Purpose & Resilience in the Margins: How Poverty, Culture Shock, Reinvention & Faith Shaped My Leadership

Purpose isn’t always born in comfort. Sometimes it’s shaped in the margins. In today’s episode, I share my own story: growing up in a low‑income, culturally diverse neighborhood in Toronto, navigating the culture shock of leaving it, and how those early experiences — along with the grounding force of faith — shaped my understanding of people, empathy, belonging, and ultimately my leadership style. We explore five key themes: Poverty as a teacher Culture shock as a catalyst Reinvention through disruption Faith as an anchor for purpose Leadership style as a function of one’s upbringing If you’ve ever felt like your beginnings were too humble, too chaotic, or too complicated to produce greatness, this episode is for you. Like today's episode? You might like this one too: Holistic Leadership: How to Lead for the Whole Person in the 21st Century of Work About Jason Shupp: Jason Shupp is a business owner, entrepreneur, speaker, podcast host, and founder of BoardEase Advisors. After nearly two decades leading his family’s third-generation business, Ferguson Roofing, Jason now helps small business CEOs build effective advisory boards that bring greater clarity, structure, and perspective to leadership. He is also the host of From There to Here on the Mission Matters Network, where he explores the unconventional journeys, pivotal decisions, and experiences that shape entrepreneurs and leaders. Learn more at: *** NEW *** TCC Leading Under Pressure Program for Emerging & Executive Leaders https://www.mindmarker.com/leading-under-pressure-the-renewiq-master-journey/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/denleymcintosh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecoachescornerpod/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@coach.denley.tcc More on: Brian McIntosh https://missionmatters.com/seeing-the-world-understanding-culture-through-travel-abroad-with-brian-mcintosh Loren Rosario-Maldonado https://missionmatters.com/the-healing-power-of-cq-how-cultural-intelligence-can-deepen-your-connections-reconcile-your-relationships-with-guest-loren-rosario-maldonado Nadine Zeinoun https://missionmatters.com/from-emotion-to-empowerment-finding-resilience-through-faith-and-hope-with-nadine-zeinoun Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/denley-mcintosh/