Joe Way returns to his “annual Christmas episode” roots with a personal reflection recorded during Christmas week. Using Isaiah 9:6 as the backbone, Joe walks through the four names—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—and connects them to a transformational year of health, leadership growth, humility, and a renewed focus on peace (both internal and relational). He also previews what’s ahead: a special episode next week, followed by four weeks of ISE prep with guests.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
- Why Joe brought back the classic Christmas episode format: reflection, grounding, and meaning—not “Santa’s bag of stuff.”
- The headline transformation this year: lifestyle change and losing nearly 80 pounds since ISE.
- A leadership reframe: moving from “my strength” to humility, team, and reliance on something bigger than yourself.
- The core theme: Isaiah 9:6 as a lens for personal growth and professional leadership in AV.
- A practical challenge for listeners: where are you seeking peace, and how are you creating it for others?
Key Scripture Anchor
Isaiah 9:6 (referenced throughout):
“For to us a child is born… and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Segment Breakdown
1) Welcome + Christmas Episode Reset
- Joe explains this is his Christmas-week reflection tradition.
- He’s intentionally letting the episode “come to him” rather than over-scripting it.
- Quick look ahead: special episode next week + four-week ISE guest series.
2) A Transformational Year
- The visible milestone: major weight loss since last ISE.
- The deeper shift: re-centering priorities, stepping back from nonstop tasks, and choosing what’s sustainable.
3) Wonderful Counselor
- Joe shares a “coming to Jesus” moment post-ISE: needing change, recognizing willpower alone wouldn’t hold.
- The takeaway: strength isn’t always self-generated; it can come from faith, community, and trusted counsel.
- AV tie-in: your “counselor” can include your people—team, mentors, leaders, support systems—especially in high-demand roles.
4) Mighty God
- A meditation on power + humility: the Creator arriving as a vulnerable infant.
- Leadership parallel: real strength can show up through vulnerability, not force.
- AV tie-in: your work serves a mission bigger than tickets and installs—education changes lives; uptime supports outcomes.
5) Everlasting Father
- A leadership responsibility theme: consistency, integrity, safety, and support.
- Joe connects this to a hard year in higher ed (budget pressure, freezes, uncertainty) and the need for a stable foundation.
- AV tie-in: being the leader (at any level) who creates security—resources, clarity, and space for others to succeed.
6) Prince of Peace
- Joe frames this as a 2026 focus: peace isn’t just “less noise,” it’s wholeness and restored unity.
- He speaks to conflict, tension, reconciliation, and becoming someone who restores rather than escalates.
- AV tie-in: be the calming presence in the room—compassionate leadership that helps teams move through pressure together.
7) Closing Blessing + Community
- Joe wishes listeners a Merry Christmas and a meaningful season for whatever they celebrate.
- He reinforces the message: peace is personal, and for him it’s found in Jesus.
- Gratitude to the audience + reminder to follow, connect, and join HETMA.
Memorable Quotes / Pull-Quotes (for social or episode page)
- “Peace isn’t the absence of noise and tension—it’s the presence of wholeness.”
- “If the strength were based on me, it would fail.”
- “Our job is bigger than signal flow—what we support changes lives.”
Listener Takeaways
- Identify where your “counsel” comes from when things get heavy—and stop trying to white-knuckle it alone.
- Lead with vulnerability: people follow humans, not flawless job titles.
- Build a culture of safety and consistency—your team should know you’ll show up the same tomorrow.
- Pursue peace as restoration, not avoidance: be the person who brings unity back into the room.
What’s Next (Tease)
- Next week: a “very special” episode Joe thinks you’ll enjoy.
- After that: four weeks of ISE prep with guests and updates on what’s happening at ISE.
