Freedom Archives

341: Live & Lead with Passion and Purpose – Not Caution

Are you holding back in ways you don’t even realize? In this candid and inspiring conversation, Dr. Tom Olson invites you to take a hard look at how fear of change and a need for safety can quietly run your life. He shares powerful stories from his own journey, including the leap that led to his PhD, and offers practical ways to shift from playing it safe to making bold, intentional choices.

We talk about what it really means to lead—at work, at home, and in your own life. Tom explains how to stop giving away your power, how to support others without fixing them, and why emotional intelligence makes all the difference in leadership. You’ll walk away thinking differently about risk, responsibility, and what’s truly possible when you take the helmet off.

With over 30 years of global experience, Tom is a highly sought-after coach, trainer, and researcher who has transformed lives through his dynamic, innovative approach to personal and professional development. He’s affectionately known as Dr. Tom by his clients throughout the world, with a stellar reputation for providing impactful coaching and training to leaders and teams. His work empowers clients to unlock their potential and overcome their greatest challenges.

Tom is the author of the acclaimed book, Don’t Die With Your Helmet On, which has inspired leaders and professionals to embrace purpose, resilience, and action.

You’ll discover:

What Tom means by “don’t die with your helmet on” (and why it matters)
Why fear often shows up looking “reasonable”
The questions that help you take back control
A healthy way to challenge team members stuck in victim thinking
How strong leaders build engagement through shared power

Watch the episode:

Connect with Tom

Tom’s Book

Don’t Die with Your Helmet On

Related Podcast Episodes

149: Becoming a Highly Effective Leader

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Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Amazon

Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on Pandora

Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on YouTube

Listen to the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast on iheartradio

Leader-team communication and character skills

Grow Strong Character

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Connect with Your Team

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and Meredith M. Bell

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Peer Coaching Made Simple

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325: Scaling Your Impact Without Burning Out

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your workload, unsure how to delegate effectively, or hesitant about bringing new people onto your team? Erin Bradley shares her powerful journey from burnout and anxiety to finding true freedom and fulfillment in her work. She opens up about the common leadership fears around hiring, delegating, and trusting others, and how shifting her mindset changed everything.

Whether you’re leading a team or stepping into a new role at your company, you’ll find practical insights in Erin’s approach to leadership. She reveals three essential questions every leader should ask their team members and explains how genuine curiosity, service-oriented leadership, and thoughtful delegation can transform your workplace culture. If you’re ready to scale your impact without sacrificing your well-being (or sanity!), this episode is a must-listen.

As a mortgage lender, Erin learned the hard way just how difficult entrepreneurship and sales success can be. From flat broke to six figures and burnout, Erin has been through it all. She quickly discovered that the stress of being overwhelmed is no less painful than financial stress.

After redesigning her business to support her dream life, Erin has been on a mission to teach others to do the same. She is a dynamic speaker and trainer, host of the real estate podcast Pursuing Freedom, and author of an outstanding book Pursuing Freedom. She’s created a community for realtors and lenders called the Pursuing Freedom Collective.