In this episode of the Northbound Podcast, Chris unpacks a powerful leadership lesson inspired by an Eagle Scout whose life embodied humility, vigilance, focus, and decisive action—Neil Armstrong. As the Apollo 11 lunar module descended toward its marked landing zone, Armstrong recognized that the planned site was covered with dangerous boulders and debris. With fuel running low and no time to abort, he took manual control and guided the spacecraft to safety.

This moment becomes a vivid metaphor for leadership today: organizations need strategic roadmaps and vision, but the best leaders must also recognize when it's time to take the controls and adjust course. Drawing from his own heritage as a third-generation Eagle Scout, Chris reflects on how the lessons learned in scouting—and embodied by Armstrong—shape leaders who are prepared, steady, and ready to act.

This episode dives deep into how leaders balance direction with adaptability, and why the courage to course-correct is essential for mission success.

• Neil Armstrong's leadership during the Apollo 11 descent shows the power of decisive action when conditions change.

• Strategic roadmaps are essential—but they must allow room for course correction.

• Great leaders know when to trust the process and when to grab the controls.

• Course correction is not failure; it's stewardship, responsibility, and leadership.

• Communication, alignment, and clarity form the foundation that enables healthy adaptation.

• A strong, consistent mission anchors an organization even when methods must shift.

• People—the team carrying out the mission—are always the most important factor.

Episode Title: From Wilderness to Summit: Finding Growth in Leadership

Leadership can be grueling, invisible, and exhausting — but it doesn't have to break you. In this episode of the Northbound Podcast, Chris reflects on his journey from the most challenging moments of his military career to a 68-day solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, a period of deep reflection and personal growth. Through this story, he shares how leaders can move from the "wilderness" of stress, isolation, and emotional fatigue to the "summit" of resilience, clarity, and Christ-centered leadership.

Chris provides actionable strategies for handling the hidden weight of leadership, emphasizing the importance of boundaries, support systems, physical and mental care, spiritual grounding, and shared community. This episode ties together lessons from previous discussions on the "Miles That No One Sees" and "The Weight You Carry," showing leaders how to transform challenges into growth, impact, and renewed purpose.

1. Reflection in the Wilderness: Using solitude and challenge to process leadership stress and past experiences.

2. Recognizing the Load: Identifying the emotional, mental, and relational weight you carry as a leader.

3. Boundaries and Support Systems: The necessity of setting limits and cultivating a strong network of encouragement.

4. Physical and Mental Health: Prioritizing your body, delegating, simplifying processes, and managing cognitive load.

5. Spiritual Grounding: Restoring and trusting in God to maintain resilience and Christ-centered leadership.

6. Embracing Adventure and Community: Using life and leadership challenges as opportunities for growth and shared experiences.

7. Leading Humbly: Recognizing that leadership is supported by mentors, peers, and those you lead — moving from "I" to "We."

• Leadership is a journey from wilderness (stress, fatigue, isolation) to summit (resilience, growth, impact).

• Solitude and reflection can provide clarity, but shared support and community amplify leadership effectiveness.

• Recognizing your load, setting boundaries, and maintaining physical, mental, and spiritual health are critical for sustainable leadership.

• Christ-centered leadership emphasizes humility, service, and shared growth, turning hard experiences into meaningful impact.

• Adventure and challenge, when embraced intentionally, strengthen both personal and team leadership.

Next Steps / Call to Action:
Connect with Chris and the Northbound community at www.go-northbound.com to share experiences, build support networks, and grow as leaders together. Join the community to learn how to lead boldly, humbly, and confidently — and to take the journey from wilderness to summit with others walking alongside you.

Episode Title: The Weight You Carry

Leadership isn't just about making decisions or guiding a team — it's about carrying the unseen weight of the people you lead. In this deeply personal and raw episode of the Northbound Podcast, Chris shares one of the most challenging moments of his leadership journey: a close call with a team member contemplating suicide. Through this story, he explores the heavy emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual toll that leadership can take, and the critical importance of support, community, and faith in navigating those difficult moments.

This episode is part of the ongoing series on the "Miles That No One Sees," highlighting the often-hidden struggles leaders face, and providing insight and encouragement for those walking that difficult trail.

1. Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Wear: The toll of caring deeply for those in crisis, often at the expense of your own well-being.

2. High-Stakes Leadership Scenarios: Handling sensitive, life-and-death situations, and the intense emotional responsibility that comes with it.

3. The Physical and Mental Cost: How extreme stress can manifest physically (paralysis, chest pain, exhaustion) and mentally (constant problem-solving, decision-making under pressure).

4. Relational and Spiritual Burdens: Supporting others while maintaining personal faith and moral responsibility.

5. The Importance of Support Systems: How community, mentorship, and Christ-centered guidance are essential for sustaining leaders under pressure.

6. Real-Life Application: The need for leaders to intervene, act decisively, and ensure those in their care are not alone in their struggles.

• Leadership carries an invisible weight that affects emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

• Compassion fatigue is real, and even strong leaders need help and support.

• Faith and community provide critical grounding for making difficult decisions under pressure.

• Being present and attentive to the struggles of others can literally save lives.

• Sharing leadership challenges builds resilience, encourages others, and strengthens the broader leadership community.

Next Steps / Call to Action:
Connect with Chris and the Northbound community at www.go-northbound.com to share your experiences, gain support, and grow alongside other leaders navigating the difficult miles of leadership. The next episode, The Wilderness of Leadership, will explore lessons learned after the military and practical strategies for leading boldly, humbly, and confidently.