Crossing the Threshold Leadership Podcast

James Wilson Jr. and J.C. Fowler
  • 5.0 (5)
  • MANAGEMENT

Life and leadership are full of threshold moments, those spaces between what was and what’s next, when we’re ready to move forward and want to do it well. Crossing the Threshold helps mission-driven small business and nonprofit leaders navigate what’s next in life and leadership—without losing what matters most. Through honest, practical conversations drawn from their own journeys, James and J.C. guide you from knowing what matters to actually living it.

Episodes

  1. FEB 11

    You’re Already a Leader (Even If You Don’t Feel Like One)

    Download the THRESHOLD STARTER GUIDE: → https://thresholdstarterguide.cttleadership.com Most people who say, “I’m not a leader,” are already leading. In this episode of the Crossing the Threshold Leadership Podcast, we talk about the Identity Threshold—the moment your responsibility increases but your self-understanding hasn’t caught up yet. It’s that pressure-filled question: Who am I to lead this? We explore how leadership shows up long before a title and why your influence is already real—at work, at home, and in your community. We also unpack practical definitions of leadership from John Maxwell, Andy Stanley, and a high school student who said it best: leadership is making other people successful. Then we get practical: Name your story (your story is an asset, not a liability)Change your self-talk and start asking daily, “What would a leader do?”Identify your sphere of influence—who is already looking to you, whether you asked for it or notOne Step for this week: Write this down: “What would a leader do?” Then take one next right action—one conversation, one boundary, one decision—even if nobody claps. 🎁 Free Resource: Download the Threshold Starter Guide to identify your single biggest leadership constraint and take one concrete action this week—no guesswork, no overwhelm, just traction. Download it here: https://thresholdstarterguide.cttleadership.com Want to work together? Visit cttleadership.com Crossing the Threshold Leadership Podcast Real life. Real leadership. One threshold at a time. Subscribe for bi-weekly leadership conversations. Download the THRESHOLD STARTER GUIDE: → https://thresholdstarterguide.cttleadership.com Want to work together? → www.cttleadership.com Questions? → podcast@cttleadership.com

    33 min

  2. JAN 28

    When Fear Shows Up, Lead Like This

    Download the THRESHOLD STARTER GUIDE: → https://thresholdstarterguide.cttleadership.com Leadership often brings mixed emotions at the same time. Gratitude and pressure. Excitement and fear. Joy and anxiety. In this episode of the Crossing the Threshold Leadership Podcast, we explore how leaders can hold emotional tension without shutting down, over-controlling, or letting stress leak into their teams. We unpack what we call joy anxiety—the experience of caring deeply while fearing loss—and how unspoken emotions quietly shape leadership behavior. You’ll learn how to: Recognize when fear is influencing decisions beneath the surfaceName emotions without over-processing or suppressing themLead through tension with clarity instead of controlCreate psychological safety and accountability on your teamWe also discuss why tension is not a leadership flaw but a signal of meaningful work, how productive conflict builds trust, and why resilient leaders move from self-reliance to healthy interdependence. You’ll leave with language you can use immediately in one-on-ones, team conversations, and moments when pressure is high. If you’re leading through growth, responsibility, or transition and feeling more than one thing at once, this episode offers practical tools to help you stay grounded and lead well. 🎁 Free Resource: Download the Threshold Starter Guide to identify your single biggest leadership constraint and take one concrete action this week—no guesswork, no overwhelm, just traction. Download it here: https://thresholdstarterguide.cttleadership.com Want to work together? Visit cttleadership.com  Share this episode with someone who leads people, and leave a review to help others find the show. Crossing the Threshold Leadership Podcast Real life. Real leadership. One threshold at a time. Subscribe for bi-weekly leadership conversations. Download the THRESHOLD STARTER GUIDE: → https://thresholdstarterguide.cttleadership.com Want to work together? → www.cttleadership.com Questions? → podcast@cttleadership.com

