The Self-Leadership Lab

Bobby Shelton
  • 5.0 (19)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

The Self-Leadership Lab is where purpose, discipline, and personal mastery get broken down, tested, and rebuilt. Hosted by author and coach Bobby Shelton, this podcast explores the real work of leading yourself before you lead anyone else. Each episode dives into the practices, psychology, and “inner lab work” behind self-awareness, self-discipline, and meaningful growth. If you’re ready to trade performative busyness for intentional living and choose the kind of work that truly shapes you, this is your place. Welcome to The Self-Leadership Lab.

  1. Your Calendar Is Lying to You (Why You Feel Busy But Get Nothing Done) with Erin Treacy

    1D AGO

    Your Calendar Is Lying to You (Why You Feel Busy But Get Nothing Done) with Erin Treacy

    If your calendar is full… but your life still feels out of control, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Self-Leadership Lab, Bobby sits down with leadership coach Erin Treacy to unpack one of the biggest hidden traps in modern life: confusing busyness with progress. We’ve been conditioned to believe that a packed schedule means we’re productive. But what if your calendar is actually working against you? This conversation dives deep into: • Why a full schedule creates a false sense of importance • How “urgency” is quietly fueling burnout and mental fatigue • The dangerous habit of measuring the wrong metrics • Why most meetings are wasting your time • How to reclaim control with simple shifts like time buffers and intentional presence • The power of focusing on “What’s Important Now” (WIN) • How 2 minutes of intentional connection can change your entire day “You’re in motion… but you’re not moving forward.” If you’ve ever said “I don’t have time” this episode will challenge how you think about time entirely. Key Takeaways • Your calendar is a tool, not a scoreboard • Busyness ≠ productivity • Most urgency is manufactured, not real • Presence beats constant motion • Small changes create massive returns Practical Strategies You’ll Learn • How to build buffer zones into your schedule • When to cancel meetings (and why you should) • How to reduce overwhelm without doing less work • A simple daily practice to regain control of your time • How to align your calendar with your actual priorities About Erin Treacy Erin Tracy is a people-first leadership and business coach who helps individuals, especially those balancing leadership, career, and family, create sustainable success without burnout. Website: https://www.coacherintreacy.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-treacy/ About The Show The Self-Leadership Lab is where we explore how to govern your inner world so your outer life reflects your convictions. #selfleadership #TimeManagement #Productivity #Burnout #Leadership #Discipline #PersonalDevelopment #Focus #HighPerformance #Mindset

    44 min
  2. Decision-Making, Self-Leadership & Stewardship with guest Angelo D’Amico

    5D AGO

    Decision-Making, Self-Leadership & Stewardship with guest Angelo D’Amico

    Most leaders don’t fail because they lack intelligence, they fail because their decisions drift from their values. In this episode of the Self-Leadership Lab, Bobby sits down with Angelo D’Amico to unpack one of the most overlooked aspects of leadership: decision-making under pressure. This isn’t theory. This is real-world leadership. Together, they break down: • The tension between short-term performance vs. long-term stewardship • Why leaders often disconnect from their values over time • How to make decisions you can live with, regardless of outcome • The hidden danger of treating people as inputs instead of individuals • How transparency, trust, and consistency shape organizational culture • Why self-leadership and business leadership are inseparable If you’ve ever struggled with making tough calls, balancing people vs. performance, or leading with integrity when it matters most. This conversation will challenge how you think. Key Takeaway: The best leaders don’t just chase results…they build systems, relationships, and decisions that endure. Who This Is For: • Leaders navigating tough decisions • Entrepreneurs balancing growth and people • Professionals seeking clarity in leadership • Anyone committed to mastering self-leadership Connect with Angelo: Website: https://www.angelodamicocanada.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-d-amico-37099120/ YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/angelodamicocanada?igsh=ZDljdmpzcHR4bXhs&utm_source=qr Connect With The Self-Leadership Lab If you’re serious about leading yourself first, please subscribe and join the conversation. Want to be a guest on The Self-Leadership Lab? Send Bobby Shelton a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17641667851977069fa15a161 leadership decision making, self-leadership, how to make better decisions, leadership values, business leadership, decision making framework, leadership mindset, executive leadership, personal development, leadership podcast, decision making in business, stewardship leadership, leadership skills

    56 min
  3. Mentorship Is Broken (Here’s What Great Leaders Do Instead) with Yogi Mueller

