Episode 30 - Why Leadership Feels So Heavy (And How to Put the Weight Down), with Renee Hastings

Episode 30 - Why Leadership Feels So Heavy (And How to Put the Weight Down), with Renee Hastings

If leadership has felt heavier than it should, you're not alone. Most leaders don't get stuck because they lack talent. They get stuck because they're carrying the whole operation on their own shoulders — and they've quietly become the bottleneck. In Episode 30, Jay sits down with Renee Hastings, President and CEO of Executive Help Now, to unpack the difference between tactical and strategic leadership: why it's so easy to get trapped in the weeds, what's really keeping you there, and how to free up the brain space to finally lead. Renee shares her story — from a farm in an Amish community to becoming a teen mom at 16 to building a fractional back-office company that serves leaders across the country — and the exact mindset shift that lets you hand work off without it falling apart. **You'll learn:** - The first signs you're stuck in tactical mode (hint: decision fatigue and being the approver of everything) - The $10 Canva test: why your time math is costing you more than you think - What's really underneath the inability to let go — fear, ego, perfectionism, and trust - The difference between delegating a task and delegating an outcome - Why "I tried delegating and it didn't work" almost always traces back to training, not the person - One thing you can do this week to start digging out **Chapters:** 00:00 Leadership shouldn't feel this heavy 02:10 Meet Renee Hastings 02:35 From an Amish-community farm to a love of organizing 07:41 Teen mom at 16 — and a mother who said "keep going" 09:59 The friend who reminded her she was built for this 15:02 The first signs a leader is stuck in tactical mode 18:10 The $10 Canva decision (and the cost of your time) 20:50 What's really keeping leaders stuck: fear and ego 23:48 Strategic vs. tactical: freeing up space to cast vision 25:51 Why "delegation didn't work" 28:29 Delegating a task vs. delegating an outcome 33:33 Why this isn't just for big companies (the fractional model) 36:28 The mindset shift: letting yourself be served 40:27 Realistic expectations and the learning curve 44:53 The one thing she swore she'd never give up — her calendar 51:51 More than a doer: thought partners on your team 56:20 One or two steps for the overwhelmed leader this week **Try this this week:** Set a 15-minute timer and write down everything that's overwhelming you. Then circle what could go to someone else, and cross off what doesn't need doing at all. That single list is the start of getting your time back. **Connect with Renee Hastings:** - Website: executivehelpnow.org - LinkedIn (company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/executive-help-now/ - LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneehastings17/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/executivehelpnow/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExecutiveHelpNow - Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@reneehastings **Connect with Jay Boykin:** - Website: https://www.jayboykin.com - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayboykinofficial - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayboykin/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayboykinofficial/ - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-human/id1773095157 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2zWqEiYcawOXnhC1tTtaW4 - Newsletter (Book of Jay): https://jayboykin.com/book-of-jay If this one hit home, hit subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with a leader who needs to hear it. It helps more than you know. #JustHuman #JayBoykin #Leadership #StrategicLeadership #Delegation #AuthenticLeadership #SelfAwareness #PersonalGrowth #Entrepreneurship #ReneeHastings #ExecutiveHelpNow #Burnout #TimeManagement

Episode 29 - Why High Performers Feel Empty (And How to Fix It) with Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey (Nell3D)

Ever look at your life and think, “Everything is working… but I don’t feel good”? That’s not failure — it’s misalignment. Let’s fix it fast. In this episode of Just Human, Jay Boykin talks with Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey (Nell3D), author of Going First, about how high performers can feel empty even with the title, money, and momentum. Nell shares her powerful story (including a wake-up-call car crash) and introduces a simple framework to diagnose what’s off — without blowing up your whole life. You’ll learn Nell’s Lead in 3D model (ME / WE / WORLD) and how it connects to purpose, wellbeing, relationships, and integrity. Then she breaks down her systematic subtraction approach: Stop, Drop, Roll — a practical way to create capacity, reclaim autonomy, and rebuild energy in a nonstop world. If this helped you, like, subscribe, and comment: Which dimension is lowest for you — ME, WE, or WORLD? CONNECT WITH NELL 3D SUBSTACK: https://nell3d.substack.com/guestpass LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nell3d/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/nelldd/ #leadership #purpose #burnout #alignment #personalgrowth #intrinsicmotivation #autonomy #mindset #productivity #meaning #values #highperformance #justhuman #nell3d #stopdroproll

