20. Life Becomes Rich When Death Becomes Certain with Jerry Foster
Wed Dec 24 2025
"Life becomes rich when death becomes certain." Fifteen years ago, Jerry Foster shared those words with me after receiving a cancer diagnosis that gave him a 50/50 chance of living five more years. That single sentence stopped me cold—and it went on to shape the first chapter of my book and the foundation of my keynote talks. In this episode, Jerry and I return to that moment and explore why clarity so often arrives only when the clock feels loud.
Jerry's diagnosis didn't just alter his health outlook; it rewired his priorities. The things that truly mattered became vivid, while distractions faded into the background. He stopped saying yes to the wrong things so he could fully commit to the right ones—family, faith, relationships, health, and purpose. This conversation challenges a cultural habit many of us share: waiting for crisis before we become intentional.
We talk candidly about leadership under uncertainty—how facing mortality reshaped Jerry's approach as a CEO, mentor, husband, and father. He explains why he intentionally built a company that could thrive without him, how delegation became an act of stewardship, and why great leadership is about creating systems that outlast you.
Jerry also introduces the idea of life wealth—the accumulation of five forms of capital: financial, relational, physical, spiritual, and intellectual. True wealth isn't measured by a balance sheet alone; it's revealed in health, peace, relationships, wisdom, and meaning. This framework reframes success and invites leaders to assess where they're investing—and what they might be neglecting.
One of the most moving moments comes when Jerry shares how a simple but courageous question to his children—"What do you need from me if I'm only here three more years?"—reshaped the next fifteen years of his life. It's a reminder that leadership begins at home and that listening, not fixing, often creates the greatest legacy.
This episode isn't about fear; it's about focus. It's an invitation to stop waiting for certainty before living well. Because the truth is, death is certain for all of us—and that reality can either numb us… or wake us up to a richer, more intentional life.
Links:
FREE GIFTS FOR LEADERS: https://leadwithstan.com
MORE INFO: https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com
Episode Minute By Minute:
00:00 — Why This Conversation Matters
03:30 — The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
06:45 — "Life Becomes Rich When Death Becomes Certain"
10:30 — Learning to Say No to the Wrong Things
14:20 — Leadership, Legacy, and Building Beyond Yourself
18:15 — The Question That Shaped the Next 15 Years
23:40 — Life Wealth: The Five Dimensions That Matter
28:50 — Remembering Defining Moments
34:10 — Advice to Our Younger Selves
40:30 — Living Rich and Intentional—Starting Now
47:30 — Final Reflections and Blessing
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"Life becomes rich when death becomes certain." Fifteen years ago, Jerry Foster shared those words with me after receiving a cancer diagnosis that gave him a 50/50 chance of living five more years. That single sentence stopped me cold—and it went on to shape the first chapter of my book and the foundation of my keynote talks. In this episode, Jerry and I return to that moment and explore why clarity so often arrives only when the clock feels loud. Jerry's diagnosis didn't just alter his health outlook; it rewired his priorities. The things that truly mattered became vivid, while distractions faded into the background. He stopped saying yes to the wrong things so he could fully commit to the right ones—family, faith, relationships, health, and purpose. This conversation challenges a cultural habit many of us share: waiting for crisis before we become intentional. We talk candidly about leadership under uncertainty—how facing mortality reshaped Jerry's approach as a CEO, mentor, husband, and father. He explains why he intentionally built a company that could thrive without him, how delegation became an act of stewardship, and why great leadership is about creating systems that outlast you. Jerry also introduces the idea of life wealth—the accumulation of five forms of capital: financial, relational, physical, spiritual, and intellectual. True wealth isn't measured by a balance sheet alone; it's revealed in health, peace, relationships, wisdom, and meaning. This framework reframes success and invites leaders to assess where they're investing—and what they might be neglecting. One of the most moving moments comes when Jerry shares how a simple but courageous question to his children—"What do you need from me if I'm only here three more years?"—reshaped the next fifteen years of his life. It's a reminder that leadership begins at home and that listening, not fixing, often creates the greatest legacy. This episode isn't about fear; it's about focus. It's an invitation to stop waiting for certainty before living well. Because the truth is, death is certain for all of us—and that reality can either numb us… or wake us up to a richer, more intentional life. Links: FREE GIFTS FOR LEADERS: https://leadwithstan.com MORE INFO: https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 — Why This Conversation Matters 03:30 — The Diagnosis That Changed Everything 06:45 — "Life Becomes Rich When Death Becomes Certain" 10:30 — Learning to Say No to the Wrong Things 14:20 — Leadership, Legacy, and Building Beyond Yourself 18:15 — The Question That Shaped the Next 15 Years 23:40 — Life Wealth: The Five Dimensions That Matter 28:50 — Remembering Defining Moments 34:10 — Advice to Our Younger Selves 40:30 — Living Rich and Intentional—Starting Now 47:30 — Final Reflections and Blessing