The Discerning Leader Podcast

"There's so much of us that is yet to be explored because we don't access our imagination." - Steve Macchia

Is it possible to experience a life of fruitful obedience when we're exhausted, anxious, and busy? In their book A Fruitful Life, Ashley and Bryce Hales help readers dive deep into the Sermon on the Mount and discover Jesus' vision of a good and fruitful life. This podcast episode, hosted by Steve Macchia, offers a rich conversation around Jesus' most famous teaching as well as the surprising and renewing power of Christian imagination.

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: Bill Simmons

"We tend to go other places…our work, our relationships, our hobbies, our attachments as opposed to simply finding our rest in God." - Steve Macchia

In this episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, Steve Macchia welcomes Bill Simmons to share themes from his new book, The Way of Interruption: Spiritual Practice for Organizational Life. Bill is the president and CEO of Hope Rises, International. In this conversation, he shares wisodm in how letting go of control and embracing established practices can transform an organization's spiritual culture.

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, Guests: Mimi Dixon

"Let us reflect with gratitude on this movement-making piece of literature that has entered our hearts and the spiritual formation world. We are so grateful for the faithfulness of Richard Foster." - Steve Macchia

Miriam (Mimi) Dixon began her ministry in 1979 and has been building up local churches ever since. Holding both an MDiv and DMin degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, she has served in pastoral roles, on the Renovaré Board of Directors, a teacher for the Renovaré Institute, and the faculty for Next Frontiers. In this conversation with Steve Macchia, she graciously shares the influence of Richard Foster and the story behind her book Worth Celebrating: A Biography of Richard J. Foster's Celebration of Discipline.

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: Jimmy Mellado

"When we have an awareness of a need, will we run to the need? Are we going to be known for our generosity or for our stinginess?" - Steve Macchia

Steve Macchia and Jimmy Mellado connect in Episode 04 of Season 36. After serving for more than 20 years as the president of the Willow Creek Association, Jimmy has been the President and CEO of Compassion International since 2013. He and Steve discuss spiritual leadership, lessons learned as a decathlete, and the daily rhythms of surrender, restoration, rest, replenishment and communion with God.

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, Guests: Nicholas and Sheila Rowe

"We've been instructed to act justly, to love mercifully and to walk humbly with the Lord. We want to take the risk of extending friendship across the lines that have historically separated us." - Steve Macchia

In Episode 03 of Season 36, Nicholas and Sheila Rowe offer their expertise in helping leaders process painful and traumatic experiences. In their book Healing Leadership Trauma, they lay out the emotional challenges of leadership and offer encouragement, prayer, and therapeutic tools to help leaders face their pain and begin to heal. Steve Macchia hosts a rich conversation with the Rowes to offer hope for leaders feeling the weight of their past trauma, present struggles, and uncertainty of the future.

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 Machia, Guest: Dave Ripper

"In essence, the number one question we ought to be asking ourselves is 'How can I help you draw closer to God?'" - Steve Macchia

In Episode 02 of Season 36, Steve Macchia hosts Dave Ripper, author of 'Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus.' In this conversation, Steve and Dave discuss Dallas Willard's approach to reading the Bible and how we can move toward an experiential knowledge of God in our lives. Don't miss this conversation as Dave shares personal stories about his relationship with the Willards, his heart behind his new book, and how we can encounter God in transforming ways through the Scriptures.

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: Suz Skinner

"Our prayer is that our eyes will be open, our ears will be attentive, and our hearts will receive the gift of the parables of Jesus." - Steve Macchia

Season 36 begins with a conversation between Steve Macchia and Suz Skinner. They share about their soon-to-release book, Praying the Parables of Jesus, an immersive encounter with the teachings of Jesus. Using the spiritual practices of Lectio and Visio Divina, readers can connect more deeply with the teachings of Jesus as they prayerfully discern God's invitation in the parables.

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: Gordon Macdonald

This episode originally aired on May 5, 2022 as Episode 6 of Season 18

"Expect to reorganize your interior life every 7-10 years." –Gordon MacDonald

Gordon Macdonald joins Steve Macchia again for the conclusion of this 2-part conversation around his book "The View from Eighty." Sharing the final 8 insights that make for success or failure in ministry, this REWIND episode will encourage you to live modestly, remain humble and devote time to building and reorganizing your interior 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: Gordon Macdonald

This episode originally aired on April 28, 2022 as Episode 5 of Season 18

"Your number one priority in the Lord's work is your family." –Gordon MacDonald

Gordon Macdonald joins Steve Macchia for the first of two conversations, drawing from his book "The View from Eighty." A summary of 15 things that make for success or failure in ministry, Gordon and Steve explore the first 7 insights that come from 6 decades of ministry experience. This REWIND episode will encourage you to prioritize your most important relationships and maintain a healthy spiritual 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: Eric Peterson

This episode originally aired on April 7, 2022 as Episode 2 of Season 18

"God is in everything, in all the details of life, and not just the pleasant ones." – Eric Peterson

In this REWIND episode, Eric Peterson joins Steve Macchia to reflect upon the luminous trail of spiritual discernment. Using the metaphors of mountain climbing and hiking, Eric and Steve explore how spiritual friendships are like headlamps that shine on the pathway of life. Tune into this rich conversation between Eric and Steve as they offer insights around how each of us can live a life of illumination and spiritual discernment.

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.