Leading Forward

In this episode of Leading Forward, hosts Jeremy and Nick discuss the inevitable reality of transitions: eventually, every season, job, or role comes to an end. Whether you are an employee moving on to a new opportunity, an employee facing termination, or a leader managing a team member's departure, how you handle the exit matters. The hosts break down the process of "leaving well," emphasizing that transitions reveal an individual's character and an organization's culture. They outline five essential principles that both employers and departing employees need to get right to ensure a healthy, honorable, and professional exit without burning bridges.

[03:32] 5. Get Clear Before You Get Done

• Take a moment to understand why you are leaving.
• Are you running toward a great new opportunity, or are you just running away from a bad day or a difficult boss? Make sure you aren't just "leaving bad" to enter a new system from an unhealthy emotional point.

[08:01] 4. Tell the Truth Without Burning the Bridge

• For the employee: Have honest conversations to help the organization improve, but don't just "throw a grenade" on your way out. If you are being laid off or terminated, control your emotional response and ask constructive questions—such as how you could be considered for future opportunities when growth returns.
• For the leader: If you are letting someone go, show genuine empathy but avoid empty clichés like, "This hurts me as much as it hurts you." Acknowledge the difficult reality of their situation directly and professionally.

[13:28] 3. Finish the Assignment

• Don't mentally quit or drop your responsibilities early.
• Do great work right up until your final day. Document important information, hand off your responsibilities effectively, and manage the transition time strategically. Being a faithful steward of your remaining time sets you up for success and strong references in your next venture.

[20:43] 2. Protect the People, Not Just Yourself

• As you prepare to leave, avoid the temptation to actively recruit your co-workers just to justify your own departure.
• While people naturally follow great leadership, don't try to build your own kingdom or make promises about a new company before you have formally exited. Wait and play the long game. Furthermore, guard your tongue and don't taint relationships by airing confidential grievances to your subordinates on your way out.

[27:46] 1. Leave the Door Open, But Close the Chapter

• Your story is still being written. You don't have to write people off entirely when you leave, but you must acknowledge that the daily dynamics of those relationships will change.
• For the leader: Do whatever you can to bless departing employees on their way out—whether that means giving them severance flexibility, throwing a celebration, or offering encouragement. Ensure your company's reputation and culture shine through right up until the end.

This episode of Leading Forward provides a thoughtful guide on how to navigate the professional and emotional challenges of being passed over for a promotion. The hosts discuss why your response in these moments is a critical test of character and leadership.

• Don't React While You're Still Bleeding (0:05:54): Avoid impulsive decisions like quitting or venting on social media. Create time and distance to process your emotions before responding to your leadership.
• Don't Turn Disappointment into Disloyalty (0:10:08): Even if you are hurt, maintain your integrity and loyalty. How you exit or handle being benched reveals your true character.
• Ask for Development, Not Just Explanation (0:12:56): Instead of demanding to know why you didn't get the job, ask your leaders for coaching and growth opportunities so you can be prepared for the next opening.
• Stay Visible Without Being Needy (0:16:19): Avoid withdrawing from your work or becoming passive-aggressive. Continue to contribute effectively to show your commitment.
• Remember: Not Now Doesn't Mean Not You (0:21:15): A "no" might be a matter of timing, fit, or a different season of preparation. Don't let a single setback create a victim mentality or distort your worldview.

• Evaluate Your Motives: Ask yourself if you are fighting for a seat at a table you actually want to be at (0:03:55).
• Handle Damage Control: If you reacted poorly, apologize. Own your mistake and reaffirm your commitment to the team (0:26:48).
• Don't Waste the Waiting: Use this period as a season of preparation. Keep learning, stay hungry, and continue working as if you are working for the Lord, regardless of your earthly boss's decisions (0:25:35, 0:29:10).

In this episode of Leading Forward, hosts Nick and Jeremy break down 10 common "Christian clichés"—widely accepted phrases that many people mistakenly believe are in the Bible. They discuss how these cultural sayings can lead to toxic theology, poor decision-making, and a loss of credibility for Christian leaders. Ultimately, they challenge listeners to stop relying on subjective feelings and pop-culture wisdom, and instead, root their faith, accountability, and leadership directly in Scripture.

