Episode Description:

What if I told you that the chaos in your life isn’t just happening to you—it’s happening through you? In this episode of Mission Driven You, I dive into the uncomfortable truth that you are the chaos—and the only way to regain control is through radical self-ownership.

We explore:

• Why control is an illusion—and how trying to “fix” chaos often makes it worse
• How your external world is a direct reflection of your internal state
• Albert Bandura’s research on self-efficacy and why self-mastery is the key to transformation
• The "Chaos Mirror" exercise to help you recognize how you're contributing to your own struggles
• Why no one is coming to save you—and why that’s the best news you’ll ever hear

If you’ve ever felt like life is happening to you instead of for you, this episode will challenge your assumptions and help you reclaim your power.

Show Notes:

Key Topics Discussed:

1. The Illusion of Control

• We’ve been conditioned to believe that control equals success.
• The hidden cost of chasing control—burnout, frustration, and self-doubt.
• A personal story from leading a multi-billion dollar merger—and why external success couldn’t fix internal chaos.

2. Chaos Isn’t Happening to You—It’s Happening Through You

• The running man problem: Why working harder won’t eliminate the chaos.
• How your inner narrative shapes your external reality—and how to rewrite that script.
• The moment I realized that mastering my external world required mastering my inner world first.

3. Powerlessness vs. Helplessness

• Powerlessness ≠ helplessness—it’s a strategy for clarity.
• The paradox of control—why trying to grip tighter actually makes you feel weaker.
• The Chaos Mirror Exercise—a tool to help you recognize your role in the volatility around you.

4. The Science of Self-Efficacy & Self-Mastery

• Albert Bandura’s research on self-efficacy—why belief in your own ability is the foundation of true power.
• The four ways to build self-efficacy:

1. Mastery experiences—small wins that build confidence.
2. Vicarious experiences—learning by seeing others succeed.
3. Verbal persuasion—how self-talk rewires your brain.
4. Managing physiological states—why stress and exhaustion kill self-agency.

5. No One Is Coming to Save You—And That’s Good News

• The hard truth: Waiting for external change is helplessness.
• You either own your life, or someone else will.
• The Ownership Audit Exercise—how to stop blaming and start acting.

Reflection Questions for Listeners:

• What’s one area of your life where you’ve been trying to control the uncontrollable?
• How have your thoughts and emotions been shaping your external circumstances?
• What’s one action you can take today to reclaim ownership of...

Episode Description

In January, I rebooted Mission Driven You — not to chase downloads or please algorithms, but to create from my capital “S” self. In this special episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what’s guided me since then: eight themes that have shaped over 60 episodes this year.

We’ll explore how to lead and live with depth in a culture obsessed with quick fixes, why inner work is the foundation for outer leadership, and how to practice radical self-ownership without sliding into blame. We’ll talk about building interdependence into your life, rewriting the “legacy code” of old stories, and designing resilience loops to navigate complexity. You’ll hear how disruption can be a tool for growth — and why success should be measured in alignment, humanity, and long-term impact, not just numbers.

Each theme comes with a practical action step you can start today. This is the perfect primer if you’re new here, and a powerful reset if you’ve been with me since the reboot.

Show Notes

In This Episode:

• Why Mission Driven You exists — and why I refuse to play the algorithm game.
• How my capital “S” self guides every episode I create.
• Eight themes that have defined this year’s conversations and solo episodes:

1. Slow, Sustainable Transformation vs. Quick Fixes — The paradox of urgency without rushing, and the four-part slow change framework.
2. Inner Work as the Foundation for Outer Leadership — How inner stability prevents burnout, strategy whiplash, and mistrust.
3. Radical Self-Ownership — Moving from reaction to authorship with the Ownership Pause, Left/Right Column, and ownership language.
4. Interdependence & the Power of Relationships — Why resilient leaders don’t climb alone, and how to build your Life Team.
5. Identity, Storytelling & Meaning — Rewriting the “legacy code” running your life and leading from your new narrative.
6. Navigating Complexity & Change Resilience — Why loops outlast breakthroughs, and the three-tier Continuous Growth Loop.
7. The Role of Disruption & Creativity — Creating the right kind of problems to fuel innovation.
8. Human-Centered Metrics for Success — Measuring alignment, humanity, and impact instead of vanity metrics.

Practical Action Steps You’ll Learn:

• The 10-Year Gratitude Projection
• The Stability Audit
• The Ownership Pause Practice
• Building Your Life Team
• Keeping a Code Rewrite Journal
• Designing Your Weekly Loop
• The Purposeful Disruption Challenge
• The Alignment Scorecard

Referenced Episodes:

• Feb 3: The Transformative Power of Slow Change
• June 2: You Can’t Lead What You Haven’t Faced
• May 1: Radical Self-Ownership
• May 12: Interdependence — Why Resilient Leaders Don’t Climb Alone
• Mar 27: Rewrite the Code — How to Upgrade the Stories Running Your Life
• May 19: The Continuous Growth Loop
• May 8: Ted Santos — Mastering Disruption
• Apr 28: Sophie Lechner — Unlocking Your Impact

Follow & Connect:

• Subscribe to Mission Driven You on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
• Watch full episodes and video essays on YouTube.
• Join me on Substack at drwillsamson.substack.com
• Connect on LinkedIn for ongoing leadership...

Episode Description:

In this episode of Mission Driven You, Will sits down with Dr. Peggy Kendall, a seasoned communication scholar, Fulbright recipient, and professor at Bethel University. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Kendall delves into the evolving dynamics of trust and leadership in our increasingly remote and hybrid work environments.

Drawing insights from her forthcoming book, Trust at a Distance: 6 Strategies for Managing in the Remote Workplace, co-authored with David Horsager, Dr. Kendall shares practical strategies to foster genuine connections, redefine accountability, and build resilient teams—even when miles apart.(Penguin Random House)

Whether you're a leader navigating the challenges of remote management or someone seeking deeper connections in a digital workspace, this conversation offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• The six foundational strategies from Trust at a Distance to enhance remote team management.
• How to cultivate psychological safety and trust without physical proximity.
• The pitfalls of "winging it" in virtual leadership and the importance of intentional communication.
• Techniques to measure productivity and engagement beyond traditional metrics.
• The role of empathy and understanding in building cohesive remote teams.(Amazon)

💬 Memorable Quotes:

“Trust isn't about proximity; it's about presence.”

“In the absence of hallway conversations, intentional check-ins become our new watercoolers.”

“Remote work challenges us to lead with clarity, consistency, and compassion.”

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Explore Dr. Peggy Kendall’s work: peggykendall.com
• Pre-order Trust at a Distance: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
• Connect with Dr. Kendall on LinkedIn: Peggy Kendall
• Read about her research on virtual workplaces: Bethel University News(Berrett-Koehler Publishers, LinkedIn, Bethel University)

🧭 Reflection Prompts:

• In what ways can I enhance trust within my remote or hybrid team?
• How do I currently measure team engagement, and what new metrics could provide deeper insights?
• What intentional practices can I adopt to replace spontaneous in-person interactions?

📣 Subscribe & Share:

If this episode resonated with you, consider subscribing to Mission Driven You on your preferred podcast platform. Share this episode with colleagues or friends navigating the remote work landscape—they'll appreciate the insights.

Remember, trust...