Conversations with Josh Andrew

In this episode of Conversations, I answer 10 real questions submitted through Instagram about leadership, church planting, marriage, and navigating seasons of change. This is an honest, unfiltered conversation where I process out loud about calling, uncertainty, emotional health, and what leadership looks like behind the scenes.

We discuss how to discern when God is leading you into a new season, leaving what is familiar to build something new, leading without a clear roadmap, and handling disappointment when leadership decisions affect people. I also share practical thoughts on protecting marriage during transitions, healthy boundaries, emotional resilience, leadership availability, and what it means to feel called but unqualified.

If you are a pastor, church leader, church planter, or someone navigating change, this episode will encourage you to lead with faithfulness, humility, and clarity rather than pressure or comparison.

📝 Weekly Newsletter I send a free weekly newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts. Subscribe here: https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/

🎙️ Editing & Production I use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean. 👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2

🔗 Connect with Josh Andrew Instagram: @joshnandrew TikTok: @joshnandrew Website: https://joshandrew.org More links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew

In this episode of Conversations, I sit down with Andrew Matrone to discuss pastoral burnout, ministry leadership, marriage, and sustainable health in church leadership.

Andrew shares his transition after 13 years at Red Rocks Church, a season of uncertainty, deleting social media for a year, and rebuilding rhythms of rest and restoration before stepping into a new pastoral role in Florida. We discuss the Barna statistic that only 7% of pastors under 45 say they are flourishing and why traditional ministry models often neglect emotional, physical, and relational health.

This conversation explores boundaries in ministry, the difference between calling and career, leading your home before leading your church, and how pastors can build health in body, mind, and spirit. Andrew also shares practical encouragement for young pastors, including small consistent changes that create long-term sustainability.

If you are a pastor, church leader, ministry couple, or someone navigating leadership burnout, this episode will help you rethink rest, redefine success, and learn how to lead from overflow rather than depletion.

👉 Connect with Andrew: Instagram: @andrewmatrone_ The Fit Pastor Co: @thefitpastorco

📝 Weekly Newsletter I send a free weekly newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts. Subscribe here: https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/

🎙️ Editing & Production I use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean. 👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2

🔗 Connect with Josh Andrew Instagram: @joshnandrew TikTok: @joshnandrew Website: https://joshandrew.orgMore links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew

In this episode of Conversations, I talk about the leadership trap of seeking approval instead of leading with conviction. We explore how people pleasing quietly replaces clarity, why delayed obedience damages trust and culture, and what it takes to lead with courage and faithfulness. If you are a pastor or leader navigating pressure to be liked while making difficult decisions, this conversation will help you return to conviction rooted in obedience rather than applause.

📝 Weekly Newsletter I send a free weekly newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts. Subscribe here: https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/

🎙️ Editing & Production I use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean. 👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2

🔗 Connect with Josh Andrew Instagram: @joshnandrew

Website: https://joshandrew.org More links:https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew

In this episode of Conversations, I talk about one of the most misunderstood topics in church leadership: church growth. While growth is often celebrated as success, unexamined growth can actually be unhealthy and even harmful if it outpaces discipleship, repentance, and spiritual formation. We look at how attendance, momentum, and numbers have slowly replaced biblical measures of faithfulness and fruitfulness. I walk through Jesus’ perspective on crowds, the difference between growth and health, and why transfer growth can give leaders a false sense of effectiveness. This conversation challenges church leaders to rethink how they measure success and to prioritize maturity, Christ-likeness, and long-term spiritual health over simply attracting larger crowds. If you’re a pastor or church leader wrestling with metrics, pressure to grow, or questions about what healthy ministry really looks like, this episode is an invitation to slow down and return to biblical foundations.

📝 Weekly Newsletter I send a free weekly newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts. Subscribe here: https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/

🎙️ Editing & Production I use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean. 👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2

🔗 Connect with Josh Andrew Instagram: @joshnandrew TikTok: @joshnandrew Website: https://joshandrew.org

More links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew

In this episode of Conversations, I sit down with my longtime friend Ty Headley to talk about creativity, ambition, rest, and what it looks like to live a spirit-led life in a chaotic world. Ty shares his journey from aspiring dancer to creative strategist and reflects on how embracing his story, identity, and limitations shaped who he is today. We talk about navigating feedback and criticism as a creative, the pressure to produce, and the tension between ambition and rest. Ty offers honest insight on discouragement, lost time, God’s timing, alignment, and why rest and self-love are not optional if you want to live and lead well. This conversation is especially for young leaders, creatives, and anyone feeling stretched thin by expectations. If you’re trying to build something meaningful without losing yourself in the process, this episode will help you slow down, refocus, and lead from a healthier place.

