336: Christmas Special

Joe Way returns to his “annual Christmas episode” roots with a personal reflection recorded during Christmas week. Using Isaiah 9:6 as the backbone, Joe walks through the four names—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—and connects them to a transformational year of health, leadership growth, humility, and a renewed focus on peace (both internal and relational). He also previews what’s ahead: a special episode next week, followed by four weeks of ISE prep with guests.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeWhy Joe brought back the classic Christmas episode format: reflection, grounding, and meaning—not “Santa’s bag of stuff.”The headline transformation this year: lifestyle change and losing nearly 80 pounds since ISE.A leadership reframe: moving from “my strength” to humility, team, and reliance on something bigger than yourself.The core theme: Isaiah 9:6 as a lens for personal growth and professional leadership in AV.A practical challenge for listeners: where are you seeking peace, and how are you creating it for others?Key Scripture AnchorIsaiah 9:6 (referenced throughout):“For to us a child is born… and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”Segment Breakdown1) Welcome + Christmas Episode ResetJoe explains this is his Christmas-week reflection tradition.He’s intentionally letting the episode “come to him” rather than over-scripting it.Quick look ahead: special episode next week + four-week ISE guest series.2) A Transformational YearThe visible milestone: major weight loss since last ISE.The deeper shift: re-centering priorities, stepping back from nonstop tasks, and choosing what’s sustainable.3) Wonderful CounselorJoe shares a “coming to Jesus” moment post-ISE: needing change, recognizing willpower alone wouldn’t hold.The takeaway: strength isn’t always self-generated; it can come from faith, community, and trusted counsel.AV tie-in: your “counselor” can include your people—team, mentors, leaders, support systems—especially in high-demand roles.4) Mighty GodA meditation on power + humility: the Creator arriving as a vulnerable infant.Leadership parallel: real strength can show up through vulnerability, not force.AV tie-in: your work serves a mission bigger than tickets and installs—education changes lives; uptime supports outcomes.5) Everlasting FatherA leadership responsibility theme: consistency, integrity, safety, and support.Joe connects this to a hard year in higher ed (budget pressure, freezes, uncertainty) and the need for a stable foundation.AV tie-in: being the leader (at any level) who creates security—resources, clarity, and space for others to succeed.6) Prince of PeaceJoe frames this as a 2026 focus: peace isn’t just “less noise,” it’s wholeness and restored unity.He speaks to conflict, tension, reconciliation, and becoming someone who restores rather than escalates.AV tie-in: be the calming presence in the room—compassionate leadership that helps teams move through pressure together.7) Closing Blessing + CommunityJoe wishes listeners a Merry Christmas and a meaningful season for whatever they celebrate.He reinforces the message: peace is personal, and for him it’s found in Jesus.Gratitude to the audience + reminder to follow, connect, and join HETMA.Memorable Quotes / Pull-Quotes (for social or episode page)“Peace isn’t the absence of noise and tension—it’s the presence of wholeness.”“If the strength were based on me, it would fail.”“Our job is bigger than signal flow—what we support changes lives.”Listener TakeawaysIdentify where your “counsel” comes from when things get heavy—and stop...