Episode Overview: Nick and Jeremy tackle the danger of well-intentioned but unbiblical advice. They explain how minor theological distortions can set leaders and their families on completely wrong trajectories.

Key Topics & Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction: The danger of Christian clichés and why it’s critical to know what is actually factual and biblical.
• [02:15] Lie 1: "God just wants me to be happy." Why God is more concerned with your holiness than your momentary happiness, and how this lie is dangerously used to justify sin, rebellion, and divorce.
• [06:23] Lie 2: "Cleanliness is next to godliness." A look at how this phrase was likely invented by southern grandmas, though the Bible does speak to spiritual consecration.
• [07:52] Lie 3: "When God closes a door, he opens a window." Why a closed door usually just means "no." God doesn't expect you to navigate an obstacle course; sometimes you are just required to wait and endure a season of preparation.
• [10:53] Lie 4: "Spare the rod, spoil the child." Discussing the balance between biblical discipline and the modern extremes of zero accountability versus abusive behavior.
• [13:24] Lie 5: "God helps those who help themselves." Unpacking this quote from Benjamin Franklin and explaining why the Christian faith requires total dependence on God, coupled with diligent stewardship.
• [14:51] Lie 6: "Heaven gained another angel." Addressing the theological error that humans become angels when they die.
• [19:01] Lie 7: "Money is the root of all evil." Clarifying the actual scripture: the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Money itself is simply a tool that reflects the posture of your heart.
• [24:50] Lie 8: "Follow your heart." Why following a fleeting, emotionally driven, and deceitful heart is a terrible idea unless it is first perfectly aligned with the Holy Spirit.
• [30:06] Lie 9: "My faith is private." Faith is deeply personal, but it was never meant to be private. Believers are part of a body that requires mutual accountability and public witness.
• [32:37] Lie 10: "God won't give you more than you can handle." A misapplication of 1 Corinthians 10:13 (which applies to temptation, not trials). God frequently gives you more than you can handle so that you are forced to rely entirely on Him rather than your own capabilities.

In Episode 39 of Leading Forward, co-hosts Nick and Jeremy sit down with entrepreneur and former professional soccer player Ryan Wileman. Ryan opens up about his journey from pursuing his third-grade dream of becoming a pro athlete to navigating the transition into the corporate world during the 2008 recession. With deep insights into perseverance, Ryan discusses the leap of faith it took to open his own insurance agency, the pivotal role his supportive wife played, and the importance of having a business and life coach to navigate hardships. Grounded in family and faith, Ryan emphasizes the necessity of hard work and shares why his life motto involves the belief that your greatest breakthrough is often waiting on the other side of "never giving up."

Show Notes

Key Takeaways:

• Life After the Pinnacle: Achieving your life's dream at 24 can leave you asking, "What next?" Ryan shares his experience of leaving professional sports to reinvent himself in business during a tough economic market.
• The Power of Spousal Support: Success doesn't happen in a vacuum. Ryan credits his wife's steadfast belief in him as a major catalyst for giving him the courage to start his own agency in 2018.
• Every Leader Needs a Coach: Just as professional athletes need mental and physical coaches, business owners need a sounding board. You cannot successfully lead a business if you're struggling to lead in your personal life.
• Selflessness in Leadership: You can get anything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want. Shifting from a self-focused hustle to a selfless, team-oriented mindset accelerates growth.
• Work & Prayer: Balancing faith and effort requires you to "pray like it all depends on God and work like it all depends on you."

Rod Rodriguez, owner of PSG Security, @psgrodrodriguez, joins the show to discuss find brotherhood, life transformation, and making a lasting impact.

