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What does it mean to have enough—and what if true wealth is about far more than a number? In the first guest conversation of Season 2 of The Executive & The Mystic, Fred LeFranc and Kristina Wiltsee sit down with Brandon Hatton, founder and CEO of Conscious Wealth®, to explore money, meaning, community, and the inflection points that shaped his life. Brandon shares his path from teacher and world traveler to Merrill Lynch and ultimately Conscious Wealth, where wealth expands beyond money to include relationships, health, purpose, and community. Together, they explore money memories, scarcity and abundance, intuition, nourishment, and why success cannot be reduced to someone else’s formula. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How Brandon’s inflection points shaped Conscious WealthWhy travel became a practice for becoming a better leaderHow early money memories can shape scarcity or abundanceWhy financial wealth is only one dimension of a wealthy lifeHow intuition and the head-heart-gut connection guide decisionsWhy family conversations about money matterWhat nourishment and community have to do with wealthWhy listening to your body can support better decisionsWhy there is no guaranteed formula for successAbout Our Guest: Brandon Hatton is founder and CEO of Conscious Wealth® and author of Conscious Wealth: Money, Investing, and a Financial Awakening for the Person Who Has It All. Connect with Brandon: Website 👉 https://www.consciouswealth.com/ LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonthatton/ Instagram 👉 @consciouswealth Free Conversation Card Game 👉 https://mcusercontent.com/6bca12b9ab3131a6451679c69/files/855aac43-4abb-4b29-485f-f2044f38e441/BH_Flash_Cards_for_Cutting.pdf Connect With Us: Email 👉 [email protected] Helpful Links: YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Website 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

What if the tension you’re trying to resolve is actually the thing that has something to teach you? In this episode of The Executive & The Mystic, Fred LeFranc and Kristina Wiltsee explore the power of paradox: two opposing ideas that can both be true at the same time. Rather than forcing a choice between one side or the other, they examine what can emerge when we learn to stay in the tension. Through three leadership paradoxes—control vs. surrender, safety vs. candor, and certainty vs. humility—Fred and Kristina explore how paradox shows up in leadership, relationships, decision-making, and personal growth. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why some paradoxes cannot be resolved—only inhabitedWhat it means to “stay in the fire”How control and surrender can coexistWhy surrender is not the same as giving upHow leaders can release control while still taking responsibilityWhy safety and candor are both necessary for healthy teamsThe difference between being a nice leader and a kind leaderWhy certainty can become an ego trapHow humility, curiosity, and trust strengthen leadershipHow to recognize when you have become the bottleneck Timestamps: 00:56 Alignment, balance, coherence & paradox 02:03 Why paradox does not have to be resolved 05:13 “Stay in the fire” and let something new emerge 07:40 Control vs. surrender 17:52 Releasing control as a leader 28:35 Safety vs. candor 31:24 Resilience and difficult conversations 38:54 Certainty vs. humility 43:26 Bottlenecks, delegation, and trust 45:23 Principles vs. practices 47:26 Why difficult, paradoxical questions matter 49:28 Choosing both the Executive and the Mystic Connect With Us: Have a question, reflection, or leadership challenge you’d like Fred and Kristina to explore in a future episode? Email us at [email protected] Helpful Links: Watch on YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Visit 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Follow us on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ Find us on TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

What happens when life changes the plan—or when you know a change needs to happen, but you keep putting it off? In this episode of The Executive & The Mystic, Fred LeFranc and Kristina Wiltsee explore transitions in all their forms: planned changes, unexpected disruptions, external delays, and the self-induced delays that happen when fear, uncertainty, or attachment keep us from moving forward. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The difference between planned, unplanned, and delayed transitionsWhy even planned changes can feel completely unexpected once they arriveHow transitions can reshape identity, priorities, and the roles we playWhat leaders can learn from stepping into a new role under pressureWhy we sometimes delay changes we already know we need to makeHow fear and comfort can keep us waiting for an external “pressure cooker”The role of courage and coherence in making difficult decisionsWhy external delays may create opportunities we cannot see yetHow catastrophizing can make one possible outcome feel inevitableThe balance between taking action and surrendering to what unfoldsHow presence can help us loosen our attachment to a specific outcome Timestamps: 00:56 Planned, unplanned, and delayed transitions 02:41 When change arrives without warning 03:30 Parenthood as a planned—and completely unplanned—transition 06:13 Transition as transformation 10:46 Stepping into an unexpected leadership role 14:04 External delays vs. self-induced delays 16:07 Fear, resistance, and waiting for change 18:19 Courage, coherence, and taking action 20:41 Procrastination and the “pressure cooker” of change 22:45 When outside circumstances delay the plan 23:50 Can an external delay actually be a gift? 25:08 Catastrophizing, scenarios, and choosing your response 26:04 The balance between surrender and action 29:25 Presence, perspective, and releasing attachment to outcomes 31:28 Finding value even when the outcome changes Connect With Us: Have a question, reflection, or leadership challenge you’d like Fred and Kristina to explore in a future episode? Email us at [email protected] Helpful Links: Watch on YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Visit 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

