Mark Schaefer is a globally recognized keynote speaker, marketing consultant, and author of 11 bestselling books including KNOWN, Marketing Rebellion and Belonging to the Brand. Mark has spent decades helping professionals and organizations build authentic brands and meaningful connections.

In this episode, Chris and Mark talk about what happens when success comes at the cost of your health, and how to find contentment on the other side.

After a health scare revealed dangerously high blood pressure, Mark made the courageous decision to pause, re-evaluate, and realign his work and life. The conversation dives deep into the importance of slowing down, creating space for creativity, and redefining what it truly means to be successful in business and in life.

This is an honest, refreshing discussion between two longtime friends about legacy, longevity, and letting go of the endless chase for more.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• How a health wake-up call changed the way Mark approaches work and success
• The power of contentment and why it’s Mark’s new singular focus
• Why slowing down can lead to more creativity and impact, not less
• The importance of hobbies, reflection, and time in nature for sustainable success
• How to balance ambition with well-being
• The surprising connection between becoming a grandparent and redefining priorities

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• 01:45 - Mark’s Journey and Recent Health Scare
• 02:19 - The Importance of Contentment and Life Changes
• 05:33 - Mark's New Lifestyle and Health Improvements
• 11:14 - Balancing Work, Health, and Hobbies
• 18:00 - Exploring Creativity and Avoiding Burnout
• 19:17 - Scaling Back and Resetting Priorities
• 21:36 - Embracing Contentment Over Hustle
• 25:19 - Financial Insights and Business Growth
• 29:15 - The Impact of Becoming a Grandfather
• 30:42 - Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
• 31:51 - Reflecting on Sacrifice and Long-Term Success

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Get your Copy of The Long-Haul Leader
• Connect with Chris on Instagram
• Check Out Mark’s Books
• Mark’s Website
• Connect with Mark on Instagram

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Be sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or your favorite podcast player) — it helps more long-haul leaders like you discover the show and join the journey.

Thanks for listening to The Long-Haul Leader podcast. See you next week with more insights to help you lead with purpose, resilience, and impact.

Grant Baldwin is the founder and CEO of The Speaker Lab, a coaching and training company that has helped tens of thousands of speakers launch and grow successful speaking businesses.

A dynamic entrepreneur, bestselling author, and seasoned keynote speaker, Grant has delivered nearly 1,000 presentations to over half a million people across 47 states and beyond. Under his leadership, The Speaker Lab has been named to the Inc. 5000 list four years running and has become a trusted industry leader for aspiring and experienced speakers alike.

In this episode, Chris and Grant dive into what it really takes to build a business and a life that lasts. From staying the course and avoiding burnout to finding joy outside of work, Grant shares lessons from over a decade of leading a multi seven-figure company with intention and purpose.

He opens up about the power of consistency, why hobbies matter more than hustle, and how building genuine relationships (not just networking) has shaped his journey.

This conversation is a masterclass in long-term thinking, leadership, and creating a business that supports the life you actually want to live.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• The importance of long-term thinking and staying the course
• How to keep things interesting when you’ve been doing the “same thing” for years
• The value of hobbies, rest, and sabbaticals (including why Grant got his pilot’s license!)
• Building authentic relationships that lead to opportunity
• Why success means creating a business that supports your life, not the other way around

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• 04:04 - The Journey of Building a Successful Business
• 06:11 - Maintaining Passion and Avoiding Burnout
• 15:44 - The Importance of Relationships and Personal Mastery
• 19:11 - Building Relationships: From Macro to Micro
• 19:25 - Networking Strategies: The Right and Wrong Approaches
• 20:14 - The Evolution of Social Media Engagement
• 21:14 - Intentional Relationship Building
• 23:58 - Hobbies and Pastimes: Finding Balance
• 30:08 - Living Like a Long-Haul Leader

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Get Your Copy of The Long-Haul Leader
• Connect with Chris on Instagram
• The Speaker Lab
• Connect with Grant on Instagram

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Be sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or your favorite podcast player) — it helps more long-haul leaders like you discover the show and join the journey.

Thanks for listening to The Long-Haul Leader podcast. See you next week with more insights to help you lead with purpose, resilience, and impact.

