Drew Williams: Leading with a Thick Skin and a Soft Heart

Drew Williams: Leading with a Thick Skin and a Soft Heart

Leadership in today's divided world can feel like a total battlefield, and let's be honest—sometimes it's easier to just hide out from the critics. This week, Megan is joined by Drew Williams, the lead pastor at North Point Church, for a incredibly honest look at what it really takes to lead well when the heat is turned up. Drew opens up about the massive challenge of stepping into giant leadership shoes, dealing with public criticism, and navigating conflict without losing your sanity. He introduces a beautiful picture of leadership: learning to develop the "thick skin of a camel" to survive the scorching heat of everyday problems, while keeping a soft, compassionate heart for the people you serve. If you're managing a team at work, volunteering, or just trying to keep the peace in your own community, this episode is a refreshing reminder that you don't have to choose between boundaries and kindness. Grab your coffee and tune in for some serious wisdom on how to lead with confidence, find true rest, and protect your peace through it all. Thanks to our sponsor, Ozark Veterinary Clinic [https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__t.dripemail2.com_c_eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.gIj7hTdhFopvEcBUzay5pE82ZmuiV1kySz4J1pVjZn8&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=ux_7MDobVJweUTsDAx6WvxozYTVP8fIp2wOO-IdRP4Y&m=l_XhCE-a6r9eBdYQBpshwWBKPko5VCUiZdbZoS660jkaGIkYe889dVqiG6g6dDSQ&s=OcaVfBz6vsXhAruZ-8aB8NNZvL2yB7gRoD9zKl2-6tY&e=]! See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Cam Stillings: Investing in the Next Generation

Ever look at your teens or twenty-somethings and feel a massive generational disconnect? We worry about their screen time, but the truth is, 83% of Gen Zers are practically begging for a mentor—yet hardly any of them have one. This week, Megan chats with Cam Stillings, a middle school youth director who is living proof of what happens when adults actually show up. Cam flips the script on what mentorship looks like, proving it doesn’t take a fancy degree or a rigid weekly schedule. It’s as simple as inviting a kid along on a Target run, checking in when life gets messy, or being the one to say, "I see your potential, and I believe in you." If you've ever doubted whether your gray hairs and hard-earned wisdom still matter to the next generation, grab your coffee and listen to this episode. Cam reminds us that our kids don't need us to be perfect—they just need us to be available. Thanks to our sponsor, Ozark Veterinary Clinic [https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__t.dripemail2.com_c_eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.QO-2D8vstwj3-2DMcgmcRkUCJwqEY231gh0jm6k7SbzM7Ng&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=ux_7MDobVJweUTsDAx6WvxozYTVP8fIp2wOO-IdRP4Y&m=2Z-k015Tq5Pz8Krhj3r3-4AEo7q71svFsxqDPtbliaHnNfy9j2OonVf85JAXYEnC&s=wm2Ye9hSsQStXM62XznAR-ZCG8sNf8-7rv3oFuKuKHs&e=]! See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Hannah Laxton: Fighting for Your Marriage Instead of Against Each Other

