The Tension
We all feel it—the tension that comes with change, growth, and big decisions. It’s the space between where we are and where we want to be.
These tensions aren’t just challenges to overcome; they’re shaped by conscious and unconscious decisions that rarely have clear right or wrong answers. In each episode, we explore topics of leadership, business, family, and life, unpacking the push and pull between how things are and how they could be.
The Tension
The Tension of Independence and Influence
What do we gain—and what do we give up—when we chase independence or influence? In this episode, Travis sits down with Lincoln Rock, Vice President at 49 Financial and a standout Gen Z leader, to unpack one of life’s most formative tensions. From navigating early parenthood and supporting a spouse in med school, to choosing an uncomfortable job path in pursuit of long-term impact, Lincoln offers a raw and insightful take on what it means to build a life of purpose.
Together, they explore how independence can look like autonomy—or comfort—and how true influence often demands self-sacrifice. With stories of his parents' choices, his own career journey, and wisdom from mentors and his wife, Emily, Lincoln brings clarity to the push-pull between freedom and responsibility.
If you’ve ever wrestled with choosing the harder path, this conversation will remind you why it just might be worth it.
