RelationShifts

Hosted by Larry Little

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115

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Leadership has become a buzzword. In this podcast, Dr. Larry Little skips the over-used cliches and industry jargon about leadership and digs deep into the moments when real people have been faced with hard decisions about what kind of leader they want to be. Leadership doesn’t happen in the vacuum of an office or boardroom, but in the moments when we strive and fail and try again to show up for our team, our friends, our families, and ourselves. This series will feature personal interviews with leaders from all walks of life, and give you insight into how they showed up in the moments that made them who they are today- the moments when they chose to cross the line.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 15, 2026

Dad Fully Loaded

Father's Day is a great reminder that being a dad isn't about being perfect; it's about being present. A father's influence reaches far beyond what he may realize. The conversations, encouragement, life lessons, and everyday moments leave a lasting impact on his children long after they grow up.Dads also bring something unique to the family. They often provide the fun, adventure, and yes, sometimes a little embarrassment along the way! Whether it's bad jokes, goofy stories, or creating memorable family moments, dads have a special way of making life a little more interesting.One thing I've learned is that dads show love differently. Some encourage with words, others through acts of service, quality time, or simply being there when it matters most. The style doesn't matter nearly as much as the effort. Children don't need a perfect dad; they need one who is engaged and intentional.This Father's Day, celebrate the dads who keep showing up. And be sure to check out our special Father's Day Relationshifts Podcast episode, packed with fun stories and a few practical ideas for dads.Listen on Apple | Listen on Spotify | Watch on YouTubeWhen we shift from being on the sidelines to being engaged as dads, it will make a difference.LarryHappy Father’s Day to my 86-year-old Pops, who still knows how to have fun!

June 2, 2026

Replace the Habits that Hurt Relationships

Most relationships don’t sour because of one big moment. They slowly drift because of patterns that never change.A sarcastic comment here. A lack of appreciation there. Avoiding hard conversations. Interrupting. Assuming the worst. Being distracted when someone is trying to connect.Over time, these repeated habits create repeated outcomes.The good news? The same principle works in reverse. Healthy relationships are built through healthy habits practiced consistently over time.If there is a habit that is hurting one of your relationships, consider these four steps:See It. Self-awareness is the starting point for change. You can’t change what you refuse to acknowledge.Ask yourself:"What am I doing consistently that may be creating distance instead of connection?"Decide. Every habit has a cost. When we choose to keep an unhealthy pattern, we are also choosing the consequences that come with it.Ask yourself if the habit is worth what it is costing you.Replace It. Don’t just remove a habit—replace it.If you want to stop criticizing, replace it with encouragement.If you want to stop interrupting, replace it with listening.If you want to stop assuming, replace it with asking questions.The goal isn’t simply to stop a behavior. The goal is to replace it with one that strengthens the relationship.Invite Others In. Change happens faster with accountability. The people who care about us often see our blind spots more clearly than we do.Ask someone you trust:"Would you help me notice when I slip back into this habit?"A healthier relationship rarely requires a completely different person. More often, it requires a different pattern.Be sure to check out this week’s episode of the Relationshifts podcast, where we wrap up our Crossing Generational Lines series. We discuss why what we often call a generational gap is really a relational gap—and how stronger relationships begin when we recognize and replace the habits that create distance.When you shift from habits that hurt to behaviors that help, it will make a difference.Larry

May 26, 2026

When Generations Collide

Different generations often see the world through very different lenses. This conversation explores how misinterpretation, assumptions, and communication styles fuel conflict—and how respect, listening, and curiosity can bridge the gap.

May 19, 2026

LEARNing to Connect

Connection across generations doesn’t happen by accident. In this conversation, we unpack the LEARN framework and explore practical ways to build trust, understanding, and meaningful relationships with people who think and communicate differently than we do.

May 12, 2026

Generational Myths

Have you ever noticed that the people we struggle to understand the most are often the very people we need most in our lives?That’s why I’m excited to announce the release of my new book, Crossing Generational Lines.This book was written to challenge the myth that people from different generations can’t truly connect. In today’s world, too many relationships are divided by age, assumptions, communication styles, technology, and misunderstanding. But the truth is this: we can build meaningful, impactful relationships across generational lines when we are willing to learn, listen, and grow together.In Crossing Generational Lines, I introduce practical and clear ways to connect through the LEARN Framework. It’s a simple but powerful approach designed to help individuals, families, leaders, teams, churches, and organizations bridge the gap between generations and build stronger relationships grounded in understanding and respect.Whether you’re trying to connect with your children, parents, coworkers, employees, mentors, or younger leaders, this book offers practical tools to help you move from frustration and division to influence and connection.You can find Crossing Generational Lines now on Amazon or through the Eagle Center for Leadership website. And good news—the Audible version will be available soon!Also, be sure to check out the latest RelationShifts podcast episode, where we dive deeper into the ideas, principles, and practical applications found throughout the book.When we shift from thinking, “I can’t connect because they are different,” to “We can learn and grow together,” it will make a difference.www.eaglecenterforleadership.com/test

