Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Ronald Chapman of Decatur

We recently had the chance to connect with Ronald Chapman and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Ronald, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
After a major shift in my professional portfolio, and now some time while on a writing and reflection sabbatical, I’ve been able to come back to sculpting. Much to my surprise after many failings with artistic expression, it’s one that I’m pleased to acknowledge some talent. I find myself wondering whether this will become a much larger aspect of my practices after sabbatical.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
For many years, I’ve been a facilitator, speaker, strategist, consultant and coach, both professionally and in a number of alternative settings. The heart of those practices has been curating and orchestrating the lives and paths of others. It’s been remarkable to see it all play out through several businesses all the while. All along, I’ve also written books in a number of genres, but the most recent push has been with psycho-spiritual thrillers, now known as the The Saga of Grace Series. The third book is releasing in September, 2025 and I’m excited to be on the actual and virtual road to talk about the themes in A Killer’s Grace, The Dark Side of Grace, and The Reckoning of Grace. As for the brand, I mostly practice as a transformational facilitator, though more typically I’m thought of in the more specific roles described earlier. As a mentor recently reflected, “I’m built for gnarly terrain and for supporting others in finding their way.”

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
This is a great cue, since I recently spent some time in spiritual retreat. The main theme that emerged in very specific terms is that it is now time to let go of my most common roles as “wiseman and illuminator.” And that it is now for “the transcendent to take me into the depths of the collective unconscious and there to be guided.” Very Jungian experiences, and the hallmarks of a life passage that is simultaneously invigorating and disruptive. My mentor told me to hold my center, that new ways would emerge. It’s all very mystical, which suits me quite well. After a lifetime working with the growth and development of others, it seems I’m at a jumping off point for my own next incarnation.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
While there is no one to blame, as a boy I simply lost myself and lost my way. I became alcoholic, and what we would now call “co-dependent,” which served me quite well in some important worldly ways, and yet cost me dearly. It was only after hitting a deep emotional and psychological bottom, followed by sobriety and some years of reconstructing my life and path, that I finally came home to myself. Of course, I remain a work in progress since our return is never finished. I’m quite excited that my current sabbatical is bearing so much inner fruit that I’m confident a most interesting next chapter is emerging.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
There have been two characters I’ve studied at some depth. Teddy Roosevelt was such an enigmatic figure, almost a force of nature. Clearly, early in his life there was some kind of an inflection point that caused him to become the seemingly insurmountable figure he became. So too did Nelson Mandela hit a crux that remade him. I’ve been so intrigued by his transformation into a remarkable leader. That’s a theme for me, i.e. I’m drawn to those transformational experiences, from which I seem to learn a great deal.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I love this question because it plays into a curious exploration I experienced with my long-time mentor, a guy I affectionately and reverently call Master Samwise. He’s now gone from the earth, but we talked countless times about how we are simultaneously amazing and flawed creatures. The result of those discussions is a cardinal belief for me: We are always doing the best we are able for any given time, place and circumstance. In fact, every moment is our best moment. While we may be able to improve in the next moment, we can only operate from moment to moment with the sum total of whatever our awareness allows. It’s such a beautiful idea that has allowed me to almost always accept people with little judgment. If anything, that ability to meet people where they are has been a signature aspect of all my life practices.

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None needed, all photos are mine

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