    27 min

  3. JAN 28

    How Leaders Turn Rejection Into Better Decisions

    Download the THRESHOLD STARTER GUIDE: → https://thresholdstarterguide.cttleadership.com Rejection is one of the most disorienting moments in leadership—a stalled deal, a declined proposal, a clear “no” when progress was expected. And if you’re not careful, rejection doesn’t just affect your emotions—it distorts your decisions. In this episode of the Crossing the Threshold Leadership Podcast, we explore how rejection shows up in real life and how it impacts the way leaders think, decide, and lead. Through personal story, leadership insight, and practical frameworks, we unpack what’s happening beneath the surface—and how to respond with clarity and integrity instead of reaction. You’ll learn how to: Separate identity from outcomes so rejection doesn’t distort confidenceRead rejection as feedback instead of failureRespond to a “no” with clarity rather than defensivenessUse rejection as data to make better decisionsWe also talk about: The difference between walls and fences in leadership boundariesThe most common mistake leaders make after rejectionWhat healthy leadership looks like in moments of setbackIf you’re navigating pressure, uncertainty, or transition, this episode will help you lead with confidence instead of reaction. Leadership isn’t about avoiding hard moments—it’s about learning how to respond well when they come. 🎁 Free Resource: Download the Threshold Starter Guide to identify your single biggest leadership constraint and take one concrete action this week—no guesswork, no overwhelm, just traction. Download it here: https://thresholdstarterguide.cttleadership.com Want to work together? Visit cttleadership.com  If this resonates: subscribe, share this with a leader who’s carrying a lot, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Question for you: Where have you been taking a “no” personally—and what’s one decision you need to make with clarity this week? Crossing the Threshold Leadership Podcast Real life. Real leadership. One threshold at a time. Subscribe for bi-weekly leadership conversations. Download the THRESHOLD STARTER GUIDE: → https://thresholdstarterguide.cttleadership.com Want to work together? → www.cttleadership.com Questions? → podcast@cttleadership.com

    32 min

  4. JAN 28

    Crossing The Threshold - Your Next Step

    Download the THRESHOLD STARTER GUIDE: → https://thresholdstarterguide.cttleadership.com Feeling stuck between what worked yesterday and what’s required tomorrow? In this kickoff episode, James Wilson Jr. and JC Fowler introduce Crossing The Threshold—a practical leadership podcast for people carrying real responsibility in real life. We’ve been there: overwhelmed, scattered, and trying to fix everything at once… until burnout and a panic attack forced a reset. Out of those lived moments came a simple conviction: most leaders don’t need more motivation—they need a clear map and one next step. We break down the Six Thresholds that show up in every organization—from scrappy startups to established ministries and million-dollar teams: Identity: Who am I to lead this?Capability: What do I bring to the table—and what do I need to design around?Clarity: What matters most right now?Capacity: How do I sustain this well?Teamwork: Who do I need with me?Execution: How do I get this done—and will I act now?You’ll hear candid stories of saying no and then stepping up, leading under pressure, launching new ventures, and learning why well-meaning people still struggle to work well together. Most importantly, you’ll leave with a clear next step. 🎁 Free Resource: Download the Threshold Starter Guide to identify your single biggest leadership constraint and take one concrete action this week—no guesswork, no overwhelm, just traction. Download it here: https://thresholdstarterguide.cttleadership.com Want to work together? Visit cttleadership.com  If this resonates: subscribe, share this with a leader who’s carrying a lot, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Question for you: Which threshold are you in right now—and what’s the one step you’ll take this week? Crossing the Threshold Leadership Podcast Real life. Real leadership. One threshold at a time. Subscribe for bi-weekly leadership conversations. Download the THRESHOLD STARTER GUIDE: → https://thresholdstarterguide.cttleadership.com Want to work together? → www.cttleadership.com Questions? → podcast@cttleadership.com

    32 min
  • 4 Episodes

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Life and leadership are full of threshold moments, those spaces between what was and what’s next, when we’re ready to move forward and want to do it well. Crossing the Threshold helps mission-driven small business and nonprofit leaders navigate what’s next in life and leadership—without losing what matters most. Through honest, practical conversations drawn from their own journeys, James and J.C. guide you from knowing what matters to actually living it.

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