Hal Elrod is the bestselling author of The Miracle Morning, a keynote speaker, and one of the most resilient humans you’ll ever meet. He has survived a tragic childhood loss, a near-fatal car accident, and an aggressive cancer diagnosis. Today he helps millions of people transform their lives simply by transforming how they start their day.

In this episode, Hal gets incredibly real with Chris about what it means to stay the course. He shares the mindset that helped him beat cancer, how he rebuilt his energy and mental health after treatment, and the practices he still relies on every single day.

You’ll also hear Hal open up about shifting from a constant-hustle extrovert to someone who now protects his solitude and peace, why he believes most entrepreneurs waste precious time wishing they were further ahead, and how to define success around what matters most: health, family, and freedom.

This conversation is packed with courage, perspective, practical tools and a refreshing reminder that the long game is the only game worth playing.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why Hal believes mindset is the #1 factor in healing and success
• The Miracle Morning and how it helped him beat cancer
• How Hal leads, earns, and impacts others while protecting his energy
• Outgrowing “busy” and discovering the joy of solitude
• What Hal now prioritizes most: health, family, and freedom

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• 03:06 - Hal's Battle with Cancer: A Journey of Survival
• 08:03 - The Power of Mindset in Overcoming Adversity
• 15:03 - Life After Cancer: Challenges and Triumphs
• 17:24 - Balancing Leadership and Health
• 19:33 - Building a Lean Team
• 20:10 - Personal Relaxation and Hobbies
• 22:53 - Shifting from Extrovert to Introvert
• 27:21 - Advice to My Younger Self
• 29:48 - Prioritizing Health, Family, and Freedom

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Get Your Copy of The Long-Haul Leader
• Connect with Chris on Instagram
• Miracle Morning
• Connect with Hal on Instagram

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Be sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or your favorite podcast player) — it helps more long-haul leaders like you discover the show and join the journey.

Thanks for listening to The Long-Haul Leader podcast. See you next week with more insights to help you lead with purpose, resilience, and impact.

Ryan Deiss is the Founder and CEO of The Scalable Company (Scalable.co), DigitalMarketer.com, and a Founding Partner at Scalable Equity, LLC, a venture equity accelerator that builds and acquires B2B media, service, and software brands.

In his 20+ year career as a serial entrepreneur, investor, and advisor, Ryan has started 17 companies, exited 4, and his portfolio of companies generated in excess of $200M in revenue last year, alone. As one of the most respected minds in digital marketing, Ryan continues to shape the way entrepreneurs grow smarter, scale sustainably, and lead better.

In this episode, Chris and Ryan discuss the napkin moment that completely transformed Ryan's approach to business, and ultimately became the foundation for one of the most widely adopted marketing frameworks in the world.

He also opens up about redefining success after multiple exits, and the lessons that helped him prioritize purpose and family without losing his entrepreneurial edge.

This episode is a deep dive into what it really takes to build lasting success, without losing sight of what matters most.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• The story behind Ryan’s “million-dollar napkin” and how simplicity became his superpower
• Why most entrepreneurs overcomplicate their businesses and how to fix it
• The two turning points that shaped Ryan’s journey through burnout and back
• How to set calendar-based boundaries that protect your time and family
• The “Big 3” habit that keeps Ryan consistent and focused every week

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• 02:38 - Ryan's Early Business Journey
• 05:45 - The Million Dollar Napkin
• 10:55 - Balancing Business and Family Life
• 15:50 - Setting Boundaries for Personal and Professional Success
• 21:11 - Flexible Time Blocking Strategies
• 22:13 - Personal Habits and Routines
• 23:49 - Weekly and Quarterly Reviews
• 30:34 - Avoiding Burnout
• 34:24 - Celebrating Wins and Learning from Mistakes

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Get Your Copy of The Long-Haul Leader
• Connect with Chris on Instagram
• Check Out Scalable Co
• Connect with Ryan on Instagram

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Be sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or your favorite podcast player) — it helps more long-haul leaders like you discover the show and join the journey.

Thanks for listening to The Long-Haul Leader podcast. See you next week with more insights to help you lead with purpose, resilience, and impact.

Neen James is a leadership strategist, dynamic keynote speaker, and the author of Folding Time, Attention Pays, and Exceptional Experiences.