    APR 2

    Mentorship Is Broken (Here’s What Great Leaders Do Instead) with Yogi Mueller

    What if the key to your growth… isn’t comfort, but truth? In this episode of The Self-Leadership Lab, Bobby sits down with Yogi Mueller, author of The Great Slapping, to unpack one of the most overlooked drivers of success: real mentorship and honest feedback. Yogi shares the concept of “The Great Slapping.” The uncomfortable, sometimes painful moments that force you to confront who you are… and who you could become. Most people avoid feedback. Most leaders soften the truth. And because of that…growth stalls. This conversation challenges that. If you want to lead yourself first… this is required listening. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • Why growth doesn’t come from comfort—but from truth • The real definition of mentorship (and why most people get it wrong) • How feedback—when delivered right—can change your entire trajectory • Why today’s culture is losing the ability to mentor (and be mentored) • The difference between coaching vs. mentorship • How to give hard feedback without breaking trust • Why self-awareness is the foundation of self-leadership • The “GRIT Framework” for personal growth • How to unlock your potential and help others do the same Key Insight: Most people don’t fail because they lack talent. They fail because no one told them the truth—or they refused to hear it. About Yogi Mueller: Yogi is the author of The Great Slapping and founder of Craft Leadership. With over 25 years of experience working with organizations like Disney and Hilton, he helps leaders unlock potential through mentorship, feedback, and personal development. Website: https://craftleadership.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftleadershipllc?igsh=ejN0d3NxejV5a2Q%3D&utm_source=qr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yogimueller/ Bobby’s Resources & Links • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbAUhnH37eodhRKlVu7B--g • Instagram: @theselfleadershiplab • LinkedIn: ⁠https://linkedin.com/in/dr-bobby-shelton-dsl-pmp-acc-124502b⁠ • Podcast: The Self-Leadership Lab (Available on Apple, YouTube, or Spotify) • Website: ⁠www.battlecatcoaching.com⁠ • Book: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FT68RCB1⁠ • Substack: https://bobbyshelton.substack.com/ Want to be a guest on The Self-Leadership Lab? Send Bobby Shelton a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17641667851977069fa15a161 If This Episode Hit You: • Subscribe for more self-leadership conversations • Share this with someone who needs a “wake-up call” • Drop a comment: What’s a hard truth that changed your life? self-leadership, mentorship, leadership development, personal growth, feedback, self-awareness, leadership podcast, how to grow as a leader, discipline mindset, leadership skills, emotional intelligence, coaching vs mentoring, success habits, mindset shift, self-improvement, podmatch

    46 min
  4. Stop Chasing Happiness: The Breathwork Secret Leaders Use to Gain Clarity & Control with Shalin Desai

    MAR 29

    Stop Chasing Happiness: The Breathwork Secret Leaders Use to Gain Clarity & Control with Shalin Desai

    What if the key to better leadership, focus, and peace of mind wasn’t more effort… but better control of your inner world? In this episode of The Self-Leadership Lab, Bobby sits down with meditation and breathwork instructor Shalin Desai to explore how breathwork can transform your mental clarity, emotional control, and overall performance. Most people live in a constant pursuit of happiness, chasing outcomes, achievements, and validation. But what if you could become an expression of happiness instead? That’s where breathwork comes in. Shalin shares how a simple daily practice can: • Reduce stress and anxiety • Improve focus and productivity • Increase emotional regulation • Enhance leadership decision-making • Help you feel more present and energized You’ll also experience a guided breathwork exercise in this episode that can instantly boost your energy and clarity. “Self-leadership is the ability to govern your inner world so you can act with clarity, discipline, and purpose in the outer world.” If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or high performer feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or disconnected—this conversation may change how you approach your mind forever. KEY TAKEAWAYS • Breath is the fastest way to regulate your emotions • Stress isn’t just mental—it’s stored in your body • Leaders who control their mind make better decisions • You don’t need more time—you need more energy • Happiness isn’t something you chase—it’s something you express Find Out More: Website: www.artofliving.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofliving/ Threads: @artofliving Shalin: https://www.instagram.com/shalindesai/ If this episode shifted your perspective: • Subscribe for more conversations on self-leadership • Share this with someone who needs clarity right now • Comment: “Expression over pursuit” if this resonated #SelfLeadership #Breathwork #MentalClarity #MindsetShift #LeadershipDevelopment #StressRelief #Meditation #HighPerformance #Focus #PersonalGrowth

