The Discerning Leader Podcast

How Spiritual Direction Nurtures The Soul | Season 40, Episode 9 04.06.2026 41min

Host: Steve Macchia, Guests: Susan Currie, Matt Scott "I'm becoming more and more convinced that every leader needs a spiritual director." – Steve Macchia This week's episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, offers a thoughtful conversation about the transformative practice of spiritual direction. Steve Macchia and Susan Currie explore what spiritual direction is, how it differs from counseling, mentoring, and coaching, and why it has become one of the most meaningful practices for nurturing intimacy with God. Susan shares her own journey into spiritual direction and explains how a spiritual director serves not as someone who fixes problems or gives answers, but as a companion who helps us attend to the presence and voice of the Holy Spirit. Along the way, the conversation explores the importance of contemplative listening, the role of silence, the gift of being deeply heard, and the value of having trusted companions for the journey of faith. Whether you're curious about spiritual direction for the first time or looking to deepen your own practice, this episode offers wisdom, encouragement, and practical guidance for tending the health and vitality of your soul. We've provided a 3 page Soul Care Audit that will offer you a handful of questions to consider how well you're caring for your soul. You can download the PDF here and spend some time prayerfully reflecting on your current rhythms and practices. 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.

The Power of Spiritual Friendships | Season 40, Episode 8 28.05.2026 40min

Host: Steve Macchia, Guests: Rick Anderson, Matt Scott "We all need people who believe the best in us, stand beside us when we feel like falling, and help us keep going." – Steve Macchia If you've ever longed for deeper connection, wondered how to cultivate genuine soul friendships, or found yourself feeling isolated in leadership or life, this conversation offers encouragement and practical next steps. In this episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, Steve Macchia is joined by friends and colleagues Rick Anderson and Matt Scott for a conversation on spiritual friendship and its impact on the health and vitality of our souls. Together they explore the difference between surface friendship, deep friendship, and spiritual friendship—and why so many people, especially men and leaders, often experience isolation and loneliness beneath the surface. Through stories, reflections, and shared wisdom, they discuss the courage it takes to be truly known, the importance of vulnerability and trust, and how spiritual friends help us become more fully ourselves. We've provided a 3 page Soul Care Audit that will offer you a handful of questions to consider how well you're caring for your soul. You can download the PDF here and spend some time prayerfully reflecting on your current rhythms and practices. 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.

Our Emotions Are Not Our Enemies | Season 40, Episode 7 21.05.2026 42min

Host: Steve Macchia, Guests: Marcos Leon, Matt Scott "If we don't go to the place of owning and identifying our feelings and emotions, we won't be able to embrace both our brokenness and wholeness." – Steve Macchia Why do so many of us struggle to name what we feel? How do family systems and early experiences shape our emotional lives? And what might happen if we stopped treating emotions as enemies and started receiving them as messengers? In this episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, Steve Macchia is joined by Marcos Leon and Matt Scott for a conversation on emotional well-being and its profound impact on the health of our souls. Together they explore how emotions are not obstacles to our spiritual lives but invitations into deeper awareness, healing, and communion with God. We've provided a 3 page Soul Care Audit that will offer you a handful of questions to consider how well you're caring for your soul. You can download the PDF here and spend some time prayerfully reflecting on your current rhythms and practices. 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.

Creating Space In A Crowded Life | Season 40, Episode 6 14.05.2026 43min

Host: Steve Macchia Guest: Suz Skinner, Matt Scott "Soul care begins by creating space to listen." - Steve Macchia If you feel spiritually weary, distracted, or hungry for deeper intimacy with God, this episode offers a gentle invitation to create space for the One who refreshes our souls. Steve Macchia is joined by Suz Skinner and Matt Scott for a rich conversation about creating space to be with God and how that space nourishes the soul. Together they explore the many ways God meets us—in prayer closets and art studios, through journaling and gratitude, in silence, Scripture, creativity, nature, and the ordinary rhythms of daily life. This conversation invites listeners to slow down, pay attention, and rediscover that soul care is less about perfect practices and more about relational presence with God. We've provided a 3 page Soul Care Audit that will offer you a handful of questions to consider how well you're caring for your soul. You can download the PDF here and spend some time prayerfully reflecting on your current rhythms and practices. 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.

