationship between confidence and authenticity, why purpose alone may not fully satisfy the human heart, how leaders can remain open without abandoning critical thinking, and what faith offers in the face of pain, loss, and uncertainty.Whether you're a committed Christian, a curious skeptic, or simply a leader wrestling with life's bigger questions, this conversation will challenge you to think more deeply about who you are, why you're here, and what ultimately gives life meaning.In this episode you'll discover:• Why confidence grows from authenticity, not performance• The connection between purpose, fulfillment, and faith• What C.S. Lewis taught about desire and the search for meaning• How leaders can engage difficult conversations with humility and conviction• Why suffering raises important questions about God, purpose, and human nature• What it truly means to follow Christ beyond cultural ChristianityResources Mentioned:My Apologetics Dinner Party by Louis MarkosConnect with Jason Stonehouse:https://jasonstonehouse.comIf this episode encouraged you, challenged your thinking, or helped you see leadership and life from a fresh perspective, please share it with someone who would 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, personal growth, and inside-out leadership transformation.

May 26, 2026Episode 836 min

S4-Episode 8-Character Before Competence-O Alan Noble

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.

May 19, 2026Episode 736 min

S4-Episode 7-Emotional Health in Leadership-Randy Lyman

What if the reason you still feel stuck isn’t your strategy, but the emotional patterns running underneath it?In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with entrepreneur, physicist, and emotional intelligence expert Randy Lyman for a powerful conversation about the hidden emotional dynamics that shape leadership, decision-making, and fulfillment.After building multiple eight-figure businesses and reaching financial success, Randy realized something surprising. He had achieved the goals, but still felt disconnected and unfulfilled. That discovery launched him into a deeper journey of emotional awareness, authenticity, and what he calls “The Third Element.”Together, Jason and Randy unpack why so many leaders suppress emotions in the name of strength, how unhealed emotional wounds quietly influence our reactions, and why emotional health is not weakness, but one of the greatest leadership advantages available.You’ll also hear practical insights on:• Recognizing emotional patterns before they sabotage relationships• The difference between reacting and responding• Why teams struggle with communication and decision-making• A simple four-step framework for making better decisions as a leader• How emotional awareness creates calmer, more confident leadership• Why vulnerability actually increases trust and influenceThis conversation is thoughtful, practical, and deeply relatable for leaders who have ever felt successful on the outside while quietly struggling on the inside.Learn more about Randy Lyman and his work at RandyLyman.comYou can also connect with host Jason Stonehouse and explore coaching resources at JasonStonehouse.comIf this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who could use it, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Calm and Confident Leader.

March 24, 2026Episode 625 min

S4-Episode 6-Working Together Enneagram-Joey Schewee

Why is this person so difficult to work with?You've asked it. Every leader has. And the answer probably isn't what you think.Most of us assume difficult people are just... difficult. Wrong personality. Bad fit. Too much drama. But what if the real problem is that you're trying to fix behavior when the actual issue is motivation? Those are two completely different problems, and they require two completely different solutions.In this episode, Jason Stonehouse sits down with Joey Schewee, management consultant, executive coach, and longtime Enneagram expert, to talk about what's actually driving the friction on your team. Joey has spent 30 years helping leaders get past surface-level personality typing and into the harder, more useful question: why do people do what they do? Her new book, When Working Together Doesn't Work, is essentially a field manual for leaders who are tired of the same team problems showing up in different people.In this conversation, Jason and Joey dig into why self-awareness has to come before team awareness, what it means to lead from your dominant center (doing, feeling, or thinking), why those high-action "motor" types rise quickly and sometimes crash hard, and the one practical thing you can do to stop reacting to behavior and start getting curious about motivation.If you lead people, this one is worth your time.Connect with Joey Schewee:LinkedIn: Joey ScheweeInstagram: @EnneagramParentsWebsite: wesolutions.lifeGet the book: When Working Together Doesn't Work by Joey Schewee, available on Amazon.If this episode added value, do two things: share it with a leader who needs it, and subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

