”Brick by brick”: Building an ordered life through grit with Chris Spangle on Leading Adam

Hosts Adam Binkerd and Erika Crabtree open season three of Leading Adam with a deeply personal conversation with Chris Spangle—director of digital content at IBJ, former Bob & Tom digital lead, and longtime host of The Chris Spangle Show. Spangle shares his journey from early success in radio and podcasting to a season of loss, depression, and faith that reshaped his life. He talks candidly about therapy, breaking unhealthy cycles, and choosing family over workaholism. A podcast editor, co-host of The Patdown and featured juror on BET’s Ms. Pat Settles It, he shares where he thinks media is heading. This episode sets the tone for a season focused on “leading inward,” exploring grit, resilience, and the quiet work of building an “ordered life” brick by brick. Follow him on YouTube here: @ChrisSpangleShow

https://youtu.be/S0LA9jqS7v0

Please support our work now on Patreon or Substack at ⁠Chris-Spangle.com⁠.

00:00 Intro & New Season Kickoff

01:07 New Set, New Energy

02:04 Introducing Chris Spangle

05:56 Why Chris? Production & Connection

08:30 Season 3: Leading Inward

13:01 Chris's Journey: Podcasting & Growth

20:53 The Granular Skills That Built a Career

24:53 Getting Personal: Lessons from Childhood

31:31 Finding Grit in Insecurity

38:56 Faith, Recovery, and Second Chances

44:52 Formulas for Values & the Ordered Life

50:59 Balance, Vocational Choices & Family

01:00:10 Building Community & The Future of Relationships

01:13:02 Parenting, Role Models & Generational Growth

01:18:10 Authenticity, Judgment, and Social Barriers

01:21:31 Lessons Learned & Season Wrap-up

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