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.

The look 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 is all about Following the Money. Who or What Exactly is Making the Demands?

Key Highlights:

-The Real Drivers Behind “Market Demands”

-Private Equity & Venture Capital: The Clock is Ticking

-The Short-Term Trap: How Investor Pressure Shapes Decisions

-Activist Investors: The Loud Minority

-Executive Compensation: When Leaders Think Like Traders

-Making Better Trade-Offs: A Framework for Long-Term Thinking

-Sustainability: The Ultimate Long-Term Investment

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.

A new series into one of the most persistent—and misunderstood—mantras in business: “The market demands higher returns.”

With host Charlene Norman of Good Stewardship; Lasting impact

If you’re a business leader, executive, or anyone who’s ever sat through a board meeting where this phrase was uttered (likely with a dramatic sigh and a PowerPoint slide), you know how powerful and paralyzing it can be. But what if the “market” isn’t the all-powerful, faceless force we’ve been led to believe? What if the real drivers are far more specific, and the consequences of following this myth are more damaging than we realize?

Key Highlights

-The Origin Story: How the Myth Began

-The 1980s: Corporate Raiders and the Rise of Short-Termism

-The Lasting Impact: Executive Compensation and Activist Investors

-The Real “Market”: Who’s Actually Making Demands?

-The Consequences: What’s at Stake for Long-Term Value

-How Leaders Can Push Back and Prioritize Sustainability

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 fascinating (and sometimes sneaky) history of marketing’s role in climate change.

With John Gorman of Cachet and Medium fame. In this final episode, John introduces his “four C’s” framework—Clarity, Consistency, Compassion, and Channels. A smarter, trust-building alternative to fear-based messaging. With wit and wisdom, the episode challenges business leaders to ditch shame tactics and embrace communication that empowers, connects, and inspires real change.

Because saving the planet shouldn’t require a guilt trip. Just a better message.

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 fascinating (and sometimes sneaky) history of marketing’s role in climate change. With John Gorman of Cachet and Medium fame. We do a deep dive into the long-term consequences of shame-based marketing. We’ll go deep into the nuances of shame-based marketing, its psychological fallout, and—most importantly—how to build trust and community in a fractured world.

This episode is a masterclass for business leaders and executives who want to understand not just what works in marketing, but why it works (or doesn’t), and how these strategies shape our society—especially in the context of climate change.

Covering

-The Problem with Shame-Based Marketing

-The Psychological Fallout: Learned Helplessness and Distrust

-The Social Cost: Alienation, Radicalization, and the Flat Earth Phenomenon

-Why Facts Don’t Change Minds—But Belonging Does

and more

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 fascinating (and sometimes sneaky) history of marketing’s role in climate change. With John Gorman of Cachet and Medium fame, we delve into the art—and occasional trickery—of automotive advertising. John unpacks the origins of “Truck Month,” revealing how clever timing and aggressive tactics turned pickups into profit powerhouses. The conversation takes a witty detour into shame-based marketing, exploring how brands manipulate emotions to drive sales, sometimes at the cost of trust. With sharp insights and a dash of humor, we challenge business leaders to rethink profit-driven strategies and imagine a more ethical, sustainable approach to marketing.

Key ideas and concepts

-The Anatomy of "Truck Month": More Than Just a Sale

-The Profit Engine: Why Trucks Dominate the Market

-Shame-Based Marketing: The Psychology Behind the Pitch

-The Long-Term Risks: Eroding Trust and Brand Value

-Beyond the Auto Industry: Shame in Health, Wellness, and Sustainability

-Rethinking Corporate Priorities: A Call to Action

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.