March 10, 2026Episode 524 min

S4-Episode 5-Connecting Across Differences-James Borishade

What if the person on your team who frustrates you the most isn’t the problem… but the clue?In this episode of the Calm and Confident Leader Podcast, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Dr. James Borishade, author of Connecting Across Differences, to unpack why so many leaders struggle with conflict and communication, and what they might be missing.Dr. Borishade brings a fascinating perspective shaped by leading in high tension environments, serving as CEO of Circle Urban Ministries, becoming the first African American CEO in the challenge course and zip line industry, and helping organizations rethink how people work together. Together, Jason and James explore a powerful idea. What if the behaviors that irritate us in others are actually rooted in their story, their experiences, and even their unique design?In this conversation you’ll discover:• Why many relational struggles begin with the belief that something is wrong with us• The difference between God designed uniqueness and emotional immaturity• How trauma and personal stories shape workplace behavior• Why the silent tension in a team can be more dangerous than open conflict• Practical ways leaders can create environments where people feel safe enough to be honest• A powerful shift from employing people to deploying them into the roles where they thriveThis episode is packed with practical leadership wisdom about navigating differences, asking better questions, and building teams where diverse perspectives actually strengthen the organization instead of tearing it apart.Links mentioned in this episodeJason Stonehousehttps://jasonstonehouse.comDr. James Borishadehttps://borishade.comCircle Urban Ministrieshttps://circleurban.orgBook: Connecting Across Differences (available wherever books are sold, including Amazon)If this episode encouraged you or helped you think about leadership in a new way, share it with a friend or a colleague who could benefit from the conversation. And be sure to subscribe to the Calm and Confident Leader Podcast so you don’t miss any of the great content coming your way.

February 24, 202624 min

S4- Episode 4-Enough for Today-Donna Barber

Have you ever felt like you’re leading… while quietly wondering if you’re lost?What do you do when you’re not where you used to be, not yet where you thought you’d be, and the map feels a little blurry?In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, Jason Stonehouse sits down with writer, educator, and leadership developer Donna Barber, author of Enough for Today: 40 Reflections for Surviving the Wilderness. Together, they explore the leadership reality we don’t talk about enough, the wilderness seasons.Not the dramatic collapse.Not the highlight reel success.But the in-between.Donna shares what gets stripped away in the wilderness. The props. The image management. The illusion that leaders are somehow above the earthquake while everyone else feels the tremors. She offers a powerful reminder that leadership does not require superhuman strength. It requires honesty, humility, and the courage to admit we are in it too.You’ll hear them unpack:What wilderness seasons reveal about our fears, insecurities, and misplaced hopesHow to face fear instead of letting it quietly run the showWhy perception often fuels fear more than realityHow to rediscover God in ordinary moments, not just big spiritual eventsThe danger of victim thinking and the freedom that comes from owning your role in changeThis conversation moves from fog to responsibility, from fear to agency, and from waiting on change to becoming it.Because here’s the thing.You are not just surviving your season.You are being formed in it.Hosted by Jason Stonehouse, leadership coach and counselor, with guest Donna Barber, writer, educator, co-founder of The Voices Project, and author of Enough for Today.Resources mentioned: voices-project.orgdonnambarber.comjasonstonehouse.comIf this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader who might be navigating their own wilderness. And be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode of The Calm and Confident Leader.

February 10, 2026Episode 320 min

S4-Episode 3-Calm is Contagious- Susan Inouye

Ever walk into a meeting where everyone’s spiraling, and one calm voice changes everything? What if you could be that person?In this episode of The Calm and Confident Leader, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with transformational executive coach and founder of Sawubona Leadership, Susan Inouye, to talk about how presence, authenticity, and emotional clarity can become your biggest leadership advantages.With insights from coaching leaders in over 600 companies, Susan shares:Why most leaders get change wrong and how to fix itHow to uncover the natural gifts in your team without using a testThe underrated power of observing people with curiosityHow one leadership team doubled profits by simply putting the right people in the right seatsYou'll also hear why walking slowly outside might be the secret to becoming a better leader. Really.To grab a free chapter of Susan’s book, get access to her resources, or book a discovery call, visit:www.susaninouye.com/CCLHosted by Jason Stonehouse, this episode gives you simple, powerful ways to stay grounded while leading through uncertainty.If you found this helpful, share the episode with a friend and subscribe so you don’t miss the next one.

