Whole Hearted Leadership with Lantz Howard

In this episode of Whole Hearted Leadership, host Lantz Howard welcomes Dave Munson, founder and CEO of Saddleback Leather Company, for an inspiring conversation around legacy, leadership, faith, and family. Together, they explore Dave’s new book, They'll Fight Over It When You're Dead: The True Story of How I Survived Terrorists, Morons and an Assassin to Build One of the Coolest Leather Companies in the World, unpacking stories of risk, resilience, and radical generosity. Dave shares how building a purpose-driven business aligned with eternal values has shaped his leadership and life, offering wisdom on fatherhood, discipleship, and loving people deeply, even in business. Favorite Quote: "Love people so much that they’ll feel weird about it." Here are six insights and learning from the conversation: 1) Legacy is not about stuff—it’s about the stories and spiritual substance you leave behind. 2) You don’t need to be perfect to disciple your kids; you just need to be present and point them to Jesus. 3) Building a business with eternity in mind shifts decisions from self-centered to soul-centered. 4) Risk is a requirement for faith-filled leadership—not a liability to avoid. 5) Generosity isn’t just giving money; it’s choosing to love people radically and sacrificially. 5) Leading wholeheartedly begins by aligning your internal compass with God’s eternal purpose. 6) Your marriage and family should never be the cost of your mission—they are your first mission. -- Lantz Howard [www.lantzhoward.com] is a professional coach helping high performers scale their marriage by becoming a wholehearted leader. Take this free assessment [www.lantzhoward.com/assessment] to scan the health of your leadership.

In this powerful episode, Lantz Howard sits down with Tim and Kathy Bush to discuss their journey from brokenness to breakthrough in marriage. The conversation centers around their book Sex on the First Date, which explores rebuilding trust, intimacy, and spiritual connection after betrayal. As leaders of War Room Ministries [https://warroomministries.com/], they share the raw truth about restoration, how couples can start again, and why wholehearted leadership begins at home. If you are a business owner who has it all, I would encourage you to slow down and consider what Tim and Kathy have to offer. What I learned from our conversation: 1) Tim and Kathy’s story is a living testimony that marriages can be restored even after infidelity and broken trust. But it requires surrender, truth-telling, and courageous vulnerability. 2) Couples often expect restored connection without doing the emotional and spiritual work. True intimacy comes through a long obedience in the same direction—marked by confession, forgiveness, and intentional growth. 3) Tim and Kathy emphasize that you cannot compartmentalize life—your leadership in the home will impact your leadership in business, ministry, and beyond. 4) At the core of healing is the human desire to be known. Tim’s confession was the start of Kathy’s freedom to begin again—with God and with him. 5) The most dangerous position is being comfortably disconnected. The Bushes urge couples to do the hard conversations now—before the bottom falls out. 6) Their story challenges men especially to step out of isolation and into radical honesty. True strength is shown in the willingness to be weak before God and your spouse. 7) War Room Ministries wasn’t a goal—it was birthed from ashes. Tim and Kathy now guide other couples through similar restoration, showing that purpose often grows from our deepest wounds. 8) Even as empty nesters, they prioritize intentional time together. Dates aren’t just romantic—they’re acts of leadership and connection. -- Ready to scale your marriage and flip the script? Lantz Howard serves high-performing men to scale what matters most without sacrificing their business. www.lantzhoward.com

