Strengths On Fire

In the season one finale of Strengths on Fire, Sarah and Bill welcome the remarkable Liz Volker—homeschooling mom, strengths enthusiast, and graduate of Sarah’s “Strong as a Mother” program. Liz shares how discovering and intentionally applying her top 15 strengths has been truly life-changing, not only for her but for her family. From household systems and values walls to bedtime journals and emotional check-ins, Liz’s strengths-led approach to motherhood is a masterclass in intentional living. This episode is packed with laughs, heartfelt moments, and a fresh take on what it means to be a strong mom who leads with her strengths. Whether you’re a parent or simply someone who wants to live more authentically, this episode is an inspiring reminder that strengths don’t stop at the office door—they’re everywhere we show up in life.

Takeaways

• Your strengths don’t just show up at work—they show up in how you parent, partner, and lead at home.
• Leading with strategic thinking can help you intentionally shape your family life with purpose and vision.
• Learner and Input together can turn everyday motherhood into a beautiful, strengths-based experiment.
• Activator energy in parenting means starting bold traditions and building meaningful family rituals.
• Self-assurance doesn’t have to mean being perfect—it can mean confidently evolving while parenting.
• Using individualization at home helps you connect with each child in ways that uniquely speak to them.
• Strengths-based parenting isn’t about fixing kids—it’s about seeing, naming, and growing what’s already strong.
• Building a culture of recognition at home helps your kids feel seen, valued, and emotionally safe.
• Homeschooling can be a dream playground for context and futuristic thinkers to shape long-term impact.
• Command and empathy can coexist—setting boundaries and holding space are both powerful.
• A bedtime journal is a simple but profound way to nurture connection and recognize your child’s character.
• Strengths language helps couples better understand and support each other’s different needs.
• Recognizing your own strengths as a parent gives you confidence and a sense of purpose in the chaos.
• Knowing what energizes and depletes each family member helps everyone show up as their best selves.
• Living out your values through systems and rituals is one of the best ways to create a strengths-based home.

Sound Bites

• I don’t want to just be a memory giver—I want to be a memory recipient too.
• My motherhood is going to outlive me—so how am I shaping it today?
• When I learned my strengths could be my superpowers, it changed everything.
• I’m not trying to be like other moms—I’m trying to be the best version of me.
• Strong as a Mother gave me the language to see myself and my family in a whole new way.
• The more I understand my strengths, the more permission I give my kids to be fully themselves.
• Recognition isn’t just for work—it’s how we build love, trust, and confidence at home.

Liz's Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Strategic
2) Learner
3) Relator
4) Input
5) Responsibility
6) Individualization
7) Self-Assurance
8) Command
9) Activator
10) Futuristic

Bill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Individualization

2) Developer

3) Activator

4) Woo

5) Restorative

6) Empathy

7) Harmony

8) Connectedness

9) Relator

10) Learner

Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Positivity

2) Woo

3) Communication

4) Harmony

5) Activator

6) Developer

7) Input

8) Individualization

9) Responsibility

10) Arranger

Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm

GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:
Bill's info:
https://billdippel.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/
https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/

Sarah's info:
https://www.wearecollinsco.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/
https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/

Today our guest is Lindsay Bradley of Guided Arrows HR Strategies. She is a veteran of providing HR outsourcing resources and helping startups understand what they need to succeed. It all started with a bad boss, listen to find out how Lindsay realized that people leave bad managers, not jobs. How does a Maximizer thrive in the warehousing industry? Lindsay has some thoughts.

She will also touch on how both burnout and responsibility show up in her world, even when she feels guilty about quiet couch time. If her Strengths were running for president, what would the slogan be? Lindsay covers this with amazing humor. And if you as a Maximizer to tell us her top 10, sometimes you get the top 12.

