The Daily LEAD

Summer is here… so why are you still exhausted? In this episode, we explore why time off doesn’t always fix burnout, what happens when your nervous system finally slows down, and why rest can sometimes feel surprisingly uncomfortable. If you’re a helper, parent, leader, educator, or simply someone carrying too much—this conversation is for you.

In this episode we unpack a powerful leadership lesson: How to honor the past without getting stuck in it. This episode explores why organizations resist change, how nostalgia can become quietly unhealthy, and what leadership looks like when guiding people into the future while still respecting the legacy that came before them. 

What if rejection doesn’t just feel uncomfortable… but emotionally overwhelming? In this episode, we explore Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), the connection to ADHD, autism, trauma, and why some nervous systems experience criticism, exclusion, and feedback so intensely. We’ll also talk about cognitive distortions, emotional regulation, and practical tools to quiet the rejection spiral.

Resources:

Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff

ADDitude Magazine — articles on ADHD, RSD, neurodivergence, and coping tools

In this episode we continue our journey through Bob Iger's book: The Ride of a Lifetime. Today we explore an often overlooked leadership trait: Optimism. Today we define what optimism really is and how tone shapes culture during times of pressure and uncertainty. 

This time of year can hold so many emotions at once—gratitude, exhaustion, celebration, overwhelm, hope, and burnout. In this episode, we talk about the pressure to “just be grateful,” why high-functioning people often struggle quietly, and how two things can be true at the same time. Whether you’re a parent, leader, helper, educator, counselor, clergy member, or simply emotionally tired, this conversation is a reminder that gratitude does not cancel out struggle.

In this episode we continue our journey through Bob Iger's book: The Ride of a Lifetime. Today we focus on unpacking a powerful leadership truth: Great leadership isn't about being indispensable- it's about making others ready. Too many leaders build systems around them. But the best leaders develop people who can lead without them. This episode explores how to create a culture of multiplication, why sharing your decision making matters, and how investing in others is the key to long-term impact in churches and nonprofits. 

Mental Health Awareness Month isn’t just about what we share—it’s about what we’re willing to notice within ourselves. In this episode, we explore “the war within”—the quiet, internal battles many people carry every day—and how awareness can shift us from silent struggle to honest understanding.

In this epsidoe, Pastor Brad continues the series on "The Ride of a Lifetime" by Bob Iger. Today we unpack a simple but powerful leadership metephor: Don't get into the business of manufacturing trombone oil. Even if you become the best in the world at something-it may not matter if it doesn't servce your mission or move the needle. The episode explores how leaders in churches and nonprofits can get distracted by good ideas that aren't the right ideas- and how to focus time, energy, and resources on what truly makes an impact. 

Strong leadership isn’t built on authority—it’s built on relationships. In this episode, we explore how connection, trust, and emotional safety shape the way we lead and impact others.

Resources:

• Dare to Lead – Brené Brown 
• The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick Lencioni
• Leaders Eat Last – Simon Sinek 
• Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman 
•  Greater Good Science Center (ggsc.berkeley.edu) 
•  Harvard Business Review (hbr.org)

In this episode, Pastor Brad continues the series on The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger, exploring a powerful and often overlooked leadership principle:

“Know what you don’t know… and trust in what you do.”

Too many leaders feel pressure to have all the answers—but the best leaders don’t pretend. They understand their limits, surround themselves with the right people, and lead with confidence in what they do know.

This episode unpacks how self-awareness fuels better leadership, how to avoid the trap of overcompensating, and why great leaders don’t need to know everything—they just need to know what matters most.