In this episode of The Real Deal Conversations, host Megan Deal sits down with Hannah Laxton, a licensed counselor from Wellspring in Republic, Missouri, to discuss the internal work required to maintain a healthy and resilient marriage. Hannah breaks down the staggering reality that roughly 80% of our thoughts are not true and explores how these false narratives can sabotage a relationship through assumptions and confirmation bias. The conversation provides a roadmap for "self-brain surgery"—learning to identify and replace lies with truth. From navigating major trust betrayals and building accountability to the power of the "Rosenthal Effect" in seeing your spouse rise to your expectations, this episode is packed with biological and spiritual insights. Hannah also offers practical strategies for managing "mom mode," creating intimacy beyond the physical, and the vital importance of making up in front of your children. Thanks to our sponsor, Ozark Veterinary Clinic [https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__t.dripemail2.com_c_eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJhdWQiOiJkZXRvdXIiLCJpc3MiOiJtb25vbGl0aCIsInN1YiI6ImRldG91cl9saW5rIiwiaWF0IjoxNzc4NjY5MTI4LCJuYmYiOjE3Nzg2NjkxMjgsImFjY291bnRfaWQiOiI0ODM5MzcyIiwiZGVsaXZlcnlfaWQiOiJ6bW51aHI4czlmOHFhZXdxYXV5NiIsInRva2VuIjoiem1udWhyOHM5ZjhxYWV3cWF1eTYiLCJzZW5kX2F0IjoxNzc4NjcwMDAwLCJlbWFpbF9pZCI6MTE3NTY5ODAsImVtYWlsYWJsZV90eXBlIjoiQnJvYWRjYXN0IiwiZW1haWxhYmxlX2lkIjo0NzE3NTI1LCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3VybGRlZmVuc2UucHJvb2Zwb2ludC5jb20vdjIvdXJsP3U9aHR0cHMtM0FfX3QuZHJpcGVtYWlsMi5jb21fY19leUpoYkdjaU9pSklVekkxTmlKOS5leUpoZFdRaU9pSmtaWFJ2ZFhJaUxDSnBjM01pT2lKdGIyNXZiR2wwYUNJc0luTjFZaUk2SW1SbGRHOTFjbDlzYVc1cklpd2lhV0YwSWpveE56YzNORFU1TlRFekxDSnVZbVlpT2pFM056YzBOVGsxTVRNc0ltRmpZMjkxYm5SZmFXUWlPaUkwT0RNNU16Y3lJaXdpWkdWc2FYWmxjbmxmYVdRaU9pSjNOamN6YmpRNVlqWnplWEY0WlhWbGIzTmpkQ0lzSW5SdmEyVnVJam9pZHpZM00yNDBPV0kyYzNseGVHVjFaVzl6WTNRaUxDSnpaVzVrWDJGMElqb3hOemMzTkRZd05EQXdMQ0psYldGcGJGOXBaQ0k2TVRFM01UZzBOVFVzSW1WdFlXbHNZV0pzWlY5MGVYQmxJam9pUW5KdllXUmpZWE4wSWl3aVpXMWhhV3hoWW14bFgybGtJam8wTnpBeU16SXlMQ0oxY213aU9pSm9kSFJ3Y3pvdkwyOTZZWEpyZG1WMFpYSnBibUZ5ZVdOc2FXNXBZeTVqYjIwLTVGWDE5elBYWXdabTltYnpCMU16UXdjemx1TnpNMmRqaGlKblYwYlY5emIzVnlZMlU5WkhKcGNDWjFkRzFmYldWa2FYVnRQV1Z0WVdsc0puVjBiVjlqWVcxd1lXbG5iajFVZDI4clUzUnZjSE1sTWtNclQyNWxLMGxqYjI1cFl5dFNiMkZrSlROQksxSnZkWFJsS3pZMkswVjRhR2xpYVhRclZISmhkbVZzY3l0QlkzSnZjM01yVFdsemMyOTFjbWtsTWtNclUzUmhjblJwYm1jclFYQnlhV3dyTXpBaWZRLjdrUUctNUZ5bjU5UE0tMkRkS2JxMVA3NVpDbnNvQ1l2NU5hdUZDbWdNOWVxMk00JmQ9RHdNRmFRJmM9ZXVHWnN0Y2FURGxsdmltRU44YjdqWHJ3cU9mLXY1QV9DZHBnblZmaWlNTSZyPXV4XzdNRG9iVkp3ZVVUc0RBeDZXdnhvellUVlA4ZklwMndPTy1JZFJQNFkmbT1WWTlQZUcwcXFQVXM0SENMVWFkMUtZak9sdzc1RTJKVWE2OFhkZEJJUzVIYndEUGVERWNGVUdRZG1NLVUwNGFqJnM9U2pJMWJJSnI5OFpMMDIxRHhFbWV1aFU3b2lWUzZYMWJvcXEwLXRERjlVRSZlPSZfX3M9djBmb2ZvMHUzNDBzOW43MzZ2OGImdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1kcmlwJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVNwcmluZ2ZpZWxkK1B1YmxpYytTY2hvb2xzK1JlYWR5LitTZXQuK1N1cHBseSUyMStDYW1wYWlnbiJ9.aR9T3pCBCUsGjHG5gCvJL4IMcivfNl1AZ-2DOWeNr0v3s&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=ux_7MDobVJweUTsDAx6WvxozYTVP8fIp2wOO-IdRP4Y&m=WZQhW6ihYUHjVbk7AnJEGr4xMxxw06fAtAN6QSx3YoCeEy9q_3SFUmVPVnsPNqrf&s=Wg9qjUMIDOm7XmnQbbgCXk-ums1vo2ZMV8CqjqJ6VIc&e=]! See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Dr. Stan Tatkin: Designing an "All-Weather" Relationship

This episode of The Real Deal Conversations features Dr. Stan Tatkin, a world-renowned researcher and clinician who has revolutionized how we understand romantic relationships through the lens of neuroscience and biology. As the developer of PACT (A Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy) and author of Wired for Love, Dr. Tatkin breaks down why humans are "unreliable beasts" when under stress and why relying on love alone is never enough to sustain a marriage. The conversation focuses on the transition from "insecure functioning" to "secure functioning"—a shift from defending yourself against your partner to becoming an all-weather alliance. Dr. Tatkin offers fascinating "nervous system hacks" you'll want to file away. Whether you're navigating high-conflict parenting or trying to prevent the "gift that keeps on giving" (unrepaired threat memory), this episode is a masterclass in how to design a relationship that is absolute safety for both people.   Sign up to receive an excerpt from Stan Tatkin's book, In Each Other's Care: https://www.thepactinstitute.com/ieoc-giveaway [https://www.thepactinstitute.com/ieoc-giveaway] Thanks to our sponsor, Ozark Veterinary Clinic [https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__t.dripemail2.com_c_eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.aR9T3pCBCUsGjHG5gCvJL4IMcivfNl1AZ-2DOWeNr0v3s&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=ux_7MDobVJweUTsDAx6WvxozYTVP8fIp2wOO-IdRP4Y&m=WZQhW6ihYUHjVbk7AnJEGr4xMxxw06fAtAN6QSx3YoCeEy9q_3SFUmVPVnsPNqrf&s=Wg9qjUMIDOm7XmnQbbgCXk-ums1vo2ZMV8CqjqJ6VIc&e=]! See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Touchstone Counseling: Part 2 - Practical Steps for When Your Child is in Crisis

We’ve all had those moments where our teen’s reaction seems completely disproportionate to the situation. But what if that outburst isn't defiance—it's biology? In this concluding part of our deep dive, Megan and the team at Touchstone Counseling explore the "perfect storm" of adolescent emotional flooding. They discuss how puberty-driven hormone shifts directly impact neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, often leaving teens feeling dysregulated and unable to access their own "internal brakes." This episode provides a masterclass in co-regulation, covering everything from the power of the "30-minute pause" in heated arguments to the vital importance of repairing the parent-child bond after the explosion. Most importantly, the team provides a clear guide on the red flags that signal when it’s time to move beyond grace and seek immediate professional help, including how to handle signs of depression, self-harm, or suicidal ideation. Thanks to our sponsor, Ozark Veterinary Clinic [https://ozarkveterinaryclinic.com]! See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.