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
🔗 Ready to Unlock Your Purpose and Restore the Order?
🔥 Apply to join the SACRED Code:
📩 DM "FORGE" to @realstevebaumgartner on Instagram or @SteveBaumgartner1975 on Facebook
You’ll be invited to a quick clarity call with Steve or a member of his team to see if The SACRED Code is the right fit for your mission.
---------
🔗 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @realSteveBaumgartner
Facebook: @SteveBaumgartner1975
LinkedIn: Steve Baumgartner
YouTube: @SacredGentlemen
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Two Guys, Five Rings: Matt, Bowen & The Olympics
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.