In Part 2 of Show Us Your Human, I sit down with Darren Palmer, a leader, entrepreneur, and someone who is incredibly passionate about connecting with others. We dive into the truths behind leadership that are rarely seen—the struggles, the doubts, and the human side of great leadership.
Darren M. Palmer is a dynamic Serial Entrepreneur and the co-founder of one of the nation’s fastest-growing agencies, Prosperity Partners Agency. With a mission to empower families and entrepreneurs, Darren and his partners are equipping leaders with the tools and strategies needed to achieve financial freedom.
Before entering the insurance industry, Darren founded Self Publish -N- 30 Days, the #1 self-publishing company in the world, serving high-level entrepreneurs and helping them turn their stories into seven-figure platforms.
Through mentorship and experience, Darren discovered the keys to building wealth—but also realized the deep gap in financial literacy within the business community. Refusing to stand on the sidelines, he became a solution in the marketplace, teaching others how to build legacy, protect income, and steward their financial future with confidence.
We kick off the conversation with an important question: What makes you great? Darren shares that his resilience and deep faith are what truly set him apart. He believes that faith fuels resilience—his ability to keep going even when life gets tough. Resilience, as Darren explains, isn’t about never facing challenges, but about keeping faith through the trials. Darren’s perspective on leadership is that trials and tribulations are part of the process, and they’re what make us more than conquerors.
As we dig deeper, Darren reflects on the struggles that all great leaders face but don’t always share with the public. He talks about moments when he’s faced real doubts—whether it’s in his personal life, in his business decisions, or in his role as a father. Even when Darren has felt like giving up, he speaks to the mechanisms he uses to fight back: controlling his thoughts, his tongue, and his temperament. He shares how positive thinking and speaking life into situations has helped him overcome the hardest challenges, even when it feels like life is constantly knocking him down.
For Darren, his faith is the cornerstone of his resilience. He explains that, although he experiences moments of fear and doubt, he knows that faith—not perfection—is what keeps him going. Resilience comes from having a belief system strong enough to weather the storms of life. Darren explains that faith and doubt can coexist, and they often fuel each other in a powerful way. Doubt is the human experience, but faith provides the strength to carry on and take action in the face of it.
A key part of Darren’s approach to resilience is his ability to control his thoughts and words. He describes the discipline it takes to train your thoughts to stay aligned with the promises of his faith. He acknowledges that we all have thoughts of doubt, but it’s important to not let those thoughts dictate our reality. Verbalizing life and affirmations helps Darren stay in alignment with his purpose, no matter what challenges come his way.
We also talk about the importance of having the right support system. Darren explains that resilience can’t be done alone—surrounding yourself with people who align with your values and beliefs is critical for navigating life’s toughest moments. Darren emphasizes that as leaders, it’s crucial to be transparent with your team, especially in difficult times. By doing so, you allow your team to connect with you on a deeper level and gain strength from the humanity that’s often hidden beneath the leadership façade.
Towards the end of the conversation, Darren talks about his personal growth and the realizations he’s had about his role as a father, business owner, and leader. He reflects on how he used to resent his children because of the unmet expectations he had about being the perfect father. But he quickly realized that he couldn’t hold them responsible for his past. Leadership requires self-awareness and a willingness to grow beyond personal struggles, which is exactly what Darren is doing.
00:00 Introduction to Unfinished Leadership
00:49 Defining Resilience
01:25 Facing Life's Challenges
04:35 The Power of Thoughts and Words
09:09 Maintaining Optimism and Integrity
14:13 Faith as a Foundation
17:49 The Role of Doubt in Belief
18:04 Energizing Conversations
19:42 The Power of Free Will
21:07 Facing Doubt and Building Resilience
23:42 Breaking Industry Molds
25:50 Financial Literacy and Legacy
28:05 Personal Reflections and Growth
33:04 Embracing Humanity and Connection
35:45 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
