Townsend Institute Podcast Series

Townsend Institute
  • 5.0 (27)
  • 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. 081 | Brianna Montgomery: Scaling Company Culture

    5D AGO

    081 | Brianna Montgomery: Scaling Company Culture

    How Can You Maintain Culture When Your Company Scales Rapidly? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Brianna Montgomery—Director of Enterprise Learning and Development at Rivian, Concordia University Irvine alum, and former Townsend Institute faculty member—to explore how cutting-edge learning strategies scale culture in a rapidly growing company. Drawing from her journey through Jack in the Box, Chipotle, and now Rivian, Brianna reveals how innovative companies equip managers to lead through ambiguity, rapid growth, and high-stakes change. You'll discover: How AI roleplay bots create psychological safety for managers to practice difficult conversations with real-time feedback Why "meetings in a box" (30+ plug-and-play team tools) empower managers to lead through Tuckman's stages of team development Rivian's Compass Values framework: turning aspirational values into specific, measurable behaviors embedded across the entire employee lifecycle The power of "zoom out" and "stay open": how to see the bigger picture while holding convictions loosely Why minimum viable product thinking (progress over perfection) accelerates both learning and innovation How a two-day onboarding program becomes the first impression that shapes culture for thousands of new hires Whether you're scaling learning and development, building manager capability, or seeking to maintain culture during rapid growth, this conversation offers a blueprint for mission-driven leadership at scale. Perfect for: L&D professionals, organizational leaders, tech company executives, managers navigating rapid growth, anyone seeking to scale culture authentically. Rivian Stories | Electric Vehicle Adventures ------- 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. "

    43 min
  2. 080 | Pastor Jim Henkell: Silencing the Whispered Lies in Leadership

    APR 30

    080 | Pastor Jim Henkell: Silencing the Whispered Lies in Leadership

    What Whispered Lies Are Keeping You from Leading with Confidence? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Pastor Jim Henkell—ministry executive for the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and Concordia University Irvine alum—to expose the hidden beliefs sabotaging pastoral and faith-based leaders. Drawing from over 25 years of ministry experience, Jim reveals how leaders can break free from the myths that isolate them and diminish their impact. You'll discover: The whispered lies leaders often believeWhy finding a thought partner is essential for staying healthy and grounded The power of being a participant, not the person in charge, and how stepping back strengthens your leadership "True patience is less about passive waiting and more about actively watching for where God is already at work."How shifting from performance metrics to God's assurance transforms both your leadership and your peaceWhether you're a pastor, ministry leader, faith-based executive, or anyone seeking to lead with authenticity and confidence, this conversation offers a blueprint for increasing both influence and character. Perfect for: Pastoral leaders, ministry executives, faith-based coaches, church planters, anyone navigating leadership loneliness or imposter syndrome. LCMS Pacific Southwest District ------- 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.

    29 min
  3. 079 | Doug & Jesse Brown: Uniquely Knitted

    APR 23

    079 | Doug & Jesse Brown: Uniquely Knitted

    What If Your Greatest Pain Could Become Your Greatest Purpose? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Jesse and Doug Brown—founders of Uniquely Knitted, a nonprofit dedicated to healing infertility trauma, and longtime friends of the Townsend Institute—to explore how turning personal heartbreak into community support transforms lives. Drawing from their own decade-long infertility journey, Jesse and Doug Brown reveal how they built a mission to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. You'll discover: How to show up as your genuine self to make real impact The power of saying "you're not alone in the well"—and actually meaning itHow facilitated process groups and the Townsend Growth Model heal the pain of isolation Why vulnerability and authentic connection are the ultimate "sneaky business tools” for lasting communityThe dynamics of running a nonprofit as a married couple: leaving egos at the door while navigating entrepreneurship together Whether you're navigating infertility, leading a nonprofit, building community, or seeking to transform pain into purpose, this conversation offers a blueprint for resilience rooted in authenticity and connection. Perfect for: Couples navigating infertility, nonprofit leaders, faith-based community builders, anyone seeking to turn personal struggle into meaningful impact. Links: UniquelyKnitted.org The Infertility Feelings podcast ⁠Uniquely Knitted Instagram⁠ ------- 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.

    47 min
  4. 078 | Bil Hood: The Genesis of Creativity

    APR 16

    078 | Bil Hood: The Genesis of Creativity

    What If Your Greatest Creative Strength Is Learning to Hover Over Chaos? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Bil Hood—Senior Director of External Relations at Concordia University Irvine, Reverend, and Townsend Institute alum—to explore how Biblical creation principles transform organizational creativity and leadership. Drawing from his latest book, The Genesis of Creativity, Bil reveals how God's creative process offers a blueprint for modern leaders seeking innovation and impact. You'll discover: The discipline of hovering: staying present with chaos and observing before rushing to solutions Why boundaries and constraints actually fuel creativity instead of limiting it How to escape the tyranny of choice through intentional creative discipline The critical stage of releasing your work: why faithful beats perfect for real-world impact Whether you're a creative leader, innovator, nonprofit executive, or anyone seeking to lead with purpose and imagination, this conversation offers a biblical and practical blueprint for rediscovering possibility. Perfect for: Creative leaders, organizational innovators, faith-based executives, nonprofit professionals, anyone seeking to align creativity with purpose. ------- 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.

