Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Leon Ford shares his profound journey from the brink of death due to police brutality to becoming a symbol of forgiveness and activism.

About Leon Ford: Leon Ford is a celebrated author, social entrepreneur, impact investor, international speaker, and changemaker dedicated to driving positive change in his community and beyond.

As a respected activist and mental health ambassador, Ford passionately addresses disparities by focusing on holistic wellness. His inspiring approach emphasizes the importance of resilience, transforming personal challenges into purpose, and creating a lasting societal impact.

Ford's accomplishments include executive producing the Cannes Film Festival award-winning documentary Leon (2019) and Breaking Bread: A Conversation on Race in America (2021), which won a Shorty Award. President Obama's Volunteer Service Award (2017), The Root 100 (2018), Pittsburgh's 40 Under 40 (2019), Forbes 30 Under 30 (2023), and National Urban League Community Service Award (2023).

Key Takeaways:
1. Leon shares how personal growth thrives through challenging conversations and supportive mentorship.
2. Leadership emerges from therapy, community support, and embracing both love and critique. 3. The Here Foundation is born from facing fears and fostering unexpected alliances.
4. Forgiveness is a continuous journey, leading to prevention and healing through understanding and purpose-driven action.

Quotes From the Episode:
“I believe that it’s more curiosity than courage because I’m genuinely curious to understand what someone elses’ lived experiences may have been to let them see the world the way they see the world.”
“Forgiveness is a choice, but it’s also not a threshold that you cross, it’s not a finish line.”

Resources Mentioned:
An Unspeakable Hope by Leon Ford
The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav
The HEAR Foundation

Connect with Leon:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter)

Episode Webpage: https://l3leadership.org/414
L3 Mastermind Groups: https://l3leadership.org/mastermind
L3 Leadership Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L3Leader/
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l3-leadership
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Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Anne Beiler joins Doug to discuss her upbringing, Auntie Anne’s, and shares advice with listeners who may be struggling on how she navigates life’s more difficult seasons.

About Anne Beiler: Anne Beiler, raised in an Amish-Mennonite community, faced immense tragedy when her 19-month-old daughter died in a farming accident, leading her into darkness and depression. Her marriage with Jonas suffered, exacerbated by an abusive pastor. Seeking healing, they pursued counseling and reconciliation, birthing a vision to offer free counseling services. To support this vision, Anne bought a concession stand, which evolved into Auntie Anne’s, the world's largest pretzel franchise. Despite her success, Anne battled depression, finding solace in sharing her story publicly. This act of confession liberated her and inspired her to help other women find similar freedom. In 2005, Anne sold Auntie Anne’s to pursue speaking engagements on leadership, purpose, and the power of confession.

3 Key Takeaways:
1. Anne recounts her childhood growing up within the Amish community.
2. She shares how she came out of a difficult time in her life with guidance from The Holy Spirit.
3. Anne gives advice to others who may be struggling with feelings of depression or grief.

Quotes From the Episode:
“There is no way to be well unless you tell. Unless you feel the pain of it all.”
“I don’t have secrets anymore, I just bring them into the light.”

Resources Mentioned:
The Secret Lies Within by Anne Beiler

Connect with Anne:
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Episode Webpage: https://l3leadership.org/413
L3 Mastermind Groups: https://l3leadership.org/mastermind
L3 Leadership Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L3Leader/
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l3-leadership
Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/l3leadership

Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug is interviewed by his friend Zack Blair. Together, they discuss various topics, such as mental health, leadership, confidence, and parenting.

About Doug Smith: Doug Smith is the Director of Development at Light of Life Rescue Mission and Founder and CEO of L3 Leadership. He is the author of his eBook, “Making the Most of Mentoring”, a step-by-step guide to help you build and cultivate relationships with mentors. He blogs at dougsmithlive.com, he is the host of the L3 Leadership podcast, and he is a sought-after public speaker. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Laura, who works as an Account Executive at Ivalua. Together, they love family, personal growth, travel, working out, and serving others.

4 Key Takeaways:
1. Doug shares his journey to confidence as a leader.
2. Zack and Doug reflect on their friendship over the years and how having support is crucial to being a leader.
3. Being good with people involves showing an interest in others. Doug shares how he teaches his kids this concept.
4. He talks about overcoming trauma and moving past difficult times in life with the help of a therapist.

Quotes From the Episode:
“Invest in deep relationships.”
“Unity is always really important to me.”

