Badass Softie

As leaders, we’re often taught that joy should wait its turn.
That celebration is something you earn after the work is done, the chaos settles, and everything feels appropriate.
 
But what if that belief is quietly burning us out?
 
In this episode of Badass Softie, Dr. JJ Peterson invites leaders to rethink joy—not as a reward, but as a leadership practice. Through a simple, human story and research-backed insight, he explores why joy isn’t denial, irresponsibility, or distraction… it’s how emotionally intelligent leaders stay resilient, creative, and deeply human.
 
This conversation is especially for those who feel the tension between ambition and tenderness—who are carrying a lot, leading through uncertainty, and wondering if celebration is allowed when things still feel hard.
 
Because joy doesn’t erase the heavy parts of life. It carries us through them.
 
✨ If this episode resonates, share it with someone you believe is a true Badass Softie—someone who leads with heart, carries responsibility with courage, and deserves permission to celebrate a little sooner than they think.

Ever been at a holiday party, networking event, or standing awkwardly near a charcuterie board when someone asks, “So… what do you do?”
 
And suddenly your brain short-circuits.
 
You ramble.You minimize.You say something vague like “I help humans” and quietly watch the conversation die.
 
In this episode, Dr. J.J. Peterson breaks down why leaders dread that question—and how to answer it in a way that actually starts conversations instead of ending them.
 
Drawing from storytelling frameworks used in Hollywood, J.J. introduces a simple, human one-liner formula designed to help leaders explain what they do with clarity, confidence, and heart.
 
You’ll learn:
Why most leaders accidentally confuse or bore people when talking about their work
The 3-part one-liner formula (problem, solution, success) and why the brain remembers it
How starting with someone else’s problem builds instant connection
Why clarity isn’t just good marketing—it’s good leadership
How a strong one-liner makes it easier for others to remember you and refer you
This episode is for leaders who are unapologetically ambitious—but still deeply human. The ones who want their words to open doors, not shut conversations down.
 
Because a great one-liner doesn’t pitch. It honors the person you’re talking to. It sparks curiosity. And it gives people a reason to ask the next question.
 
👉 Download the one-liner worksheet - https://www.drjjpeterson.com/one-liner
If this episode resonated, share it with someone you think is a Badass Softie—a leader who wants to lead with clarity, heart, and confidence.

Dr. J.J. Peterson sits down with author and speaker Jen Hatmaker for a candid conversation about courage, integrity, and what happens when the life you’ve built no longer fits who you’re becoming.
 
Jen Hatmaker has navigated public success, private heartbreak, theological transformation, and the painful cost of choosing integrity over approval. Through every rise and collapse, she has remained tender, honest, grounded, and fiercely aligned with her values—modeling a different kind of leadership rooted in both strength and humanity.
 
Together, Dr. J.J. Peterson and Jen Hatmaker explore what unfolds when long-held roles begin to crack, when praised identities no longer fit, and when inherited values prove too small for the person emerging on the other side of growth.
 
This conversation explores:
the moment Jen Hatmaker’s 26-year marriage shattered
how she examined the “faulty bricks” her life was built on
which values endure—and which must be released
the cost of living out of alignment
the cost of choosing integrity instead
what it takes to rebuild a life that finally fits
how pain can soften rather than harden
There is humor woven throughout—AC/DC youth group myths, country music fangirling, and a Grand Ole Opry moment that lingers—but at its core, this is a conversation about truth, courage, and the lives leaders claim when they stop pretending.
 
The central reminder is clear: There is always a cost to staying in a life that no longer aligns with who you are becoming—and the longer you stay, the higher the cost becomes.
 
In the end, this is the work of a badass softie—allowing courage and compassion to guide the way toward a more honest, expansive life.

Everywhere I go lately, people are asking me the same thing: How do I stay human when everyone is using AI? And honestly, I get it. We’re living in a moment where content is being produced faster and more generically than ever before and leaders are wondering how to keep their voice from disappearing into the noise.
 
