Greg and I have enjoyed bringing you quality leadership content this year and we look forward to another great year ahead.
If you want to catch up on all our leadership conversations, check out the full library of Craig and Greg Show episodes.
Links & Quotes
December 20, 2025 — Craig T. Owens
When people start throwing mud at you, your natural response is to throw the mud back at them or to run away so the mud can’t reach you. Instead of the natural fight-or-flight response, Jesus shows us a supernatural response. I talk about all sorts of attacks—gossip, slander, betrayal, and more—in my book When Sheep Bite as well as the supernatural, biblical response to these attacks.
I have a lot of new video content on my YouTube channel every week. Please check it out and subscribe so you don’t miss anything.
“The minute you start talking about what you’re going to do if you lose, you have lost.” —George Schultz
“A decent picture of good leadership: Air-traffic controllers have authority, but they use their authority to enable others to fly.” This is a thoughtful post, but as frequent visitors to my blog might expect, I prefer the term shepherd leader over servant leader.
This post recounts some of the stories people told of how Charles Spurgeon’s sermons led them from the bad news to the Good News. Spurgeon himself noted, “If you really long to save men’s souls, you must tell them a great deal of disagreeable truth. The preaching of the wrath of God has come to be sneered at nowadays, and even good people are half-ashamed of it; a maudlin sentimentality about love and goodness has hushed, in great measure, plain gospel expostulations and warnings. But, if we expect souls to be saved, we must declare unflinchingly with all affectionate fidelity, the terrors of the Lord.”
“Men have not got tired of Christianity; they have never found enough Christianity to get tired of.” —G.K Chesterton
“Advancing the Kingdom economy is not exactly a cakewalk. It’s hard work, like running a marathon, going to war against spiritual adversaries, cultivating a field, or embarking on a long and arduous journey. We may expect to encounter many obstacles and challenges along the way as we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. … We must neither run from these challenges nor give in to them. Instead, advancing the Kingdom economy requires that we face evil head-on, and determine to overcome it by good works of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17-19).” Check out the rest of T.M. Moore’s post Overcoming Evil.
The Craig And Greg Show: Take Them With You
December 11, 2025 — Craig T. OwensListen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.
In a previous episode we brought you the exciting news that Greg and I are collaborating to write a series of books called Business By The Book. In today’s episode, we revisit the first book in this series—A CEO’s Vision—and discuss how once the vision has been cast the next vital step is to bring your team along with you.
- [0:00] Introduction
- [0:11] I welcome Greg to an exclusive club!
- [0:49] We show why we think we are over-achievers.
- [2:00] Leaders need to take others along with them, transitioning from “I” to “we.”
- [4:39] How do leaders handle the frustration of a slow-moving team?
- [6:51] How we wrote “Business by the Book” for a CEO who is casting vision.
- [7:11] The importance a leader going first.
- [10:53] Be realistic with your team about the challenges ahead.
- [11:49] How do leaders handle doubts or questions from their teammates?
- [14:37] Leaders need to know the pitfalls of casting vision.
- [16:59] Watch out for the things that will distract from your vision!
- [20:25] The courage to take the first step is vital.
- [22:03] Leaders need to help the stragglers catch up with everyone else on the team.
- [23:23] The last crucial step is for leaders to move forward confidently.
- [24:31] Maximize Leadership has a lot of resources to help you on your leadership journey.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Links & Quotes
December 6, 2025 — Craig T. Owens
When the Holy Spirit shines His light on a biblical promise, and you turn that into a prayer, write it down! You may need to go back to this again and again. When God answers your prayer, write it down again! This can become a testimony journal that you and others can use to recall God’s provision.
I have a lot of new video content on my YouTube channel every week. Please check it out and subscribe so you don’t miss anything.
