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121: Dr. Steve Graves — Work-Life Balance Tools to Win at Home and at Work

March 28, 2025 by Cal Walters in Intentional Living

The views expressed on this podcast and page are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or endorsement of the US Army, DoD, or the US Government.

In this episode of the Intentional Leader Podcast, Cal speaks with CEO coach Steve Graves about the intricacies of leadership, coaching, and achieving a balanced life. They explore the importance of holistic coaching, the courage required to make tough decisions, and the significance of understanding one's capacity threshold. Through personal anecdotes and frameworks, they discuss how leaders can align their professional and personal lives to lead with intention and purpose.

Steve Graves grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, back before the casinos took over the beachfront. Even in high school, he sensed a unique calling—a blend of business and theology that often puzzled his mentors and peers. But that tension became a lifelong pursuit. After attending two colleges and four graduate schools, Steve emerged with a goal: to become intellectually ambidextrous—with a theology book in one hand and the Harvard Business Review in the other.

Though he’s an avid reader, Steve’s deepest learning has always come from observing and listening. Early on, he sought out mentors, soaking up wisdom and insight from a patchwork of generous leaders who shaped his path. It took time to find his true lane—the intersection of passion, gifting, and calling that also provided for his family. But by his early thirties, he found it. He discovered that at his core, he’s a strategist, encourager, connector, and content developer.

Around that time, he partnered with his friend Tom to launch a company called Cornerstone—after months of napkin sketches and early morning breakfasts. Over the next three decades, they built an international consulting firm, launched and sold a magazine (Life@Work), wrote a dozen books, and worked with leaders across every imaginable industry. They also endured their fair share of failures, financial droughts, and cloudy days—experiences that shaped Steve’s leadership as much as the wins.

About 15 years ago, Steve made two important shifts. First, he began working with younger leaders and added a not-for-profit element to his portfolio—serving on boards like Praxis and Q to stay sharp and connected at the intersection of faith and culture. Second, he unintentionally stepped into ownership across several businesses, from sports media to analytics. That dual role—consultant and operator—has given Steve a unique perspective and allowed him to keep producing content along the way.

Today, Steve lives in Northwest Arkansas, a region he’s called home for over 35 years. It’s a place of rivers, bike trails, and just enough development for the occasional traffic jam. He and his wife Karen enjoy life with their now-married adult children. Steve says he has the job he designed—one where tough days leave him with no one to blame but himself. He still loves the work, the people he serves, and if he could just find a little more time to fish, life would be just about perfect.


If you’re interested in discovering your core values and becoming a more self-aware and emotionally intelligent leader, I’ve built the perfect course to help you get there. Check out my Discover Your Core Values Mini Course, where I coach you through 3 exercises of guided reflection and help you uncover your core values in a way that you can apply them right away.

March 28, 2025 /Cal Walters
work-life balance, emotional intelligence, intentional, courage, clarity
Intentional Living
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83: Mike Bassett — On Getting Out of the Ditch, Overcoming Shame, and Finding Redemption

March 02, 2022 by Cal Walters in Servant Leadership, Intentional Living, Leadership

Unapologetically passionate and transparent, Mike Bassett has never stopped believing in the power of his team, truth, and doing the next good thing. He is a civil litigation attorney who has practiced law for nearly four decades. In 2002 he founded The Bassett Firm, a Dallas-based boutique law firm specializing in defending catastrophic injury cases.

Mike has tried nearly 200 cases to verdict and is a highly sought-after national speaker, consultant, and mediator. He is also the host and co-creator of the Podcast, Legal Grounds: Conversations on Life, Leadership, and Law, whose guests have included everyone from bishops to military leaders and New York Times bestselling authors.

In his time as an attorney, Mike has embraced the hard path of grace and believes in second chances as much as he believes in honesty to his clients.

On this episode, we discuss his new book, The Man in the Ditch: A Redemption Story for Today.

The Man in The Ditch is a story about undeserved privilege, unlimited potential, hard work, and hustle. A story about self-inflicted wounds, hubris, insecurity, shame, and abandonment. A story, ultimately, about the Operation of Divine Grace that manifests itself as unapologetic joy. 

And while this is a story told by a lawyer, father, husband, and practicing Catholic, it is a story for all of us. A story that teaches us that our darkest moments don't define us, but have the power to radically change us for the worse or for the better. 

The Ditch will break us, but in that brokenness lies the potential for raw and radical transformation. 

Do we stay stuck in darkness, or do we overcome it? And once we overcome it, how do we emerge? Bitter and beaten down, or a stronger, better version of ourselves?

The Man in The Ditch: A Redemption Story for Today
By Bassett, Mike H
 

Are you interested in writing a book or finding your voice online?

Alexandra Davis at Davis Legal Media can help! She helped Mike make his book a reality.