In this powerful episode of the Leading Forward podcast, hosts Nick and Jeremy sit down with Rod Rodriguez, a military veteran, former law enforcement officer, and the owner of PSG Security. Rod transparently shares his remarkable life journey, touching on the dark realities and negative coping mechanisms often found in high-stress professions, the profound tragedy of losing two wives, and reaching a point of absolute rock bottom. Ultimately, this is a story of redemption. Rod explains how surrendering his life to faith and surrounding himself with a healthy brotherhood fundamentally shifted his trajectory. Now in his 50s, he views his past not with shame, but as a "pruning process" that has equipped him to mentor young men, lead his family biblically, and pull others out of the darkness he once knew. Show Notes & Highlights Guest Profile: Rod Rodriguez Owner of PSG Security: A private security firm catering to high-profile and high-net-worth clients, prioritizing discretion, efficiency, and problem-solving. President of the Swordsman Foundation: A non-profit dedicated to mentoring young men on biblical marriage, household leadership, and healthy living. Veteran & Former LEO: Served 6 years in the U.S. Army (Tank driver/gunner) and 12 years in law enforcement. Key Takeaways The Danger of the "Criminal Mindset" in Law Enforcement: Rod discusses how high-stress environments without healthy outlets often lead officers down destructive paths, including high divorce rates and substance abuse. Changing Your Environment: Real change didn't occur for Rod until he stopped mirroring negative behaviors and actively sought out a different kind of brotherhood that pushed him toward the light. Tragedy as a Superpower: Taking a cue from superhero origin stories, Rod and the hosts discuss how mastering your deepest pain allows you to utilize it as a superpower to serve others and glorify God. The Cost of Faith: Rod bravely opens up about the current trials he faces—including a strained relationship with his eldest daughter because of his bold faith—proving that stepping into your calling doesn't mean the battles stop; it just means you're fighting for the right side. The Pruning Process: Referencing John 15, the hosts explain that life's trials and tragedies are often God's way of "pruning" us so that we can ultimately bear more fruit in our lives and the lives of others. Resources Mentioned The Standard: A networking/brotherhood group connecting high-level male leaders. Rise of Kings: A brotherhood and mentorship organization that helped Rod re-align his life. PSG Security: Reach out via email at [email protected] or follow on Instagram at @psg_rodrodriguez The Swordsman Foundation: swordsmanfoundation.com

In this episode of the Leading Forward podcast, hosts Jeremy Prather and Nick Edwards explore the concept of the "Speed of Success." Throughout the discussion, they challenge the modern obsession with overnight success and examine the strategic patience required for sustainable achievement (0:00:00-0:35:29). A central portion of the episode uses the film Moneyball as a framework to dissect organizational decision-making, data-driven strategy, and the courage to follow a vision despite external skepticism (8:11-20:52).

• Introduction to Success (0:00-8:11): The hosts discuss how society measures success and why rushing the process often leads to failure. They emphasize that building something meaningful requires time, consistency, and a clear vision.
• Moneyball Case Study (8:11-20:52): The hosts break down specific scenes from the film Moneyball, focusing on Billy Beane (played by Brad Pitt) and the Oakland A’s strategy. They draw parallels between the baseball industry’s resistance to change and common challenges in business leadership.
• The Power of Process (20:52-35:29): The conversation shifts toward internal discipline. They explore the balance between maintaining urgency in daily operations while resisting the pressure to sacrifice long-term value for short-term gains.

1. Patience vs. Urgency: True success rarely happens overnight. Leaders must maintain a high level of urgency for their daily work while remaining patient enough for their long-term strategies to yield results.
2. Data Over Tradition: Drawing from the Moneyball example, the hosts highlight the importance of questioning traditional "common sense" and using data to find value where others see none.
3. Resilience in Leadership: Billy Beane’s journey in the film serves as a reminder that visionaries will often face opposition. Success requires the conviction to stay the course when others doubt your methods.

In Episode 36 of the Leading Forward podcast, hosts Nick Edwards and Jeremy Prather dive into the practical skills every leader must possess to be successful. Moving beyond innate character traits, they break down the learned competencies required to "pay the bills" in leadership. Drawing from their personal top 10 lists, they debate and discuss critical abilities—ranging from adaptability and problem-solving to emotional intelligence and execution. After working their way through their combined lists, they ultimately reveal what they believe is the single most important leadership skill of all.

In this episode of Leading Forward, hosts Nick and Jeremy sit down with Ian Barnett, better known as the Christian hip-hop artist ASAP Preach (Always Say A Prayer). Ian shares his powerful and raw testimony of coming from a deeply broken past filled with childhood trauma, drug addiction, gang involvement, and multiple stints in jail. He opens up about the rock-bottom moment that landed him in a jail cell where he finally encountered the overwhelming peace of God through a Bible.

Today, Ian uses his passion for music and his radical transformation to minister to the forgotten, heavily focusing his time on prison ministry and serving the homeless. Throughout the episode, Ian unpacks how to embrace your story, the importance of bringing hidden traumas into the light for healing, and how God can take a seemingly unusable past and redeem it for His glory.

