Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott and Dr. Brenda Woods

"We cannot separate the body and the soul—our bodies impact our spiritual health." – Steve Macchia

How does your physical body shape the health of your soul? In this episode, Dr. Brenda Woods joins Steve Macchia and Matt Scott as they explore the deep connection between our physical and spiritual well-being. Together, they challenge the false divide between body and soul, inviting listeners into a more holistic vision of health. With practical wisdom and gentle encouragement, they highlight the power of small, intentional choices in caring for our bodies as an essential part of tending to the soul.

We've provided a 3 page Soul Care Audit that will offer you a handful of questions to consider how well you're caring for your soul. You can download the PDF here and spend some time prayerfully reflecting on your current rhythms and 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: Matt Scott

"The soul is the only part of us that is eternal—so why do we neglect it the most?" - Steve Macchia

"How is it with your soul?" This timeless question opens the door to a deeper awareness of our life with God. In this first episode of the new season, Steve Macchia and Matt Scott explore the meaning, depth, and importance of the soul—described as the very essence of who we are and the center of our relationship with God.

As they reflect on Scripture and lived experience, they invite listeners to consider the health of their own soul and the ways it shapes every part of life. With honesty and hope, this conversation marks the beginning of a journey toward greater attentiveness, intentionality, and care for the most vital—and often neglected—part of our being.

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: Jeremy Stefano

"Blessing the Lord is a daring thing to do, and it is the thing for which we've been created." - Jeremy Stefano  

Season 30 will feature team members from Leadership Transformations Inc. and focus on discerning God in the Psalms. The Psalms are prayers that God has given us to pray. These prayers cover almost every human emotion we will experience as children of God, and God delights in our expression of the fullness of our emotions. In this first episode of Season 30, Jeremy Stefano joins Steve Macchia for a conversation around his favorite Psalm - Psalm 103. The character of God is described through this Psalm - He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. Jeremy notes that this Psalm is both personal to each of us and at the same time, God is not a personal god, but the God over all of creation. Jeremy reminds us that believers are the only ones with the authority to bless. We get to speak blessings over one another, over our towns, and even over the Lord. 

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: Olivier Bala

"Anyone that comes in here really feels comfortable. It's something we have not tried to work hard at. It's in our DNA." – Oliver Bala 

 Oliver Bala has been the Senior Pastor of Mount Hope Community Baptist Church for the past 28 years. Oliver joins Steve today for a conversation around Healthy Church Trait 5: A Commitment to Loving and Caring Relationships. Oliver credits the welcoming and deep relationships to the cultural values held by this multiethnic, multigenerational church: worship, sanctuary, hospitality, discipleship, spiritual formation, and leadership development. Oliver notes that part of his role is to help people get familiar with the content of healthy discipleship over again until it makes a difference in their daily lives.  

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: Barry Corey

"My dad said, 'Whoever comes my way, I'm going to make myself receivable.' Receivable is another word for kindness." – Barry Corey 

 Barry Corey grew up as a pastor's son in Quincy, Massachusetts. His early life was shaped by seeing people's lives changed at the altar at his father's church. Barry joins Steve for a conversation about Trait 7 of a Healthy Church: An Outward Focus. Barry shares words from his father, Hugh, given when Barry spent a year researching educational programs for children of the landless poor in Bangladesh. Barry had seen his father show radical love and kindness to gas station attendants, cobblers, dentists, tailors, and attorneys. In the streets of Bangladesh, Hugh said, "Whoever comes my way, I'm going to make myself receivable." Barry explains that receivable is another word for kindness and that there is a world of difference between niceness and kindness. While "niceness" is not in the Bible, kindness is. And kindness is a radical virtue that can change lives because of how strong it is. 

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: Bob Ludwig

"Good management can assist the mission of the organization and make it more effective by setting people free from the complex irritations of bad management." – Bob Ludwig 

 Bob Ludwig has enjoyed a two-track career with business consulting and church/ministry leadership. In this conversion with Steve Macchia, Bob shares principles from Healthy Church Trait 8: Wise Administration and Accountability. Bob speaks to the idea that good management makes the Church's mission more effective. Wise management involves clear procedures, resulting in lowered anxiety in the organization and an ease of good ministry. Bob concludes this episode by offering wisdom for church leaders today. 

