What happens when grit—one of the most celebrated traits in leadership—actually starts to work against you?

In this powerful and reflective conversation, I sit down with Dawn Wolfgram, a seasoned executive, mother, and trusted mentor in the insurance industry. Dawn opens up about learning to balance hustle with wisdom, and how she had to reevaluate the very mindset that helped her rise through the ranks.

We talk about burnout, boundaries, and the subtle ways ambition can disconnect us from our true priorities. Dawn shares how a life-altering moment with her daughter reframed everything she thought she knew about leadership, success, and being present.

Whether you’re climbing the ladder or leading from the top, this episode is your reminder that grit is powerful—but it’s not everything.

• Why grit without self-awareness can become a liability.
• The moment that caused Dawn to shift her entire leadership style.
• How to lead from values, not just goals.
• Red flags that you're pushing too hard—and what to do instead.
• The gift of grace when you're learning to lead differently.
• Practical tools for reevaluating your definition of success.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Video Mentioned:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTnHN8YDUuE

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 - Welcome + Dawn’s leadership background
• 04:22 - What “grit” looked like in her early career
• 08:05 - When pushing hard starts pushing people away
• 12:17 - A wake-up call moment with her daughter
• 15:50 - Choosing presence over performance
• 18:30 - The hardest leadership lesson she learned
• 21:55 - How to reframe success in a burnout culture
• 25:40 - What Dawn would tell her younger self
• 28:10 - Living and leading from a deeper place
• 30:00 - Final thoughts and encouragement

Welcome back to the Inspiration Podcast!

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down one of the three foundational keys that has guided my approach to leadership for decades: Psychological Safety. From boardrooms to ballfields, I’ve seen that creating a space where people feel safe to show up authentically is essential—not just for performance, but for long-term trust and growth.

I take you back to a pivotal moment from my early leadership days, when a vulnerable team member opened up about his struggles—and how that moment changed everything for me. That conversation taught me more about connection, courage, and leadership than any textbook ever could.

Whether you lead a company, a team, a classroom, or a family, what I share today will inspire you to reexamine how you create (or miss) moments of psychological safety for the people around you.

🔑 Inside This Episode:

• The true meaning of psychological safety—and why it matters
• A powerful story from early in Stan’s leadership journey
• How vulnerability and performance go hand-in-hand
• Why consistency is a cornerstone of trust
• Practical ways to create safety and clarity for those you lead
• 🎯 Final Thought

Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about people. And when people feel seen, safe, and supported, they will surprise you every time. Let’s build teams and families where that kind of trust is the norm.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Intro: One of the 3 keys to leadership
• 01:15 – The importance of psychological safety
• 02:48 – A personal story about leading through vulnerability
• 05:30 – Why consistency builds trust and confidence
• 08:22 – Creating a safe space for people to speak up
• 10:40 – Final reflections and practical application

What happens after the standing ovation? When the lights dim, the medals are packed away, and the cheering stops—what’s next?

In this episode of The Inspiration Podcast, I sit down with Olympic gold medalist Carly Patterson Caldwell to talk about life beyond the podium. Carly’s story isn’t just about winning big—it’s about starting over, holding on to faith through personal storms, and discovering purpose that outlasts performance.

Carly Patterson knows what it means to win at the highest level. As the 2004 Olympic All-Around Champion in women’s gymnastics, she reached the top of her sport before she was even 17. But what happens when your defining chapter closes before adulthood even begins?

In our conversation, Carly shares the highs of her Olympic journey and the honest, lesser-known lows that followed—from injury and identity loss to starting over in music, marriage, and motherhood. We also talk about faith, fear, and how setbacks can become setups for something far more meaningful.

This episode is full of wisdom for athletes, dreamers, high achievers—and anyone trying to find joy and direction after a big life transition.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• What it took to go from 76th place to Olympic gold in just three years
• How Carly learned to handle pressure, nerves, and the weight of a nation watching
• Why post-Olympic life was harder than she expected—and how she rebuilt from it
• Carly’s take on “identity after achievement” and why it’s critical for lasting growth
• The role of faith, family, and her battle with postpartum depression
• Practical encouragement for anyone reinventing themselves after a major milestone
  
  

Links:

• https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com
• Carlyspeaks.com
• Carly's LI profile: linkedin.com/in/carly-patterson-a1b23a162