What if the same laws that explain work, time, decision-making, and productivity also apply to your personal growth and spiritual life? In this episode of The Executive & The Mystic, Fred LeFranc and Kristina Wiltsee explore classic business mental models and laws, including Parkinson’s Law, Hofstadter’s Law, Hanlon’s Razor, the Pareto Principle, the Peter Principle, Hick’s Law, Goodhart’s Law, the Dunning-Kruger Effect, Occam’s Razor, Chesterton’s Fence, and Brooks’ Law. Together, they look at how these principles show up in business, leadership, project management, team dynamics, personal development, and even spiritual growth. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why work expands to fill the time available Why everything takes longer than expected, even when you plan for it How Hanlon’s Razor can help leaders avoid assuming bad intent How the Pareto Principle applies to clients, effort, and results Why people can be promoted beyond their current competence How too many choices create decision fatigue Why metrics can become dangerous when they become the goal How limited knowledge can lead to overconfidence Why the simplest explanation is often the best starting point Why you should understand a system before removing part of it Why adding people to a late project can make it even laterTimestamps: 00:55 Why mental models matter in business and life 02:20 Parkinson’s Law: work expands to fill the time available 05:06 Hofstadter’s Law: everything takes longer than expected 09:29 Hanlon’s Razor: don’t assume bad intent too quickly 16:13 Pareto Principle: the 80/20 rule 19:03 Peter Principle: promotion and competence 24:59 Hick’s Law: too many choices slow decisions 30:01 Goodhart’s Law: when metrics become the goal 33:57 Dunning-Kruger Effect: overconfidence and expertise 36:50 Occam’s Razor: start with the simplest explanation 38:35 Chesterton’s Fence: understand before removing 42:33 Brooks’ Law: adding people to a late project Connect With Us: Have a question, reflection, or leadership challenge you’d like Fred and Kristina to explore in a future episode? Email us at [email protected] Helpful Links: Watch on YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Visit 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Follow us on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ Find us on TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

What is the difference between influence and manipulation? In the Season 2 premiere of The Executive & The Mystic, Fred LeFranc and Kristina Wiltsee open a new season with a powerful conversation about influence, leadership, and the subtle ways people shape decisions. Together, they explore the line between ethical influence and manipulation, especially in leadership settings where outcomes matter and people are often being guided toward a decision, behavior, or perspective. From priming and choice architecture to rumor control, emotional context, and “assembled context,” this episode looks at the tools leaders use—consciously or unconsciously—to move people. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why influence is part of leadership Where influence can cross the line into manipulation How priming shapes the emotional context of a conversation Why “you’re not going to like this” can set people up for anxiety How leaders can telegraph intent before a crucial conversation What choice architecture is and how contrast shapes decision-making Why clearing the space matters when rumors or tension are present How assembled context can guide someone to a conclusion Why intention matters, but impact matters too The ethical test for influence: who truly benefits? How leaders can support growth without controlling outcomesTimestamps: 00:00 Introduction & welcome to Season 2 00:42 Why influence vs. manipulation matters 01:38 NLP and the ethics of understanding people 03:07 Priming and how leaders set context 05:25 Telegraphing intent in crucial conversations 07:50 Choice architecture and contrast 12:27 Getting ahead of rumor and clearing the space 17:58 Assembled context and planted conclusions 23:45 The ethical test for influence 24:55 Developing people without controlling them 29:48 Who benefits? Influence vs. manipulation 35:04 Final thoughts and closing Connect With Us: Have a question, reflection, or leadership challenge you’d like Fred and Kristina to explore in a future episode? Email us at [email protected] Helpful Links: Watch on YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Visit 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Follow us on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ Find us on TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