Resources Mentioned:
Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro
Leaf by Niggle by JRR Tolkien 

Connect with Doug:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram

Episode Webpage: https://l3leadership.org/412
L3 Mastermind Groups: https://l3leadership.org/mastermind
L3 Leadership Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L3Leader/
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l3-leadership
Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/l3leadership

In this episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, Mark Miller, the former VP of High-Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A, joins us to reveal the core principles of "Uncommon Greatness."  

About Mark Miller: Mark started over 40 years ago working as an hourly employee at a local Chick-fil-A.  He has worked all across the business since then and currently serves as Vice President of High-Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A.  For the last 20 years, Mark has traveled the United States and the world focusing much of his time on serving leaders, helping them grow themselves, their teams, and their organizations. 

4 Key Takeaways:
1. Mark shares how important vision casting is for individuals in leadership and entire organizations.
2. Mark walks us through the five fundamentals as outlined in his book that can  transform your leadership approach.
3. He talks about aligning vision, results, and relationships, all while keeping your core values intact.
4. We discuss idea of servant leadership and how it helps create a caring atmosphere for people and for achieving goals.

Quotes From the Episode:
“If you don’t spend enough time thinking about the future, there may not be one for your or for your organization.”
“Uncommon leadership is the path to uncommon greatness.”

Resources Mentioned:
Call Mark at 678-612-8441
Preorder Uncommon Greatness

Connect with Mark:
Mark’s Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, William Vanderbloeman joins Doug to share the groundbreaking insights he’s gained from conducting over 30,000 interviews and shares strategies that will equip you to identify and become the 'unicorn' in your professional sphere.

About William Vanderbloeman: William brings over 15 years of ministry experience as a Senior Pastor, blending it seamlessly with executive search best practices to offer faith-based organizations a distinctive service. Before establishing Vanderbloemen Search Group, he apprenticed in executive search under a seasoned mentor with over 25 years of experience, gaining insights into corporate practices and search strategies used by renowned firms like Russell Reynolds. William's background also includes managerial roles in Human Resources within a Fortune 200 company, focusing on corporate culture integration and succession planning. His pastoral journey, which spans churches in North Carolina, Alabama, and Houston, includes transformative experiences such as rebuilding and relocating congregations and leading a historic Houston church as its Senior Pastor. William's expertise extends beyond the pulpit; he is a sought-after speaker at churches and conferences nationwide and the author of several acclaimed books on pastoral leadership and succession planning. Holding degrees from Wake Forest University and Princeton Theological Seminary, William's commitment to family, networking, and personal interests like running and golfing, further enrich his professional and personal endeavors, making him a well-rounded advisor and leader in his field.

4 Key Takeaways:
1. William defines what it means to hire a “unicorn”.
2. He discusses what he’s learned about likability, and shares his thoughts on authenticity.
3. William talks about one thing that makes his hiring process unique.
4. He talks about what he believes the future of work is going to look like.

Quotes From the Episode:
“People really like being seen and recognized and noticed.”
“Look people directly in one eye.”

Resources Mentioned:
William’s Books

Connect with William:
X(Twitter) | Instagram | Linkedin  

Episode Webpage: https://l3leadership.org/410
L3 Mastermind Groups: https://l3leadership.org/mastermind
L3 Leadership Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L3Leader/
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l3-leadership
Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/l3leadership

Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Jade Warshaw, a Ramsey personality, shares her journey to financial freedom and the importance of following the Baby Steps to get out of debt.

About Jade Warshaw: Jade Warshaw, hailing from a musical background, spent 15 years as a professional vocalist, touring 92 countries alongside her musician husband. However, their story took a sharp turn with nearly half a million dollars in debt. Marrying in 2007, they faced a staggering $280K in student loans, coupled with credit card debts and unaffordable assets. In 2008, after discovering Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps, they embarked on a journey to financial freedom, taking up various jobs and even sharing their home with roommates. Despite financial strains, Jade prioritized quality meals, inspired by her childhood. Sharing recipes online, they built a community around debt-free living. In 2015, a debt-free business idea emerged, marking a turning point. By 2017, they celebrated paying off their last $91K student loan on The Ramsey Show, embracing parenthood thereafter. Today, Jade finds fulfillment at Ramsey Solutions, using her journey to inspire others toward financial independence, emphasizing that if they could overcome six-figure debt, anyone can.

4 Key Takeaways:
1. Jade discusses what the Baby Steps program is and how it can help in becoming debt-free.
2. She reflects on life after debt and building wealth.
3. Jade talks about her new book, Money Is Not a Math Problem.
4. She shares some of her experiences at Ramsey Solutions including her favorite Ramsey personality and the challenges and growth she’s encountered in her role.

