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  • Why Your Unmet Expectations Create Pain and Conflict

    Why Your Unmet Expectations Create Pain and Conflict
    2026/08/20
    How are hidden expectations creating unseen conflict and emotional reactions in your interactions? In this episode, Bill and Scott explore how unacknowledged and unmet expectations create relational conflict and emotional disappointment. While expectations are a reality in humans, some become demands that are usually defended as “right”. They discuss creating safe spaces for honest conversation, and moving from a “me” to a “we” mindset. Scott and Bill challenge us to reframe individual demands into shared goals. Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode: (01:19) Expectations are an innate part of being human, but unmet expectations are a major source of wounding and pain. (02:54) How we can build trust by becoming honest about our expectations while avoiding the temptation to declare those expectations right. (05:03) Shifting from discussing individual expectations of one another to discussing shared expectations. (12:40) How hidden expectations remain unspoken, continue to produce disappointment, and can eventually create dysfunction in relationships. (18:02) Relational freedom does not mean eliminating disappointment, but learning to face the disappointments caused by unmet expectations together. This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team. Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/ Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527 This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/
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    22 分
  • The Healing Power of Intentional Love and Acceptance

    The Healing Power of Intentional Love and Acceptance
    2026/08/13
    2 Questions this week! How would your relationships change if you defined love as actively meeting the inherent needs of others? AND, how did your life change by someone else loving you unconditionally? In this episode, Bill and Scott explore what it means to practice love by intentionally meeting the needs God designed into every person. Genuine love provides security, acceptance, affirmation, and commitment, allowing people to experience freedom and healing. This also means meeting those needs unconditionally rather than requiring individuals to change before being loved. Scott and Bill challenge us to both receive love deeply, and then intentionally extend that same love to others in practical, life-giving ways. Even the difficult people and “enemies” in our lives. Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode: (00:22) Practicing love and freedom by defining love as the process of meeting human needs. (03:37) Commitment and affirmation are powerful expressions of love that build trust, significance, and healthy relationships. (08:17) How God accepts people with an unearned love, and why believers should extend that same love. (12:43) How we can love God by serving the weak and hungry. (15:02) How we and the church should teach people how to love, even as sinners, rather than focusing on how to deal with our sins. (16:24) Practicing genuine love requires both receiving love from others, and reaching out to meet the needs of others, including enemies. This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team. Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/ Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527 This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/
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    19 分
  • What True Obedience Actually Looks Like

    What True Obedience Actually Looks Like
    2026/08/06
    How can you learn to distinguish between compliance to authority versus a genuine, heart-level decision to obey out of trust? In this episode, Bill and Scott explore the amazing connection between obedience and freedom, defining true obedience as a heart-level response to trust and a trustworthy God, rather than rigid compliance. They discuss how acting on God's direction transforms knowledge into lived truth, while equipping people to influence others authentically. Scott and Bill encourage us to cultivate an intimate relationship with God by learning to trust His leading, and experience the freedom that follows obedience. Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode: (00:04) The surprising relationship between obedience and freedom. (03:34) Truth only transforms lives when it is trusted and acted upon. (07:42) Practicing obedience gives us the freedom to teach truth. (12:54) How obedience gives us the credibility to encourage others. (17:01) Discerning God's voice requires faith. It’s worse to miss God's direction than to mistakenly step out in faith. This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team. Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/ Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527 This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/
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    19 分
  • Truth Without Permission Destroys Trust

    Truth Without Permission Destroys Trust
    2026/07/30
    Are you trying to change people before earning access to their hearts? In this episode, Bill and Scott challenge common misconceptions about submission by defining it as the voluntary choice to let trusted people love, guide, and influence your life. They discuss that permission and trust are essential for meaningful relationships, as genuine influence never comes through control or manipulation. Scott and Bill also emphasize that grace addresses the person first with affirmation before dealing with brokenness or sin. It’s important that we believe people so they can dwell in the reality of their own answer. Once they come to that reality, we’ll be available to talk and show true, Biblical grace. Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode: (01:05) Submission simply means "to let" and points to Jesus as the perfect model of willingly letting God lead Him. (02:57) How the church has historically misused and abused the concept of submission with women. (07:12) How mutual submission allows trusted friends to speak truth into each other's lives and strengthen character. (10:49) The principles of submission and trust to leadership, explaining how healthy organizational culture grows through mutual influence. (12:34) Permission is granting another person access to your life and explains why even God seeks permission rather than forcing change. (16:26) Affirming a person's value before addressing their behavior removes fear of condemnation, and opens the door for meaningful transformation. (19:14) You should never ask for permission to speak into someone's life if you are not willing to receive a "no". (21:05) Respecting a person’s refusal to submit, demonstrating that honoring another person's freedom builds greater trust than manipulation. This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team. Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/ Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527 This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/
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    23 分
  • Living in the Freedom That Jesus Promises Us