May 5, 2026

The Truth About Moms

Take the Little Personality Profile: www.eaglecenterforleadership.com/testMother’s Day is a time to remember the women who helped shape our lives. Some moms were steady encouragers. Some were strong protectors. Some showed love through sacrifice, hard work, laughter, meals around the table, handwritten notes, or simply by showing up day after day when life was difficult. No mother is perfect, but the impact of a mother’s love often reaches farther than words can explain.For some, Mother’s Day carries a quiet ache. Many of us miss moms who are no longer with us, yet their fingerprints remain on our values, our memories, and even in the way we now love others. Their influence continues to live on in our hearts. This week is a reminder to honor those memories and to recognize the lasting difference mothers make.If your mother is no longer here, consider encouraging another mom — whether it’s a grandmother, a single mom, a foster or adoptive mom, or someone simply carrying the responsibility of caring for others. A little encouragement can go a long way.This week on the Relationshifts podcast, Larry and Melissa share a fun and meaningful conversation about the many ways moms express love through their different personality styles. It’s filled with laughter, insight, and moments that may remind you of your own family gatherings around the kitchen table.In this episode, they talk about shifting from:Misreading personality to understanding personalityIrritation to curiosityConflict to balanceTaking moms for granted to acknowledging their loveWe hope you’ll listen, laugh, and maybe even gain a fresh appreciation for the unique ways moms show love.When we choose to shift from taking moms for granted to honoring the impact they make in our lives, it will make a difference.Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.Larry

April 14, 2026

Don’t Avoid These Conversations

www.eaglecenterforleadership.com/testThere are conversations we all know we need to have… but somehow keep putting off. Maybe it’s finally saying what’s been bothering you. Maybe it’s clearing the air, setting a boundary, or stepping into a difficult conversation.What if the very conversations we resist are the ones that unlock connection, trust, and clarity?Consider these shifts:From hinting to naming what’s realFrom blame to ownership of your partFrom all-or-nothing thinking to ongoing dialogueFrom withdrawing to leaning in with courageThese aren’t easy shifts, but they are powerful ones.Take a minute to check out our newest episode of the Relationshifts podcast, where we explore why we avoid these conversations and how that avoidance quietly shapes the health of our relationships.If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “I wish I had said that differently,” or “I wish I had said something at all,” this episode is for you. It’s practical, honest, and designed to help you step into conversations that actually move relationships forward.Take one step toward the conversation you’ve been avoiding. Because when we choose to shift from avoiding to engaging, it will make a difference.Larry

March 24, 2026

How Personalities Protect Themselves: People-Loving Parrots

www.eaglecenterforleadership.com/testMarch Madness is officially underway, and my bracket has already taken several hits. Fun fact: no one has ever completed a perfect March Madness bracket. The odds are so extreme (far worse than being struck by lightning) that it’s considered nearly impossible.We do know that playing good defense helps teams win. And the same is true in relationships. But when we overuse our defensive skills, we can unintentionally damage the relationships that matter most.This week, we’re focusing on the People Loving Parrot.Parrots bring energy, joy, connection, and life into every room. They have a natural gift for lifting others up and making relationships feel warm and engaging. But when a Parrot overuses their defensive tendencies, they can push people away and miss opportunities for deeper, more meaningful connection. Learning to adjust their responses can be a powerful shift.Here are a few key shifts for Parrots to consider:From Comic Relief to Emotional Relief. Let others see what’s really going on beneath the smile.From Avoiding Disappointment to Allowing It. Recognize that disappointment isn’t the end of connection—it’s often where growth begins.From Filling Silence to Feeling It. Not every quiet moment needs to be managed.From Attention-Seeking to Attachment-Building. Lasting connection isn’t built by being the most noticed person in the room, but by being fully present and emotionally available.Take a minute to listen to our Relationshifts podcast, where we explore each of these shifts in a practical and meaningful way.The best kind of defense is the kind that no longer keeps people out. When the People Loving Parrot shifts from protecting through performance to connecting through presence, it will make a difference.Larry

March 17, 2026

How Personalities Protect Themselves: Competent Camels

Strong analytical thinkers bring clarity and stability—but when those strengths turn into over-analysis, correction, or over-explaining, connection can suffer. In this episode, we explore how the “Camel” personality can shift from defensive habits to relational impact by using their strengths in more intentional, connecting ways.www.eaglecenterforleadership.com/test

March 10, 2026