Quotes From the Episode:
“Start layering up your skills so you can offer more to the marketplace and thereby earn more money.”
“You do need help, there’s only so much you can do on your own.”
“Preparation is a gift you give yourself.”

Resources Mentioned:
Money Is Not a Math Problem by Jade Warshaw
Ramsey Solutions

Connect with Jade:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Instagram

Episode Webpage: https://l3leadership.org/409
L3 Mastermind Groups: https://l3leadership.org/mastermind
L3 Leadership Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L3Leader/
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l3-leadership
Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/l3leadership

Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug is interviewed by his long-time friend, Dan Herod for his podcast, Hope Between The Lines. They delve into relationships, mental health, grief, and more.

About Doug Smith: Doug Smith is the Director of Development at Light of Life Rescue Mission and Founder and CEO of L3 Leadership. He is the author of his eBook, “Making the Most of Mentoring”, a step-by-step guide to help you build and cultivate relationships with mentors. He blogs at dougsmithlive.com, he is the host of the L3 Leadership podcast, and he is a sought-after public speaker. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Laura, who currently works as an Account Executive at Ivalua. Together, they love family, personal growth, travel, working out, and serving others.

3 Key Takeaways:
1. Doug shares a funny story of a prank his father and brother-in-law played on him years ago. 
2. He talks about grief and mental health and shares his personal experience with these matters.
3. Dan and Doug discuss how perspective can change everything and how we should highlight our accomplishments.

Quotes From the Episode:
“It’s been the trying things in my life, the hard seasons that I’ve gone through, the dark seasons that have helped me grow the most.”
“Suffering comes to all of us, it’s what you do when suffering.” 

Resources Mentioned:
The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan
Hope Between The Lines Podcast

Connect with Doug:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram

Episode Webpage: https://l3leadership.org/408
L3 Mastermind Groups: https://l3leadership.org/mastermind
L3 Leadership Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L3Leader/
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l3-leadership
Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/l3leadership

Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, bestselling author Jordan Raynor discusses his new book, The Sacredness of Secular Work: 4 Ways Your Job Matters for Eternity.

About Jordan Raynor: Through his bestselling books (The Creator in You, Redeeming Your Time, Master of One, and Called to Create), the Mere Christians podcast, and his weekly devotionals, Jordan has helped millions of Christians in every country on earth connect the gospel to their work. 

In addition to his writing, Jordan serves as the Executive Chairman of Threshold 360, a venture-backed tech startup which Jordan previously ran as CEO following a string of successful ventures of his own. 

Jordan has twice been selected as a Google Fellow and served in The White House under President George W. Bush. A sixth-generation Floridian, Jordan lives in Tampa with his wife and their three young daughters. The Raynors are proud members of The Church at Odessa.

3 Key Takeaways:
1. Jordan references scriptural foundations that redefine the value of our vocations.
2. You'll find out why being a barista or an investment banker carries just as much weight in the Kingdom as any overtly spiritual role.
3. He covers the notion of work in the eternal realm, challenging the mainstream view and bringing to light a vision of redeemed and purposeful labor that awaits us beyond this life.

Quotes From the Episode:
“Language matters, words matter.” 
“The ultimate good is found in Christ alone.”

Resources Mentioned:
Jordan’s Books
Mere Christians Podcast

Connect with Jordan:
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Episode Webpage: https://l3leadership.org/407
L3 Mastermind Groups: https://l3leadership.org/mastermind
L3 Leadership Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L3Leader/
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l3-leadership
Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/l3leadership

Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Maggie Berghoff joins us to share her wealth of knowledge on functional medicine and personalized health.

About Maggie Berghoff: Maggie Berghoff is a visionary entrepreneur with multiple online companies dedicated to improving the well-being of individuals. The journey began as she ventured into the role of an online health consultant, evolving into a substantial educational platform offering published books, online programs, recommended products, and diverse services aimed at helping individuals achieve balance in their lives. In addition to her health-focused venture, Maggie has established a business consulting company. Through this endeavor, she has empowered thousands of emerging entrepreneurs, providing guidance in building, branding, marketing, and scaling their own online coaching businesses. Beyond the professional realm, Maggie gracefully balances the role of a devoted mother to three young children. Her commitment to health, entrepreneurship, and family exemplifies a holistic approach to a fulfilling and purposeful life.

4 Key Takeaways:
1. We delve deep into the transformative power of lab testing and nutrition, where understanding and interpreting your personal health data becomes your superpower.
2. Maggie discusses the benefits of recognizing hormone imbalances and hidden health issues, opening up avenues to longevity and anti-aging that go far beyond what meets the eye.
3. She shares how maintaining a guilt-free relationship with your favorite indulgences can actually contribute to better physical and mental health.
4. Maggie talks about why navigating the supermarket aisles shouldn't be a chore but an adventure in making informed choices.

