The Impactful Leader

Chris Callahan
  • 5.0 (1)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Stories of Leaders Who've Built Something. The heaviest calling on earth is leadership.

  1. 5 HR AGO

    Who Are You When You Stop Achieving?

    What happens to your sense of self when the business slows down, the title changes, or the achievement stops? Most leaders and business owners build their entire identity around what they do — and never realize it until everything shifts. In this episode of the Impactful Leader Podcast, host Chris sits down with his personal mentor Tommy Thompson — life coach, teacher, and author of "Space to Breathe Again" — for an honest conversation about identity, purpose, and what it really means to lead from the inside out. You'll discover: → Why "being precedes doing" — and how this changes everything for leaders → The difference between your identity and your assignment → How to find your personal purpose statement (your North Star) → What integrity really means for a business owner or leader → The "One Thing" framework that replaces 20 goals with lasting change → Why true confidence comes from who you are, not what you achieve Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, executive, or leader in any capacity — this conversation will challenge you to stop defining yourself by your performance and start living from a foundation that cannot be shaken. Resources & Next Steps: • The Great Wealth Heist Assessment 👉 https://kingdomroi.typeform.com/wealthheisttest • Kingdom ROI main site — all offerings and info 👉 https://kingdomroi.org/ • Podcast (faith-based wealth, legacy, leadership) 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-impactful-leader/id1852272191 #identityandpurpose #leadershipdevelopment #businessownermindset #personaldevelopment #impactfulleader #christianleadership #findyourpurpose #entrepreneurship #executivecoaching #mindsetshift

    44 min

  2. 19 MAR

    Are You the Reason Your Business Is Stuck?

    A stranger pulled him aside and said, "If you're not careful, you're going to turn into me."  That one moment changed everything. Paul Olsen went from a poor kid in South Jersey to a business executive — and this is the leadership story nobody talks about. Paul Olsen is the Chief Innovator at So Good Team, an AI optimization company helping local businesses stay visible in the age of Google AI Search. But before all that? He was a plumber's son learning to lead the hard way — one wake-up call at a time. In this episode, we get into the exact moments that forged Paul's leadership philosophy, why most business owners stay stuck (and it's never an outside problem), and what it actually means to put people first. 🔗 RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS:  The Great Wealth Heist Assessment → https://kingdomroi.typeform.com/wealthheisttest  Kingdom ROI main site — all offerings and info 👉 https://kingdomroi.org/  Podcast (faith-based wealth, legacy, leadership) 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-impactful-leader/id1852272191 👍 If this episode added value, hit LIKE — it helps more leaders find this content.  🔔 SUBSCRIBE so you never miss a new episode.  💬 Drop a comment below: Who in your life gives you a real reality check? #ImpactfulLeader #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #TradesBusiness #Mentorship

    30 min

  3. 9 MAR

    The Leadership Mistake That's Killing Your Team's Loyalty

    Most business owners don't lose their best people because of pay — they lose them because of how they lead. In this episode of the Impactful Leader Podcast, host Chris sits down with Stephen Daly, President of Optima Engineering, one of the largest MEP consulting firms in the Carolinas — and the conversation is nothing short of a masterclass in leadership. Stephen opens up about his journey from being the fastest engineer in the room to becoming a servant leader who coaches, develops, and reproduces the next generation of leaders. He shares the raw, unfiltered lessons that shaped who he is — from being read the riot act by a boss who knew exactly how to push him, to going through a divorce in 2017 and learning what it really means to care for the whole person. If you're a business owner, manager, or aspiring leader wondering why your top talent keeps walking out the door — this episode will change how you think about culture, coaching, and what it truly means to lead. Resources & Next Steps: 💡The Great Wealth Heist Assessment → https://kingdomroi.typeform.com/wealthheisttest Kingdom ROI main site — all offerings and info 👉 https://kingdomroi.org/ Kingdom ROI University — free foundational training + mindset resources 👉 https://kingdomroi.org/university/ Podcast (faith-based wealth, legacy, leadership) 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-impactful-leader/id1852272191

