Townsend Institute Podcast Series

Townsend Institute
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  • Self-Improvement

The Townsend Institute Podcast Series (TIPS) is a podcast geared toward providing past, current, and potential students, as well as the general public, with helpful “TIPs” for their personal and professional lives. Recorded in a conversational tone, but with some research support, listeners will gain insight into popular leadership, coaching and counseling topics. Podcast guests will share their research, experiences and stories.

  1. 3d ago

    094 | Dr. Michelle Thompson: Who You Are in the Coaching Chair

    What if the coach sitting across from your client is holding back their growth? In the coaching world, knowledge and technical skills often get top billing. But what happens when a coach has the right certifications, yet lacks the internal self-regulation to hold space under pressure? The coaching industry is finally catching up to what counseling learned decades ago, and it's changing everything. In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert celebrate the return of Dr. Michelle Thompson, PCC, Program Director of Executive Coaching and Consulting at the Townsend Institute. Drawing from her doctoral research on professional dispositions, Dr. Thompson reveals why coaching competence begins with who you are, not just what you know, and how this shift transforms both coaches and their clients. You'll discover: The 3-Part Triad: How internal identity directly determines whether your clients get real results—knowledge and skill alone fall short.The Counseling Precedent: What the coaching industry must learn from counseling's 40-year regulatory evolution to protect clients and raise standards.Self-Regulation vs. Self-Awareness: Why knowing your triggers isn't enough if you cannot regulate them in real time during a session.Can't vs. Won't: How to distinguish between a developing coach building a skill and a fixed mindset that resists ethical coaching boundaries.The Concentric Model: How deep internal identity work directly dictates ethical decisions, conflict-of-interest management, and coaching presence. If you've ever wondered why some coaches transform clients while others just check boxes—this episode has the answer. Whether you are a seasoned executive coach, a coach educator, or a leader seeking to deepen your character capacity, this conversation provides an essential blueprint for developing the whole practitioner from the inside out. Perfect for: Executive coaches, coach educators, counselors, HR leaders, and anyone pursuing ICF certification or advanced character-based leadership. Link to Dr. Michelle Thompson's dissertation ------- Join us for our next Townsend Institute Live Virtual Information session on October 14, 2026 at 11AM Pacific time to hear from our faculty, academic advisors, current students, and alumni about their experience in the Townsend Institute! During this live online information session, you will have the opportunity to: Ask faculty and fellows your questions about the Institute and our offerings.Learn how our counseling and leadership programs can advance your career.Connect with other prospective students exploring our programs.Become eligible for scholarships and other prizes by participating in our info session. ------- The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from! ------- Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

    094 | Dr. Michelle Thompson: Who You Are in the Coaching Chair

  2. Sep 24

    093 | Rev. Dr. Steve Mueller: Leading with Mission

    Leading on Mission: The Power of Organizational Alignment. In a rapidly growing organization, how do you prevent mission drift? It’s easy for departments to become silos, focusing so intently on their specific tasks that they lose sight of the big picture. True leadership isn't just about hitting targets; it’s about ensuring that every member of the team—from the front-line staff to the executive suite—is a living embodiment of the organization’s core values. In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Reverend Dr. Steven Mueller—Chief Mission Officer at Concordia University Irvine and recipient of the 2026 Servant Leadership Award. Dr. Mueller shares his journey from student to senior leader, offering a masterclass on how to weave mission, vision, and values into the very fabric of an institution. You’ll discover: Mission Fit vs. Culture Fit: Why hiring for alignment is critical, and how to avoid using culture as a mask for lack of diversity.The Front Line Philosophy: Why the person unloading a car or serving in the cafeteria is the organization to the outside world.Leading with Humility: The importance of owning mistakes and knowing your boundaries within the organizational hierarchyThe Unbreakables: Practical rhythms for spiritual and physical health that prevent leadership burnout. Whether you are a new manager or a seasoned executive, this conversation provides the tools to lead with clarity, humility, and a relentless focus on what matters most. Perfect for: Organizational leaders, HR professionals, educators, and anyone seeking to align their professional vocation with a deeper sense of mission. ------- The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from! ------- Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