In today’s conversation, I’m sharing something I’ve learned after years of helping leaders craft clear, meaningful messaging: AI can create, but only you can curate. AI doesn’t have a point of view. It doesn’t have lived wisdom. It can’t tell the story that shaped you or the moment that changed your leadership. Only you can do that and that’s exactly what makes your voice irreplaceable.
 
Inside this episode, I walk you through the two practices that will help you stand out in an AI-saturated world: personal stories and paradigm shifts.
 
I’ll show you how your stories build trust, how your perspective sets you apart, and how you can start developing a stronger point of view this week — not by being louder, but by being more you.
 
And because I want you to leave this episode with something you can use right away, I give you three simple assignments that will help you clarify your voice, connect more deeply with your audience, and create content that feels human again.
 
If this conversation resonates and you want help shaping your message or your thought leadership, you can always reach out at drjjpeterson.com — it’s the work I love most.
 
And if this episode speaks to you, share it with someone in your life who is both ambitious and deeply human — someone you’d call a Badass Softie.

In this episode of The Badass Softie Podcast, Dr. J.J. Peterson sits down with creative business mentor and coach Laura Higgins for a heartfelt, grounded conversation on what it really means to lead as a creative.
 
Laura opens up about her journey from “generalist” uni dropout to running a successful business coaching over 1,000 creatives — and the mindset shifts, courage, and leadership skills she had to build along the way.
 
Together, they explore the tension so many creatives feel:
Can I be ambitious without losing my softness?
Can I lead boldly without abandoning my heart?
Can I be an artist and an entrepreneur?
Laura makes the case that leadership isn’t a personality type — it’s a learnable skill. And when creatives pair structure with soul, something powerful emerges: sustainable success without losing the magic.
 
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why creatives often struggle with self-worth and visibility
The real reason imposter syndrome hits heart-led leaders so hard
How to balance your “artist self” with your “entrepreneur self”
Why leadership is a set of skills — not an identity change
How to protect your creativity (your greatest currency)
Practical steps to get more leads, sell confidently, and scale with intention
Why kindness and boundaries can (and should) coexist
Connect with Laura:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurahiggins/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@laurahigginsofficial
 
Send this episode to the creative friend who keeps saying “one day.” Today could be the day they finally go for it.

In this episode of Badass Softie, I sit down with my longtime friend and former colleague, Tim Schurrer — someone whose leadership shaped not only my career, but the culture and growth of StoryBrand itself.
 
Tim is the author of The Secret Society of Success, a book that gently dismantles the assumption that success means being the one in the spotlight. And trust me… I’ve watched him live out that message for over a decade.
 
During our conversation, we explore:
Why the spotlight isn’t the problem — but chasing it for the wrong reasons can derail your purpose.
How Tim discovered he was built to thrive behind the scenes, not center stage.
A leadership mindset shift inspired by the book Made to Stick: Are you demanding attention or attracting it?
What Michael Collins (yes, the Apollo 11 astronaut who didn’t step on the moon) teaches us about quiet greatness.
How redefining success can create more freedom, fulfillment, and impact than performing for recognition ever will.
Tim and I both believe this with every fiber of our leadership bones: You don’t have to be the one on stage to live a meaningful, successful, deeply impactful life.
 
And honestly? Most people aren’t wired for the spotlight anyway — and that’s not a shortcoming. It’s a superpower when you understand how to use it.
 
If this episode resonates with you, I’d love for you to subscribe, comment, or leave a review — it helps more people find conversations like this one.

For leaders who chase big goals but crave meaning just as much as momentum — this conversation is for you.
 
Dr. J.J. Peterson sits down with Amy Porterfield, New York Times bestselling author of Two Weeks Notice, to unpack how ambition can serve you without consuming you.
 
Amy shares how she went from corporate employee at Tony Robbins to building a multimillion-dollar business — and how redefining “enough” transformed both her leadership and her life.
 
Together, they dig into the leadership lessons that every high-performer needs to hear: how to bet on yourself, stop moving the goalposts, and lead with clarity instead of chaos.
 
