Lead on Purpose with James Laughlin

In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Thomas McClary, founding member and lead guitarist of The Commodores, to unpack how purpose, love, and intention can carry you through adversity, shape world class success, and keep you grounded when life gets loud.

What we cover:

His childhood integrating a white school in Florida, and why he chose love over bitterness
How music became a bridge for unity, and the start of his intentional approach to impact
The origin story of The Commodores, meeting Lionel Richie, and the “Black Beatles” vision
Perseverance in the early grind, leading to opening for The Jackson 5 and global momentum
Staying grounded in fame, leading with humility, and measuring life by moments and who you touch

If you want a reminder that your purpose is bigger than your pain, and that intention can turn even the hardest chapters into fuel, this conversation will stay with you.

Follow Thomas on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/thomas_mcclary/?hl=en
If you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at [email protected]

Website: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/

James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Send me a personal text message
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals
- If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at [email protected]
Support the show

In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Mary Holm, author of Rich Enough, to unpack how everyday Kiwis can build wealth simply, avoid common money traps, and focus on what actually leads to a rich life.

What we cover:

Why “rich enough” beats chasing more, and what money can and cannot do for happiness
The two KiwiSaver choices that matter most: risk level first, low fees second
Why low fee index investing and patience usually outperform chasing returns
How to balance KiwiSaver with investing outside it to get bonuses without locking all your money away
Renting vs owning, property myths, and the most common financial mistakes Kiwis make

If you want a calmer, clearer approach to money that supports both your future and your life right now, this conversation will give you a simple framework to work from.

Grab a copy of ‘Rich Enough’ here - https://www.paperplus.co.nz/shop/books/non-fiction/business-finance-law/finance-economics/rich-enough
Have a look at Sorted Smart Investor tool - https://smartinvestor.sorted.org.nz
If you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at [email protected]

Website: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/

James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Send me a personal text message
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals
- If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at [email protected]
Support the show

In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Elise Balsillie from Thryv to unpack what small and medium businesses can do to keep up with the pace of AI, automation, and digital change, without losing their culture, their margins, or their sanity.

What we cover:

How Thryv runs a fully remote team of around 400 people across Australia and New Zealand, and the culture systems that make it work
Why remote can improve both productivity and customer service, including flexible hours that fit real small business life
How to get back to your zone of genius by automating admin, bookings, reminders, reviews, and overdue invoice follow ups
The new visibility game for small businesses: being found in AI search, why directories still matter, and how to write in natural language
Why customer data wins, how to segment properly, and how a CRM helps you sell with less pressure and more relationship built in

If you’re a small business owner feeling stretched by marketing, emails, and endless admin, this conversation will help you simplify your systems, free up your time, and build a business that performs without costing you your wellbeing and relationships.

Learn more about Thryv here: https://www.thryv.com
Connect with Elise on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-balsillie-8aa1a892/?originalSubdomain=au
If you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at [email protected]

Website: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/

James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Send me a personal text message
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals
- If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at [email protected]
Support the show

Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goal

In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Dr Jack Groppel, co founder of the Human Performance Institute, to explore the hidden cost of achievement, and what it really takes to win in your career without losing yourself and the people you love.

What we cover:

The “watch me” drive, people pleasing, and how early approval seeking fuels ambition
Why world class achievement can mask insecurity, and the personal cost of always saying yes
Boundaries as a leadership skill, and the simple filter: what matters most right now
Adoption and fatherhood, and the two weeks in China that reshaped his definition of success
Mountains Within, and how to pursue meaning alongside achievement, not after it

If you’re driven, ambitious, and constantly chasing the next goal, this conversation will help you zoom out, reset your definition of high performance, and lead your life with more purpose, presence, and integrity..

Connect with Jack on linkedin here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackgroppel/
Grab a copy of Jacks book here - https://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Within-Achievement-Mountain-Everything/dp/B0G4G8YG58
If you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at [email protected]

Website: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/

James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Send me a personal text message
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals
- If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at [email protected]
Support the show

Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals
In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Chris Naugle to unpack why money feels awkward for so many people, and how to shift from scarcity and stress into clarity and control.

What we cover:

Why money feels scarce, and how wealth starts with creation and solving other people’s problems
Rich vs wealthy, and why looking successful often means living on credit and giving it all back
Giving as a practical money habit, including Chris’s “donation letters” exercise to rewire abundance
The “be your own bank” concept, and how to recapture interest and recycle cash flow instead of feeding banks
Investing and big purchases through a new lens, only back what you understand, avoid chasing high returns, and treat cars like a system not an expense

If you’ve ever earned well but still felt behind, anxious about money, or unsure why it never seems to stick, this episode will fundamentally change how you think about money and how you use it.

Learn more about Chris here - https://www.chrisnaugle.com
Connect with Chris on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/thechrisnaugle/
Grab a copy of Chris’ book here - https://www.chrisnaugle.com/book/
Watch Chris’ videos on YT here - https://www.youtube.com/@TheChrisNaugle/videos
If you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at [email protected]

Website: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/

James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Send me a personal text message
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals
- If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at [email protected]
Support the show