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Welcome and intro to Carly Patterson Caldwell
• 1:50 – From 76th to 1st: Carly’s early gymnastics journey
• 5:00 – Dealing with pressure and learning to perform under nerves
• 8:30 – The day she won Olympic gold—and how it really felt
• 10:45 – Life after the Olympics: the identity shift and letting go of gymnastics
• 13:00 – Carly’s music career: chasing a new dream and navigating setbacks
• 16:30 – Faith, motherhood, and learning to ask for help
• 20:00 – Carly’s journey through postpartum depression and the power of vulnerability
• 24:30 – Why your worth isn’t tied to your work or your wins
• 27:00 – Encouragement for others navigating big life transitions
• 30:00 – Final words of wisdom and how to stay connected with Carly

What if the most devastating moment of your life became the very thing that led you to your calling? This powerful conversation with Amanda Zwanziger is a story of paralysis—both physical and emotional—and the miraculous healing that transformed her life, her faith, and her purpose.

In today’s episode of the Inspiration Podcast, I sit down with Amanda Zwanziger—author, speaker, coach, and founder of the Paralyzed Movement. Her story is nothing short of breathtaking. After a tragic accident left her fiancé paralyzed, Amanda witnessed a miraculous healing that affirmed her faith and redirected her entire life. But Amanda’s story of paralysis didn’t start there—it began years earlier when she found herself emotionally stuck in a high-paying job, battling anxiety, and disconnected from her purpose. Through divine nudges (and a few spiritual two-by-fours), she discovered a calling to help others break free from what paralyzes them.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or like your best days are behind you, this episode will leave you filled with hope—and maybe even inspired to walk your own beach blindfolded.

Inside This Episode:

• Amanda’s powerful story of her husband’s paralysis and miraculous recovery
• The birth of the Paralyzed Movement and how emotional paralysis can be just as debilitating as physical
• Why control might be the very thing keeping you stuck
  Amanda’s vision of “ministry-preneurship” and how she brought her faith into her professional life
• Her journey from corporate burnout to Chamber CEO to prison ministry speaker
• The three powers that help us overcome anything: the human spirit, the Holy Spirit, and the spirit of community

Know someone who needs this message? Share this episode. And if you’re ready to step into your purpose—even if you’re scared—take that first step today. Connect with Amanda at amandamotivates.com or by email at info@amandamotivates.com.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Link For This Epiosde: The Paralyzed Movement: Find Purpose, Peace, and Freedom From the Things Paralyzing You in Life - https://www.amazon.com/Paralyzed-Movement-Purpose-Freedom-Paralyzing

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 - Welcome to Episode 7 + Meet Amanda Zwanziger
• 2:00 - Amanda’s unique path to Chamber CEO and the “seat she didn’t expect”
• 4:00 - Defining “ministry-preneurship” and how it started with a divine nudge
• 7:30 - The tragic ATV accident that changed everything
• 10:00 - The promise: “He will be healed” and Amanda’s peace in the chaos
• 15:00 - Todd’s spinal injury—and the miracle that followed
• 19:00 - The movement begins: community, prayer, and belief in the impossible
• 21:00 - A second miracle: Brad’s story from paralyzed to marathon runner
• 24:00 - Applying the same principles to emotional and psychological paralysis
• 29:00 - How Amanda’s corporate anxiety nearly broke her—and what saved her
• 32:00 - Proposing to Todd and starting a new journey
• 35:00 - The coaching that helped her find her true calling
• 40:00 - The beach walk: a literal blind journey of faith
• 44:30 - A second beach, 10 years later: realizing God’s promise came true
• 46:00 - Becoming the person she was always meant to be
• 48:00 - Amanda’s mission to help those in prison find emotional freedom
• 51:00 - The breadcrumbs that led to her current work
• 53:00 - A full-circle moment from prison security systems to prison ministry
• 55:00 - Where to find Amanda’s book and how to bring her to your stage
• 57:00 - Final encouragement and Stan’s reflections

Do you truly know who you are at your best—and who you’re not?

In today's episode, I'm tackling what I believe is the single most critical but frequently missing ingredient in leadership: self-awareness. In an era where artificial intelligence has leveled the playing field of IQ, emotional intelligence—EQ—is the competitive advantage leaders can't afford to overlook.

I dive into how genuine self-awareness not only sets great leaders apart but empowers teams and transforms organizational culture. From Michael Phelps to NASA astronauts, we unpack what it truly means to tap into your innate genius, break free from conformity, and lead authentically—even under intense pressure.

If you've ever felt stuck, misunderstood, or misaligned in your role, this episode is the roadmap you need. We explore the practical tools and assessments I've used with executives and teams to unlock their true strengths and lead with unprecedented clarity and effectiveness.