With boundless energy, quick wit, and actionable insights, she serves as a confidante to C-suite leaders, helping them elevate experiences, sharpen focus, and strengthen communication and influence. Recently appointed to the board of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, Neen has been named one of the Top 30 Leadership Speakers by Global Gurus multiple years in a row for her work with prestigious brands including Viacom, Comcast, Virtuoso Travel, Four Seasons, and the FBI.

In this episode, Chris and Neen dive into what it truly means to design and deliver exceptional experiences, for your clients, your team, and yourself.

From productivity to attention, and now to luxury experiences, Neen’s work has evolved around one central theme: human connection. She reveals why luxury is a mindset, how leaders can think like concierges instead of bellhops, and why creating emotional connection in an AI-driven world is more important than ever.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why luxury is about experience, not expense
• How to think like a concierge, not a bellhop and why that mindset changes everything
• The Experience Elevation Model: a framework for enticing, exciting, and delighting your clients
• Why retention beats acquisition when it comes to sustainable growth
• How energy, not time, is your most valuable asset as a long-haul leader

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• 02:27 - The Power of Thought Leadership and Connection
• 07:04 - The Evolution of Productivity to Exceptional Experiences
• 08:14 - Luxury as a Mindset: Human Connection in a Digital World
• 13:03 - AI vs. Human Connection: The Concierge Approach
• 15:14 - Experience Elevation Model: From Attention to Advocacy
• 17:04 - Enticing Clients with Compelling Stories
• 19:24 - Delighting Clients by Anticipating Needs
• 20:15 - Igniting Client Advocacy
• 22:28 - The Importance of Retaining Existing Clients
• 28:05 - The Role of Energy in Leadership

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Get Your Copy of The Long-Haul Leader
• Connect with Chris on Instagram
• Get Your Copy of Exceptional Experiences
• Connect with Neen on Instagram
• Neen's Website

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Be sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or your favorite podcast player) — it helps more long-haul leaders like you discover the show and join the journey.

Thanks for listening to The Long-Haul Leader podcast. See you next week with more insights to help you lead with purpose, resilience, and impact.

Phil M. Jones is a serial entrepreneur, founder of five multimillion-dollar companies, and a strategic advisor to leaders of some of the world’s biggest brands. He's the author of seven bestselling books, including the acclaimed Exactly series with over 3 million copies sold.

His expertise has impacted more than 800 industries across 59 countries, and he now serves in residence at High Point University’s Access to Innovators Program, joining the ranks of global leaders like Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph, mentoring the next generation of innovators.

In this episode, Chris sits down with Phil to explore the art of communication and thriving in a high-achieving lifestyle.

Phil shares strategies for solving problems effectively, using precise language to drive business results, and balancing work-life demands without sacrificing health or performance. They also discuss the impact of AI on information sharing and how leaders can stay ahead in a fast-changing world.

Packed with actionable insights and thought-provoking ideas, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow, lead, and perform for the long-haul!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• How the right words can transform your business outcomes
• Balancing high-achievement with personal well-being
• Leadership lessons for sustainable success in a fast-changing world
• Practical strategies for long-term thinking and personal growth

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• 04:20 - The Impact of 'Exactly What to Say'
• 08:54 - Balancing Work and Personal Life
• 13:34 - The Importance of Momentum and Focus
• 18:05 - Building a Loyal and Effective Team
• 24:11 - The Future of Content Creation and AI
• 26:13 - The Decline of Online Courses
• 26:59 - AI's Personalized Insights
• 28:36 - The Future of Thought Leadership
• 32:06 - Health and Momentum
• 38:41 - Travel Hacks and Jet Lag Solutions
• 40:14 - Maximizing Productivity on the Road
• 45:24 - Exploring New Hobbies

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Get Your Copy of The Long-Haul Leader
• Connect with Chris on Instagram
• Exactly What to Say
• Phil's Website
• Connect with Phil on Instagram

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Be sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or your favorite podcast player) — it helps more long-haul leaders like you discover the show and join the journey.

Thanks for listening to The Long-Haul Leader podcast. See you next week with more insights to help you lead with purpose, resilience, and impact.

Brian Clark is a writer, traveler, and entrepreneur. He’s best known as the founder of the pioneering content marketing resource Copyblogger, along with its popular StudioPress and Rainmaker business lines.

