Your Next Best Step

Most leaders think they have values. What they usually have are positions.In this return visit to the locker room, Nick Kennedy — founder of RISE, author of The Good Entrepreneur, and executive coach — joins Brek to unpack a distinction most leaders miss until it's too late: the difference between a value (unmoving, like a rock) and a position (a finger in the wind). Nick traces the idea back to his summer internship with Watergate-figure-turned-minister Chuck Colson, who asked a room at Harvard not "Why do good people do bad things?" but "Why do bad people do good things?" — and why the answer matters for anyone building a company, a team, or a marriage.The conversation moves from the corporate DEI whiplash at Target, Coca-Cola, and Ford, to Nick's 28-year marriage, to a forearm tattoo that reminds him trust can't be broken by a single fight. Brek and Nick close with one prompt for the leader who's starting to feel hollow: what's the next best step back toward integrity?Values are built in the calm. They're tested in the storm. Press play.🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

You promoted your best performer. Six months later, they're overwhelmed, their team is disengaged, and everybody's wondering what went wrong.In this episode, Brek Cockrell digs into one of the most common — and most costly — leadership mistakes happening right now: promoting people because of what they produced, without preparing them for what leadership actually demands.Backed by research from Gallup, Harvard Business Review, and the National Bureau of Economic Research, Brek breaks down why 65% of frontline leaders were placed in their roles based on past performance — not leadership readiness — and what that one decision costs everyone underneath them.He also walks through a real coaching case study of a leader who got the title, inherited the team, and was set up to struggle from day one. Not because she lacked talent. Because the structure around her was never reset for her to succeed.If you're the leader who got promoted without a plan — or the one doing the promoting — this episode will challenge how you think about what your people actually need from you.E.D.O.T. — Everything Depends On Trust.

What happens when a leader stops running from their most painful chapter and starts leading from it?Kelly Diane Galloway — award-winning humanitarian, founder of Project Mona's House, PBS documentary producer, and the woman who walked 902 miles along the Underground Railroad — joins Brek Cockrell in the Locker Room for one of the most powerful conversations we've had on this show.Kelly grew up in Buffalo with a strong foundation, but after losing her brother to gun violence at a young age, grief pulled her into the streets. She went from nearly finishing last in her high school class to building a nationally recognized organization where over 92% of graduates achieve homeownership and financial independence. Today she leads anti-trafficking work across the globe, empowers young girls through the Young Women's Empowerment Academy, and is turning 120 girls into published authors.In this episode, we talk about how trauma becomes a leadership asset when you stop hiding it, why trust is built through consistency, transparency, and celebration, and what it really costs to lead something that didn't exist before you built it.Kelly also drops one of the most unforgettable leadership metaphors you'll hear this year — involving a little girl, a dark room, and a light switch.If you've been waiting for permission to stop hiding your story, this is your episode.🔗 Learn more: projectmonashouse.com🔗 Connect with Kelly: @kellydianegalloway

What does it take to lead when the pressure is real, the stakes are high, and nobody handed you a playbook? In this episode, Brek Cockrell sits down with Carlos V. Spencer — transformational speaker, author of Flip the Switch: Let's Go, Let's Grow, Let's Get It, former New York State Trooper, and the first African American speaker invited to address the NY State Police Academy. Carlos takes us from growing up in the projects of Buffalo to captaining a Division I football team, leading 196 personalities through a paramilitary police academy, and stepping into full-time purpose work helping others break through the mental roadblocks holding them back. Along the way, he drops gems on what it means to lead from the middle, why consistency is the real cheat code, the difference between being nice and being kind as a leader, and why the pressure you're feeling right now might just be the tool that pulls someone else through later. Plus, Carlos shares a powerful story about fatherhood, showing up in spaces where he never had a model, and the moment a coach's words unlocked a gear he didn't know he had. If you've ever felt stuck, overlooked, or unsure whether the grind is worth it — this one's for you. Let's go, let's grow, let's get it.

