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In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith shares a powerful talk he gave for Keller Williams titled How to Build a Great Life.

Doug walks through the principles that have shaped his own journey—from a difficult upbringing to leading a nonprofit, raising a family, and developing leaders—and challenges listeners to stop simply “accepting” life and start intentionally building one that truly matters.

This episode goes beyond career success and focuses on what it really means to win in life: strong relationships, purpose, growth, and intentional leadership. Doug provides practical frameworks and actionable steps to help you clarify your vision, grow daily, build meaningful connections, and become the leader you’re capable of being.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re just going through the motions or unsure how to reach your full potential, this episode will challenge you to take ownership and start building a life you’re proud of.

Doug Smith – Host, L3 Leadership Podcast

What You’ll Learn

•  Why most people accept life instead of leading it
•  The difference between success vs. a great life
•  How to create a life plan that actually works
•  The “dream big + pay the price” framework 
•  How to become the obvious choice in your career 
•  The power of mentorship (and how to get it)
•  A simple system to handle failure: Admit it. Quit it. Forget it.
•  Why teachability is your ultimate competitive advantage 

💡 Key Takeaways

•  You don’t find a great life—you build one intentionally
•  Big dreams require a clear price—and the willingness to pay it
•  Your daily habits are campaigning for your future
•  Feedback is uncomfortable—but it’s the fastest path to growth 
•  Who you surround yourself with will determine your trajectory

📚 Resources & Mentions

• Living Forward
• Today Matters
• Tuesdays with Morrie
• The Ride of a Lifetime
• L3 Leadership
• Light of Life Rescue Mission

🤝 Connect & Learn More

•  Speaking & Coaching: DougSmithLive.com 
•  Podcast: L3 Leadership Podcast

🤝 Sponsor

Andocia Marketing Solutions – https://andocia.com

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions.
Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Learn more at www.andocia.com

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Most leaders think they’re growing—but in reality, they’re just repeating the same year over and over again.

In this powerful conversation, Doug sits down with Chris Robinson, Executive Vice President of Maxwell Leadership, to unpack why over 90% of leaders plateau—and what it actually takes to reach your potential.

Chris shares the mindset shift that changed his life from chasing success to developing others, how to become a “star maker” leader, and the hidden danger of complacency he calls “the secret place of satisfactory success.”

If you want to get promoted, multiply your impact, and avoid drifting through your career, this episode is a must-listen.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Why most leaders plateau (and don’t even realize it)
• The difference between being the star vs. creating stars
• The question that will fast-track your promotion
• How to respond when you get passed over
• Why complacency is killing your potential
• The role of family, discipline, and intentional growth in leadership
• How top leaders invest in themselves to stay ahead

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Introduction to Chris Robinson and his leadership journey
02:00 – Getting into personal growth for the wrong reasons
03:30 – The Law of the Lid and becoming a “star maker”
06:00 – The mindset shift required to truly develop others
08:30 – What to do when you get passed over for a promotion
11:00 – “The phrase that pays” for career growth
12:30 – From Drift to Drive: Why Chris wrote the book
13:30 – The danger of “satisfactory success”
14:30 – Why most leaders plateau
15:30 – Experience vs. repetition in leadership growth
16:00 – Balancing leadership and raising six kids
19:00 – Structuring your life around what matters most
21:00 – Inside Maxwell Leadership and developing leaders
23:00 – How to get out of the pile: results, service, and growth
26:00 – Lessons learned from working with John Maxwell
28:00 – Chris’s story: DUI, second chances, and transformation
32:00 – Leadership and alcohol: influence and responsibility
35:00 – The power of environment: people, places, and habits
37:00 – Best advice: “You have to get on a lot of airplanes.”
38:00 – How to read for growth (problems vs. passions)
40:00 – Leadership philosophy: Treat people like people
41:00 – Biggest pet peeve: inconsistent leadership
43:00 – Parenting lessons and prioritizing family
46:00 – Advice to his younger self
47:00 – The legacy Chris hopes to leave

🔗 Resources & Links:

Chris Robinson 

Maxwell Leadership: https://maxwellleadership.com

Book: From Drift to Drive by Chris Robinson

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions.
Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Learn more at www.andocia.com

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What would people say about your life at your memorial service?