To contact Lindsay:
https://www.guidedarrows.com/

Lindsay’s Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Learner
2) Futuristic
3) Relator
4) Responsibility
5) Maximizer
6) Strategic
7) Achiever
8) Discipline
9) Significance
10) Focus

Bill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Individualization

2) Developer

3) Activator

4) Woo

5) Restorative

6) Empathy

7) Harmony

8) Connectedness

9) Relator

10) Learner

Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Positivity

2) Woo

3) Communication

4) Harmony

5) Activator

6) Developer

7) Input

8) Individualization

9) Responsibility

10) Arranger

Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm

GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:
Bill's info:
https://billdippel.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/
https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/

Sarah's info:
https://www.wearecollinsco.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/
https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/

Transcript
Bill Dippel (00:05.762)
Well hey Sarah, how are you?

Sarah Collins (00:08.315)
Hi Mr. Dippel I'm doing great, how you doing today?

Bill Dippel (00:10.984)
Outstanding having a absolutely perfect day. And by the way, I know people listen to this when they want, but happy holidays. We're out of the holidays. We've been...

Sarah Collins (00:21.011)
We're, yes, we are into the new year. It is officially 2025. We've made it.

Bill Dippel (00:28.654)
Perfect, it is. And we've taken a little time off. So I've missed Sarah. I haven't been able to hang out and laugh with Sarah.

Sarah Collins (00:33.477)
Yes, we have. well, I have missed you because I've been home with my children. And I tell you what, I was telling you before we got on today, that is a great way to get the worst of me. Like I wish I could say just love the time home and it's so cozy and we just hang out. But I have two five year olds and a six year old and it is a little torturous and it gets cold here in Nebraska and there's not that much to do. And we're just like rolling over each other, making messes, cleaning them up.

And I just seriously, this is not how you get the best of me. This is when the worst of me comes out. Like I haven't been working. I haven't talked to like adults that are not in my family. I haven't been going out and doing things on my own. Turns out I need that. Turns out that's important to me. You know, we say woo needs to eat while my woo is starving.

Bill Dippel (01:21.761)
Yeah.

Lindsay Bradley- Guided Arrows (01:25.711)
All right.

Bill Dippel (01:26.707)
And here and there's this soapbox moment by Sarah brought to you by Blue Lemon. I'm just throwing. I fortunate on my world. am a grandfather, so the children have gone. They are out of the house, so we get to take in the grandchildren for a big event. We had a great Thanksgiving and then kindly give them back. So we get our you know it is there is a benefit to that part of it and seeing the kids and seeing the grandkids and.

Lindsay Bradley- Guided Arrows (01:31.151)
Thank

Sarah Collins (01:41.127)
Mm-hmm.

Sarah Collins (01:48.467)
That's so nice.

Bill Dippel (01:54.722)
had amazing experiences this year with the kids. but in that, right, there can always be a little tension or a little, or a wonderful laughter time. So I'm curious, is there anything in your world, Sarah, anything that never fails to make you laugh no matter how many times you see it?

Sarah Collins (01:57.843)
Sarah Collins (02:15.473)
Okay, well this is so funny because my children who I have mentioned, have a son who is six and twin dau...

What do you get when you blend strategic brilliance with quiet empathy and a deep love of Dungeons & Dragons? Anne George. In this episode, we sit down with Anne, the powerhouse behind the curtain at Bill Dippel Strengths Coaching, to talk about what it means to build a business and a coaching practice around your strengths—and why leaning into your own talents (and hiring for your gaps) isn’t just good advice, it’s the whole game. We explore how Anne’s uncommon combo of analytical + empathy gives her both edge and heart, how she manages different personalities with surgical precision, and why every hybrid event needs an empathy-fueled co-coach to make it work. Oh, and we build a strengths-based D&D party while we’re at it. This episode is full of practical tips, real-life laughs, and serious appreciation for the people who keep things running smoothly.

