This is a very special crossover episode airing on both the Everything Made Beautiful podcast and Masi Willis's Lead Like You Mean It podcast. Masi is one of my longest friends (we're talking almost 30 years), and this conversation is one of my favorites.

As we head into Thanksgiving, we knew we wanted to talk about gratitude, but not in the superficial way our culture often does during November. Instead, we get honest about what it looks like to practice gratitude when the holidays bring as much pain as they do promise. We talk about the gaps... the empty chairs, the relationships that aren't what we hoped, the seasons that feel more heavy than celebratory.

Masi and I both share vulnerably about our own Thanksgiving realities this year, the grief we're carrying, and how we're choosing gratitude as a daily formation rather than a seasonal performance. We also dig into how leadership coaching has transformed both of our lives, helping us know ourselves and lead ourselves well before we can truly lead others.

If you're walking into this season with a full heart or a broken one, or both at the same time, this conversation is for you. Pain and promise can coexist, and they don't have to be hopeless.

Chapters

00:00 | Introduction to the Crossover Episode

05:20 | Navigating Emptiness During the Holidays

09:08 | The Role of Faith in Gratitude

12:32 | Coexisting Pain and Promise

16:51 | Entitlement and Gratitude in Life

20:27 | The Importance of Care in Communication

24:51 | Celebration as a Communication Code

28:38 | The Importance of Celebration and Affirmation

32:28 | Hope and Purpose in Daily Life

34:51 | Influential Leaders and Their Impact

36:37 | Excellence in Leadership

37:37 | The Role of Mentorship

39:53 | Wisdom in Decision Making

42:36 | The Power of Feedback and Affirmation

43:58 | Embracing Authenticity in Leadership

45:24 | Navigating Triggers and Personal Growth

47:20 | The Ongoing Journey of Self-Improvement

49:38 | The Role of Coaching in Personal Development

52:57 | Gratitude and Vulnerability in Relationships

54:50 | Finding Peace Amidst Life's Challenges

Masi's Website: https://www.masiwillis.com/
The Lead Like You Mean It Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lead-like-you-mean-it-with-masi-willis/id1826446460
Masi On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masiwillis/