The Tension

with Travis Penfield
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If you’re a builder, leader, or change-maker, you already know the tension: the push and pull between where you are and where you want to be. It’s the moments when success doesn’t feel like you expected, when growth forces hard decisions, or when challenges test your limits. Hosted by Travis Penfield, The Tension explores how high-performing leaders navigate these pivotal moments. You won’t find simple solutions here—because the tension isn’t something to be solved. Instead, you’ll hear stories, strategies, and insights to help you manage the tension and turn it into fuel for your personal and professional success.

  1. The Tension of Pursuit vs. Letting Go

    23 MAR

    The Tension of Pursuit vs. Letting Go

    In this episode, Travis sits down with Doug McNamee, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Baylor University, to explore the tension between relentless pursuit and the ability to let go of outcomes. Doug shares his unconventional journey—from working inside Baylor Athletics to stepping away to help lead the fast-growing Magnolia brand, and ultimately finding his way back to Baylor to lead the entire athletic department. Along the way, he reflects on the pressure of defining success, the humility required in leadership, and the faith it takes to pursue big dreams while surrendering control of the results. This conversation is a powerful reminder that ambition and surrender aren’t opposites—they’re tensions to manage for anyone striving to build something meaningful.

    54 min
  2. The Tension of Representation

    2 MAR

    The Tension of Representation

    In this episode, Travis sits down with Amber Allen to unpack the weight and responsibility of representation. What it means to be the only one in the room, to carry expectations that aren’t always spoken, and to navigate identity while building credibility. Amber shares how representation can be both an honor and a burden, how it shapes confidence and leadership, and why authentic conversations matter.  This is a thoughtful conversation about identity, responsibility, and leading with both awareness and freedom.

    45 min
  3. The Tension of Being Liked and Respected

    9 FEB

    The Tension of Being Liked and Respected

    In this episode, Travis sits down with Scott Neils, Executive Vice President at 49 Financial, to unpack the lifelong tension between wanting to be liked and needing to be respected. Scott shares how early experiences shaped his identity, pushing him first to chase acceptance, then to over-index on achievement, recognition, and results. Through vulnerable reflection, Scott walks through the cost of tying identity to approval or performance—and the moment it all came crashing down. This episode is an honest conversation for anyone navigating leadership, ambition, and the quiet question underneath it all: Who really knows you?

    52 min
  4. The Tension of Growth and Capacity

    19 JAN

    The Tension of Growth and Capacity

    In this episode, Travis sits down with Kylie Allen, CPA to explore what happens when ambition outpaces capacity. Drawing from her journey as a high-performing professional, leader, and mother, Kylie shares how growth, done well, actually creates the capacity we’re searching for. They discuss boundaries, prioritization, and self-belief—and why learning to do hard things, rather than running from them, is essential for long-term fulfillment at work and at home.

    46 min
  5. The Tension of Delayed Gratification

    08/12/2025

    The Tension of Delayed Gratification

    In this episode, Travis sits down with Brandon Lanz, VP at 49 Financial, to explore how delayed gratification has shaped every part of his story—from the legendary two-and-a-half-year journey from a borderline cringy first date to marriage, to the early grind of building a career, to learning how to wait well in seasons of personal heartbreak and loss. Brandon shares how shifting from self-focused outcomes to intentional inputs, service, and surrender has transformed his work, his relationships, and his joy. It’s a grounded and encouraging look at what grows within us when we choose to wait on what matters most.

    51 min
  6. The Tension of Learned and Lived

    24/11/2025

    The Tension of Learned and Lived

    What happens when the beliefs you were taught collide with the lessons you’ve lived? In this episode, Travis sits down with Dean Dillenberg, VP at 49 Financial, overseeing Los Angeles and Austin, to unpack how we evolve from what we’ve inherited to what we’ve chosen. Through stories of family, faith, career, and fatherhood, Dean reflects on the frameworks that have shaped him—from his parents’ Sunday dinners and “seven F’s” to defining success on his own terms.

    53 min
  7. The Tension of Being a People Pleaser

    10/11/2025

    The Tension of Being a People Pleaser

    Being a people-pleaser can feel like both a superpower and a struggle. On one hand, it’s rooted in deep empathy—the ability to sense what others are feeling and make them feel seen. On the other hand, it can lead to overcommitting, avoiding hard conversations, and carrying unnecessary anxiety. In this episode of The Tension, Travis sits down with Josh Henson—leader, husband, dad, and self-professed recovering people pleaser—to unpack the balance between empathy and directness. Together, they explore the moments where people-pleasing becomes harmful, the freedom that comes with not needing everyone’s approval, and the practical ways to lead, love, and live with both kindness and honesty.

    44 min
  8. The Tension of Who You're Becoming

    20/10/2025

    The Tension of Who You're Becoming

    What does it really mean to become the person you’re meant to be? In this episode, Travis sits down with Patrick Mundlin, Vice President at 49 Financial, to explore the tension of who we’re becoming. Patrick shares candid stories from his journey: moving to a city where he knew no one, building a thriving office, navigating marriage and family changes, wrestling with imposter syndrome, and learning to balance worldly success with inner growth. Along the way, he unpacks practical lessons on journaling, counseling, accountability, and surrounding yourself with people who will “flip rocks” and push you toward growth. This conversation is about more than career milestones, but about the messy, ongoing process of becoming. Whether you’re in a season of rapid change or simply reflecting on who you are and where you’re headed, Patrick’s story will challenge and encourage you to embrace the tension.

    58 min
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About

If you’re a builder, leader, or change-maker, you already know the tension: the push and pull between where you are and where you want to be. It’s the moments when success doesn’t feel like you expected, when growth forces hard decisions, or when challenges test your limits. Hosted by Travis Penfield, The Tension explores how high-performing leaders navigate these pivotal moments. You won’t find simple solutions here—because the tension isn’t something to be solved. Instead, you’ll hear stories, strategies, and insights to help you manage the tension and turn it into fuel for your personal and professional success.

Information

  • Creator
    with Travis Penfield
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Tension
  • Show Website
    The Tension