Between 2007 and 2017, Brian’s companies generated over $70 million in sales, all without investment and advertising thanks to a unique content marketing approach.

Following the acquisition of the Copyblogger collection of assets and a brief pause to travel the world with his family, Brian now helps Generation X navigate the new realities of midlife, retirement, and longevity.

In this episode, Chris and Brian dive deep into building long-term, purpose-driven businesses without sacrificing your well-being. They explore how to lead with intention, master your mindset, and create a lasting legacy while navigating the challenges of midlife entrepreneurship.

Brian shares his journey, offering insights into the hurdles and opportunities that come with evolving your career and business at midlife. Together, they discuss burnout, mental health, and strategies for sustainable leadership that allow you to stay in your zone of genius.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• The hidden challenges of selling a successful business (and how to rediscover your identity afterward)
• Practical strategies for preventing burnout and protecting your mental health
• Why adaptability and staying in your zone of genius matter more than ever
• The role of AI and technology in amplifying creativity (without losing the human connection)
• Why legacy isn’t about credit, it’s about the people you help along the way

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• 02:47 - From Copy Blogger to Longevity Economy
• 03:59 - The Shift to Purpose-Driven Work
• 06:18 - Overcoming Burnout and Finding Balance
• 13:12 - Navigating Identity After Business Acquisitions
• 15:50 - Mastering Every Moment as a Solopreneur
• 19:01 - The Role of AI in Modern Entrepreneurship
• 21:27 - The Importance of Human Connection in the Age of AI
• 22:11 - Using AI for Ideation and Validation
• 23:18 - Staying in Your Zone of Genius
• 24:02 - The Evolution of Further and Midlife Insights
• 27:15 - Economic Fears and Midlife Challenges
• 30:10 - Mentorship and Influences
• 34:14 - Legacy and Lasting Impact

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Get Your Copy of The Long-Haul Leader
• Connect with Chris on Instagram
• Check Out Brian’s Newsletter, Further
• Connect with Brian on LinkedIn

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Be sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or your favorite podcast player) — it helps more long-haul leaders like you discover the show and join the journey.

Thanks for listening to The Long-Haul Leader podcast. See you next week with more insights to help you lead with purpose, resilience, and impact.

Jenni Field is the founder of Redefining Communications, a global business communications consultancy, and the author of the bestselling book Nobody Believes You. She’s also the co-host of The Frequency Podcast and a trusted advisor to leaders and organizations navigating the complex world of communication, trust, and leadership.

Jenni has worked with organizations of all sizes, from fast-growth startups to global corporations, helping leaders move their teams from chaos to calm.

In this episode, Chris and Jenni explore why credibility is the cornerstone of leadership, the small but common mistakes that cause leaders to lose trust, and the eight traits every believable leader must develop. Jenni shares practical ways to show up with credibility every day, avoid oversharing, and lead with intentionality rather than hustle.

Whether you’re leading a team of two or managing thousands, this conversation will give you the tools to build trust, strengthen your credibility, and lead with confidence for the long-haul.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• Everyday ways leaders unknowingly lose trust
• The wheel of credibility and the 8 traits of credible leaders
• The tension between authenticity and inspiration
• Why vulnerability has boundaries and when leaders overshare

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• 01:58 - Jenni Field on credibility and leadership
• 06:00 - How leaders unknowingly lose trust in small, everyday ways
• 09:00 - The wheel of credibility: the eight traits every credible leader needs
• 10:30 - Visionary practice, integrity, and why words must match actions
• 11:30 - Social media’s role in shaping (and questioning) leader credibility
• 15:00 - The importance of intentionality and avoiding the hustle hamster wheel
• 17:00 - The tension between being authentic and being inspirational.
• 21:00 - Jenni’s personal practices for being a long-haul leader
• 29:00 - What being a long-haul leader means to Jenni today

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Get Your Copy of The Long-Haul Leader
• Connect with Chris on Instagram
• Get Your Copy of Jenni's Book, Nobody Believes You
• Connect with Jenni on Instagram
• Check Out Jenni's Website
• Redefining Communications

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Be sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or your favorite podcast player) — it helps more long-haul leaders like you discover the show and join the journey.

Thanks for listening to The Long-Haul Leader podcast. See you next week with more insights to help you lead with purpose, resilience, and impact.