The Leadership Vision Podcast

Nathan Freeburg, Linda Schubring, Brian Schubring

The Leadership Vision Podcast is about helping people better understand who they are as a leader. Hosted by Nathan Freeburg, Dr. Linda Schubring, and Brian Schubring—authors of Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane—this show is rooted in over 25 years of consulting experience helping teams stay mentally engaged and emotionally healthy. Our podcast provides insight to help you grow as a leader, build a positive team culture, and develop your organization to meet today’s evolving business landscape. Through client stories, research-based leadership models, and reflective conversations, we explore personal growth and leadership topics using a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. With over 350,000 downloads across 180+ countries, The Leadership Vision Podcast is your resource for discovering, practicing, and implementing leadership that transforms.

  1. 1d ago

    Healthy Teams Don't Avoid Change. They Learn to Navigate It Together.

    Send us Fan Mail In this rebroadcast from the Leadership Vision archives, Nathan Freeburg sits down with Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring to explore how teams experience change differently and why understanding those differences can transform the way people work together. Rather than focusing on change management strategies, this conversation looks at the human side of change. Are you at your best before change begins, while it's happening, or after it's over? How do your CliftonStrengths shape your response? And what happens when teammates learn to communicate what they need instead of assuming everyone experiences change the same way? Along the way, Nathan and Linda even give Brian some real-time feedback about his own leadership style during change—a candid and humorous moment that illustrates just how valuable behavioral awareness can be on a healthy team. In this episode: Why change is the one challenge every team will inevitably faceThe difference between thriving before, during, or after changeHow your CliftonStrengths influence your response to uncertaintyWhy self-awareness leads to healthier collaborationThe importance of identifying and communicating your needs during changeHow organizational culture shapes—and is shaped by—the way teams navigate changeA real-life conversation about different leadership styles during seasons of transitionKey Takeaway Healthy teams don't eliminate change—they learn how to navigate it together. When people understand their own tendencies, appreciate the perspectives of others, and create space to communicate their needs, change becomes an opportunity for growth instead of a source of frustration. Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: connect@leadershipvisionconsulting.comLinkedIn FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

  2. Jul 6

    Can You Optimize People Without Treating Them Like Machines?

    Send us Fan Mail Can you optimize people without treating them like machines? That question sparked a thoughtful conversation between Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring about what healthy leadership really looks like. While organizations naturally want high-performing teams, the goal isn't to squeeze more productivity out of people—it's to create environments where individuals can thrive while helping the organization succeed. In this episode, we explore why the word "optimize" can feel uncomfortable when applied to people, how healthy organizations balance business results with employee well-being, and why culture should be viewed as a long-term investment rather than a short-term metric. In this episode:  Why the idea of "optimizing people" can miss the point  The difference between maximizing performance and developing human potential  What the "double bottom line" means for leaders  Why culture grows slowly—but matters tremendously  Practical ways leaders can create healthier, more engaged teams Key Quote: "We want people to be professionally engaged and emotionally healthy." — ~ Brian Schubring If you'd like to learn more about Leadership Vision and how we help leaders and teams build healthier workplace cultures, visit LeadershipVisionConsulting.com.  Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: connect@leadershipvisionconsulting.comLinkedIn FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

  3. Jun 22

    What High School Students Can Teach Us About Dreams, Resilience, and Growth

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the ideas behind Unfolded are shared with a room full of high school seniors? In this episode, Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring reflect on a recent opportunity to work with students in Minneapolis and explore how concepts such as dreams, mountain-and-valley folds, personal growth, and self-awareness resonated with a younger generation. Along the way, they discovered that many of the challenges, hopes, and questions students face are not so different from those adults continue to wrestle with throughout their lives. This conversation offers a reminder that our experiences shape us, but they do not define us—and that growth remains possible at every stage of life. In this episode: Why dreams matter—even when they aren't fully formed yet.The surprising difference between how students and adults interacted with the origami cranes from Unfolded.Understanding "mountain folds" and "valley folds" and how life experiences shape who we become.The power of vulnerability and self-awareness in young people.What today's leaders can learn from the next generation.Why mentorship, encouragement, and investing in students matters more than ever.Key Takeaways ✅ Everyone has dreams—even when they can't fully articulate them yet. ✅ The experiences that shape us become part of our story, but they don't determine our future. ✅ Vulnerability can be a source of strength. ✅ Young people often have remarkable insight into their own growth and challenges. ✅ Leaders of every age benefit from staying curious, hopeful, and open to learning. Memorable Quotes "People have dreams. They may be reluctant to share them or excited to share them, but either way, people have dreams." "There are things about their young life that they'll never be able to change, but they do get a chance to work with it and make a dream a reality." "Their past doesn't define them, but their experience stays with them and has shaped who they're becoming." Resources Mentioned Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane by Dr. Linda and Brian SchubringLeadership Vision ConsultingSupport the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: connect@leadershipvisionconsulting.comLinkedIn FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