    31 min
  5. 077 | Dr. Brenda Keck: From Surviving, to Flourishing

    APR 9

    077 | Dr. Brenda Keck: From Surviving, to Flourishing

    Can You Truly Flourish While Serving Others—Or Are You Just Surviving? In honor of Counselor Appreciation Month, TIPS hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Dr. Brenda Keck—Townsend Institute core faculty member, trauma recovery expert, and international mental health practitioner—to reveal how resilience transforms both leaders and the communities they serve. Drawing from her personal journey of answering a vocational calling and navigating her own mental health crisis, Brenda shares how leaders can move from merely surviving to truly flourishing. You'll discover: The PERMA model: a positive psychology framework for building sustainable resilience The unique burnout challenges facing faith-based and nonprofit leaders How to maintain healthy boundaries while sustaining long-term community impact Why resilience is a skill and how practical practices like gratitude journaling to rewire your brain toward the goodWhether you're a nonprofit leader, faith-based professional, therapist, or anyone serving others at the cost of your own wellbeing, this conversation offers a blueprint for building the personal character and resilience needed to lead sustainably. Perfect for: Nonprofit leaders, faith-based professionals, therapists, trauma-informed coaches, anyone experiencing burnout or seeking to build sustainable resilience. ------- 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.

    32 min
  6. 076 | Lisa Nichols: Something Extra

    APR 2

    076 | Lisa Nichols: Something Extra

    What If the Secret to Great Leadership Is Looking for the "Something Extra" in Others? On this special episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Lisa Nichols—CEO of Technology Partners, host of the Something Extra podcast, and bestselling author—alongside Dr. John Townsend to explore how genuine humility transforms leadership. Inspired by her daughter Ally, who was born with Down syndrome, Lisa shares a leadership philosophy centered on discovering and cultivating the something extra in every person. You'll discover: Why genuine humility means thinking of yourself less so you can lead from stewardship, not ego Practical techniques for being truly present: leading with questions and active listening The vital difference between self-care and soul care—and why spiritual health creates leadership margin How to jump into the well with your team instead of offering advice from above Why seeing people as individuals transforms both culture and resultsWhether you're a CEO, manager, parent, or anyone seeking to lead with authenticity and heart, this conversation offers a blueprint for becoming a better person so you can be a better leader. Perfect for: Executive leaders, team managers, faith-based coaches, and anyone seeking authentic, servant-centered leadership. Links: Something Extra BookSomething Extra PodcastTechnology Partners ------- 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.

    48 min
  7. 075 | George & Tondra Gregory: The Marriage Gameplan

    MAR 26

    075 | George & Tondra Gregory: The Marriage Gameplan

    What Does It Take to Win at Home When You're Winning Everywhere Else? On this finale of TIPS's Power Couples series, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome George and Tondra Gregory—Townsend Institute Fellows, founders of Journey for Life, bestselling authors of The Marriage Game Plan, and LA Chargers chaplains—to reveal how intentional strategy transforms marriages. You'll discover: Why couples need a marriage game plan: defining what a win looks like for your legacy How to navigate intense fellowship by viewing differences as complementary strengths, not division The critical importance of rest and recovery: winning your home game by being fully present Why vulnerability and authenticity are the foundation of elite marriages Drawing from over 30 years of marriage and experience coaching couples from the locker room to the living room, George and Tondra offer a research-backed, sports-themed blueprint for building a marriage that wins in every season. Perfect for: Married couples, marriage coaches, faith-based leaders, athletes, executives, and anyone seeking to align their professional success with relational health. Links: Journey For Life The Marriage Game Plan Podcast ------- 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.

    39 min
  8. 074 | Dr. Christi Myers and Dr. Mark Newmeyer: Running on Empty & How to Stop

    MAR 12

    074 | Dr. Christi Myers and Dr. Mark Newmeyer: Running on Empty & How to Stop

    Are You Running on Empty? Discover the Hidden Cost of Chronic Stress. On this installment of TIPS's power couple series, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Dr. Christi Myers and Dr. Mark Newmeyer—core faculty at the Townsend Institute, research partners, mental health practitioners, and ultra-marathoners—to reveal how chronic stress silently damages your body, mind, and spirit. You'll discover: What allostatic load is and how repeated stress creates hidden wear and tear The Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual model: a holistic framework for evaluating your health across four critical domainsWhy community and connection are non-negotiable for building resilience Practical strategies for rebuilding motivation through small, compounding wins How intentional recovery prevents burnout and helps you avoid running on emptyWhether you're an athlete, executive, caregiver, or anyone managing chronic stress, this conversation offers a research-backed blueprint for building a life that truly restores you. Perfect for: Mental health professionals, wellness coaches, athletes, corporate leaders, and anyone seeking holistic stress management and resilience building. ------- 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.

    35 min
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5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

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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