Welcome back to the Inspiration Podcast!

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down one of the three foundational keys that has guided my approach to leadership for decades: Psychological Safety. From boardrooms to ballfields, I’ve seen that creating a space where people feel safe to show up authentically is essential—not just for performance, but for long-term trust and growth.

I take you back to a pivotal moment from my early leadership days, when a vulnerable team member opened up about his struggles—and how that moment changed everything for me. That conversation taught me more about connection, courage, and leadership than any textbook ever could.

Whether you lead a company, a team, a classroom, or a family, what I share today will inspire you to reexamine how you create (or miss) moments of psychological safety for the people around you.

🔑 Inside This Episode:

• The true meaning of psychological safety—and why it matters
• A powerful story from early in Stan’s leadership journey
• How vulnerability and performance go hand-in-hand
• Why consistency is a cornerstone of trust
• Practical ways to create safety and clarity for those you lead
• 🎯 Final Thought

Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about people. And when people feel seen, safe, and supported, they will surprise you every time. Let’s build teams and families where that kind of trust is the norm.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Intro: One of the 3 keys to leadership
• 01:15 – The importance of psychological safety
• 02:48 – A personal story about leading through vulnerability
• 05:30 – Why consistency builds trust and confidence
• 08:22 – Creating a safe space for people to speak up
• 10:40 – Final reflections and practical application

What happens after the standing ovation? When the lights dim, the medals are packed away, and the cheering stops—what’s next?

In this episode of The Inspiration Podcast, I sit down with Olympic gold medalist Carly Patterson Caldwell to talk about life beyond the podium. Carly’s story isn’t just about winning big—it’s about starting over, holding on to faith through personal storms, and discovering purpose that outlasts performance.

Carly Patterson knows what it means to win at the highest level. As the 2004 Olympic All-Around Champion in women’s gymnastics, she reached the top of her sport before she was even 17. But what happens when your defining chapter closes before adulthood even begins?

In our conversation, Carly shares the highs of her Olympic journey and the honest, lesser-known lows that followed—from injury and identity loss to starting over in music, marriage, and motherhood. We also talk about faith, fear, and how setbacks can become setups for something far more meaningful.

This episode is full of wisdom for athletes, dreamers, high achievers—and anyone trying to find joy and direction after a big life transition.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• What it took to go from 76th place to Olympic gold in just three years
• How Carly learned to handle pressure, nerves, and the weight of a nation watching
• Why post-Olympic life was harder than she expected—and how she rebuilt from it
• Carly’s take on “identity after achievement” and why it’s critical for lasting growth
• The role of faith, family, and her battle with postpartum depression
• Practical encouragement for anyone reinventing themselves after a major milestone
  
  

Links:

• https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com
• Carlyspeaks.com
• Carly's LI profile: linkedin.com/in/carly-patterson-a1b23a162

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Welcome and intro to Carly Patterson Caldwell
• 1:50 – From 76th to 1st: Carly’s early gymnastics journey
• 5:00 – Dealing with pressure and learning to perform under nerves
• 8:30 – The day she won Olympic gold—and how it really felt
• 10:45 – Life after the Olympics: the identity shift and letting go of gymnastics
• 13:00 – Carly’s music career: chasing a new dream and navigating setbacks
• 16:30 – Faith, motherhood, and learning to ask for help
• 20:00 – Carly’s journey through postpartum depression and the power of vulnerability
• 24:30 – Why your worth isn’t tied to your work or your wins
• 27:00 – Encouragement for others navigating big life transitions
• 30:00 – Final words of wisdom and how to stay connected with Carly

What if the most devastating moment of your life became the very thing that led you to your calling? This powerful conversation with Amanda Zwanziger is a story of paralysis—both physical and emotional—and the miraculous healing that transformed her life, her faith, and her purpose.

In today’s episode of the Inspiration Podcast, I sit down with Amanda Zwanziger—author, speaker, coach, and founder of the Paralyzed Movement. Her story is nothing short of breathtaking. After a tragic accident left her fiancé paralyzed, Amanda witnessed a miraculous healing that affirmed her faith and redirected her entire life. But Amanda’s story of paralysis didn’t start there—it began years earlier when she found herself emotionally stuck in a high-paying job, battling anxiety, and disconnected from her purpose. Through divine nudges (and a few spiritual two-by-fours), she discovered a calling to help others break free from what paralyzes them.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or like your best days are behind you, this episode will leave you filled with hope—and maybe even inspired to walk your own beach blindfolded.

Inside This Episode:

• Amanda’s powerful story of her husband’s paralysis and miraculous recovery
• The birth of the Paralyzed Movement and how emotional paralysis can be just as debilitating as physical
• Why control might be the very thing keeping you stuck
  Amanda’s vision of “ministry-preneurship” and how she brought her faith into her professional life
• Her journey from corporate burnout to Chamber CEO to prison ministry speaker
• The three powers that help us overcome anything: the human spirit, the Holy Spirit, and the spirit of community

Know someone who needs this message? Share this episode. And if you’re ready to step into your purpose—even if you’re scared—take that first step today. Connect with Amanda at amandamotivates.com or by email at info@amandamotivates.com.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Link For This Epiosde: The Paralyzed Movement: Find Purpose, Peace, and Freedom From the Things Paralyzing You in Life - https://www.amazon.com/Paralyzed-Movement-Purpose-Freedom-Paralyzing

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 - Welcome to Episode 7 + Meet Amanda Zwanziger
• 2:00 - Amanda’s unique path to Chamber CEO and the “seat she didn’t expect”
• 4:00 - Defining “ministry-preneurship” and how it started with a divine nudge
• 7:30 - The tragic ATV accident that changed everything
• 10:00 - The promise: “He will be healed” and Amanda’s peace in the chaos
• 15:00 - Todd’s spinal injury—and the miracle that followed
• 19:00 - The movement begins: community, prayer, and belief in the impossible
• 21:00 - A second miracle: Brad’s story from paralyzed to marathon runner
• 24:00 - Applying the same principles to emotional and psychological paralysis
• 29:00 - How Amanda’s corporate anxiety nearly broke her—and what saved her
• 32:00 - Proposing to Todd and starting a new journey
• 35:00 - The coaching that helped her find her true calling
• 40:00 - The beach walk: a literal blind journey of faith
• 44:30 - A second beach, 10 years later: realizing God’s promise came true
• 46:00 - Becoming the person she was always meant to be
• 48:00 - Amanda’s mission to help those in prison find emotional freedom
• 51:00 - The breadcrumbs that led to her current work
• 53:00 - A full-circle moment from prison security systems to prison ministry
• 55:00 - Where to find Amanda’s book and how to bring her to your stage
• 57:00 - Final encouragement and Stan’s reflections