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: Ellen Bishop Little

"You don't need a big budget, a lot of people, or a nice building to have the presence of God and loving, caring relationships." – Ellen Bishop Little 

Ellen Bishop Little along with her husband Larry responded to a call to teach at their local church. They chose an unlikely group - two-year-olds! After the first year was finished, they chose to continue moving up each year with the group of children. They stayed with this same group of children all the way to high school. Ellen and Larry provided community for the students as they grew and matured. These same students in turn provided community for Ellen and Larry when Larry became sick and succumbed to cancer. Ellen joins Steve Macchia for a personal story of Healthy Church Trait #4: Learning and Growing in Community. 

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: Greg & Doug Scalise

"You don't need a big budget, a lot of people, or a nice building to have the presence of God and loving, caring relationships." – Greg Scalise 

Pastors Doug and Greg Scalise are third and fourth-generation pastors. Their family has over one hundred years of Christian ministry. Doug and Greg join Steve Macchia for a conversation on healthy churches. They each share personal stories of growing up in Christian homes and churches. Loving and caring relationships have shaped both father and son, reminding us that the church can fill the need for meaningful relationships, connection, support, and encouragement. Doug and Greg encourage the listener to recognize the power of God's Empowering Spirit within healthy churches. 

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: Tom Sparling

"I see it now among Gen Zers; there is a passion in my young adults that is as fresh and real as what we were experiencing."  –Tom Sparling 

The second trait of a Healthy Church is "God Exalting Worship". Tom Sparling was a part of the original team that worked with Steve Macchia on Becoming a Healthy Church. Tom joins Steve for a conversation about worship today. In this episode, Tom shares his hope for the younger generation today, advice for the older generation, and encourages everyone that authentic worship comes from a passionate pursuit of God outside of our Sunday morning gatherings. This episode reminds us that God alone is to be the object of our worship.  

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: Dennis Baril

"God's empowering Presence is a value and a relationship, not a doctrine." –Dennis Baril 

Dennis Baril was part of the original research team for Becoming a Healthy Church. In this episode, Dennis sits down with Steve to share a conversation about the first trait of a healthy church, a value for God's empowering Presence. Before serving as a senior pastor, Dennis managed multi-million-dollar accounts for a corporation as a middle manager. He discovered that leading a healthy church was more difficult than working on such large accounts. Today, Dennis travels the country with his wife encouraging church leaders. From this unique perspective, Dennis shares reflections on the church today as a father, grandfather, and church leader. 

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: Rick Anderson

"It is so important that all of this is held together with spiritual discernment and a posture of leadership that is listening to God."  –Rick Anderson 

Twenty-five years later, the ten traits of a healthy Church as outlined in Becoming a Healthy Church are still relevant because they are principles from Scripture, solid theology, and practical research. In this episode, Rick Anderson joins Steve Macchia to outline all ten traits. The first three traits are vertical, aimed at cultivating a life with God. Traits four, five, and six are horizontal, aimed at connecting with one another as the people of God. The final four traits are missional, aimed with an outward focus. These ten traits conclude with a reminder that spiritual discernment and a posture of leadership that is listening to God hold all ten traits of a healthy Church together. 

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: Matt Scott

"My vision is that we would be known for our love, not our conflicts and difficulties and estrangement" - Steve Macchia 

 Season 29 will focus on the soul of the Church. From its first days, Leadership Transformations Inc. has prioritized the local congregation and its health. These episodes will highlight the updated 25th-anniversary edition of Becoming a Healthy Church. Born out of research with thousands of church leaders and vetted in conversations, the book and this podcast season highlight timeless principles that have not changed, though the expressions have been modernized. Each of the traits are Biblical, historical, and current because they are based on a principle rather than a program. Steve's vision is that the Church would pay better attention to the things that matter most - our walk with God; as this leads to health and vitality of relationships and churches. 

