The Uncommon Leader Podcast

What if the missing piece in your leadership isn’t a new tactic but a new identity? Coach and author Quinn Harwood joins us to unpack the Power of You, a practical path for zillennial leaders who crave meaning, impact, and confidence that lasts. We dig into his coaching fable, Growth Time, where each stop on a life journey mirrors a growth zone leaders must face, from escaping Uville’s ego traps t...

What if your biggest breakthrough starts where you’ve been saying “can’t”? We celebrate episode 200 with Scottie Pennington, a COO who scaled operations across eight sites while proving that lean, faith, and relentless discipline can transform people and performance. From foundries and scrapyards to maintenance shops that used to be locked down, Scottie shows how 5S and clear communication can shi...

What if the real problem on your team isn’t “people problems,” but the problems your people carry? We sit down with Matt Granados—founder of Life Pulse, author of Motivate the Unmotivated and The Intentional Week—to rethink leadership from the ground up. Matt makes a clear, compelling case for aiming at optimal performance: high output at a sustainable pace compared to yourself. No burnout badge....

A plant on the brink. Labor unrest, safety issues, shaky quality, and a community that had lost faith. Steve Matteson stepped into that storm with almost no runway and chose an unconventional starting point: listen deeply, walk the floor, and build a system people actually believe in. What followed is a rare, practical blueprint for turning a failing operation into a proud, profitable, and resilie...

Growth rarely stalls because the team isn’t smart enough; it stalls because everyone is running a different playbook. We sit down with Eric Pfeiffer to explore a leadership operating system that replaces drama with trust and equips people to think clearly under pressure. Instead of chasing a new tactic for every fire drill, Eric shows how a compact set of tools can align how your team communicates...

We explore how belonging, curiosity, and care create better people and better teams, drawing on rugby culture and cross-cultural roots. Josh Sutcliffe shares a practical coaching system for awareness, belonging, confidence, and a freedom model that balances structure with initiative. • origin story shaped by moves across Australia and New Zealand • rugby as connection, identity, and shared languag...

We explore how complacency hides inside success and how to replace drift with drive through clarity, filtering, relationships, and honest evaluation. Chris Robinson shares stories from the stage in Cambodia to the “55 is greater than 800” moment that reset his habits and focus. Key Takeaways: redefining complacency as careless security and satisfactory success awareness as the gateway to overcomin...

We explore what it takes to lead with courage and clarity when comfort pulls you off course. Chris Granger shares the story behind his new book, the move to a working farm, a serious injury, and the simple, repeatable practices that help men lead well. • spiritual warfare and the call to fight back • the gap between fellowship and discipleship • seven areas of leadership for Christian men • the Pa...

Bob Wheatley (USA Today Author / Brand Builders Group) reveals the 70/30 Rule that launched his niche book to #8 National Bestseller. Learn why Sales is Fast and how to master the strategy of Uniqueness. We explore the Pauline advantage and why singleness can be a season of strength, purpose, and undivided devotion to God. Bob Wheatley shares the 30-day challenge structure, a five-week church curr...

In this highly searchable and essential episode, host John Gallagher interviews Zach White, PhD, mechanical engineer turned executive coach and founder of the Oasis of Courage. This episode is a must-listen for Executive Leaders and Engineering Managers struggling with balance and burnout. Zach destroys the conventional wisdom of Work/Life Balance , arguing it is a myth based on a flawed mental mo...

In this episode of the Uncommon Leader Podcast, John Gallagher Jr. sits down with Bryan White—PhD scientist, CrossFit Level 3 trainer, and founder of Blue Eagle Fitness & Nutrition—to explore how small, consistent changes can transform your health, mindset, and leadership. From mirror moments to almond parenting, Bryan shares his personal journey from corporate life to coaching leaders through...

In this brand-new episode of the Uncommon Leader Podcast, John Gallagher Jr. sits down with Steven Gaffney to explore the mindset shift that separates high-performing teams from high-achieving ones. John shares how leaders must evolve—not just change—to meet the demands of today’s chaotic world. From creating safe spaces for feedback to mastering mood discipline and honest communication, this epis...

