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What does it mean to serve others, steward your resources wisely, and build a legacy that extends beyond your lifetime?

In Episode 47 of the Lead with Legacy™ Podcast, IOL Global's Amanda Chambers welcomes retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dennis Merritt, alongside special co-host Dr. Casey LaFrance, for a conversation about faith, servant leadership, financial literacy, and creating opportunities for future generations.

After more than 20 years of service in the Marine Corps, Dennis is continuing his mission of serving others. Alongside his wife, Dana, he is helping families better understand their finances, overcome financial challenges, and prepare for the future through Ascension Financial Services.

Throughout this conversation, Dennis shares how his relationship with Christ transformed his approach to leadership, shifting his focus from gaining obedience to earning respect and serving the people entrusted to his care.

In this episode, we explore:

- How faith transformed Dennis's approach to leadership during his military career.
- The transition from military service to entrepreneurship, ministry, and continued service.
- Why financial literacy is essential for families and future generations.
- Understanding money as a tool and practicing biblical financial stewardship.
- How financial planning, life insurance, and generational wealth can contribute to a lasting legacy.
- Overcoming fear, shame, and uncertainty surrounding personal finances.
- The importance of preparing loved ones with organized financial information and protecting families from financial scams.
- How Lean Six Sigma principles and continuous improvement connect to leadership and everyday decision-making.
- Finding purpose and fulfillment through serving God and serving people.

One of the central themes of this conversation is that legacy isn't simply about what we accomplish for ourselves. It's about how we equip others, serve our communities, and prepare the next generation to thrive.

Dennis also shares how he and Dana offer complimentary initial consultations and budgeting resources to help families better understand their financial circumstances and take practical steps forward.

Whether you're a veteran navigating a career transition, a leader seeking to serve more intentionally, or someone wanting to make wiser financial decisions, this conversation offers encouragement and practical perspectives on living and leading with purpose.

🔔 Subscribe for leadership insights, honest conversations, and practical wisdom you can apply immediately.

🌐 Learn more about IOL Global:
www.iolglobal.com

🔗 Connect with Dennis Merritt

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-merritt/

🌐 Ascension Financial Services Website:
https://ascendfm2025.wixsite.com/future

📘 Ascension Financial Services Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Ascension-Financial-Services/61592039932151/

🔗 Connect with Dr. Casey LaFrance

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-casey-lafrance-8a2045337/

🌐 Learn more about Dr. LaFrance's work:
https://www.agil3enterprise.com

📖 Listening for Value:
https://a.co/d/0fMVSI11

📘 Listening for Value Companion Workbook:
https://a.co/d/0eRLz73Z

#LeadWithLegacy #iolglobal #ServeGod #ServePeople #FaithBasedLeadership #ChristianLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LegacyLeadership #KingdomLeadership #ServantLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #AmandaChambers #PublicServiceLeadership #LeadershipWithPurpose

Support the show

Lead with Legacy™ is the official podcast of IOL Global, where we explore leadership that outlives titles, roles, and careers.

If you found value in this episode, be sure to follow, like, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and share it with others who are committed to principled leadership.

Discover more leadership resources, podcast episodes, and learning opportunities at IOLGlobal.com.

Interested in being a guest on Lead with Legacy™? Learn more and apply at IOLGlobal.com/podcast.

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when a team becomes too dependent on its leader?

In Episode #46 of the Lead with Legacy™ Podcast, IOL Global's Amanda Chambers welcomes back Chris McClure and Kyle Bowen for a practical conversation about developing people, releasing control, building stronger teams, and creating organizations where leadership does not stop with one person.

Chris and Kyle explore why leaders can unintentionally become the bottleneck in their organizations and what it takes to move from being the person with all the answers to someone who equips others to think, decide, and lead.

The conversation dives into empowering people with the knowledge and confidence to make decisions, allowing team members to learn through failure, and recognizing that someone else's way of doing something does not have to look exactly like yours to produce the right result.

They also discuss the connection between clarity, care, and ownership, why employees need to understand where the organization is going and how they contribute to that vision, and the difference between truly caring for people and simply saying that you do.