To contact Anne:
https://billdippel.com/

Takeaways

• You don’t need the Communication strength to be a great communicator—you just need empathy, strategy, and intention.
• Anne’s rare blend of analytical and empathy is her secret weapon—and her greatest inner tug-of-war.
• Building a strengths-based business means knowing your gaps and filling them with the right partners.
• Strategic thinkers like Anne shine brightest when they’re given space to prep, noodle, and plan.
• When you lead with empathy, your coaching doesn’t just connect—it transforms.
• Being able to adapt your communication based on someone else’s Top 10 is like having a social superpower.
• Recognition and thoughtful delegation are rocket fuel for intellection-heavy team members.
• Hybrid events work so much better when someone is dedicated to engaging the virtual side.
• We all think differently—but CliftonStrengths gives us the language to explain how and why.
• Sometimes the thing that looks like a conflict (like empathy vs. analytics) is actually your unique edge.
• Coaches don’t need to be experts in everything—they just need the right team.
• Strategic thinkers often have an internal map—so be specific when giving directions!
• Relationship-building and strategic thinking don’t have to clash—they can create the ultimate coaching combo.
• Invisible labor (like thinking, planning, and preparing) deserves just as much recognition as loud accomplishments.
• Developer and intellection together mean Anne’s always thinking about how to help others grow—then circling back to make it even better.

Sound Bites

• I read my Top 10 and thought “am I the villain?”
• You don’t need the strength of communication to be an incredible communicator.
• Strategic gave me the map, but empathy made me look for who was being left out.
• I think a lot of people know we process things differently—they just don’t have the language to explain it.
• If you try to be great at everything, you’ll end up being mediocre at everything.
• My task wasn’t to do anything—it was to think. And that filled my bucket.
• Before strengths, that would have been a fight. After strengths, it was just understanding.

Anne’s Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Analytical
2) Learner
3) Relator
4) Strategic
5) Empathy
6) Developer
7) Intellection
8) Responsibility
9) Individualization
10) Arranger

Bill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Individualization

2) Developer

3) Activator

4) Woo

5) Restorative

6) Empathy

7) Harmony

8) Connectedness

9) Relator

10) Learner

Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Positivity

2) Woo

3) Communication

4) Harmony

5) Activator

6) Developer

7) Input

8) Individualization

9) Responsibility

10) Arranger

Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm

GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:
Bill's info:
https://billdippel.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/
https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/

Sarah's info:
https://www.wearecollinsco.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/
https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/

In this episode of Strengths on Fire, Sarah and Bill welcome Lizzie Vietz—strengths superfan, marketing strategist, and the official “Mother of the Arsonists.” With warmth, humor, and incredible insight, Lizzie shares how her strengths have evolved through college, career pivots, marriage, and grad school. The trio dives into the power of knowing yourself, setting intentional goals, and embracing who you are—flaws, focus blocks, and all. With a heavy dose of positivity, peach rings, and real-life WOO, this episode will leave you inspired to flex your strengths and find joy in who you’re becoming.

To contact Lizzie:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzie-vietz/

Takeaways

• Your strengths aren’t just professional tools—they’re personal superpowers in your daily life.
• Woo might win hearts, but strategy makes the plan stick.
• Career transitions are smoother when guided by your values and strengths.
• Communication is more than just words—when it’s done right, it sings.
• Positivity doesn’t always look like pep—it often shows up in purpose and presence.
• Strengths evolve as you evolve—embrace the shift.
• Knowing when to dream and when to do is the secret sauce of futuristic.
• Focus is the quiet strength behind getting real work done.
• Weekly reflections help high-achievers slow down and actually celebrate.
• Developer and empathy aren’t always flashy—but they fuel connection and care.
• Boundaries are essential for people with high empathy to thrive.
• When your strengths are misused, even your best traits can become a dumpster fire.
• Relationships thrive when both partners understand and leverage each other’s strengths.
• You’re your longest relationship—get curious about who you are becoming.
• Sometimes, all you need is a coffee-flavored candy and a podcast to remember your power.

Sound Bites

• My futuristic motivates me in the present—not to dream, but to do.
• When I want to be focused, I calendar block. I’m not half-doing a million things—I’m whole-doing one.
• Every week, I sit down with my coffee and ask: where did my strengths help me, and where did they get in the way?
• My husband and I rate house project ideas with percentages. This dream is only 40% serious.
• Your strengths might shift, but that doesn’t mean you’re inauthentic. It means you’re growing.
• If I’m not careful, WOO tries to hijack the room—but strategy reminds me to serve, not perform.
• Empathy can be a sixth sense, or a floodgate. I’ve learned which strengths help me build the boundaries I need.