Exchange Your Striving For Delight | Season 40, Episode 5 07.05.2026 39min

In this reflective episode of the Discerning Leader podcast, Steve Macchia, Matt Scott, and Dr. Kim Alexander explore the deep spiritual practice of Sabbath rest and its impact on the soul. Moving beyond the idea of simply "stopping," they unpack what it means to truly rest—embracing surrender, trust, and delight in God's presence. Through personal stories, cultural observations, and spiritual insights, the conversation highlights the challenge of practicing Sabbath in a fast-paced, always-on world. Listeners are invited to reconsider Sabbath not as restriction, but as a life-giving rhythm of freedom, identity, and belovedness—an intentional space to be with God rather than merely doing for God. We've provided a 3 page Soul Care Audit that will offer you a handful of questions to consider how well you're caring for your soul. You can download the PDF here and spend some time prayerfully reflecting on your current rhythms and practices. 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.

A Disposition Toward Silence And Solitude | Season 40, Episode 4 30.04.2026 42min

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott, Fyfe Blair "What are the 'pillows' that allow your soul to finally rest in God?" – Steve Macchia In this episode of the Discerning Leader Podcast, Steve Machia is joined by Matt Scott and Fyfe Blair for a rich and reflective conversation on silence and solitude. Together, they explore why these ancient practices feel so difficult in a distracted, fast-paced world—and why they remain essential for the health of our souls. Drawing from Scripture, lived experience, and the wisdom of the Desert Fathers, this episode invites you to move beyond surface-level quiet into a deeper stillness of heart. You'll discover how silence and solitude are not ends in themselves, but pathways into a life rooted in God's presence—a life marked by what Fife calls a "cadence of grace." If your soul feels hurried, noisy, or stretched thin, this conversation offers a gentle but honest invitation: slow down, make space, and learn again how to be with God. We've provided a 3 page Soul Care Audit that will offer you a handful of questions to consider how well you're caring for your soul. You can download the PDF here and spend some time prayerfully reflecting on your current rhythms and practices. 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.

Renewing The Mind For A Healthy Soul | Season 40, Episode 3 23.04.2026 37min

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott, Jeremy Stefano "The mind must be renewed if the soul is to be transformed." – Steve Macchia In a world saturated with distraction, misinformation, and anxiety, what we think about—and how we think—deeply shapes the condition of our soul. In Episode 03 of Season 40, Steve Macchia, Jeremy Stefano and Matt Scott unpack how examining truth, prayerful reflection, and intentional thought lead to transformation. From the renewal of the mind in Romans 12 to the call in Philippians 4 to dwell on what is true, honorable, and pure, this conversation offers a grounded and hopeful vision for cultivating a healthy inner life. If you've ever felt mentally scattered, spiritually dry, or overwhelmed by competing voices, this episode is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and allow God to renew your mind...and restore your soul. We've provided a 3 page Soul Care Audit that will offer you a handful of questions to consider how well you're caring for your soul. You can download the PDF here and spend some time prayerfully reflecting on your current rhythms and practices. 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.

Caring for the Body, Tending the Soul | Season 40, Episode 2 16.04.2026 41min

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott and Dr. Brenda Woods "We cannot separate the body and the soul—our bodies impact our spiritual health." – Steve Macchia How does your physical body shape the health of your soul? In this episode, Dr. Brenda Woods joins Steve Macchia and Matt Scott as they explore the deep connection between our physical and spiritual well-being. Together, they challenge the false divide between body and soul, inviting listeners into a more holistic vision of health. With practical wisdom and gentle encouragement, they highlight the power of small, intentional choices in caring for our bodies as an essential part of tending to the soul. We've provided a 3 page Soul Care Audit that will offer you a handful of questions to consider how well you're caring for your soul. You can download the PDF here and spend some time prayerfully reflecting on your current rhythms and practices. 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.

