When Your Three-Year Plan Collapses in Six Hours—What Do You Do?

On this final episode of TIPS for 2025, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Chris McFarland—executive vice president, founder of McFarland Crew Leadership, and Townsend Institute director—to explore adaptive leadership in crisis moments. Hear his story of how he spent three years planning a huge event on the National Mall that ultimately had to shut down six hours early due to weather. Talk about a pivot!

You'll discover:

• How to pivot and execute under immense pressure when plans fall apart
• Why flexibility and curiosity are your most powerful leadership tools
• Chris's essential formula: be curious, take the step, bring people with you

Whether you're navigating organizational change, leading through crisis, or building teams that thrive under pressure, this conversation offers a masterclass in adaptive leadership and human-centered strategy.

Perfect for: Organizational leaders, executive coaches, event strategists, anyone leading through uncertainty or building resilient teams.

TLP Director Chris McFarland

McFarland Crew Leadership

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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from!

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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

Is Your Executive Team a Hidden Business Risk?

On this episode of TIPS, Ashlie and Gilbert welcome Rukiya Robinson—executive transformation strategist, founder of E2S Strategies, and Townsend Institute alum and professor—to reveal why executive development is actually proactive risk management.

You'll discover:

• How toxic or inept leadership creates measurable enterprise risks
• Why most organizations misuse their vision, mission, and values
• How neuroscience and emotional intelligence transform C-suite performance
• Why leadership excellence is an act of stewardship
• The myth that tenured executives don't need ongoing support and accountability

Whether you're an organizational leader, HR professional, board member, or executive coach, this conversation exposes hidden vulnerabilities and offers a blueprint for building resilient leadership cultures.

Perfect for: C-suite executives, organizational leaders, HR professionals, executive coaches, board members, anyone responsible for enterprise risk management.

Rukiya Robinson LinkedIn

E2S Strategies

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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from!

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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.

Are Your Relationships Truly Healthy? And what if you could measure relationship health like a vital sign?

On this episode of TIPS, Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Dr. Christine Murray—licensed marriage and family therapist, Townsend Institute counseling faculty, and domestic violence prevention advocate—to explore what healthy relationships actually look like.

You'll discover:
• The "happy, healthy, and safe" framework for evaluating relationship quality
• Practical strategies for building healthy boundaries in every relationship
• How to strengthen team culture with the free Healthy Relationships at Work Toolkit
• Ways parents can foster safety and connection with teenagers
• Why relationship health matters in professional and personal contexts

Whether you're navigating marriage, parenting, workplace dynamics, or community leadership, this conversation offers a blueprint for thriving relationships across all areas of life.
Perfect for: Marriage and family therapists, organizational leaders, parents, HR professionals, anyone committed to building healthier relationships.

Healthy Relationships Initiative
Healthy Relationships Initiative Toolkits

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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Enjoying the podcast? We want your input! Please email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tipodcast@cui.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for any feedback or ideas you have on topics or guests you would like to learn from!

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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.