Lizzie's Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Futuristic
2) Woo
3) Strategic
4) Communication
5) Positivity
6) Competition
7) Focus
8) Achiever
9) Empathy
10) Developer

Bill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Individualization

2) Developer

3) Activator

4) Woo

5) Restorative

6) Empathy

7) Harmony

8) Connectedness

9) Relator

10) Learner

Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Positivity

2) Woo

3) Communication

4) Harmony

5) Activator

6) Developer

7) Input

8) Individualization

9) Responsibility

10) Arranger

Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm

GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:
Bill's info:
https://billdippel.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/
https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/

Sarah's info:
https://www.wearecollinsco.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/
https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/

What do a photographer-turned-entrepreneur, a free CliftonStrengths coaching session, and a boomer with futuristic vision have in common? This episode of Strengths on Fire brings all that and more. You’ll hear how Peter Lars, founder of a wildly creative photography company, uses his top 10 strengths to lead with fun, spark innovation, and build a company culture people want to be part of. Whether you’re a business owner, team leader, or someone trying to figure out your strengths in action, this conversation is packed with real-life ways strengths show up in leadership, growth, and everyday decisions. You’ll laugh, learn, and walk away inspired to lean into your talents and maybe even start a strengths board of your own.

To contact Peter:
https://cornerstone.photo/

Takeaways

• When you know your top strengths, you can stop trying to fix your weaknesses and start growing with intention.
• Investing in what you do naturally well makes leading and building a business feel energizing, not exhausting.
• You don’t need all the Influencing themes to be influential—relationships and passion speak volumes.
• Knowing your team’s strengths gives you a roadmap for better communication, delegation, and success.
• A strengths-based culture is built by weaving recognition into everyday work—not just once a year.
• Entrepreneurs thrive when they double down on the zones where they find flow, fun, and impact.
• Strengths like Woo and Positivity aren’t just “nice”—they’re business drivers that attract both clients and talent.
• Leaders with Developer sometimes hold on too long—knowing when to let go is part of strengths maturity.
• When Ideation runs wild, structure and intentional timing are key to getting buy-in and execution.
• Being in the trenches with your team builds trust and loyalty that no policy can replicate.
• Strengths awareness helps you see where you shine and where others need to step in, no one does it all alone.
• Even the best strengths can be a dumpster fire if not filtered through self-awareness.
• You can be successful and still have fun—joy, laughter, and strength-based strategy go hand in hand.
• The right environment amplifies your talents, especially when you’ve created it with purpose.
• Strengths give you the language and clarity to build a company where people want to stay and grow.

Sound Bites

• My whole life I was focused on what I wasn’t good. Turns out, I should’ve just let that go.
• We don’t just know our strengths—we talk about them, recognize them, and celebrate them.
• That positivity strength? It’s how I turn crying toddlers into giggles and smiles.
• Ideation can be a dumpster fire—I’ve got three-year-old ideas just waiting for the right moment.
• Our team puts strengths colors on balloons, cream cheese, and grapes. We live this stuff.
• Strengths changed the way we hire—now we put the right people in the right seats from the start.
• The photos we reprint after a fire—that’s significance in action. That’s why I do this.

Peters Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Futuristic
2) Positivity
3) Communication
4) Adaptability
5) Ideation
6) Woo
7) Developer
8) Activator
9) Maximizer
10) Significance

Bill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Individualization

2) Developer

3) Activator

4) Woo

5) Restorative

6) Empathy

7) Harmony

8) Connectedness

9) Relator

10) Learner

Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Positivity

2) Woo

3) Communication

4) Harmony

5) Activator

6) Developer

7) Input

8) Individualization

9) Responsibility

10) Arranger

Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm

GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:
Bill's info:
https://billdippel.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/
https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/

Sarah's info:
https://www.wearecollinsco.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/
https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/