The Discerning Leader Podcast

“There’s so much of us that is yet to be explored because we don’t access our imagination.” - Steve Macchia Is it possible to experience a life of fruitful obedience when we're exhausted, anxious, and busy? In their book A Fruitful Life, Ashley and Bryce Hales help readers dive deep into the Sermon on the Mount and discover Jesus' vision of a good and fruitful life. This podcast episode, hosted by Steve Macchia, offers a rich conversation around Jesus' most famous teaching as well as the surprising and renewing power of Christian imagination. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Bill Simmons “We tend to go other places…our work, our relationships, our hobbies, our attachments as opposed to simply finding our rest in God.” - Steve Macchia In this episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, Steve Macchia welcomes Bill Simmons to share themes from his new book, The Way of Interruption: Spiritual Practice for Organizational Life. Bill is the president and CEO of Hope Rises, International. In this conversation, he shares wisodm in how letting go of control and embracing established practices can transform an organization’s spiritual culture. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guests: Mimi Dixon “Let us reflect with gratitude on this movement-making piece of literature that has entered our hearts and the spiritual formation world. We are so grateful for the faithfulness of Richard Foster.” - Steve Macchia Miriam (Mimi) Dixon began her ministry in 1979 and has been building up local churches ever since. Holding both an MDiv and DMin degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, she has served in pastoral roles, on the Renovaré Board of Directors, a teacher for the Renovaré Institute, and the faculty for Next Frontiers. In this conversation with Steve Macchia, she graciously shares the influence of Richard Foster and the story behind her book Worth Celebrating: A Biography of Richard J. Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Jimmy Mellado “When we have an awareness of a need, will we run to the need? Are we going to be known for our generosity or for our stinginess?” - Steve Macchia Steve Macchia and Jimmy Mellado connect in Episode 04 of Season 36. After serving for more than 20 years as the president of the Willow Creek Association, Jimmy has been the President and CEO of Compassion International since 2013. He and Steve discuss spiritual leadership, lessons learned as a decathlete, and the daily rhythms of surrender, restoration, rest, replenishment and communion with God. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guests: Nicholas and Sheila Rowe “We’ve been instructed to act justly, to love mercifully and to walk humbly with the Lord. We want to take the risk of extending friendship across the lines that have historically separated us.” - Steve Macchia In Episode 03 of Season 36, Nicholas and Sheila Rowe offer their expertise in helping leaders process painful and traumatic experiences. In their book Healing Leadership Trauma, they lay out the emotional challenges of leadership and offer encouragement, prayer, and therapeutic tools to help leaders face their pain and begin to heal. Steve Macchia hosts a rich conversation with the Rowes to offer hope for leaders feeling the weight of their past trauma, present struggles, and uncertainty of the future. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Machia, Guest: Dave Ripper “In essence, the number one question we ought to be asking ourselves is 'How can I help you draw closer to God?'" - Steve Macchia In Episode 02 of Season 36, Steve Macchia hosts Dave Ripper, author of ‘Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus.’ In this conversation, Steve and Dave discuss Dallas Willard’s approach to reading the Bible and how we can move toward an experiential knowledge of God in our lives. Don’t miss this conversation as Dave shares personal stories about his relationship with the Willards, his heart behind his new book, and how we can encounter God in transforming ways through the Scriptures. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Suz Skinner “Our prayer is that our eyes will be open, our ears will be attentive, and our hearts will receive the gift of the parables of Jesus.” - Steve Macchia Season 36 begins with a conversation between Steve Macchia and Suz Skinner. They share about their soon-to-release book, Praying the Parables of Jesus, an immersive encounter with the teachings of Jesus. Using the spiritual practices of Lectio and Visio Divina, readers can connect more deeply with the teachings of Jesus as they prayerfully discern God’s invitation in the parables. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Gordon Macdonald This episode originally aired on May 5, 2022 as Episode 6 of Season 18 “Expect to reorganize your interior life every 7-10 years.” –Gordon MacDonald Gordon Macdonald joins Steve Macchia again for the conclusion of this 2-part conversation around his book “The View from Eighty.” Sharing the final 8 insights that make for success or failure in ministry, this REWIND episode will encourage you to live modestly, remain humble and devote time to building and reorganizing your interior life. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Gordon Macdonald This episode originally aired on April 28, 2022 as Episode 5 of Season 18 “Your number one priority in the Lord’s work is your family.” –Gordon MacDonald Gordon Macdonald joins Steve Macchia for the first of two conversations, drawing from his book “The View from Eighty.” A summary of 15 things that make for success or failure in ministry, Gordon and Steve explore the first 7 insights that come from 6 decades of ministry experience. This REWIND episode will encourage you to prioritize your most important relationships and maintain a healthy spiritual life. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Eric Peterson This episode originally aired on April 7, 2022 as Episode 2 of Season 18 “God is in everything, in all the details of life, and not just the pleasant ones.” – Eric Peterson In this REWIND episode, Eric Peterson joins Steve Macchia to reflect upon the luminous trail of spiritual discernment. Using the metaphors of mountain climbing and hiking, Eric and Steve explore how spiritual friendships are like headlamps that shine on the pathway of life. Tune into this rich conversation between Eric and Steve as they offer insights around how each of us can live a life of illumination and spiritual discernment. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Carolyn Arends This episode originally aired on October 13, 2022 as Episode 2 of Season 22 “The promise we always have is not no pain – it’s no wasted pain. There’s nothing that He can’t redeem.” – Carolyn Arends Carolyn Arends joins Steve Macchia to share watershed moments of her life story. Highlighting several major turning points and milestones, she offers personal anecdotes on how to cultivate a discerning life. In this REWIND episode, Carolyn shares how the formation required to cultivate a life of discernment is similar to that which makes a great writer or artist. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guests: Bill and Kristi Gaultiere This episode originally aired on November 10, 2022 as Episode 6 of Season 22 “Ohh, I need to do some more inner journey work. This is an invitation.” –Kristi Gaultiere Bill and Kristi Gaultiere join Steve for a rich conversation about spiritual practices, discernment and soul care. In their book Journey of the Soul, they reflect on more than 70,000 hours of therapy and spiritual direction with people. In this REWIND episode of The Discerning Leader podcast, Bill and Kristi share six stages of spiritual growth and different walls that we experience. These walls start as periods of disorientation but become transition times to a more Christ-centered way of being. Listen as they share personal stories and offer a map to help every person through their own journey of the soul. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: James Bryan Smith This episode originally aired on November 3, 2022 as Episode 5 of Season 22 “Every need that my soul has, Jesus meets them – every single one of them.” – James Bryan Smith James Bryan Smith joins Steve for a conversation about how our view of God transforms our understanding and experience of spiritual disciplines. In this REWIND episode of The Discerning Leader podcast, James explores the harm of having a legalistic approach to spiritual practices and a toxic view of God. On the other hand, a right perspective of the spiritual disciplines offers us the gift of intimacy with God. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Nathan Foster This episode originally aired on April 14, 2022 as Episode 3 of Season 18 “The Jesus way is clear: hang out with 12 nobodies and then give them the keys.” –Nathan Foster Nate Foster joins Steve Macchia for a conversation about our awareness of God and quiet reflection. In this REWIND episode, Nate invites us to consider how God often fills in the gaps after times of quiet discernment and prayer. Viewing spiritual practices as what we do in the ordinary parts of life, this conversation welcomes us to experience renewed joy in the wonderfully ordinary, and grace-filled moments of life. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Rowena Day This episode originally aired on April 13, 2023 as Episode 1 of Season 26. “There are so many ways that our attention is pulled, and we are divorced from our own bodies which make it really hard to notice God.” – Rowena Day In this REWIND episode of The Discerning Leader podcast, Rowena Day shares with Steve how she notices the presence of God through the mighty oceans and the minute details of everyday living. Encouraging us with the notion that only when our mind, heart, body and spirit are fully integrated can we be receptive to what God has for us in the present, Rowena offers practical insights to living an embodied and integrated spirituality. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Trevor Hudson This episode originally aired on October 6, 2022 as Episode 1 of Season 22. Trevor Hudson joins Steve Macchia to discuss what it means to discern the voice of God and follow Jesus in family and vocational life as well as times of discontent and suffering. Drawing from the wisdom of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Dallas Willard, Trevor offers insights and practical ways we can seek and find God in everyday living. This REWIND episode was originally aired in October of 2022 and remains one of the most downloaded episodes of The Discerning Leader podcast. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “It’s important to be surrounded by people who model what a Christ-like life looks like, invest in you regularly, offer spiritual friendship, ongoing guidance and encouragement.” — Steve Macchia The final episode of Season 35 explores what it looks like to walk with the saints. You'll hear personal stories from Steve and Matt as they share some of the relationships that have helped them embody and emulate the things that make for community (presence, listening, hospitality, forbearance, humility, trust-building, repairing and restoring). Tune into this conversation as you consider who is helping to feed your soul and whose soul you’re companioning along the way. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “Those who have an articulated communal rule of life stick together longer and more faithfully...and go deeper in their walk together with the Lord.” — Steve Macchia Healthy churches and healthy spiritual communities are comprised of those who learn, live and grow together in Christ. These communities offer a safe place to share hurts and heartaches, pray for and care for one another, grow together in grace, and offer forgiveness and selfless love to one another. Of course, this way of living doesn’t happen without great purpose and intention. Enjoy this podcast conversation centered around how to live out a share rule of life within a spiritual community. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “Leadership is about whether or not the people are doing better because of your decisions.” — Steve Macchia We know all-too-well the destruction that comes when power, influence and authority are mishandled and misguided in selfish ambition. This conversation explores “power” and how we can healthily steward the influence and authority entrusted to us in a way that honors, empowers, and equips others to flourish. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “If we could practice listening first before speaking, how different our words would be and how different our relationships would be.” — Steve Macchia Humbly receiving the preached Word of God is one means of speaking and hearing the Truth in love. But what does this look like within the context of our relationships? How do we humbly and gratefully accept reproach and admonition from others? This conversation offers wisdom and practical steps around what it looks like for us to both speak and hear the truth in love. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.