Leading Forward

In this moving and deeply insightful episode, hosts Nick Edwards and Jeremy Prather sit down with Jeff Brown, the Chief Operations Officer of Forney Fence Supply. Jeff shares his extraordinary life trajectory—from being convicted of drug distribution and serving 16 years in federal prison to climbing the corporate ladder from a warehouse driver to a C-suite executive managing over 100 employees an...

Episode Summary In this mid-season reflection episode, co-hosts Nick and Jeremy look back at the powerful leadership lessons shared by their recent guests—including Andrew Jones, Justin Wagner, Clarence, and Coach Joey McGuire. The core theme tying these leaders together is the power of vulnerability, rawness, and authenticity. Nick and Jeremy break down why modern leadership requires dropping the...

In this episode of Leading Forward , hosts Nick Edwards and Jeremy reflect on an interview with Texas Tech head football coach Joey McGuire . The hosts, who were both present at an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) event where the interview took place, review the recording to break down key leadership principles shared by the coach. Key leadership themes discussed include: Faith-Driven Leader...

In this episode of Leading Forward , hosts Nick Edwards and Jeremy Prather interview entrepreneur and investor Clarence Bethea. Clarence shares his powerful, redemptive life journey—from growing up on the streets of Decatur, Georgia, selling drugs and facing a 15-year prison sentence, to receiving a second chance from a compassionate judge. Guided by humility and an openness to learn, he transitio...

Podcast Summary In this episode of Leading Forward , hosts Nick and Jeremy sit down with Justin Wegner, entrepreneur and founder of Day41 Apparel . Justin shares his raw and deeply transparent journey from working as a web developer and graphic designer to launching a multi-million dollar apparel brand, originally called Backbone Swag , and pivoting it entirely by faith into Day41 Apparel . The co...

Podcast Episode Summary In this episode of the Leading Forward Podcast , host Nick Edwards kicks off Season 3 ("Learning from Leaders") by sitting down with Andrew Jones , a faith-driven entrepreneur and the owner of Abel Solutions . Throughout the conversation, Andrew shares his journey from working a secure corporate job at Halliburton to leaping into the volatile world of entrepreneurship. Anch...

Podcast Summary In the season three premiere, hosts Nick and Jeremy shift their focus toward continuous development with a theme centered on "Learning from Leaders." Exploring the foundational premise that everyone is being discipled by something , they challenge listeners to intentionally audit and curate what they consume. The hosts openly share their personal leadership journeys—including a can...

Episode Summary What happens when corporate mandates collide with the Kingdom of God? In this heavy-hitting season finale, Nick and Jeremy look straight into the belly of the beast: the growing conflict between corporate compliance, Human Resources, legal frameworks, and uncompromised spiritual conviction. Utilizing current legal case studies—including John MacArthur’s multi-thousand dollar lockdo...

Summary: Episode 2.11 - Courage to be Hated In this episode, Nick and Jeremy tackle the difficult tension between being liked and being respected as a leader [ 00:03 ]. They argue that leaders who prioritize their "approval rating" over the mission effectively raise a ceiling on their own influence and potential for impact [ 30:15 ]. The discussion explores the tactical differences between a "prop...

Summary: In this final episode of the season, Nick and Jeremy address the "courage problem" that stalls progress in businesses, families, and churches. They dive into why leaders avoid "crucial conversations" and provide a tactical blueprint for addressing underperformance and behavioral issues without destroying morale. From the "F.B.I." framework to the danger of the "meeting after the meeting,"...

Summary: In this episode, Nick and Jeremy tackle the "fragmented life" that plagues modern leadership. They define Functional Atheism —the tendency to profess faith while operating as if we are the final authority and ultimate responsible party for our success. They challenge leaders to move past the "Control Trap" and "Anxiety Metrics" to find the "fire and precision" of a life fully aligned with...

Summary: In this powerful episode, Nick and Jeremy explore the foundational element of any successful organization: Trust. They dive into why a lack of trust acts as a total stop for progress and provide a blueprint for both establishing initial trust and restoring it once it has been broken. Drawing from the wisdom of Henry Cloud and Patrick Lencioni, they tackle real-world scenarios of theft, ch...

Show Notes: Episode 2.6 - The Generational Divide Summary: In this high-impact episode, Nick and Jeremy tackle the "Great Divide" in modern leadership. With up to four generations working side-by-side, leaders often find themselves struggling with a perspective problem rather than a people problem. The hosts break down the "firsts" and "paradoxes" of Gen Z (ages 17–32) and provide a tactical bluep...

Show Notes: Episode 2.5 - Toxic Empathy Summary: In this episode, Nick and Jeremy confront one of the most celebrated virtues of modern culture: Empathy. They dive into how empathy, when hijacked by a need for approval, becomes "Toxic Empathy"—a force that suffocates potential, kills productivity, and sabotages the sacred assignment of leadership. They move beyond the shallow definitions of the st...

Podcast Show Notes Series: Season 2: The Uncompromised Leader Episode 7: DEI: Spiritual Truth, Corporate Pressure, and Practical Action Hosts: Nick and Jeremy Episode Overview In an era of mandatory corporate DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) training and hiring quotas, Christian leaders face a unique dilemma: How do we value every individual as an image-bearer of God without compromising the...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Nick and Jeremy dive deep into the concept of "Leadership in Crisis," arguing that a crisis is not just a negative event but a pivotal opportunity for growth and revelation. The conversation centers on the critical role of accountability—both for the leader and the team—and how a lack of clear expectations often leads to organizational failure. They explore person...

2.2 Politics and Religion in Leadership Show Notes Overview In this episode, Nick and Jeremy tackle the "hot and hard" topic of politics and religion in the workplace. They discuss when leaders should remain silent and when they must speak up, emphasizing that while silence can sometimes be wisdom, it can also be a sign of weakness or fear. The conversation centers on letting the Gospel be a leade...

This video marks the beginning of season two (0:01) of the Leading Forward podcast, with hosts Nick and Jeremy focusing on what it means to be an " uncompromised leader " (0:35) through the lens of faith. Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed: Peace vs. War in Leadership (1:13): The hosts emphasize that leaders cannot afford to "play it safe" (1:23) because we are in a constant "war" (1:5...

In the season finale of Leading Forward Nick and Jeremy discuss key strategies to review your year and how to use them to plan for 2026. #2025review #endofyearreview

Nick and Jeremy discuss the importance of: Who is in your inner circle and how do you set boundaries for certain people in your life.

10 Key motivators that leaders must know and understand on Leading Forward.

Nick & Jeremy tells personal stories of the pain and struggle of burnout and how to overcome. This is an episode for all leaders who want to Lead Forward.

This week on Leading Forward, Nick and Jeremy interview future candidate for Texas Senate, Jason Eddington. Find out more about Jason and his campaign at EddingtonForTexas.com

How to lead when you are not in charge? This is the topic this week for Leading Forward with Nick Edwards and Jeremy Prather.