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Navigating Leaders
Published by Gabriel Griess
- Careers
- Business
The Navigating Leaders Podcast is for leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers ready to grow with purpose. It’s hosted by Gabriel Griess, a retired US Air Force officer, CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and founder of Navigating Leaders. Each episode explores what it takes to break through limiting beliefs, clarify your vision, and start really living. Grounded in faith and guided by hard-earned, real-world wisdom, Gabriel helps you identify what’s holding you back and take intentional steps toward lasting impact. Through authentic conversations and practical insights, you’ll gain the tools to lead from the inside out. It’s time to awaken your vision and live boldly.
Listen on Apple PodcastsRecent episodes
- Episode 30: Why You Keep Feeling Misunderstood in Your Relationships
Why do people who love each other still struggle to truly understand one another? In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , Gabriel Griess sits down with author and speaker Cristie Penn to explore the hidden beliefs, expectations, and communication patterns that quietly shape our relationships. Whether you're navigating marriage, leadership, or family, this conversation challenges common assumptions about men and women while revealing why so many people feel unseen, unheard, and disconnected despite their best intentions. If you've ever wondered why your relationships feel harder than they should, this episode may help you see the problem from an entirely new perspective. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree — A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want: TheResultsTree.com 📖 Keys for Us: Discovering Masculine & Feminine Identity, God's Way: https://a.co/d/0beSegRv CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 29: Escaping the Scarcity Trap
Why do so many of us live like there's never enough, even when we've been given so much? In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , Gabriel Griess explores how scarcity quietly shapes the way we lead, parent, work, and view the future. Many of the beliefs driving our decisions aren't ones we chose, they're stories we've inherited. What if the pressure, fear, and anxiety you carry aren't the only way to live? And what if choosing abundance could change far more than your finances? If you've ever felt like you're constantly trying to keep up, protect what you have, or prepare for what's next, this conversation will challenge you to see your life, your leadership, and the next generation through a different lens. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree — A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want: TheResultsTree.com CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 28: Why Your Body Feels Stuck in Survival Mode
What if the stress you feel isn't just in your mind, but in your body? In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , Gabriel Griess sits down with Rome Za, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and holistic health coach, to explore why so many people feel exhausted, anxious, reactive, and disconnected, even when they're doing everything they think they should. From breathwork and movement to nervous system health and daily habits, this conversation challenges conventional thinking about what it really takes to heal, grow, and perform at your best. If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like your body is constantly fighting against you, this episode may help you see your health and your life from an entirely new perspective. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree — A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want: TheResultsTree.com Hard Roll Jiu Jitsu: hardrolljiujitsu.com Hard Roll Jiu Jitsu YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@hardrolljiujitsu Know What's in Your Water: ewg.org/tapwater The OligoScan: theoligoscan.com ==================== ABOUT ROME ZA Rome Za is a first-degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt with more than 20 years of experience helping athletes, executives, and high performers build resilient bodies that perform for life. After being told he would never compete again because of severe neck injuries, Rome refused to accept the diagnosis. Through breathwork, holistic nutrition, fascia training, and nervous system optimization, he rebuilt his body and returned to doing what he loves. Today, he teaches a holistic approach to health and performance that combines strength, recovery, and resilience, empowering people to move better, recover faster, perform at a higher level, and live with greater freedom. CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 27: Why You Feel So Much Pressure to Provide
