Podcast Episode

Spartan Leadership with Josh Kosnick

Why High Performers Burn Out Even When They Win | Stephen Scoggins

Feb 10, 2026 Episode 241

Josh Kosnick

In this episode of Spartan Leadership, Josh sits down with Stephen Scoggins to unpack what actually causes burnout, why success without integration costs leaders their families and peace, and how to become the kind of leader who can scale without losing meaning.

Stephen shares his journey from homelessness to building and exiting a multi-decade company, why most exits lead to depression, and the framework he uses to help leaders move from emotional reactivity to grounded presence.

This conversation goes deep into:

– Why your external business reflects your internal world
– The five hidden constraints that sabotage leaders
– The difference between being “successful” and being whole
– What it really means to lead as one part lion, one part lamb
– Why presence matters more than performance
– How faith, identity, and leadership intersect

If you’re a founder, executive, high performer, or leader who feels like something is still missing — this episode will put language to what you’ve been feeling.

👉 Free leadership assessment from Stephen:
https://stephenscoggins.com/leader

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Why burnout isn’t about workload
02:10 – Stephen’s story: from homelessness to leadership
04:45 – You can’t scale dysfunction
07:12 – Leadership is a lifelong maturation process
10:38 – The five constraints that sabotage leaders
13:01 – Why impatience isn’t the problem — presence is
17:19 – The “warrior in the garden” framework
20:00 – One part lion, one part lamb
23:17 – Loving the parts of yourself you resist
25:16 – The daily mantra that rewires identity
29:06 – Why most leaders seek validation in the wrong places
31:17 – The real cost of fragmented leadership
32:54 – Why success without meaning leads to depression
35:30 – What children actually want from their parents
39:15 – Why exits are emotionally dangerous
41:20 – How to prepare for life after selling a business
45:40 – An unpopular truth about victimhood and identity
47:23 – Stephen’s leadership assessment and next steps