Episode 41
From Success to Surrender: Integrating Faith, Leadership, and True Kingdom Impact
What if everything you worked so hard to achieve wasn’t the success you actually needed? What if the relentless chase for growth, influence, and financial gain was, in reality, leading you further from the very things that matter most?
That’s exactly the kind of eye-opening conversation I had with my good friend Skip Johnson on the latest episode of Successfully Unsuccessful. Skip built a billion-dollar wealth management firm, became a recognized leader in his industry, and checked off all the traditional “success” boxes. But behind the accolades and the financial wins, he was facing a different reality—one that left him feeling empty, disconnected, and on the verge of losing what truly mattered.
The Cost of Success Without Integration
Skip is no stranger to the grind. Like so many of us, he was driven—driven to build, driven to prove himself, driven to succeed. And in many ways, he did. But at what cost? His marriage was strained, his family took a backseat, and his faith—though present—wasn’t the foundation it needed to be.
He shared openly about the moment he realized that his definition of success was flawed. It wasn’t a lack of achievement; it was the realization that no amount of wealth, recognition, or influence could fill the void inside. He was trapped in the lie that more success would bring more peace. Instead, it left him constantly chasing an ever-moving goalpost.
And that’s the story so many entrepreneurs and executives live every day. We sacrifice our time, our health, our marriages—all in the name of “building something great.” But what if the greatest thing we could build is a life of true integration—one where faith, leadership, and family aren’t competing forces, but rather, work together in harmony?
The Power of Surrender in Leadership and Life
Skip’s transformation didn’t come through more deals or bigger paychecks. It came through surrender—real, deep, gut-wrenching surrender. He walked away from his company, took time to reflect, and sought counseling to confront the patterns that had been running his life. He had to unlearn the belief that his worth was tied to his performance. He had to let go of the idea that slowing down meant falling behind. And he had to trust that God had something even greater in store.
Today, Skip is living proof that faith-driven leadership isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a necessity. He now invests his time in coaching other high-level leaders, not just in business strategy, but in holistic success—the kind that doesn’t require sacrificing what matters most. Through Riverbend Refuge, he’s created a space for men to step away from the noise, rediscover their purpose, and learn what it means to lead from a place of authenticity and strength.
This episode isn’t just about Skip’s story—it’s about all of us who have bought into the lie that success and faith can’t coexist. It’s for the business owner struggling to balance ambition with presence. It’s for the executive questioning whether the next milestone will finally bring peace. And it’s for every leader who wants to do things differently—who wants to integrate faith, leadership, and family in a way that truly lasts.
If you’ve ever wrestled with the tension between ambition and contentment, this episode is for you. It’s time to redefine what success looks like. It’s time to lead differently. It’s time to surrender.