If you’re interested in growing in your leadership practice and being inspired to think differently and unlock greater personal potential, we want to give you a gift. Just click the link below and tell us where to send you 12 Ideas That Will Make You A Better Leader In 2022.


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March 02, 2022 /Cal Walters
resilience, grit, failure, silence, solitude, shame, vulnerability, courage, redemption, grace
Servant Leadership, Intentional Living, Leadership
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#58: Adam Carr — How Warriors Find Peace with Vulnerability and Community

March 02, 2021 by Cal Walters in Intentional Living, Leadership

Today's episode is very special.  According to the Department of Veteran's Affair, 20 veterans a day commit suicide.  Mental health doesn't just affect veterans.  It is an epidemic, and my guest today, Adam Carr, has dedicated his life to helping returning warriors find a better path.  Adam is the Executive Director of Save a Warrior.  Save A Warrior is an original, Warrior-led, well-grounded and timeless journey for active duty military, returning veterans and first responders who feel desperately alone.

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This episode is brought to you by HigherEchelon, Inc. HigherEchelon is a leadership development & organizational performance consulting firm providing human capital and technology services to optimize performance. HigherEchelon can help prepare your organization to meet the rapidly changing, complex and often ambiguous requirements of today’s world by developing Resilient and Adaptive leaders, modernizing and enhancing processes, and implementing transformational technology solutions. Visit HigherEchelon.com to connect with the amazing team at Higher Echelon and learn more about how they can help you and your team.


Save A Warrior is an original, Warrior-led, well-grounded and timeless journey for active duty military, returning veterans and first responders who feel desperately alone. Give them a week and you will change the way you see - and live - your life.

They provide counseling services in the fields of mental health and wellness, suicide prevention and post-traumatic stress to veterans, military personnel, police, firefighters and other first responders. Their program is an alternative, warrior-led, holistic service that equips veterans, military personnel, police, firefighters and other first responders with a community of support and effective techniques to overcome the symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress and suicidal ideations.

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Today, I’m honored to bring you my interview with the Executive Director of Save a Warrior, Adam Carr. Adam (Cohort 035) has over 12 years of service in the U.S. Army. As a Special Forces Green Beret, Adam hunted Al Qaeda operatives, developed intelligence networks, conducted diplomatic relations, and briefed Ambassadors and Generals on Geopolitical environments. In 2006, Adam earned his B.A. in Security and Intelligence from The Ohio State University. He spent the next eight years deploying to Asia, including Operation Enduring Freedom - The Philippines and Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan. Adam's passion comes from a deep-rooted desire to serve others and save lives.

Adam has been profoundly affected over the loss of his teammates, mentors, and close friends to suicide. He currently speaks to students, corporations, and a wide variety of audiences all over the country. He has over 20 years of leadership and managerial experience and is a Business Coach for MBA Students at The Ohio State University. Adam is a graduate of the Ignite Program at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Adam earned his MBA at The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business and was selected as the Most Outstanding Student of his 2019 MBA Cohort. Adam is also the Co-Founder of the Western Zen, an organization providing leadership services to the private sector. Adam lives in Dublin, OH with his wife Tarah and their three children, Noah, Jonah, and Norah.

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On this episode, we dive into Adam’s story of struggle after transitioning out of the military and how he came to discover Save a Warrior. We talk about the transformative approach Adam and his team take to change the lives of warriors and first responders through their retreats and pull out some of the practical tools that all of us can use to become more resilient and healthy leaders. We also discuss the power of vulnerability and community.

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Since 1979, 263,000 veteran suicides have occurred, which totals more than the lives lost in World War I, the Korean War and the Vietnam War combined. In add...

FROM SAW FOUNDER RONALD "JAKE" CLARK

In April of 2012, when my father was still alive, I shared with him an idea for solving the epidemic of Veteran suicide, an idea to connect with those who had lost all hope; an idea he admitted was novel and inspiring; an idea whose time had come. After listening to all of his fatherly concerns, after overcoming his objections as to why I shouldn't commit my life to this cause, the Vietnam era Marine said to me,

"YOU KNOW, IF YOU JUST SAVE ONE… IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT"

His words were music to my ears. Save A Warrior™ was born. Although the challenge is daunting, my dad was right. They are worth it.

EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. 

Since that conversation of "just saving one," hundreds now share how Save A Warrior™ saved their life. Just Save One™ is ideal for gifting something truly meaningful to someone who has already given so much for others: their LIFE! You can give them back their life !!! 

Through Just Save One™, you can provide a scholarship for ONE Warrior's life-changing experience. Your tax deductible contribution includes an opportunity to connect with the life you touch, to learn firsthand the difference you made for them and their family. Only your generosity will provide the difference; perhaps a lifesaving difference.  

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Listen to some of our most popular episodes here!