In this deeply personal episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith shares the powerful leadership lessons he learned after attending the memorial service of legendary pastor and leader Jeff Leake.

For over two hours, story after story was shared about a man who finished his race with his faith, family, character, and calling intact. The experience forced Doug to ask a question every leader must wrestle with:

Am I living in a way that will lead to a life well lived?

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Why this memorial service deeply moved Doug
02:00 – Doug’s relationship with Jeff and the impact of mentorship
04:00 – The 2% principle: Finishing with family, character, and calling intact
08:00 – “Nobody has a dad like my dad” — intentional parenting that lasts
12:00 – Why family must come before success
14:30 – The urgency of spiritual fathers and mothers
18:00 – Becoming a spiritual parent to the next generation
20:30 – “Calm always wins” — emotional steadiness in leadership
25:00 – Teaching leadership lessons at home
27:00 – First Samuel 20 friendships: Anything, anytime, anywhere
31:00 – Your legacy is not what you do, but what you set into motion
35:00 – Resume building vs. people building
38:00 – Why documenting your content is a gift to your family
42:00 – One day it will be your memorial service
45:00 – What are you doing with your life?
48:00 – Long obedience in the same direction
50:00 – Don’t quit. Finish well.

In this episode, Doug breaks down the leadership principles he took away from that unforgettable service and how they can help you lead with greater purpose, clarity, and legacy.

If you want to become a leader who finishes well, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why only 2% of leaders finish their race with their faith, family, and character intact
• The parenting goal every leader should pursue: “Nobody has a dad like my dad.”
• Why great leaders learn to live by the principle “Calm always wins.”
• The importance of spiritual fathers, mentors, and leadership relationships
  • The powerful legacy principle: Your legacy is not what you do, but what you set into motion
• Why documenting your life and leadership content is a gift to future generations
• How reflecting on your own mortality can help you lead a more intentional life

It's finishing well.

Resources Mentioned

• Jeff Leek Memorial Service
 • Jeff Leek – Allison Park Church
 • L3 Leadership Podcast

Connect with Doug Smith

Follow Doug Smith for leadership content and resources to help you grow to your maximum potential and maximize the impact of your leadership.

Subscribe to the Podcast

If this episode added value to your life, please subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach and develop more leaders around the world.

👥 Leaders Referenced

Henry Cloud – https://drcloud.com

Eugene Peterson – https://www.navpress.com

Jeff Leake (Legacy referenced throughout episode)

🤝 Sponsor

Andocia Marketing Solutions. Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Learn more at www.andocia.com

🎥 WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrF93uIEB9BusYfpXUPIriU3evdBXjqaL

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In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith sits down with Dr. Tim Elmore, founder of Growing Leaders and bestselling author of The Future Begins with Z: 9 Strategies to Lead Generation Z as They Disrupt the Workplace.

After following Tim’s work for nearly two decades, Doug finally gets to have a conversation that every leader needs to hear. Together, they unpack the realities of leading Generation Z, why three out of four managers say Gen Z is the toughest generation to manage, and how leaders can shift from frustration to opportunity.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Why Tim wrote The Future Begins with Z
02:00 – The alarming stats about managing Generation Z
03:45 – The “Peter Pan Paradox”: Age of authority ↓, age of maturity ↑
07:00 – Artificial maturity: Overexposed to information, underexposed to experience
12:00 – Parenting the next generation: Risk, responsibility, and resilience
17:00 – Why leaders must mentor—not just manage
20:00 – The onboarding mistake costing companies Gen Z talent
21:30 – “Everyone has a voice. Not everyone has a vote.”
24:00 – Why Gen Z decides whether to stay on Day One
26:00 – Mental health realities leaders must understand
27:00 – The A.L.E.G. framework for difficult conversations
33:00 – Reverse mentoring: What older leaders must learn from Gen Z
36:00 – Lessons Tim learned from John Maxwell
41:00 – Advice for aspiring authors and speakers
48:00 – Begin with belief: Let people start with an “A”
51:00 – Don’t stereotype—listen before confronting
53:00 – Tim’s life sentence: The legacy he hopes to leave