Who are you really trusting to run your leadership?In this solo session, Brek steps into the Locker Room to bring the full Throwdown Thursday series to life — and it all comes down to four letters: EDOT. Everything Depends on Trust.Built on the ancient wisdom of Proverbs 3:5–6, this episode breaks down a powerful framework for purpose-driven leaders: 3 lenses, 2 verses, 1 operating system. Through the lenses of Becoming, Producing, and Performing, Brek challenges leaders to close the gap between what they say they trust and how they actually lead — in the pressure moments, the high-confidence moments, and every daily decision in between.Trust isn't just a value. It's the soil out of which everything good grows.In this episode:Why the gap between what you say and how you operate quietly breaks down leadershipThe EDOT framework and why it's the foundation of everythingHow Proverbs 3:5–6 serves as a living operating system for leaders todayWhat it really means to lead with all your heartWhether you're in a season of growth or feeling the weight of the gap — this one's for you.

You don't need more information. You don't need a better plan. And you definitely don't need to wait until everything feels ready. Nine times out of ten, you already know what you need to do — you're just avoiding it.In this solo episode, Brek Cockrell pulls back the curtain on the phrase at the heart of this podcast: Your Next Best Step. Where did it come from? Why does it matter? And what does it actually take to stop overthinking and start moving?Brek shares the personal story behind the name — rooted in a season of transition, a book that stopped him in his tracks, and the moment he realized that waiting for the full picture was just fear in disguise. From there, he breaks down three truths every purpose-driven leader needs to hear:Movement creates clarity — you don't need to see the whole road, just the next 200 feetBest is not the same as fastest — wisdom, not speed, is what separates good leaders from great onesYour next step is easier when you're not taking it alone — trust and community aren't soft skills, they're leadership essentialsPlus, Brek shares three practical questions you can ask yourself this week to get unstuck and take your next best step with clarity and confidence.If you've been sitting on something — a decision, a dream, a conversation you keep putting off — this episode is your nudge.

What happens when a top 1% mortgage advisor — five years running — stops chasing every shiny object and bets everything on doing less, better?In this episode of Your Next Best Step, Brek welcomes back Joshua Dean, leader of The Dean Team Experience and National Sales Director at Homeowners Financial Group, for a conversation that's as much about life and leadership as it is about loans.Joshua Dean is a Top 1% Mortgage Advisor and trusted guide in home financing, helping individuals and families turn homeownership into a powerful wealth-building tool. As the leader of The Dean Team Experience, he's committed to delivering more than loans — he delivers strategy, education, and relationships that last. His philosophy is simple: We care deeply, advise wisely, and give freely.Joshua gets honest about what it actually took to go from average to elite, why he almost drove his wife crazy paying for coaching, and the one correction he's made in his own leadership this year that's already changing how his team executes. Whether you're in sales, ministry, business, or just trying to focus in a world that won't stop throwing new ideas at you — this one's for you.🎙️ Subscribe, share, and take your next best step.

What happens when a kid from Buffalo answers a call that takes him far beyond anything he ever imagined?In this episode of Your Next Best Step, host Brek Cockrell sits down with Bishop Matthew L. Brown — senior pastor of Greater Community Church of God in Christ in Marietta, Georgia, a church with over 100 years of legacy — for a conversation that is as honest as it is inspiring.Bishop Brown takes us from the blue-collar streets of Buffalo, New York, to the halls of city government, to the pulpit of one of Atlanta's most community-rooted churches. Along the way, he unpacks what it really means to lead with purpose, stay rooted when life pulls you in every direction, and build something that outlasts you.This episode covers it all — identity, calling, race, faith, and the kind of leadership that doesn't just talk about community, it becomes it.You'll walk away with three things every leader needs right now: the courage to refocus, the humility to learn, unlearn, and relearn, and the clarity to find where your deep gladness meets the world's deep hunger.This is more than a leadership conversation. This is a life one.🎙️ Subscribe, share, and take your next best step.

