The L3 Leadership Podcast with Doug Smith
The L3 Leadership Podcast is focused on leadership development and personal growth. We are obsessed with helping you grow to your maximum potential and maximizing the impact of your leadership. We release a new episode every week to help you grow and develop as a leader. You will hear a mix of personal lessons from our Founder, Doug Smith, and conversations Doug has with world-class leaders from around the world. Doug interviews leaders like Pittsburgh Steelers Coach, Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Penguins Coach, Mike Sullivan, Tony Horton, Liz Wiseman, Brian Tome, John Mark Comer, Mark Batterson, Ryan Hawk, Nona Jones, Claude Silver, Ken Coleman, Christy Wright, Rachel Cruze, Mark Cole, and many more. Our hope is that you will not only learn great leadership lessons but that you will catch great leadership from the lives of the leaders that we expose you to.
Episodes
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith shares Part 2 of his annual reflection series, unpacking the final ten lessons he learned in 2025 and how they are shaping his leadership moving into 2026. Drawing from real conversations, leadership challenges, faith, and personal growth, Doug challenges leaders to rethink success, create margin, embrace hard seasons, and recognize the significance of the work ...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith kicks off part one of his annual reflection series, sharing the most significant lessons he learned in 2025 and how they’re shaping his leadership in 2026. Drawing from his year-end review process, Doug offers honest insights on health, family, leadership presence, fatherhood, faith, and the unseen weight leaders carry.
⏱️ Episode Breakdown
00:...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, host Doug Smith sits down with returning guest Jeremy Pryor, founder of Family Teams, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, family, faith, and legacy. Jeremy shares how viewing the family as a team—not a temporary stage of life—can reshape how leaders think about generational impact.
00:00 – Welcome to the L3 Leadership Podcast
01:00 – Introducing Jer...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, host Doug Smith shares his year-end review process, which has been a cornerstone of his personal growth since 2004. Doug discusses the importance of reflecting on the year gone by to foster growth and documents his detailed approach to conducting a comprehensive year-end review. He includes practical tips and encourages creating a personalized review system. Additionally, ...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith delivers a reflective, practical lesson on leadership gifts worth sharing—especially when life gets busy. Using the backdrop of the holiday season, Doug unpacks a curated gift guide through the lens of leadership, family, personal growth, and mindful presence. He reminds leaders that tools, systems, and intentional habits don’t replace the...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith talks with Peter Ostapko, co-founder of Kinsman Journal and leader of the growing Kinsman community in Springfield, Missouri. Peter shares his journey from a career in banking to launching gatherings designed to help men find authentic brotherhood, friendship, and faith-driven connection.
Together they discuss the loneliness epidemic among leaders, why ...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug sits down with Matt Higgins, Executive Director of Hope Children’s Home in Tampa, Florida. Matt shares the powerful mission of providing a loving home and education to children from difficult circumstances, along with their new Bundles of Hope initiative that gives mothers in crisis pregnancies the gift of time and support.
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Episo...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith shares a personal lesson on 9 Ways to Develop Your Character. As Doug explains, character development is the most important development for any leader—because without integrity, everything else eventually crumbles. Drawing from his own journey and the wisdom of mentors, Doug outlines nine practical and powerful ways to strengthen your character so that you can l...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith interviews Rob Dube, author of Shine: How Looking Inward is the Key to Unlocking True Entrepreneurial Freedom, co-written with Gino Wickman. Rob shares powerful insights on how leaders can balance their drive with inner peace, manage their energy, and lead with humility. From understanding the nature of being “driven,” to implementing the 10 Disciplines that pro...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, host Doug Smith flips roles as he is interviewed by Ron Moore on the Living Grounded Podcast. The conversation delves into a variety of leadership topics, including whether leaders are born or made, the importance of failure in growth, and the value of mentorship and personal development.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Today's Episode
00:41 Starting the Interview...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, host Doug Smith shares personal reflections and insights gained from turning 40. From expressing gratitude for life, emphasizing the importance of personal growth, to highlighting the significance of family and faith, Doug offers a comprehensive summary of his key takeaways over the years.
00:00 Introduction and Purpose
00:32 Turning 40: Reflections and Grati...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith interviews Kent Chevalier, Chaplain of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kent discusses his journey from a campus pastor to serving in the NFL, emphasizing the unique role he and his wife play in supporting players and coaches spiritually and emotionally.
00:00 Welcome Back, Kent Chevalier!
00:41 Role of a Chaplain in the NFL
02:00 First Year Experiences...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith interviews Jeff Hancher, author of 'Firm Feedback in a Fragile World.' Jeff shares his journey from growing up in poverty to a successful 24-year career, emphasizing the pivotal moments shaped by firm feedback and strong leadership.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:35 The Journey to Writing a Book
01:14 Overcoming Personal Struggles<...
In this episode, Doug Smith joins Nick Poole on the Calvary Leadership Podcast. Doug shares his journey from being unaware of personal development to becoming a champion of continuous growth is highlighted through his impactful story. Doug shares his life plan approach for setting long-term goals in various life areas—spirituality, marriage, family, finances, friendships, and health—and emphasizes the value of feedbac...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith and guest Ryan Leak discuss Ryan's journey as a New York Times bestselling author and speaker.
Ryan shares his extensive experience of speaking at over 120 events annually and reaching millions through his work. They delve into the importance of stewardship over opportunism, balancing faith in God with personal hustle, and the need for character d...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith interviews Larry Hagner, founder of the Dad Edge, about his mission to create legendary marriages, epic relationships with kids, personal financial mastery, optimized health, and leadership within families.
Larry shares his personal journey growing up in a dysfunctional household, the challenges he faced in his early fatherhood, and his moment of trans...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith sits down with Rob and Kelsey Mercuri to discuss their experiences in politics, leadership, and parenting.
Rob, a former State Representative and candidate for Congress, shares his journey through six elections, offering insights into the challenges of campaigning, the importance of great teams, and the lessons learned from both victories and setbacks. He reflect...
In this episode, Doug Smith, host of the L3 Leadership Podcast, joins the Lunch Break series of the Boss Juice Podcast to discuss his journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a successful podcaster and leader in the Pittsburgh community.
Doug shares insights on how he was inspired by mentors, the importance of community, and how no leader should do life alone. He also delves into his work with Light ...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith interviews Dr. Meg Meeker, a pediatrician and author who focuses on the critical role of fathers in parenting.
Dr. Meeker discusses the impact of fatherhood on children's mental health, the challenges fathers face, and the importance of strong father-child relationships. She offers practical advice for parents, including how to handle discipline, ...
In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, host Doug Smith is interviewed by Dave D'Angelo on Northway Christian Community's Project 167 Podcast. They discuss various topics, including Doug's impactful work at Light of Life Rescue Mission, strategies for addressing homelessness, and practical insights on financial management within families.
Doug shares his journey in leadership, the signif...
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