  4. Jun 15

    Finding Your Strong Inner Voice: Learning to Be Kinder to Yourself

    Send us Fan Mail Do you ever feel like the voice in your head is your biggest critic? In this episode, Brian and Linda Schubring explore one of the central themes from Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane—the importance of self-compassion and learning to recognize your strong inner voice. Together, they discuss why many of us mistake outside criticism, judgment, and expectations for our own thoughts, and how reflection can help us reconnect with who we truly are. If you've ever struggled with self-doubt, confidence, or knowing which voice to trust, this conversation offers a thoughtful place to begin. In This Episode Why everyone has a strong inner voiceHow outside voices can shape our self-perceptionThe difference between criticism and self-awarenessQuestions that help uncover your authentic voicePractical ways to create space for reflection and growthResources Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami CraneLearn more about Leadership VisionExplore coaching, team development, and leadership resourcesKey Quote "Remember that you have a strong inner voice and be gentle as it emerges." Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: connect@leadershipvisionconsulting.comLinkedIn FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

  5. Jun 1

    How Unfolded Is Helping Teams Dream, Reflect, and Grow

    Send us Fan Mail One year after the release of Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane, Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring return to reflect on how the book is actually being used with teams, leaders, and organizations around the world.  In this episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, Nathan Freeburg leads a conversation exploring how Unfolded has become more than a story—it has become a practical tool for team culture, reflection, coaching, and leadership development. Brian and Linda share how they integrate the themes of dreaming, creativity, emotions, and transformation into keynote facilitations, workshops, coaching sessions, and team conversations. They discuss how organizations are using the story and characters from Unfolded to create shared language around self-awareness, vulnerability, collaboration, and change.  This episode explores:  How Leadership Vision uses Unfolded in keynote facilitations and team engagements  Why storytelling creates deeper team conversations  The difference between strategy work and culture work  How teams use the book as a reflective tool  The role emotions play in leadership and organizational change  Why imagination and dreaming still matter in leadership  How individual coaching conversations emerge from team sessions Whether you are a leader, coach, facilitator, or team member, this conversation offers practical insight into how story can help people better understand themselves and each other. Key Quotes “We don’t need you to read the book. We need you to practice the book with us.” “How can we work with our emotions?” “There’s a dream that’s resting, that’s waiting to be awakened.” Links & Resources Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane Leadership Vision Consulting  Leadership Vision Podcast  Audiobook version of Unfolded Animated short film inspired by UnfoldedSubscribe If you enjoy the Leadership Vision Podcast, subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone working to build a healthier and more positive team culture. Leadership Vision helps leaders build positive team culture through consulting, coaching, and conversations that foster emotional health and meaningful connection. Support the show - Read the full blog post here! CONTACT US email: connect@leadershipvisionconsulting.comLinkedIn FacebookLeadership Vision OnlineABOUT The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

4.7
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29 Ratings

About

The Leadership Vision Podcast is about helping people better understand who they are as a leader. Hosted by Nathan Freeburg, Dr. Linda Schubring, and Brian Schubring—authors of Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane—this show is rooted in over 25 years of consulting experience helping teams stay mentally engaged and emotionally healthy. Our podcast provides insight to help you grow as a leader, build a positive team culture, and develop your organization to meet today’s evolving business landscape. Through client stories, research-based leadership models, and reflective conversations, we explore personal growth and leadership topics using a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. With over 350,000 downloads across 180+ countries, The Leadership Vision Podcast is your resource for discovering, practicing, and implementing leadership that transforms.

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