If Season One asked whether wisdom has a place in business and leadership, Season Two takes the conversation further. Hosts Fred LeFranc and Kristina Wiltsee sit down with leaders, founders, and practitioners who are working to integrate personal growth, inner wisdom, and conscious leadership into the realities of building, leading, and living. Along the way, Fred and Kristina continue their own conversations about influence, integrity, and the challenges that come with putting inner work into practice. This season explores what it really looks like to lead with intention—without losing sight of who you are or why the work matters. Subscribe and join us as we go deeper into the intersection of wisdom, leadership, and real life. 🔗 Helpful Links: Watch on YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Visit 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Follow us on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ Find us on TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

In this Season 1 finale of The Executive & The Mystic, Fred LeFranc and Kristina Wiltsee explore emotional intelligence and why it has been the quiet foundation beneath so many of their conversations this season. Using Daniel Goleman’s emotional intelligence framework, Fred and Kristina break down the four dimensions of EQ: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Together, they explore how emotional intelligence helps leaders move from reaction to choice, regulate stress, read the room, practice empathy, and navigate conflict with clarity. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why emotional intelligence is foundational to leadership The four dimensions of emotional intelligence How self-awareness creates space between reaction and response Why leaders must learn to observe their thoughts, feelings, and behavior How self-management helps regulate stress and emotional triggers The difference between sympathy and empathy Why empathy requires courage How to read the room without slipping into hypervigilance Why relationship management matters in conflict and team dynamics How emotional intelligence supports kind leadership What Fred and Kristina learned from Season 1 What’s coming next in Season 2Timestamps 00:00 Introduction & episode topic 01:45 Emotional intelligence as the Season 1 throughline 02:47 The four dimensions of emotional intelligence 03:04 Self-awareness and the observer state 08:01 Practices for building self-awareness 10:09 Moving from reaction to choice 12:30 Self-management and nervous system regulation 17:01 Social awareness, empathy, and reading the room 23:44 Hypervigilance vs. healthy awareness 25:54 Relationship management and group resonance 31:10 Crucial conversations and kind leadership 35:08 Season 1 reflections, Season 2 invitation, and closing Connect With Us Have a question, reflection, or leadership challenge you’d like Fred and Kristina to explore in Season 2? Email us at [email protected] Presented by Results Through Strategy (RTS) ________________________________________ Watch on YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Visit 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Follow us on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ Find us on TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

In this episode of The Executive & The Mystic, Fred LeFranc and Kristina Wiltsee explore Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and why this framework remains one of Fred’s most-used tools for understanding organizational health. Fred breaks down the five essential functions of a healthy team: trust, conflict, commitment, accountability, and results. Together, he and Kristina explore how these elements show up in real companies, what happens when they break down, and why culture is often the difference between a team that can overcome challenges and one that collapses under pressure. From vulnerability-based trust to artificial harmony, zinger cultures, commitment gaps, and unclear accountability, this conversation offers a practical look at how teams move from dysfunction to alignment. In This Episode, You’ll Learn Why culture is the secret weapon of strong organizations The five key functions of healthy teams Why trust must be vulnerability-based to be effective How “zinger cultures” damage psychological safety The difference between conflict and confrontation Why artificial harmony is dangerous for teams How commitment turns conversation into action The difference between responsibility and accountability Why KPIs and standards must be clear and visible How shared results differ from individual success Why celebrating wins helps teams build momentum Timestamps 00:00 Introduction & episode topic 01:37 Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions framework 03:32 Using assessments to understand culture 05:53 Vision, purpose, and organizational alignment 08:32 Trust and vulnerability-based leadership 15:24 Zinger cultures and psychological safety 20:01 Fear of conflict and artificial harmony 23:27 Conflict resolution, mirroring, and clarity 28:56 Commitment and moving from discussion to action 32:29 Accountability, KPIs, and clear standards 43:55 Results, shared success, and celebrating progress 49:13 Applying the model to build healthier teams Connect With Us Have a question, reflection, or topic you’d like Fred and Kristina to explore in a future episode? Email us at [email protected] Helpful Links YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Visit 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

