The Impact of Leadership^® Podcast

Today we dive into Part 2 of my conversation with Tara Lafon Gooch — an episode centered on what it really means to rewire your brain. This isn’t just positive thinking. It’s restructuring your mindset, reshaping your beliefs, and building a stronger foundation for your leadership and your life.

Tara brings us back to the starting point of the GRASP Method:

Gratitude.
Gratitude isn’t soft — it’s hardwiring. It forms new beliefs, and when you form new beliefs, the old lies lose their power. From there comes Responsibility, the essence of self leadership. As Tara says, “You can’t lead a team of many if you can’t lead a team of one.”

It starts with us. No victim mindset. No excuses. Own your choices, and you begin to transform your future.

Then comes Action — the step none of us can skip. Tara reminds us:
“An ounce of doing is worth more than a pound of theorizing.”
Ideas don’t change your life. Action does. “Hopes and dreams,” as I said — and Tara added, “Castles built with sand” — can only stand when you build on responsibility and intention.

We also dig into vision and purpose. You can’t know your purpose if you can’t see where you’re going. Too many of us live in the rearview mirror, replaying what already happened. Tara says it perfectly: you can’t drive 70 mph while looking backwards. Your power as a leader is in the next step you take, not the step you regret.

We talk about forgiveness, too — why we hold onto hurt to feel in control, and why real control actually comes from letting go. And Tara shares her own transformation — hitting rock bottom, surrendering, and finally hearing gratitude in a way that changed everything.

“When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” And from that moment, she was never the same.

Finally, Tara gives us a glimpse into her daily grounding: prayer, gratitude, Scripture, protecting her mind from comparison, and choosing family over scrolling. Small habits — 1% a day — that create long term transformation.

This conversation will challenge and encourage you. It’s about rewiring your thinking, reclaiming your power as a leader, and choosing the reality you want to build.
Let’s jump in.

In Part One, Tara opens up about fear, identity, calling, and the unexpected moments God uses to launch us into our purpose. Her insights will challenge you, stretch you, and inspire you to confront the barriers that have held you back.

Tara’s story is a reminder that purpose is always possible—no matter your past, your fears, or your starting point.

Her courage, vulnerability, and actionable wisdom will equip you to confront your own resistance, take bold steps toward your calling, and trust God’s timing in the journey.

This is the 2026 kick off, where Patrick talks about the art of choosing a single word to guide your year—a word that serves as an anchor and intention rather than a rigid resolution. The conversation begins with a look back at previous years: Consistency in 2023, which helped overcome the “light switch” tendency of starting strong and then stopping, and the lessons learned through building routines and discipline.

The episode then reflects on the significance of words in shaping identity and relationships, sharing a family tradition of speaking affirmations over children each night: “We love you. We are proud of you. We believe in you.” This practice underscores the transformative power of intentional words in leadership, family, and personal growth.

For 2026, Patrick’s chosen word is EMBRACE—a word that calls for openness, intentionality, and wholehearted living. The host breaks down how EMBRACE aligns with the five pillars of life and leadership:

Faith: Embrace trust, surrender, and God’s timing.
Family: Embrace presence, connection, and imperfect moments.
Foundation: Embrace stability, structure, and stewardship.
Leadership: Embrace influence, responsibility, and growth.
Work: Embrace purpose, discipline, and opportunity.

Listeners are encouraged to identify their own word for the year—a word that resonates deeply and sets the tone for growth, leadership, and impact. EMBRACE is not passive; it’s an active choice to lean in, receive, and grow.

Key Takeaway: Your word for the year can become a powerful compass for how you live, lead, and love. What will your word be for 2026?

As we wrap up 2025, this episode dives deep into the lessons, challenges, and breakthroughs that shaped the year for leaders everywhere. This episode reflects on the highs and lows—not just the wins, but the crashes that taught resilience and growth. Leadership isn’t about perfection; it’s about how you respond in the shock moments of life.
This episode revisits some of the most impactful conversations from this year:

John Greenwood (Ep. 161) – The Five Driver Model: People, Culture, Strategy, Structure, Process.

Kevin Calhoun (Ep. 165) – Buy vs. Build: Two paths to business growth.

Steve Black (Ep. 168 & 169) – Unmasking fear and overcoming the people-pleasing trap.

Steve Bowie (Ep. 171 & 172) – Burnout and finding balance through intentional wins.

Kathy Pinero (Ep. 178) – People before profits and leading with empathy.

This episode also introduces the Five Pillars of IOL—Faith, Family, Foundation, Leadership, and Work—as a compass for navigating uncertainty and leading with purpose. These pillars aren’t just words; they’re a way of life that shapes how we show up for our teams, families, and communities.

Key Takeaways:

Leadership starts with how you respond in tough moments.

People come before profits—empathy matters.

No one drifts into excellence; growth requires intention.

Faith and family are the foundation for everything else.

Join us as we reflect on 2025 and gear up for an incredible 2026. Because at IOL, we believe you are loved—not just by us, but by the Lord.

In this episode, I share lessons from a powerful C‑Suite for Christ event that reminded me how vital it is for leaders to stay spiritually fueled. Inspired by Paul Neuberger’s message, we’ll explore three principles of stewardship — Appreciate, Activate, and Authenticate — and how they can transform both your leadership and your faith. From cultivating gratitude, to boldly using your God‑given gifts, to living with authentic integrity, these truths challenge us to lead with purpose and courage. I’ll also reflect on Moses’ journey and what it teaches us about trusting God fully.

Tune in to be encouraged, equipped, and reminded that when we put faith first, God moves in amazing ways through our leadership and our lives.

