In today’s episode of The Healthy Christian Leader Show, host Dwight Habermehl sits down with Leanne Friesen, Executive Minister of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec. Leanne shares her journey from Newfoundland to ministry leadership, the impact of losing her sister to cancer, and how grief has shaped both her life and her new book Grieving Room. Together, they explore what it means for pastors to stay spiritually healthy while grieving, how to set limits in ministry, and how God meets us in silence and sorrow. This conversation is full of honesty, wisdom, and encouragement for leaders navigating loss.

In this inspiring episode of The Healthy Christian Leader Show, host Dwight Habermehl welcomes Jesiel Falcao — civil engineer, minister of the gospel, and missionary from Brazil to Canada. Jesiel shares his remarkable journey from working alongside his father as a boy in Brazil’s construction industry, to leading large-scale infrastructure projects, and to building congregations in Canada.

Drawing from decades in both marketplace and ministry leadership, Jesiel offers practical wisdom on bringing integrity and “kingdom culture” into professional settings, navigating challenges when workplace values clash with biblical convictions, and creating a culture of respect, excellence, and care without being preachy. He also shares powerful examples of following the Holy Spirit’s leading in critical, high-stakes decisions, including a testimony from a multi-million-dollar bridge project in São Paulo.

Jesiel encourages believers to trust God with their work and responsibilities, taking incremental steps of faith toward full surrender. He also reflects on passing on a legacy that may extend beyond family to the greater family of God. Packed with real-life stories, biblical principles, and encouragement for leaders facing difficult choices, this conversation challenges listeners to see their work as an opportunity to live out their faith and impact lives for Christ.

Rob Chung shares his journey from Christian school graduate to corporate retail leader, revealing how purposeful listening and genuine care became the foundation of his leadership approach. He discusses pivotal moments that shaped his impact on colleagues and executives alike, demonstrating how faith can meaningfully integrate with business leadership.

Thanks for listening!

Click here to take the LeaderImpact Assessment and to receive the first chapter of Becoming a Leader of Impact by Braden Douglas.

Remember, impact starts with you!

In today’s episode of The Healthy Christian Leader Show, host Dwight Habermehl sits down with Jesiel Falcao, a civil engineer from Brazil who followed God’s call to Canada for cross-cultural ministry. Jesiel shares how a vision from his wife sparked years of prayer, ultimately leading their family to Halifax with no connections, little English, and a willingness to serve wherever God opened the door. The conversation explores the challenges and blessings of adapting to a new culture, integrating into a Canadian church, and navigating the “honeymoon” and “pressure” stages of immigration. Jesiel recounts how a small Brazilian Bible study in his home grew to over 150 people, and how the focus shifted from creating a separate cultural church to fostering integration within the broader Rock Church community. Together, Dwight and Jesiel discuss how the Brazilian congregation’s warmth, hospitality, and joy revitalized fellowship in the church, the importance of understanding cultural differences in leadership, and practical advice for churches that want to reach other people groups—without leaving Canada. This inspiring episode is a reminder that unity in Christ transcends language and culture, and that diversity, when embraced, strengthens the local church.

In this episode of the Healthy Christian Leader Show, host Dwight Habermehl welcomes returning guest Reid Stairs for an honest conversation about rediscovering the joy of serving God’s people. A self-described “deeply committed introvert,” Reid shares how he moved from struggling to enjoy people to delighting in them after decades of ministry. Together, they explore why leaders can lose their joy, the importance of seeing others through God’s eyes, letting the Word and Spirit do the work, guarding against cynicism and burnout, and the value of rest and encouragement. Through Scripture, real-life stories, and practical wisdom, Dwight and Reid remind leaders that God isn’t finished with people yet—and that joy often grows when we stop trying to fix others and simply walk with them in love.

What happens when your spouse becomes your colleague? For Brent and Celeste Trickett, National Directors of Family Life Canada, navigating this complex dynamic has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. With refreshing honesty, they reveal how sharing an office in their home's front entrance while raising four children required them to develop practical strategies for success.

Thanks for listening!

Click here to take the LeaderImpact Assessment and to receive the first chapter of Becoming a Leader of Impact by Braden Douglas.

Remember, impact starts with you!

In today’s episode of The Healthy Christian Leader, Dwight Habermehl sits down with Reid Stairs, a seasoned pastor with over 45 years of ministry experience. Together, they explore the importance of cultivating joy in leadership, how to avoid becoming bitter with age, and practical ways to “waste time with Jesus” to stay refreshed. Reid shares insights on leading from delight rather than duty, finding God’s presence in creation, and the ripple effect joy has on teams and congregations. This conversation is an encouraging reminder that the joy of the Lord truly is our strength.

In today's episode of The Healthy Christian Leader Dwight Habermehl sits down with Chris Ivany, lead pastor at The Rock Church, about leading with vision, values, and a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit. Chris shares how The Rock has become a presence-centered church, committed to prayer, generosity, and serving the community.

They talk about honouring the past while stepping into new opportunities across Halifax and beyond—trusting that as they reach the province, God will continue to bless the city. Chris also offers practical wisdom for pastors entering new communities: start with prayer and partner with others for kingdom impact.

Josh Erb takes us behind the scenes of Soul Edge Ministries, revealing how a bold decision at age 19 launched him into a lifetime of developing Christian leaders through adventure and mentorship. Instead of pursuing engineering, Josh and his twin brother created an immersive leadership program combining high-ratio mentoring with outdoor challenges that build character under pressure.

Thanks for listening!

Click here to take the LeaderImpact Assessment and to receive the first chapter of Becoming a Leader of Impact by Braden Douglas.

Remember, impact starts with you!

In this episode of The Healthy Christian Leader, Pastor Chris Ivany, lead pastor of Rock Church in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, shares his journey from growing up in the church to stepping into leadership just before the COVID-19 pandemic. He reflects on the church’s rich history, beginning in Beaver Bank, and the early days marked by a powerful move of God. Pastor Chris opens up about the challenges of leading through difficult, “slogging” seasons, the generational impact of long-term faithfulness, and how the pandemic became a catalyst for renewed vision and growth. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit, trusting God’s timing, and staying the course even in times of rebuilding. His story is a timely encouragement for leaders navigating seasons of transition or perseverance.