E94: Why You Need Doubt to Succeed
The New Rules Podcast
We often hear, “Don’t doubt yourself. Be confident.” But what if self-doubt isn’t always the enemy? What if it’s a tool that, when used wisely, can actually make you sharper, more grounded, and more effective? In this raw and honest conversation, Adrian and Bri explore the pros and cons of self-doubt… when it can hold you back, and when it can actually push you forward. You’ll hear: Why too much confidence can be just as dangerous as too little How to recognize healthy vs. unhealthy doubt Stories of leaders and creators who leveraged self-doubt for growth Practical tools...
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E93: From Overstimulation to Wisdom: The Lost Art of Thinking
The New Rules Podcast
In a world overflowing with hot takes, trending reels, and endless scrolling, are you actually thinking for yourself or just reacting to what the algorithm feeds you? If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by constant noise, frustrated by polarized thinking, or stuck in a loop of reacting instead of reflecting, this episode is for you. Adrian Crawford and Breezy dive deep into the discipline of critical thinking and why it’s becoming a rare but essential skill for leaders, creators, and anyone navigating modern life. We explore: Why groupthink is more dangerous than ever How anxiety and...
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E92: When Your Calling Affects Your Kids: A Conversation With My Daughters
The New Rules Podcast
This week’s episode takes a deeply personal turn. Adrian sits down with his daughters for a raw and reflective conversation about what it’s really like to grow up watching a parent live on mission. From the moments that shaped them to the things they never said out loud until now, we explore the unseen cost of leadership at home—and what it takes to lead and love well in both public and private. Together with Bri, they explore honest questions, emotional moments, and meaningful reflection. This is a conversation for anyone navigating purpose, leadership, and parenthood. 📲...
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E91: Radical Honesty in a World Obsessed with Performance
The New Rules Podcast
In an era where performance is currency and platforms reward polished personas, how do we return to what’s real? In this episode of The New Rules Podcast, Adrian and Bri get brutally honest about… well, honesty. From pop culture moments like Love Island and social media virality to systemic mistrust in government and leadership, we trace the cultural shift that’s made authenticity feel more like a performance than a practice. We ask: Why do we praise vulnerability online but punish it in real life? What happens when we lose ourselves in the name of influence? Can we lead...
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E90: Lessons We Wish We Knew Earlier with Tyler Burns & Du’Bois A’Keen
The New Rules Podcast
In this powerful episode of The New Rules Podcast, recorded live at the Black Leadership Summit, Adrian and Bri are joined by two respected voices in leadership, Tyler Burns and Du’Bois A’Keen, for an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes conversation. They don’t offer platitudes or recycled leadership clichés. Instead, they get honest about the weight of responsibility, the danger of being platformed too early, and the tension between authenticity and expectation. Together, they reflect on their personal leadership journeys, the pressure of leading while being watched, and the internal work it...
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E89: Solving Problems Is the New Creativity
The New Rules Podcast
In a world where creativity is reserved for artists and leadership is reserved for extroverts, this episode challenges both assumptions. Adrian and Bri pull back the curtain on a deeper, more integrated view of creativity, one rooted not in flair, but in function. From basketball courts to boardrooms, from faith to finance, they explore how real creativity emerges, sometimes out of desperation. It’s about solving problems, building what’s missing, and refusing to wait for permission. Together, they tackle why most people underestimate their creative potential, how fear and anxiety suppress...
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E88: Glass House Leadership in a Divided America
The New Rules Podcast
We're confronting the reality of modern leadership in a politically divided, hyper-visible world. From the ICE raids in California to increasing polarization, the episode explores what it means to lead when every move is public, every opinion is politicized, and trust in leadership is eroding. We discuss “Terrarium Leadership,” a new era where leaders are fully visible, constantly observed, and expected to act with both authenticity and transparency. They unpack: Why real leadership is more scarce than ever. What happens when influence outpaces character. The tension of leading...