    51 min
  5. The Hidden Power of Gratitude in Leadership with Phil Ransom

    MAR 27

    The Hidden Power of Gratitude in Leadership with Phil Ransom

    Most leaders chase results. But what if the real key to influence… is something far simpler? In this episode of The Self-Leadership Lab, Bobby sits down with Phil Ransom, author of Influenced, to unpack a powerful and often overlooked truth: Gratitude isn’t just polite… it’s transformational. Phil shares how shifting from a “gratitude as debt” mindset to a “gratitude as a conduit” mindset can completely change how you lead, influence, and live. This conversation will challenge how you think about: • Leadership • Influence • Success • And your responsibility to others What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • Why most leadership books miss the connection between gratitude and influence • The difference between gratitude as obligation vs. gratitude as freedom • How to move from being a “reservoir” to a “conduit” in your life • Why influence is often invisible and why that’s a good thing • A powerful framework: ROI² (Return on Intentional Influence) • Small, practical ways to start leading with gratitude today • Why encouragement may be the most underused leadership tool Key Takeaway: “Everything I know, I’ve learned from someone else. My responsibility is to add to it and pass it on.” Who This Episode Is For: • Leaders who want to create real, lasting impact • High performers tired of chasing productivity without meaning • Anyone looking to strengthen relationships and influence others positively • People ready to step into true self-leadership About Phil Ransom: Phil Ransom is an author, teacher, and pastor focused on helping people understand how gratitude fuels influence. His book Influenced explores how investing in people creates impact that compounds over time. Connect & Learn More: • Phil Ransom’s Book: Influenced (Amazon) https://a.co/d/06v7Wdi7 • Website: https://vibrance.community/ If this episode resonated with you: • Drop a comment: Who are you grateful for today? • Share this with someone who’s impacted your life • Subscribe for more conversations on self-leadership, purpose, and growth Want to be a guest on The Self-Leadership Lab? Send Bobby Shelton a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17641667851977069fa15a161 #Leadership #Gratitude #SelfLeadership #podmatch

    49 min
  6. How to Find Your Purpose (Stop Overthinking & Start Living with Clarity) | The Purpose Code with Jacqueline Smith

    MAR 25

    How to Find Your Purpose (Stop Overthinking & Start Living with Clarity) | The Purpose Code with Jacqueline Smith

    Are you struggling to find your purpose in life? Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or constantly overthinking your next move? In this episode of the Self-Leadership Lab, we dive deep into how to find your purpose, gain clarity, and take action toward a meaningful life with author and Army veteran Jacqueline Smith, creator of The Purpose Code. Too many people chase success, but still feel unfulfilled. The real problem? It’s not lack of talent… it’s lack of clarity. In this powerful conversation, you’ll learn: • Why overthinking is killing your purpose • How to move from confusion to clarity • The truth about fear (and how to use it as fuel) • Why your purpose is NOT your job • A simple framework to start living with intention today • How small daily actions compound into long-term purpose If you’ve ever asked yourself: • “What is my purpose?” • “Why do I feel stuck in life?” • “How do I stop overthinking and take action?” This episode will give you the direction you’ve been searching for. Key Takeaways from This Episode • Most people aren’t lacking potential—they’re lacking clarity • Indecision and overthinking keep you stuck more than failure ever will • Purpose is built through action, not just thinking • Fear is often just discomfort disguised as danger • Your daily habits either move you toward or away from your purpose About Jacqueline: Jacqueline Smith is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, executive leadership coach, and founder of Jacqueline Smith PDC. After 26 years of leading in high-pressure environments, including combat—she discovered a defining truth: most people are not lacking potential… they are lacking clarity. Today, she helps high-performing professionals and leaders break through fear, gain clarity, and build purpose-driven lives and businesses that align with who they are. She is the author of The Purpose Code: Unlock Your Full Potential and Transform Your Life, where she translates decades of leadership and real-world experience into a practical roadmap for transformation. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, mindset, and purpose—helping people move from autopilot to intentional, high-impact action. Choose purpose. Live with clarity. Take action! Connect with Jacqueline Website: jacquelinesmithpdc.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-smith1 Special Offer: As a thank you for tuning in, Jacqueline is offering 7 complimentary audiobook copies of The Purpose Code: Unlock Your Full Potential and Transform Your Life. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Claim your free copy: jacquelinesmithpdc.com If this helped you, subscribe for more conversations on self-leadership, purpose, and living with intention. Drop a comment: What’s one action you can take today toward your purpose? how to find your purpose, finding purpose in life, life purpose, clarity in life, stop overthinking, self-leadership, personal growth, how to stop feeling stuck, meaning in life, purpose driven life, mindset shift, self-improvement, discipline and purpose, overcoming fear, success and fulfillment

    36 min
  7. Stop Expecting, Start Living | Stoicism, Self-Leadership & Breaking the Cycle of Disappointment with Erick Cloward

    MAR 22

    Stop Expecting, Start Living | Stoicism, Self-Leadership & Breaking the Cycle of Disappointment with Erick Cloward

