It's no secret we live in a divided world, especially in the U.S. But disagreeing over issues and how best to solve the crucibles we face in our world and communities does not mean those who think differently than us are the enemy or evil. BEYOND THE CRUCIBLE host and Crucible Leadership founder Warwick Fairfax explains the danger in demonizing "the other side” from the comfort of our own echo chambers, and the breakthroughs that can occur if we refuse to judge and commit to listen to and understand the views of those with whom we disagree. Seeking unity, he explains, creates opportunities and growth in our pursuit of lives of significance.

 

To learn more about Crucible Leadership, visit www.crucibleleadership.com

Ruza Markovic had dreamt of and studied for a career in journalism -- when war intervened to change the trajectory of her life.  While her family had emigrated to the U.S. from their native Yugoslavia when she was just 4, Markovic didn't think twice when she was asked to return to her homeland in the early '90s as a communications liaison to the teetering government while political unrest and then war-ravaged the Balkans. What she saw and experienced, she says, laid barren her faith in country, politics, the media, and herself.  Those trials and traumas, though, did not sap her spirit. They steeled her resolve to live her life in service to others -- in part as an advocate for the liberating power of education.   To learn more about Ruza Markovic, visit www.proonemedia.com   To learn more about Crucible Leadership, visit www.CrucibleLeadership.com

Leadership is not, in Daniel Harkavy's eyes, a complex equation. Its essential elements are the decisions you make and the influence you cultivate. But putting that into practice, especially after a crucible, can certainly be challenging. In his new book, THE 7 PERSPECTIVES OF EFFECTIVE LEADERS, the president of Building Champions unpacks the mindset shifts that remove the either/or restrictions many leaders feel while simultaneously pursuing success and significance. From understanding current reality to crafting a vision rooted in your passions and putting together a team to bring that vision to reality, Harkavy offers a blueprint for pursuing your personal and professional goals with purpose and excellence.    For more information on Daniel Haravy and Building Champions, visit www.buildingchampions.com   To learn more about Crucible Leadership, visit www.crucibleleadership.com

In this special 50th episode of BEYOND THE CRUCIBLE, host Warwick Fairfax and co-host Gary Schneeberger take a look back at some of the most powerful guests who have shared the trials and triumphs of not just surviving their crucible experiences but moving beyond them to lead lives of significance. You'll meet inspiring men and women from all walks of life who have overcome physical, emotional, and professional setbacks, failures, and tragedies to live lives on purpose, rooted in their passions and talents. From the Hollywood actor/writer/director whose first film flopped so badly it was almost his last to the young woman selling her gourmet cookies out of her driveway, from the motivational speaker who grabbed the brass ring only to realize it was lead to the former NFL quarterback who couldn't live up to the MVP career of his father but has carved out a post-football calling that helps marriages and families, you'll find hope and healing in these conversations filled with wisdom and vulnerability.   To hear any of the full episodes referenced on the show, visit www.crucibleleadership.com

It's the most wonderful time of the year, right? Except it doesn't always feel that way. The holidays can bring on some serious emotional crucibles -- from tensions among family members, sadness over those who are no longer with us, even struggling to overcome our disappointment in decisions made by loved ones. That's what BEYOND THE CRUCIBLE host and Crucible Leadership founder Warwick Fairfax  faced after a long-ago picture of his late father gave rise to emotions he wasn't expecting.  How did he move beyond those feelings? As he discusses in this episode, he focused on the blessings of the present and the opportunities of the future. 

She set out on a quest to become the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica. But 72 days in, when a horrific storm with waves as high as a two-story building caused her mast to topple and nearly sank her boat, Lisa Blair's journey changed from setting a record to staying alive. In the hours that followed, she called on her months of preparation, all the courage she could muster, and her indefatigable spirit to steady her craft -- then broke off pursuit of the record to head to port in Cape Town, South Africa, for repairs. But she refused to let the myriad and monumental crucibles she'd endured derail her dream. She launched a second run at the record books that secured her a place in nautical history.          To learn more about Lisa Blair and her book, Facing Fear, visit www.lisablairsailstheworld.com   To learn more about Crucible Leadership, visit www.CrucibleLeadership.com

She's known internationally as the first woman to sail solo around Antartica, a celebrated explorer who fought through unimaginable trials en route to setting her world record. But before she ever stepped foot off dry land, Lisa Blair was a shy, reserved Australian girl bullied at school. She headed off to university determined to shed the mask she wore in high school, and later learned the importance of viewing failure not as falling short, but not trying at all. She found her life's calling when a sailing journey with a friend led her to fall in love with the sea ... and the beauty and adventure it offers.   To learn more about Lisa Blair and her book, Facing Fear, visit www.lisablairsailstheworld.com   To learn more about Crucible Leadership, visit www.CrucibleLeadership.com

In more than 20 years of playing football, as an amateur and in the NFL, Jeff Kemp was only once earmarked as his team's starting quarterback before the season began. His career never did match that of his legendary dad, AFL standout Jack Kemp -- whose shadow loomed even larger thanks to a distinguished career in politics and public service after he retired from the game. But while Jeff got knocked down a few times, he always got back up. He learned his life had a greater purpose than just achieving, and he's crafted a post-gridiron career helping others huddle up to build stronger marriages, more faith-filled lives, and deeper relationships at home and at the office.     For more information about Jeff Kemp and his book, Facing the Blitz: Three Strategies for Turning Trials into Triumphs, visit www.jeffkempteam.com   To learn more about Crucible Leadership, visit www.CrucibleLeadership.com   NOTE: The photographs mentioned in the episode are available to view on the Crucible Leadership Facebook blog page: www.crucibleleadership.com/blog/

Life, Dom Brightmon freely admits, can be crappy sometimes. But each of us has the power to flip the switch to "happy" -- the key is to view our crucible experiences as crystal experiences. Through books (like CRAPPY TO HAPPY), public speaking, and working with men and women going through setbacks and failures, Brightmon (a member of the John Maxwell-certified leadership team) is both a teacher and practitioner of the truth that when you advance others, you advance yourself.

 

To learn more about Dom Brightmon, visit www.DomBrightmon.com   To learn more about Crucible Leadership, visit www.CrucibleLeadership.com 

Moving beyond your crucible is hard work, even harder when the circumstances that knocked you off your feet seem to linger forever. How do you get going again when it feels like your crucible is a bottomless pit, a black hole? Crucible Leadership founder and BEYOND THE CRUCIBLE host Warwick Fairfax lays down a roadmap for getting back on track toward a life of significance. "It's not an easy cycle to break when you're at the bottom of your crucible," he says. But it can be done ... if you embrace the power of one small step.

To learn more about Crucible Leadership, and to take the Life of Significance Assessment to help you take your first small step, visit www.crucibleleadership.com