No Neutral Moments

What an incredible launch day.Today we officially released my new book, The Middle: How the Quiet Majority Can Mend a Divided Nation, and I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. The response has been overwhelming. From online orders across the country to the two book signings we held today where we actually ran out of books, I’m incredibly grateful for the support.I’ve received messages and texts from friends and readers from New York to Florida to the West Coast, and it’s humbling to see this message already traveling far beyond where it started.The heart behind The Middle is simple: many of us are growing tired of the yelling, the extremes, and the division that seem to dominate our national conversation. I believe there is a large group of people in the middle who want something better — people who still believe in the idea of being one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.Thank you to everyone who purchased the book, shared it, and showed up to support this message. We have more book signings ahead and hopefully some travel around the country soon to continue the conversation.I’m incredibly grateful for all of you.— Patrick Payton

In this special episode of No Neutral Moments, Patrick Payton announces the release of his new book, The Middle: How the Quiet Majority Can Mend a Divided Nation. Drawing from his journey through business, ministry, and politics, Patrick shares the heart behind the project — a call for the “quiet majority” to rise above today’s polarizing extremes and rediscover how to stand for truth while also standing for one another.Be among the first to order your copy of The Middle:Simon & Schusterhttps://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Middle/Patrick-Payton/9781637634943Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637634943?tag=simonsayscomBarnes & Noblehttps://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-middle-patrick-payton

In this compelling episode of No Neutral Moments, Patrick Payton introduces the powerful idea behind his upcoming book, The Majority Middle: Rescuing America from the Political Extremes (Spring 2026). This episode is a call to action for those who believe in the strength of civility, honest dialogue, and mutual respect.Patrick unpacks how "the majority middle" can become a movement—one rooted in love over hate, unity over division, and courage over silence. He explores how life’s tests and trials build stronger convictions and why it’s time to stop seeing people as enemies just because they think differently.If you’re tired of the noise and looking for a better way forward, this conversation is for you.👉 Like, comment, and subscribe to join us on this journey toward a more respectful and unified America.

Hosted by Patrick Payton, this episode features a profound conversation with our special guest, Cindy Payton, the driving force behind "Every Neighbor" in Midland TX. Every Neighbor is a Midland-based initiative striving to boost community engagement. By simplifying how individuals discover opportunities to serve, they're bridging gaps and fostering connections among Midland residents. Their guiding principles are: 1. Recognizing the unique value in every person. 2. Emphasizing the essence of community connections. 3. Advocating that service can bring about transformative shifts in individuals and the broader community. Join us to learn more about their cutting-edge volunteer platform that champions the belief that every Midland resident has intrinsic value and holds the potential to contribute positively. Special mention to Leslie Crisp, Every Neighbor's Community Lead, exemplifying their unwavering dedication to community outreach and aid. Notably, Midland's community entities like 3:11 Ministries are transitioning to the Every Neighbor platform. Additionally, discover how St. Luke's UMC Midland showcases the spirit of service, aligning with Every Neighbor's mission. Join us on this enlightening journey and discover how Every Neighbor is shaping the future of Midland! Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe! #PatrickPayton, #CindyPayton, #EveryNeighbor, #NoNeutralMoments, #CommunityEngagement, #BuildingRelationships, #CommunityConnection, #ValueOfEveryIndividual, #PodcastLaunch, #ServeYourCommunity, #UniversalLove, #NonProfitChallenges, #ReligiousPerspectives, #EngageAndServe

Join Patrick Payton as he sits down with Bob Fu, the renowned founder of China Aid, for an in-depth and eye-opening interview. In this exclusive session, Bob Fu sheds light on the crucial work that China Aid is doing to promote religious freedom and human rights in China. Learn about the challenges they face, their incredible journey, and the impact they have made over the years. Throughout the interview, Bob shares personal stories, insights, and the motivations behind his unwavering commitment to this cause. Whether you are passionate about human rights, interested in the situation in China, or looking to learn more about the work of non-profit organizations, this interview is a must-watch. Don’t forget to like this video if you found it informative, share it with others who might be interested, and subscribe to our channel for more content like this. Your support helps us continue to bring important stories like Bob Fu's to the forefront. Leave a comment below with your thoughts or any questions you have, and we will be sure to get back to you. #BobFu, #ChinaAid, #PatrickPayton, #HumanRights, #ReligiousFreedom, #China, #Interview, #ExclusiveInterview, #NonProfit, #Activism, #Awareness, #Change, #Justice, #SocialImpact, #Inspiration