What's The State Of Your Soul? | Season 40, Episode 1 09.04.2026 33min

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott "The soul is the only part of us that is eternal—so why do we neglect it the most?" - Steve Macchia "How is it with your soul?" This timeless question opens the door to a deeper awareness of our life with God. In this first episode of the new season, Steve Macchia and Matt Scott explore the meaning, depth, and importance of the soul—described as the very essence of who we are and the center of our relationship with God. As they reflect on Scripture and lived experience, they invite listeners to consider the health of their own soul and the ways it shapes every part of life. With honesty and hope, this conversation marks the beginning of a journey toward greater attentiveness, intentionality, and care for the most vital—and often neglected—part of our being. 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.

An Invitation To Transformation | Season 39, Episode 7 31.03.2026 41min

Featuring: Steve Macchia, Suz Skinner, Matt Scott "Each parable of Jesus is an invitation—not just to understand, but to be transformed." - Steve Macchia What if the parables of Jesus are not simply stories to understand—but invitations to be transformed? In this concluding episode of Season 39: Praying the Parables of Jesus, Steve Macchia, along with Suz Skinner and Matt Scott, reflects on the final collection of parables and the deeper themes they reveal—faithfulness, righteousness, humility, and persistent prayer. Together, they explore the surprising wisdom of the shrewd manager, the courageous persistence of the widow, and the quiet humility of the tax collector—each inviting us to examine the posture of our own hearts before God. As this journey comes to a close, the invitation remains open: to move beyond insight and information into transformation. May this sacred journey deepen your intimacy with Jesus—and awaken in you a faith that is persistent, a heart that is humble, and a life that is truly transformed. 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.

Praying the Parables with Open Hands | Season 39, Episode 6 24.03.2026 40min

Featuring: Steve Macchia, Suz Skinner, Matt Scott "Tell me your story…and I'll companion you in your lack of trust." - Steve Macchia What might change if you encountered the parables of Jesus as an invitation into a life of deeper trust? Episode 39.6 reflects on a powerful gathering of parables centered on the theme of trust—trusting in God's provision, His love, His rescue, and His heart toward us. From the cost of discipleship to the tenderness of the Good Shepherd, this conversation confronts our tendency to hold tightly to, control outcomes, and resist surrender. What emerges is a compelling invitation: to let go, to trust more deeply, and to rest in the faithful, initiating presence of a God who is always pursuing, always loving, and always at work. To join the 40 day Lenten Prayer Experience, sign up today at www.leadershiptransformations.org/lent2026. 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.

Persistent in Prayer and Serving | Season 39, Episode 5 17.03.2026 36min

Featuring: Steve Macchia, Suz Skinner, Matt Scott "Ask. Seek. Knock… there's initiative attached to every one of those words." - Steve Macchia In this episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, Steve Macchia, Suze Skinner, and Matt Scott continue their journey through Praying the Parables of Jesus, reflecting on a group of parables centered around one simple word: serve. Through prayerful conversation, they explore how the stories of Jesus invite us to serve with persistence, humility, watchfulness, and faithfulness. Slowing down with the parables through practices like Lectio Divina and Visio Divina reveals layer upon layer of meaning—reminding us that these seemingly simple stories continue to form and transform us again and again. This conversation invites listeners to wrestle honestly with God, trusting that the parables are meant to wake us up, deepen our trust, and shape us into servants of God's kingdom. Join us on the Lenten Prayer Journey! Learn more here. 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.

A Generous or Stingy Life? | Season 39 Episode 4 10.03.2026 35min

Come Close, Draw Near | Season 39, Episode 3 03.03.2026 39min

Featuring: Steve Macchia, Suz Skinner, Matt Scott "God's invitation is always the same: come close, draw near, follow Me." - Steve Macchia What does it mean to truly receive God's invitation? In this episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, Steve Machia, Sue Skinner, and Matt Scott explore a powerful grouping of parables from the book Praying the Parables of Jesus—each echoing a single, compelling word: come. Through reflections on the wedding banquet (Matthew 22), the ten virgins, and the vineyard stories, the conversation turns toward the condition of our hearts. Why do we hesitate at the King's invitation? Why do we find distractions, excuses, divided loyalties? And what might it look like to live with oil in our lamps—alert, expectant, and ready? To sign up for the Lenten Prayer Experience, visit www.leadershiptransformations.org/lent2026 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.

