Townsend Institute Podcast Series

From the Gridiron to the Job Site: Mastering the Mental Game of Performance. Whether you are an elite athlete, a student facing a high-stakes exam, or a crane operator managing a multi-million dollar lift, the cognitive signature of stress is the same. Why, then, do we focus so much on physical conditioning while leaving our mental state to chance? In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert...

Is Your Culture Thriving or Just Surviving? The Six Essentials for Workplace Health. On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome back Jon Kidwell, leadership coach, Townsend Institute adjunct instructor, and CEO of Leadwell Plus. Together, they dive into a research-backed blueprint for moving beyond organizational striving toward vigorous growth. Jon introduces his Six Essentials for...

Three years, three guests, one question: What wisdom will grab YOUR neurological highlighter? On this special anniversary episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert, joined by Dr. John Townsend, celebrate THREE YEARS of transformative conversations by revisiting three evergreen episodes that have resonated deeply with listeners. They take a walk down memory lane to explore timeless insights from ac...

What If the Secret to Leadership Is Getting Out of Yourself? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert - along with Dr. John Townsend - welcome Greg Campbell, executive coach, author of The Surprising Power of the Coil, and longtime friend and advisor to Dr. Townsend. Together they explore how authentic relationships transform both leaders and organizations. Drawing from decades in asset m...

Can you build a thriving community hub while staying true to your values? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Bill Foltz, CEO of OC Vibe and longtime sports and entertainment executive, to explore how visionary leadership transforms a region while managing unprecedented complexity. Drawing from his journey with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Anaheim Ducks, and now OC Vibe, Bill rev...

What If the Secret to Happiness Is Something You've Been Taught to Delay? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome back Dr. Scott Keith—executive director of 1517, author of Being Dad and the new book Being Family , and Concordia University Irvine alum—to challenge cultural narratives about marriage, family, and vocation. Drawing from biblical foundations and demographic resea...

How Can You Maintain Culture When Your Company Scales Rapidly? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Brianna Montgomery—Director of Enterprise Learning and Development at Rivian, Concordia University Irvine alum, and former Townsend Institute faculty member—to explore how cutting-edge learning strategies scale culture in a rapidly growing company. Drawing from her journey throu...

What Whispered Lies Are Keeping You from Leading with Confidence? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Pastor Jim Henkell—ministry executive for the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and Concordia University Irvine alum—to expose the hidden beliefs sabotaging pastoral and faith-based leaders. Drawing from over 25 years of ministry experience, Jim...

What If Your Greatest Pain Could Become Your Greatest Purpose? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Jesse and Doug Brown—founders of Uniquely Knitted, a nonprofit dedicated to healing infertility trauma, and longtime friends of the Townsend Institute—to explore how turning personal heartbreak into community support transforms lives. Drawing from their own decade-long infertili...

What If Your Greatest Creative Strength Is Learning to Hover Over Chaos? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Bil Hood—Senior Director of External Relations at Concordia University Irvine, Reverend, and Townsend Institute alum—to explore how Biblical creation principles transform organizational creativity and leadership. Drawing from his latest book, The Genesis of Creativity,...

Can You Truly Flourish While Serving Others—Or Are You Just Surviving? In honor of Counselor Appreciation Month, TIPS hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Dr. Brenda Keck—Townsend Institute core faculty member, trauma recovery expert, and international mental health practitioner—to reveal how resilience transforms both leaders and the communities they serve. Drawing from her personal journey of answer...

What If the Secret to Great Leadership Is Looking for the "Something Extra" in Others? On this special episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Lisa Nichols—CEO of Technology Partners, host of the Something Extra podcast, and bestselling author—alongside Dr. John Townsend to explore how genuine humility transforms leadership. Inspired by her daughter Ally, who was born with Down...

