Building Resilience, Confidence, and Human Connection

In this episode of Leading Through Crisis, John Kippen, a professional magician + resilience and empowerment coach, shares his powerful story of surviving a life-threatening brain tumor, living with facial paralysis, and rebuilding confidence through creativity, magic, and human connection.

He and Céline unpack practical tools for emotional regulation, mindset shifts, and navigating uncertainty without fear.

This conversation is a profound reminder that resilience is built and crisis can become an opportunity for growth and impact.

Whether you’re a business owner, executive, or leader navigating uncertainty, change, or burnout, this episode will challenge you to rethink failure, step outside your comfort zone, and reconnect with what truly matters.

Key topics covered:
▪️Leading through crisis vs. long-term adversity
▪️Building resilience and emotional regulation under pressure
▪️Confidence, failure, and mindset in leadership
▪️The power of authenticity and human connection
▪️Turning personal crisis into purpose and impact

A special offer for our listeners…
📘 Download John's bestselling book Playing the Hand You Are Dealt via johnkippen.com/freegift

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John Kippen is a Speaker, Professional Magician, and Resilience and Empowerment Coach whose motto is, “Being different is your superpower.“ John helps his clients challenge their limiting beliefs to achieve their dreams and bounce back quickly from adversity.

💻 Learn more at johnkippen.com or connect with him on Facebook and Instagram.

In this episode, Bob Chonka and Jon Grannis of Sollah Interactive chat with us about one of the biggest issues facing organizations today: Are leaders truly equipped to guide their teams through challenging times and whatever comes next?

You'll hear:
- How leadership expectations have shifted with the rise of millennial leaders
- About the impact of technology on communication, and why relevance, realism, and relatability matter more than ever

We explore the role of healthy conflict, why unresolved tension creates dysfunction, and how organizations can build cultures where communication, collaboration, and psychological safety thrive.

Finally, we discuss:
- FOBO (the fear of becoming obsolete), especially among older generations
- How to break knowledge-hoarding behaviors
- Why mistakes should be leveraged instead of punished
-Why microlearning courses are the future of developing soft skills in a fast-paced, distracted workforce

Whether you lead a team, run an organization, or simply want to future-proof your career, this episode delivers practical, immediately applicable insights for staying strong, relevant, and equipped for whatever challenges come next.

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Sollah provides fast, flexible workplace compliance and soft skills training solutions. We design for all training platforms and modalities, helping organizations aim their message, fulfill their learning goals, and achieve performance improvement by taking into account their audience, implementation needs, and ultimate performance objectives.

Learn more at sollah.com and connect with them on all social platforms @sollahinteractive.

What does it mean to lead through crisis—not just survive it, but transform through it?

In this gripping and inspiring conversation, Zimbabwean pastor and global advocate Evan Mawarire shares how one simple video turned into a national movement that changed the course of Zimbabwe’s history. As founder of the viral #ThisFlag campaign, Evan rallied 12 million citizens to stand up for justice in one of Africa’s most oppressive regimes.

Join us for a powerful conversation about courage, purpose, and becoming who you’re meant to be through adversity.

This is an episode for leaders, executives, and change-makers who want to understand how to act with conviction when the world feels out of control, and how crisis can be the very thing that unwraps your greatest potential.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why destiny isn’t a destination, but something that unfolds from within
• How to take action when you don’t have a full plan
• Why failure shapes us more than success ever could
• How to find courage and purpose in the middle of chaos

Evan’s story is a reminder that leadership is not about control, it’s about presence, conviction, and compassion. Whether you’re leading a team, a company, or your own life, this episode will help you see crisis not as a setback, but as the portal to your next level.

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Evan Mawarire is a Zimbabwean pastor, speaker, and global advocate for human rights and democracy. In 2016, his heartfelt call for justice sparked the #ThisFlag movement, inspiring millions to take a stand against corruption and injustice in Zimbabwe. His courageous leadership led to multiple arrests and treason charges, but his unwavering commitment to non-violent activism made him an international symbol of resilience and change. A recipient of numerous global honors, including recognition as one of Foreign Policy Magazine’s Top 100 Global Thinkers, Evan has held fellowships at Stanford, Yale, and Johns Hopkins University. His book, Crazy Epic Courage, captures his extraordinary journey from faith leader to political prisoner, offering powerful lessons on courage and leadership.

Learn more and grab the book at www.evanmawarire.org.

You can also connect with him on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram (@pastorevanlive).