In the first episode, host Charlene Norman of Good Stewardship; Lasting Impact took a brutally honest look at the in between stage we are all living through -- the messy middle. In this episode, she begins sharing the thoughts of Ernesto van Peborgh founder of the Seva Institute and prolific writer on Substack as a case study we can all learn from.

Key observations we can make

-Recognize the Hollowing of Success

-Understand the True Cost of Power

-Embrace the Descent: Leaving the Comfort Zone

-Move Beyond Material Divestment to Existential Investment

-Accept That the Journey Is Ongoing (and Messy)

Ready to benchmark your leadership impact? Take this 5-minute Stewardship Quiz and get a personalized report showing exactly where you rank - plus actionable strategies to elevate your performance.

The 5Cs Podcast connects forward-thinking executives who are building sustainable competitive advantages while driving positive impact. Think of it as an exclusive network of leaders who understand that stewardship isn't just good ethics - it's good business.

Connect with Charlene Norman on LinkedIn, subscribe to our Substack for strategic insights, or download the full series on Spotify and Apple.

There is some degree of burnout in the lives of those trying to make a better world. Host Charlene Norman of Good Stewardship; Lasting Impact takes a brutally honest look at the in between stage we are all living through. This first episode looks closely at the messy middle

Key Highlights

-The Myth of the Overnight Transformation

-Why the Messy Middle Matters—Now More Than Ever

-The Real Costs of Change: What Success Stories Don’t Tell You

-Actionable Strategies for Surviving (and Thriving) in the Messy Middle

-Embracing the Mud, Not Just the Lotus

-You’re Not Alone—And That’s the Point

Ready to benchmark your leadership impact? Take this 5-minute Stewardship Quiz and get a personalized report showing exactly where you rank - plus actionable strategies to elevate your performance.

The 5Cs Podcast connects forward-thinking executives who are building sustainable competitive advantages while driving positive impact. Think of it as an exclusive network of leaders who understand that stewardship isn't just good ethics - it's good business.

Connect with Charlene Norman on LinkedIn, subscribe to our Substack for strategic insights, or download the full series on Spotify and Apple.

The final episode looks behind one of the most persistent—and misunderstood—mantras in business: “The market demands higher returns.”

With host Charlene Norman of Good Stewardship; Lasting impact

This episode focuses entirely on Taking Back Control: Building Businesses for the Long Term

Key Highlights

The market isn’t a single, unified force. It’s a collection of actors—investors, shareholders, analysts, customers—each with their own interests and time horizons. This means you have agency. You can choose which investors and stakeholders to engage with. It also means short-term pressure is not inevitable. AND, the loudest voices aren’t always the majority.

Long-term thinking is possible—and necessary—especially in sustainability and climate sectors. Listen in to learn how.

Ready to benchmark your leadership impact? Take this 5-minute Stewardship Quiz and get a personalized report showing exactly where you rank - plus actionable strategies to elevate your performance.

The 5Cs Podcast connects forward-thinking executives who are building sustainable competitive advantages while driving positive impact. Think of it as an exclusive network of leaders who understand that stewardship isn't just good ethics - it's good business.

Connect with Charlene Norman on LinkedIn, subscribe to our Substack for strategic insights, or download the full series on Spotify and Apple.