The Tension
If you’re a builder, leader, or change-maker, you already know the tension: the push and pull between where you are and where you want to be. It’s the moments when success doesn’t feel like you expected, when growth forces hard decisions, or when challenges test your limits.
Hosted by Travis Penfield, The Tension explores how high-performing leaders navigate these pivotal moments. You won’t find simple solutions here—because the tension isn’t something to be solved. Instead, you’ll hear stories, strategies, and insights to help you manage the tension and turn it into fuel for your personal and professional success.
Episodes
18 episodes
The Tension of Stewardship
If you've ever felt guilty for keeping or burned for giving, this one's for you.Travis sits down with his longtime friend Justin Lopez, President of 25 Giving, for a conversation about why stewardship and generosity aren't the same thing...
The Tension of Showing Up
In this episode, Travis Penfield sits down with Elizabeth Odegaard to explore what it means to show up personally and for others in the hardest seasons of life. With honesty and depth, she reflects on the tension between carrying pa...
The Tension of Pursuit vs. Letting Go
In this episode, Travis sits down with Doug McNamee, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Baylor University, to explore the tension between relentless pursuit and the ability to let go of outcomes.Doug shares his unconventi...
The Tension of Representation
In this episode, Travis sits down with Amber Allen to unpack the weight and responsibility of representation. What it means to be the only one in the room, to carry expectations that aren’t always spoken, and to navigate identity while building...
The Tension of Being Liked and Respected
In this episode, Travis sits down with Scott Neils, Executive Vice President at 49 Financial, to unpack the lifelong tension between wanting to be liked and needing to be respected. Scott shares how early experiences shaped his identity, pushin...
The Tension of Growth and Capacity
In this episode, Travis sits down with Kylie Allen, CPA to explore what happens when ambition outpaces capacity. Drawing from her journey as a high-performing professional, leader, and mother, Kylie shares how growth, done well, actually...
The Tension of Delayed Gratification
In this episode, Travis sits down with Brandon Lanz, VP at 49 Financial, to explore how delayed gratification has shaped every part of his story—from the legendary two-and-a-half-year journey from a borderline cringy first date to marriage, to ...
The Tension of Learned and Lived
What happens when the beliefs you were taught collide with the lessons you’ve lived? In this episode, Travis sits down with Dean Dillenberg, VP at 49 Financial, overseeing Los Angeles and Austin, to unpack how we evolve from what we’ve inherite...
The Tension of Being a People Pleaser
Being a people-pleaser can feel like both a superpower and a struggle. On one hand, it’s rooted in deep empathy—the ability to sense what others are feeling and make them feel seen. On the other hand, it can lead to overcommitting, avoiding har...
The Tension of Who You're Becoming
What does it really mean to become the person you’re meant to be? In this episode, Travis sits down with Patrick Mundlin, Vice President at 49 Financial, to explore the tension of who we’re becoming.Patrick shares candid stories...
The Tension of Nature and Nurture
Which carries more weight in shaping identity—nature or nurture? In this episode of The Tension, Travis welcomes Luke Winskowski to unpack the tension of nature versus nurture through the lens of Luke’s own story. Adopted at birth a...
The Tension of Friendship and Partnership
Can you build a thriving business with your best friend? In this episode of The Tension, Travis Penfield sits down with long-time friend and business partner Hunter Lloyd to unpack the messy, rewarding, and often hilarious reality of n...
The Tension of Independence and Influence
What do we gain—and what do we give up—when we chase independence or influence? In this episode, Travis sits down with Lincoln Rock, Vice President at 49 Financial and a standout Gen Z leader, to unpack one of life’s most formative tensions. Fr...
The Tension of Ambition and Contentment
Can you be driven to succeed and satisfied with where you are? In this deeply personal episode of The Tension, EVP David Farrell unpacks his own journey through burnout, success, self-worth, and learning how to let go.F...
The Tension of Plans vs. Reality
What happens when your perfectly laid plans unravel? In this episode of The Tension, Travis sits down with Chase Bertrand—husband, father, and top financial advisor—to explore the lifelong challenge of navigating the gap between what w...
The Tension of Getting It All Done
Can you really "have it all"? And if so… how do you do it all?In this episode, Travis sits down with Co-Founder Kyle Sims to unpack the real-life pressure of trying to get it all done, in all the roles—leader, parent, spouse, fr...
The Tension of Legacy, Leadership & Becoming Your Own
In this honest and reflective episode, Travis sits down with Greg Rosner, Vice President at 49 Financial, overseeing Charlotte and Jacksonville, to explore a relatable tension: How do you honor the legacy of your parents while still forging you...
