The Daily LEAD

In Avengers: Endgame, Black Widow looks at Captain America and says, “If I don’t do this, who will?” His response is quiet but piercing: “Maybe it doesn’t need to be done.”
That single exchange captures one of the most dangerous traps leaders fall into—especially pastors and nonprofit leaders who care deeply about the mission. In this episode, we unpack the difference between responsibility and necessity, explore why good leaders often carry too much, and ask the hard question: Is this truly mine to do… or is it time to let go? If you’ve ever felt indispensable, exhausted, or quietly resentful, this conversation is for you.

The new year doesn’t always feel new. This episode explores unmet expectations, collective stress, and how to stay mentally and emotionally grounded when life doesn’t get easier—without forcing positivity.

In this episode, Pastor Brad and Pastor Chris Michaelis dive into an off-the-cuff conversation around Carey Nieuwhof’s latest report on the seven disruptive church trends shaping 2026. Moving trend by trend, they unpack what these shifts mean for the future of the church and—more importantly—what they mean for leaders navigating change right now. It’s an honest, practical, and thoughtful conversation designed to help church leaders stay grounded, adaptive, and faithful in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Gentle January is a reminder that winter is not a failure. This episode explores seasonal fatigue and emotional exhaustion while inviting you to release pressure, honor your energy, and trust the slower rhythm of winter as growth unfolds naturally.

Tony Robbins once said, “Success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure.”
For many ministry leaders, the metrics look good—attendance, budgets, programs—but the soul feels tired, disconnected, and unfulfilled. In this episode, we explore why ministry success can still feel empty, how burnout quietly takes root, and what it looks like to lead from a place of deep fulfillment rather than constant output.

When you want life to feel different but everything looks the same, frustration can set in. This episode explores why change doesn’t always arrive externally—and how the real shift may be happening inside you.

If this episode resonated, you may find support in resources that focus on internal change and self-leadership—especially when external circumstances feel stuck. Books like Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl and The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown explore meaning, agency, and authenticity. Therapeutic approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can also help with values clarification and belief shifts. Additional research and reflections can be found through Psychology Today, the Greater Good Science Center, and Harvard Business Review.

 If resolutions have never worked for you, this episode offers a different approach. We talk about why motivation fades, how burnout impacts change, and what it means to lead yourself with compassion instead of pressure.

Resources:

Books:

The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk

Dare to Lead – Brené Brown

The Gifts of Imperfection – Brené Brown

Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma  by Dr. Peter A. Levine

Website:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

Every January, leaders feel the pressure to set new goals, fix what’s broken, and chase big resolutions—many of which fade by February. What if there was a better way? In this episode, we explore the power of choosing one word to live byinstead of a long list of New Year’s resolutions. Drawing from our Star Words practice at Messiah and personal leadership experience, we talk about why a single guiding word brings clarity, focus, and sustainability—for leaders and organizations alike. I’ll share why my word for this year is Enjoyment, how our leadership team is choosing their own words, and how this simple practice can transform the way you lead in the year ahead.

Not all beginnings feel bold—some feel tender. This episode invites you to start gently, grounded in self-trust, faith, and emotional well-being.

A gentle pause for Christmas week—offering permission to slow down, honor mixed emotions, and care for yourself without pressure.