What does it actually take to build a culture where every voice is heard and every person truly belongs? In this episode of Your Next Best Step, Brek sits down with Ekua Mends-Aidoo, CCDP, founder and president of Clementine Gold Group — a full-service strategy, planning, and community engagement firm doing some of the most necessary work in organizations today.Ekua doesn't consult from a distance. She gets in the room, earns trust, and does the work with people, not just for them. A Cornell Certified Diversity Professional with over 15 years of experience across municipal government, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations, Ekua brings a grounded, people-first perspective on what it truly costs when organizations ignore culture — and what becomes possible when they finally decide to take it seriously.In this conversation, you'll hear how her Ghanaian roots and Buffalo roots shaped her entire approach to this work, why she named her company after her grandmother, what it means to lead when you're exhausted and wondering if the fight is still worth it, and the one thing every leader needs to return to when the work gets hard.If you care deeply about your people and your culture but you're tired and uncertain — this episode is for you.🎧 Listen, subscribe, and share with a leader who needs it.📩 Want weekly leadership lessons rooted in scripture? Sign up for Throwdown Thursdays at bcleadershipco.com

What does it take to lead with oneness instead of isolation? In this powerful conversation, Brek Cockrell sits down with DaMar Dowell—author, musician, father, husband, and Buffalo community leader—to explore the evolution from dictator-style leadership to collaborative, rooted leadership.DaMar shares his journey from "my way or the highway" to understanding the power of different perspectives through a compelling samurai warrior analogy. He opens up about the lessons learned through 17+ years of marriage, raising four kids, earning his master's degree from Gonzaga, and leading in multiple spaces as a worship leader, communicator, and entrepreneur.This episode covers the importance of being present, the danger of leading with only one perspective, why getting alone is essential when you feel stuck, and how community around the "Ring of Fire" has shaped authentic leadership in Buffalo. Damar also shares his leadership walk-up song and offers practical wisdom for anyone navigating uncertainty in their leadership.Key Topics:The shift from dictator to collaborative leadershipThe one-eyed warrior analogy for partnership and team visionMarriage as a leadership teacherBeing present vs. living in anxiety or regretWhat to do when you feel stuck as a leaderThe power of community and authentic conversationBuffalo's unique leadership culturePerfect for: Leaders navigating transition, entrepreneurs building teams, pastors and ministry leaders, anyone who feels stuck or uncertain in their leadership journey.Connect with the show: Share this episode with another leader who needs to hear it. Find us on YouTube, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.Remember: Clarity fuels confidence. Confidence moves you forward. Keep leading with purpose.

What happens when a DJ from Buffalo decides to stop waiting for permission and starts building platforms for others to be heard?In this episode, Brek sits down with Jamil Crews — founder of Cruise Control Media and The PodHub, photographer, world-renowned DJ, and one of the most intentional behind-the-scenes leaders you'll meet. Jamil shares how he went from piecing together old equipment in a 2-bedroom apartment to running a media company that amplifies voices across Buffalo and beyond.They dive into the real story — from mentoring Brek's son Caleb in photography, to the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with fatherhood, to what it means to stay rooted in faith when life keeps evolving. Jamil gets vulnerable about the areas he's still figuring out, why he refuses to have it all together, and how his relationship with God has been the one constant through every season.This episode is for the builders, the creatives, and the leaders who know that the best work often happens when nobody's watching.In this episode, you'll hear about:How Cruise Control Media and The PodHub were bornThe power of amplifying others instead of promoting yourselfMentorship, legacy, and the coaching tree effectNavigating fatherhood and business at the same timeWhy staying rooted in faith is the ultimate leadership advantageThe importance of giving yourself grace while still growingIf this episode speaks to you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you're ready to do the root work so the fruit can work, visit bcleadership.com to learn about coaching with Brek.