In this episode of The Executive & The Mystic, Fred LeFranc and Kristina Wiltsee explore ego in leadership—not as something inherently bad, but as something that can either support growth or distort judgment when it gets out of alignment. Together, they unpack three common ego traps leaders fall into: the certainty trap, the avoidance trap, and the gravity trap. From leaders who believe they must have all the answers, to those who avoid conflict in the name of being “nice,” to leaders whose teams spend more time managing their mood than managing the business, this conversation offers a grounded look at how ego shapes culture, communication, and decision-making. Fred and Kristina also explore the difference between healthy confidence and ego out of shape, why kind leadership requires accountability, and how the heart, mind, and gut can work together to help leaders respond with clarity instead of reacting from old patterns. This episode closes with a deeper discussion of ego death—not as self-erasure, but as the necessary process of letting go of outdated identities so something more authentic can emerge. In This Episode Why ego is not inherently bad The danger of the certainty trapThe difference between dialogue and debate How avoidance creates bigger problems The difference between being nice and being kind Why accountability is essential to healthy leadership How a leader’s mood can become a gravity trap for the team How to use the heart, mind, and gut as a leadership check-in What ego death really means in leadership and personal growth Timestamps 00:00 Introduction & framing ego in leadership 02:19 Defining ego and why it is not inherently bad 04:51 The certainty trap 06:42 Why leaders should speak last 11:34 The avoidance trap: nice vs. kind leadership 14:12 Responsibility, accountability, and expectations 17:28 Conflict management and communication clarity 22:40 The gravity trap: when teams manage the leader’s mood 28:34 Naming harmful behavior without judgment 34:28 Heart, mind, and gut check for leaders 45:20 Ego death and letting go of false self-image 50:23 Moving through ego death and choosing growth Helpful Links YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Visit 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

What if forgiveness wasn’t about the other person at all? In this episode of The Executive & The Mystic, Fred LeFranc and Kristina Wiltsee explore forgiveness as one of the most powerful—and misunderstood—practices in both leadership and life. Rather than framing forgiveness as approval or reconciliation, they reframe it as a deeply personal act of release—one that clears emotional and cognitive load, restores clarity, and allows leaders to show up at their best. From personal stories to leadership applications, this conversation explores how holding onto resentment impacts performance, relationships, and decision-making—and how letting go creates space for growth, connection, and transformation. You’ll also learn a simple but powerful framework rooted in the Hawaiian practice of Ho’oponopono that can be applied in moments of tension, conflict, or internal struggle. In This Episode: Why forgiveness is not about condoning someone else’s actions How holding onto resentment impacts your performance and well-being The concept of forgiveness as “releasing stored energy” How emotional and cognitive load affect leadership clarity The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation Why introspection and forgiveness are deeply connected How forgiveness applies in business, leadership, and relationships A practical framework for letting go of internal friction How forgiveness supports resilience, clarity, and long-term performance Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to forgiveness as a leadership practice 01:50 Forgiveness as a release—not approval 03:00 The cost of holding onto resentment 05:02 Personal story: forgiveness and emotional release 07:15 What forgiveness actually is (and what it’s not) 10:02 Cognitive and emotional load explained 12:09 Trauma bonds and letting go 13:02 Ho’oponopono: the four-step forgiveness practice 17:09 Applying forgiveness to healing and personal growth 24:26 Forgiveness in business and leadership contexts 29:24 Forgiveness as a leadership tool for performance and clarity 31:02 A practical framework for real-time application 33:05 Final thoughts: forgiveness as an ongoing practice This episode is presented by Results Through Strategy (RTS) Helpful Links: YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Visit 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

