When Your Three-Year Plan Collapses in Six Hours—What Do You Do?

On this final episode of TIPS for 2025, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Chris McFarland—executive vice president, founder of McFarland Crew Leadership, and Townsend Institute director—to explore adaptive leadership in crisis moments. Hear his story of how he spent three years planning a huge event on the National Mall that ultimately had to shut down six hours early due to weather. Talk about a pivot!

You'll discover:

• How to pivot and execute under immense pressure when plans fall apart
• Why flexibility and curiosity are your most powerful leadership tools
• Chris's essential formula: be curious, take the step, bring people with you

Whether you're navigating organizational change, leading through crisis, or building teams that thrive under pressure, this conversation offers a masterclass in adaptive leadership and human-centered strategy.

Perfect for: Organizational leaders, executive coaches, event strategists, anyone leading through uncertainty or building resilient teams.

TLP Director Chris McFarland

McFarland Crew Leadership

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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from!

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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

Is Your Executive Team a Hidden Business Risk?

On this episode of TIPS, Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Rukiya Robinson—executive transformation strategist, founder of E2S Strategies, and Townsend Institute alum and professor—to reveal why executive development is actually proactive risk management.

You'll discover:

• How toxic or inept leadership creates measurable enterprise risks
• Why most organizations misuse their vision, mission, and values
• How neuroscience and emotional intelligence transform C-suite performance
• Why leadership excellence is an act of stewardship
• The myth that tenured executives don't need ongoing support and accountability

Whether you're an organizational leader, HR professional, board member, or executive coach, this conversation exposes hidden vulnerabilities and offers a blueprint for building resilient leadership cultures.

Perfect for: C-suite executives, organizational leaders, HR professionals, executive coaches, board members, anyone responsible for enterprise risk management.

Rukiya Robinson LinkedIn

E2S Strategies

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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from!

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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

Are Your Relationships Truly Healthy? And what if you could measure relationship health like a vital sign?

On this episode of TIPS, Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Dr. Christine Murray—licensed marriage and family therapist, Townsend Institute counseling faculty, and domestic violence prevention advocate—to explore what healthy relationships actually look like.

You'll discover:
• The "happy, healthy, and safe" framework for evaluating relationship quality
• Practical strategies for building healthy boundaries in every relationship
• How to strengthen team culture with the free Healthy Relationships at Work Toolkit
• Ways parents can foster safety and connection with teenagers
• Why relationship health matters in professional and personal contexts

Whether you're navigating marriage, parenting, workplace dynamics, or community leadership, this conversation offers a blueprint for thriving relationships across all areas of life.
Perfect for: Marriage and family therapists, organizational leaders, parents, HR professionals, anyone committed to building healthier relationships.

Healthy Relationships Initiative
Healthy Relationships Initiative Toolkits

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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from!

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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

Are you looking for a single model to revolutionize your leadership, relationships, and mental health?

On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert dive deep with Dr. Mike Haarer and Madeline Spring—seasoned clinicians, Townsend Institute adjunct faculty, and Townsend Leadership Program directors—revealing the profound impact the Townsend Model has had on many aspects of their professional and personal lives. They discuss their early work applying the model clinically to help families and teens struggling with major mental health crises, and also organizationally by building a staff culture that prioritized the team's own growth and healing through process group.

You'll discover:

• Strategies for building organizational cultures that promote healing and wholeness

• Techniques to balance personal growth with professional excellence

• Ways to break destructive relationship patterns and avoid the “shame spiral”

• How to transform family dynamics through intentional leadership

Whether you're a clinician, leader, parent, or just seeking personal transformation, this conversation offers a blueprint for holistic growth. Let’s get started!

Perfect for: Mental health professionals, organizational leaders, coaches, counselors, and anyone committed to personal development.