Leadership isn't neutral—you're either being formed or deformed by the way you live and lead. In this episode, Brek unpacks a powerful framework from Galatians 5 that reveals two kinds of leaders: the spirit-led leader who cultivates love, joy, peace, and self-control, and the self-driven leader fueled by ego, comparison, and the constant hustle. Brek shares four warning signs that you might be slipping into self-driven leadership and offers a compelling reminder: you can win the room, get the promotion, and hit every number—and still lose your soul. If you've ever felt like success isn't quite fulfilling anymore, this episode is your invitation to pursue significance over success and stay rooted for the long game.

What does it look like to build multiple successful businesses while keeping family, culture, and community at the center?In this episode of Your Next Best Step, we sit down with Kenworth Reeves—a hands-on entrepreneur who owns and operates a diverse portfolio of businesses including a real estate investment company, 13 Stripes Brewery, and a local Junk King franchise. But Kenworth's approach is anything but conventional. He doesn't just write checks—he shows up, leads from the front, and brings his five kids along for the journey.Kenworth shares his philosophy on people-first leadership, the power of long-term thinking, and why the best businesses are built on relationships, not just revenue. We dive into the realities of multi-business ownership, how he decides where to invest his time and energy, and what it means to build a legacy that goes beyond the bottom line.Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone looking to create something meaningful, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about what success really looks like.Tune in to discover:How to stay operationally involved across multiple ventures without burning outThe leadership lessons that come from working alongside your childrenWhy investing in people and culture is the ultimate competitive advantageHow to know when to scale, when to pivot, and when to just be presentThis is Your Next Best Step—where we explore the journeys, strategies, and stories of leaders who are building what's next.

In this episode of Your Next Best Step, Brek Cockrell sits down with Kristian Andersen, Co-Founder and Partner at High Alpha, to explore the innovative venture studio model that's changing how technology companies are built. Unlike traditional startups or venture capital, venture studios like High Alpha conceive, launch, and scale companies from the ground up—and Kristian has mastered this approach.With an impressive track record that includes founding Studio Science (a leading design and innovation consultancy he sold in 2019) and co-founding multiple successful software companies including Octiv, Lessonly, Visible, and Pathagility, Kristian brings a unique perspective on what it really takes to build scalable tech ventures. As an active angel investor and co-founder of Gravity Ventures—a seed-stage venture fund that raised 6 funds and invested across Indiana and Arkansas—he understands both sides of the entrepreneurial equation.In this conversation, Kristian shares insights into the venture studio operating model, the critical role of design thinking in entrepreneurship, and the frameworks that help turn ideas into thriving businesses. He discusses the importance of community building through his work co-founding The Speak Easy, founding the Arkansas Fellowship, and serving as former Chairman of the Harrison Center for the Arts.Recognized as a TechPoint Trailblazer (2020) and member of multiple Forty Under 40 classes, Kristian balances his professional pursuits with deep commitments to faith and family—he's been married to his wife Brandi for 23 years and together they're raising 6 independent children. He's also passionate about Indianapolis, conservation, and outdoor pursuits involving fly-rods and camouflage.Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned founder, or investor looking to understand the venture studio model, this episode delivers actionable frameworks and inspiration for your next best step.Connect with Kristian: www.kristian.vc

The armor we wear isn't physical—it's the self-protection we put on when we feel threatened, exposed, or uncertain. And it's killing trust on our teams.In this episode, BC unpacks 6 contrasts from Brené Brown's "Strong Ground" that reveal where leaders armor up and how to choose daring leadership instead:Being a knower vs. being a learnerTapping out vs. leaning into hard conversationsShame & blame vs. empathy & accountabilityDriving perfectionism vs. modeling healthy achievementProfessing values vs. practicing valuesFitting in culture vs. belonging cultureBC challenges you to pick ONE contrast that made you squirm, get specific about who you're armoring up with, and take one small step this week toward trust-building leadership.Because here's the truth: Everything Depends On Trust (E-D-O-T). And trust can't grow where armor lives.Your Next Best Step with Brett Cockrell – the locker room for purpose-driven leaders.