Why does it feel like the weight of your future rests entirely on your shoulders? Whether you're worried about money, your career, your business, or simply trying to keep everything together, the pressure to provide can quietly become one of the greatest sources of fear, anxiety, and burnout. In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , Gabriel Griess challenges one of the biggest lies leaders believe about security, success, and control. Through biblical wisdom, practical leadership principles, and personal reflection, he reveals a mindset shift that can replace fear with freedom and help you lead with greater confidence and peace. If you've been feeling overwhelmed by financial pressure, uncertain about the future, or exhausted from believing everything depends on you, this conversation may completely change the way you think about provision, purpose, and the life you were created to live. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree — A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want: TheResultsTree.com ==================== CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 26: Why Winning Starts Before Anyone Is Watching
Why do some leaders thrive under pressure while others lose momentum when life gets hard? In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , Gabriel Griess sits down with championship-winning coach Corey M. Henderson Sr. to explore what it really takes to build a winning culture, lead through adversity, and stay committed when success doesn't come overnight. From losing his corporate career to building one of the top basketball programs in Texas, Corey's journey is filled with hard-earned lessons on leadership, resilience, discipline, accountability, faith, and long-term vision. If you're feeling stuck, facing setbacks, leading a team, or pursuing a goal that feels out of reach, this conversation will challenge the way you think about success and reveal what separates champions from everyone else. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree — A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want: TheResultsTree.com 📖 Invictus by William Ernest Henley ==================== ABOUT COREY HENDERSON SR. Corey M. Henderson Sr. is the head boys basketball coach and an admissions officer at the Episcopal School of Dallas, where he has served for over 23 years. A 4-year letterman at Texas A&M University, Corey played professionally in Perth, Australia before transitioning into coaching. He built the ESD basketball program from the ground up, earning three consecutive state championships and developing players who went on to compete at the collegiate and professional levels, including Phil Pressy of the Boston Celtics. Corey also served on staff at Kobe Bryant Academy for approximately six years. He leads the Campfire Program at ESD, a mentorship and guidance initiative for student athletes. 📸 Instagram: @cmhe_32 👍 Facebook: @coreymichael.henderson CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 25: The Missing Link Between Knowing and Growing
You know what you should do, so why do you still feel stuck? Most people don't struggle because they lack information. They struggle because they never turn what they know into consistent action. In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , Gabriel Griess sits down with growth coach Brandon Smeltzer, founder of Undefeated Growth, to explore why some people make meaningful progress while others stay trapped in the same patterns year after year. Together, they unpack the surprising lessons Brandon learned while coaching undefeated sports teams, struggling leaders, executives, parents, and people fighting to save their marriages. The conversation reveals why accountability matters, how small actions create massive change over time, and what separates growth-minded people from everyone else. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, stuck, or frustrated by the gap between where you are and where you want to be, this episode will challenge the way you think about growth and give you a practical path forward. Because lasting transformation doesn't start with knowing more. It starts with taking the next step. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree—A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want : TheResultsTree.com Undefeated Growth Website: undefeatedgrowth.com Undefeated Growth Instagram: @undefeatedgrowth Undefeated Growth LinkedIn: @undefeatedgrowth Season of Life—A Football Star, a Boy, a Journey to Manhood: Season of Life Book ==================== ABOUT BRANDON SMELTZER Coach Brandon brings more than twenty-five years of experience in coaching and leadership development. A championship winning sports coach, Brandon can help you and your organization break through walls; functional, relational, or spiritual. He has a unique gift of seeing the big picture and knowing how to map the route forward. Brandon is a certified John Maxwell Team coach and communicator as well as the designer of the Undefeated Growth process. He and his wife have seven kids and are active servant-leaders at their local church. CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 24: What If You're Not as Far Gone as You Think?