Is introspection helping leaders—or holding them back? In this episode of The Executive & The Mystic, Fred LeFranc and Kristina Wiltsee respond to a recent interview with Marc Andreessen, where he suggests that introspection may be counterproductive—and even harmful. Together, they explore what introspection actually is, where Andreessen’s perspective may be valid, and where it may be incomplete. This conversation reframes introspection not as dwelling in the past, but as awareness of the filters, patterns, and motivations that shape every decision we make. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: • The difference between introspection and “living in the past” • Why redefining introspection changes the conversation entirely • How introspection shows up at the personal, company, and global level • The role of patterns, filters, and subconscious drivers in decision-making • Why awareness creates choice—and lack of awareness creates reaction • How introspection supports growth, maturity, and self-transcendence ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction & framing the question: Is introspection the enemy? 01:29 The Marc Andreessen perspective on introspection 04:03 Historical reflection vs modern interpretation of introspection 07:01 Redefining introspection: more than looking at the past 10:19 Patterns, filters, and how the past shapes action 14:21 Practical introspection: how much is enough? 17:16 Introspection at scale: self, family, company, and global impact 20:29 Creation without reflection: the “Neverland” analogy 22:21 Real-life example: introspection in relationships 25:36 Leadership application: accountability vs blame in organizations 29:22 From success to stewardship: shifting the purpose of leadership 33:02 Self-actualization vs self-transcendence 37:01 Creating meaning: the “cathedral vs bricks” analogy 42:05 Final answer: Is introspection the enemy? 🔗 Referenced in This Episode: Clip on introspection: https://youtu.be/b6Zw50f5jJk?si=4g5HlTjwhTGMFdEY Full interview with Marc Andreessen: https://youtu.be/qBVe3M2g_SA?si=5SC1FZ2Qp5D2hII6 👉 This episode is presented by Results Through Strategy (RTS) 🔗 Resources: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

What does it really mean to be a life alchemist—and how is that different from traditional coaching? In this episode of The Executive & The Mystic, Fred turns the spotlight on Kristina to explore her unique approach to transformation. Together, they unpack how imagination, pattern recognition, and deeper awareness allow individuals—especially leaders—to move beyond reactive thinking and into intentional growth. From understanding subconscious filters to recognizing repeating life patterns, this conversation challenges the way we think about personal development, leadership, and what it truly means to evolve. This episode is a deep dive into shifting from victim to creator—and ultimately, from limitation to possibility. In This Episode: What a life alchemist is—and how it differs from traditional coachingWhy imagination is a powerful (and often overlooked) tool for transformationHow your subconscious shapes the way you experience realityThe true meaning of “turning lead into gold” in personal growthHow to recognize repeating patterns in your life and leadershipThe shift from victim mindset to creator mindsetWhy synchronicities and patterns aren’t random—and how to use themHow to process emotions without staying stuck in the pastThe importance of your inner circle in shaping your growthPractical ways to begin seeing your life through a new lens Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to The Executive & The Mystic 01:40 – What is a Life Alchemist? 04:30 – Coaching vs. Alchemy: What’s Missing? 08:45 – The Role of Imagination in Transformation 13:15 – The Mind as a Multisensory System 17:30 – “Lead to Gold” – The True Meaning of Alchemy 22:10 – Expanding Awareness and Personal Evolution 26:45 – From Victim to Victor: Reframing Your Story 30:00 – Recognizing Patterns in Real Life 33:30 – The Power of the Subconscious & Synchronicity 38:30 – Breaking Cycles and Creating New Outcomes 44:45 – The Impact of Your Inner Circle & Growth Mindset Sponsor: This episode is presented by Results Through Strategy (RTS)—helping brands align purpose, values, and performance since 2006. 🔗 Helpful Links: Watch on YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Visit 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Follow us on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ Find us on TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

In this episode of The Executive and The Mystic, Fred LeFranc and Kristina Wiltsee explore how leaders can navigate disruption, unpredictability, and rapid change with clarity, courage, and composure. From global events like COVID to everyday business and personal challenges, uncertainty is unavoidable. The real question is how we respond. Fred introduces a practical leadership framework built on certainty, courage, and commitment, while Kristina expands into the internal practices that help leaders regulate fear, cultivate resilience, and access clarity under pressure. Together, they unpack why truth-telling and communication are critical in crisis, how fear and shame impact leadership decisions, and what it means to intentionally train yourself to handle the unknown. In This Episode: What defines uncertain times in leadership and life The difference between reacting and choosing your response Certainty, courage, and commitment as a leadership framework Why transparency and communication stabilize teams The role of fear, shame, and ego in leadership decisions Growth mindset as preparation for the unknown Using curiosity, gratitude, and movement to shift state Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & framing the conversation 01:20 What are “uncertain times”? 02:49 Disruption to “business as usual” (the album analogy) 04:47 Certainty, courage, and commitment framework 08:52 Truth-telling and transparency in leadership 10:00 Communication as a stabilizing force in crisis 13:03 Ego, fear, and the myth of having all the answers 16:13 Innovation, uncertainty, and decision paralysis 18:22 Stakeholder mindset and leading beyond profit 21:42 Preparing for the unknown as a leadership practice 23:10 Growth mindset and embracing change 28:58 Fear vs. curiosity + worst, better, best framework 34:06 Gratitude vs. anxiety and regulating your state 38:59 Finding coherence: heart, mind, and gut alignment 40:20 Closing thoughts This episode is presented by Results Through Strategy (RTS)—helping brands align purpose, values, and performance since 2006. 🔗 Helpful Links: Watch on YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Visit 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Follow us on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ Find us on TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

