7 Keys for a Great Conference + John Olinger from shoe and apparel brand Unitus

Check out my list of 7 Keys for Creating a Great Conference. Plus we catch up with John Olinger, author of Worthy Wins and special advisor and CMO for Unitus. LIsten in for updates to the Unitus journey as well as great recommendations for Christmas gfits!

All available on the H3 Leadership Podcast Episode 285. Listen in to the convo through Apple Podcasts or Spotify or on the Website.

Make sure to access the Show Notes at the H3 Leadership website.

Special thanks to WONDER PROJECT and UNITUS for their partnership on this episode.

WONDER PROJECT

(TV STUDIO and SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE) Wonder Project is an independent studio that produces premium theatrical films and television series. The mission is to entertain the world with courageous stories, inspiring hope and restoring faith in things worth believing in. Founded by established leaders from entertainment and technology, Wonder Project is dedicated to building a trusted brand, with projects like the most recent hit House of David. Get a FREE 7 day trial of Wonder Project on Prime Video at http://thewonderproject.com.

UNITUS

(FOOTWEAR and APPAREL) Unitus is a faith-focused footwear and apparel company started by current NBA player for the Orlando Magic, Jonathan Isaac. Visit http://weareunitus.com. Unitus exists to help followers of Jesus honor God in their everyday life. The most recent shoe drop is the Fortra - a lifestyle running shoe featuring 1 Samuel 2:30 on the back. Choose your favorite shoes, workout gear or leisure wear. Makes a great Christmas present for friends and family. Check them out at http://weareunitus.com.  

7 Keys for a Great Conference

1. Know your audience- aim small, miss small. Who is your customer?

2. Content draws, connection retains. Create connection, conversation and community equally if not more than content

3. Have a bigger story and community that people can join- more people ask – who else will be there? instead of “who is speaking?”

4. Move towards transformation not just information or inspiration. Informed, inspired, transformed= create an experience

5. Be a curator and connector as much as a convener and gatherer

6. Be the customer of your own product – if you are your target that helps tremendously- create the conference or event or gathering you want to be part of

7. Environment matters – ballroom gives a certain vibe. Outdoor stadium gives a certain vibe. Be very intentional with environment.

   You can also find additional interviews with Patrick Lencioni, Bob Goff, Adam Grant, Charles Duhigg, Andy Stanley, Coach PJ Fleck, Louie Giglio, Christine Caine, Kevin Kelly, NT Wright, Rick Warren, Michael Jr, Jon Gordon, Jessica Jackley, John Mark Comer, Scott Harrison, Lysa Terkeurst, and many more.

Discover Your Primal Question with Best-Selling Author and Executive Coach Mike Foster + Connecting vs Networking

Check out my interview with my good friend MIKE FOSTER on the H3 Leadership Podcast Episode 284. Listen in to the convo through Apple Podcasts or Spotify or on the Website.

Our guest is MIKE FOSTER, executive coach, speaker, host of the Fun Therapy Podcast, and author of the groundbreaking book The Seven Primal Questions. Mike is a longtime friend, and has worked with hundreds of leaders, companies and teams to help them build healthy cultures and discover their primal question. We discuss my primal question, how to turn your primal question into your primal superpower, self awareness, his advice to leaders, and much more. Plus, a leadership lesson on Connecting vs Networking. Make sure to access the Show Notes at the H3 Leadership website.

Special thanks to WONDER PROJECT and OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD for their partnership on this episode.

WONDER PROJECT

(TV STUDIO and SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE) Wonder Project is an independent studio that produces premium theatrical films and television series. The mission is to entertain the world with courageous stories, inspiring hope and restoring faith in things worth believing in. Founded by established leaders from entertainment and technology, Wonder Project is dedicated to building a trusted brand, with projects like the most recent hit House of David. Get a FREE 7 day trial of Wonder Project on Prime Video at http://thewonderproject.com.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 

Join in on the Christmas shoebox campaign this fall! Operation Christmas Child has been reaching millions of children each year with the good news of Jesus Christ through simple shoebox gifts. Get involved at http://samaritanspurse.org/OCC. Even in the hardest to reach places of the world, churches are being planted and communities are transformed. You can pack a shoebox this year and reach a child with the good news of Jesus. National Collection Week is November 17-24. Build your shoebox and find everything you need to get started by visiting http://samaritanspurse.org/OCC.

