The Difficulty: Creativity, Meaning & the Hard Work of a Life

Here’s the question this show keeps asking: What does it cost to keep choosing the work? This is The Difficulty — a podcast about the choices that shape a creative life, and the courage it takes to make them. I’m Dr. Chad Prevost — writer, publisher, ICF-certified coach. I’ve spent years inside the questions creative people actually wrestle with. Not the productivity-hack version. The real one. Ne...

In this episode, Chad, co-founder of Big Self School and part of the Leading Human podcast team, discusses the transformative power of the Enneagram in long-term relationships. He highlights the common communication pitfalls couples face and how understanding each other’s Enneagram types can facilitate deeper connections and growth. This episode also previews the upcoming Enneagram Couples Retreat...

In this podcast episode, Chad Prevost, executive coach and co-founder of Big Self School, delves into the fundamentals of building trust within organizational teams. Chad highlights common communication mistakes that erode trust, such as making vague requests, assuming commitment when it hasn't been clearly given, and handling feedback poorly. He explains the importance of clear, committed communi...

In this episode of Leading Human, host Chad welcomes leadership expert and author Jim Karloff to discuss his book, 'The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership: A Roadmap to Success.' Jim shares his journey in leadership, the inspiration behind his book, and how the six pillars—compassion, empathy, stability, focus, humor, and the crucial element of integrity—can be effectively implemented in any orga...

In this episode of Leading Human, we sit down with David Spinks, a renowned community builder, coach, and storyteller, to explore his journey of cultivating resilience, belonging, and inner alignment. From founding CMX to dealing with burnout and anxiety, David shares his personal experiences and insights on finding enoughness and leading with heart and clarity. Tune in to hear about his transitio...

Join us in this episode of Leading Human as we delve into the importance of team norms, emotional intelligence, and collaborative culture with Vanessa Drucker, author of 'The Emotionally Intelligent Team.' Discover how the right practices can transform team dynamics, optimize interactions, and enhance performance. Vanessa shares insightful stories and practical steps on building psychologically sa...

Pankaj Singh is a leadership strategist and founder of Singh Leadership, where he helps high-achieving professionals transform burnout into clarity and purpose using neuroscience-informed frameworks like the Purpose Factor If  Leading Human  is where emotional intelligence meets organizational impact, then  Pankaj Singh  is your kind of guest. A former C-suite leader who began his journey training...

In this episode of 'Leading Human,' host Chad Prevost sits down with Dr. Eva Selhub, a Harvard-trained physician and bestselling author, to explore the intersection of cutting-edge neuroscience and ancient wisdom. Dr. Selhub shares her journey from conventional medicine to studying resilience and the mind-body connection after a life-changing experience. They discuss the importance of emotional in...

In this episode of Leading Human, host Chad interviews Radhika Dutt, author of 'Radical Product Thinking' and the forthcoming book 'Escaping the Performance Trap.' Dutt challenges the conventional wisdom of goal-setting in performance management, arguing that tools like OKRs and KPIs often backfire. Instead, she introduces an alternative framework focused on detailed vision statements, puzzle sett...

In this episode of Leading Human, host Chad converses with Jen Mueller, a seasoned sports broadcaster, leadership coach, and host of Talk Sporty to Me. Jen shares her unique experiences of interviewing athletes while cooking, and how these interactions reveal vulnerability and human connection. The discussion delves into critical leadership communication strategies, emphasizing the importance of t...

In this episode of 'Leading Human,' host Chad Prevost welcomes Scott Allen, a seasoned leadership development strategist, certified emotional intelligence coach, and Enneagram teacher. Scott delves into his book, 'The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence,' which correlates the nine Enneagram types to core EQ skills, offering a pathway to radical self-awareness. The conversation explores Scott's ins...

In this episode of Leading Human, Chad sits down with EQ-research pioneer Joshua Freedman. Who’s our guest? Joshua Freedman — co-founder & CEO of Six Seconds , the world’s largest emotional-intelligence network. Why listen? Led EQ programs in 50+ countries and helped seed regional teams now serving 7 million+ learners. Author of 5 books and creator of 6 validated EQ assessments that turn “soft...

