In this episode of Off Script, host Josh Fisher engages in a heartfelt conversation with Sara Schaefer, also known as Sass. They explore Sass's journey from a successful career in medical care to creating frameworks that promote positivity and resilience in leadership. Sass shares her personal struggles with anxiety, burnout, and the transformative experiences that led her to embrace her true self. The discussion delves into the importance of connection, community, and the innovative concept of 'Team Positive,' which aims to foster positivity through engaging activities and events. The episode concludes with a powerful journaling prompt that encourages listeners to reflect on their own truths and the barriers they face in living authentically.

Takeaways

• Resilience is built through personal struggles and transformation.
• Positivity is not just a mindset; it's a practice involving movement, connection, and expression.
• The importance of community and connection in fostering positivity.
• Embracing one's true self can lead to greater fulfillment and happiness.
• Children can teach us about self-acceptance and confidence.
• Creating engaging and fun environments can enhance personal development.
• The journey of self-discovery often involves letting go of control.
• Practicing gratitude and appreciation can shift one's perspective.
• Vulnerability in sharing personal stories can inspire others.
• Building a supportive community can help individuals navigate life's challenges.

Connect with Sass and Team Positive:

• Website: practiceyourpositive.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarasassschaeffer/
• The GAME: https://practiceyourpositive.com/the-game/

Don’t forget to grab your copy of The Off Script Journal! It’s the perfect way to support the podcast while giving yourself a clean, dedicated space to capture your reflections on each episode’s journal question.

The Off Script Journal: https://a.co/d/094UtKb

Follow Josh Fisher: Instagram: @offscriptwithjosh Twitter/X: @JoshFisherLead LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fisherjoshleadership

In this episode of Off Script, Josh Fisher sits down with Mike Loyd—Marine veteran, entrepreneur, and founder of Dope Coffee—to explore the journey behind one of the most provocative brands in the coffee industry.

From his roots in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to the discipline forged in the Marine Corps, Mike shares how resilience, cultural identity, and authentic leadership shaped his path. Together, Josh and Mike dive into the deeper mission of Dope Coffee: creating community, sparking dialogue, and using hip-hop culture as a bridge for connection and social change.

This conversation unpacks the bold branding, the realities of the coffee industry, and the importance of equity, teamwork, and self-belief in building something that lasts. Mike also reflects on finding joy in the grind, aligning your moral compass with your actions, and why success is about more than the end goal—it’s about the journey.

Be sure to check out everything Dope Coffee has to offer at this link.

Dope Coffee

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mike Loyd: A Journey of Passion and Resilience

02:41 The Roots of Mike Loyd: Growing Up in Winston Salem

05:44 Defining Off Script: Challenging Conventional Narratives

08:45 Navigating Relationships: From Tension to Understanding

11:24 The Impact of Environment: Challenges of Being a Black Man

17:27 Self-Perception and Validation: Lessons from Life Experiences

27:21 The Impact of Consumerism on Debt

29:56 The Unique Intersection of Coffee and Hip Hop

32:12 Identifying Gaps in the Coffee Industry

36:53 Dope Coffee: A Catalyst for Conversation

37:46 The Meaning Behind 'Dope' in Dope Coffee

48:39 Expanding Horizons: The Future of Dope Coffee

52:28 The Power of Teamwork and Family in Business

54:20 Sharing Success: The Importance of Equity in Entrepreneurship

57:18 Building a Community: The Key to Entrepreneurial Growth

58:55 Confidence and Self-Belief: The Foundation of Success

01:01:04 Navigating Challenges: The Entrepreneurial Journey

01:08:07 Finding Joy in the Journey: The Importance of Positivity

01:10:51 Reflecting on Morals: Aligning Actions with Values

Follow Josh Fisher: Instagram: @offscriptwithjosh Twitter/X: @JoshFisherLead LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fisherjoshleadership

In this episode of Off Script with Josh Fisher, Josh sits down with Colette Revere, founder of Open 360, to reshape one of the most dreaded workplace rituals: the performance review. Together, they explore how traditional reviews often fail to build trust, clarity, and motivation—and how feedback can become a lifeline instead of a weapon.

Drawing on her experience as a therapist and organizational consultant, Colette reveals why communication is the cornerstone of effective leadership and healthy teams. She shares how Open 360’s psychology-backed, human-centered feedback method moves beyond the outdated “once a year, anonymous, and one-sided” models to a living, breathing process based on radical transparency, real-time conversations, and ongoing relationship-building.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in toxic feedback loops or wondered how to create a culture of real connection and growth, this episode will give you powerful insights and practical tools to change the game.

