In this episode, we explore “the glory of the Commons,” a reframing that transforms the classic tragedy-of-the-commons narrative into a hopeful vision for human and spiritual evolution. Drawing from a recent conversation with environmental leader Tim Christophersen, the evolutionary theology of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and themes from our previous episodes on selfishness, selflessness, the divided self, and the integration of the physical and spiritual, this episode examines how the Commons offers a spiritual path forward. We explore how the Commons becomes not just an ecological or economic idea but a lens for understanding human consciousness, moral development, and our potential for self-transcendence. Ultimately, we consider how moving from tragedy to glory may be the spiritual invitation of our era.

In this episode of the …We Have a Spiritual Problem Podcast, we explore the nature of the Self at a depth rarely examined in modern culture. What does it mean to be a “self” in a world overflowing with ego, entitlement, loneliness, and moral confusion? Using the contrast between selfishness and selflessness—not as good vs. bad, but as self-centered vs. other centered orientations—we dissect how our spiritual evolution depends on balancing identity, responsibility, and transcendence. Drawing inspiration from Gale Sayers’s powerful creed “I Am Third,” Teilhard de Chardin’s concept of the Omega Point, and the cautionary tale of the “Tragedy of the Commons,” this episode connects personal transformation with humanity’s collective future.

In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong explores the mystery of Christ as the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning, the becoming, and the beyond. Drawing on the insights of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Dr. Armstrong examines how our daily struggles, tensions, and imperfections are not obstacles but the very forces moving us toward spiritual evolution and divine fulfillment. Through the lens of the SPIES model—Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social wellness—he invites us to see how Christ’s wholeness as fully God and fully human serves as both our model and our destiny. This is not just a discussion about theology; it is a reflection on what it means to live as evolving beings directed toward divine perfection.

In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong explores how our personal and collective struggles—political division, social tension, relational friction, and inner conflict—are not detours from spiritual growth but the very conditions that make it possible. Drawing from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s concept of the Omega Point, the SPIES model of holistic wellness, physiological principles of adaptation, and the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, Dr. Armstrong reflects on how life’s pressure and resistance serve as catalysts for spiritual evolution. Through personal stories of marriage, family, and work, he invites listeners to consider that the friction we resist might actually be forming us into something higher—something more whole, connected, and divine.

In a world where image is everything, we’ve become masters at performance. We curate our feeds, filter our flaws, and craft public versions of ourselves that are more polished than true. But beneath the surface—beneath the filters, the branding, and the professional polish—something deeper is happening. We’re losing touch with who we really are.In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong explores The Human Facade—why we present masks to the world, how it shapes our relationships, corrodes our leadership, and ultimately impedes our spiritual evolution. Drawing on the SPIES model of whole-person wellness and insights from both psychology and spirituality, Dr. Armstrong invites us to rediscover authenticity not as an aesthetic, but as a spiritual practice.

American leadership is at a crossroads. Public life and many institutions celebrate power, performance, and personality — and too often those traits are labeled “service.” In this episode Dr. Jeff Armstrong diagnoses the rise of what he calls “self-servant leadership” and contrasts it with true servant leadership as taught by Ken Blanchard and modeled by Jesus. Drawing on Martha C. Stewart’s biography of Ken Blanchard (Episode 44), Blanchard’s practice of “catch people doing things right,” Teilhard de Chardin’s vision of spiritual evolution toward the Omega Point, and the SPIES framework (Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social), we explore why servant leadership is both a practical leadership model and a spiritual practice. Jeff revisits his conversation with Greg Stewart about how “What Would Jesus Do?” was reshaped into political and religious postures like Christian Nationalism, and considers the cultural cost when leaders substitute spectacle for service. Practical takeaways include ways to cultivate servant posture in homes, workplaces, churches, and civic life — because leadership rooted in service accelerates spiritual evolution while self-serving leadership deepens division.

**This special episode of ...We Have a Spiritual Problem also aired on The Aging Well Podcast.**Ken Blanchard has shaped how millions of people think about leadership. From The One Minute Manager to his philosophy of "Catching People Doing Things Right," his work has redefined what it means to lead with purpose, compassion, and effectiveness.

In this special episode of ...We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong speaks with Martha C. Lawrence, longtime collaborator and author of the forthcoming biography Catch People Doing Things Right: How Ken Blanchard Changed the Way the World Leads. Drawing on more than two decades of working alongside Blanchard, Lawrence shares insights into the man behind the message: his values, his journey, and the principles that made him one of the most beloved management thinkers of our time.

Together, they explore how Blanchard’s leadership philosophy remains relevant in today's rapidly changing world—and how older adults can continue to lead with wisdom and purpose.

When we feel threatened, we instinctively react: we fight, flee, freeze, or fawn. These survival patterns are ancient, hardwired into our nervous system. But what if there’s another option? A Third Way.

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Armstrong explores the fight-flight-freeze-fawn response through both a biological and spiritual lens, drawing from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Rob Bell’s teachings, and Walter Wink’s concept of nonviolent resistance. This “Third Way” is not about passive submission or aggressiveretaliation—it’s about creative, courageous engagement that disrupts cycles of fear and hostility.

We’ll examine how this principle integrates with the SPIES model (Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social wellness), how it connects to spiritual evolution (Teilhard de Chardin), and why it may be the response our polarized political and religious culture most needs right now.

This is a conversation about moving beyond instinct—about choosing response over reaction, courage over fear, and evolution over survival.

Leadership in America is facing a crisis—not just political or organizational, but spiritual. In this episode of …We Have a Spiritual Problem, Dr. Jeff Armstrong welcomes back Dr. Greg Stewart, counselor, executive coach, former pastor, and author of the new book I³ for Leaders: Unleash the Rage of Negative Emotions Against the Obstacles of Becoming More.

Together, they explore why leadership has strayed from principles of service, character, and spiritual depth toward power, performance, and polarization. Drawing from the SPIES wellness model (Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social), We unpack the spiritual roots of this leadership deficit, the shift from "What Would Jesus Do?" to "Make America Great Again", and how leaders at every level can rediscover humility, empathy, and moral courage.

This conversation blends faith, emotional intelligence, and practical wisdom, offering a roadmap for leaders who want to heal divisions, foster human flourishing, and align leadership with spiritual values in a fractured world.

BUY I³ for Leaders on Amazon and support this podcast: https://amzn.to/4mUN2kB

In this conversation, Jeff Armstrong and Lauryn Axelrod explore the themes of free will, choices, and accountability in the context of personal and spiritual growth. They discuss the importance of reflection and transformation, the nature of forgiveness, and the complexities of decision-making in a world filled with false binaries. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of making conscious choices and the impact those choices have on our lives and the world around us.Takeaways:• We often focus on the choices others make rather than our own.• Accountability is crucial for personal growth and societal change.• Forgiveness is about changing the future, not the past.• Every choice we make has the potential to change our lives.• We must navigate the complexities of choices with discernment.• Spiritual growth requires reflection on our decisions.• The cycles of nature reflect the cycles in our lives.• Questioning our beliefs is essential for spiritual evolution.• Empathy and judgment must coexist for healthy relationships.• Our opinions can become attachments that cloud our judgment.