In the final episode of the Leading Human series about Enneagram type communication dynamics in the workplace, we explore the interactions between Types 8 and 9. The episode delves into the synergies of these neighboring body types, highlighting how their partnership can merge strength with diplomacy and balance leadership with harmony. It also discusses potential conflicts arising from their diff...

In this episode of Leading Human, we conclude our series on Enneagram type-to-type communication dynamics in the workplace by focusing on the interaction between Type Seven and Type Nine. We explore how these types can create a harmonious working relationship, highlighting their strengths and synergies as well as the challenges they might face. Practical communication tips are offered to help tail...

In this episode of 'Leading Human,' the focus is on understanding the communication dynamics between Enneagram Type 7 and Type 8 in the workplace. Broadcasting from Common House in downtown Chattanooga, the episode explores the high-octane interaction between these energetic types. It covers their strengths, such as Type 8's assertiveness blending with Type 7's creativity, and synergies like their...

In this episode of Leading Human, we delve into the Enneagram type-to-type communication dynamics, focusing on how Type Nine and Type Six interact in the workplace. We explore the synergies between these types, emphasizing how their complementary styles can create a stable and secure environment. The discussion covers potential conflicts, including decisiveness issues and energy mismatches, and of...

In this episode of Leading Human, the focus is on the communication dynamics between Enneagram Types 6 and 8 in the workplace. Hosts discuss how these two types, known for their loyalty and concern for security, can form a powerful team when trust is established. The episode delves into the natural synergies, potential conflicts, and practical strategies for building and maintaining trust between...

In this episode of 'Leading Human in the Workplace,' we dive deep into the communication dynamics between Enneagram types 6 and 7. These 'head types' each manage fear and anxiety in different yet complementary ways—type 6 with caution and planning, and type 7 with optimism and exploration. Despite their differences, this pairing can create a balanced and dynamic partnership rooted in mutual trust,...

In this episode of Leading Human, we explore the interaction dynamics between Enneagram Types 5 and 9 in a professional setting. Host dives into their strengths, synergies, and challenges, offering practical tips for communication, leadership, and conflict resolution. By understanding how these types complement each other and addressing their passive tendencies, teams can achieve effective collabo...

In this episode of 'Leading Human,' we delve into the communication dynamics between Enneagram Type 5 and Type 8 in the workplace. Explore how these two distinct types—Type 5 strategic thinkers and Type 8 decisive leaders—complement and challenge each other in leadership, conflict resolution, team collaboration, and more. Discover the synergies and potential conflicts of this pairing, along with p...

This episode of Leading Human focuses on the communication dynamics between Enneagram types 5 and 7 in the workplace. The discussion covers how these two head types interact, their respective strengths, synergies, and the potential challenges in leadership, conflict resolution, team collaboration, and feedback. Practical tips are provided for improving communication, such as establishing processes...

This episode of the 'Leading Human' series delves into the communication dynamics between Enneagram Type 5 and Type 6 personalities in the workplace. It explores their strengths, such as analytical rigor, risk-aware strategies, and their synergies in creating effective strategic partnerships. Challenges and potential conflicts due to their differing thinking styles are also discussed, along with p...

In this episode (part 2 of 2) of Leading Human, recorded at the Common House Podcast Studio in Chattanooga, Chad discusses the show's evolution towards examining the impact of technology, specifically AI, on human lives alongside personal development and coaching. The episode provides a detailed exploration of the Enneagram and its applications in understanding human communication and growth. It d...

In this episode (part 1 of 2) of Leading Human, Chad discusses the show's evolution towards examining the impact of technology, specifically AI, on human lives alongside personal development and coaching. The episode provides a detailed exploration of the Enneagram and its applications in understanding human communication and growth. It delves into the teachings of GI Gurdjieff and the profound co...

In this episode of 'Leading Human,' host Chad Prevost welcomes co-hosts Allan Davis and Shelley Prevost for a wide-ranging discussion on artificial intelligence. They delve into AI's current trajectory, its potential to displace jobs, and how individuals can prepare for this evolving landscape. The conversation spans from personal anecdotes to deeper reflections on societal changes, the need for e...