    43 min

  4. 4 MAR

    He Lost His Son & Failed 30 Times — What He Learned About Leadership

    Jason Reed built a company from his second bedroom into a 3,500-employee business with five brands across the nation. He's coached CEOs for 15 years, failed at over 30 companies, and lost tens of millions of dollars along the way. But in March of 2018, Jason experienced the loss no parent should ever face — his 14-year-old son took his own life. That moment changed everything. It changed how he leads, how he shows up for his people, and why he now dedicates his life to making sure no other parent misses what he missed. In this episode of The Impactful Leader, host Chris sits down with Jason to talk about: 🔹 Why he calls himself a "builder of people" — not a CEO 🔹 What 30+ business failures taught him that success never could 🔹 "Failure is an event, not an identity" — how to bounce back without losing yourself 🔹 Why discipline and written goals separate leaders from dreamers 🔹 The signs of mental health struggles he wishes he'd recognized sooner 🔹 Why frontline managers MUST be equipped for mental health conversations 🔹 How leading with vulnerability creates stronger teams — and real ROI 🔹 "Do your employees want to give you a hug? If not, you're doing something wrong." This is one of the most honest conversations we've ever had on this podcast. 🆘 If you or someone you know is struggling: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (call or text) Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 Resources & Next Steps: 💡The Great Wealth Heist Assessment → https://kingdomroi.typeform.com/wealthheisttest Kingdom ROI main site — all offerings and info 👉 https://kingdomroi.org/ • Kingdom ROI University — free foundational training + mindset resources 👉 https://kingdomroi.org/university/ • Podcast (faith-based wealth, legacy, leadership) 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-impactful-leader/id1852272191 ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Failure Is Not Your Identity 02:41 Entrepreneurship Is Not For Everyone 05:58 The Mental Health Blind Spot 10:42 Leadership vs Management 14:36 You're Not Entitled to Success 18:12 Grow Your People Grow Your Business 21:57 Understanding Depression 25:48 The Power of Written Goals #leadership #mentalhealth #entrepreneurship #vulnerability #personalgrowth #leadershipdevelopment

    35 min

  5. 23 FEB

    The silent threat of modern leadership Costing You Thousands at Home

    Are you winning at work but losing at home? In this episode of the Impactful Leader Podcast, host Chris sits down with leadership coach and author Kelly Tolman to expose the silent threat of modern leadership and Work Mistake: Isolation. We often think "ministry" only happens inside a church, or that success is defined by our profit margins. But if you are compartmentalizing your faith, family, and career, you might be heading toward a crash. Kelly shares his powerful concept of "Portable Mirrors"—the people we need in our lives to show us the blind spots we can't see in ourselves. If you are a business owner, pastor, or leader who feels successful yet lonely, this conversation is the wake-up call you need to start living an integrated life. In this episode, we cover: 1) The Danger of Isolation: Why isolation is the first step toward moral and relational failure for leaders. 2) The "Winning vs. Losing" Trap: How to identify if you are succeeding professionally while neglecting your most important relationships. 3) What is a "Portable Mirror"? The specific type of accountability partner every leader needs to survive. 4) Redefining Ministry: Kelly explains concepts from his book Ambushed by God, showing how your workplace is your actual mission field. 5) Embracing Disruption: How to handle when God disrupts your plans and why obedience often looks like letting go. Resources & Next Steps: 💡The Great Wealth Heist Assessment → https://kingdomroi.typeform.com/wealthheisttest Kingdom ROI main site — all offerings and info 👉 https://kingdomroi.org/ • Kingdom ROI University — free foundational training + mindset resources 👉 https://kingdomroi.org/university/ • Podcast (faith-based wealth, legacy, leadership) 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-impactful-leader/id1852272191 ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:05:44:03 | Is Loneliness an Epidemic Among Leaders and Business Owners? 00:06:45:12 | How Does Isolation Lead to Loneliness in Leadership? 00:07:48:13 | Why are Pastors and Business Owners the Loneliest Leaders? 00:09:26:08 | What is the Consequence of Leading in Isolation? 00:09:51:11 | How Can You Be Winning at Work but Losing at Home? 00:11:02:08 | Who is Able to Call Out Your Blind Spots as a Leader? 00:14:02:23 | Why Are Men in Your Life Like a Portable Mirror? 00:14:50:19 | How Do We Move from Compartmentalized to Integrated Living? 00:17:59:02 | Does God Only Interrupt in Quiet Retreats or Normal Life? 00:22:07:20 | Is Having a Busy Career Preventing Me from Doing Ministry? 00:26:28:05 | How Do You Plan Your Way and Still Allow for God's Disruption? 00:27:13:18 | What Does it Mean to Live with Ambiguity with Jesus? 00:29:04:10 | How Can I Be Prepared to Share My Faith Without Relying on Methods? 00:30:05:06 | Why Does Obedience Often Follow Disruption in Life? 00:31:37:07 | Can Disruption Be a Precursor to Promotion in Faith? 00:35:18:13 | How Do You Recognize the Hand of God in Interruptions? 00:35:55:03 | How Can You Be Convicted of Sin Without Condemnation? 00:37:26:06 | What if Interruption is Designed to Lead You to Connection? 00:40:02:05 | What is the Coaching Principle About Finding Resources in Struggle? 👇 LEAVE A COMMENT: Do you have a "Portable Mirror" in your life—someone who tells you the hard truth? Let us know below!

