With Purpose

Buffaloes don’t avoid storms – they run straight into them. In this episode, we explore what that mindset can teach us about leadership and life. Avoidance feels easier in the moment, but it often makes challenges last longer. Charging forward shortens the storm and builds resilience. What would it look like to stop dodging hard conversations and start moving through them? Grab this week’s planner...

What does Tetris have to do with leadership? In this episode, we’re talking about the Tetris Effect and how it connects to confirmation bias – the way our brains filter the world through what we expect to see. From Shawn Achor’s research in The Happiness Advantage to practical ideas for reframing your perspective, this conversation will challenge you to notice your biases and even use them for goo...

Happy New Year! Today's episode is about hitting the reset button after a hard day –  or maybe even a hard year. How do you reset when something throws you off? Let's talk about rituals – small, intentional actions that help us recenter and move forward. From research on how a quick laugh can boost performance to examples of leaders using physical reminders to overcome fear, this conversation is a...

Merry Christmas everyone! Put your phones down, and spend some time with your friends and family!

Big plans and big goals are exciting, but what about the ordinary moments in between? In this episode, Ben reflects on Mary Jean Irion’s quote about the “normal day” and why the small, unplanned moments often hold the most meaning. Can we create space for those moments of normalcy? Even in our roles of leadership? Today, we talk about some practical ideas for leaving room in your schedule and bein...

Social media is designed to keep your attention, not deepen your understanding. In this episode, Ben breaks down how algorithms shape what we see, what we believe, and how we lead. If we want to grow in wisdom, we have to step outside the echo chamber. Ben challenges listeners to become more aware of what’s capturing their attention, and to intentionally seek out deeper learning and alternative vi...

“To everything (turn, turn, turn), there is a season…” -The Byrds. This week, Ben reflects on the cycles of leadership and life—how different seasons call for different kinds of action, presence, and purpose. Drawing from The Fourth Turning by Neil Howe and a gardening analogy from Ryan Bond ( listen to his podcast here ), Ben explores how leaders can better understand the moment they’re in and le...

Happy Thanksgiving! Tell someone you love how much you appreciate them. See you next Thursday.

What are you uniquely gifted to do? In this episode, Ben reflects on Romans 12 and the idea that we all have different strengths—and that leadership gets better when we lean into them. Ben shares a personal story about the years he spent working outside his strengths and how discovering his true gifts changed everything. This episode is a reminder that knowing yourself isn’t prideful—it’s powerful...

Jim Collins’s concept of the “20-Mile March” isn’t just for companies—it’s a mindset for life and leadership. In this episode, Ben shares the story of his 418-mile bike ride across Kansas and how the rhythm of 20-mile segments helped his team stay focused and finish strong. What does it look like to build consistency into your own life or organization? How can you set goals that are both ambitious...

In today's episode, Ben shares the story behind a sculpture called Folding Planes by Kevin Box, and how its seven folds represent the process of becoming. Big visions and unlimited potential are exciting, but it’s the intentional steps in between that make them real. Join Ben as he reflects on what this means for leadership and how you can apply it to your own life and work. Like we do every week,...

What’s the difference between service and hospitality? In this episode, Ben explores the concept of unreasonable hospitality from Will Guidara’s book and why it matters for leaders and organizations. From a frustrating airport experience to a coffee shop owner who went above and beyond, Ben shares stories that illustrate how small gestures can transform relationships. Plus, hear the legendary hot...

Today's episode is about the title of the podcast: the words "With" and "Purpose." What is Purpose ? What does it mean to plan our weeks With it? When we're doing everything with purpose, whether it's leading, planning, or living our daily lives, Ben believes we will notice a major transformation. Can you try living this week with purpose? Plan your week alongside Ben by using this personalized pl...

Although none of us are making the types of decisions that Abraham Lincoln was making during his presidency, his leadership style is more applicable to us than you might think. Can you embrace a dissenting voice in your leadership circle like Lincoln did? That's this week's challenge.  As always, follow along and plan your week alongside Ben with your own With Purpose planner. Linked here. 

What happens when we outsource our thinking to AI? When the ideas we have and the solutions we create are separated from the human element entirely? Well, studies show it may actually be making us dumber. But we all know AI isn't going anywhere, so how can we utilize AI responsibly? Ben has some ideas.  Follow along after the lesson with your own personal With Purpose planner. Linked here. 

Simon Sinek is one of Ben's favorite authors and speakers, and in his book The Infinite Game , he talks about how the game of business is never over. And a constant of that game is the idea of rivals. There are competitors who annoy us and competitors who challenge us - those are the worthy rivals. In today's episode, Ben breaks down that definition, and he challenges listeners to think about who...

Jim Collins's Great By Choice (and much of his other works) has helped Ben define and understand leadership for as long as he's been leading. In today's podcast, we're diving into Great By Choice (a favorite of Ben's) to break down how much control we have in our own greatness. Are people who end up great merely lucky? Does our potential for greatness disappear because of our environment? Listen t...

Ben Hutton plans for the week ahead on Thursdays. It's the perfect day to plan because it allows him to finish a week strong on Friday, it puts the weekend in the middle (to make time for the most important thing - his friends and family), and it ensures a strong start the following Monday.  In this podcast, Ben asks listeners to join him in planning their week ahead. This podcast will help listen...