The Inspiration Podcast with Stan Gibson

Stan Gibson: Top Leadership Public Speaker
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Bimonthly

Welcome to The Inspiration Podcast—where real talk meets real growth. I'm Stan Gibson, a proud husband, keynote speaker, and leadership coach who believes your best days are ahead of you. Each week, I share lessons from 40+ years in leadership and conversations with people who've climbed the mountain—and are honest enough to tell us what the climb really felt like. If you're ready to live with more purpose, grow through what you're going through, and get practical tools to thrive in work and life, you're in the right place. These bite-sized episodes are made for your morning commute, walk, or workout—and my hope is that they'll meet you exactly where you are.

  1. 5d ago

    32: Write It Like It's Already True: The Science of Journaling

    In this episode, Stan Gibson explores the transformative power of visioning, goal setting, and journaling to create a life by design. He shares science-backed techniques for rewiring the brain, the importance of specificity, and practical tips for integrating these practices into daily life.   FREE GIFTS FOR LEADERS: https://leadwithstan.com MORE INFO: https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com   Key Topics: The role of neuroplasticity in achieving goals How to use journaling to rewire your brain for success The importance of specificity in visioning exercises Science behind visualization and goal achievement Practical steps for creating a five-year vision journal The connection between self-awareness and identity formation Historical examples of journaling by famous leaders The impact of gratitude and emotional regulation in goal setting Tools and techniques for effective journaling and reflection The significance of intentional living and leadership   Episode Chapters: 00:00 Intro: Visioning and Working Backwards 00:46 The Five-Year Vision Journal: The Bridge Between Awareness and Identity 01:44 Rewiring Your Brain by Writing the Future in Past Tense 03:39 Maxwell Maltz and Psycho-Cybernetics 05:14 Your Brain's Built-In Guidance System 07:41 Is Visioning Just Goal Setting? 09:17 The Power of a 15-Minute End-of-Day Reflection 10:35 Journaling for Anxiety and Better Sleep 12:02 How Writing Frees Up Mental Space 13:06 Famous Journalers Through History 14:18 Stan's 7-Minute Morning Journaling Routine 17:08 Handwriting vs. Typing: What the Science Says 20:24 Back to the Five-Year Vision: The Three Phases 21:20 How the Five-Year Journal Works (Start With the End) 23:29 The Questions That Make You Stop and Think 24:49 Coffee Time: Protecting Your Uninterrupted Space 25:39 Creating a Present-Tense Identity Statement 27:58 Questions to Ask Yourself Today 29:31 How to Start: Pick Up a Pen and Schedule It 30:18 Recap and an Invitation to Reach Out 31:19 Legacy Labs Mastermind Announcement 32:36 Wrap-Up and Sign-Off

  2. Sep 23

    31: Kristi Knous on Legacy Leavers, Leadership, and Living With Stage 4

    In this episode, Kristi Knouse shares her inspiring journey through leadership, community impact, and her personal battle with stage four cancer. Discover how her faith, mentorship, and community work have shaped her life and leadership style.   Connect with Kristi Knouse: LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiknous/ PODCAST GUESTING: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVhkUdjNHy_Jd8c_IlBJWJdSxXCHwYuuR ; Email Address: knous@desmoinesfoundation.org   Key Topics: Kristi Knouse's role as president of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines The growth of the foundation from 31 million to 1.2 billion in assets Impact of community collaboration and public-private partnerships in Iowa Leadership lessons from top Iowa business and community leaders Kristi's personal journey with stage four cancer and faith-based resilience The importance of mentorship and creating a personal board of advisors The role of gratitude and faith in facing life's challenges The significance of community impact and legacy building in leadership Insights into the community's leadership culture and collaboration Kristi's advice for emerging leaders and the importance of continuous learning   Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Kristi Knouse and her leadership impact 01:56 Overview of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines 03:55 Growth and impact of the foundation's assets and grants 09:00 Leadership culture and collaboration in Des Moines 15:08 Personal stories of mentorship and leadership influence 19:59 Kristi's journey with stage four cancer and faith 29:46 Reflections on community impact and legacy 40:12 Advice for emerging leaders and continuous learning 50:02 Closing thoughts and contact information