Have you ever felt like you've wandered too far, made too many mistakes, or become someone you never intended to be? Whether you're carrying regret, struggling with shame, feeling disconnected from God, or watching someone you love walk a difficult path, this episode is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond grace. In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , Gabriel Griess shares a personal story, explores the timeless lessons of the Prodigal Son and the Lost Sheep, and challenges us to rethink how we view ourselves and others. Along the way, he unpacks why kindness, compassion, forgiveness, faith, and human connection matter more than ever in a world filled with division, anxiety, judgment, and loneliness. If you've been searching for hope, purpose, healing, redemption, or simply a reminder that you're not alone, this conversation may be exactly what you need. The question isn't whether you've ever been lost. The question is what happens when you're found. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree—A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want : TheResultsTree.com CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 23: The Real Reason People Trust You (or Don’t)
Why do some leaders earn trust, influence, and opportunity while others struggle to make a lasting impact? In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , Gabriel Griess sits down with Gary Watson for a conversation about one of the most overlooked factors in leadership and success. If you've ever wondered why certain relationships open doors, why some people naturally attract trust, or why leadership can feel harder than it should, this episode will challenge the way you think about influence, character, and personal growth. Together, Gabriel and Gary explore the hidden factors that shape credibility, decision-making, and long-term success. Whether you're leading a business, a team, a family, or simply trying to become the person you're called to be, this conversation offers powerful insights that can transform the way you lead and live. If you're interested in leadership, emotional intelligence, personal development, influence, faith, mindset, and building a legacy that lasts, this episode is for you. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree—A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want : TheResultsTree.com 🏢 Trio Workforce Solutions: https://triowfs.com ==================== ABOUT GARY WATSON Gary Watson, known to many as Sivion, is a business leader, entrepreneur, musician, and man of faith with a passion for helping people lead with integrity and purpose. For decades, he has built influence across both the marketplace and the creative arts, earning a reputation for strong character, authentic relationships, and servant leadership. Whether leading teams, building businesses, mentoring others, or creating music, Gary is committed to helping people grow personally, professionally, and spiritually. 📸 Instagram: @SivionDS5 👍 Facebook: @SivionDS5 𝕏 X/Twitter: @SivionDS5 CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 22: The Real Reason You Feel Stuck (It’s Not What You Think)
Are you spending your energy on the wrong things? Most leaders don’t lose their way because they lack talent, ambition, or opportunity. They lose their way because they get distracted. In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , Gabriel Griess introduces a powerful framework he calls “The Puzzle or the Path.” Through a simple but unforgettable illustration, he explores why so many people find themselves consumed by problems, distractions, relationships, and pursuits that pull them away from the purpose they were created to fulfill. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, pulled in too many directions, or uncertain about your next step, this conversation will challenge you to examine what’s truly deserving of your time, attention, and energy. The question isn’t whether you’re moving. The question is whether you’re moving in the direction you were meant to go. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree—A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want : TheResultsTree.com CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 21: How Faith Changed Sam Trevino’s Life, Marriage, and Leadership
What if your carpet cleaner carried a calling that had nothing to do with carpets? In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , host Gabriel Griess sits down with Sam Trevino, a father of six, man of faith, and founder of Made Clean Janitorial Services. Sam leads with purpose, and his company motto comes straight from Hebrews 9:14. It shows in everything he does. But before his business, beautiful marriage, and bold faith, there was a lost young man in a steel town in Indiana, drinking away his pain and searching for the father he never had. Sam shares the moment a TV preacher stopped him cold, the beer went down, and everything changed. He talks about hearing God’s voice at a quinceañera, proposing to a woman he barely knew, and why, 30 years later, that same obedience still guides him, including raising a three-year-old at age 62. This conversation goes deep on what it means to lead as a man, a father, and a servant, and why none of it works without God in the equation. It ends with a prayer you won’t want to skip. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree—A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want : TheResultsTree.com ⏩ Made Clean Janitorial Services: www.madeclean.solutions ⏩ Made Clean Janitorial Services on Facebook: facebook.com/MadeCleanJanitorialServices CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 20: Why High Achievers Need a Sabbatical
When was the last time you truly chose to rest? Not because you were forced to slow down, but because you intentionally made space to renew, reflect, and reset. In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , host Gabriel Griess makes the case for something most high achievers resist: taking a sabbatical. Not just a vacation, but intentional time to unplug, reflect, and refuel. Drawing from the “4 Rs”: renewal, reflection, rhythm, and rest. Gabriel unpacks why rest is not weakness; it’s wisdom. He also gets practical about what a sabbatical can actually look like: putting it on the calendar, choosing the right environment, unplugging completely, and giving your body and mind permission to slow down. If you’ve been running on empty, feeling burned out, or carrying more than you were designed to hold, this episode will challenge you to stop surviving and start investing in the one person everyone around you is counting on: you. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree—A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want : TheResultsTree.com CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 19: Happy Wife, Happy Life … But Not How You Think