    42 min

  6. 20 FEB

    Lead From Behind

    What if the most powerful leadership role isn’t the CEO… but the second in command? In this episode of The Impactful Leader Podcast, Chris Callahan sits down with Jeff Foil, President of Seven Oaks Capital, to unpack a perspective rarely discussed in leadership circles — the power and value of being the “number two.” Jeff spent most of his career as a second-in-command leader before stepping into the presidency. He shares why loyalty, responsibility, and execution are critical traits for supporting a vision — and how caring for employees creates long-term business success. This episode explores: Why the second-in-command role is vital to any organization The difference between managing tasks and developing leaders How “people over profit” actually increases profit The importance of season-aware leadership Why wisdom matters more than knowledge Learning from costly mistakes (including a $500,000 lesson in pride) What it really means to leave a legacy Jeff’s leadership philosophy is simple but powerful: Be kind. Be fair. Do what you say you’ll do. If you're a business owner, executive, or emerging leader, this conversation will challenge how you define success and growth. Because sustainable leadership isn’t about domination — it’s about developing people. Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode impacted you.

    43 min

  7. 19 FEB

    Listening Is Leadership

    What if the greatest leadership skill isn’t strategy… but listening? In this heartfelt episode of The Impactful Leader Podcast, Chris Callahan sits down with attorney Craig Hart for one of the most personal conversations yet. Together, they explore how faith, fatherhood, business, and legacy intersect — and why genuine connection is the foundation of true impact. Craig shares the powerful story of his mother’s miraculous healing, the loss of his father, and the spiritual shift that transformed his life from simply believing in God to actively listening for His voice. As a family law attorney, Craig reveals how his faith reshaped his leadership — from pursuing success and wealth to prioritizing presence, prayer, and people. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why listening is a leader’s greatest superpower How to build a legacy your children will actually carry forward The difference between transactional success and relational impact Why face-to-face connection matters more than ever in the AI age The powerful question Craig asks his children: “How do you want to be remembered?” This episode is for entrepreneurs, parents, business owners, and leaders who want to build something that lasts beyond money, titles, or accomplishments. Because in the end, you won’t be remembered for what you made — but for how you made people feel. If this conversation encourages you, be sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review.

    34 min

  8. 25/12/2025

    When Generosity Finally Feels Right

    Most Christians think God wants them to give more. Scripture says something very different. If you’re a high-capacity family or business owner seeking clarity, peace, and impact in your giving, this video will transform your perspective on generosity forever.In this video, Chris explains how to discern where God actually wants you to give, so your generosity is aligned with:• Biblical truth• Your family’s calling• Eternal Kingdom impactMany wealthy families give generously — yet still feel anxious, scattered, or unsure. That confusion isn’t spiritual failure… It’s a lack of discernment.You’ll discover:• Why does calling come before the check• The three biblical lenses that clarify every giving decision• The difference between scatter giving and true stewardship• How aligned generosity brings joy instead of pressure• Why God cares more about why you give than how much you giveIf you want your generosity to feel like worship instead of obligation, this message is for you.

    11 min
See All (15)

About

Stories of Leaders Who've Built Something. The heaviest calling on earth is leadership.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Callahan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Chris Callahan
  • Show Website
    The Impactful Leader