🎙 Guest

• Dr. Tim Elmore – https://www.timelmore.com
  
  
• The Future Begins with Z – https://www.timelmore.com/books
  
  
• A Book in a Weekend – https://www.abookinaweekend.com
  
  

📚 Books Mentioned

• The Future Begins with Z – https://www.timelmore.com/books
  
  
• Leadership and Self-Deception – https://arbinger.com
  
  
• From Strength to Strength – https://arthurbrooks.com/books
  
  

👥 Leaders Referenced

• John C. Maxwell – https://johnmaxwell.com
  
  
• Henry Cloud – https://drcloud.com
  
  
• Arthur C. Brooks – https://arthurbrooks.com
  
  

🤝 Sponsor

• Andocia Marketing Solutions – https://andocia.com

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions.
Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Learn more at www.andocia.com

🎥 WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrF93uIEB9BusYfpXUPIriU3evdBXjqaL

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In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith shares Part 2 of his annual reflection series, unpacking the final ten lessons he learned in 2025 and how they are shaping his leadership moving into 2026. Drawing from real conversations, leadership challenges, faith, and personal growth, Doug challenges leaders to rethink success, create margin, embrace hard seasons, and recognize the significance of the work God is doing in and through them.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Why Doug shares his annual lessons and how they’re selected
 01:45 – Lesson 11: You can have everything and still have nothing
 03:30 – Lesson 12: In leadership, there are things only you can do
05:00 – Lesson 13: The necessity of people who challenge your perceptions
07:45 – Lesson 14: Follow a proven path when you don’t know what to do
08:45 – Lesson 15: Why AI can be a powerful personal and leadership coach
10:30 – Lesson 16: Margin matters—create it with time and finances
11:45 – Lesson 17: You’re always campaigning, whether you realize it or not
13:30 – Lesson 18: The gospel comes with a house key
15:15 – Lesson 19: Lessons learned in one season prepare you for the next
17:30 – Lesson 20: Don’t minimize the work God is doing in and through you
18:45 – Final encouragement: Don’t quit—your leadership matters more than you think

Resources Mentioned:

• The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger
• The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield
• “Good” Leadership Mindset – Jocko Willink (Video)

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions.
Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Learn more at www.andocia.com

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In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith kicks off part one of his annual reflection series, sharing the most significant lessons he learned in 2025 and how they’re shaping his leadership in 2026. Drawing from his year-end review process, Doug offers honest insights on health, family, leadership presence, fatherhood, faith, and the unseen weight leaders carry.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Why Doug does a year-end review every year
02:00 – Lesson 1: Taking ownership of your health before it’s too late
05:00 – Lesson 2: Big families are a gift worth fighting for
08:30 – Lesson 3: Your presence as a leader matters more than you think
11:00 – Lesson 4: The lifelong impact of being an intentional parent
14:00 – Lesson 5: The tension between progress and preservation
16:00 – Lesson 6: One day you’ll become a king—but not for the reasons you think
18:30 – Lesson 7: Not every battle deserves your energy
21:00 – Lesson 8: Want more *for* people than you want *from* them
23:00 – Lesson 9: Being the voice of leadership, not just the position
24:00 – Lesson 10: Leading well when life isn’t fair

Resources Mentioned:

• Fathered by God: Learning What Your Dad Could Never Teach You by John Eldredge
• Experience Jesus. Really: Finding Refuge, Strength, and Wonder Through Everyday Encounters with God by John Eldredge
• Why Do Black Christians Vote Democrat? – Phil Vischer (Video)
• Family Teams
• Gerald Brooks Leadership Podcast
• 🔗 Connect with Doug
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougsmithlive
    
    

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions. Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Visit www.andocia.com to learn more.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsF0cVdRu2oELJGpaHma7Ag

SUBSCRIBE TO: @l3leadership @dougsmithlive

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In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, host Doug Smith sits down with returning guest Jeremy Pryor, founder of Family Teams, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, family, faith, and legacy. Jeremy shares how viewing the family as a team—not a temporary stage of life—can reshape how leaders think about generational impact.