Join us on a profound episode of the No Neutral Moments podcast with Patrick Payton, featuring a panel of courageous survivors of sex trafficking: Lisa Bownds - Reflection Ministries Bekah Charleston - Bekah Speaks Out Rachel Thomas - Rachel C Thomas Rebecca Bender - Rebecca Bender Initiative In this gripping and insightful discussion, these remarkable women open up about their harrowing experiences and the journey to overcome the trauma of sex trafficking. They delve into the nuances of victim recruitment, societal misconceptions, and the complex path to recovery and empowerment. This episode not only highlights the personal stories of survival but also addresses the broader issue of sex trafficking in our society. It's a conversation that challenges preconceived notions and underscores the importance of community support and effective legal frameworks in combatting this global issue. Please support our mission to raise awareness by liking, commenting, and subscribing to our channel. Every action counts in the fight against human trafficking. Together, we can amplify the voices of survivors and take a stand against exploitation. #NoNeutralMoments, #SexTraffickingSurvivors, #LisaBownds, #BekahCharleston, #RachelThomas, #RebeccaBender, #SurvivorStories, #TraffickingAwareness, #CombatTrafficking, #EmpowerSurvivors, #RealSurvivorVoices, #HumanTraffickingDiscussion, #JusticeForVictims, #RaisingAwareness, #EndSexTrafficking

In this eye-opening interview, join us as we dive into the grim realities of human trafficking with the insightful Lisa Bownds, the driving force behind Reflection Ministries. Lisa shares her profound experiences and the critical work her organization is doing to combat this heinous crime. Lisa Bownds shares her invaluable insights on what constitutes genuine friendship, emphasizing the importance of standing by each other through life's highs and lows. Discover the power of vulnerability and transparency in building lasting bonds and the unexpected challenges that come along. Moreover, Lisa delves into her incredible journey with Reflection Ministries, a beacon of hope for those ensnared in the world of sex trafficking. She opens up about her personal struggles and the path that led her to dedicate her life to rescuing and rehabilitating victims. From detailing the alarming realities of trafficking to discussing the complexities of helping survivors, this video is a must-watch for anyone passionate about making a difference. If you're inspired by Lisa's story and want to learn more about how to support her cause, please visit Reflection Ministries' website or contact their office. Remember, every little bit helps in the fight against trafficking and in supporting those who have fallen victim to it. Learn about the role of technology in facilitating trafficking, the heartbreaking stories of victims, and how Reflection Ministries is making strides in providing safe havens and support for those affected. We urge you to support Lisa's mission in any way you can. For more information on how to help, please visit Reflection Ministries' website or contact their office. Let's join hands in this fight against trafficking and help give voice to the voiceless. https://www.reflectionministriestx.org Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more impactful content like this. Together, let’s raise awareness and ignite change.

In this episode, Patrick speaks to Enes Kanter Freedom, a professional basketball player and activist. Kanter discusses his experiences in the NBA, his activism for human rights, and his plans for the future. He shares memorable moments playing against well-known NBA superstars such as Kobe Bryant and others and delves into his efforts to raise awareness about the oppression faced by various groups in China. Kanter emphasizes the importance of standing up for values, even at great risk, and advocates for being aware of the origins of products made with slave labor and to avoid the complicity that comes with supporting such products. He also highlights his foundation, NS Kanter Freedom Foundation, focused on raising awareness and educating youth about human rights.

Former football player Joshua Norman talks about his journey from high school to the NFL, emphasizing the importance of building players' character off the field and consistent hard work.

Continuing in our lessons from 2022, Patrick takes you through lessons 9–13 in this third part of the series.

In part 2 of this multi-part series, Patrick dives into lesson 5–8 of his reflections from 2022.

In part 1 of a multi-part series, Patrick takes us through four lessons he learned or recognized throughout 2022. We hope they bring some insight into your life as well.

In this episode, Patrick wants to refer you to a podcast where he was a guest: Broken Catholic with Joseph Warren. This episode aired in October and works through the toxic extremes in politics. Listen to this brief intro and then you can access the full original episode at the link in the show notes.

