Townsend Institute Podcast Series

In this episode, Ashlie, Gilbert, and Joh​n are thrilled to once again welcome back to the podcast friend, Institute Fellow, and New York Times best-selling author Bob Goff! ​While Bob is best known for his whimsical nature, he is fundamentally a true servant leader who has the goal of helping people, organizations, and even countries become the happiest and healthiest they can be. He shares stori...

Hello TIPS listeners! Join Ashlie and Gilbert as they chat with Dr. Bill and Dr. Kristi Gaultiere, founders of Soul Shepherding and authors of their newly released book, Deeply Loved . The Gaultieres share profound insights into how empathy serves as oxygen for the soul, highlighting its crucial role in personal healing and fostering deep relationships. They delve into the unique concept of three-...

In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert are joined by Dr. John Townsend himself as they talk with Dr. Daniel Amen. Dr. Amen is a world-renowned psychiatrist, best-selling author, founder of The Amen Clinics, and is also one of the Townsend Institute Fellows. Dr. Amen shares insights from his decades of research on brain health and development, particularly focusing on strategies from his...

Welcome back to TIPS! In this episode, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Steve Young, the founder of the commercial music program at Concordia University Irvine. Steve, a seasoned musician, producer, and composer, shares how his extensive industry experience has equipped him to train the next generation of versatile musicians to be ready to pivot in a rapidly evolving business. He candidly di...

Welcome back, TIPS listeners! Join Ashlie and Gilbert as they sit down with Dr. Karen Bergstrom, longtime friend and colleague of Dr. Townsend. Dr. Bergstrom serves as Director of Leadership Development for the Townsend Leadership team and Executive Director of Safe Families. In this insightful episode, Karen delves into her profound involvement with the Townsend Personal Relational Assessment Too...

Welcome back, TIPSters! We're excited to welcome Dr. Lori Doyle, Director of Concordia University Irvine's Masters in Educational Leadership Program and Assistant Director of the Servant Leadership Institute. Dr. Doyle was instrumental in the launch of CUI’s SLI and in developing a new way to assess servant leadership. In this episode, she talks Ashlie and Gilbert through SLI’s unique definition o...

Hello TIPS listeners! Join Ashlie and Gilbert as they chat with Dr. Kent Schlichtemeier, Director of Concordia University Irvine’s Servant Leadership Institute (SLI), professor, author, and former coach. Dr. Schlichtemeier emphasizes how servant leadership is a conscious, daily decision and that leaders are remembered for how they make people feel. He discusses how CUI’s SLI aims to instill core v...

Hello TIPS listeners! Join Ashlie and Gilbert as they chat with our very own Dr. John Townsend, New York Times best-selling author of over 45 books and founder of the Townsend Institute. In this special two-year anniversary episode, Dr. Townsend shares his invaluable system for book writing, emphasizing the critical steps that make the actual writing a "typing job." He also offers insigh...

Hello TIPS listeners! Join Ashlie and Gilbert as they chat with Dr. Michele Fleming, a clinical psychologist who utilizes the Townsend model in her coaching and counseling practices. This episode dives deep into the topic of burnout, an area Dr. Fleming has researched and personally experienced across different careers. You'll learn to identify burnout through its signs, which include physical exh...

Hello TIPS listeners! In this episode Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Aubrey Redinger, a clinical counselor and former founding member of the Townsend Institute team. Aubrey specializes in perinatal mental health and talks with TIPS about how conversations around motherhood and mental health are changing. She also shares what led her to focus on mental health for moms, drawing on her personal exp...

Welcome back to TIPS! In this episode, Ashlie and Gilbert chat with Dr. Jim Burns, best-selling author, founder of HomeWord, and well-known youth and family expert with decades of experience helping families navigate development with a Christ-centered focus. Dr. Burns shares his journey into ministry and what prompted him to write his latest book, A Student's Guide to Sexual Integrity: God&#39...

In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashley and Gilbert sit down with Tim Odle, Concordia University Irvine's Vice President of University Operations. Tim shares valuable insights from his extensive experience in education leadership, including how his own style has matured from a more emotional, 'rah-rah' coach approach to one focused on helping individuals plant roots and build a strong fo...