00:00 – Welcome to the L3 Leadership Podcast
01:00 – Introducing Jeremy Pryor and Family Teams
04:00 – Multi-generational families and shared rhythms
09:00 – Sabbath dinners, hospitality, and family culture
17:00 – The biblical vision for a ruling household
26:00 – Generational leadership, wealth, and stewardship
36:00 – Why traditional discipleship models struggle
45:00 – Making disciples who make disciples
55:00 – Church, family, and leadership sustainability
1:03:00 – Final thoughts on legacy and long-term impact

Links:

🔹 People

• Jeremy Pryor – https://www.jeremypryor.com
  
  
• Doug Smith – https://l3leadership.org
  
  

🔹 Organizations & Programs

• Family Teams – https://www.familyteams.com
  
  
• 1000 Houses – https://www.1000houses.org
  
  
• Family Teams Accelerator – https://www.familyteams.com/accelerator
  
  

🔹 Books & Concepts Mentioned

• The Gospel Comes with a House Key 
• Ruling Household (book in progress) – Jeremy Pryor 

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions. Andocia exists to bring leaders' visions to life. Visit https://andocia.com to learn more.

To find more leadership resources and helpful content for your leadership journey, check out our website at https://l3leadership.org/ today.

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In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, host Doug Smith shares his year-end review process, which has been a cornerstone of his personal growth since 2004. Doug discusses the importance of reflecting on the year gone by to foster growth and documents his detailed approach to conducting a comprehensive year-end review. He includes practical tips and encourages creating a personalized review system. Additionally, the episode features a word from the sponsor, Andocia Marketing Solutions. Doug wraps up with thoughtful ways to conclude the review process and the benefits of such reflections.

00:00 - Welcome to the L3 Leadership Podcast
00:27 - The Importance of Year-End Reviews
00:58 - Sponsor Message: Andocia Marketing Solutions
02:08 - Starting Your Year-End Review
06:05 - Essential Tools for Your Review
08:23 - Creating Your Year-End Report
12:26 - Wrapping Up Your Year-End Review
14:29 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions. Andocia exists to bring leaders' visions to life. Visit https://andocia.com to learn more.

To find more leadership resources and helpful content for your leadership journey, check out our website at https://l3leadership.org/ today.

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Holiday Gift Guide Link

In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith delivers a reflective, practical lesson on leadership gifts worth sharing—especially when life gets busy. Using the backdrop of the holiday season, Doug unpacks a curated gift guide through the lens of leadership, family, personal growth, and mindful presence. He reminds leaders that tools, systems, and intentional habits don’t replace the work of leadership—they strengthen the person doing it.

00:00 Introduction & Doug’s return to personal lessons
01:00 Why sharing resources creates lasting leadership impact
02:15 The finish line thinking that shapes character first
04:45 Finance tools leaders rely on now
07:30 Family routines and training kids in stewardship
09:50 Being present and blocking distractions
14:20 Tech that supports productivity without clutter
18:40 Kitchen tools that encourage hospitality at home
21:10 Learning through business biography, faith, and leadership books
25:35 Expanding impact by inviting the right people into your goals
27:48 Doug’s encouragement to leaders heading into the holidays
29:05 Quote on generosity and finishing well

Key Takeaways
- Leadership starts with character, systems just support the leader.
- Intentional family habits build leadership muscle long before adulthood.
- Presence is not passive—it requires guarding focus.
- Small tools that reduce friction protect mental bandwidth for what matters.
- Investing in durable resources creates compounding value over years, not months.
- Leaders grow bigger by asking who, not just how.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/e4o5TLH87yE?si=ur3Ph7a40XzOQFv7 

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The L3 Leadership Podcast is produced and sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions. Thanks to Andocia for co-producing and supporting multi-channel leadership storytelling.