What Does It Take to Win at Home When You're Winning Everywhere Else? On this finale of TIPS's Power Couples series, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome George and Tondra Gregory—Townsend Institute Fellows, founders of Journey for Life, bestselling authors of The Marriage Game Plan , and LA Chargers chaplains—to reveal how intentional strategy transforms marriages. You'll discover: Why co...

Are You Running on Empty? Discover the Hidden Cost of Chronic Stress. On this installment of TIPS's power couple series, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Dr. Christi Myers and Dr. Mark Newmeyer—core faculty at the Townsend Institute, research partners, mental health practitioners, and ultra-marathoners—to reveal how chronic stress silently damages your body, mind, and spirit. You'll discov...

Are You Leading from Exhaustion or from Your True Identity? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Jason and Elizabeth Settle—founders of Settled Co., former pastors, and Townsend Institute alums—to explore how moving from performance-based living to a settled identity in Christ transforms both leadership and life. You'll discover: How early experiences with attachment and b...

What Does a 37-Year Marriage Actually Look Like? Ask the Townsends. On this special Valentine's episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Dr. John Townsend and his wife of 37 years, Barbi Townsend. Listen in for a rare personal conversation about building a lasting marriage rooted in the principles they teach the world. You'll discover: How boundaries and attachment transform...

What If Your Greatest Leadership Challenge Is Your Own Heart? In this third and final installment of our "Lead Like Jesus" series, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Phyllis Hendry Halverson—President Emeritus of Lead Like Jesus and leadership coach to national and international influencers in Washington, D.C. Phyllis reveals why the heart is the most critical element of leadership, repres...

Are You Leading from Insecurity or from Your True Identity? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Steve Rubado—President and CEO of Lead Like Jesus, former military officer, and global leader—to explore how grounding your leadership in "whose you are" transforms everything. You'll discover: • Why identity and purpose are the foundation for overcoming leadership in...

Is Your Leadership Driven by Fear or Freedom? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Lauren Miller—ICF certified professional coach, author, and stress relief expert—to explore how identity recovery transforms leadership. You'll discover: Why stress is an "alarm system" signaling identity displacement How to recognize the "Four Ds" hijacking your leadership: deception, division,...

When Your Three-Year Plan Collapses in Six Hours—What Do You Do? On this final episode of TIPS for 2025, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Chris McFarland—executive vice president, founder of McFarland Crew Leadership, and Townsend Institute director—to explore adaptive leadership in crisis moments. Hear his story of how he spent three years planning a huge event on the National Mall that ult...

Is Your Executive Team a Hidden Business Risk? On this episode of TIPS, Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Rukiya Robinson—executive transformation strategist, founder of E2S Strategies, and Townsend Institute alum and professor—to reveal why executive development is actually proactive risk management. You'll discover: How toxic or inept leadership creates measurable enterprise risks Why most organiza...

Are Your Relationships Truly Healthy? And what if you could measure relationship health like a vital sign? On this episode of TIPS, Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Dr. Christine Murray—licensed marriage and family therapist, Townsend Institute counseling faculty, and domestic violence prevention advocate—to explore what healthy relationships actually look like. You'll discover: • The "ha...

Are you looking for a single model to revolutionize your leadership, relationships, and mental health? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert dive deep with Dr. Mike Haarer and Madeline Spring—seasoned clinicians, Townsend Institute adjunct faculty, and Townsend Leadership Program directors—revealing the profound impact the Townsend Model has had on many aspects of their professional an...

What if your biggest limitation could become your greatest leadership advantage? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Anthony Flynn—CEO of Covenant House Texas, executive coach, and author of Zero to Seven Figures —for an extraordinary conversation about leadership, resilience, and turning challenges into opportunities. You'll discover: • How to build a successful bu...

Grasping for straws on parenting tips that actually work in real situations? You're in luck! In this episode of TIPS, Ashlie and Gilbert welcome back Dr. John Townsend—psychologist, New York Times bestselling author of the Boundaries series, and founder of the Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine. Dr. Townsend shares: His Biblically-rooted formula and the need for balance: Grace +...