• Traditional performance reviews often damage trust and motivation
• Anonymous feedback can make conversations ineffective and demoralizing
• Real feedback is consent-based, ongoing, and future focused
• Communication gaps are the root cause of many workplace problems
• Radical transparency builds healthier teams and better leadership
• Feedback is a lifeline, not a weapon: it needs care, conversation, and follow-up

• Open360: Psychology-backed workplace feedback platform
• Off Script Journal – Companion reflective journal

1:11 Intro to Colette & Open 360 4:47 Therapy Background 7:52 Traditional Leadership Feedback 15:21 Healing at Work 24:01 Authenticity & Personalities 34:14 Feminine Leadership Qualities 47:43 Emotional Intelligence in Leadership 58:26 What Makes Open 360 Different 1:21:38 Closing Reflections

Follow Josh Fisher: Instagram: @offscriptwithjosh Twitter/X: @JoshFisherLead LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fisherjoshleadership

#Feedback #Leadership #PerformanceReviews #OffScriptPodcast #RealTalk #RadicalTransparency #WorkplaceCulture #HumanCenteredLeadership #JoshFisher

In this episode of Off Script with Josh Fisher, leadership coach, professor, and author Dr. Wayne Applewhite joins the show to explore what it truly means to lead. Wayne doesn’t just talk about leadership—he lives it. From his unexpected start as a cook in the Air Force to becoming an officer, author, and leadership voice, his journey is proof that leadership is less about titles and more about the actions you take every day. Together, Josh and Wayne unpack: ✅ Why leadership is a verb, not a noun ✅The balance of people, time, and money in every leader’s toolkit ✅The role of mentors and the lessons they leave behind ✅Bloody noses, second chances, and the hard truths that shape real leaders ✅Why “practice makes good, and good makes consistent” beats the myth of perfection As Wayne puts it: “Leadership is always in motion. It’s not about being the smartest person in the room, but about listening, trusting, and never stopping your own growth.” Packed with candid stories and practical wisdom, this conversation is for anyone who wants to move beyond theory and become a leader who actually leads.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Leadership means taking action, even when it’s tough.
• Integrity and consistency matter more than titles.
• The best leaders are always learning—and always teaching.
• People, time, and money: Get the order right.

🧠 Resources & Guest Info

• Book: You Know It’s a Verb, Right? — by Dr. Wayne Applewhite & Jennifer Milius
• Contact Dr. Wayne Applewhite: Wayne@mindsyncing.com
• Website: mindsyncing.com
• Podcast: 27 minutes with Sheila and Wayne

📱 Connect with Josh: Instagram: @offscriptwithjosh X/Twitter: @JoshFisherLead LinkedIn: Josh Fisher

🎙️ Listen on Your Favorite Platform: Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/offscript-apple Spotify: bit.ly/offscript-spotify Amazon Music: bit.ly/offscript-amazon iHeart Radio: bit.ly/offscript-iheart

#Verb #Action #OffScriptPodcast #JoshFisher #DrWayneApplewhite #LeadershipAction #leadership #Leader #Integrity #LeadershipStories #LeadershipJourney

In this episode of Off Script, we step into a leadership workshop that wasn’t about policies, new rules, or checklists — but about people, connection, and the human work of leadership.

Josh takes us inside a room full of seasoned, gritty leaders — boots-on-the-ground types whose decisions carry life-or-death weight. When one of them asks a deceptively simple question — “How do we bridge the gap?” — it sparks a day-long conversation that leads to a transformative realization:

It’s leadership — not the kind we’re used to, but the kind that starts with human connection.

Through reflection, dialogue, and challenge, Josh unpacks why we too often confuse managing with leading, and how real leadership requires presence, vulnerability, and trust. And just like in the workshop, you’ll leave this episode with clear, actionable ways to bridge the gap in your own world.

• Leadership fills the gap — but only when it’s grounded in connection, not just compliance.
• Managing is about systems; leading is about people.
• Culture grows from trust, not from checklists.
• “Protect connection over perfection” — especially in high-pressure environments.
• Vulnerability in a leader is not weakness — it’s the foundation of trust and accountability.

• The Off Script Journal – Companion journal for deeper reflection: https://a.co/d/cR49607
• The Unfolding – 12-Phase Guided Journal for healing: https://a.co/d/cyk8JuR

In This Episode

1:25 OffScript Overview 3:32 Why? 4:40 Bridging the Gap 6:46 Ground Leadership 9:32 Checklists vs. Connection 13:16 Managing vs. Leading 19:33 The Mic Drop 21:03 Safety, Trust & Culture 24:29 Ditch the Script 27:03 Empathy & Accountability 28:40 Prompt Challenge 29:29 Closing

Off Script with Josh Fisher Podcast Podcast for those tired of performing and ready to lead with truth!

