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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: James Hauptman

"A rule of life allows us to live with intention and purpose in the present moment." - Steve Macchia

How do you actually begin crafting a Rule of Life? What steps can you take, and what tools can help you along the way? In this week's episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, Steve Macchia and James Hauptman share practical insights and concrete guidance for getting started. They walk through five key areas of life that benefit from intentional and prayerful attention as you assess your current rhythms, relationships, and daily 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.

Host: Steve Macchia Guest: James Hauptman

"Without a humble, attentive heart our self centeredness will not lead to the abundance of a God-empowered life." - Steve Macchia

2026 begins with a brand new season of The Discerning Leader Podcast. Featuring James Hauptman, Steve Macchia hosts a rich conversation around well-ordered living that comes from crafting a personal rule of life. Whether you've been operating from a rule of life for years or are hearing about it for the first time, this ancient spiritual practice will help you live into Spirit-empowered rhythms and relationships that create, redeem, sustain, and transform the life God invites you to live.

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.

Host: Steve Macchia Co-Host: Matt Scott

As we step into a new year, this episode invites us to resist the urge to sprint and instead begin 2026 with deliberate, unhurried intentionality. In this final episode of Season 37, Steve Macchia and Matt Scott offer a thoughtful conversation about the gift of slowing down and embracing inefficiency. They explore how slowness creates space for the deeper formation our souls long for—an invitation for each of us to lay down demands, hustle, and urgency as we embrace practices that make room for God's transforming work.

Also, here's the Year End Examen to assist you in slowing down as you conclude 2025 and begin 2026.

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.

Host: Steve Macchia, Co-Host: Matt Scott

"Solitude and silence are a gift when experienced together. And when they are practiced within a community, they can become a place of significant growth and maturation." - Steve Macchia

Many people find solitude uncomfortable. The idea of being alone with our own thoughts can feel overwhelming—even daunting. Yet solitude is not the same as loneliness.

In this episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, we explore how solitude invites us into a cadence of reflective and responsive living. Rather than isolating us, this practice creates space for deeper awareness, clarity, and attentiveness.The gifts of solitude include a deepened love for God and a renewed love for others. As we practice solitude, we discover how to be alone without feeling lonely.

Also, here's the companion reflection guide and spiritual exercise to help you enter into stillness and silence this season of Advent.

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.

Host: Steve Macchia, Co-Host: Matt Scott

"Silence is the place where the deepest work happens in our lives." - Steve Macchia

Advent loses its meaning when it is overwhelmed by constant noise. Silence invites the noise to quiet down, helping us recognize the inner distractions we often ignore. It is in these moments of stillness that God works most deeply—transforming our hearts and drawing us closer to Him. In Episode 03, Join Steve Macchia and Matt Scott for a conversation about cultivating attentiveness, spiritual discernment, and leading from a place of holy stillness in a noisy world.

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.