You’ve probably heard the phrase “happy wife, happy life” a thousand times. But what if we’ve been missing the point? In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , host Gabriel Griess shares a simple moment with his wife, Kristie, and son, Preston, that completely reframed what it means to truly love, serve, and honor the people closest to us. At a time when the world feels filled with conflict, uncertainty, stress, and even headlines of war, it’s easy to overlook the quiet battles happening inside our homes, relationships, and hearts. In a culture searching for stronger marriages, deeper connection, emotional health, and less overwhelm, we often assume love looks like expensive vacations, jewelry, or grand gestures. While those things can be meaningful, Gabriel shares a different perspective: sometimes love looks much simpler and much more powerful. Through one ordinary Saturday afternoon spent scanning receipts, Gabriel uncovers an unexpected lesson about marriage, service, emotional support, and what people truly need most when life feels heavy. Sometimes the greatest gift you can give someone isn’t more; it’s relief. Whether you’re married, single, dating, or somewhere in between, this episode will challenge you to see the people in your life differently and ask: what burden can I help someone lay down today? ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree—A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want : TheResultsTree.com ==================== CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 18: Allison Higgins on Faith, Purpose & the Fight Against Human Trafficking
What happens when a young woman takes her faith from the White House to a war zone and turns it into a lifelong mission to protect the most vulnerable? In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast, host Gabriel Griess sits down with Allison Higgins, J.D. - attorney, anti-human trafficking advocate, and co-founder of CoverGov. Allison's story is anything but ordinary. From a church plant in a tent outside Georgetown to praying over a sick woman in Indonesia and not learning the outcome for four years, her life is a masterclass in walking by faith. Gabriel and Allison explore what it looks like to pursue God wholeheartedly while building a meaningful career, how to stay centered when everything feels urgent, and what it truly costs to say yes to the hard assignments. Allison shares her firsthand experience at the Ukraine-Poland border during the 2022 Russian invasion, where she witnessed trafficking in real time and helped launch a rapid response using facial recognition, law enforcement collaboration, and baby supplies as cover. Back in Texas, she unpacks the staggering reality of statewide trafficking - 79,000 youth and minor sex trafficking victims alone and how a DOJ-backed task force model is finally getting it right. This conversation will stretch your faith, challenge your priorities, and remind you that a life of purpose is built one courageous yes at a time. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 📖 The Results Tree—A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want : TheResultsTree.com 🛡️ UnboundNow (Anti-Human Trafficking Organization): unboundnow.org 🏛️ CoverGov (Government Intelligence Platform): covergov.com 📚 Right Away and All at Once by Greg Brenneman: amazon.com/Right-Away-All-At-Once/dp/0795347480 CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 17: The Story Behind The Results Tree
In this behind-the-scenes episode of the Navigating Leaders Podcast, host Gabriel Griess sits down with Marcos Perez, CEO of Harp & Sword Media, to unpack the story behind The Results Tree and tackle a question so many people are asking: Why am I doing everything right and still not getting the results I want? What began as a more than 20-year idea has become a message that is impacting lives today. Gabriel shares how it all came together, why it matters now more than ever, and what it really takes to bring something meaningful to life. This conversation dives into purpose, action, and why so many people feel stuck despite doing “all the right things.” Gabriel unpacks how The Results Tree was designed to cut through the noise, bring clarity, and help you uncover your vision, take aligned action, and use your results as real-time feedback to move forward with confidence. Whether you are building something, feeling stuck, or searching for clarity, this episode will challenge and inspire you. It’s a reminder that your journey matters, your vision is worth pursuing, and it’s never too late to begin again. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 📖 The Results Tree—A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want : TheResultsTree.com 📖 Harp & Sword Media: harpandswordmedia.com CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 16: The Results Tree | Lasting Results
In this thought-provoking episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , host Gabriel Griess challenges you to dig deep and ask yourself: Are you living the life you really want? Drawing from his new book, The Results Tree , Gabriel explores the powerful concept of results as the clearest indicator of whether your life is aligned with the vision placed on your heart. While goals can fade or shift, results are tangible, they reflect where you’ve invested your time, energy, and focus. Gabriel explains that results act as a mirror, offering honest feedback across key areas of life like faith, family, health, finances, and relationships. Rather than judging yourself, he encourages using results as information, celebrating what aligns with your vision and adjusting what doesn’t. When rooted in vision, supported by clear intention, and driven by committed action, results become a powerful tool for growth and realignment. This episode is an invitation to reflect, extend yourself grace, and continue the journey. Progress doesn’t require perfection, only the courage to evaluate, adjust, and move forward again. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree—A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want : TheResultsTree.com CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 15: The Results Tree | Committed Action