    What if the biggest source of your frustration… is your expectations? In this episode of the Self-Leadership Lab, Bobby sits down with Eric from the Stoic Coffee Break to explore how expectations, comparison, and lack of self-acceptance quietly control our lives and how Stoicism offers a way out. Together, they unpack how trying to control others leads to disappointment, why self-acceptance is the foundation of leadership, and how mastering your inner world changes everything; from relationships to personal peace. If you’ve ever struggled with anger, comparison, or feeling stuck in your own mind… this conversation will challenge you to think differently. What You’ll Learn in This Episode • Why expectations = disappointment in relationships • The difference between expectations vs. boundaries • How Stoicism helps you control your reactions—not the world • Why comparison is the thief of joy (and how to stop it) • The power of self-acceptance before self-improvement • How to break cycles of anger, anxiety, and emotional reactivity • Why you should focus only on what you can control: → your thoughts → your choices → your actions Key Takeaways • You don’t control other people - you control how you respond. • Expectations create pressure; standards create clarity. • The more you accept yourself, the less you judge others. • Real self-leadership starts internally - not externally. • You can reset at any moment - your past does not define you. Who This Is For • High-performing men seeking clarity and control • Leaders who want to master their internal world • Anyone struggling with anger, comparison, or expectations • Those exploring Stoicism and practical self-leadership Connect with Eric • Podcast: The Stoic Coffee Break • Website: https://stoic.coffee/ • Course: Build an Unbreakable Mind https://stoic.coffee/unbreakable/ Bobby’s Resources & Links • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbAUhnH37eodhRKlVu7B--g • Instagram: @theselfleadershiplab • LinkedIn: ⁠https://linkedin.com/in/dr-bobby-shelton-dsl-pmp-acc-124502b⁠ • Podcast: The Self-Leadership Lab (Available on Apple, YouTube, or Spotify) • Website: ⁠www.battlecatcoaching.com⁠ • Book: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FT68RCB1⁠ • Substack: https://bobbyshelton.substack.com/ Want to be a guest on The Self-Leadership Lab? Send Bobby Shelton a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17641667851977069fa15a161 If this episode challenged your thinking: Like the video Comment: “Where am I setting expectations, I can’t control?” Subscribe for more Self-Leadership Lab conversations #Stoicism #SelfLeadership #MentalToughness #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #EmotionalControl #Discipline #LeadershipDevelopment #SelfMastery #InnerWork

    1h 8m
  8. She Was Clinically Gone… Then Came Back with a New Purpose with Holly Porter

    MAR 19

    She Was Clinically Gone… Then Came Back with a New Purpose with Holly Porter

    She spent 70 days in the ICU… and almost didn’t come back. What she experienced during that time changed everything. Her purpose, her faith, and how she leads her life today. This is one of the most powerful self-leadership stories you’ll hear. In this episode of the Self-Leadership Lab, Bobby sits down with Holly Porter, entrepreneur, author, and survivor, who went from building multiple businesses to fighting for her life. After losing her health and nearly everything else, Holly was forced into the ultimate test: Can you lead yourself… when everything is taken away? Her answer will challenge how you think about: • Purpose • Resilience • Faith • And what really matters What You’ll Learn: • What it feels like to lose control of your body and your life • How your mind responds when everything is stripped away • The difference between success and true purpose • Why “Better’s Better” became her survival mindset • How to rebuild your life after hitting rock bottom • Why you don’t need a near-death experience to wake up Most Powerful Moment: “When everything was gone… all I had left were my thoughts.” If This Episode Hit You: Subscribe for more conversations on self-leadership, purpose, and becoming the person you’re meant to be. Connect with Holly: https://linktr.ee/hollyporter Bobby’s Resources & Links YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbAUhnH37eodhRKlVu7B--g Instagram: @theselfleadershiplab LinkedIn: ⁠https://linkedin.com/in/dr-bobby-shelton-dsl-pmp-acc-124502b⁠ Podcast: The Self-Leadership Lab (Available on Apple, YouTube, or Spotify) Website: ⁠www.battlecatcoaching.com⁠ Book: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FT68RCB1⁠ Substack: https://bobbyshelton.substack.com/ Want to be a guest on The Self-Leadership Lab? Send Bobby Shelton a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17641667851977069fa15a161 Self-leadership, near death experience, purpose in life, personal growth, resilience story, covid survivor story, mindset shift, spiritual awakening, leadership podcast, overcoming adversity, The Self-Leadership Lab, Bobby Shelton, PodMatch

    47 min
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5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

The Self-Leadership Lab is where purpose, discipline, and personal mastery get broken down, tested, and rebuilt. Hosted by author and coach Bobby Shelton, this podcast explores the real work of leading yourself before you lead anyone else. Each episode dives into the practices, psychology, and “inner lab work” behind self-awareness, self-discipline, and meaningful growth. If you’re ready to trade performative busyness for intentional living and choose the kind of work that truly shapes you, this is your place. Welcome to The Self-Leadership Lab.

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