Your Authentic Executive Podcast

Episode 6 - Stephen Barbee, Prison Fellowship Field Director

Janyne Peek Emsick, Ph.D. Season 1 Episode 6

How Redemption, Resilience, and Brokenness Feed the Multitude 

Our newest episode is out now! 

In Episode 6 of Your Authentic Executive, we sit down with Stephen Barbee—a former All-American athlete, mentor, and founder of Passion to Purpose Ministries. Stephen transformed his life from crack addiction and incarceration to finding a meaningful purpose, developing a faith-driven life, and inspiring leadership. Stephen’s story is a raw, powerful testimony of redemption and resilience, proving that transformation is not only possible—it’s contagious.

 Key Takeaways from this Episode: 

Redemption Starts with a Choice – Stephen shares the moment he hit rock bottom, asked three hard questions, and chose to change the trajectory of his life. 

“Where am I? How did I get here? And where am I going?”


You Can’t Heal What You Won’t Face – Whether in a prison cell or a classroom, Stephen teaches that growth requires courage, accountability, and honesty.

Your Brokenness Feeds the Multitude – Stephen shows how your story—especially the hardest chapters—can be someone else’s roadmap.

“It’s not my wholeness that feeds people. It’s my brokenness.”


Leadership is Often Planted in Crisis – From a team captain in high school to a mentor in federal prison, Stephen reflects on how his leadership took root in the most unexpected places.
 
Powerful Quotes from the Episode:

 “Changing my location didn’t change me. I brought my addiction with me.”

“It’s not because of my all-American status that people listen to me. It’s because of my brokenness.”

"I had to go inward before I could go outward."

"Pride will keep you in your addiction much longer than you desire."


Your Authentic Executive Podcast

Authentic Leadership | Profound Stories | Proven Lessons

Hosted by Janyne Peek Emsick, Ph.D.

For SPARKS! sneak peeks of each full episode, follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janynepeekemsick/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janyneyourexecutivecoach/

You can also listen to our podcast on-the-go now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hf8dKgOS9jniNdmfg1i8q?si=4ded7c1ab5c0440a

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-authentic-executive-podcast/id1794646555

Thank you so much to Stephen Barbee for taking time to deliver such valuable insight to fellow executives!

Follow him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/l-stephen-barbee-a3362450/

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more Your Authentic Executive Podcast content every month! 

Your Authentic Executive Podcast

Authentic Leadership | Profound Stories | Proven Lessons

Hosted by Janyne Peek Emsick, Ph.D.

For SPARKS! sneak peeks of each full episode, follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janynepeekemsick/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janyneyourexecutivecoach/

You can also listen to our podcast on-the-go now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hf8dKgOS9jniNdmfg1i8q?si=4ded7c1ab5c0440a

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-authentic-executive-podcast/id1794646555

Thank you so much to Kimberly Cappellano for taking time to deliver such valuable insight to fellow executives!

Follow her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-cappellano/

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more Your Authentic Executive Podcast content every month!