Chris and Kyle share practical insights for making leadership development, mentoring, feedback, and accountability part of everyday organizational culture rather than occasional initiatives. From intentional one-on-one conversations to helping people discover and use their strengths, this episode challenges leaders to invest in people for the long term.
Because great leadership isn't about making yourself indispensable. It's about developing people who are increasingly capable of leading without you.

🔔 Subscribe for leadership insights, honest conversations, and practical wisdom you can apply immediately.

🌐 Learn more about IOL Global:
www.iolglobal.com

🔗 Connect with Chris McClure:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisrmcclure/
Website: https://mcclurecoaching.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mcclurecoaching
Podcast: https://mcclurecoaching.com/podcast/
📖 The Magnetic Leader: https://a.co/d/02Zbcb6R
📖 The Way to Greatness: https://a.co/d/0epiytUI

🔗 Connect with Kyle Bowen:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kyle-bowen-
Learn more at: https://www.hourglass-leadership.com/

Support the Lead with Legacy™ Podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2600300/support

Contact our team to book a time to be on the Lead with Legacy™ Podcast:
https://iolglobal.com/podcast

#LeadWithLegacy #iolglobal #ServeGod #ServePeople #FaithBasedLeadership #ChristianLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LegacyLeadership #KingdomLeadership #ServantLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #AmandaChambers #PublicServiceLeadership #LeadershipWithPurpose

Support the show

Lead with Legacy™ is the official podcast of IOL Global, where we explore leadership that outlives titles, roles, and careers.

If you found value in this episode, be sure to follow, like, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and share it with others who are committed to principled leadership.

Discover more leadership resources, podcast episodes, and learning opportunities at IOLGlobal.com.

Interested in being a guest on Lead with Legacy™? Learn more and apply at IOLGlobal.com/podcast.

Send us Fan Mail

What if success isn't actually yours to control?

In Episode #45 of the Lead with Legacy™ Podcast, IOL Global's Amanda Chambers sits down with Brandon West, founder and Chief Purpose Officer of PHOS Creative and author of It's Not Your Business to Succeed, for a powerful conversation about faith, purpose, leadership, business, and what it means to remain faithful when the outcome isn't yours to control.

Brandon shares how his leadership journey has shifted from focusing solely on business outcomes to building an organization centered on purpose, people, and Kingdom impact. He explains why leaders are responsible for creating economic, cultural, and spiritual value—and why cultivating an environment where people can truly flourish requires intentionality.

Amanda and Brandon also discuss servant leadership, surrendering control, leading and parenting with humility, using business as a platform for ministry, and Brandon's belief that leaders should be the first to admit when they get it wrong—the "Chief Repenting Officer."

Brandon also shares the incredible story behind PHOS Creative's work helping launch care centers serving women and children impacted by trafficking, abuse, vulnerability, and extreme poverty around the world.

The conversation explores AI and ethical leadership, building trust through business, the importance of having the right people around you during difficult seasons, and why Brandon hopes four simple words ultimately define his legacy:

Faithful to the end.

🔔 Subscribe for leadership insights, honest conversations, and practical wisdom you can apply immediately.

🌐 Learn more about IOL Global:
www.iolglobal.com

🔗 Connect with Brandon West:

Website:
https://brandonmichaelwest.com/

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonmichaelwest/

📖 Purchase It's Not Your Business to Succeed:
https://a.co/d/0cQYCBe1

🌐 PHOS Creative:
https://phoscreative.com/

Support the Lead with Legacy™ Podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2600300/support

Contact our team to book a time to be on the Lead with Legacy™ Podcast:
https://iolglobal.com/podcast

#LeadWithLegacy #iolglobal #ServeGod #ServePeople #FaithBasedLeadership #ChristianLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LegacyLeadership #KingdomLeadership #ServantLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #AmandaChambers #PublicServiceLeadership #LeadershipWithPurpose

Support the show

Lead with Legacy™ is the official podcast of IOL Global, where we explore leadership that outlives titles, roles, and careers.

If you found value in this episode, be sure to follow, like, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and share it with others who are committed to principled leadership.

Discover more leadership resources, podcast episodes, and learning opportunities at IOLGlobal.com.

Interested in being a guest on Lead with Legacy™? Learn more and apply at IOLGlobal.com/podcast.