Join the Off Script Community

Drop a comment: How do we love thy neighbor regardless of beliefs, values, or background? Subscribe for honest, weekly conversations about what authentic leadership really means. Follow Josh Fisher:

• Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/JoshFisherLead
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16dbPpkhaw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fisherjoshleadership

Want to share your Off Script story? Email: joshua@offscript.us

In this solo episode, Josh Fisher dives headfirst into why presence—not polish—is the ultimate leadership flex. He shares a raw, personal story of his first love and how it robbed him of presence, leaving him disconnected from life’s most meaningful moments.

Josh unpacks his journey from hiding behind the haze of alcohol and the mask of perfection to discovering the power of showing up authentically. You’ll learn the difference between leading from the outside in (perfection) versus the inside out (presence), and why being fully present is the greatest gift you can give your team. Key Takeaways

• Embracing presence over perfection as a new leadership currency
• Vulnerability and authentic connection in leadership
• Navigating personal struggles and growth
• Moving from performance to being

In This Episode 0:00 Introduction & Presence 1:33 Podcast Launch Thoughts 3:14 Presence Over Perfection 5:17 Love & Presence 9:42 First Love & Feeling Safe 12:21 Cost of Escapism 15:52 High-Functioning Hollow 18:40 Chasing the Truest Version 20:38 Presence in Leadership 23:09 Presence in Real Life 25:50 Off Script Challenge 26:53 Journal Prompt 27:38 Closing & Call to Action

Join the Off Script Community

Drop a comment: How do we love thy neighbor regardless of beliefs, values, or background? Subscribe for honest, weekly conversations about what authentic leadership really means. Follow Josh Fisher:

• Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/JoshFisherLead
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16dbPpkhaw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fisherjoshleadership

Want to share your Off Script story? Email: joshua@offscript.us SUBJ: [NAME] Stories from the Stage – (Share or Do Not Share) Your voice might be featured in a future episode.

Journals:

• The Off Script Journal – Companion journal for deeper reflection
• The Unfolding – 12-Phase Guided Journal for healing

In this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Josh Fisher reflects on Frank Davis’s thought-provoking question from Episode 5:

How do we love our neighbor while holding space for freedom of thought?

Josh dives into the paradox of human connection, how we can honor others’ perspectives without compromising our own, and how love and freedom of thought don’t have to be opposites.

From emotional intelligence to curiosity over certainty, Josh explores what it really takes to lead with authenticity and live Off Script. If you're wrestling with how to hold compassion in a world full of division, this one's for you.

🖊️ Josh shares his personal journal response and invites you to do the same. 📩 Email your entry to: Episode 5 with Frank Davis for a powerful conversation about life, leadership, and yes—love.

• Emotional Intelligence is Foundational: Self-awareness and self-management are key to navigating conflict and difference with grace.

• Choose Curiosity Over Certainty: Being right feels good—but being curious leads to deeper understanding and growth.

• Focus on What You Can Control: You can’t control others' beliefs or actions, but you can control how you respond—with kindness, integrity, and respect.

• Lead by Example, Especially When It’s Hard: Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one’s watching. That’s real leadership.

• Have the Courage to Stay: When conflict arises, resist the urge to flee or fight. Stay, listen, ask questions—you might learn something.

• Be Willing to Be the Change: Like MJ said: “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.”

Reflect on today’s episode with the Off Script Journal. This week’s prompt: "How do you lead with love while making space for others' freedom of thought?"

Start journaling here: 👉 Download the Off Script Journal

Listener Discretion Disclaimer: This episode contains honest conversations about childhood challenges, racial experiences in the military, and personal growth. We discuss difficult topics with authenticity and respect. If you're looking for real talk about leadership, identity, and service, this conversation is for you.

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In this powerful episode of Off Script with Josh Fisher, Marine Corps veteran and leadership coach Josh Fisher sits down with Frank Davis for an extraordinary conversation about leadership, identity, and the driving force behind authentic service. Frank's incredible 26-year Marine Corps journey took him through every rank from enlisted to warrant officer to commissioned officer, but his real story goes much deeper.

From a challenging childhood that shaped his character to becoming a successful entrepreneur with Red Valor Mobile—a luxury transportation service dedicated to honoring veterans—Frank shares raw insights about leadership without masks, the power of authentic service, and how one pivotal moment with his mother changed everything. This episode explores what it means to lead with genuine care, flip traditional priorities, and find your "second mountain" in life.

If you've ever questioned what drives real leaders or wondered how to serve others while staying true to yourself, Frank's story will inspire and challenge you.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership starts with authentic service to others
• The power of a mother's influence can drive lifelong purpose
• Success comes from taking life one step at a time
• Flipping traditional priorities (people first, mission follows)
• How to lead with inclusion and genuine care
• The platinum rule: treat people how they want to be treated

Resources Mentioned

• Red Valor Mobile: Luxury veteran transportation service
• The Second Mountain by David Brooks
• Contact Red Valor: info@redvalormobile.com

Journals:

• The Off Script Journal – Companion journal for deeper reflection
• The Unfolding – 12-Phase Guided Journal for healing