Today's episode is brought to you by Admarc:The foundation of a product or company is its logo. Along with your brand identity it shapes how people define your company. For over three decades Admarc has designed logos for companies small and large across the Permian Basin and the country. After all, your identity is by design.Visit Admarc online at admarc.com or email Darrell, [email protected]'s episode is brought to you by Luchini & Mertz Land Surveying Co., a resilient business on a mission to faithfully serve clients & empower employees—all the while, building lifelong relationships through the art, science, and process of land surveying. In business since 1952, Luchini & Mertz is known for their dedication to clients and their customer service. Contact Bobby Burkholder for your surveying needs: [email protected]

In one of our longest episodes, Patrick interviews his good friend, Dr. Kathy Koch. Dr. Kathy brings insight, wisdom, and knowledge about a variety of subjects but particularly in the world related to children. Dr. Kathy is the founder and CEO of Celebrate Kids, Inc, and a co-founder of Ignite the Family. We hope you enjoy this conversation between friends.

After a nice summer break, Patrick is back with part 4 of the Sacred Space of Work. As we continue to press into the sacredness of the moments around us, Patrick also dives in to what he is reading and what's been on his mind lately.

In this episode, Patrick finishes up the conversation between the sacred and the secular with a look at what we say we value with what we actually value—and what we shame—with our words and actions.

On this episode, Patrick takes us through part 2 of the Sacred Space of Work and how to return the sacred to the secular marketplace.

In this episode, Patrick unpacks the changing landscape of the soul in business—which goes beyond vision statements and board room expressions—in order to have a company that is as healthy as it is profitable.

WARNING: this episode may be sensitive for some listeners. In this episode, Patrick interviews Lisa Bownds—director and founder of Reflections Ministries, an emergency assessment center with aftercare programs for victims of sex trafficking.

In this episode, Patrick interviews Bob Fu, one of the leading voices in the world for persecuted faith communities in China. ChinaAid, based in Midland, Texas and founded in 2002, is an international Christian non-profit organization committed to promoting religious freedom, human rights, and rule of law in China.

In this episode, Patrick walks us through how to get intentional on 'leveling up'. He takes us through six different challenges to this idea and five pieces of advice to implement the process.

In this episode, Patrick takes us through nine lessons he has learned and observed throughout 2021 as well as some reading recommendations from this year. He also encourages all of us to take a yearly audit of ourselves and the last year to look through what we did, what we wanted to do, how we did it, and what we want to do next year.

Today's episode is brought to you by Admarc:The foundation of a product or company is its logo. Along with your brand identity it shapes how people define your company. For over three decades Admarc has designed logos for companies small and large across the Permian Basin and the country. After all, your identity is by design.Visit Admarc online at admarc.com or email Darrell, [email protected]'s episode is also brought to you by Luchini & Mertz Land Surveying Co., a resilient business on a mission to faithfully serve clients & empower employees—all the while, building lifelong relationships through the art, science, and process of land surveying. In business since 1952, Luchini & Mertz is known for their dedication to clients and their customer service. Contact Bobby Burkholder for your surveying needs: [email protected] in advertising with us or have questions? Email us!Patrick: [email protected]: [email protected] buzz words: Vision, Mission, and Culture and they are all dependent on each other (but not equally)Vision: the big whyMission: the big howCulture: the big whoVision is probably the least fluid but the hardest to quantify, and you might be able to feel the vision more than you can see it. Mission is the most fluid, but this is where we get locked down in the method. Culture is the most powerful. The culture that is created in the pursuit of the vision will often times determine if you make it through the mission of the organization."Culture catechizes [teaches] us what matters and what views we should take about and what matters. People who want to be connected to their tribe subject themselves to the catechesis all day long, every single day, hour after hour." Alan Jacobs, Baylor UniversityManagement manages the day-to-day, culture challenges the practices of the day-to-day, and leaders steps back to ask what is happening. Be observantly honest for a day.Culture: beliefs, forms, traits, characteristic features of everyday existence shared by a people of place or time, a set of shared attitudes or practicesNo matter you state as the outline of the vision or the mission, it's the culture—stated or unstated—that will determine if either the mission or vision has a chance at happening.What's the culture around you? Family, career, church? What are you seeing, what's being overlooked, what do you feel, what are the facial expressions? Will you admit it, and does something need to be done about it? 

In this episode Patrick presses into the concensus culture that exists all around us and to us. He offers ways to lead us through how to see it, observe it, challenge it, and move through it to our best life and practice both personally and professionally.

In this episode, Patrick takes us through determining what our narrative is. As he helps us work through our values and roles, he reminds us that our narrative is something that can change over time and is something that we can and should revisit, refine, and revise.

