Path for Growth

Developing people is not just a strategy for Denver Whetten, it’s the entire mission behind his company. In this episode, Denver returns to the podcast to share the lessons he’s learned about running a people-first business, from recognizing leadership capacity in others, to navigating failure, to scaling mentorship as your business grows. He also reminds us that as leaders, we have the power to change lives and should not...

When Denver Whetten realized his values no longer aligned with the company he worked for, he decided to take a massive leap and start his own business, Degan Construction. Today, Degan employs 240 team members with more than $60M in annual revenue. In this episode, Denver joins the podcast to talk about that decision to start something new and the values that have driven his company from its founding, through the 2008 hous...

As leaders, it’s our responsibility to build connection and relationship. So why do so many of us struggle with isolation? In this episode, Alex and Ben discuss four common causes of isolation they’ve observed in their own lives and in the leaders they work with: Secrets, Speed, Silos, and Superhero Syndrome. They explain how these things can keep us isolated and remind us that a better way is possible as long as we’re int...

Effective leaders are the ones people actually want to follow, even when it requires them to try something new or challenging. But how do we build that level of influence, and how can we keep renewing it over time? In this episode, Alex shares his 4-stage framework for building influence, from establishing a relationship, to demonstrating results, to developing trust, to drawing on your influence. No matter who you are or ...

Setting aside time for strategy will never feel convenient, but it will have massive ramifications for every part of your business. In this episode, Alex shares five important truths he’s learned about strategic leadership in his time running Path for Growth. He also offers up some words of encouragement for leaders who feel they don’t have margin for strategy right now, and he explains how you can select the right people ...

If you commit to reading the Bible every single day, it will have massive ramifications for your life and leadership. In this episode, Alex talks with Ben about his experience of reading the Bible cover to cover in 2025. He breaks down his decision to commit to this goal, shares some of the throughlines he noticed across the entire book, and offers practical advice for anyone looking to do the same. Whether you’re ready to...

Impact-driven leaders know how to maximize what they have in service of others and for the glory of God. In this episode, Alex and Ben open up a new conversation about resourcefulness: what it means, why it matters, and how it might look in our rapidly changing world. They explain why it’s so important to broaden your perspective and see new possibilities inside the constraints you’re operating within. They also discuss th...

Learning is often about remembering, and you’ll never get to the point as a leader where you no longer need the fundamentals. In this episode, Alex and Ben discuss 5 “leadership basics” that every leader needs to keep in mind, no matter what you do or how many people depend on you. Choose one principle to commit to focusing on this week, and see how it impacts your day-to-day leadership! 

Information isn’t the gap between f...

What can 1 Thessalonians 4:11 teach us about leading well and living out our testimony? In this episode, Alex and Ben reflect on this scripture which instructs us to live quietly, mind our own affairs, and work with our hands. They grapple with some of the counterintuitive and countercultural ideas in the passage and share practical steps leaders can take to live them out this week. 

Information isn’t the gap between failur...

If you want to see better results in your life and leadership, start by asking better questions. In this episode, Alex and Ben talk about 3 arenas where questions are an especially helpful tool for leaders: reflection, leadership development, and decision making. Alex then shares five important questions that have changed his life, and challenges each of us to spend time asking one of those questions to ourselves or others...

As goes your morning, so goes your day. So, if you’re looking to take intentional action that will help you become the leader you’re called to be, start with your morning routine. In this episode, Alex talks with Ben about why consistent morning routines are so important and explains how he’s designed a routine that works for his current phase of life. He also shares advice for recovering quickly when you fall out of routi...

Change is unavoidable, and as leaders, it’s our job to navigate it well. In this episode, Ben talks with Path for Growth coach and business owner Matt Aiken about 3 types of change: Change you navigate, change you create, and change you endure. Matt shares lessons he’s learned from other leaders about experiencing change, from Winston Churchill to Elon Musk, along with some hard-learned lessons from his own business and pe...

You can’t experience true freedom without also taking responsibility. In this episode, Alex and Ben share their perspectives on what freedom and responsibility mean and explain why you can’t have one without the other. They share practical advice for anyone who thinks their freedom and responsibility are out of balance, and Alex also explains why “freedom and responsibility” is one of Path for Growth’s core values.

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You never have to recover from a strong start, and taking time now to set the tone for the year ahead will pay off in dividends. In this episode, Alex talks with Ben about his 5-step process for starting each new year strong, from looking back at the past 12 months to casting a vision for the months ahead. For more of this content and some dedicated time to work on your own strong start, join us on January 5! 

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Core values guard the soul of your organization, and if you don’t take them seriously, you’ll be less efficient and effective. In this episode, Alex and Ben discuss the process of developing core values and address some common misconceptions about why values are important and how to select them. They also break down each of Path for Growth’s 5 core values and explain how they manifest in the daily operation of the business...

Effective listening is a vital but often underrated skill for leadership. In this episode, John Crawford joins the podcast to explain how listening can combat the loneliness epidemic, help resolve conflicts, and ultimately make you a better leader. He also shares some stories of how listening transformed his relationships as a pastor, as a salon owner, and in his personal life. Tune in for practical insights and tactics yo...

Your mission is not what you do, it’s why you exist. In this episode, Alex and Ben discuss Path for Growth’s core mission, and the lessons Alex has learned about creating and sustaining a mission for an impact-driven organization. They also share practical steps for defining your mission, hiring people who align with your culture, and getting back on track if you feel you’ve strayed from your core purpose. Whether you’re b...

Celebration and recognition are powerful forces of motivation, but how can we use them most effectively? In this episode, Alex and Ben talk about several key principles for building an organization where recognition is abundant, wholehearted, and authentic. They also discuss 7 practices you can try out this week to make celebration and recognition a consistent part of your organizational culture. 

Information isn’t the gap ...

The practice of gratitude can change your life (and your leadership) if you commit to it. In this episode, Alex and Ben explain why gratitude is so important, and how it can ripple out from one area of your life to make a larger impact on the world around you. They unpack 4 passages from Scripture and reflect on the lessons they can teach us about gratitude. Whether you need some help getting in the Thanksgiving spirit thi...