Me and my friend Daron at Catalyst

I can’t believe it’s already been two weeks since I was at Catalyst East. It’s been a whirlwind since then. But hey, I guess the countdown continues until next year!

This year’s theme was “KNOWN,” which was awesome because there was a lot of talk about identity and foundational faith issues alongside leadership, which is the conference’s main focus. Good, deep stuff.

I would say of all the main stage speakers, my favorite would be Malcolm Gladwell. And really, I can probably say that any time he speaks. If you’ve never read his books, you’re really missing out. Utterly fascinating. I definitely feel a lot smarter after reading them. And, well, I’d like to say he’s someone I’d like to sit down over coffee with, but honestly, I don’t think I could keep up with him. But I’ll listen to him all day long!

And without further adieu…

Andy Stanley, Co-Founder of North Point Ministries

• We all have an appetite to be known, but what level of known is enough? (family? friends? fame?)
• We all want to be known for something, and known by someone.
• There is no amount of known to satisfy. You think it’s the next thing, but it’s not.
• What’s applauded as exceptional becomes expected. Applause is intoxicating and addictive.
• To survive being known, remember who it’s from, and who it’s for.
• You have been given a stewardship of known-ness, for making Him known.

Dave Ramsey and his daughter, Rachel Cruz

• You don’t own anything. You are a steward.
• Money magnifies the person you already are.
• Who you hang around with is who you become.

Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark

• Fear makes us small. Love makes us large.
• The world you see outside of you is a reflection of what’s inside of you.
• You can’t have great breakthroughs without great failures.

Malcolm Gladwell, Journalist and Author

• We do not know our own strength.
• David wasn’t actually an underdog.
• We underestimate the power of heart.
• We underestimate the power of our faith.

Jason Russell, Co-Founder of Invisible Children

• Too often we let our mistakes define us.
• The only way to Truth and freedom is vulnerability.
• Declare your priorities and make them so.
• I think God’s first miracle was at a wedding as a reminder to live abundantly.

Reggie Joiner, Founder of Orange (This is the company I work for.)

• Make what matters, matter more.
• Sometimes we get confused on what God is supposed to do and what we’re supposed to do.
• The Bible doesn’t say change your neighbor as yourself.
• Love over time is believable.
• Legacy is about others. It’s about what you leave in others.
• Until a person is known, they can’t feel love.

Jud Wilhite, Author and Senior Pastor of Central Christian Church

• Love the calling you have, not the one you wish you had.
• Go and love your calling. Go and love your church.
• God didn’t call you to fruit, He called you to faithfulness.

There were some other great speakers I didn’t get to hear as well: Angela Ahrendts, CEO of Burberry; Lecrae Moore, Hip Hop Artist; John Piper, Founder DesiringGod.org; Judah Smith, Lead Pastor of The City Church and Author; Priscilla Shirer, Founder of Going Beyond Ministries. You can follow @CatalystLeader on Twitter or search the hashtag #Catalyst to find notes from these amazing people, and dig deeper into my highlights.

And if you missed my Labs recap, have a gander here.

Hope you feel smarter, more insightful and ready to take on the world. That’s what Catalyst does for me!