In this episode of Whole Hearted Leadership, Lantz sits down with renowned cognitive neuroscientist and author Dr. Caroline Leaf to explore the connection between brain health, mental resilience, and faith. Together, they unpack how leaders can rewire toxic thought patterns, renew their minds, and take ownership of their inner world. If you're a purpose-driven leader looking to think, live, and lead more intentionally, this conversation is a must-listen. We get into the foundation of her work and the new research that supports her latest book Help in a Hurry: Simple Tools for Finding Peace When You're Overwhelmed, Anxious, or Stressed [https://helpinahurrybook.com/] Here is what I learned from my conversation with Dr. Leaf: * You Are Not Your Brain You are not your brain—you’re the mind using the brain. This truth gives you the power to change your thinking and take control of your mental health. * Mind Renewal Takes Time and Intentionality True transformation doesn’t happen overnight. Dr. Leaf shares a 63-day Neurocycle process for rewiring the brain and forming lasting habits. * Mental Health Requires Daily Work Just like physical fitness, mental health is a discipline. Simple, consistent mind management practices each day can lead to real transformation. * Toxic Thoughts Physically Damage the Brain Unchecked negative thinking increases inflammation and affects brain health. Toxic thoughts manifest in emotional, relational, and physical dysfunction. * Honest Self-Reflection Is a Leadership Superpower Leaders must slow down and examine their inner dialogue. Without awareness, subconscious thoughts will drive decisions and behavior. * Emotions Are Messengers, Not Masters Emotions shouldn’t be suppressed or ignored. They’re signals to embrace, explore, and reconceptualize for growth. * Trauma is Stored—But It Can Be Rewired Past pain doesn't have to define you. With structure and grace, trauma can be processed, healed, and transformed. * Faith and Science Go Hand in Hand Dr. Leaf bridges neuroscience and Scripture, showing how renewing the mind (Romans 12:2) is both a spiritual and scientific truth. * The Neurocycle is a Practical, Repeatable Tool Her 5-step Neurocycle—Gather, Reflect, Write, Reframe, and Active Reach—is a daily method for mental clarity and emotional resilience. Leaders Must Lead Their Minds Before Leading Others Great leadership starts with self-leadership. If you don’t govern your inner world, you’ll lead from reaction instead of responsibility. Ready to close the gap on your leadership and reach your highest potential? Take this free health assessment [www.lantzhoward.com/assessment]and receive a free personal coaching call to guide you on your next step. Lantz Howard is a professional coach who helps entrepreneurs, CEO's, and creatives scale their business without sacrificing their marriage. www.lantzhoward.com *

John Eldredge is back for our third conversation together. We talk about his latest book, Experience Jesus Really, [https://www.amazon.com/Experience-Jesus-Really-Strength-Encounters/dp/1400208653] and how to find refuge in the summer and restore the strength of your leadership. What I learned from John in our conversation: 1. Why praying over your vacation is essential and how to invite others to pray with you in all seasons of life. 2. God created us to enjoy life now, and how to pull away from being discipled by the internet. 3. You cannot trust a vacation to restore of provide refuge for your soul. 4. Your organization may flourish more with a four-day work week. Root your team in a "vine and branch" organization who have a real life in God. 5. As the leader of a team, learn what triggers you and then invite Christ into those parts and receive his care and compassion. 6. If you are facing a complex leadership decision, learn to invite Jesus into that place of fear or risk aversion and ask Jesus to heal your soul. 7. The pressure of leadership will reveal the unhealthy places that Jesus wants more access to you in the journey of becoming a wholehearted leader. 8. Leadership is lonely. Pay attention to addictions, even if the addiction is chocolate. God may be inviting you to find refuge in him from your leadership irritations. 9. Learn to receive from God care, love, and leadership. Your position of receiving will open you back up to love. Receiving is about being loved. You are loved. -- How is the health of your leadership? Learn more about working with Lantz as your professional coach at www.lantzhoward.com -- Did you find this conversation useful and encouraging? Share it with a friend and leave a review for others to be inspired as well. -- Follow Lantz on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lantzhoward/].

Patrick Lencioni Founder of The Table Group [https://www.tablegroup.com/about/]. TG focus is on leading a movement to make organizational health a reality in companies and organizations everywhere. That's because we are utterly convinced that a healthy organization achieves greater results, builds a more loyal customer base, and develops fulfilled employees. What I learned in my conversation with Pat: 1. How Pat and his wife Laura grow their marriage through long drives together. 2. Be responsive to the voice of God and the Holy Spirit will lead you. Learning to respond in a way that is alignment with him and your gifting will lead you to flourish. 3. How achievers and pleasers may not even be aware of their dark side because it gets rewarded in our organizations. 4. The simple truths are the foundations of healthy organizations and a thriving life. 5. The false narrative that exists when high performance is only measuring external outcomes. 6. The addiction of high performers to please others is a dangerous path. 7. Be excellent at your job and allow the joy of Jesus to be the overflow. 8. Learn about yourself through assessments, coaching, and get curious about the behaviors that are not consistent with the gifts that God gives you. 9. Pray regularly and pause throughout the day to delight in the one who created you. -- Are you reaching your full potential as a leader? To start working with Lantz as your professional coach, take the free assessment at www.lantzhoward.com -- If you found this encouraging please share with a friend you care about and leave a review to help others find the path the show. -- Follow Lantz on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lantzhoward/].