“The pathway to maturity and to solid biblical food is not first becoming an intelligent person, but becoming an obedient person.” —John Piper
“Somehow or other an extraordinary idea has arisen that the disbelievers in miracles consider them coldly and fairly, while believers in miracles accept them only in connection with some dogma. The fact is quite the other way. The believers in miracles accept them (rightly or wrongly) because they have evidence for them. The disbelievers in miracles deny them (rightly or wrongly) because they have a doctrine against them.” —G.K. Chesterton
“At every moment, we always have a choice, even if it feels as if we don’t. Sometimes that choice may simply be to think a more positive thought.” —Tina Turner
Every day should be a day of thanksgiving!
“We are strangers on Earth; our homeland is in Heaven. Our walk is here; our hearts are there.” —Dr. Henry Halley
Did Jesus “confess” He was God? J. Warner Wallace says He did, but not as some people define the word “confession.”
I have already shared the first two posts in the latest archeological research on the biblical city of Jericho. Here is part three.
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” —Pelé
“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one who gets people to do the greatest things.” —Ronald Reagan
Eliminating Toxicity
November 20, 2025 — Craig T. OwensListen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.
On an episode of The Craig and Greg Show, Greg and I discussed some toxic behaviors that can creep into your workplace and cause major discord. Two attitudes to watch out for are confidence without humility, and humility without confidence.
Check out this full Craig and Greg Show episode here.
And check out my Shepherd Leadership book where I dive into this topic in greater depth.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The Craig And Greg Show: Leadership Lessons From Veterans
November 11, 2025 — Craig T. OwensListen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.
The entire Maximize team loves our veterans! Those that volunteer to serve and protect our nation deserve our utmost respect, and we honor their sacrifice. In today’s episode Greg and I discuss the leadership lessons we have learned from veterans—some directly and others by simply observing the way our nation’s protectors conduct themselves. Join us as we salute the contributions of veterans!
- [0:00] Introduction
- [0:15] One of our favorite days of the year
- [1:08] Leadership lesson #1 from veterans: Sacrifice
- [2:28] Leadership lesson #2: Selflessness
- [4:12] Leadership lesson #3: Camaraderie
- [5:33] Leadership lesson #4: Organization in planning and training
- [8:52] Leadership lesson #5: Emotionally invested
- [9:31] Leadership lesson #6: Training in action
- [11:18] Leadership lesson #7: Communication skills
- [12:53] Leadership lesson #8: A bigger cause—a heritage of service
- [15:41] Leadership lesson #9: A visible leadership style
- [17:27] Greg’s salute to veterans
- [19:02] Our challenge to our audience
Links & Quotes
November 8, 2025 — Craig T. OwensWhen you are waiting for God to fulfill His promise, keep watching with a smile. Let your childlike trust become your testimony as you entrust yourself to your heavenly Father.
I have a lot of new video content on my YouTube channel every week. Please check it out and subscribe so you don’t miss anything.
“The case for the reliability of the New Testament Gospel eyewitness accounts is dependent on the trustworthiness of its authors. In cold-case criminal trials, eyewitness accounts are typically evaluated through the lens four critical questions.” J. Warner Wallace then gives a succinct overview of each of these four questions and the evidence supporting them.
“One can sometimes do good by being the right person in the wrong place.” —G.K. Chesterton
“A great leader never sets himself above his followers except in carrying responsibility.” —Jules Ormont
“There is a great difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees a problem, and a concerned person solves a problem.” —Harold Stephens
Personal Vision Comes First
November 6, 2025 — Craig T. OwensListen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.
Before a leader can cast a compelling vision for an organization, he or she has to be living a compelling personal vision. Greg and I explain why this is an indispensable first step.
https://youtube.com/shorts/bqnLzYp4VN8?feature=share
This clip is from an episode of The Craig and Greg Show where we are discussing the first book in our new series of books called Business by the Book. The first book is What the Bible says about a CEO’s vision-casting.
Check out my other podcasts, my books, and so much more by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Links & Quotes
November 1, 2025 — Craig T. Owens
We have a culture where respect for others is eroding quickly. The Bible makes it clear that reverence for God results in respect for people, and respect for people helps us reverence the God who created them.
I have a lot of new video content on my YouTube channel every week. Please check it out and subscribe so you don’t miss anything.