You can also find additional interviews with Patrick Lencioni, Bob Goff, Adam Grant, Charles Duhigg, Andy Stanley, Coach PJ Fleck, Louie Giglio, Christine Caine, Kevin Kelly, NT Wright, Rick Warren, Michael Jr, Jon Gordon, Jessica Jackley, John Mark Comer, Scott Harrison, Lysa Terkeurst, and many more.

Top 50 Recommendation Episode - 25 Leaders to Follow and 25 Newsletters to Subscribe to

A Special Top Recommendation Episode! On the H3 Leadership Podcast Episode 283. Listen in to the convo through Apple Podcasts or Spotify or on the Website.

LIsten in for the 25 Women Leaders to know and follow, plus 25 Newsletters you should be subscribing to. Make sure to visit http://h3leadership.com to access the Show Notes at the H3 Leadership website. Access both lists and all the show notes. Share them with your team, discuss, repost, and follow and subscribe.

Special thanks to WONDER PROJECT and CONVOY OF HOPE for their partnership on this episode.

WONDER PROJECT (TV STUDIO and SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE)

Wonder Project is an independent studio that produces premium theatrical films and television series. The mission is to entertain the world with courageous stories, inspiring hope and restoring faith in things worth believing in. Founded by established leaders from entertainment and technology, Wonder Project is dedicated to building a trusted brand, with projects like the most recent hit House of David. Get a FREE 7 day trial of Wonder Project on Prime Video at http://thewonderproject.com.

CONVOY OF HOPE (DISASTER RESPONSE)

Please donate to the Jamaica Hurricane relief efforts and ongoing work at http://convoyofhope.org/donate. Convoy is my trusted partner for delivering food and relief by responding to disasters in the US and all around the world. Right now, Convoy of Hope is responding to the Hurricane Mellissa devatstation in Jamaica, Texas Floods destruction, and the LA fires rebuilding efforts, providing basic needs like food, hygiene supplies, medical supplies, blankets, bedding, clothing and more. All through partnering with local Churches. Join me and please support their incredible work. To donate visit http://convoyofhope.org/donate.

25 Women Leaders to Know

Gloria Umanah – founder and ex director of the Ex-Nihilo Collective, visionary of Hope Booth, communicator and spoken word artist. 

Faith Eury Cho – author, co-pastor of Mosaic Covenant Church in NJ, and founder and CEO of The Honor Summit. 

Carrie Williams – president of Leadership Network and Exponential NEXT.

Liz Bohannon – speaker, author, host of Plucking Up Podcast, and founder of Seiko Design. 

Jackie Hill Perry – best selling author, poet, co-host of With the Perrys Podcast, artist and Bible teacher. 

Lysa TerKeurst – author, speaker, and founder of Proverbs 31. 

Shelley Giglio – co-founder of Passion Conferences, founder of the Grove, and head of sixstep Records. 

Jessica Honegger – speaker, host of the Going Scared Podcast, founder and co-CEO of Noonday Collection, and recently merged with Seiko Design. 

Erin Fujimoto – co founder of Tommy John, the most comfortable underwear on the planet. 

Paula Faris – journalist, former host of Good Morning America, founder of Carry Media, author, and host of the Paula Faris Show. 

Brooke Ligertwood – singer, songwriter, worship leader, teacher, and new album out entitled Eight. 

Katie Fisher – executive pastor of Rock City Church in Columbus, OH. 

Ginna Claire Mason Moffett – actor, Broadway performer with Wicked, and starring in Hallmark Movies.  

Cara Dumaplin – baby sleep expert, speaker, social media influencer and founder of Taking Cara Babies. 