In this thought-provoking episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , host Gabriel Griess challenges a common belief about success: what if quitting isn’t failure, but one of the most important decisions you can make? Drawing from his new book, The Results Tree , Gabriel explores the powerful concept of committed action and why knowing what to quit is just as important as knowing what to pursue. He reframes quitting not as failure, but as a strategic decision to stop doing things that don’t align with your vision, purpose, and calling. When your actions are rooted in a compelling vision and fueled by clear intention, quitting distractions becomes essential for living boldly and taking meaningful action. Using practical examples and relatable analogies, he highlights why perseverance matters, why failure is simply feedback, and why success comes from staying in the arena rather than striving for perfection. The life you want is built through committed action, taken one step at a time, even when the path isn’t clear. ==================== QUOTES Winston Churchill: “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” Ed Mylett: “You don't have to believe in your entire journey. Just believe in the next step.” Life shifts from drifting through circumstances to moving forward with purpose and intention. CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 14: The Results Tree | Clear Intentions
What if the difference between wishing for change and actually creating it came down to one thing: clear intentions? In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , host Gabriel Griess explores the transformative power of having clear intentions. Drawing from his new book, The Results Tree , Gabriel unpacks why this is more than simply setting goals or making resolutions. Clear intention is not a wish, a hope, or a vague desire. It’s a crystal-clear commitment aligned with the vision written on your heart. Gabriel explains that when your intentions become clear, they activate both conscious and subconscious alignment. Decisions become easier, distractions lose their pull, and daily choices begin moving you toward the life you’re called to create. Through practical examples, including the trap of perfectionism and the danger of abandoning progress after small setbacks, Gabriel reminds listeners that clear intentions keep you on course even when you stumble. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about staying committed and getting back on track. When your intentions are crystal clear, your actions follow. And when your actions align with your vision, transformation begins. Life shifts from drifting through circumstances to moving forward with purpose and intention. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree—A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want : TheResultsTree.com CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 13: The Results Tree | Vision
In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , host Gabriel Griess explores a powerful question: What happens when you lose sight of the vision you were meant to live? Drawing from his new book, The Results Tree , Gabriel unpacks why vision is one of the most powerful forces in personal growth and leadership. Vision is more than a motivational idea. It’s a compass for life. When clearly defined, it becomes a guiding force that shapes decisions, clarifies priorities, and keeps you aligned with the purpose God placed inside you. Gabriel explains that each person carries a unique vision written on their heart. It reflects their gifts, calling, and the impact they are meant to have in the world. But over time, distractions, fear, and limiting beliefs can cloud that vision, causing people to play smaller than they were designed to live. In this episode, Gabriel unpacks how rediscovering your vision can quiet doubt, sharpen focus, and bring greater intention to everyday choices. He also introduces a practical tool called the Vision Engine, available at navigatingleaders.com. This resource helps listeners craft and refine their personal vision through guided questions and AI-powered insights. When your vision becomes clear, your path becomes clearer too. And when you begin living from that vision, life shifts from drifting through circumstances to moving forward with purpose and intention. ==================== RESOURCES 🌎 Website: navigatingleaders.com 👀 Vision Engine: navigatingleaders.com/vision-engine 📖 The Results Tree—A Proven Path to the Life You Really Want : TheResultsTree.com CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 12: You Are More Than Your Job | Erik “EZ” Brine on Leadership, Identity, and Living a Dynamic Life
Do you ever feel like life tries to put you in a box? One career, title, or identity? In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast, host Gabriel Griess sits down with longtime friend, Air Force Colonel, entrepreneur, and public servant Erik “EZ” Brine to explore what it means to live a life that refuses to be defined by a single role. Erik’s story is a powerful example of how a person can lead in multiple arenas at once. From military service and local government to launching an aviation-inspired whiskey brand and helping veterans find their voice through music with Operation Encore, Erik has embraced a life built around curiosity, service, and purpose. But the conversation goes deeper than career accomplishments. Erik shares a pivotal moment in his life when he was forced to step away from flying, something that had become central to his identity. That transition forced him to ask a difficult question: If I’m not this role anymore, who am I? Through that experience, Erik discovered a powerful truth: our jobs are not our identity, they’re simply one part of who we are. In this episode, Gabriel and Erik explore: Why your career should never define your identity How embracing multiple passions can create a richer life The importance of being a “utility player” in life and leadership Why relationships and trust are the foundation of leadership How hardship builds resilience and empathy The role of mentorship, and why everyone should both seek it and give it Why inspiration is the missing ingredient in many leadership models EZ also shares a leadership framework he’s developed through years of service: leaders must organize, train, equip, and inspire the people they lead. Leadership isn’t about titles or authority. It’s about building trust, inspiring others, and showing up consistently in the relationships that matter most. RESOURCES Website: navigatingleaders.com The Results Tree (Available April 7): shop.harpandswordmedia.com/products/the-results-tree Erik “EZ” Brine: linkedin.com/in/erikbrine Operation Encore: operationencore.org Winglore Spirits: winglorespirits.com Brackish Experts: brackishexperts.com CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.