📝 Weekly Newsletter I send a free monthly newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts. Subscribe here: https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/

🎙️ Editing & Production I use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean. 👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2

🔗 Connect with Josh Andrew Instagram: @joshnandrew TikTok: @joshnandrew Website: https://joshandrew.org

More links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew

In this episode of Conversations, I talk about one of the most subtle leadership traps: leading for approval instead of conviction. Over time, the desire to be liked, affirmed, or accepted can quietly replace obedience and integrity, even in well-meaning leaders. I break down three common ways approval replaces conviction, including editing yourself, delaying obedience, and confusing peace with popularity. We also look at the real cost of approval-driven leadership and walk through four marks of leaders who lead from conviction rather than crowd response. If you’re a pastor, church leader, entrepreneur, or anyone carrying responsibility for others, this conversation will help you identify where approval may be shaping your decisions and how to return to conviction-led leadership that is faithful, clear, and healthy.

📝 Weekly Newsletter I send a free weekly newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts. Subscribe here: https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/

🎙️ Editing & Production I use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean. 👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2

🔗 Connect with Josh Andrew Instagram: @joshnandrew TikTok: @joshnandrew Website: https://joshandrew.org

More links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew

In this episode of Conversations, I talk about the often-overlooked tension between spiritual maturity and emotional health in leadership. Many leaders are faithful in prayer, Scripture, and ministry responsibilities, yet still struggle with emotional dysfunction that quietly affects how they lead. I unpack three common patterns found in emotionally unhealthy leaders, including spiritualizing avoidance, defensiveness disguised as conviction, and control masquerading as stewardship. We also walk through four key habits of emotionally healthy leaders, focusing on self-awareness, managing emotional triggers, inviting honest feedback, and pursuing healing beyond ministry environments. If you’re a pastor, church leader, or anyone in spiritual leadership, this conversation is an invitation to look inward with honesty. Emotional health is not optional for effective leadership. It shapes how we love people, make decisions, and sustain our calling over time.

📝 Weekly Newsletter I send a free monthly newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts. Subscribe here: https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/

🎙️ Editing & Production I use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean. 👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2

🔗 Connect with Josh Andrew Instagram: @joshnandrew TikTok: @joshnandrew Website: https://joshandrew.org

More links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew

In this episode of Conversations, I reconnect with Jacob to talk about his journey from personal loss to launching the suicide prevention nonprofit Stay Here. What began out of deep pain has grown into a national movement that now helps save lives every day and partners with communities across the country. Jacob shares how Stay Here was built, the leadership challenges behind scaling a life-saving organization, and what churches need to understand about mental health and suicide prevention. We talk about the silence that still exists around suicide in faith communities, why pastors must take emotional and spiritual health seriously, and how integrity, rest, and honesty play a critical role in sustainable leadership. This conversation is for church leaders, pastors, and anyone who wants to better understand mental health, suicide prevention, and how the Church can respond with compassion, courage, and practical action. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You are not alone.

Stay Here Website: https://www.stayhere.live/

Stay Here Network: https://www.stayherenetwork.com/

📝 Weekly Newsletter I send a free weekly newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts. Subscribe here: https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/

🎙️ Editing & Production I use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean. 👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2

🔗 Connect with Josh Andrew Instagram: @joshnandrew TikTok: @joshnandrew

Website: https://joshandrew.org

More links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew

In this episode of Conversations, I explore the tension between vision and character in leadership—and what happens when growth in influence outpaces inner formation. Many leadership failures don’t begin publicly; they start with small, unaddressed character gaps that expand as vision and responsibility increase.

I talk through why vision alone cannot sustain healthy leadership, how unresolved personal issues quietly erode integrity, and why chasing applause can replace formation if we’re not careful. We also discuss calling, capacity, obscurity, and the intentional practices required to develop character alongside vision for long-term leadership health.

This episode is for pastors, church leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone carrying responsibility for others who wants to lead with integrity, stability, and faithfulness—not just success.

📝 Weekly Newsletter I send a free weekly newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts. Subscribe here: https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/

🎙️ Editing & Production I use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean. 👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2

🔗 Connect with Josh Andrew Instagram: @joshnandrew TikTok: @joshnandrew Website: https://joshandrew.org

More links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew

In this episode of Conversations, I talk about a difficult but necessary topic for church leaders: resentment in ministry. Many pastors and leaders feel frustration, distance, or even bitterness toward the people they serve—but rarely talk about it out loud. I explore how hidden resentment forms in church leadership, how it affects compassion and presence, and why spiritual authority without love becomes dangerous over time. We talk about ownership, responsibility, patience, and the importance of guarding your heart so leadership doesn’t drift into obligation or control. If you’re a pastor or church leader who feels emotionally distant, exhausted, or frustrated with ministry, this conversation is a heart-check. It’s about recognizing resentment early, healing what’s underneath it, and learning how to lead with truth, love, and genuine care for your church community.

👉 Join the weekly conversation Short weekly reflections on leadership, faith, and the realities we don’t always say out loud.

📝 Weekly Newsletter I send a free weekly newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts. Subscribe here: https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/

🎙️ Editing & Production I use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean. 👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2

🔗 Connect with Josh Andrew Instagram: @joshnandrew TikTok: @joshnandrew Website: https://joshandrew.org

More links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew