Lead Well. Live Whole

S1 E21 – Leading Through Change with Pat Lipovski

S1 E21 – Leading Through Change with Pat Lipovski
 
In this episode of the Lead Well. Live Whole. podcast, Michael Sirmon sits down with Pat Lipovski, Founder and CEO of Envision Group International
, to explore how leaders can navigate seasons of change and transition with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
 
Pat shares insights from decades of experience coaching executives, elite athletes, and organizations worldwide—helping them transform uncertainty into opportunity. From guiding Olympians through career shifts to building strategic playbooks for Fortune-level companies, Pat’s approach emphasizes navigational leadership, vision-driven strategy, and the power of guiding versus telling.
 
This conversation will inspire you to embrace change not as a disruption, but as a catalyst for growth, alignment, and innovation.
 
Connect with Pat Lipovski:
 
www.youtube.com/patlipovski
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patlipovski/
 
🔗 Connect with host Michael Sirmon:
 
🌐 www.MichaelSirmon.com

S1 E20 The Bull Riding Ninja - Venn Johns

What do Olympic gymnastics, MMA, professional bull riding, American Ninja Warrior, and cybersecurity have in common? One man: Venn Johns.
In this jaw-dropping episode, we sit down with the unstoppable force known as The Bull Riding Ninja. Venn takes us on a wild ride through his unconventional path—from elite gymnast and Olympic alternate, to cage fighter, to one of the oldest professional bull riders in PBR history. But he didn’t stop there. As a black belt in both Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a three-time Ninja Warrior competitor, and a Hollywood stuntman, Venn is redefining what’s possible at every stage of life.
We unpack the mental grit, physical discipline, and relentless pursuit of growth that fuels his journey. Venn shares personal stories of resilience, retirement and comebacks, faith, failure, fitness, and the legacy he’s determined to leave behind.
Whether you're a leader, athlete, dreamer, or someone ready to start again, Venn's story will inspire you to crush limits, defy age, and lead with courage.
Hosted by Michael Sirmon on the Lead Well. Live Whole. Podcast.

S1 E19 Values-Driven Leadership with Molly Determan

Values-Driven Leadership with Molly Determan
In this episode of the Lead Well. Live Whole. podcast, host Michael Sirmon sits down with Molly Determan, President of the Energy Workforce & Technology Council, to explore the power of values-driven leadership. Molly shares her journey from journalism and nonprofit communications to leading one of the most influential energy associations, and how her personal values continue to guide her decisions.
Together, they discuss how values serve as an anchor in times of change, the role of accountability and trust in building strong teams, and how generational shifts are reshaping workforce expectations. From aligning personal and organizational values to navigating tough conversations, Molly offers wisdom for leaders who want to lead with integrity, consistency, and service.
If you’re ready to rethink leadership not just as what you do, but how you do it, this episode will inspire you to put values at the center of your leadership.

Episode 18 – The Power of Culture and Inclusion with Rob Cane

In this episode of Lead Well. Live Whole., Michael Sirmon sits down with Rob Cane, a leader passionate about developing people and building strong organizational cultures. With nearly 13 years of experience in performance management and talent development, Rob brings fresh insight into what it means to lead authentically and inclusively.
Michael and Rob dive into the importance of culture as the foundation of thriving workplaces, the role of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership, and how to align employee development with organizational goals. Rob shares personal stories—from ear piercings to tattoos—that highlight the freedom of being yourself and how that empowers others to do the same.
Key takeaways from this conversation:
Why authenticity and vulnerability build trust and stronger cultures
How leaders can balance empathy with accountability
The importance of aligning personal passion with professional growth
Why culture and inclusion matter for developing tomorrow’s leaders
Whether you’re a seasoned executive or just starting your leadership journey, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you show up for your people and how you cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Episode 17 - Dave Trzebiatowski on The Lost Art of Communication

Episode 17 - Dave Trzebiatowski on The Lost Art of Communication
In this episode of Lead Well. Live Whole., Michael Sirmon sits down with Dave Trzebiatowski to explore why genuine communication has become a “lost art” in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world. From his early experiences building connections in high school to his career in sales and leadership, Dave shares how empathy, curiosity, and mindfulness transform conversations at work and at home. Together, they discuss how leaders can avoid the trap of “listening to respond,” break down complex ideas with clarity, and create cultures where people feel valued and understood.
This candid conversation dives into the role of communication in leadership, culture, and even family life—reminding us that people may forget what we said, but they’ll always remember how we made them feel.

Episode 16 Larry Kerr on Growth, Resilience, and Servant Leadership

In this episode, Michael Sirmon interviews Larry Kerr, former CEO of GD Energy, about the defining moments that shaped his leadership journey. Larry shares how he shifted from a fixed to a growth mindset, implemented a self-directed workforce, and embraced servant leadership. He reflects on setbacks such as layoffs and missed promotions, and how faith, perseverance, and Lean Six Sigma principles guided him forward. With practical wisdom on empowering teams, staying true to core values, and leading with resilience, Larry’s story offers encouragement and insight for leaders who want to grow and make a lasting impact.