Quotes From the Episode:
“You can always trust a natural product that is made with real foods and real ingredients.”
“You got this.”

Resources Mentioned:
Order Your Own Labs
Siete Foods
Simple Mills
MadeGood Foods
Lesser Evil Snacks
Eat to Treat by Maggie Berghoff
Yuka App
EWG

Connect with Maggie:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin | TikTok

Episode Webpage: https://l3leadership.org/406
L3 Mastermind Groups: https://l3leadership.org/mastermind
L3 Leadership Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L3Leader/
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l3-leadership
Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/l3leadership

Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, we are joined by George Kamel, Ramsey personality and author, as he recounts his climb from being burdened by debt to securing a seven-figure net worth.

About George Kamel: George Kamel is a personal finance expert and co-host of The Ramsey Show and Smart Money Happy Hour.  Following Ramsey’s proven money plan, George went from negative net worth to a millionaire in under 10 years. His goal is to help people spend less, save more, and avoid money traps so they can live a life with more margin, options and freedom.

4 Key Takeaways:
1. George shares his perspective on leadership in the digital age, focusing on impact rather than follower count.
2.  We dissect the cultural epidemic of debt that ensnares many in a relentless cycle and how achieving financial peace can rejuvenate our life experiences.
3. George talks about why he believes cutting the credit cord leads to a more mindful approach to money management.
4. You'll also listen to honest thoughts about balancing work and being a dad, and how kindness can have a lasting effect on the soul.

Quotes From the Episode:
“We’re more obsessed with debt than we’ve ever been as a culture, how can I help people break free from the chains that have been set upon them?”
“When you can look at money as a tool instead of an obstacle, that’s when everything changes.”

Resources Mentioned:
Pre-Order Georges Book
Smart Money Happy Hour

Connect with George:
Website | Facebook | YouTube | X | Instagram

Episode Webpage: https://l3leadership.org/404
L3 Mastermind Groups: https://l3leadership.org/mastermind
L3 Leadership Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L3Leader/
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l3-leadership
Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/l3leadership

Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Esther Fedorkevich is joins us to discuss her journey in entrepreneurship and publishing, offering valuable advice for aspiring authors.

About Esther Fedorkevich: Esther Fedorkevich is the founder of The Fedd Agency. She launched her career in 1997 as a salesperson for a major book publisher. Within six months, Esther sold a million dollars in products. From there she went to work for Dave Ramsey, a New York Times best-selling author and television host with a nationally syndicated radio program. She worked in the publishing department, selling and marketing Dave’s books and other projects, and fell in love with book publishing. When Esther was pregnant with her first child, her entrepreneurial spirit was charged and decided to venture out on her own, selling books and ideas as a literary agent. 

Esther founded The Fedd Agency in 2003 and began investing in authors. Her first client came to her for help when William Morris could not secure a book deal, even after pitching it for two years. With her innovative intervention and her acute business sense and selling skills, Esther got the author a three-book deal within two months. Esther continues to hone her innate marketing and sales talents, coupling that with a passion for selling life-changing books. Esther firmly believes she doesn’t just represent authors, she represents and builds futures. 

Using her natural entrepreneurial sensibilities, Esther also negotiates deals for film, television, and other derivative products. Additionally, The Fedd Agency offers agency guided publishing and audio book production services. Esther lives in Austin, TX and has and two rockstar kids, Alexi Jane and Paul Gregory. In her spare time, you can find Esther shooting hoops, swinging a golf club or tennis racket, reading, or cooking gourmet meals for her family and friends.

Her favorite book is How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.

Key Takeaways:
1. Esther shines a light on the nuances of writing, publishing, and marketing a successful book.
2. She shares her professional journey of selling over a million dollars in book products within six months to leveraging her talent as a literary agent and founding Fed Agency.
3. Ester talks about her entrepreneurial upbringing and how that has been instrumental in her current success.
4. She talks about why she believes everyone has a book inside of them and why people should consider writing their own.

Quotes From the Episode:
“I look at a book sold as a prayer answered.”
“Believe in yourself, keep working, keep dreaming, keep creating, and  keep developing new ideas.”

Resources Mentioned:
The Circle Maker

Connect with Esther Fedorkevich:
Website | Instagram | Linkedin

Episode Webpage: https://l3leadership.org/404
L3 Mastermind Groups: https://l3leadership.org/mastermind
L3 Leadership Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L3Leader/
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l3-leadership