    093 | Rev. Dr. Steve Mueller: Leading with Mission

  3. Sep 10

    092 | Dr. Richard Boyatzis: Leadership That Resonates

    Are You Leading with Stress or Inspiration? Most leaders rely on goals and financials to drive performance, yet global engagement numbers remain miserable. Why? Because the very tools we use to get things done often trigger a neurological stress response that shuts down creativity and kills motivation. To lead effectively, you must learn to navigate the emotional contagion you spread to everyone around you. In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with the legendary Dr. Richard Boyatzis—MIT aeronautics alum, Harvard PhD, and a world-renowned pioneer in emotional intelligence. Dr. Boyatzis reveals the science behind Intentional Change Theory and explains why your inner thoughts are neurologically infecting your team in as little as eight-thousandths of a second. You’ll discover: PEA vs. NEA: How to activate the Positive Emotional Attractor to open minds and the Negative Emotional Attractor to get tasks done—without burning out.The Goal Paradox: Why specific goal-setting can actually cause cognitive impairment and revert desired changes.Brain-to-Brain Connection: The unconscious speed at which your family and subordinates pick up on your true feelings, regardless of your poker face.The Feedback Fallacy: Why most professional feedback is useless and how to wait for the genuine ask to make an impact.Vision over Financials: Why starting meetings with numbers is the hallmark of an ineffective leader.Whether you are leading a global corporation or navigating a relationship with a teenage daughter, this conversation provides a blueprint for resonant leadership and sustained, desired change. Perfect for: Executive coaches, organizational leaders, educators, and anyone committed to the "influence business" of helping others grow. ------- The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from! ------- Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

    092 | Dr. Richard Boyatzis: Leadership That Resonates

  4. Aug 27

    091 | Jonathan Reitz: The Intersection of Coaching and A.I.

    Is AI a Threat to Coaching, or the Ultimate Tool for Human Transformation? Many coaches feel "twitchy" about the rise of artificial intelligence, fearing a loss of connection or the total substitution of the human element. But what if AI could actually deepen your cognitive engagement rather than replace it? The secret lies in knowing the difference between outsourcing your brain and augmenting your impact. In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome back Jonathan Reitz, a Master Certified Coach (MCC), Director at Fluxify, and a leading pioneer in AI-integrated coaching. Jonathan breaks down a powerful four-part framework for AI deployment, moving beyond simple inversion to true augmentation and redefinition. You’ll discover: The Moneyball of Coaching: How to value client contributions in a way that predicts higher success rates and organizational change.The Four Levels of AI Engagement: Why you should never outsource your cognitive engagement to a bot mid-session.The Mercenary Breakthrough: How a simple code error revealed the massive value of automated, long-term client reflection.Ethics & Transparency: Navigating AI clauses in contracts and the one deal-breaker rule for recording sessions.AI Literacy: Why learning the language of AI is the most important skill for the 2026 practitioner. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a skeptic, this conversation offers a roadmap for leveraging technology to serve your clients with greater depth, clarity, and integrity. Perfect for: Executive coaches, leadership consultants, HR professionals, and anyone committed to the future of human-centric leadership. Links: JonathanReitz.comBauer, E., Greiff, S., Graesser, A. C., Scheiter, K., & Sailer, M. (2025). Looking Beyond the Hype: Understanding the Effects of AI on Learning. Educational Psychology Review, 37(45). ------- The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from! ------- Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

    091 | Jonathan Reitz: The Intersection of Coaching and A.I.

  5. Aug 13

    090 | Dr. John Townsend: WISDOM in Decision-making

    Are You Paralyzed by Choice? Master the Art of Wise Decision-Making. We make over 1,000 decisions every day, from the mundane to the monumental. Yet, many leaders operate without a model, falling into the "paralysis of analysis" or making reactive, "boneheaded" mistakes. How do you ensure your next big move is rooted in wisdom rather than just impulse? In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Dr. John Townsend as he unveils his WISDO Model, a six-step framework that integrates neuroscience and relational dynamics to help you navigate leadership, relationships, and personal growth with precision. You’ll discover: The Foundation of Why: Why you must square every opportunity with your mission before considering the "how."Objective vs. Subjective Data: Why your gut is a vital porthole to reality that must align with the numbers.The One-Page Principle: The power of stating your decision with ruthless brevity to ensure organizational alignment.Go, No, or Slow: How to use criticality and gravitas to determine your final action step. Whether you are leading a corporation or navigating a personal transition, this conversation provides the blueprint for integrated, high-performance discernment. Perfect for: Executives, organizational leaders, coaches, and anyone seeking to replace reactive habits with intentional wisdom. ------- The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from! ------- Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

