#394: Play, Prayer, and Culture: Joshua Johnson on Authentic Leadership and Living with Purpose

In Episode 394 of the Follow 2 Lead Podcast, Tony Miltenberger sits down with podcast host and creative leader Joshua Johnson for a vibrant conversation about playfulness, daily disciplines, and the importance of authenticity in leadership. Joshua shares how his calling—to see the Kingdom of God come on earth—shapes his approach to work, rest, and relationships. Drawing from his transformative experiences living in the Middle East, he unpacks the power of community, the challenges of reverse culture shock, and what it means to live with intentionality. From the value of Sabbath and centering prayer to the role of creativity and culture-shaping in the workplace, this episode is a refreshing call to lead with joy, vulnerability, and purpose. Key Takeaways: Joshua’s calling centers on bringing the Kingdom of God to earth. Playfulness is a creative and transformative force in leadership. Sabbath rest fuels clarity, grounding, and renewed vision. Centering prayer is a practice of spiritual presence and connection. Authenticity is essential for meaningful conversations and content creation. True community is vital in adapting to cultural shifts and transitions. Living in the Middle East fostered deep friendships and cross-cultural insight. Reverse culture shock presents unique emotional and relational challenges. Measuring culture means identifying what’s truly valued in a team or organization. Influencing workplace culture starts with small, authentic teams and shared values. https://www.shiftingculturepodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/shiftingculturepodcast/ Please check out our sponsors EBEB Solutions https://www.ebebsolutions.com/ Greg Fay Insurance: https://www.gregfayinsurance.com/ Trent Barga - The Barga Team Real Estate https://thebargateam.com https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateDownLine That Sounds Fun Network: https://thatsoundsfunnetwork.com/ Follow 2 Lead Coaching https://www.follow2leadcoaching.com/theboldones Tony on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/twmilt/ Check out our YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/@twmilt Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/follow-2-lead-a-christian-leaders-podcast/id1429933082 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices