Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Dr. Ed Brenegar on Leaders LIVING Their Values
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Dr. Ed Brenegar on Leaders LIVING Their Values
What would change if you stopped complying with everyone else’s expectations and started living by your own values? And what happens when someone finally says, “I see you”?
In this thought-provoking conversation, Mitchell Levy sits down with Ed Brenegar—leadership thinker, author of Circle of Impact, podcast host, social catalyst, and father—to explore what it means to live your values, unlock others' potential, and take personal initiative in a world that rewards compliance.
Ed shares why every person he knows is operating below their potential, how he uses his podcast to recognize and affirm people who have never been seen as “someone special,” and why he says no to things because his yeses are more important. From transforming an electric utility into one of America’s most trustworthy companies to melting the guarded demeanor of a 28-year-old employee with a single moment of recognition, Ed reveals how values, trust, and relationships create lasting change.
Whether you’re leading an organization, raising a family, rebuilding your career, or simply trying to become the person you’re meant to be, this conversation offers practical wisdom on servant leadership, personal initiative, and choosing to change your life on your own terms.
Timestamps
[00:00] Fatherhood as friendship: treating children as adults builds lifelong trust
[04:00] Everyone is operating below their potential—and why that changes everything
[08:00] Using a podcast to say “I see you” to people no one has recognized
[12:00] Community in real life: what a Friday Go club teaches about connection
[16:00] Redefining success as influence that ripples through networks of people
[19:00] How a values statement helped turn a utility into one of America’s 100 most trustworthy companies
[24:00] The residual culture of values that lives in people, not executives
[28:00] Coachability, honesty, and knowing when to walk away from a client
[31:00] Can you change your life by choice—or only when circumstances force you?
Key Takeaways
* Say no to demands that don’t matter because your yeses—your values and priorities—are more important.
* Recognize and affirm the unseen people around you; a moment of genuine recognition can transform someone.
* Build trust through relationships, because the culture of an organization lives in its people, not its leadership titles.
* Take personal initiative to change your life by choice—test things, talk to people, and work your network—rather than waiting for circumstances to force you.
Powerful Quotes
“I’m going to say no to things because I have yeses that are more important.”
“Everybody I know is operating below their potential.”
“I see you. I recognize you. I want to appreciate you.”
“There is a persistent residual culture of values that persists because it resides in the relationships of the people.”
“Everything’s personal and relational.”
About Ed Brenegar
Ed Brenegar is a leadership thinker, author, speaker, podcast host, and social catalyst dedicated to helping people discover and act on the values that matter most to them. Author of Circle of Impact, Ed has spent decades guiding executives, organizations, and everyday people to take personal initiative, build trust-based relationships, and realize the untapped potential within themselves and others. His passion lies in seeing people—especially the unrecognized—and encouraging them to make the difference they were meant to make.
Resources & Links
* Connect with Ed Brenegar by email at [email protected] or visit
https://edbrenegar.com/
* Read Ed’s book, Circle of Impact
* Learn more from host Mitchell Levy at
https://mitchelllevy.com/
Conclusion
Real leadership isn’t about titles, celebrity, or social media reach—it’s about seeing people, honoring your values, and taking initiative when it would be easier to comply. Ed Brenegar reminds us that everyone is operating below their potential, that trust lives in relationships rather than org charts, and that you can change your life by choice rather than waiting for circumstances to force you. If you’re ready to say yes to what truly matters, this episode is the place to start.
Get full access to Mitchell Levy Presents at mitchelllevy.substack.com/subscribe
View all episodes
By Mitchell LevyWhat would change if you stopped complying with everyone else’s expectations and started living by your own values? And what happens when someone finally says, “I see you”?
In this thought-provoking conversation, Mitchell Levy sits down with Ed Brenegar—leadership thinker, author of Circle of Impact, podcast host, social catalyst, and father—to explore what it means to live your values, unlock others' potential, and take personal initiative in a world that rewards compliance.
Ed shares why every person he knows is operating below their potential, how he uses his podcast to recognize and affirm people who have never been seen as “someone special,” and why he says no to things because his yeses are more important. From transforming an electric utility into one of America’s most trustworthy companies to melting the guarded demeanor of a 28-year-old employee with a single moment of recognition, Ed reveals how values, trust, and relationships create lasting change.
Whether you’re leading an organization, raising a family, rebuilding your career, or simply trying to become the person you’re meant to be, this conversation offers practical wisdom on servant leadership, personal initiative, and choosing to change your life on your own terms.
Timestamps
[00:00] Fatherhood as friendship: treating children as adults builds lifelong trust
[04:00] Everyone is operating below their potential—and why that changes everything
[08:00] Using a podcast to say “I see you” to people no one has recognized
[12:00] Community in real life: what a Friday Go club teaches about connection
[16:00] Redefining success as influence that ripples through networks of people
[19:00] How a values statement helped turn a utility into one of America’s 100 most trustworthy companies
[24:00] The residual culture of values that lives in people, not executives
[28:00] Coachability, honesty, and knowing when to walk away from a client
[31:00] Can you change your life by choice—or only when circumstances force you?
Key Takeaways
* Say no to demands that don’t matter because your yeses—your values and priorities—are more important.
* Recognize and affirm the unseen people around you; a moment of genuine recognition can transform someone.
* Build trust through relationships, because the culture of an organization lives in its people, not its leadership titles.
* Take personal initiative to change your life by choice—test things, talk to people, and work your network—rather than waiting for circumstances to force you.
Powerful Quotes
“I’m going to say no to things because I have yeses that are more important.”
“Everybody I know is operating below their potential.”
“I see you. I recognize you. I want to appreciate you.”
“There is a persistent residual culture of values that persists because it resides in the relationships of the people.”
“Everything’s personal and relational.”
About Ed Brenegar
Ed Brenegar is a leadership thinker, author, speaker, podcast host, and social catalyst dedicated to helping people discover and act on the values that matter most to them. Author of Circle of Impact, Ed has spent decades guiding executives, organizations, and everyday people to take personal initiative, build trust-based relationships, and realize the untapped potential within themselves and others. His passion lies in seeing people—especially the unrecognized—and encouraging them to make the difference they were meant to make.
Resources & Links
* Connect with Ed Brenegar by email at [email protected] or visit
https://edbrenegar.com/
* Read Ed’s book, Circle of Impact
* Learn more from host Mitchell Levy at
https://mitchelllevy.com/
Conclusion
Real leadership isn’t about titles, celebrity, or social media reach—it’s about seeing people, honoring your values, and taking initiative when it would be easier to comply. Ed Brenegar reminds us that everyone is operating below their potential, that trust lives in relationships rather than org charts, and that you can change your life by choice rather than waiting for circumstances to force you. If you’re ready to say yes to what truly matters, this episode is the place to start.
Get full access to Mitchell Levy Presents at mitchelllevy.substack.com/subscribe