190. The Truth About Leadership No One Talks About! with Kipp Sorensen

Episode Summary:

In this vulnerable and transformational episode of The Fire Forged Leader, host Steve Baumgartner welcomes Kipp Sorensen, coach/mentor/leader. Together, they explore what it means to be a man who leads from the middle—caught between responsibility and burnout, between public success and private struggle.

Kipp shares his story of walking away from full-time ministry, wrestling with identity, and rebuilding a life of integrated wholeness—emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. His message is clear: your impact as a leader starts with who you are, not what you do.

This episode is a wake-up call to high-achieving men who’ve been performing, pleasing, and pushing… but are ready to lead from presence, not pressure.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why most leadership breakdowns begin with identity confusion
• How coaching differs from counseling—and why men often need both
• Kipp’s personal journey from burnout to building Undivided Life
• The performance trap: what it steals from men and how to break free
• Why emotional and spiritual health fuel lasting leadership
• How to show up whole—for your work, your marriage, and your kids
• Simple practices that build internal strength and self-awareness
• How God forges leaders through discomfort, not comfort

⏱️ Chapter Markers:

TimeChapter Title00:00 | 🎙️ Leading From the Middle: Kipp's Introduction
03:40 | ✝️ When Ministry Burns You Out
07:15 | 🧠 Coaching vs. Counseling: What's Missing for Men
11:02 | 🧍 The Masculine Soul: Who Are You Without the Role?
15:45 | 👨‍👧 Mistakes in Fatherhood & What They Reveal
21:30 | 🔥 Identity in Crisis: When You’ve Given Everything
26:00 | 🧭 Undivided Life: Why Men Need This Framework
30:40 | ❤️ Leading From Emotional Wholeness
35:10 | 🤝 Brotherhood vs. Performance: Choosing the Right Arena
39:50 | ⏳ Grounding Habits for Formed Leadership
44:10 | 💬 Final Challenge: Don’t Stay Half-Formed

🔗 Links & Resources:

• 🔥 Kipp’s Coaching + Retreats: www.kippsorensen.com
• 📲 Instagram: @kippsorensen
• 💼 Linktree (for events, resources & booking): linktr.ee/kippsorensen