What does it actually take to become a C-Suite executive? In this episode of The Executive and The Mystic, Fred LeFranc and Kristina Wiltsee explore the mindset, emotional state, and perspective required to step into executive leadership. They unpack the difference between leading a department and stewarding an entire organization—and why becoming a CEO is less about having all the answers and more about developing the right perspective, curiosity, and self-awareness. They explore culture, vision, decision-making, and the responsibility leaders carry not just for financial performance, but for the people, families, and communities connected to their organizations. In This Episode The mindset shift required to become a CEO Why leaders are never truly “ready” for the C-Suite Separating ego from the leadership role Systems intelligence and organizational perspectiveHow culture reflects the personality of the CEO Why healthy cultures outperform toxic but “smart” teams Navigating uncertainty while maintaining long-term vision The difference between being a nice leader and a kind leader Making difficult decisions while stewarding the company’s story Timestamps 01:39 What makes someone ready for the C-Suite 03:40 Self-awareness and emotional maturity in leadership 05:07 The myth that CEOs must have all the answers 06:47 Managing ego, vulnerability, and executive pressure 10:21 Staying centered during leadership crises 12:38 The two-year temporal perspective every CEO needs 13:43 Systems intelligence and understanding organizational dynamics 20:01 Preparing for the C-Suite mindset 26:55 Talent development and working for your people 29:17 Why culture is the secret sauce of great organizations 36:29 Navigating the whirlwind of business distractions 38:35 Making difficult leadership decisions 42:00 Stewardship, leadership, and the stories we hold 45:41 Closing reflections This episode is presented by Results Through Strategy (RTS)—helping brands align purpose, values, and performance since 2006. ____________________________________________________ 🔗 Helpful Links: YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Visit 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/

In Part 2 of Cancer, COVID, and Croissants, Fred LeFranc shares what happened after the diagnosis, after the radiation, after the fear. This episode is about surrender. It’s about moving beyond intellectual control and into something deeper—asking for help, receiving love, participating in group healing, and ultimately releasing the skepticism that kept a small door open to doubt. Fred reflects on healing circles, the power of collective coherence, his experience as both healer and healee at Dr. Joe Dispenza retreats, and the pivotal moment when he fully embodied the belief that he was healed. This is not a conversation about fighting cancer. It’s about gratitude. It’s about love replacing fear. It’s about becoming a vessel instead of a victor. And it’s about how surrender transformed not just Fred’s health—but his marriage, his leadership, and the way he lives. In This Episode The power of group healing and coherenceLearning to ask for — and accept — helpBecoming a “healee” and surrendering controlReleasing doubt and going all inThe meditation that became the pivot pointReceiving medical confirmation after emotional certaintyWriting publicly about cancer and vulnerabilityVictim → Victor → VesselGratitude as a force of healingTimestamps 00:00 Welcome back 00:47 Surrender and becoming an active participant 02:12 Transformation after India 03:01 Inside the healing sessions 05:26 Bringing group healing home 07:04 Returning to Dispenza—becoming a Healee 08:41 Experiencing unconditional love from strangers 11:54 Synchronicity and Ishmael’s story 14:36 The final meditation: releasing doubt 16:52 The clean PET scan 20:56 Gratitude over outcome 24:10 Sharing publicly and surrendering 28:11 Victim, Victor, Vessel 31:15 The letter and the lesson of gratitude 33:04 Love, coherence, and closing reflections Have thoughts or reflections from this episode? Email us at [email protected] This episode is presented by Results Through Strategy (RTS)—helping brands align purpose, values, and performance since 2006. ____________________________________________________ 🔗 Helpful Links: Watch on YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveandMysticPodcast Visit 👉 https://www.theexecutiveandthemystic.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executive-the-mystic-video-podcast/ Follow us on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/theexecutiveandthemystic/ Find us on TikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@tetm_podcast Results Through Strategy 👉 https://resultsthrustrategy.com/ Life Alchemist 👉 https://www.kriswiltsee.com/