Too many business owners avoid the hardest question until it’s too late: What’s your exit strategy? In this powerful episode of Intentional Change, host Shawn FitzGerald and co-host Joshua McNary talk with Christy Jones, founder of Clarity Business Coaching, about her remarkable journey from growing up in a family-owned auto body shop to building a multi-location business — and selling it on her terms.

Christy shares how watching her father and uncle avoid succession planning fueled her commitment to be intentional from day one. She dives into the mindset, strategy, and emotional weight behind selling a generational business — including how to prepare your team, protect your legacy, and set yourself up for what's next.

Whether you're years from retiring or think it's "too soon" to plan, this episode will challenge your assumptions and inspire you to think long-term — starting now.

In this episode of Intentional Change podcast, hosts Joshua McNary and Shawn FitzGerald are joined by Brad Farris of Anchor Advisors, a seasoned executive leadership coach known for helping founders break through the common growth ceilings in their businesses.

They dig into practical approaches to leadership, including how to avoid the trap of over-planning, the power of taking small, achievable next steps toward your biggest goals, and why it's just as important to develop self-leadership as it is to steer you and your team. They also explore strategies for building momentum when the future feels uncertain, how leaders can take care of themselves to have more of their "best days," and the importance of patience and adaptability in both personal and business growth.

Whether you're overwhelmed by uncertainty, feeling stuck, or simply seeking actionable advice to lead your business more intentionally, this episode is packed with insights, relatable stories, and hands-on tips you won't want to miss. Join us as we explore the path to growth, one intentional step at a time!

Brad's LinkedIn Profile
Anchor Advisors Self-Leadership Assessment
Anchor Advisors Business Growth Phase Assessment

In this episode, host Shawn FitzGerald chats with leadership facilitator Steve Vaught to explore how meaningful relationships, safe spaces, and intentional communication create lasting impact in leadership.

Steve shares why he regularly sends curated articles to peers—not as a strategy, but as a way to show care, spark conversation, and deepen connection. He also opens up about the importance of creating trusted environments where mid-level managers can talk openly, get support, and work through real challenges without fear or judgment.

Listen to hear Steve and Shawn discuss what it takes to build trust over time, how to lead with empathy, and why overcoming fear with curiosity is essential for personal and team growth. You’ll also hear how peer group techniques—like agenda-setting, open challenges, and shared accountability—can transform how your internal teams connect and communicate.

Whether you're leading a team or facilitating growth in others, this episode offers practical takeaways for anyone who wants to lead with more empathy, build stronger trust, and create space for intentional change—one honest conversation at a time.