Townsend Leadership Program Links:

• TLP Director Dr. Mike Haarer
• TLP Director Madeline Spring

Mike & Madeline's Coaching Practices:

• ⁠Mike Haarer Coaching ⁠
• Madeline's Undaunted Leadership, Coaching & Wholeness

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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from!

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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

What if your biggest limitation could become your greatest leadership advantage? On this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Anthony Flynn—CEO of Covenant House Texas, executive coach, and author of Zero to Seven Figures—for an extraordinary conversation about leadership, resilience, and turning challenges into opportunities.

You'll discover:
• How to build a successful business from scratch
• The "positive collision" strategy bridging business, ministry, and nonprofit work
• Why self-awareness is your most powerful leadership tool
• How to empower teams by celebrating their strengths
• Critical advice for emerging leaders and entrepreneurs
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, or simply seeking inspiration, Anthony's journey proves that your background doesn't determine your potential.

Perfect for: Business leaders, social entrepreneurs, nonprofit professionals, college students, anyone seeking transformative leadership insights.

Anthony Flynn's Website:https://www.amazingceo.com/

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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from!

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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

Grasping for straws on parenting tips that actually work in real situations?

You're in luck! In this episode of TIPS, Ashlie and Gilbert welcome back Dr. John Townsend—psychologist, New York Times bestselling author of the Boundaries series, and founder of the Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine. Dr. Townsend shares:

• His Biblically-rooted formula and the need for balance: Grace + Truth + Time
• Why "working yourself out of a job" is the ultimate parenting goal
• The biggest misconceptions about loving boundaries
• How to adjust discipline as kids grow from defiant toddlers to independence-seeking teens

Whether you're dealing with tantrums, testing, or teenage rebellion, you'll walk away with practical, research-backed strategies rooted in both Scripture and psychology. Let's get started!

Perfect for: Christian parents, family ministry leaders, educators, anyone raising kids ages 2-18.

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Upcoming Townsend Institute Live Info Night!!

Wednesday October 15, 5:00pm PST

Register at ⁠cui.edu/townsend⁠

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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from!

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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

In this episode, Ashlie, Gilbert, and Joh​n are thrilled to once again welcome back to the podcast friend, Institute Fellow, and New York Times best-selling author Bob Goff! ​While Bob is best known for his whimsical nature, he is fundamentally a true servant leader who has the goal of helping people, organizations, and even countries become the happiest and healthiest they can be. He shares stories chock-full of what he calls strategic whimsy, explaining that it’s mile-deep strategy that makes a grand, hopeful idea more than just wishful thinking. Bob also tackles the vital subject of recognizing distractions - what he calls “the rabbit in the room” - so leaders can move past chaos and understand what's truly off-kilter. This is a wonderfully fun and insightful conversation featuring giraffes, Tom Sawyer Island, bunny rabbits, and Michelangelo’s statue of David. Not only that, but he's here to share some exciting news about the enhanced partnership​ between his team and the Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine. If this seems like an off-the-wall list of topics, then​ you haven’t met Bob Goff yet. Let’s get started!

Bob Goff's Website

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Upcoming Townsend Institute Live Info Night!!

Wednesday October 15, 5:00pm PST

Register at cui.edu/townsend

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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from!

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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

Hello TIPS listeners! Join Ashlie and Gilbert as they chat with Dr. Bill and Dr. Kristi Gaultiere, founders of Soul Shepherding and authors of their newly released book, Deeply Loved. The Gaultieres share profound insights into how empathy serves as oxygen for the soul, highlighting its crucial role in personal healing and fostering deep relationships. They delve into the unique concept of three-way empathy, emphasizing the importance of self-empathy and the powerful integration of Christ-centered spirituality with psychology. Listeners will discover how to combat empathy fatigue by setting Biblical boundaries and will also receive practical guidance through the four A's of empathy —Ask, Attune, Acknowledge, and Affirm—equipping everyone to help others feel truly loved by God. Let's get started!

Website:

soulshepherding.org/deeplyloved

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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from!

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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.