    Living in the Freedom That Jesus Promises Us
    2026/07/23
    Are you using your freedom to pursue trivial desires, or are you letting it become the outward voice of your love for others? In this episode, Bill and Scott begin a new series exploring Galatians 5:13-15 and the freedom that Jesus gives us. This freedom is intended to build trust and serve others, rather than satisfy selfish desires. They discuss how unresolved personal issues and shame distort our view of God and others, keeping us isolated and afraid of being fully known. Forgiveness and repentance allow us to resolve the past, experience healing, and live without being defined by old pain. Bill and Scott encourage us to move beyond self-protection and discover that genuine freedom naturally produces healthy, trusting relationships. Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode: (01:08) Galatians 5:13-15 - freedom is given to be used in loving and serving others, rather than pursuing selfish desires. (02:51) Unresolved shame distorts the way people view themselves, God, and others, making trust impossible to experience. (05:47) Freedom from unresolved sin is never meant for self-centered living but is intended to build trust with other people. (09:06) Don’t reduce freedom to getting what you want but to use it as an expression of love that helps free others. (10:55) Living in fear because of past hurts vs choosing to enter relationships because genuine love makes trust possible. (13:15) Nothing from a person's past is beyond redemption, and experiencing this freedom naturally produces trust in relationships. This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team. Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/ Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527 This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/
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    14 分
  • Why We Struggle to Receive Love (And Why It Matters)

    Why We Struggle to Receive Love (And Why It Matters)
    2026/07/16
    Why is isolation the single greatest threat to your effectiveness as a leader? In this episode, Bill and Scott continue their discussion on maturity by explaining that the ability to love others begins with first allowing yourself to be loved. They talk about the vital roles that trust, vulnerability, and receiving care play in healthy relationships, parenting, marriage, and leadership. Isolation is the greatest cause of failure in leadership. Meaningful feedback and influence into your life transforms both you and those around you. Also, receiving love - from God and from trusted people - is what empowers someone to genuinely care for, serve, and influence others. Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode: (01:35) Why people who have never truly received love often struggle to genuinely love those around them. (05:09) Allowing trusted people to make significant contributions to your life as the foundation for influencing others. (12:19) Competency can never satisfy relational needs nor can leaders lead from isolation. (14:20) Bill shares a personal story about receiving honest feedback from his children and discovering how his impatience affected them. This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team. Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/ Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527 This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/
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    20 分
  • Why Mature Christians Never Stop Receiving

    Why Mature Christians Never Stop Receiving
    2026/07/09
    Are you allowing others to speak into your life, serve you, and reveal what you cannot see? In this episode, Bill and Scott discuss how mature leaders must continuously choose vulnerability by remaining lifelong learners who are open to receiving from others. They explore how allowing others to speak into your life, correct you, care for you, and meet your needs requires humility and vulnerability. It also requires not feeling the obligation to repay what is received. Allowing others to meet your needs, serve you, and offer care is a vital leadership principle that directly fosters growth and maturity in the person giving. Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode: (00:04) Mature leaders demonstrate vulnerability by remaining open learners who let others speak into their lives. (03:12) The danger of ceasing to learn, noting that refusing to learn and receive from others halts a leader's personal maturity. (05:47) Becoming a receiver is a critical part of maturity because growth comes through what people receive, not just what they know. (07:28) How receiving care without feeling indebted is difficult, but necessary because love is not meant to be transactional. (10:47) Many people find it easier to receive critique than care because critique focuses on actions while care focuses on who they are. (13:16) Vulnerability is not about exposing everything publicly but about allowing others to speak, serve, and meet needs. This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team. Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/ Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527 This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/
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    18 分
  • Why Great Leaders Celebrate Other People's Strengths

    Why Great Leaders Celebrate Other People's Strengths
    2026/07/02
    What happens when another person's strengths feel encouraging instead of threatening? In this episode, Bill and Scott explore one of the defining characteristics of healthy leadership: the ability to appreciate, trust, and submit to the strengths of other people instead of competing with them, or fearing them. Leadership reaches a new level when people begin to appreciate and empower the unique strengths that others bring to the table. Bill and Scott discuss how empowering capable people creates healthier organizations, stronger teams, and better decisions. They challenge leaders to replace insecurity with trust and discover the freedom that comes from leading alongside others instead of above them. Topics Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd discuss in this episode: (00:04) Mature leaders do not fear other people's strengths; they understand, appreciate, and submit to them. (02:17) Growing organizations can outgrow leaders who become threatened by stronger team members instead of developing them. (05:43) The Biblical model of Saul and David illustrates that fear of another's strengths is evidence of leadership immaturity. (10:36) Leadership roles and titles do not automatically provide the capacity to make every decision. There is freedom found in sharing responsibility. (13:50) Honoring people for who they are and trusting their abilities strengthens both individuals and the entire organization. This episode was brought to you by Bill Thrall, Scott Boyd, and the Living Influence team. Learn about Living Influence: https://www.livinginfluence.com/ Subscribe to the Living Influence podcast: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingInfluencePodcast * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kP9Mm2 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F2RSvXKfU08Q5LVTCyIYI Learn about Bill Thrall’s books: https://www.livinginfluence.com/books Follow and like the Living Influence podcast on social media: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinginfluencepodcast * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livinginfluencepodcast * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576202821527 This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/
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    17 分