  3. Sep 16

    30: Leave a Footprint of GOOD with Linda Foggie

    Linda Foggie is the Global Head of Real Estate and Corporate Services at Scotiabank, where she oversees a global portfolio spanning more than 30 countries and supporting over 90,000 employees. Her mandate includes enterprise-wide real estate and corporate services functions, such as global travel, food and hospitality, and corporate cards.   Linda brings deep international experience from her prior as Global Head of Real Estate Operations at Citibank, as well as senior roles at Wells Fargo and CBRE. At CBRE, she led a revenue‑generating Global Corporate Services business, further strengthening her commercial and client-oriented perspective. A licensed architect and Columbia Business School MBA, Linda serves on a private equity–backed board and is actively engaged in a range of philanthropic initiatives.   Episode Summary: In this episode, Linda Foggie shares her inspiring journey through the real estate industry, leadership lessons, and the importance of growth mindset and intentionality in achieving success. Discover how she navigates diversity, builds culture, and leaves a lasting legacy.   Key Topics: Linda Foggie's career journey from Manhattan to global leadership Leadership lessons on overcoming fear and pushing through insecurities The importance of growth mindset and lifelong learning Navigating diversity and building inclusive culture Strategies for effective leadership in global organizations The role of intentionality in career and life Balancing personal life and high-level responsibilities Leaving a legacy through impact and service   Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Linda Foggie's impressive career 04:06 Overcoming fear and insecurities in leadership 06:03 The importance of continuous learning and education 07:49 Navigating diversity and building inclusive culture 10:10 The role of intentionality in career growth 11:58 Balancing personal life and professional responsibilities 13:55 Leadership advice for new leaders and scaling careers 15:47 Creating authentic connections across cultures 18:05 The impact of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership 20:03 Maintaining energy and motivation during travel 21:56 Moving to a Sunshine-filled life and enjoying the journey 24:08 The importance of strong relationships and support systems 25:57 Advice for new leaders in complex organizations 28:12 The significance of influence and taking on responsibility 30:02 The value of networking and visibility in career advancement 31:51 Traits to look for in high-potential talent 33:51 The importance of integrity and adaptability in leadership 35:48 Linda Foggie's legacy and impact on others 37:53 Final thoughts on servant leadership and living intentionally 40:04 Contact information and closing remarks

  4. Sep 9

    29: Who Are YOU...Really?

    In this episode, Stan Gibson explores the critical role of self-awareness in leadership and personal growth. He discusses psychometric assessments like Clifton Strengths, Enneagram, and Aptive, and how understanding your strengths and kryptonite can transform your career and relationships.   Key Topics: - The importance of self-awareness in leadership - Psychometric assessments: Clifton Strengths, Enneagram, Aptive - Understanding your strengths and kryptonite - Neuroplasticity and transformational identity - The role of emotional intelligence in career success - How to leverage team strengths for better collaboration - Stress responses and reactions under fear and pressure - Using AI tools to create personalized self-awareness reports   Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Self-Awareness and Leadership 02:19 The Significance of Self-Awareness in Personal and Professional Growth 03:11 The Gap Between Perceived and Actual Self-Awareness 04:07 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Career Advancement 06:03 Understanding Decision Biases and the Brain's Bias for Negative News 08:20 Overview of Clifton Strengths and Its Impact on Team Dynamics 11:46 The Enneagram and Its Deep Insights into Motivation and Stress 19:35 Additional Assessments: Aptive and Their Benefits 24:50 Using AI to Create a Personalized Self-Awareness Profile 26:17 Visioning and Setting Future Goals Based on Self-Awareness 27:12 Transformational Identity and Showing Up with Purpose 28:38 The Power of Mindset and Overcoming Negative Bias 30:06 Practical Steps to Enhance Self-Awareness and Leadership 31:30 Encouragement to Take Assessments and Embrace Self-Knowledge 34:21 Join the Legacy Lab and Continuous Leadership Development

