Lead Well. Live Whole

What do Olympic gymnastics, MMA, professional bull riding, American Ninja Warrior, and cybersecurity have in common? One man: Venn Johns.

In this jaw-dropping episode, we sit down with the unstoppable force known as The Bull Riding Ninja. Venn takes us on a wild ride through his unconventional path—from elite gymnast and Olympic alternate, to cage fighter, to one of the oldest professional bull riders in PBR history. But he didn’t ...

Values-Driven Leadership with Molly Determan

In this episode of the Lead Well. Live Whole. podcast, host Michael Sirmon sits down with Molly Determan, President of the Energy Workforce & Technology Council, to explore the power of values-driven leadership. Molly shares her journey from journalism and nonprofit communications to leading one of the most influential energy associations, and how her personal values continue to guid...

In this episode of Lead Well. Live Whole., Michael Sirmon sits down with Rob Cane, a leader passionate about developing people and building strong organizational cultures. With nearly 13 years of experience in performance management and talent development, Rob brings fresh insight into what it means to lead authentically and inclusively.

Michael and Rob dive into the importance of culture as the foundation of thriving workplaces, t...

Episode 17 - Dave Trzebiatowski on The Lost Art of Communication

In this episode of Lead Well. Live Whole., Michael Sirmon sits down with Dave Trzebiatowski to explore why genuine communication has become a “lost art” in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world. From his early experiences building connections in high school to his career in sales and leadership, Dave shares how empathy, curiosity, and mindfulness transform conve...

In this episode, Michael Sirmon interviews Larry Kerr, former CEO of GD Energy, about the defining moments that shaped his leadership journey. Larry shares how he shifted from a fixed to a growth mindset, implemented a self-directed workforce, and embraced servant leadership. He reflects on setbacks such as layoffs and missed promotions, and how faith, perseverance, and Lean Six Sigma principles guided him forward. With practical w...

When the Encourager Needs Encouragement

Even the strongest voices—leaders, mentors, and caregivers—sometimes find themselves running on empty. In this heartfelt episode of the Lead Well. Live Whole. podcast, Michael and Tammy Sirmon open up about the hidden weight carried by those who are always uplifting others. They share candid stories from their own journey, offering practical burnout recovery tips, faith-based encouragement, a...

Today’s episode is a little different - it’s a heart-to-heart. A real, honest conversation with someone  who knows me better than anyone else = my wife, Tammy. If you’ve ever struggled to encourage others… If the words don’t come easily, or you feel like you’re not good at saying the “right thing”… this episode is for you. We’re diving deep into the power of verbal affirmation - not as a performance, but as a practice of love, lead...

From the Lead Well. Live Whole. Podcast | Hosted by Michael Sirmon

Encouragement isn’t fluff—it’s fuel.

In this soul-stirring 2-hour episode, Michael Sirmon unpacks why encouragement is one of the most powerful, underused tools in leadership and life. You’ll discover how encouragement restores identity, strengthens resilience, and becomes the emotional oxygen people d...

🎙️ Episode 12 – Reputation or Reality: Leading Beyond the Image Podcast: Lead Well. Live Whole. Host: Michael Sirmon

In a world obsessed with image, how do you lead from a place of integrity rather than illusion?

In this powerful episode, Michael Sirmon exposes the subtle trap of leading for applause instead of alignment. From curated bios to social media validation loops, many leaders end up managing perception while their true ...

Leadership isn’t about position—it’s about presence.

In this episode of Lead Well. Live Whole., host Michael Sirmon unpacks what it truly means to lead without a title. Through practical insights, real-life stories from the shop floor, and a clear challenge to step into your influence, this session equips you to make an impact right where you are—no promotion required.

You’ll discover:

• Why leadership is more about trust than ...

Episode 10 – Leadership Discussion with Frank Boudreau In this special episode, we sit down with Frank Boudreau for a transparent and deeply personal conversation on what it means to lead with purpose. Frank opens up about the intersection of faith, leadership, and legacy—and how embracing personal wholeness has shaped his influence in both business and life.

What You’ll Discover:

• The power of purpose-driven leadership in tod...

🎙️ Episode 9: The Power of Accountability

Accountability isn’t about punishment—it’s about growth, trust, and integrity. In this episode, we explore why true accountability is essential for healthy leadership and how to build it into your personal and professional life.

You’ll discover:

• Why accountability starts with self-leadership

• The difference between blame and responsibility

• How to create a culture of trust without ...

🎙️ Episode 8: Don’t Overpromise—Lead with Integrity

In the pressure to impress, it's easy for leaders to overcommit—saying “yes” to everything and promising more than they can realistically deliver. But overpromising erodes trust, drains energy, and fractures team alignment.

In this honest episode, we unpack:

• Why overpromising is often rooted in fear, pride, or people-pleasing

• The cost of constantly saying “yes” when your ...

🎙️ Episode 7: Build Healthy Leadership Rhythms

Leadership isn’t just about what you accomplish—it’s about how sustainably you live while leading others. In this episode, we explore the importance of developing rhythms that protect your energy, sharpen your focus, and fuel long-term impact.

You’ll discover:

• Why hustle without harmony leads to burnout

• The difference between habits and rhythms—and why it matters

• Practical w...

🎙️ Episode 6: Know Your Core Values—Let Them Lead

In this episode, we dive into one of the most foundational—but often overlooked—principles of powerful leadership: living and leading from your core values.

Without clear values, your leadership becomes reactive, inconsistent, and exhausting. But when your values are defined and non-negotiable, they become your compass in the chaos.

You’ll learn:

• Why clarity of values is esse...

In this episode, Michael Sirmon explores the power of vision—not just as a leadership tool, but as a lifeline for clarity, direction, and purpose. Vision isn’t about buzzwords on a wall; it’s about seeing farther, believing deeper, and lifting those you lead to a higher standard of meaning and mission.

You’ll learn:

• Why leaders without vision often drift into burnout or misalignment

• How to clarify and communicate a compelli...

In this episode, Michael Sirmon explores the often-overlooked cost of inconsistency in leadership. Whether it’s shifting standards, unclear expectations, or emotional unpredictability, inconsistency quietly erodes trust and effectiveness.

Learn how to:

• Recognize patterns of inconsistent behavior

• Restore credibility after missteps

• Align your actions with your values

Lead with steadiness, and you’ll lead with strengt...

Every leader faces storms—unexpected challenges, personal setbacks, and seasons of chaos. In this episode of Lead Well. Live Whole., Michael Sirmon explores what it means to lead with resilience, especially when the pressure is high and the path is unclear. Through personal stories and timeless principles, Michael unpacks how servant leadership isn’t about avoiding the storm, but standing firm within it. Discover how to: Cultivate ...

Episode 2: The Power of Self-Leadership — Mastering the One You Lead Most Before you can lead others well, you must first lead yourself with clarity, consistency, and conviction. In this episode, Michael Sirmon explores what it means to practice self-leadership in a noisy, demanding world. Discover how habits, values, and inner discipline shape the kind of leader you become—both at work and at home.

In this episode:

• Why self-...