Winning at Home First: Cory Carlson on Purpose, Burnout, and Sustainable Leadership
Thu Jan 22 2026
In this episode of Counsel Culture, Eric sits down with executive coach, author, and former corporate leader Cory Carlson for a grounded conversation about leadership, burnout, and why success at work eventually collapses when life at home is neglected. Cory reflects on a recent personal loss that renewed his sense of urgency around intentional living and clarified his mission to help leaders win at home first.
Cory shares his path from civil engineer to sales executive to full-time coach, including the season when imposter syndrome and pressure at the top began to erode his health, presence, and priorities. He explains how hiring a coach reshaped not just his performance, but how he showed up as a husband, father, and leader, and why so many high performers mistake busyness for effectiveness.
Eric and Cory explore why leaders can't compartmentalize their lives, how personal stress inevitably shows up at work, and why avoiding personal conversations with team members limits both trust and performance. Cory challenges the idea that leaders at the top have it all figured out, drawing from years of coaching executives who look successful externally but are often struggling internally.
The conversation dives into burnout, purpose, and identity. Cory explains why burnout doesn't come from forgetting how to work, but from forgetting why we work, and shares the framework he uses to help leaders reconnect with purpose and priorities. They close with practical insights on journaling, reflection, and daily rhythms that sustain leaders over decades, not quarters.
In this episode, you'll learn:
· Why winning at home first is essential for sustainable leadership
· How imposter syndrome quietly undermines performance
· The difference between being busy and being effective
· Why personal conversations drive better leadership outcomes
· How purpose anchors leaders during burnout
· Simple habits that build clarity, resilience, and alignment
This episode is dedicated to Cory's journey and the lessons forged along the way. This conversation is a reminder that leadership is not about arrival, but alignment. This conversation is what we make it.
This, is Counsel Culture.
Learn more at www.ericbrooker.com | www.corymcarlson.com
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In this episode of Counsel Culture, Eric sits down with executive coach, author, and former corporate leader Cory Carlson for a grounded conversation about leadership, burnout, and why success at work eventually collapses when life at home is neglected. Cory reflects on a recent personal loss that renewed his sense of urgency around intentional living and clarified his mission to help leaders win at home first. Cory shares his path from civil engineer to sales executive to full-time coach, including the season when imposter syndrome and pressure at the top began to erode his health, presence, and priorities. He explains how hiring a coach reshaped not just his performance, but how he showed up as a husband, father, and leader, and why so many high performers mistake busyness for effectiveness. Eric and Cory explore why leaders can't compartmentalize their lives, how personal stress inevitably shows up at work, and why avoiding personal conversations with team members limits both trust and performance. Cory challenges the idea that leaders at the top have it all figured out, drawing from years of coaching executives who look successful externally but are often struggling internally. The conversation dives into burnout, purpose, and identity. Cory explains why burnout doesn't come from forgetting how to work, but from forgetting why we work, and shares the framework he uses to help leaders reconnect with purpose and priorities. They close with practical insights on journaling, reflection, and daily rhythms that sustain leaders over decades, not quarters. In this episode, you'll learn: · Why winning at home first is essential for sustainable leadership · How imposter syndrome quietly undermines performance · The difference between being busy and being effective · Why personal conversations drive better leadership outcomes · How purpose anchors leaders during burnout · Simple habits that build clarity, resilience, and alignment This episode is dedicated to Cory's journey and the lessons forged along the way. This conversation is a reminder that leadership is not about arrival, but alignment. This conversation is what we make it. This, is Counsel Culture. Learn more at www.ericbrooker.com | www.corymcarlson.com