  5. Sep 2

    28: Chemo, Faith, and the Road to Kona with Jim Logan

    Jim Logan shares his incredible journey of battling stage four cancer while preparing for the Iron Man World Championship, illustrating the power of faith, resilience, and living with purpose. This episode offers profound insights into overcoming adversity and living intentionally.   Jim Logan Bio: James J Logan, born and raised in New Jersey, attended high school in Germany from 1978 to 1982. Moved to Atlanta in 1993, met my wife Kelly and we married in 1996. I started a home inspection business in 1996 and retired in 2026 due to cancer. Raised a well adjusted 21 year old son as well! Diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer in April 2024. I am fighting cancer, training for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, on October 10, 2026, and I published a book titled Just Keep TRI-ING. The purpose of the book is to give faith to the faithless, hope to the hopeless and to prove the IRONMAN motto: ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!    Book & Social Media links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.logan.462536 Instagram: Jim Logan (@stage42025) Ironman Foundation: IRONMAN Foundation Book: Just Keep Tri-ing — Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=just+keep+tri-ing   Key Topics: - Jim Logan's cancer journey and overcoming stage four diagnosis - Preparation and challenges of competing in the Iron Man World Championship - The role of faith, hope, and love in overcoming adversity - The DSSP formula: discipline, sacrifice, suffering, pain - Living with purpose and intentionality amidst health challenges - The importance of mindset and mental toughness in extreme sports and life - The impact of community, charity, and giving back in personal growth - Lessons learned from setbacks and resilience in training and health - The significance of faith in overcoming fear and despair - Jim Logan's book 'Just Keep Trying' and its message of perseverance   Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Jim Logan's Inspiring Journey 02:25 Understanding the Iron Man World Championship 04:22 Jim's Background in Triathlons and Motivation 06:23 The Origin of Jim's Book 'Just Keep Trying' 08:12 The Power of Faith and Overcoming Fear 11:06 Jim's Cancer Diagnosis and Medical Journey 16:29 Training with Cancer: Challenges and Mindset 22:02 Living with Purpose and the Iron Man Race 27:13 Jim's Spiritual Journey and Faith in Action 36:37 Raising Money for the Iron Man Foundation 43:28 Final Thoughts and Inspirational Message

  6. Aug 26

    27: 5 Reasons to Join a Mastermind

    In this solo episode, Stan Gibson makes his case for why masterminds deserve a serious look — whether that's his own group, the Legacy Lab, or someone else's. Drawing on 25+ years of his own mastermind experience and decades in the corporate world, Stan lays out five reasons to consider joining one: the confidential "room" that most leaders don't currently have, built-in accountability, deep self-awareness work, access to concentrated peer wisdom, and the chance to build a lasting legacy. Along the way, he clarifies the differences between a mastermind (peer-led), group coaching (facilitator-led), and therapy (past-focused), shares the assessment tools he uses with clients (Clifton StrengthFinders, Enneagram, Aptive, and Genius Spark), and walks through the five-year "reverse journal" exercise that anchors the Legacy Lab's approach to intentionality. He closes with details on the Legacy Lab's October launch, including a discount for early sign-ups.   Key Takeaways:   - A mastermind gives leaders a safe room to talk that usually doesn't exist anywhere else in their life. - Sharing a goal with a group makes you far more likely to follow through on it. - Knowing yourself well is the foundation for leading and living with intention. - Getting advice from 10–12 peers at once beats one-on-one advice alone. - Companies that invest in developing their people see stronger revenue and returns.   Episode Chapters:   00:00 Welcome and episode intro 01:17 What a mastermind is and Stan's own 25-year mastermind journey 03:44 Five reasons to consider a mastermind (intro) 04:27 Reason 1 — The room you need most doesn't exist 06:35 Reason 2 — Accountability moves the needle 07:48 Reason 3 — Deep self-awareness (StrengthFinders, Enneagram, Aptive, Genius Spark) 11:49 Reason 4 — Pure wisdom and the ROI of investing in people 15:22 Reason 5 — Building a legacy through the five-year reverse journal 20:10 Recap of the five reasons 21:54 Mastermind vs. group coaching vs. "coach-sultant" 25:06 Mastermind vs. group coaching vs. therapy 26:59 Closing thoughts on intentionality 28:42 Legacy Lab October launch and early-bird discount 29:21 Sign-off and listener Q&A open 31:23 Free resources at leadwithstan.com and next episode teaser