In this episode, Patrick walks through what purpose really means, and how it's become an overused and misunderstood buzz word. With your purpose in line and defined, you can avoid the confusion that often comes along with the popular phrase of 'finding your purpose' and get to work living out what you're designed, called, and gifted to be.

In this interview, Patrick talks with Dr. Henry P. Barham, whose research into the association between taste receptors and COVID-19 was recently published. Dr. Barham is a board-certified ENT who works as a dedicated rhinologist at the Sinus & Nasal Specialists of Louisiana. We think you'll enjoy this fascinating conversation and learn a lot in the process!

In this episode, Patrick takes you into a chapter of J. Oswald Sanders' book, Spiritual Leadership. This overview gives you some practical insight into why, what, and how we should read.

In this episode, Patrick takes us through five ways to define the roles that we hold in our lives. When we look at our roles, we need to understand that these are the lens through which our goals are set (along with our values). When we clearly define our roles—and maybe claim some lost ones along the way—we have a distinct view of who we are and how these roles influence all other areas of our lives.

In this episode, Patrick unpacks the concept behind the statement, “Are you willing to explore the possibilities of who you can become?”. Nearly all of us have yet to truly tap into our design, call and gifting to the extent to which we should. Join us to press into this life-altering question and why we have a hard time at 'becoming better'.

In this episode, Patrick addresses life as we move forward in a post-COVID era and what it looks like for us to all recover and grieve amidst a global experience.

With the speed of change and challenge taking place all around us, Patrick will lead you through an active process of planning to harness the opportunity inherent in the flurry of change and challenge. Taking into consideration the various ways our brains work and the nature of the planning process this episode will take you through planning, to action, and to adjustment in a way that honors your personal mental processes while at the same time successfully navigating a culture that demands the attributes of the quick and nimble.

In this episode, Patrick shows us that great leadership values are consistent over time. Join in to hear how Patrick takes us through nine principles found throughout the book "Leadership in Turbulent Times", by Doris Kearns Goodwin, and sets them side-by-side against the values outlined in one of his favorite books, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", by Steven. R. Covey.

In this episode, Patrick talks through the often quoted Teddy Roosevelt speech, given in 1910. As Patrick zooms out to look at the context surrounding the popularly shared portion, we can be reminded what it looks to fight with character.

In this episode, Patrick walks us through five benefits of disagreement as well as some best practices for the art of disagreeing. During a time when respect during disagreement is hard to come by, we could all use a little reminder on how beneficial it can be when done correctly.

In this week's episode, Patrick touches on how to navigate the extremes that we are exposed to. In a season when everyone seems way too mad, way too anxious, and completely unwilling to listen—and sometimes, even to think—Patrick takes us through how to navigate the extremes and gives encouragement on how to not give in to the polarizations.

In this episode, Patrick takes us through 11 lessons he learned from an unprecedented year. In a time with so much of the unexpected, Patrick challenges us to take some time to reflect so that we can look ahead to 2021 with a plan from all we learned this past year.

In this final episode of 2020, Patrick takes a very personal look at the three areas of life that have helped him maintain a general sense of calm in such a volatile season of life in which we all find ourselves.

In this episode Patrick takes you on a journey into the discipline and practice of the purposeful pause. Sounds crazy, and even a little corny; but in the end, it might just be something we all need.

In this episode, Patrick introduces you to his good friend Brandy Bell. There is no better way to describe this episode then simply “don’t miss it”!

In this episode Patrick takes you on a quick 16-minute journey into a personal and corporate planning strategy he has been refining in his own areas of interest and pursuit. Focusing on reasonable time constraints and an aggressive commitment to accountability in the form of intentional “churn”, the planning process—and eventually accomplishment—can be relevant, up to date, more effective, and ultimately more successful.

In this episode Patrick takes you back in time to hear a business prophet of the 70’s in order to challenge us with how we lead and why we lead in the first quarter of the 21st century.

Taking a page out of previous popular podcasts, Patrick reviews the books he is reading and has read and thinks worthy to pass on to you the listener.

In this episode, Patrick picks up on the topic of the leader as shepherd (see Episode 58) and discusses the necessary, timely, and critical calling of servant leadership. Even though the term servant leadership is often thrown around in corporate circles, few take the time to dig into what it really is. Patrick hopes to shed some light on this topic and encourage leaders to take the next step into soulish leadership and practice servant leadership.

In this episode Patrick takes an impassioned journey into the new calling of leadership in the first quarter of the 21st century: a calling to leadership that pushes us back to the foundation of capitalism and a way forward that a new generation is rightly calling for and looking for.