Hey TIPS listeners! Join Ashlie and Gilbert in this special 50th episode as they welcome Concordia University Irvine alum Scott Esswein, recipient of the prestigious GOLD (Graduate Of the Last Decade) Alumni Achievement Award. Scott shares his insights on leadership, growth, and navigating the transition from the supportive Christian environment of college to the corporate world at Wells Fargo, wh...

Ready for some tips on navigating the twists and turns of the business world? Listen in as hosts Ashlie and Gilbert chat with our own Dr. John Townsend about the often tricky subject of organizational change and transition, offering insights that leaders won't want to miss. Get ready to explore how to keep your business running smoothly while steering towards something new while hearing about...

Hello TIPS listeners! Join Ashlie and Gilbert as they chat with Ryan Franklin - pastor, executive coach, and Townsend Institute alum dedicated to helping leaders thrive. Get ready to be inspired by Ryan’s incredible journey that began with a calling to ministry at the young age of 16. Throughout his life Ryan has navigated twists and turns, including turning around a failing clinic which led him t...

TIPS is wrapping up our three-part Presidential Series by sitting down with Concordia University Irvine Student Union President Natalie Annunziato. In addition to being elected ASCUI President for the 2024-25 academic year, Natalie is a psychology major and a graphic design minor in her senior year at CUI. Listen in as Ashley and Gilbert chat with Natalie about her inspiration for running for ASCU...

Hey there, TIPS listeners! Dr. Townsend, Ashlie, and Gilbert are taking a one-episode break in our ongoing Presidential Series to sit down with Dr. Gary Chapman, the author of the renowned book "The Five Love Languages.” Since its publication in 1992, “The Five Love Languages” has sold over twenty million copies, has been on the New York Times bestsellers list since 2007, and has been tailore...

We continue our Presidential Series here at TIPS by sitting down with Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson, president of the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Rev. Dr. Gibson has been president of the PSD-LCMS since 2018, serving 300+ congregations and 160+ schools across Southern California, Arizona, and Southern Nevada. Listen in as Ashlie and Gilbert chat with him about his lead...

In honor of our great country’s 60th Presidential Inauguration, TIPS is starting a three-part presidential series! Our first of three interviews is with Concordia University Irvine President Dr. Michael Thomas, who, as of this month, is celebrating his 5th anniversary with CUI. Although his academic interests include history and the classics, his approach to leadership and student engagement is an...

Happy New Year TIPSters! In the first TIPS episode of 2025, Ashlie and Gilbert welcome to the podcast Pastor Matt Popovits, founder of Make It Simple⁠ Ministry, which is “committed to sharing the Christian message in a clear and compelling way and equipping others for effective communication and confident leadership.” Matt talks with us about his new book, Junk Drawer Jesus: Discarding Your Spirit...

In this tips-packed Christmas episode of TIPS Dr. John Townsend sits down with Ashlie and Gilbert to walk through a variety of tools and skills to help you navigate the ups and downs of the Christmas season. Merry Christmas! ~The TIPS Family ------- The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content a...

This week Ashlie and Gilbert talk with Concordia University Irvine's own Dr. Jeff Held. Dr. Held is a music professor, the Director of Arts Activities, the Director of Orchestral Activities, and also the Assistant Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. By serving in so many roles you know Dr. Held has learned a few things about leadership amidst the snowballing responsibilities he shoulders wh...

No other guest on TIPS has stronger professional and personal ties to Dr. Townsend than his close friend Dr. Henry Cloud. In their 40+ year history as friends, colleagues, and co-authors John and Henry have authored dozens of books helping individuals live healthier and more fruitful lives. Settle in with Ashlie and Gilbert as Dr. Cloud talks about his latest book, Why I Believe: A Psychologist's...

In the spirit of Halloween, Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Dr. Towsend to talk about fear. From best costumes and favorite candy to the psychology and neuroscience behind fear, TIPS spins a wide web to catch it all. Enjoy this treat of an episode! ------- The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three c...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and to acknowledge the importance of this issue and raise awareness about the signs of abuse and ways to stop it, Ashlie and Gilbert talk with the Townsend Institute's own Dr. Shelley Coleman. Not only is Dr. Coleman a Licensed Professional Counselor with specialty certifications in Emotionally Focused Therapy and Somatic Experiencing, but she is also...