Jayda Iye – LA based photographer and creative. 

Simi John – co-pastor of New Life Bible Church in Norman, OK, Bible teacher, coach and author. 

Jami Nato – author, speaker, podcaster, and comedian (to be!). 

Lauren Scott – songwriter, artist and worship leader. 

Brooke Warnock – certified life planner and coach with the Paterson Center. 

Nona Jones – formerly at Facebook and Global ambassador for YouVersion, and multiple book author, speaker and influencer. 

Tricia Sciortino – author and CEO of Belay Solutions. 

Jess Ekstrom – speaker, author, podcast host, founder of Headbands of Hope and MicDrop Workshop. 

Nancy Duarte – author, TED Talk speaker, and CEO of Duarte Design. 

Kobe Campbell – trauma therapist, speaker and author of book Why am I Like This?  

Top 25 Newsletters to Subscribe to in 2025

Craig Groeschel

All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins

Garden City

Seth Godin

James Clear 3-2-1

Recomendo

The Weekend Briefing and The Weekend Reader

Ryan Holiday

5 Bullet Friday from Tim Ferriss

The Learning Leader

On the Rise from Carey Nieuwhof

Brass Tacks from Levi Lusko

Clay Scroggins

Morning Brew

INC Magazine

Fast Company

Adam Grant- Granted

Stratechery – Ben Thompson 

Stuff That Matters – Matt Rutherford 

Chad Veach

Rich Wilkerson, Jr

Thinq Media

Sahil Bloom

Will Guidara Pre-meal weekly newsletter

The Pour Over

You can also find additional interviews with Patrick Lencioni, Bob Goff, Adam Grant, Charles Duhigg, Andy Stanley, Coach PJ Fleck, Louie Giglio, Christine Caine, Kevin Kelly, NT Wright, Rick Warren, Michael Jr, Jon Gordon, Jessica Jackley, John Mark Comer, Scott Harrison, Lysa Terkeurst, and many more.

NYT Best-Selling Author Mark Batterson on Miracles, Leadership, and DC + Top 20 Leadership Podcasts

Check out my interview with my good friend MARK BATTERSON on the H3 Leadership Podcast Episode 282. Listen in to the convo through Apple Podcasts or Spotify or on the Website.

Our guest is MARK BATTERSON, lead pastor of National Community Church in DC, NYT best-selling author of 25 books, including his most recent A Million Little Miracles, and popular speaker. Mark is also the lead visionary of the Dream Collective, and of course helped start Ebenezer's Coffeehouse, one of the top coffee shops on Capital Hill. We discuss miracles, physics, leadership, pastoring in DC, the power of generational vision, and much more.Make sure to access the Show Notes at the H3 Leadership website.

Special thanks to COME and SEE FOUNDATION and CONVOY OF HOPE for their partnership on this episode.

COME and SEE FOUNDATION

Reaching a billion people with the story of Jesus. Visit http://comeandseefoundation.org. Come and See Foundation is on a mission to ensure that all 7 seasons of The Chosen are produced, translated into 600 languages, globally distributed, and kept FREE for all. From Michigan to Madagascar, people are encountering Jesus through The Chosen, Join Come and See in inviting a billion people to find and follow Jesus. You can play a supporting role in introducing the world to Jesus. Lean more and get involved at http://comeandseefoundation.org

CONVOY OF HOPE 

Please donate to the Texas Flood relief efforts and ongoing work at http://convoyofhope.org/donate. Convoy is my trusted partner for delivering food and relief by responding to disasters in the US and all around the world. Right now, Convoy of Hope is responding to the Texas Floods destruction, the LA fires rebuilding efforts, along with devastation in the southeast US from Hurricane Helene and Milton, providing basic needs like food, hygiene supplies, medical supplies, blankets, bedding, clothing and more. All through partnering with local Churches. Join me and please support their incredible work. To donate visit http://convoyofhope.org/donate.