January 27, 2026Episode 237 min

S4-Episode 2-Lead-Don't React-Jimmy Burroughes

Ever feel like your whole job is just reacting to other people’s bad decisions with a smile? Like you’re less of a leader and more of a glorified problem sponge?In this episode, we’re flipping that script.Host Jason Stonehouse sits down with leadership expert and former British military officer Jimmy Burroughes, who’s led in combat zones and corporate chaos and somehow lived to write a book about it. Together, we unpack how leaders get stuck in the hamster wheel of hyper-responsiveness and more importantly, how to get off without everything catching fire.This one’s for the leaders who are tired of being everyone's backup plan.Jason and Jimmy dig deep into why so many leaders spend their days putting out fires instead of moving anything forward and what to do about it. You’ll learn:Why your constant availability might be the most expensive thing in your organizationHow to diagnose whether you’re dealing with a skill, will, or blind spot problem on your teamThe simple question that could save you hours of meeting time: “What do you suggest?”Why doing $20 tasks when you’re paid to solve $500 problems is killing your momentumPractical ways to cut through the noise, build trust, and lead with clarity even if your team isn’t “there” yetAnd yes, we talk about why most people are promoted into leadership roles without ever being taught how to lead. Being the best at the job doesn’t mean you’re the best at leading others doing the job.This episode will challenge your assumptions, simplify your strategy, and help you get your time, energy, and sanity back.Links from the episode:Jimmy’s website: www.jblhighperformance.comJimmy’s book: Beat Burnout Ignite PerformanceJason’s leadership tool: www.TotalPackagePlaybook.comMore from Jason: www.JasonStonehouse.comListen now. Share with a fellow leader. And make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.Because leadership is hard enough. You shouldn’t have to do it alone.

January 20, 2026Episode 138 min

S4-Episode 1-Trusted to Change - Kim Bohr

What if the biggest barrier to innovation in your organization isn't a lack of ideas but a lack of trust?Most leaders say they want change. They want innovation, creativity, teams that take initiative. But when someone actually steps up to try something new, the response is usually some version of "Wait, did you get approval for that?" We've created systems that demand permission slips for experimentation, and then we wonder why nothing actually changes.On this episode, host Jason Stonehouse interviews Kim Bohr, President and COO of SparkEffect, architect of the Trust Elasticity framework, and a leader with over 25 years of experience guiding organizations through leadership transitions, AI rollouts, and messy restructures. Kim helps executive teams lead through disruption without losing their people in the process, and she doesn't deal in theory or aspirational vision statements. She's all about what actually works when you're trying to shift culture, build trust, and create space for people to fail forward without getting crushed.Jason and Kim dig into why so many change initiatives collapse under their own weight, what it really takes to move from talking about innovation to actually doing it, and how leaders can stop micromanaging outcomes and start trusting their teams to figure things out. They explore the difference between building a culture of permission and building a culture of trust, why failure has to be safe before experimentation becomes possible, and how to lead change when you don't have all the answers yet.If you've ever felt stuck between wanting your team to take ownership and feeling terrified when they actually do, this conversation will challenge how you think about control, risk, and what it means to lead in the middle of uncertainty.Links mentioned in this episode:Connect with Kim Bohr: kimbohr.comhttps://sparkeffect.com/calmandconfident/Courage to Advance podcast webpage. If this episode challenged your thinking, share it with another leader who needs to hear it. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a conversation that helps you lead with clarity and confidence.

December 13, 2025Episode 3423 min

S3-Episode 33-Confident, Not Polished-Amos Balongo

What if the polished version of you is actually keeping you from real influence?In this powerful episode, host Jason Stonehouse sits down with Amos Balongo, global leadership coach and communication expert who's trained everyone from senior military commanders to Fortune 500 executives. Amos challenges one of the biggest lies in leadership culture: that you need to fake confidence until you make it.Amos breaks down why authenticity beats polish every single time, comparing "fake it till you make it" to building a house on eggshells. He reveals that the longest distance between two points is actually a shortcut, and that real communication power comes from genuinely believing in what you're saying. This isn't about sounding good, it's about being real.This conversation digs into why so many leaders know their stuff but still struggle to communicate clearly, the difference between confidence and performance, and why people can sense when you're not genuinely passionate about what you're talking about. Jason and Amos explore practical ways to communicate with authenticity, how to connect across generational divides in team meetings, and why asking better questions beats demanding confirmation every time.If you've ever walked into a meeting trying to sound confident but ended up winging it with PowerPoint slides and a prayer, this episode will help you find your real voice, the one people actually trust and remember.Links:Amos's website: amosbalongo.comJason's coaching resources: jasonstonehouse.comFree growth resource: totalpackageplaybook.comKnow a leader who needs to stop performing and start connecting? Share this episode with them, and subscribe to the Calm and Confident Leader podcast for conversations that cut through the noise.