As a dad, there’s nothing more terrifying than watching your child face death—and nothing more humbling than seeing God’s hand carry him through it. In this deeply personal episode, I share the story of my son’s survival through three near-death experiences: a childhood fire, teenage seizures, and a recent 60 mph car crash. These moments shattered my illusion of control and forced me to confront the fragility of life, the power of prayer, and the sovereignty of God. What emerged wasn’t just survival—it was transformation.

This isn’t just a story about pain; it’s a testimony of purpose. I unpack 10 life-changing lessons that shaped me as a father and a believer—lessons rooted in Scripture and forged in crisis. If you’ve ever questioned why storms come or how to hold onto hope when everything feels broken, this episode is for you. It’s raw, it’s real, and it might just change how you see your own story, your faith, and the God who never lets go.

In this powerful episode, we explore what it truly means to lead with unwavering conviction and Christ-centered grace. This theme runs throughout the stories and […]

Kathy Panaro, founder and CEO of Panaro Group, who’s marking an incredible milestone: 30 years in business. From launching her company with nothing but a newborn in her arms and a vision in her heart, Kathy has built more than just a business—she’s built a legacy rooted in purpose.

Her personal mantra, “People Before Profits,” isn’t just a slogan—it’s the foundation of every decision she makes. Kathy leads with empathy, always pulling back to reflect on culture, values, and the people who make it all possible. When one of her employees lost a spouse, the entire company paused—not to chase more business, but to support each other through grief. That moment wasn’t just about compassion—it was a living example of how love and leadership can coexist in a high-performance culture.

What started as a bold leap into entrepreneurship has grown into a thriving, 100% woman-owned firm in the tech space for manufacturing and construction. Kathy’s journey is one of resilience, learning, and leadership. She’s not just a recruiter—she’s a culture builder, a mentor, and a champion of meaningful impact.

In this episode, we’ll explore what it means to build something from scratch, the power of asking the right questions, and how Kathy’s leadership philosophy has shaped lives—both inside and outside her company. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Kathy’s insights will inspire you to lead with heart, live with intention, and never forget why you started.

Welcome to today’s episode of Finding Your Anchor In The Sea of Chaos.

Just like an anchor holds a boat steady in turbulent waters—keeping it from drifting, grounding it in place, and providing security—Christ is our anchor in life’s storms. When everything around us feels chaotic, uncertain, or overwhelming, He offers stability, peace, and unwavering hope. An anchor doesn’t remove the waves, but it keeps the vessel from being lost to them. In the same way, Christ doesn’t always calm the storm immediately—but He keeps us from being overcome by it.

Six weeks ago, I hit a wall. Not a physical one, but a spiritual one. I looked at the man in the mirror and saw someone I swore I’d never become. I was short-tempered, frustrated, and joyless. My family felt it. My wife felt it. My kids felt it. And deep down, I knew it too.

I had let stress and frustration steal my joy. I justified my anger. I blamed others. I wanted to be heard—but not with love. I wanted control. I wanted to send a message: I’m in charge. But the message that came through was pain. My kids felt spoken down to. My wife and I couldn’t communicate. And the truth? I wasn’t leading—I was hurting.
But God didn’t leave me there.
I got on my knees. I cried out. I said, “Lord, take this from me. Fill my heart with your joy. I know my circumstances won’t be easy, but I know you love me. You have a plan for my life—and I surrender to it.”
Then something beautiful happened.

This week’s interview is with Tim Hanley, a Milwaukee native & Titan 100 HOF whose career reads like a Hollywood script—until it didn’t. From rising to partner at Arthur Andersen to navigating the collapse of the firm during the Enron scandal, Tim faced a leadership crucible that tested everything he believed about trust, transparency, and tenacity.

But that wasn’t the end. Years later, after retiring from Deloitte, Tim stepped into another storm—this time as interim dean at Marquette University just as COVID shut down the world. What he thought would be a one-year commitment turned into a 4½-year mission to guide a business school through unprecedented uncertainty.

💡 This episode is a masterclass in resilience. Tim shares:

How servant leadership and overcommunication built trust in crisis
Why perspective—shaped by personal loss—reframes professional adversity
What routines helped him stay mentally tough while leading others
How to balance empathy with performance when the stakes are high
Why investing in people is the legacy that outlasts any title

This is part 2 with Travis Smith where we dig deeper into leadership! 

Travis explains his four-step training method that he used to build his business.

This brings loyalty between the leader and the employee.

Peace of mind is the key to every decision that needs to be made even in the tough moments of trying to decide if an employee should stay or go. 

Being present, direct, and consistent is how you can build a strong team under your leadership.

If you have ever struggled with trust, making the tough leadership decision or managing the weight of leadership – this episode is for you! 

This week’s episode is titled Vision Boards & Pivot Points, where dreams collide with discipline, and transformation starts with a choice. In this episode, we […]

Burnout isn’t just tiredness—it’s emotional and mental exhaustion. It’s disengaging from what you love, snapping at those you care about, and wondering, “Is this really me?” It’s a silent epidemic affecting leaders, parents, spouses, and teams. And it’s showing up in stress, anxiety, depression, strained marriages, family tension, grief, and loneliness.

Today’s Guest: Joining me is Steve, a leader who’s walked through burnout and come out stronger. He’s built teams, hired over 1,000 people, and learned how to lead with influence—not just authority. His keynote, The Intersection of Leadership & Mental Health, is reshaping how we think about performance and soul care.

What does it take to walk away from the corporate fast track and build something that truly matters?

Today’s guest, Steve Baue, did just that—trading in boardrooms and burnouts for impact, innovation, and meaning.

You’re about to hear how one leader found his purpose—and is helping thousands more find theirs.