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: Matt Scott

"It's in that place of deeper solitude and reflection that we meet the living God face to face, heart to heart." – Steve Macchia  

Find a time and space for a personal retreat. Maybe you only have a few hours and a bench somewhere in nature. Schedule it and prioritize it because you will have a million reasons why you should fill it with something else. In this final episode of season 28, we continue to explore the spiritual practices that are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. and have been celebrated throughout Christendom. This week, Steve and Matt discuss the transforming power of personal retreats. Three things are needed for personal retreats: a set time and place; attentive listening to and with God; and seeing retreat as a place of God's transforming work. Matt talked about the need to guard retreats - unless we prioritize them, a million other things will demand our attention. Matt and Steve discussed the power of attentive listening that frees us from coming into retreats with predetermined ideas of what we need to hear from God. Finally, Steve speaks to the power of retreats as a place of meeting with God face to face. 

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: Matt Scott

"You don't need to memorize where all the Psalms are, just pray the Psalms." – Steve Macchia 

 The Psalms are a reminder that God is not threatened by our emotions. He is big enough to handle the combination of human emotions - faith and doub, hope and despair, joy and sorrow. In episode thirteen, we continue to explore the spiritual practices that are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. and have been celebrated throughout Christendom. This week, Steve and Matt reflect on praying the psalms. The Psalms teach us how to pray. Steve and Matt share practical ways to pray through the Psalms and some of their favorite Psalms. his episode concludes with a guided reflection to help you adopt the practice of praying the Psalms. 

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: Matt Scott

"Our lives are driven by our loves - what we think about, dwell upon, what we allow to be enthroned in our hearts. When we re-order our loves, we re-order our lives." – Matt Scott 

Simply put, we become what we love. In episode twelve, we continue to explore the spiritual practices that are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. and have been celebrated throughout Christendom. This week, Steve and Matt reflect on re-ordering our loves. When we think about re-ordering our loves, we are talking about what are we attached to, what we think we can't live without. The biggest factor in re-ordering our loves is to become aware of these things that we hold tightly. Steve and Matt share how these idols of the heart can be people, possessions, power, or persuasion. All of our disordered loves need to be diminished or released altogether. This day-by-day, moment-by-moment process allows Christ to become our greatest affection. 

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: Matt Scott

"We all have a rule of life, a way of living, already. The question is, are we living in response to God's invitation for us?" – Steve Macchia  

A "Rule of Life" has nothing to do with rules. The best way to translate it is the "way" of life. All of us have a rule of life already at work. The question is, are we living in the way that God wants us to be living?

In episode eleven, we continue to explore the spiritual practices that are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. and have been celebrated throughout Christendom. This week, Steve and Matt focus on the practice of having a Rule of Life. Steve defines a Rule of Life as "Spirit-empowered rhythms and relationships that create, redeem, sustain, transform the lives that God invites us to humbly fulfill for Christ's glory." Steve and Matt share how a rule of life will be much more meaningful if we take the time to ask questions about our unique thumbprint and footprint. Our unique thumbprint has to do with the roles and relationships we have, our gifts, our desires, our vision, and our mission in life. Our unique footprint encompasses our spiritual life, our relational life, our physical life, our financial life, and our missional life.

If this episode has been helpful for you, you may be interested in other Rule of Life resources from LTI including online workshops, previous podcast episodes, the Crafting a Rule of Life book, and the www.ruleoflife.com website. 

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: David Vryhof

This is a reprise of the Holy Week Interlude episode 2 which aired on April 6, 2023

"Death gives way to life. Not only lived out by Jesus but meant to be lived out by each of us." – David Vryhof, SSJE

Holy Week is considered the climax of the Christian year. The service that starts on Maundy Thursday continues all the way to the Easter Vigil and is the capstone of Holy Week. Steve Macchia and Brother David Vryhof return to the podcast to discuss how the liturgical worship of holy week very much engages our body with our mind and heart. During these days we recognize the death of Christ that leads to His rising. This process of death to new life is an ongoing conversion process that we are invited to participate in daily. 

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: David Vryhof

This is a reprise of the Holy Week Interlude episode 1 which aired on March 30, 2023.