Episode 15 - When the Encourager Needs Encouraged

When the Encourager Needs Encouragement
Even the strongest voices—leaders, mentors, and caregivers—sometimes find themselves running on empty. In this heartfelt episode of the Lead Well. Live Whole. podcast, Michael and Tammy Sirmon open up about the hidden weight carried by those who are always uplifting others. They share candid stories from their own journey, offering practical burnout recovery tips, faith-based encouragement, and strategies for emotional health in leadership.
Discover how to recognize when your encourager’s tank is low, why vulnerability deepens connection, and how faith, community, and intentional self-care can restore your strength. Whether you’re a ministry leader, business owner, parent, or friend, you’ll find practical ways to refuel and continue serving from a healthy, whole place.
🎧 You’ll Learn:
How to identify signs of emotional and spiritual burnout.
Why it’s okay for encouragers to ask for help.
Practical self-care strategies for leaders and caregivers.
The role of faith and community in resilience and restoration.
If you’ve ever wondered how to keep leading well when your own well feels dry, this episode is for you. Share it with someone who encourages you—and remind them they don’t have to carry it alone.
Keywords: encouragement for leaders, Christian leadership podcast, burnout recovery tips, emotional health for leaders, caregiver support and self-care, Michael and Tammy Sirmon podcast, Christian encouragement for burnout, ministry leader support.

Episode 14 - Encouragement Pt 2: Verbal Affirmation

Today’s episode is a little different - it’s a heart-to-heart.A real, honest conversation with someone  who knows me better than anyone else = my wife, Tammy.If you’ve ever struggled to encourage others…If the words don’t come easily, or you feel like you’re not good at saying the “right thing”…this episode is for you.We’re diving deep into the power of verbal affirmation - not as a performance, but as a practice of love, leadership, and spiritual connection.You don’t have to be poetic.You don’t have to be perfect.You just have to be present - and willing to speak life.Let’s talk about what it means to encourage the people closest to us… especially when it doesn’t come naturally. This episode is all about verbal affirmation - how to speak life with clarity, intention, and truth in a world full of noise and negativity. Whether you're leading a team, raising a family, mentoring a friend, or trying to believe in yourself again, these practical insights and phrases will help you build courage in others - without hype, flattery, or false praise.You'll learn:• Why affirmation shapes identity more than correction ever could• How to give specific, situational, and future-focused encouragement• What to say to someone who’s struggling, showing growth, or feeling unseen• How to affirm people without sounding cheesy or cliché• A full Verbal Affirmation Cheat Sheet with sentence starters you can use todayYou don’t need a stage or a title to be influential - you just need to speak what’s true at the right time.🎧 Tune in, take notes, and start using your voice to build others back up—one word at a time.

The Power of Encouragement: Fuel for the Journey

🎙️ Episode 13: The Power of Encouragement: Fuel for the Journey
From the Lead Well. Live Whole. Podcast | Hosted by Michael Sirmon
Encouragement isn’t fluff—it’s fuel.
In this soul-stirring 2-hour episode, Michael Sirmon unpacks why encouragement is one of the most powerful, underused tools in leadership and life. You’ll discover how encouragement restores identity, strengthens resilience, and becomes the emotional oxygen people desperately need—but rarely ask for.
From real-life stories and biblical insights to neuroscience-backed research and practical tools, this episode equips you to speak life with confidence and intention.
You’ll learn:
Why encouragement is a leadership discipline—not a soft skill
How to affirm effort, identity, and potential with your words
When to speak, what to say, and how to make it stick
What to do when you’re the one who needs encouragement
How to practice daily encouragement without feeling forced
Plus: A 7-day challenge and downloadable Encouragement Toolkit
Whether you lead a team, a family, or just yourself—this episode will challenge and inspire you to become a voice of courage in a noisy world.
Listen in. Speak up. Someone needs your words today.

Episode 12 – Reputation or Reality: Leading Beyond the Image

🎙️ Episode 12 – Reputation or Reality: Leading Beyond the ImagePodcast: Lead Well. Live Whole.Host: Michael Sirmon
In a world obsessed with image, how do you lead from a place of integrity rather than illusion?
In this powerful episode, Michael Sirmon exposes the subtle trap of leading for applause instead of alignment. From curated bios to social media validation loops, many leaders end up managing perception while their true selves slowly erode.
But what happens when the gap between your reputation and your reality becomes too wide to carry?
Join us as we explore:
Why performance-based leadership leads to burnout
The neuroscience behind our addiction to approval
How to close the gap between who you are and who you pretend to be
Simple practices to trade applause for peace—and polish for purpose
This is an invitation to lead from wholeness, not hype. Because the people you're called to influence don’t need a brand—they need the real you.
 
🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube📲 leadwelllivewhole.com#Leadership #Authenticity #ReputationVsReality #LeadWellLiveWhole