In Part 2 of our conversation with Haro and Mariam Setian, we pick up at a dramatic turning point—just after Haro is told he’s had a stroke. What unfolds next is an honest and moving exploration of what happens when leaders are forced to let go.

This episode dives into the unraveling of their businesses, the unexpected role Mariam steps into, and the sacred shift that happens when rest becomes non-negotiable.

Whether you’ve taken a sabbatical, are longing for one, or just feel the weight of “holding it all together”—this episode is for you.

🕒 Topics & Time Stamps (approximate):

• [01:00] Picking up after the stroke diagnosis — chaos meets clarity
• [04:00] Mariam steps into unexpected leadership and crisis control
• [10:00] Why everything fell apart before sabbatical even began
• [15:30] How peace and trust emerged in the midst of collapse
• [20:00] Leaving for sabbatical—flights booked, business unresolved
• [26:00] Practical rhythms and mindset shifts during sabbatical
• [35:00] What changed in Mariam: from regret to redemption
• [43:00] Haro’s shift: letting go of control, status, and significance
• [50:00] Redefining leadership post-sabbatical: slowing down on purpose
• [58:00] The hard return—why reentry might be harder than leaving
• [1:05:00] What it really means to live from rest—and lead from rest

💡 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• What it looks like to lead through health scares, team breakdowns, and transition
• How to surrender outcomes without sacrificing purpose
• The internal and external shifts that sabbatical creates in both leadership and family
• Why saying "yes" to rest often requires a series of "no’s"—and how to discern the difference
• How rest, healing, and leadership are deeply intertwined

👉 New here? Be sure to check out Part 1 of this conversation to hear the full journey from burnout to breakthrough.

In this powerful first installment, Chris and Steve sit down with friends Haro and Mariam Setian to explore the hidden cost of high performance. Haro, a successful entrepreneur and founder of a thriving real estate businesses, shares how his relentless drive led to burnout, identity confusion, and ultimately—a stroke. Mariam offers a vulnerable and critical perspective as a spouse and leader who watched the pressure mount and felt the toll in their home and marriage.

Together, they unpack the warning signs, the spiritual convictions, and the emotional unraveling that led to the decision to step away from it all. Part 1 sets the stage for the radical leap they took into a 9-month sabbatical—with zero business interaction.

🕑 Episode Highlights

• 0:00 – 4:45 – Introductions: Who are Haro and Mariam?
• 4:45 – 11:20 – Haro’s early signs of overwork and ignoring the rumble strips
• 11:20 – 17:40 – Identity and performance: the internal drive Haro couldn’t shut off
• 17:40 – 25:05 – Mariam’s plea for connection and the cracks in their marriage
• 25:05 – 33:30 – Confirmation after confirmation: the call to surrender and stop
• 33:30 – 42:20 – Haro’s stroke and the wake-up moment he couldn’t ignore
• 42:20 – End – Preparing for the move to Tennessee and the leap into sabbatical

🔁 Don’t Miss Part 2:

Next week, we’ll pick up with Haro and Mariam’s sabbatical story—what stepping away really looked like, what happened to the business, and how the experience reshaped their faith, family, and future.

Too often, high-achieving leaders over-index competence and under-index connection. In this deeply insightful episode, Chris and Steve unpack why emotional intelligence is essential—not optional—for building trust, retaining talent, and sustaining leadership over the long haul.

You’ll hear vulnerable reflections, practical frameworks, and real-world stories that challenge the production-at-all-costs mindset. If you’ve ever wondered why good people leave, this conversation may hold your answer.

🎧 In this episode, we cover:

• [03:30] Red vs. Blue Culture: Why positivity without production (or vice versa) won’t build a lasting team.
• [06:45] What is emotional intelligence? Exploring definitions from Goleman and Bradberry.
• [13:45] Cadence in leadership: The oxen/yoke analogy and the cost of moving too fast.
• [17:00] Empathy in leadership: Why it’s hard, why it matters, and how to build it.
• [24:00] Fear disguised as anger, anxiety, or control—and how leaders can check themselves before damaging relationships.
• [34:00] Outlets, rest, and the myth of “always being useful”—what leaders must let go of to grow.
• [45:00] Practical tips to start building emotional intelligence today.

🔥 Quote of the Episode:

“People leave leaders, not jobs. Emotional intelligence may be the single most important skill a leader can cultivate.”

In this powerful follow-up conversation, Chris and Steve sit down with Jamie Winship to explore how identity—not performance—should guide the way we hire, develop, and even part ways with people on our teams. Jamie shares his unique and transformational perspective on leadership that shifts the focus from fear-based control to identity-based freedom. If you're a leader who wants to build a thriving culture and lead with clarity, this episode will challenge and equip you in profound ways.

