“Presence is the new economy. It’s the differentiator for leadership, parenting, and everything that truly matters.”

In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with speaker and author Tommy Short about the power of presence in leadership, family, and faith.

After a year without a phone, Tommy learned how silence, stillness, and meaningful connection can transform how we live and lead. He challenges the myth of productivity, discusses the toll of constant distraction, and uncover how true success starts with defining what truly matters.

Tommy shares the lessons behind his upcoming book The Call I Almost Missed, revealing how one radical act of disconnection became a spiritual and emotional awakening. From navigating parenting without screens to finding God in the quiet, this conversation invites listeners to pause, reflect, and reclaim their attention in a world that never stops buzzing.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How stillness helps you reconnect with your purpose, relationships, and creativity
• How vulnerability, not hustle, leads to sustainable success
• Why “things that don’t matter, don’t matter” and how to discern what truly does

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(01:55) The impact of phone usage

(08:22) A year without a phone

(14:54) The revelation and spiritual journey

(24:05) Reflecting on presence and small habits

(25:29) The journey of writing a book

(27:36) Defining success and taking action

(30:52) The power of presence and depth

(39:03) Anticipation and emotions of the book launch

Connect with Tommy:

Website: https://tommyshort.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommyshort86/

Connect with Rebecca:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

"There's a lesson in everything that we go through, whether it's good or bad, but the bad teaches us more than anything else."

In this episode of the Business is Human podcast, host Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with Lori Hodges, a veteran first responder, emergency manager, and author of Shaking in the Forest: Finding Light in the Darkness. Lori shares her incredible journey from a pivotal moment at a Grateful Dead concert to a 30-year career helping people navigate emergencies and disasters.

Lori’s perspective on leadership, trauma, and resilience is grounded in real-life experiences managing chaos and overcoming her own challenges. She and Rebecca discuss the importance of calm leadership, the transformative power of vulnerability, and how to find beauty in life’s most difficult moments.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why slowing down in high-stress situations leads to better outcomes
• How to build a culture where leaders and teams look out for one another
• The importance of finding lessons in both personal and professional challenges

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(01:18) Career roots and the Grateful Dead concert

(04:00) Choosing a path in emergency services

(06:21) Writing the book ‘Shaking in the Forest’

(08:45) Lessons from emergency services: No running, no yelling

(10:17) Commanding presence and confidence

(14:26) Developing leadership skills

(18:20) Early mistakes and learning to stay calm

(20:34) Tools for slowing down and overcoming trauma

(27:13) Balancing productivity and self-care

(29:17) Finding beauty in chaos

(34:16) Building supportive leadership and team culture

(42:14) Chaos theory and future projects

Connect with Lori:

Website: https://lorihodges.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-hodges-ma-ccp-pmp-319b2a18

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingThroughChaos/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysticblue222

Connect with Rebecca:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

“I looked around and thought, this is good. It is a beautiful day. I am healthy, I am happy. I am a child of God.”

In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession reflects on the swirl of uncertainty in the world today, and why the answer isn’t in endless scrolling or chasing headlines but in anchoring ourselves in truth, joy, and God’s promises. Through personal stories and wisdom from three impactful books, she shows how our memory and imagination can either trap us in fear or unlock faith, contentment, and creativity.

Rebecca invites listeners to reframe how they see their lives, their work, and their emotions. From spotting joy in everyday moments to shifting from rehearsing failures to celebrating successes, this episode is both grounding and freeing.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why chasing clarity in the news or on social media often leaves us more unsettled, and how to redirect your attention to what truly matters
• Ways to build habits of joy, like creating a “success journal” or using reflection questions to rewire your mindset
• How to use prayer and imagination as tools for faith, not fear

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(01:23) Spiritual awakening and social media

(02:31) Navigating uncertainty with faith

(03:57) Context and clarity in business

(05:14) Embracing differences for unity

(07:36) Book Recommendation: Living Fearless

(09:41) Book Recommendation: Victorious Emotions

(16:21) Book Recommendation: Living from the Unseen

Connect with Rebecca:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/