• Why emotional intelligence (EQ) will be the defining factor in leadership as we navigate the AI-driven future.
  Powerful insights from the extraordinary genius of Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky—and how this relates to your personal and professional life.
• A fascinating NASA assessment revealing why creativity and genius fade with age—and how to reignite yours.
• Real-life examples of my own journey in finding the leadership role that perfectly matched my unique strengths.
• Actionable advice on psychometric assessments such as Clifton StrengthsFinder and Enneagram, and how to practically leverage these results in your everyday leadership.
• How transforming your own self-awareness leads directly to transforming your team’s performance, culture, and trust.

Ready to uncover your genius and become the authentic leader you’re meant to be? Let's dive in.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 - Intro: Why real leadership growth happens in the messy middle
• 01:00 - EQ vs. IQ: Why emotional intelligence matters more in an AI-driven world
• 02:00 - Lessons from Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky: The unbeatable power of self-awareness
• 03:00 - Discovering and unleashing your personal genius
• 04:00 - NASA’s shocking research on creativity and why adults score lower than preschoolers
• 07:00 - The societal pressure to "norm and conform," and how it diminishes genius
• 08:00 - How I coach executives through deep self-awareness and identity transformation
• 09:00 - My personal journey: Finding my zone as a strategic communicator at Wells Fargo Financial
• 12:00 - The critical first 90 days of leadership: Listening deeply and building trust
• 15:00 - Using StrengthsFinder to unlock team genius and build authentic culture
• 17:00 - Powerful example of a global team discovering and affirming each other's unique strengths
• 20:00 - How to practically leverage assessments for lasting personal and team growth
• 22:00 - Overcoming limiting beliefs and creating a strong identity statement
• 23:00 - The neuroscience of transformation: Leveraging visualization and intentional habits
• 25:00 - Practical guidance on using Clifton StrengthsFinder and Enneagram assessments effectively
• 27:00 - Closing thoughts and how to connect further for meaningful growth

Your leadership journey begins and thrives with self-awareness. Hit play, and let's transform your approach to leadership—together.

Have you ever wondered what life might look like beyond the corporate world?

After decades in Fortune 500 companies, four years ago I got "that call"—the one telling me my position had been eliminated. But instead of panic, I felt clarity and peace because I already had a Plan B. In this episode, I'm sharing the ten powerful lessons I've learned since stepping out of corporate and into my own business full-time.

We'll unpack the importance of intentional living, self-awareness, resilience through difficult times, and why having your own Plan B is not just smart, but essential. These lessons aren't your typical motivational tips; they're born from real, raw experiences of life transitions, health challenges, and rediscovering true purpose.

If you're ready to embrace your journey, build authentic connections, and step boldly into your next chapter, this episode is for you.

• Finding clarity during life's toughest moments and why hardship can bring your purpose into focus
• Why investing in yourself and surrounding yourself with a strong team is key to personal growth
• Practical steps for becoming fiercely intentional about your time, your calendar, and your priorities
• How building a trusted accountability group can elevate your life personally and professionally
• Why authenticity and embracing your true self (even the messy parts!) is your greatest strength
• Understanding the power of having a solid "Plan B," and why it might someday become your "Plan A"

Grab a notebook—you might want to jot down these ten lessons and reflect on which resonate most deeply with you.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com/10-lessons

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 - Introduction: Welcome to Episode 5
• 01:00 - Why I launched the newsletter series (1,2,3 and Three Leadership Keys)
• 02:00 - A powerful Zig Ziglar quote on honesty and self-awareness
• 03:00 - The backstory: Leaving corporate life exactly four years ago
• 04:00 - Lesson 1: Real clarity comes in life's toughest moments
• 06:00 - Personal insights from my wife's cancer treatments
• 08:00 - Lesson 2: If you want real growth, invest heavily in yourself and your business
• 10:00 - Lesson 3: Productivity means being intentionally selfish with your time
• 12:00 - My personal daily and weekly time-management strategies
• 12:59 - Lesson 4: Everyone needs an accountability group (and why)
• 14:00 - Lesson 5: My favorite title of all time: "Grandstand"
• 16:00 - Lesson 6: The power of having your Plan B ready
• 18:00 - Lesson 7: You can't please everyone—and that's okay
• 19:00 - Lesson 8: Being kind beats being nice every single time
• 21:00 - Lesson 9: Be an owner, not a victim—take control of your narrative
• 22:59 - Lesson 10: The freedom and power of being authentically YOU
• 24:00 - Quick recap of the ten lessons
• 26:00 - Action step: Defining your personal Plan B
• 27:00 - Closing thoughts: Connect with me and keep growing intentionally
  
  

Wherever you find yourself today, these lessons are designed to meet you right where you are and equip you to take confident, purposeful action. Let's dive in—your next chapter starts now!