You’ll learn:
The moment Amy realized she’d been chasing success at the expense of freedom
How to tell the difference between healthy ambition and fear-driven overachievement
Why most leaders keep moving the goal line — and how to stop
The quiet leadership skill that accelerates growth: marking the moment
How to evolve your business (and identity) without losing your purpose
What “enough” really means — and how to build around it
This episode isn’t about slowing down — it’s about leading smarter.
📘 Grab Amy’s book: Two Weeks Notice 📰 Join her newsletter: AmyPorterfield.com/newsletter
 
🎧 Subscribe, comment, or leave a review — and keep leading with both strength and softness at BadassSoftie.com.

You’ve been grinding nonstop: chasing goals, managing pressure, holding it all together. But lately, even the wins don’t feel like wins anymore. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.In this solo episode of Badass Softie, Dr. J.J. Peterson unpacks how burnout quietly steals your joy, and how reclaiming joy isn’t about pretending things are fine. It’s about reconnecting to purpose, energy, and the strength to keep showing up.Here's what you'll get:-Why burnout happens even when you “love what you do”-The science behind joy and how it rewires your brain for resilience-How to stop seeing joy as a reward — and start practicing it as daily work-What leaders gain when they make space for joy: clarity, courage, and connection-3 practical ways to reclaim joy this week (even when you don’t feel it yet)📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube @BadassSoftie🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on SpotifyJoy isn’t what happens after you succeed, it’s what keeps you going.When you stop waiting for joy and start practicing it, you’ll lead (and live) like a true Badass Softie.www.BadassSoftie.com

What do you do when life doesn’t go to plan — when the roadblocks, losses, and grief feel like they’ve stopped you in your tracks?In this episode of Badass Softie, Dr. J.J. Peterson opens up about the year he lost his father and became a dad in the same weekend. Through stories of heartbreak and unexpected joy, J.J. reveals how to keep moving forward when grief and growth show up at the same time.This episode isn’t prescriptive — it’s honest, human, and grounded in what it really means to lead through hard seasons without losing yourself. You’ll learn how to create small victories, stay connected to your community, and lead with compassion even when life feels uncertain.Here’s what you’ll take away:-How to keep moving when hardship hits at the most inconvenient time-Why creating small victories helps you stay grounded in chaos-The power of being fearlessly courageous with your community-How vulnerability builds strength, not weakness-Why compassion is the key to healing and forward movement-A simple monthly reflection practice to help you mark the moment and move📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube @BadassSoftie🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on SpotifyWhen you stop waiting for life to get easier and start leading through both the heartbreak and the hope, you’ll discover what it truly means to lead with strength and softness — the heart of a Badass Softie.www.BadassSoftie.com

Most leaders don’t fail because they lack skill — they fail because they stop asking the right questions. When the path feels murky, pressure mounts, and clarity fades, it’s easy to slip into control or chaos.In this episode of Badass Softie, Dr. J.J. Peterson sits down with Amy Smith — a leadership coach and consultant who’s led global training for Apple, coached executive teams for McDonald’s, and served as VP of Certification at StoryBrand. Amy brings two decades of frontline leadership experience to show you how to build trust, create clarity, and lead through uncertainty.Together, J.J. and Amy unpack five guiding questions every leader should be asking to stay grounded and effective. You’ll learn why assuming positive intent changes every conversation, how to make confident calls when the path isn’t clear, and how the right one-on-ones can completely transform team culture.Here’s what you’ll take away:-The mindset shift that turns judgment into curiosity and builds lasting trust-How to lead with clarity when you don’t have all the answers-The five guiding questions that re-center your leadership in any situation-Why one-on-ones are your most powerful leadership tool — and how to use them-How to simplify meetings so they actually drive results-The single shift that unlocks trust, ownership, and growth on your team
Connect with Amy directly via email at Amy@HonuLeadership.com or or on LinkedIn at Linkedin.com/in/kudralobar/📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube @BadassSoftie🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on SpotifyWhen you stop leading from fear and start leading with curiosity and clarity, you create a culture where people thrive — that’s what it means to lead as a Badass Softie.www.BadassSoftie.com