Want help translating leadership vision into execution? Reach out at Andocia.com

"Give generously—even with your ideas. Inspiration is one of the easiest gifts to share and the longest to remember."

Leaders don’t quit. Keep leading. The world desperately needs your leadership.

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In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith talks with Peter Ostapko, co-founder of Kinsman Journal and leader of the growing Kinsman community in Springfield, Missouri. Peter shares his journey from a career in banking to launching gatherings designed to help men find authentic brotherhood, friendship, and faith-driven connection.

Together they discuss the loneliness epidemic among leaders, why local community is essential, and how intentional gatherings can transform lives. Peter also opens up about parenting, navigating career transitions, and the importance of slowing down and creating space for what matters most.

Whether you’re a leader longing for deeper friendships, a father seeking wisdom, or someone discerning your next step, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

Episode Highlights:
00:00 Introduction and Peter’s passion for community
02:00 How Kinsman gatherings began and why men said, “I didn’t know how much I needed this”
06:00 The power of local connection vs. national networks
09:00 Structuring meaningful gatherings with intentionality
13:00 Friendship, brotherhood, and why men struggle to connect
17:00 Moving beyond transactional relationships
20:00 The annual Kinsman Summit and why environment matters
22:00 Publishing Kinsman Journal and the story behind it
25:00 Fatherhood lessons: being intentional, dealing with your stuff, and prioritizing your marriage
30:00 Discerning career transitions and leaning into curiosity
35:00 Why Kinsman became a nonprofit and Peter’s approach to fundraising
40:00 The importance of slowing down and creating space to rest
42:00 Best advice Peter has ever received
47:00 Bucket list dreams: Italy and visiting every MLB stadium with his kids
48:00 What Peter would tell his younger self
49:00 Legacy: being remembered as a faithful servant, husband, and father

🌐 https://kinsmen.org/ – A high-quality publication for men exploring themes of faith, fatherhood, and work. 

🌐 https://kinsmen.org/gatherings – Community events and annual summit hosted by Kinsman to foster brotherhood and authentic friendships.

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions. Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Visit https://andocia.com
 to learn more.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/e4o5TLH87yE?si=ur3Ph7a40XzOQFv7

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SUBSCRIBE TO: @l3leadership @dougsmithlive

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In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug sits down with Matt Higgins, Executive Director of Hope Children’s Home in Tampa, Florida. Matt shares the powerful mission of providing a loving home and education to children from difficult circumstances, along with their new Bundles of Hope initiative that gives mothers in crisis pregnancies the gift of time and support.

Links:

• Hope Children's Home

Episode Highlights:
00:00 Doug introduces Matt Higgins and the story of how they connected
04:00 The mission and model of Hope Children’s Home
08:00 Four pillars: physical needs, family environment, education, and faith
14:00 Stories of transformation from children at Hope
17:00 Aftercare and staying connected with alumni
18:00 Bundles of Hope initiative and no-cost adoption vision
25:00 Matt on taking over as CEO after his father’s leadership
28:00 The unseen weight of leadership and why encouragement matters
31:00 How to become the obvious choice for leadership roles
33:00 Dealing with self-doubt and imposter syndrome
34:00 The power of mastermind groups and surrounding yourself with stronger leaders
39:00 Cutting meetings in half and lessons on leadership rhythms
44:00 What went well and what went wrong in succession planning
47:00 Best advice, parenting wisdom, and Matt’s legacy vision

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions. Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Visit https://andocia.com
to learn more.

📺 WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/VYNKN__xefE?si=Ip8hs24aXl4pAHBG

🎙️ LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7HJNhlqphdNFwt7xLTScpH?si=280a2dd8466e46bc 

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