Top 20 Leadership Podcasts to Check Out

Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast

Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast  

Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast

How Leaders Lead with David Novak

Leadership Lean In with Chad Veach

The Diary of A CEO

Front Row Seat with Ken Coleman

A Bit of Optimism – Simon Sinek

WorkLIfe with Adam Grant

Dare to Lead with Brene Brown

Working Genius Podcast and At The Table Podcast – from Pat Lencioni and The Table Group 

The Ed Mylett Show

The Jon Gordon Podcast

All it Takes is a Goal with Jon Acuff

John Maxwell Leadership Podcast

The Learning Leader Show

GrowLeader Podcast with Chris Hodges

Mature Me Podcast - with Rich Wilkerson Jr

Next Up Podcast – with Grant Skeldon 

Beyond High Performance Podcast – Novus Global 

You can also find additional interviews with Patrick Lencioni, Bob Goff, Adam Grant, Charles Duhigg, Andy Stanley, Coach PJ Fleck, Louie Giglio, Christine Caine, Kevin Kelly, NT Wright, Rick Warren, Michael Jr, Jon Gordon, Jessica Jackley, John Mark Comer, Scott Harrison, Lysa Terkeurst, and many more.

London Trip Recap + Top Weekly Leadership Links + Operation Christmas Child Christmas Shoebox Reminder

Check out my interview with Alex from Operation Christmas Child on the H3 Leadership Podcast Episode 281. Listen in to the convo through Apple Podcasts or Spotify or on the Website.

A special episode with some leadership thoughts on what is happening in London and the UK in terms of the Church, revival, leadership and some highlights of my recent trip. Plus we sit down with Alex Nsengimana from Rwanda and part of the OCC team to hear his incredibly powerful story of being impacted in his childhood by the work of Operation Christmas Child and receiving a Christmas shoebox. Plus check out the Top Weekly Leadership List. Make sure to access the Show Notes at the H3 Leadership website.

Special thanks to OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD and FOSTER THE CITY for their partnership on this episode.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Join in on the Christmas shoebox campaign this fall! Operation Christmas Child has been reaching millions of children each year with the good news of Jesus Christ through simple shoebox gifts. Get involved at http://samaritanspurse.org/OCC. Even in the hardest to reach places of the world, churches are being planted and communities are transformed. You can pack a shoebox this year and reach a child with the good news of Jesus. National Collection Week is November 17-24. Build your shoebox and find everything you need to get started by visiting http://samaritanspurse.org/OCC.

FOSTER THE CITY

Foster the City was launched out of Echo Church in CA, and now over 350 churches around the US are raising up Foster Families and Support Teams to take on the thousands of kids needing a foster family. Learn more at http://fosterthecity.org. Working towards a day when there will be a waiting list of churches instead of a waiting list of children in need of a home. Foster the City believes there is a church for every child.  Learn how you and your church can partner and get involved at http://fosterthecity.org.

Interview and Top Weekly Leadership Links 

Alex Nsengimana from Operation Christmas Child 

Young adults are leading a resurgence in church attendance – from Barna

Gen Z is “AI proofing” their careers – from Fast Company

Lessons from Domino’s and the pizza tracker impact on product delivery – from The Hustle

Spirit Break Out – song from Worship Central and Luke Hellenbroth

Nicky and Pippa Gumbel One Year Bible Reading Plan on YouVersion

Alpha Leadership Conference in London May 4-5, 2026

Revitalize Trust – church planting in the UK through the Anglican Church led by Sarah Jackson

Renaissance Conference – November in London at Saint Church

Prayer Gathering – Saint Church, Kings Cross Church, and Imprint Church in East London

You can also find additional interviews with Patrick Lencioni, Bob Goff, Adam Grant, Charles Duhigg, Andy Stanley, Coach PJ Fleck, Louie Giglio, Christine Caine, Kevin Kelly, NT Wright, Rick Warren, Michael Jr, Jon Gordon, Jessica Jackley, John Mark Comer, Scott Harrison, Lysa Terkeurst, and many more.