  7. Aug 19

    26: Food, Wine, and God with Zac Jiwa

    In this episode, Stan sits down with Zac Jiwa — computer scientist turned home chef, entrepreneur, and now documentary filmmaker — to talk about his passion project, Food, Wine, and God. Zac shares his winding origin story: growing up between a Pakistani Muslim father and a Southern preacher's-kid mother, building a career in healthcare tech, and eventually hitting a wall in his early 40s that sent him on a sabbatical across the world. A "burning bush" moment on a plane, watching an Anthony Bourdain episode, crystallized the idea for a docuseries that follows the Judeo-Christian faith story geographically and historically — through food, wine, and culture. Zac and Stan dig into the pilot episode (filmed in Jerusalem), the realities of funding and producing independent film, lessons on leadership and letting go of control, and how listeners can support the project.   Zac Jiwa Socials: Website: https://www.foodwineandgod.com Instagram: @‌foodwineandgod @‌chef_zac_atx TikTok: @‌foodwineandgod @‌chef_zac_atx Facebook: @‌foodwineandgod @‌chef_zac_atx   FREE GIFTS FOR LEADERS: https://leadwithstan.com MORE INFO: https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com   Key Takeaways:   - Your background can become your calling. - Big visions often start small — and take time. - Sabbaticals can reset your direction - You're not fully in control — and that's okay. - Filmmaking is entrepreneurship without a playbook. - Community support matters. - It's never too late to pursue a legacy.   Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Zac Jiwa and his journey 01:57 Zac's background in computer science and art 05:05 The origin of Food, Wine, and God 09:49 Traveling to Israel and biblical exploration 15:05 The divine calling and project development 19:49 The biblical timeline and cultural exploration 24:57 Challenges in filmmaking and fundraising 30:08 Zac's culinary skills and family influence 35:00 Leadership lessons and divine timing 39:49 Future plans for Food, Wine, and God 45:03 How to support and connect with Zac

  8. Aug 12

    25: Life is Meaningless

    In this solo episode, Stan Gibson unpacks a talk he gave at a church in his old hometown in Illinois, built around one provocative idea: in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon — a young leader who amassed almost unimaginable wealth, wisdom, and power — declares that "life is meaningless" 38 times. Stan digs into the original Hebrew word behind that phrase, hevel (vapor or mist), and reframes Solomon's message: life isn't nothing, it's just fleeting and hard to hold onto.   From there, Stan argues both sides of the question. To make the case that life is meaningful, he revisits four past guests and the hardships they turned into purpose: Olympic gymnast Carly Patterson's journey through infertility, Amanda Zwanziker's story of inner and outer "paralysis," ESPN reporter Lauren Sisler losing both parents to opioid overdoses within hours of each other, and Craig Perra's path from addiction and job loss to helping executives and athletes recover. To make the case that life is meaningless, Stan uses a vivid illustration — an enormous ball of twine representing eternity, with a single dot representing our lifespan — to argue that most day-to-day anxieties barely register against that scale.   Key Takeaways:   - Solomon had everything — wealth, wisdom, power — yet called life "meaningless" 38 times after living through every stage of life. - The Hebrew word behind "meaningless," hevel, actually means vapor or mist — life is real, just fleeting and hard to control. - Four guest stories (Carly Patterson, Amanda Zwanziker, Lauren Sisler, Craig Perra) show how hardship can become deeply meaningful with the right perspective. - The "ball of twine" illustration: if that giant ball represents eternity, our whole life is just one small dot — a reminder that most daily stress is small in the big picture. - Life feels meaningless when we chase things for ourselves, and meaningful when we live with intention and use our gifts to help others.   Episode Chapters:   00:00 Cold Open: "Life Is Meaningless" 01:28 Welcome to the Show 02:02 Solomon's Story: From Teen "CEO" to History's Wealthiest Man 06:32 Decoding "Meaningless": The Hebrew Word Hevel 07:30 Arguing Both Sides: The Case for Meaningful 07:55 Carly Patterson: Olympic Gold and the Fight for Motherhood 10:23 Amanda Zwanziker: Paralyzed Inside and Out 12:59 Lauren Sisler: Losing Both Parents in One Day 16:41 Craig Perra: Addiction, Integrity, and Redemption 20:08 Living with Intention 21:02 The Other Side: The Case for Meaningless 22:52 The Ball of Twine: A Picture of Eternity 24:02 "When Death Becomes Certain, Life Becomes Rich" 25:26 Bringing It Together: Life Takes on Meaning Through Others 26:10 A Weekly Challenge: Pause and Reflect 26:59 The Physiological Sigh: A Tool for Anxiety 28:41 Anxiety, Inflammation, and Managing the Nervous System 29:50 Closing Thoughts and What's Coming Up 32:58 Final Sign-Off

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5
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About

Welcome to The Inspiration Podcast—where real talk meets real growth. I'm Stan Gibson, a proud husband, keynote speaker, and leadership coach who believes your best days are ahead of you. Each week, I share lessons from 40+ years in leadership and conversations with people who've climbed the mountain—and are honest enough to tell us what the climb really felt like. If you're ready to live with more purpose, grow through what you're going through, and get practical tools to thrive in work and life, you're in the right place. These bite-sized episodes are made for your morning commute, walk, or workout—and my hope is that they'll meet you exactly where you are.

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