Episode 28 - Kobi Yamada on Ideas, Problems & Courage (Not Just for Kids)

What do you do with an idea when you don’t feel ready? What do you do when the only honest words are: “I’m trying”? In this episode of Just Human, Jay Boykin sits down with #1 New York Times bestselling author Kobi Yamada (President & CEO of Compendium Inc.) to talk about why his books look like children’s books… but land in a much deeper place for adults. If you’re building a business, leading a team, or wrestling with self-doubt, this conversation will hit you right in the chest—in the best way. Kobi shares how picture books can speak to both kids and adults, why our inner critic makes problems feel like identity threats, and how fear quietly blocks creativity, chances, and momentum. He also breaks down the role of mentorship, the power of leaving “space” for the reader, and why creativity is birthed in boredom—something modern scrolling is stealing from us. 👍 If this helped you, like, subscribe, and comment: Idea / Problem / Chance / Trying — which one are you living right now? Connect with Kobi Yamada Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/livethegoodstuff/ Shop: https://live-inspired.com/ Kobi Yamada | Penguin Random House https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2338428/kobi-yamada/ #KobiYamada #JustHuman #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #ImposterSyndrome #Creativity #Mindset #Mentorship #Compendium #WhatDoYouDoWithAnIdea #WhatDoYouDoWithAProblem #WhatDoYouDoWithAChance #PictureBooks #SelfDoubt

Episode 27 - Leaders Get This Wrong: “Lead Last” Changes Everything with Major Olaolu Ogunyemi

Most leaders think leadership means being first: first to speak, first to decide, first to act. But what if the move that changes your culture isn’t being louder… it’s being later? In this episode of Just Human, Jay Boykin sits down with U.S. Marine Corps Major Olaolu Ogunyemi, author of Lead Last, to unpack a leadership philosophy that flips the script: “He who leads last leads best.” You’ll hear how Olaolu learned leadership through real-world responsibility—walking into his first role in charge of 80 Marines—and why humility is often the missing ingredient in high-performing teams. We dive into why self-awareness for leaders is the starting point, how to build trust like an emotional bank account, and the most common “withdrawals” leaders make without realizing it—like not listening. We also explore the difference between a well-intended open door policy and why it can fail in practice, plus what it really takes to mentor emerging leaders, prepare the next generation, and leave a legacy that’s bigger than a title. If you lead people (or want to), this conversation will challenge you—in the best way. Connect with Olaolu Ogunyemi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olaolu.ogunyemi/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olaolu-ogunyemi-465ba453/ Website: https://parent-child-connect.com/

Episode 26 - Planning Doesn't Kill Romance, It Saves It | Interview with Dr. Robin Buckley

In this episode of Just Human, Jay Boykin sits down with Dr. Robin Buckley (author of Marriage, Inc.) to break down a powerful truth: planning doesn’t kill spontaneity — it protects it. When couples stop running on autopilot, they stop having the same fight every month and start building real connection again. You’ll learn practical relationship tools busy couples can use immediately, including: - The daily check-in that deepens connection in 5–10 minutes - Why “they should just know” is a romantic myth that destroys communication - How to use a safe word + a simple SOP to stop conflict spirals - What amygdala hijack looks like—and how to get back to calm, logical thinking - Why couples become “roommates” (and how to reverse it) - The 5 types of intimacy and how to build a “menu” of connection - How to use active listening so people feel heard (not argued with) If you want your relationship to feel less reactive and more intentional, start with ONE thing: try the daily check-in this week and notice what shifts. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, personal growth, and the practical human stuff that makes life work. CONNECT with Dr. Robin Buckley INSTAGRAM @drrobinbuckley LINKEDIN @dr-robin-buckley YOUTUBE  @DrRobinBuckley [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCpxQLxNPDmSVxKVJ2Vxw3_w]  TIKTOK @drrobinbuckley WEBSITE https://drrobinbuckley.com/ #RelationshipAdvice #Marriage #CommunicationSkills #Couples #MarriageInc #DrRobinBuckley #JustHumanPodcast #ConflictResolution #ActiveListening #EmotionalIntelligence #RelationshipGoals #Intimacy #HealthyRelationships #PersonalGrowth #Mindset