Are You All In For The Kingdom? | Season 39, Episode 2 24.02.2026 35min

Featuring Steve Macchia, Suz Skinner, and Matt Scott "The parables confront us with a question: Kingdom of God or kingdom of earth?" - Steve Macchia In this episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast (Season 39, Ep 02), Steve Macchia, Suz Skinner, and Matt Scott reflect on six parables that share one compelling invitation: be all in for the kingdom of God. Through the practices of lectio and visio divina, they explore the recurring theme of Jesus inviting us to labor and live for the Kingdom of Heaven rather than the kingdom of earth. 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.

Receiving the Kingdom of God | Season 39, Episode 1 17.02.2026 38min

Featuring Steve Macchia, Suz Skinner, and Matt Scott As Season 39 of the Discerning Leader podcast begins, Steve Macchia, Sue Skinner, and Matt Scott invite listeners into a 40-day journey of praying the parables of Jesus. Rooted in the ancient practices of lectio divina and visio divina, this season explores how word and image together awaken a posture of receptivity to God's kingdom. Through honest reflection and personal stories, this conversation explores what it means to come to God empty-handed—ready to receive rather than achieve. Tune in as they share how Jesus' parables invite us to receive and live into the realities of the Kingdom of God. To join the 40 day Lenten Prayer Experience, sign up today at www.leadershiptransformations.org/lent2026. 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.

The Best Time To Craft A Rule Of Life | Season 38, Episode 6 12.02.2026 36min

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: James Hauptman "And that's the ripple effect that happens when men of God like you take this seriously and put real teeth into noticing what's necessary for this season." - Steve Macchia In this concluding episode of Season 38, Steve Macchia welcomes James Hopman to share how he crafted his personal rule of life in the midst of an exceptionally full season. As a pastor, seminary student, husband, and father of four, James reflects on how intentional rhythms of prayer, Sabbath, family connection, and mission keep his life from becoming chaotic — even when it is undeniably busy. Together, they explore why any season is the right season to begin a rule of life, why belovedness must be the foundation, and how a rule of life remains a living, revisable document. James offers a practical and deeply personal glimpse into the daily, weekly, quarterly, and yearly rhythms that anchor his life in union with God. This episode is an invitation to slow down, notice God's initiatives, and courageously craft your own rule 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.

From Burnout and Brokenness to Beloved | Season 38, Episode 5 04.02.2026 38min

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Rev. Jen Keifer "You and I, we find our passion somewhere between a fist in the air of injustice and the tear in our eye of compassion and mercy." - Steve Macchia In this episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, host Steve Macchia is joined by Rev. Jen Kiefer, who shares her deeply personal journey of crafting and living a rule of life rooted in belovedness rather than burnout. Jen reflects on a transformative season of brokenness that led her into contemplative rhythms, restorative justice, and a renewed understanding of God as the lover of her soul. Through vivid storytelling—including the creation of a quilt inspired by Micah 6:8—she explores how fury, mercy, and hope shape both her spiritual formation and pastoral ministry. 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.

Safeguarding Love In Our Rule Of Life | Season 38, Ep.04 29.01.2026 42min

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: James Hauptman "If God's going to be in the center of our lives, we have to be willing to let him come in and take over every single aspect of our lives." - Steve Macchia In this episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, Steve Machia and James Hauptman explore how a personal rule of life is ultimately lived out in community. Drawing from ancient Christian wisdom and the monastic tradition, they reflect on the purpose of a rule of life as a way of safeguarding love—honoring one another, nurturing unity, and choosing commitment over convenience. With biblical insight and practical examples, this conversation invites leaders and churches to imagine what could happen if we truly preferred one another and allowed our shared life together to become a living witness of God's transforming presence. 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.

Weaving Together Your Rule Of Life | Season 38, Episode 03 22.01.2026 37min

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: James Hauptman "If God's going to be in the center of our lives, we have to be willing to let him come in and take over every single aspect of our lives." - Steve Macchia What do we do with the raw materials of our lives? Episode 3 of Season 38 invites you into a reflective and practical conversation about crafting a personal Rule of Life. Host Steve Macchia welcomes James Hauptman to explore how intentional rhythms can help us across five essential areas of life: spiritual, physical, relational, financial, and missional. Filled with wisdom and grounded practices, this episode offers guidance for weaving together a personal Rule that is fruitfully and faithfully lived out. 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.