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In this rebroadcast from 2023, we revisit a conversation that feels just as relevant today: What do you do when you get laid off?

Losing a job—or experiencing an unexpected work transition—can be disorienting, painful, and deeply personal. In this episode, Nathan and Linda explore how leaders can navigate these moments with greater intention.

We discuss:

• Four organizational dynamics that can signal change is coming
• Why self-compassion matters after losing a job
• The importance of caring for yourself physically and emotionally
• Why reaching out to your people is about more than networking
• How unexpected transitions can become opportunities for growth and transformation

If you're navigating a career transition—or walking alongside someone who is—this conversation offers a practical reminder: give yourself permission to acknowledge what's hard, care for yourself, and stay connected to the people who know you best.

Three practices for navigating a layoff:

1. Practice self-compassion
2. Prioritize self-care
3. Reach out to your people

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The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

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We're going back to where it all began!

Originally released in September 2017, this was the very first episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast. Nathan Freeburg and Brian Schubring explore the early ideas behind Leadership Vision—using Strengths to better understand individuals, strengthen teams, and influence organizational culture.

Nearly nine years later, much has evolved. As we prepare for the next chapter of Leadership Vision, we're revisiting where we started—and the ideas that continue to shape our work today.

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The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

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We're on a summer break of sorts from new episodes of the podcast, but we wanted to re-share some favorites from the past nine seasons of The Leadership Vision Podcast. This was one of my favorites from 2026, as it is a great reminder to all of us that we need to let certain things go if we want to grow. About how sometimes, choosing to look past a difficult situation without any sort of resolution might be the best way to move forward and get closer to the things we really want or need.

That's not to say it's easy to do this! Far from it, in fact. But reminding us all that we have a choice in these matters is sometimes all it takes.

This lesson comes to us from a parable taken from a children's book that was shared with Dr. Linda and Brian from one of our clients earlier this year. It's a simple story, and an even simpler lesson, but one worth revisiting over and over again. It begins with unlearning—the intentional process of releasing habits, patterns, and ways of thinking that no longer serve you.

At its core, this episode is about a simple but challenging idea: great leaders grow by letting go first.

Enjoy!

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The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

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Play isn’t childish, and it isn’t a distraction from leadership. It’s one of the quickest ways to get out of your head, reconnect with the people around you, and create the kind of energy where learning actually sticks. We talk about why play helps us feel more present, more surprised, and more willing to laugh at ourselves, and how those moments can reveal purpose faster than another round of navel-gazing ever will. 

We also get honest about the modern tradeoff between real fun and “soothing.” Screens can feel safe and calming, but they rarely create the shared experiences that build belonging. From family vacations to everyday moments with coworkers, we unpack what makes play feel genuine, why forced fun backfires, and how leaders can set a tone that is light without being dismissive. If you care about team culture, psychological safety, and employee engagement, you’ll hear practical ways to bring play into meetings without turning it into a cringe exercise. 

A big thread running through the conversation is the idea that play is practice in disguise. Whether you’re coaching kids with running games or leading an organization through uncertainty, play lowers the stakes so people will try, experiment, and grow. We share stories about taking small risks, remembering what we loved as kids, and reclaiming wonder as adults when it feels like we have more to lose. 

If this sparks an idea, subscribe to the Leadership Vision podcast, share the episode with a colleague or friend, and leave a review so more leaders can find it.

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The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

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What does it really mean to be mentally tough?

For many of us, toughness has always meant pushing harder, working longer, and ignoring discomfort. But what if real resilience isn't about grinding through challenges—it's about learning how to respond to them with greater awareness?

In this re-released episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, Nathan Freeburg and Brian Schubring revisit Do Hard Things by performance expert Steve Magness. Together, they explore why emotions aren't obstacles to overcome, why self-awareness may be the foundation of resilience, and how leaders can develop the kind of toughness that leads to healthier teams, stronger relationships, and more sustainable performance.

Whether you're leading an organization, parenting your kids, training for your next race, or simply trying to navigate life's inevitable challenges, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what it truly means to do hard things. 

In this episode, you'll learn:

•  Why traditional definitions of mental toughness often fall short 
•  How emotions provide valuable information instead of getting in the way 
•  The difference between reacting and responding during stressful situations 
•  How "zooming in" and "zooming out" can help you gain perspective 
•  Why embracing your own identity is essential to resilient leadership 
•  Practical ways to build emotional awareness and navigate difficult moments with greater confidence

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The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

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In this rebroadcast from the Leadership Vision archives, Nathan Freeburg sits down with Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring to explore how teams experience change differently and why understanding those differences can transform the way people work together.

Rather than focusing on change management strategies, this conversation looks at the human side of change. Are you at your best before change begins, while it's happening, or after it's over? How do your CliftonStrengths shape your response? And what happens when teammates learn to communicate what they need instead of assuming everyone experiences change the same way?