In this special throwback episode of the Fearless Faith Radio Show, host Mary Grothe welcomes John Gallagher Jr.—faith-based executive coach, performance consultant, and founder of Growing Champions—for a deeply personal and powerful conversation on integrating faith into leadership. John shares his journey from a Catholic upbringing to discovering a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, an...

Join us for a transformative conversation with John Gallagher, Founder & CEO of Growing Champions Coaching & Consulting. In this episode, John unpacks the core of the Champion Mindset—inspired by sports legends like Kobe Bryant and Tom Brady—emphasizing perseverance, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Discover the profound impact of Servant Leadership on corporate cultur...

Ken Miller’s story is one of radical resilience. From growing up in the foster care system to attending Dartmouth, battling addiction, and serving time as a three-time felon, Ken’s journey is a testament to the power of second chances. In this episode of The Uncommon Leader Podcast, host John Gallagher sits down with Ken to explore: 👉His spiritual awakening and mindset shift 👉The leadership less...

What does it mean to retire at 23—and still work with passion and purpose? In this episode of The Uncommon Leader Podcast, host John Gallagher welcomes Maritza Davila, a business consultant, speaker, and bold believer in values-driven leadership. Maritza’s journey is anything but conventional—and her frameworks are designed to help leaders move from chaos to clarity. Whether you're an executi...

Join host Mitchell Levy and guest John Gallagher in an exploration of what it truly means for leaders to live their values. This episode dives into the profound journey of transforming pain into power, a critical step for any executive leader or CEO striving for authentic growth. John shares a deeply personal insight: his biggest regret was allowing limiting beliefs, stemming from past hurts, to h...

My Favorite Mistake #152: John Gallagher on Leadership Mistakes, Business Growth & Lessons Learned from Failure Episode Guest: John Gallagher, Executive Coach, Mentor, Consultant, Founder & CEO of Growing Champions, LLC, and Host of 'The Uncommon Leader' Podcast. In this insightful episode from the 'My Favorite Mistake' podcast, host Mark Graban welcomes John Gallagher...

In this episode, host Jason Balara chats with a successful consultant who discovered a natural gift for executive coaching. What started as a career in consulting evolved into a passion for inspiring courage and equipping leaders to fulfill their potential. 💡 We explore how leaders can and must adapt their style in a world of constant change. This is a must-listen for anyone seeking to elevate th...

"𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐞: 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 & 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞" 🎙️ What keeps so many leaders stuck in mediocrity? It’s not a lack of passion or care—it’s the distractions, the noise, and the missing disciplines that turn good intentions into real action. In Episode 182, host John Gallagher shares his personal journey from engineering to leadership coaching and the lessons learned along th...

💬 “Coaching isn’t about telling people what to do. It’s about helping them discover who they are.” I joined Chris Welton on his One Hand at a Time podcast to share my journey, my philosophy, and the lessons that shaped me. 💡 Watch the full episode:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvs845WfMwA&list=PLSZaf6sCskkYPNTSxWxLMot7IkXiSyNCp&index=5 ✅ Want the full story? Watch now and start buil...

What happens when a group of friends decides to turn a simple weekend get-together into a full-blown quest for a Spartan Race trifecta? You get stories of grit, growth, and leadership you won’t want to miss! In Episode 180, host John Gallagher sits down with his brothers in faith and accountability group members—𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐉𝐞𝐟𝐟 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫—as they share what it REALLY takes to...

🔥 Leaders & CEOs — are you unknowingly stuck in the Comfort Trap? It’s the silent killer of influence, innovation, and impact — and most high-achievers don’t even see it coming. In this episode of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭, I sit down with former U.S. Marine Corps officer, leadership coach, and author 𝐉𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐧 to reveal how to break free from the habits holding you back and build the b...

What if one small change could transform your entire organization? In this episode of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭, I sits down with one of his earliest mentors, 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐨, to unpack the overlooked power of employee development as the foundation for sustainable leadership, operational excellence, and business growth. John shares a pivotal story about how moving a machine just six inches sparked a...

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀? This week on 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭, I sit down with 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫—former pro athlete, entrepreneur, and host of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭—who shares the life-changing moment at age 35 that forced him to take full ownership of his future. The result? Uncommon growth in business, leadership, faith, and legacy. 𝐖𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩...