One Year Later: What Writing Unfolded Taught Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring About Leadership, Creativity, and Change

About a year ago, Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane entered the world. Since then, Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring have watched their national bestselling book move beyond its pages and into leadership teams, coaching conversations, personal reflection, and meaningful moments with readers from all walks of life.

In this special episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, Nathan Freeburg chats with the Schubring’s and reflects on what surprised them most about the experience of writing, releasing, and sharing Unfolded. But instead of focusing only on the book’s success, the conversation turns inward: How has the process changed them personally? What have they learned about themselves? And what does it feel like to continue “unfolding” after the book is already out in the world?

The Unexpected Delight of Sharing Something Personal

One of the biggest surprises for Dr. Linda was not the stress of publishing a book, but the joy that came afterward.

“What surprised me is that I experienced delight.” — Dr. Linda Schubring

Rather than feeling self-conscious about sharing such personal and reflective work, she found herself energized by how deeply people connected with the story. Again and again, readers shared their own longings, struggles, and hopes through the lens of the book.

For Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring, Unfolded was never just about telling a story. It was about creating something accessible and meaningful enough that readers could see themselves inside of it.

That accessibility was intentional. The book’s allegorical style and simple language were designed to invite reflection without overwhelming the reader. Whether someone is a senior leader navigating uncertainty or a person quietly trying to rediscover purpose, the themes resonate because they are fundamentally human.

Writing Together Was a Reflection of Their Relationship

Brian Schubring reflected on how surprised he was by other people’s reactions to the way he and Dr. Linda wrote the book together.

For them, the collaborative process felt natural. The low barrier to sharing ideas, revising each other’s thoughts, and creating together mirrored how they already approach their work and life as partners.

“I’m surprised that the story has been a confirmation on the relationship that Linda and I share.” — Brian Schubring

What stood out to listeners and readers alike was not just the message of Unfolded, but the relational dynamic behind it. The book itself became an extension of the trust, creativity, and emotional openness that defines how Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring lead together.

In many ways, that may be one of the deeper lessons beneath the surface of the conversation: meaningful work is often born from meaningful relationships.

When Readers Make the Story Their Own

Some of the most powerful moments from the past year came when readers reflected the story back to its authors.

Brian shared stories of readers identifying themselves in the characters of the book — particularly Fox, whose frustration and drive often struck a deeply personal chord. Others shared how the themes helped them process leadership challenges, seasons of uncertainty, or moments of personal transformation.

For both Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring, those interactions reinforced why they chose to write an allegory in the first place. Rather than prescribing answers, the story creates space for interpretation and self-discovery.

One especially memorable moment happened during a leadership cohort session when a participant enthusiastically described Unfolded to Dr. Linda — without realizing she was speaking to one of the authors. The woman shared lines from the book that had impacted her and explained how meaningful the story had become in her own life. It was a reminder that the work had truly taken on a life beyond themselves.

Still in the “Try” Stage

Near the end of the episode, I asked them where they see themselves within the metaphorical journey of Unfolded today?

Their answers were deeply honest.

Brian described himself as being in the stage where OC first attempts to fly — navigating branches, obstacles, and uncertainty while still learning the pathway forward.

Dr. Linda reflected that she still feels very much in the “try” stage: experimenting, growing, and resisting the temptation to rush prematurely toward resolution.

“If we rush through the chapters too quickly, we miss the opportunity to live.” — Dr. Linda Schubring

That insight may ultimately be one of the central invitations of Unfolded: transformation is rarely immediate. Growth unfolds slowly, often through uncertainty, trying, reflection, and perseverance.

And perhaps that’s why the story continues to resonate so deeply one year later.

If you’ve already read Unfolded, this episode offers a meaningful look behind the scenes at the people and experiences that shaped it. And if you haven’t yet picked it up, this conversation is a compelling invitation to begin the journey yourself.