- Episode 11: Leadership Is an Inside Job
What does real leadership actually look like? In this episode of The Navigating Leaders Podcast , Gabriel Griess explores a powerful truth: Leadership doesn’t begin with influence, authority, or position; it begins inside of you. Drawing inspiration from historical and spiritual leaders such as Gandhi, Christ, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Teresa, Gabriel examines what made their leadership so impactful. Their secret wasn’t power or visibility. It was alignment. Their thoughts, words, and actions were congruent, and that alignment built deep trust and influence that continue to shape the world today. Gabriel challenges listeners to reflect on the difference between modern “headline leadership” and the kind of leadership that flows from integrity, authenticity, and purpose. He explains why trust is foundational to leadership and why it’s impossible to lead people well if our inner life is chaotic or disconnected from our actions. In this episode, Gabriel explores: Why leadership begins with mastering the inner world How thoughts shape behavior and influence The incredible power and responsibility of our words Why actions ultimately reveal who we really are The importance of living with alignment and authenticity How awareness allows us to break free from past patterns Why every moment offers the opportunity to choose differently Gabriel also reminds us that leadership isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress and awareness. When our thoughts, words, and actions come into alignment with our values and vision, we naturally become people others can trust and follow. Because the most powerful leadership in the world doesn’t start on a stage. It starts within. Leadership is an inside job. RESOURCES Website: navigatingleaders.com The Results Tree (Available April 7): https://shop.harpandswordmedia.com/products/the-results-tree Napoleon Hill: Think and Grow Rich: https://a.co/d/0hQmc4pg Viktor Frankl: Man’s Search for Meaning : https://a.co/d/03veF2cJ SCRIPTURES & QUOTES Proverbs 25:28: “A person without self-control is like a city with broken walls.” Matthew 12:34: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Napoleon Hill: “If you fail to control your mind, you may be sure you will control nothing else.” Gabriel also references several historical figures as examples of leaders whose thoughts, words, and actions were aligned: Mahatma Gandhi Jesus Christ Nelson Mandela Mother Teresa Viktor Frankl CONNECT WITH GABRIEL 🎥 YouTube: @navigatingleaders 📸 Instagram: @navigatingleaders 👍 Facebook: @navigatingleaders 🎵 TikTok: @navigatingleaders 🗣️ LinkedIn: @navigatingleaders ==================== ABOUT GABRIEL Gabriel Griess is a retired US Air Force officer, the CEO of Excel Medical Staffing and MedForceX, and the founder of Navigating Leaders. A graduate of the elite Air Force Weapons School, he has spent decades leading teams in high-pressure environments and equipping others to reach their full potential. As a combat veteran and an entrepreneur, Gabriel helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to create lasting impact. An internationally sought-after keynote speaker, he addresses audiences on personal transformation, strategic leadership, and veteran empowerment. The Results Tree is the framework he lives by, and when applied, it will unearth your destiny.