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E87: You Don’t Need to Be Loud to Lead
The New Rules Podcast
In a culture that equates influence with volume and leadership with visibility, this episode flips the script. Adrian Crawford unpacks a different kind of leadership—one that isn’t loud, flashy, or ego-driven. It's the leadership of presence, conviction, and consistency. The kind of leadership that doesn’t need to shout to be heard — because it holds the standard in silence. This conversation explores the cost of real leadership — not the external pressure, but the internal tension of leading with integrity when it would be easier to bend. It’s about the leaders who don’t need...
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E86: The Rules Are Changing: AI, Calling & Leadership
The New Rules Podcast
What happens when artificial intelligence changes the rules—and you don’t? In this episode, we explore how AI is redefining work, leadership, and purpose. It's not just about learning the tools. It’s about the mindset shift from fear to faith, from scarcity to abundance. From chasing a job to owning a calling. If you know your purpose, you can bring it to any platform. Any job. Any era. Whether you're a leader, creator, business owner, or builder — this conversation will challenge you to think bigger and move forward boldly. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today’s...
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E85: Leadership on the Line: Marty Linsky on the New Rules Podcast
The New Rules Podcast
Today we’re joined by our first-ever guest, the legendary Marty Linsky, co-author of Leadership on the Line, one of the most important leadership books we’ve ever read. In this candid conversation, Marty joins Adrian and Bri to unpack the raw, costly, and often misunderstood reality of leading in today’s world. Drawing from decades of experience in politics, academia, and coaching, he shares insights into: Why authority ≠ leadership How to lead without being liked Why real leadership always comes with pushback What Gen Z needs to know before they step up The #1 reason leaders...
info_outlineLeadership is a weight that many carry, but few truly understand. In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges, tensions, and motivations that shape leaders. From balancing vision with reality to finding purpose beyond the paycheck, we explore what it means to lead authentically in 2024.
Bri and Adrian unpack lessons learned about carrying the responsibility of leadership, defining authenticity, and why motivation matters more than ever. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting your journey, this episode will inspire you to embrace the challenges and find clarity in your purpose.
Key Takeaways:
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Carrying the Weight of Leadership:
Leadership isn’t about avoiding pressure—it’s about learning how to carry it well. We discuss how to stay grounded when the demands of leadership feel heavy and why it’s crucial to align your actions with your values. -
Purpose Over Paycheck:
Motivation matters. Leaders who are driven by a deeper purpose—not just financial or external rewards—create lasting impact. We explore how to uncover your “why” and use it as a guiding force in your leadership. -
Stewarding Well:
Leadership requires stewardship—of your time, your team, and your vision. We unpack what it means to manage resources wisely while keeping the bigger picture in mind. -
The Visionary-Integrator Balance:
Visionaries dream big, while integrators bring ideas to life. We dive into the tension between dreaming and doing, and how leaders can thrive in both roles or collaborate effectively with others who complement their strengths. -
Defining Authenticity in Leadership:
Authentic leadership requires resilience and clarity. We challenge the idea of perfection and discuss how being real with your team builds trust and long-term success. -
The Power of Reflection and Reset:
As the new year approaches, we share practical ways to reflect on your leadership journey and reset your priorities to move forward with clarity and purpose.
Reflection Questions:
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What drives your leadership—purpose, a paycheck, or something else?
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How do you navigate the tension between vision and execution?
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What’s one area of leadership you can improve on in 2024?
🎙️ Tune in to Episode 71: and discover what it takes to lead authentically and with purpose. Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
📲 Connect with Us:
Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how power and fear have played a role in your own leadership experiences.
Whether you are a corporate leader, parent, or any individual who finds themselves in a position of leadership - we hope this podcast brings you one step closer on the journey to becoming authentically yourself.
We'd love to hear your thoughts! After listening, don't forget to leave a comment on YouTube, leave a review, and share your favorite takeaways on social media.
More of a visual person?
You can WATCH today’s episode on our Youtube Channel:
Youtube: youtube.com/WriteNewRules
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Instagram: @writenewrules
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LinkedIn: Adrian Crawford