🧭 What We Cover (with rough Timestamps):

1. Hiring based on identity vs. resume — [00:03:00] Why role fit should come after identity fit, and how traditional interviews often miss the mark.
2. Jamie’s personal story of identity discovery — [00:10:00] A pivotal moment that revealed how disconnected performance can be from true identity.
3. Interviewing through the lens of truth-telling — [00:22:00] How to transform the hiring process into a blessing by asking questions that access the real person.
4. Helping team members discover identity at work — [00:33:00] Why leadership means helping others become whole—and how work can actually be a place of healing.
5. Letting people go in a way that blesses them — [00:46:00] Jamie shares a redemptive approach to releasing someone that leaves them empowered, not bitter.

Originally recorded in January 2024 for The Overflowing Life, this conversation with Jamie Winship dives deep into the power of living from your true identity. Jamie shares how understanding who you truly are can transform your leadership, relationships, and response to conflict. His journey—from law enforcement to global peacebuilding—is filled with compelling stories and practical wisdom. This re-release sets the stage for a brand-new follow-up conversation with Jamie in our next episode.

What We Talk About:

• From Police Work to Peace-building Jamie shares how his law enforcement background led to work in conflict zones, and how curiosity around human behavior shaped his path.
• 15 min: Understanding Fear-Based Decision Making The roots of fear in leadership and decision-making—and how identity-based leadership offers a better way.
• 28 Min: Identity vs. Roles: The Core of Who You Are Jamie explains the difference between what you do and who you are, with real-life examples of transformation in high-pressure environments.
• 40 Min: Hearing the Voice of God and Leading from Truth Jamie walks through what it means to listen for truth in identity and leadership—and how that plays out in business and everyday life.
• 50 Min The Impact of Identity Work on Team Culture How uncovering identity leads to healthier teams, clarity in hiring, and greater alignment in organizations.

We all want success—but what happens when you hit your goals and still feel unfulfilled? In this episode, Chris and Steve explore the hidden cost of chasing the wrong definition of success. From personal stories of burnout and identity crisis to hard-won lessons about core values and fulfillment, this is a conversation every leader needs to hear.

Together, we unpack:

• Why achievement alone doesn’t lead to fulfillment
• The emotional toll of misaligned goals
• How to redefine success through the lens of identity and values
• The role of surrender and presence in a leader’s journey

If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right—but still feel empty—this one's for you.

📲 Join the conversation: Follow us on social media and share your definition of success and fulfillment. We’d love to hear what’s resonating with you.

What does it take to be the kind of leader people want to follow—not just today, but over the long haul?

In this episode of The Leader Formula, we sit down with Ken Eslick—Tony Robbins trainer, executive recruiter, and host of The Leaders Lab Podcast. With decades of experience building and leading teams, Ken shares powerful, hard-won insights on identity, emotional intelligence, and the deeper work of leadership.

Whether you're running a business, leading a team, or just trying to lead yourself more effectively, this episode is packed with truth, challenge, and encouragement.

🎙️ About Ken Eslick: Ken is the Founder of The Leaders Lab, a C-Suite recruiting firm and podcast. He’s placed over 500 executives, led teams of 1000+, and helps leaders build organizations that last. He’s also a Tony Robbins trainer and a passionate advocate for values-driven leadership.

🧭 In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why your identity determines your leadership impact
• The mindset shift that changed everything for Ken
• How to know when to let go of a team member—and how ego gets in the way
• The cost of mediocre employees and the danger of hovering in the middle
• Why ownership can’t be demanded—it must be earned
• Using values as a leadership filter and decision-making compass
• How to turn your team’s personal goals into leadership leverage
• What it means to lead with humility without losing confidence
• How leaders go first—especially in hard conversations and crises

If this episode speaks to you, please leave a rating or review—and share it with a leader who needs to hear it.

Your business may reflect who you are—but it should never define your worth.

In this episode, Chris and Steve explore the connection between identity and leadership, and how doing the deep work of knowing yourself leads to healthier business decisions, stronger team culture, and a more sustainable approach to growth. From personality assessments and time audits to core values and the infamous “bag of mail,” this episode is full of stories, laughs, and practical tools to help you build a business that flows from your strengths—not your stress.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why your identity should inform your business, not be entangled with it
• How to clarify your strengths and build around them
• What to do with the parts of your business that drain you
• The value of time audits, personality frameworks, and value pyramids
• Real-life examples of how identity drives culture, hiring, and boundaries

Takeaways:

• Self-awareness isn’t optional for leaders—it’s foundational
• You can’t delegate identity, but you can design around your strengths
• Clarity on values and energy helps prevent burnout and poor hires