Help us grow by leaving a rating or review on Apple Podcasts

Help us close the gap in leadership instruction by partnering with us financially at Patreon

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March 02, 2021 /Cal Walters
Post-traumatic stress, vulnerability, courage, community, declarations
Intentional Living, Leadership
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#57: Scotty Smiley — Hope Unseen

February 15, 2021 by Cal Walters in Intentional Living, Leadership

The definition of hope is "to expect with confidence," but what do you do when you've lost confidence in everything? When you've watched your dreams go up in smoke? When you feel isolated from those you love and you start to question the God you've built your life around?

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The definition of hope is “to expect with confidence,” but what do you do when you’ve lost confidence in everything? When you’ve watched your dreams go up in smoke? When you feel isolated from those you love and you start to question the God you’ve built your life around?

How do you find confidence when all the things you had confidence in lay shattered all around you?

Blindness became Major Scotty Smiley’s journey of supreme testing. As he lay helpless in the hospital, he resented the theft of his dreams—becoming a CEO, a Delta Force operator, or a four-star general. With his wife Tiffany’s love and the support of his family and friends, Scotty’s response became God’s transforming moment.

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Scotty Smiley is from from Pasco, a small city in Washington State. After high school he attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. After four great years, he graduated and moved to Fort Benning, Georgia and attended Infantry Officer Basic Course and Ranger School. Soon after he moved to Fort Lewis, Washington where he led a 45 man Platoon.  

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In 2005 while leading his Platoon in Mosul, Iraq, Scotty found himself in front of a suicide car bomb.  After the man blew himself up, shrapnel blew through Scotty’s eyes leaving him blinded and temporarily paralyzed, he woke up in Walter Reed Army Medical Center a week later. Though questioning his faith, Scotty made a decision to forgive and rebuild his life and continue to serve in the Army, becoming the first blind active-duty officer in military history.

The Army Times named Scotty “Soldier of the Year” in 2007 and in 2008 he won an ESPY as the world’s Best Outdoor Athlete. After receiving a Master of Business Administration from Duke University, Scotty taught the core course in leadership at West Point and then commanded the Warrior Transition Unit at West Point’s Keller Army Medical Center. Scotty is a recipient of the Army’s prestigious MacArthur Leadership Award and holds an honorary PhD from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY.  In 2010, Scotty received a Father of the Year award in New York and in 2011 received the Christopher Award for all he has given and continues to give.

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Since then, Scotty attended the Maneuver Captain Career Course in Fort Benning, Georgia, and then moved to Spokane, Washington where he held a position with the Gonzaga University ROTC Department, teaching and mentoring America’s future leaders.  

After many years of service, Scotty retired from the military in 2015. Over his military career Major (Retired) Smiley received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart; Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Airborne Wings and Combat Diver Qualification Badge.

He currently works with the capital markets department at Drexel Hamilton out of New York as an investment banker for corporations and banks around the world.

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With a passion for using his story to build hope in this world, Scotty authored Hope Unseen in 2010 and now travels all over the country speaking and sharing his message of perseverance, courage and hope.

He is an avid adventurer and has completed the Coeur d’Alene Iron Man, climbed Mt Rainer, gone skydiving, surfing and is always looking for his next chance to try something new.

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Scotty is married to his high school sweetheart, Tiffany and the couple lives in Spokane and are the proud parents of Grady Douglas, Graham Elliott, and Baylor Scott.

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Tiffany and Scotty are an amazing team, committed to making the world better. Through More Than Me, Tiffany does incredible work with woman all over the world. You can also learn more about Tiffany and her work at TiffanySmiley.com

On this episode, we barely scratch the surface into Scotty’s amazing story of resilience, perseverance, and courage. I highly recommend the book Scotty wrote with Doug Crandall. Below is the link to the book:

Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
By Smiley, Cap. Scotty

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Partner with us financially at Patreon

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February 15, 2021 /Cal Walters
hope unseen, perseverance, courage
Intentional Living, Leadership
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#7: Live Courageously - 5 Principles to Face Your Fears and Be More Alive

November 13, 2019 by Cal Walters in Intentional Living

When we think of courage, we often think of giant figures that have changed the world -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill, Soldiers on the battlefield -- but courage is required of all of us if we want to achieve our potential and live the life we are called to live.   In this episode, Cal passionately discusses 5 principles to live a life of courage and to overcome the fear that so often paralyzes us from walking into a more abundant and fulfilled life.   Life is short, let's make it count!

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When we think of courage, we often think of giant figures that have changed the world -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill, Soldiers on the battlefield -- but courage is required of all of us if we want to achieve our potential and live the life we are called to live.  

In this episode, Cal passionately discusses 5 principles to live a life of courage and to overcome the fear that so often paralyzes us from walking into a more abundant and fulfilled life.  

Life is short, let's make it count!


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November 13, 2019 /Cal Walters
courage, fear, vulnerability
Intentional Living
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