"We are offering ourselves in fresh new ways to God in Lent." – David Vryhof, SSJE

Holy week has the potential to invite us into intimacy sharing with Jesus not only his triumph and resurrection but his path of suffering. Commencing a two-week interlude, Steve Macchia and his spiritual director, Brother David Vryhof of the Society of St. John the Evangelist (Episcopal Monastic Community based in Cambridge, MA) explore ways that we can value and participate in the work of Christ during holy week. All of us are in pursuit of a deeper affection for Christ. Times like Holy Week bring us to that deeper place of desire, longing towards Jesus.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott

"Gratitude is a remedy for my bent towards entitlement." – Matt Scott 

 In this world filled with gripes, gossip, and guesswork in relationships, saying an occasional "thank you" is good for our souls. In episode ten, we continue to explore the spiritual practices that are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. and have been celebrated throughout Christendom. This week, Steve and Matt focus on the practice of gratitude. Matt shares how gratitude is a remedy towards entitlement, the belief that God or others owe us something. Gratitude works in our discontentment, self-centeredness, and selfish ambition. Steve shares how we can express gratitude through trials, being able to say "Thank You Lord even for that tough experience in my life. This episode concludes with a guided reflection to help you adopt the practice of gratitude. 

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: Matt Scott

"We can't be restless all the time. Sabbath is the place of greatest freedom, life, and joy."–Steve Macchia

We can all agree that the Ten Commandments are important. But for some reason, many of us have only brought nine of the Ten into the modern day. We've left behind the command to Sabbath. In episode nine, we continue to explore the spiritual practices that are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. and have been celebrated throughout Christendom. This week, Steve and Matt focus on the practice of Sabbath. In our modern culture, we no longer observe Sabbath and instead celebrate busyness. We hold each other accountable to the other nine Commandments, but not the Sabbath-the place of greatest freedom, life, and joy. Matt and Steve share four elements of a good Sabbath (cease, rest, feast, and embrace). This episode concludes with a guided reflection to help you adopt the practice of Sabbath.

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: Matt Scott

"What does it say about me if I'm not busy?" – Matt Scott 

Our culture invites us to find rest in so many other places. We are constantly in motion because we are afraid of what rest will look like or create for us. In episode eight, we continue to explore the spiritual practices that are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. and have been celebrated throughout Christendom. This week, Steve and Matt focus on the practice of rest which is a beautiful invitation to live in freedom - a place of lightness rather than being weighed down, burdened, or having a heaviness. Matt points out that our resistance or hesitancy to rest is based in fear, and lack of trust - fear that we would be seen as lazy, the fear that the things that we deem essential won't get done. Steve encourages us to adopt a mindset of "My life is full but I'm finding my rest in the Lord." This episode includes a guided reflection to help you embrace the practice of resting.

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: Matt Scott

"Fasting is not an opportunity for us to enter into a diet experience. If we are giving up something hoping that at the end of the fast we might also be down five pounds, that seems to miss the heart of what Jesus is talking about." – Matt Scott

Prayer and fasting go together. This is to realign your heart with God's heart. In episode seven, we continue to explore the spiritual practices that are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. and have been celebrated throughout Christendom. This week, Steve and Matt focus on the practice of fasting. Fasting welcomes and invites discomfort and suffering into our physical body. We practice fasting because it is biblical, important and Jesus gave His followers instructions for fasting, saying "When you fast." Steve admits that even though he knows how good fasting is for the soul, he still struggles with it. We may fast along with the church calendar, in repentance, for discernment, or dependence on God. All of these reorder our attachments and realign our priorities around God's priorities which deepens our relationship with God and with others. This episode includes a guided reflection to help you start the practice of fasting.

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: Matt Scott 

"We truly are as sick as our secrets." – Steve Macchia 

Discerning leaders need to understand the importance of saying "I'm sorry I was wrong. Please forgive me. In episode six, we continue to explore the spiritual practices that are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. and have been celebrated throughout Christendom. This week, Steve and Matt focus on the practice of confession. In confession, we are given the opportunity to be honest, and truthful, and speak of the reality of our given life experience. Confession breaks us out of hiding and living a shame-filled life. The invitation to confession is light and life. Confession is not limited to our sin but also includes our confession of our faith in God. This episode includes a guided reflection to help you practice confession.