🎙️ Season Finale | The Final Episode of 2025As we close out the first 25 years of this century, I explore a question from Father Richard Rohr: What if we don't lack love, but wisdom?In this powerful episode, I unpack Jesus's parable of the wheat and weeds, offering a fresh perspective that challenges our leadership instincts around control, certainty, and fixing people.What You'll Learn:Why certainty is a trap for leadersHow to love people wisely, not just love themThe wheat and weeds within each of usPractical next steps: Name the mystery, create space, trust the soilKey Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30This episode is for leaders ready to stand in the mystery and trust the process—even when the field looks messy.Your Next Best Step awaits. See you in 2026!#Leadership #Wisdom #ChristianLeadership #PurposeDriven

Most leaders don't suffer from a lack of good intentions—they suffer from a lack of good attention. In this episode, Brett introduces a powerful leadership framework to help you design 2026 instead of drifting through it. Learn how to move from hoping the year goes well to creating a year that ends with a win you can actually point to.Key Takeaways✓ Most leaders suffer from a lack of good attention, not good intentions✓ Focused attention creates impact✓ You cannot lead where you are unwilling to look✓ Awareness is disciplined leadership, not judgment✓ Fate is not a good writer of your story—take the pen from fate's hand✓ Walk into 2026 with a game plan, not just hopes✓ Don't drift into the year—decide it, design it

You're doing all the things. Working the strategy. Leading the team. Executing the plan.So why does it feel like nothing's moving forward?Here's what most leaders miss: You're not stuck. You're experiencing resistance.In this episode, Aundrea De Leon—Fractional Chief of Staff, Business Integrator, and former Fortune 500 executive—breaks down why your next breakthrough won't come from doing more. It'll come from fixing what's running amok internally before you run amok externally.Aundrea's journey took her from foster care to the executive ranks at UPS, IBM, and American Express. After 22+ years climbing the corporate ladder, she made a bold transition into coaching and building what she calls the YOS Model—Your Operating System. It's the foundation that determines whether you lead with clarity or chaos.In this conversation, we dive into:→ The YOS Model: Why your operating system determines your outcomes→ The Leader of One Framework and why you can't lead others until you lead yourself→ Why "stuck" is really just internal resistance showing up externally→ How to know when your next best step is actually a pause, not more action→ The inside-out approach to leadership that changes everything→ What it means to stop doing and start being→ How Aundrea helps visionary founders calm the chaos and execute with clarityIf you're grinding hard but your team isn't aligned, your priorities feel overwhelming, or you're constantly chasing fires—this episode will shift how you think about leadership.Because the problem isn't your strategy. It's your operating system.About Aundrea De Leon:Aundrea De Leon is a Fractional Chief of Staff, Business Integrator, and leadership coach who helps overwhelmed founders scale their businesses by calming their chaos. After spending 22+ years in the tech world at companies like UPS, IBM, and American Express, she transitioned from corporate executive to full-time coach and integrator. Aundrea specializes in bridging the gap between bold vision and consistent execution, helping leaders simplify operations, align their teams, and get back into growth leadership mode. She's the creator of the YOS (Your Operating System) Model and the Leader of One Framework. Based in Denver, she's also a die-hard Broncos fan.Connect with Aundrea:LinkedIn: Aundrea De LeonWebsite: https://whyinstitute.com/why-os-discovery/

When God Interrupted a Revenge Plot: Jay Harris on Radical TransformationJay Harris was 10 steps from leaving church when God spoke: "You're gonna die this week."He was plotting a murder for Wednesday. Going to church on Sundays to keep his girlfriend happy. Living in the streets, dealing with beef, drowning in alcohol—and convinced he had it all under control.Then everything changed.In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Jay shares his journey from the streets of Jacksonville to pastoring in the hood, from survival mode to building a legacy that shapes kingdom leaders. This isn't a polished testimony—it's a real story about transformation, counseling, fatherhood, and what happens when you stop trying to figure it all out alone.What we cover:The altar call that interrupted a murder plot and changed everythingWhy Jay resisted counseling for years—and why it became his best investmentHow to build family culture and legacy when you come from dysfunctionLeading in the trenches vs. leading from a conference stageThe power of letting yourself be led when you're exhaustedWhat it means to pastor the hood with dignity and stay rooted in communityThis episode is for you if:You're tired and questioning your calling. You're leading alone and burning out. You think counseling is for "other people." You're building something but don't know how to create lasting legacy. You need permission to stop working so hard.Jay's closing advice will challenge every leader: "Stop trying to lead and let yourself be led sometimes. You might find more rest and peace than you ever imagined."

