The Refinery Podcast

#40 When Strength Stops Working with Russell Betts

In this episode of The Refinery Podcast, Rick Burris welcomes Russell Betts, international bestselling author, founder of Connected Through Change™, and relational leadership guide. Russell helps men, couples, and leaders navigate the disorientation of midlife with clarity, emotional maturity, and steadier presence. His book The Good Husband’s Guide to Menopause helped reshape how partners understand menopause, marriage, and change. His forthcoming book, When Strength Stops Working, explores what happens when the old strategies of fixing, powering through, performing, and controlling no longer work. Rick and Russell talk about why midlife is not a crisis, but a transition of identity. They explore the emotional reality many couples rarely say out loud: men often feel confused, ashamed, or unsure when their old strengths stop translating, while women often feel unseen, alone, or tired of carrying the emotional load. Yet underneath it all, both are often longing for the same thing: to feel safe, understood, and connected again. This conversation is for anyone navigating marriage, menopause, midlife, leadership, emotional growth, or a season where the tools that once worked no longer seem to fit. Connect with Russell Betts: Website: https://connectedthroughchange.com [https://connectedthroughchange.com] YouTube: https://youtube.com/@connectedthroughchange [https://youtube.com/@connectedthroughchange] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubetts/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubetts/] Email: russell@russellbetts.com Subscribe to The Refinery Podcast for more conversations on leadership, purpose, growth, and meaningful change.

#39 Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, and Supporting Others Without Losing Yourself with Linda Wilson

Linda Wilson joins The Refinery Podcast for a powerful conversation about resilience, emotional intelligence, grief, healing, and the importance of supporting others without taking on their burdens. After walking through bankruptcy, multiple open-heart surgeries within her family, serious health challenges, depression, and the loss of several loved ones, Linda has learned that resilience is not simply about surviving. It is about becoming more self-aware, asking for help, developing compassion, and choosing how to move forward one day at a time. In this episode, Rick Burris and Linda discuss emotional intelligence as an essential life skill, the hidden cost of internalized stress, the difference between support and rescuing, and why asking for help is a sign of preservation rather than weakness. Linda also shares the heart behind her book, On Resilience: When You’re Too Effing Stupid to Quit, and the community she is creating to help people know they are not alone. Connect with Linda Wilson: Website: https://lovinglifesjourney.com [https://lovinglifesjourney.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindamariewilson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindamariewilson/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindamariewilson/ [https://www.facebook.com/lindamariewilson/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lovinglifesjourney [https://www.youtube.com/@lovinglifesjourney] Get Linda’s book: https://tinyurl.com/on-resilience-boo [https://tinyurl.com/on-resilience-book]

#38 Dr. Gail Everett on Literacy, Purpose, and the Mission of Strides Tutoring

In this episode of The Refinery Podcast, Rick Burris talks with Dr. Gail Everett, co-founder and Executive Director of Strides Tutoring, about the power of literacy to change a child’s future. Dr. Gail shares how her early experiences with her deaf brother, her years working with children, and her doctorate in special education shaped the work she now leads through Strides. The conversation explores dyslexia, phonological awareness, trauma, education gaps, and the one-on-one relational approach Strides uses to help students become confident readers. Rick and Dr. Gail also discuss the deeper mission behind the work: helping children gain confidence, supporting families, reaching students in difficult circumstances, and inviting tutors, donors, and future leaders to step into a meaningful opportunity. Connect with Dr. Gail and Strides Tutoring: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gail-everett-12349a13/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gail-everett-12349a13/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/STRIDEStutor.org [https://www.facebook.com/STRIDEStutor.org] Website: https://stridestutor.org/ [https://stridestutor.org/] Email: info@stridestutor.org Giving Link: https://stridestutor.org/donate/ [https://stridestutor.org/donate/]

#37 Seth Drugatz on Burnout, Coaching, and the Greatness We Suppress

Rick Burris talks with coach Seth Drugatz about the path from burnout and misalignment to purpose and transformation. Seth shares how leaving a finance career led him into coaching, and how his work now helps people uncover the hidden internal patterns that keep them from expressing their greatness. This episode explores ontological coaching, people-pleasing, energy, identity, and the powerful question: What do you really want? A thoughtful conversation for anyone ready to stop going through the motions and start living in deeper alignment. Connect with Seth Drugatz: Email: sethfdru@gmail.com Social Media Links: www.linkedin.com/in/seth-drugatz-353730136

#36 Building Future-Ready Leaders with Dean Houdeshell

In this episode, Rick Burris sits down with Dean Houdeshell, leadership coach, engineer, and founder of Project Horizon, to talk about what it really takes to build future-ready leaders. Dean shares lessons from engineering leadership, plant startups, business turnarounds, and consulting work to show how companies can develop stronger people, smarter decision-making, and more innovative cultures. They explore trust, problem-solving, succession planning, empowering teams, and why the best leaders create space for others to grow and lead. This is a valuable conversation for business owners, executives, managers, and anyone who wants to build a team that learns faster and adapts better in times of change. Connect with Dean Houdeshell: Email: dean@coachingwithdean.com Website: www.coachingwithdean.com [http://www.coachingwithdean.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-houdeshell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-houdeshell/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dean.houdeshell [https://www.facebook.com/dean.houdeshell]