In this episode, join leadership expert Stan Gibson as he shares the remarkable story of his college football experience, where he witnessed firsthand the powerful transformation of a team going from "worst to first." Stan dives into how a new coaching philosophy centered on people-centric leadership drastically turned around a struggling football program, leading them to an incredible national championship victory.

Through personal anecdotes and memorable lessons, Stan reveals critical insights into effective leadership, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, surrounding yourself with the right people, empowering your team, and boosting morale through thoughtful, meaningful actions.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How self-awareness and recognizing individual strengths lead to team success
• The significance of empowering team members and giving them a voice
• Real-life examples of transforming team morale and performance through thoughtful leadership
• Practical lessons from legendary football coach Darryl Mudra ("Dr. Victory")
• Strategies for turning setbacks into powerful comebacks, both on and off the field

This inspiring story provides valuable takeaways for anyone looking to build resilient, thriving teams and foster effective, empowering leadership.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome back to The Inspiration Podcast
• 01:00 – Preview of today's episode: Going from worst to first
• 02:00 – Stan’s personal journey as a preferred walk-on at Eastern Illinois University
• 03:30 – Experiencing a disappointing 1-10 season despite great talent
• 05:00 – Meeting new coach Darryl Mudra, "Dr. Victory," and his unique philosophy
• 07:00 – Importance of self-awareness and assembling the right team
• 08:00 – Introduction of legendary coaching staff, including Mike Shanahan
• 10:30 – Retaining talent from the previous unsuccessful team
• 11:00 – Empowering players to provide critical on-field feedback
• 13:00 – Boosting team morale through meaningful changes
• 15:00 – Understanding the difference between temporary incentives and genuine development
• 16:00 – The lasting legacy and impact of Mudra’s leadership approach
• 18:00 – Applying these lessons to Stan’s coaching opportunity
• 20:00 – Stan’s high school coaching challenge: going from an 89-6 defeat to competitive success
• 23:00 – Celebrating small wins and listening to player insights
• 24:30 – Final reflections on the power of people-centric leadership
• 25:00 – Closing thoughts: Identity transformation and self-awareness

Ready to turn setbacks into comebacks and lead with purpose? Let’s get started.

In this episode, get ready to dive into a candid conversation with John Combs, a highly respected leader and "Ambassador of Culture" in commercial real estate. John, CEO and visionary founder of River Rock Real Estate Group, shares powerful insights into building an authentic, people-first company culture that propelled his firm from zero to managing over 50 million square feet.

John opens up about his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the critical roles of listening, humor, celebrating individual wins, and empowering teams. From overcoming personal and professional challenges to practical advice on maintaining team morale and accountability, this conversation offers valuable wisdom for leaders in any industry.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The story behind John's impressive journey and how he built River Rock Real Estate from scratch
• Why prioritizing happy clients, happy employees, and profitability creates sustainable success
• How to effectively use humor and genuine care to diffuse workplace friction
• The importance of adapting leadership styles to meet individual employee needs
• Practical tips for fostering a positive and empowering corporate culture

Join us as John shares both the trials and triumphs of leadership, revealing why authenticity and caring leadership are non-negotiable keys to lasting success.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

https://www.melrobbins.com/book/the-let-them-theory/

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome and introduction to special guest, John Combs
• 02:00 – John shares a humorous story about podcasting and overcoming technical mishaps
• 04:00 – Reflecting on John's leadership journey and notable achievements
• 07:00 – The early days: How Stan and John first connected professionally
• 10:00 – How John developed early leadership skills and personal growth
• 14:00 – John's leadership philosophy: genuinely caring about employees
• 17:00 – Practical leadership insights: adapting to flexible employee needs
• 21:00 – Creating a healthy employee culture with impactful wellness initiatives
• 26:00 – Overcoming personal and professional setbacks, including major career crossroads
• 31:00 – John’s courageous personal journey and its impact on his leadership
• 35:00 – How authentic leadership influences business success and employee satisfaction
• 38:00 – Reflections on building a successful company culture and meaningful legacy
• 42:00 – Lessons learned from working with and caring for horses
• 45:00 – John's "magic trick" for leadership success: listening and humor
• 48:00 – Closing reflections and key takeaways from John's wisdom

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will challenge and encourage you to lead with authenticity and intentionality.