Along the way, Nathan and Linda even give Brian some real-time feedback about his own leadership style during change—a candid and humorous moment that illustrates just how valuable behavioral awareness can be on a healthy team.

In this episode:

• Why change is the one challenge every team will inevitably face
• The difference between thriving before, during, or after change
• How your CliftonStrengths influence your response to uncertainty
• Why self-awareness leads to healthier collaboration
• The importance of identifying and communicating your needs during change
• How organizational culture shapes—and is shaped by—the way teams navigate change
• A real-life conversation about different leadership styles during seasons of transition

Key Takeaway

Healthy teams don't eliminate change—they learn how to navigate it together. When people understand their own tendencies, appreciate the perspectives of others, and create space to communicate their needs, change becomes an opportunity for growth instead of a source of frustration.

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The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

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Can you optimize people without treating them like machines?

That question sparked a thoughtful conversation between Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring about what healthy leadership really looks like. While organizations naturally want high-performing teams, the goal isn't to squeeze more productivity out of people—it's to create environments where individuals can thrive while helping the organization succeed.

In this episode, we explore why the word "optimize" can feel uncomfortable when applied to people, how healthy organizations balance business results with employee well-being, and why culture should be viewed as a long-term investment rather than a short-term metric.

In this episode:

•  Why the idea of "optimizing people" can miss the point 
•  The difference between maximizing performance and developing human potential 
•  What the "double bottom line" means for leaders 
•  Why culture grows slowly—but matters tremendously 
•  Practical ways leaders can create healthier, more engaged teams 

Key Quote:
"We want people to be professionally engaged and emotionally healthy." — ~ Brian Schubring

If you'd like to learn more about Leadership Vision and how we help leaders and teams build healthier workplace cultures, visit LeadershipVisionConsulting.com. 

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The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

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After Nathan watched his son begin the painful journey of braces, he was reminded that meaningful change often gets harder before it gets better. That same principle applies to leadership. In this rebroadcast, we explore what true team alignment looks like—and why the short-term discomfort can be worth the long-term outcome. Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring challenge the idea that alignment means conformity. Instead, they explore how leaders create clarity, shared commitment, and lasting momentum—even when the process is messy.

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The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

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What happens when the ideas behind Unfolded are shared with a room full of high school seniors?

In this episode, Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring reflect on a recent opportunity to work with students in Minneapolis and explore how concepts such as dreams, mountain-and-valley folds, personal growth, and self-awareness resonated with a younger generation.

Along the way, they discovered that many of the challenges, hopes, and questions students face are not so different from those adults continue to wrestle with throughout their lives. This conversation offers a reminder that our experiences shape us, but they do not define us—and that growth remains possible at every stage of life.

In this episode:

• Why dreams matter—even when they aren't fully formed yet.
• The surprising difference between how students and adults interacted with the origami cranes from Unfolded.
• Understanding "mountain folds" and "valley folds" and how life experiences shape who we become.
• The power of vulnerability and self-awareness in young people.
• What today's leaders can learn from the next generation.
• Why mentorship, encouragement, and investing in students matters more than ever.

Key Takeaways

✅ Everyone has dreams—even when they can't fully articulate them yet.

✅ The experiences that shape us become part of our story, but they don't determine our future.

✅ Vulnerability can be a source of strength.

✅ Young people often have remarkable insight into their own growth and challenges.

✅ Leaders of every age benefit from staying curious, hopeful, and open to learning.

Memorable Quotes

"People have dreams. They may be reluctant to share them or excited to share them, but either way, people have dreams."

"There are things about their young life that they'll never be able to change, but they do get a chance to work with it and make a dream a reality."

"Their past doesn't define them, but their experience stays with them and has shaped who they're becoming."

Resources Mentioned

• Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane by Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring
• Leadership Vision Consulting

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The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

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Do you ever feel like the voice in your head is your biggest critic?

In this episode, Brian and Linda Schubring explore one of the central themes from Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane—the importance of self-compassion and learning to recognize your strong inner voice.

Together, they discuss why many of us mistake outside criticism, judgment, and expectations for our own thoughts, and how reflection can help us reconnect with who we truly are. If you've ever struggled with self-doubt, confidence, or knowing which voice to trust, this conversation offers a thoughtful place to begin.

In This Episode

• Why everyone has a strong inner voice
• How outside voices can shape our self-perception
• The difference between criticism and self-awareness
• Questions that help uncover your authentic voice
• Practical ways to create space for reflection and growth

Resources

• Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane
• Learn more about Leadership Vision
• Explore coaching, team development, and leadership resources

Key Quote

"Remember that you have a strong inner voice and be gentle as it emerges."

Support the show

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The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.