What if the best way to prepare for 2026 isn't planning—but paying attention?In this episode, Brek Cockrell shares a transformative leadership lesson he learned back in 2008 at conference that has shaped how he approaches new seasons, new roles, and new years. Drawing from wisdom taught by Pastor Wayne Gordon and Dr. John Perkins, Brek introduces a simple but profound rhythm: listen, reflect, respond.Most leaders end the year exhausted, already planning for what's next without taking time to listen to their own lives, teams, or the patterns that have shaped their year. But what if we entered 2026 differently? Not with hustle or hype, but with awareness, curiosity, and intention?Brek unpacks why it's not our intention that leads us to our preferred destination—it's our attention. He asks powerful questions: What are you worried about? What are you avoiding? What's driving your decisions? What patterns are showing up in your leadership?He also introduces his 21-day leadership accelerator, "26 Is Coming Quick"—a live, community-based experience designed to help leaders listen first, reflect second, and respond with clarity and confidence as they enter the new year.In This Episode:- The leadership lesson Brek learned in 2008 that changed everything- Why most leaders respond first and reflect later (and how to flip the script)- The difference between intention and attention in leadership- How to enter 2026 with clarity, confidence, and curiosity- Details about the "26 Is Coming Quick" leadership acceleratorPerfect for: Purpose-driven leaders, pastors, entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling tired and scattered as they head into a new year.In This Episode:- The leadership lesson BC learned in 2008 that changed everything- Why most leaders respond first and reflect later (and how to flip the script)- The difference between intention and attention in leadership- How to enter 2026 with clarity, confidence, and curiosity- Details about the "26 Is Coming Quick" leadership acceleratorPerfect for: Purpose-driven leaders, pastors, entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling tired and scattered as they head into a new year.

What if everything you're chasing as a leader is keeping you from what actually matters? In this powerful solo episode from the locker room in Brek Cockrell shares a transformational story from 1993 that shifted his entire approach to leadership and life.With only $100 to his name, newly married, and desperate to advance his coaching career, BC attended the Final Four in New Orleans. What happened that weekend—and the conversation with Josh McDowel —completely changed his definition of success.This episode is for every leader who's caught in the trap of "never enough," chasing titles, metrics, and wins while wondering why it still feels empty. BC breaks down the critical difference between success and significance, and why only one of them echoes beyond your lifetime.#Leadership #Success #Significance #JohnMaxwell #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #LeadershipCoaching #PersonalGrowth #YourNextBestStep #ImpactfulLeadership

When Your Dream Job Isn't Enough: From Community Health Worker to Beauty Boss & Beyond. What happens when your "dream job" stops being enough? In this raw and powerful episode, SalleyNycole Crews—8-time award-winning entrepreneur, esthetician, and business coach—shares her journey from making $26K as a community health worker to building her thriving beauty empire, all while battling severe depression.This isn't just another success story. It's a masterclass in resilience, showing up when everything feels impossible, and why asking for help is the smartest move you'll ever make.🎙️ ABOUT THIS EPISODE SalleyNycole Crews opens up about:• Her journey from $26K community health worker to successful beauty entrepreneur• The mental breakdown that happened while opening her new business location• Battling 22 months of depression while keeping her business alive• Why she kept showing up even when she was praying for others but couldn't pray for herself• How counseling, coaching, and community saved her life and business• The resilience that comes from your darkest seasons