    090 | Dr. John Townsend: WISDOM in Decision-making

  6. Jul 30

    089 | Dr. Lorraine Gordon: Redefining Advocacy in Mental Health

    Do you feel like your voice is too small to challenge the systems that govern your profession? Many counselors and leaders struggle with a professional identity crisis, feeling overshadowed by larger disciplines or silenced by the bureaucracy of insurance and legislation. In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Dr. Lorraine Gordon, Associate Professor at the Townsend Institute and a veteran advocate whose career path was forged through deep personal resilience. Dr. Gordon reveals why advocacy is not just a professional requirement, but a dynamic, transformative act of humility that begins long before you ever reach a stage. You’ll discover: The Mouthpiece Mindset: How personal experiences with family and trauma fuel a lifelong calling to speak for the voiceless.Breaking the Sofa Stereotype: Practical strategies to educate legislators and the public on the true rigor and clinical value of the counseling profession.Grassroots vs. Limelight: Why the most impactful advocacy happens behind the scenes, from grueling insurance calls to community boardrooms.The Tough It Out Trap: Insights from Dr. Gordon’s research on trauma and mental health stigma in Jamaica and high-risk populations.The Self-Care Mandate: Why your own wellness is the non-negotiable prerequisite for helping others heal. Stop waiting for a microphone and start reclaiming your professional voice. This conversation is a masterclass in turning empathy into systemic action. Perfect for: Mental health practitioners, graduate students, and leaders looking to bridge the gap between clinical excellence and social impact. ------- The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from! ------- Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

    089 | Dr. Lorraine Gordon: Redefining Advocacy in Mental Health

  7. Jul 16

    088 | Kellie Playter: From Classroom to Career

    Is there really a fundamental disconnect between today’s employers and the newest generation of workers, or is there something else going on? While headlines often label Gen Z as unprofessional or uncommitted, the reality is far more nuanced. Today’s young professionals are the most entrepreneurial generation yet—they aren't looking to slack off; they are looking for meaning, mentorship, and a new kind of workplace connection. In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Dr. Kellie Playter—Associate Professor at Concordia’s School of Business and Economics and an expert in organizational leadership. Dr. Playter shares her research on the Classroom to Career transition, offering a blueprint for both the leaders hiring Gen Z and the students looking to land their dream roles. You’ll discover: • The Warm Lead Strategy: Why dropping 50 resumes into online portals isn't working and how to leverage weak ties for a real breakthrough. The Hybrid Sweet Spot: Why Gen Z actually wants to be in the office and how to balance flexibility with the connection they crave. • AI as a Career Enhancer: Practical tips for using AI to optimize your resume without being replaced by it. • Soft Skills as Job Security: Why emotional intelligence and critical thinking remain the most valuable "evergreen" trends in any industry. • The Onboarding Adjustment: How employers can use mentorship and clear communication channels to drastically improve retention. • Whether you are a supervisor struggling to onboard new talent or a student gearing up for your first internship, this conversation provides the relational and practical tools to help the next generation of leaders thrive. Perfect for: Hiring managers, HR professionals, Gen Z job seekers, and parents helping their children navigate the transition to adulthood. ------- The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from! ------- Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

    088 | Kellie Playter: From Classroom to Career

  8. Jul 2

    087 | Dr. Braxton Shaw: The Mental Game of Performance

    From the Gridiron to the Job Site: Mastering the Mental Game of Performance. Whether you are an elite athlete, a student facing a high-stakes exam, or a crane operator managing a multi-million dollar lift, the cognitive signature of stress is the same. Why, then, do we focus so much on physical conditioning while leaving our mental state to chance? In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Dr. Braxton Shaw, a Concordia alum and researcher in Construction Performance Psychology (CPP). Dr. Shaw reveals his groundbreaking research on transference, demonstrating how the Psychological Skills Training (PST) used by world-class performers can be applied to academics, medicine, and high-risk industries. You’ll discover: The Four Pillars of PST: How to master goal setting, stress management, self-talk, and visualization to achieve a flow state.The Transference Breakthrough: Why the mental tools used on the football field are the exact same skills needed for academic and professional success.Proactive vs. Reactive Mental Health: A look at how Construction Performance Psychology is tackling the mental health crisis in high-risk industries.The "And One" Breath: A practical, neuroscience-backed technique to reset your stress baseline instantly.Dr. Shaw’s Five Life Essentials: Why you must question everything, stack your life with positivity, and never flinch in the face of a challenge.Stop reacting to stress and start conditioning for peak performance. This conversation provides the blueprint for anyone looking to bridge the gap between potential and polished performance. Perfect for: Student-athletes, construction industry leaders, educators, and anyone seeking to optimize their mental health and performance under pressure. ------- The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from! ------- Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

    087 | Dr. Braxton Shaw: The Mental Game of Performance
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The Townsend Institute Podcast Series (TIPS) is a podcast geared toward providing past, current, and potential students, as well as the general public, with helpful “TIPs” for their personal and professional lives. Recorded in a conversational tone, but with some research support, listeners will gain insight into popular leadership, coaching and counseling topics. Podcast guests will share their research, experiences and stories.

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