• [01:06] Meet Ian Barnett: The hosts introduce Ian, his background, his family, and his organization, Always Say A Prayer Inc.
• [02:27] Ministry Today: Ian discusses his current work traveling the US as a Christian hip-hop artist and his deep passion for prison ministry, where he finds people are deeply hungry for hope.
• [04:18] Is Rapping in the Bible?: Ian playfully shares how Ephesians 5:19 justifies his rap career by telling believers to "speak" to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs.
• [05:39] A Broken Foundation: Ian opens up about his childhood, navigating his parents' separation, lacking boundaries, experiencing tragic childhood abuse at age 9, and how that trauma was the root of his struggle with lust and acting out.
• [10:17] Bringing Darkness to the Light: The hosts and Ian discuss the profound need for men to talk about childhood trauma, seek counseling, and find healing rather than letting the enemy use it as a stronghold.
• [13:37] The Downward Spiral: Ian describes his descent into chasing worldly desires, experimenting with drugs, gang involvement, and acquiring multiple mugshots.
• [14:48] Rock Bottom: Ian recounts a devastating day of losing his job for stealing, taking drugs, and having a severe confrontation with the police where he wanted his life to end.
• [15:36] Encountering God in a Jail Cell: Left alone in a jail cell, Ian opened a Bible and felt the presence and peace of God for the first time, prompting him to surrender his life fully.
• [19:54] A Message to the Ashamed: Ian ministers to listeners who might feel they are "too far gone," reminding them that God's grace abounds and that He paid the price for all sins.
• [25:48] Stewarding Your Gifts: A conversation on recognizing the unique gifts God has given you—whether it's music, graphic design, or simply the social confidence to speak to others—and using them to glorify Him rather than using God to build a personal brand.
• [30:19] Staying Humble: Ian reflects on the surreal feeling of sitting at tables with influential Christian leaders, attributing it all to God's grace and his willingness to just be a vessel.
• [34:07] A Legacy for His Kids: What Ian hopes his children learn from his life: that it's okay to make mistakes, but they must always continue to abide in God and let Him build their testimony.
• [35:35] Advice to His 20-Year-Old Self: Ian shares a heartbreaking story about blocking his mother on social media just three days before she passed away, urging his younger self (and the audience) to cherish relationships like it’s their last day.

How do we raise children who don't just inherit our faith, but actually own it for themselves? [02:18] In this episode of Leading Forward, hosts Nick and Jeremy sit down with Chris Collins, owner and CEO of Collins Walker—a third-generation commercial HVAC supply company based in Dallas, Texas [01:18].

Chris shares insights from 30 years of marriage and leading a family enterprise [01:18], [07:39]. He explains how viewing both business ownership and fatherhood through the lens of stewardship transforms how we lead [03:20]. From managing multi-generational business handoffs [02:32] to intentionally teaching kids how to think through a biblical framework [31:28], this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for parents, spouses, and marketplace leaders alike.

Summary This episode of the "Leading Forward" podcast features guest James Tanner, a business leader, entrepreneur, and student of wisdom. The conversation centers around the difference between simply accumulating knowledge and actually acquiring timeless wisdom through a Christian leadership perspective. Tanner shares personal stories, including "back porch witticisms" learned from his father, navigating his tumultuous early twenties, and the importance of obedience to God. The hosts and Tanner explore how seeking significance over worldly success leads to a life that truly impacts others, and they wrap up the episode with a fun lightning round analyzing classic southern idioms.

Key Takeaways

• Wisdom vs. Knowledge: Having information is not the same as having wisdom. Wisdom requires the discernment and proper application of the knowledge you possess in a way that benefits others and honors your values [12:40].
• Success vs. Significance: While success is fundamentally about what happens to you, significance is defined by what happens through you to impact others. Pursuing significance naturally leads to a more meaningful version of success [25:16].
• Actively Pray for Wisdom: Tanner challenges listeners to actively pray for wisdom every day, pointing out that in the book of James, asking for wisdom is both a command and a promised guarantee from God [21:02].
• Action Precedes Guidance: You have to take the first step and get moving in your life before you can be effectively guided. As they phrase it, it is your job to press the gas pedal and God's job to steer [32:51].