What happens when the career you thought would last forever suddenly ends? For Pete Hixson, stepping away from 22 years in pastoral ministry wasn't the end of his mission—it was the beginning of discovering what it had always been.In this raw and inspiring conversation, Pete opens up about the moment he walked away from full-time ministry, the identity crisis that followed, and how his daughter Hope—who has cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability—showed him what it truly means to lift the lid on potential.From coaching leaders through StoryBrand to founding Beyond Communities, a nonprofit creating residential living for young adults with special needs, Pete's story is a masterclass in staying anchored to your mission even when your direction completely shifts.Key Themes:Redefining calling beyond career and titleThe danger of wrapping your identity around a jobLifting the lid on potential (for yourself and others)Turning pain into purposeThe power of chosen family and brotherhoodWhy your mission is not your occupationCONNECT WITH PETEWebsites:petespeaks.org - Coaching and speakingbeyondcommunities.org - Learn about the missionSocial Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pete_hixson/Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-hixson/

In this episode of Your Next Best Step, I sit down with Thomas Asta, a leadership expert with over 20 years in the medical device industry, to unpack the neuroscience of communication. Together, they explore how empathy, emotional intelligence, and brain chemistry—especially dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin—shape the way we connect, lead, and influence.Thomas shares powerful stories and frameworks that help leaders move beyond “winging it” in communication to creating environments of trust and growth. From managing stress and imposter syndrome to understanding the “haunted house” of workplace triggers, this conversation bridges science, soul, and leadership in a way that’s both practical and deeply human.Key Takeaways:How emotional intelligence impacts team performance and trustThe brain chemistry behind effective communicationThe hidden cost of “winging it” in leadershipTurning conflict into clarity through empathyWhy every great leader needs a coach🎧 Tune in, reflect, and take your next best step as a purpose-driven leader.

What does it mean to find joy when life feels impossible? In this episode of Your Next Best Step, I sit down with Mercedes Wilson—TV host, author, nonprofit founder, wife, and mom—who has walked through trauma, divorce, betrayal, and two cancer diagnoses, including stage 4 breast cancer.Mercedes shares how faith, therapy, and self-reflection transformed her pain into peace and taught her how to lead herself and others with hope and authenticity. Together, we explore:- The power of facing trauma instead of hiding it- Why self-awareness and therapy are leadership essentials- How faith and gratitude can shift even the hardest seasons- Practical steps to slow down, breathe, and find joy todayIf you’ve ever felt tired, stuck, or overwhelmed by life’s battles, Mercedes’ story will inspire you to keep moving forward—rooted in hope and grounded in resilience.👉 Subscribe, share this episode with a friend, and remember: even the best leaders need a coach in their corner.

Hard conversations don’t have to be scary. In this episode, BC shares the C.A.R.E. Framework—a simple way to give feedback that’s clear, constructive, and growth-focused. Walk away with tools you can use in your very next conversation.

Leadership doesn’t have to be complicated. In this episode ofYour Next Best Step, I sit down with Jay Adcock, a global coach and movement leader, to uncover why the best leaders lean into simplicity, curiosity, and consistency.Jay’s story takes us from leaving the corporate world with a 100% pay cut to building a coaching movement that’s training thousands of leaders in nearly 100 countries. Along the way, he shares the lessons learned in South Africa, the power of asking better questions, and the importance of small, sustainable shifts that add up to massive impact.This conversation is packed with real-life stories, practical frameworks, and timeless leadership wisdom to help you take your own next best step.We explore:Why Simple + Obvious = Genius is a game-changing leadership principleHow small shifts over time (the “2 Degrees Mindset”) create long-term transformationWhat holistic leadership looks like (physical, emotional, social, spiritual)Why the best leaders don’t have all the answers—they ask the best questionsand more! Connect with us on Social Media Jay Adcock: @dblplayj | Email: [email protected] Cockrell: @brek_cockrell | Email: [email protected] for more episodes of Your Next Best Step.