AI models can develop brain rot just as assuredly as humans can. You are what you consume!
“The real great man is the man who makes every man feel great.” —G.K. Chesterton
Dr. Louis A. Markos has an insightful article on the works of C.S. Lewis that help us learn how to stay human. “Christians today who are committed to restoring a proper view of man have an ally in the greatest apologist of the twentieth century, C.S. Lewis (1898–1963). Though Lewis offers much help in his best-known apologetics books (Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce) and his beloved Chronicles of Narnia, we would do well to expand our reading of Lewis to include his searing critique of modern educational philosophy (The Abolition of Man) and his anthropologically incisive science fiction novels, The Ransom (or Cosmic) Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength.”
The ICR has an article about a fascinating new dinosaur that was unearthed. “Even now in the twenty-first century, paleontologists are still at a loss as to the origin of the dinosaurs. As recently as 2024, five evolutionists stated, ‘Today, inspired by clues from fossils and footprints from a lost world, scientists continue to piece together the puzzle of how various dinosaur groups arose, behaved, and diversified.’ In contrast, the creation model argues that all dinosaur kinds were created during the same period—specifically on Day 6 of the creation week—several thousand years ago. From this perspective, the lack of definitive transitional forms or ancestral precursors in the fossil record aligns with the expectation that dinosaur kinds appeared fully formed and distinct, as observed in the fossil record.”
Axis’ Culture Translator discusses an article posted in Harper’s: “Many have written about how porn warps the expectations users have for relationships; this article demonstrates that, for young men in particular, pornography is often willingly embraced as a complete replacement for human connection. … Woven throughout this subculture is also conscious self-degradation; as the Harper’s article points out, ‘ruin your mind,’ ‘go deeper,’ and ‘give up on life’ are embraced as the movement’s rallying cries. Many young men and women are trapped in this spiritual prison, convinced there is nothing better to live for. Who will show them the way out?” Two helpful resources are Fight The New Drug and Pure Desire.
Leaders need to learn that disagreement on your team is normal and can be healthy. Disagreement doesn’t mean people distrust their leader, but it may mean that they want the bring out the best in their leader. Check out the full conversation Greg and I had on this subject.
The Craig And Greg Show: Disagreeing Is Not Disagreeable
October 30, 2025 — Craig T. OwensListen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.
We can all agree that disagreeable people are some of the hardest to work with, constantly shooting down ideas without providing anything constructive in return. These types of people can quickly put a strain on any organization if left unchecked. However, we need to be careful not to lump disagreement into the category of disagreeable. In this episode Greg and I discuss why people in disagreement are actually the exact opposite of disagreeable, and are a valuable asset to your organization.
- [0:00] Introduction
- [1:02] A strong quote about “no men” from Dick Brogden—“Strong leaders respect and need ‘no’ men. It is weak leaders who surround themselves with the ever agreeable. Unity requires honorable disagreement. Otherwise, you don’t have unity; you just have uniformity.”
- [2:06] Disagreeing people are not necessarily troublemakers.
- [2:59] What bothers me about disagreeable people?
- [3:49] Opinions vs facts have to be considered to determine if someone is disagreeable vs disagreeing.
- [4:36] Leaders are required to listen more to people who disagree with them.
- [7:00] Many new leaders mistakenly treat disagreeable people as an enemy.
- [8:44] Greg and I share how we misunderstood disagreeing people early on in our leadership journey.
- [11:04] Leaders need some thoughtful boundaries for disagreeable people.
- [13:28] How many times do we call someone disagreeable when they are simply disagreeing with us?
- [15:53] Make sure disagreeable people don’t dominate the conversation in meetings.
- [16:48] I apply a proverb from the Bible to disagreeing people.
- [18:35] Leaders need to guard against defensiveness when people disagree with them.
- [19:52] Greg shares a great quote to wrap up our discussion.
- [20:36] A leadership coach can help you sort out the disagreeing from the disagreeable.
My book When Sheep Bite is a great resource for dealing with people who are disagreeing to the point of becoming disagreeable. Check it out!
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