In this episode of Your Next Best Step, I welcome a longtime friend and leader, Charlie Mitchell, into the Locker Room for a powerful conversation about calling, curiosity, and courage in the face of change.Charlie opens up about growing up in Fort Myers, losing his parents young, and stepping into unexpected responsibility as a teenager. He shares how those experiences shaped his heart for cross-cultural ministry, eventually leading him to plant churches in some of America’s toughest neighborhoods—from Camden to Baltimore.Together, Charlie and I explore:Why curiosity is a leader’s superpower—and how “what if” questions spark breakthrough.Lessons learned from planting churches in urban communities.The importance of listening before leading in any new context.Navigating health crises and life detours with faith and resilience.How betrayal, setbacks, and failure can become seeds for deeper impact.Charlie also talks about the birth of Maroon House, his coaching and soul care community for pastors, entrepreneurs, and leaders who don’t fit the mold but are called to make a difference.If you’ve ever felt stuck, questioned your path, or wondered what’s next, this episode will remind you that being human isn’t failure—it’s the starting point for your next best step

What happens when success isn’t enough?In this episode of Your Next Best Step, Brek Cockrell sits down with Nick Kennedy, a serial entrepreneur who built and sold three companies, including an airline—before stepping into his true calling as an executive coach.Nick opens up about:Growing up with a father in prison and how it shaped his drive.Building businesses in healthcare and aviation, and what success cost him at home.The wake-up call from his wife that forced him to redefine leadership.Why the loneliness of leadership is real, and how vulnerability changes everything.Lessons from his book The Good Entrepreneur and the practices that keep him grounded today.Whether you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or purpose-driven leader, this conversation will challenge you to slow down, stay curious, and take your next best step.

In this powerful conversation, Brek sits down with longtime friend and higher education leader Scott Traylor to unpack a core leadership truth: saying “everyone matters” is easy... but making people feel it is what transforms culture.Scott shares his journey of stepping into a vice president role during the Great Resignation, leading nearly 1,000 staff and faculty through turnover, burnout, and transition. Together, Brek and Scott explore:Why trust, collaboration, and accountability became the cornerstone values for his teamHow leaders can create environments where staff feel truly seen, heard, and valuedThe difference between transactional leadership and value-driven leadershipPractical steps for slowing down, listening, and building rhythms that sustain healthy cultureWhether you’re leading a small team, a classroom, or an entire organization, this episode will challenge you to ask: “Do the people I lead feel that they matter?”Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t about titles or results—it’s about people.

What if the secret to becoming a better leader isn’t about titles or tactics, but about values, clarity, and the willingness to grow? In this episode of Your Next Best Step, I sit down with longtime friend and national mortgage lender Joshua Dean to unpack the “cheat codes” every leader needs to navigate business, team dynamics, and personal growth.Joshua shares candid lessons from leading in the mortgage industry and beyond, how identifying his core values shifted his leadership, why curiosity beats quick answers, and how clarity is actually the ultimate form of kindness. Together, they explore the frameworks that help leaders move from stuck to thriving, including practical insights on coaching, accountability, and building teams rooted in trust and excellence.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be on the other side of your leadership, or how to close the gap between your dream, your drains, and your doubts—this episode will challenge and equip you to take your own next best step.

In this episode of Your Next Best Step, we sit down with Kyria Stephens to unpack what it really takes to lead with impact. From setbacks and doubt to building a movement, Kyria shares how vulnerability, clarity, and consistency shaped his journey from $7.25 an hour to the C-suite and beyond. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to lead with courage when the pressure is on—this conversation will show you why vulnerability is the real leadership flex.

Welcome to Your Next Best Step, the leaders’ locker room. In this short kickoff episode, Brek Cockrell shares why he’s starting the podcast, the journey that led him here, and what you can expect in the weeks ahead. Through real stories, practical strategies, and rooted leadership wisdom, you’ll be inspired to slow down, reflect, and take the next best step in your leadership.