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: Matt Scott

"I see the practice of daily examen as keeping the inner house of your soul clean." – Steve Macchia

The discipline of examen comes from David's prayer in Psalm 32. In episode five, we continue to explore the spiritual practices that are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. and have been celebrated throughout Christendom. This week, Steve and Matt focus on the practice of examen. Ignatius of Loyola created this practice to help his brothers look at their lives each day. Matt and Steve share personal reflections on examen, noting that the only way you can get to a holy listening to purpose is to pause at the beginning or end of your day. Steve shares the five main ideas of examen, and Matt concludes this episode with a guided experience to help you practice examen.

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: Matt Scott

"The practice of journaling really helps you to notice." – Steve Macchia

The discipline of journaling is as old as the Bible. In episode four (Journaling), we continue to explore the spiritual practices that are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. and have been celebrated throughout Christendom. This week, Steve and Matt focus on the practice of journaling. Matt shares the value has found in simply writing things down as it has enabled him to process what he thinks, feels, experiences, and the ways in which God feels near or absent. Steve shares recent insights about journaling and five pieces of practical advice to help us journal well.

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: Matt Scott

"We are a forgetful bunch; if we're not doing something that helps us record, remember, and come back to the goodness of God on a regular basis, we will forget. When we forget, our hearts get hardened." - Steve Macchia

In episode three (Reflection), we continue to explore the spiritual practices that are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. and have been celebrated throughout Christendom. This week, Steve and Matt focus on the practice of reflection. Matt shares how gratitude is the antidote to the voice of the enemy and our secular culture that strikes our hearts early in the morning. Steve shares that "reflection is remembering, giving thanks, marking the faithfulness of God." Reflection looks back upon both joyous times and hard times. Reflection can include meditating on a single verse, journaling, photography, creative arts, holy conversations, noticing, and pondering, it may be alone and in quiet or together with loved ones. Reflection keeps our hearts soft towards the Lord. This episode concludes with a guided experience to help you practice reflection today.

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: Matt Scott

 "Listening is the primary skill to develop in life. Particularly if you are a leader." - Steve Macchia

In episode two, we continue to explore the spiritual practices that are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. and have been celebrated throughout Christendom. This week, Steve and Matt focus on the practice of listening prayer. Steve says "Listening is the primary skill to develop in life. Particularly if you are a leader." Matt shares his prayer journey, moving from sharing a list of requests with God to recognizing and paying attention to the voice of God. Matt and Steve talk about listening prayer as letting go of the desire to control the conversation with God. Matt and Steve share practical suggestions to start practicing listening prayer. This episode concludes with a guided reflective experience to help you grow in listening prayer.

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: Matt Scott

"The Word of God should not be approached as another book to master its material but should result in a deep transforming experience with God." – Matt Scott

Season 28 will focus on the spiritual practices that have been celebrated through Christendom and are at the heart of Leadership Transformations Inc. Each episode will have a short conversation on a different spiritual practice and a guided, reflective experience. In this inaugural episode, Steve Macchia and Matt Scott introduce the practice of Lectio Divina. This way of reading Scripture is a slow, repetitive reading that is designed to transform the reader. Steve and Matt walk through this way of contemplative Bible reading and its six layers: silencio, lectio, meditatio, oratio, contemplation, and incarnatio. People who practice Lectio Divina report, "It was good to receive from the Word of God for myself." May you have the same experience as you listen to today's episode on the spiritual practice of Lectio Divina.

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.

This is a reprise of season 23 episode 7 of The Discerning Leader Podcast.

 Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Margery Kennelly

"We always think about waiting on God but God spends a long time waiting on us." – Margery Kennelly

Margery serves as Associate Rector at St George's Episcopal Church in Nashville, TN. Margery joins Steve to share pastoral reflections on Epiphany - the bright clear revelation of Christ's kingship over the whole world. For Christians, this time reminds us to manifest who Jesus is in the world through our testimony and work in the world. As we think about waiting on God, we are reminded that God spends time waiting on us. Margery shares that patience is the ally of waiting and encourages us to demonstrate this fruit of the spirit while we wait. Finally, we are invited to Ignatian Examen, asking, "Does my life glorify 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.

This is a reprise of season 23 episode 6 of The Discerning Leader Podcast.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Todd Cravens

"What do I need to do now? Waiting is not an absence of activity." - Todd Cravens

Todd Cravens is in his 16th year, serving as Teaching Pastor and Elder at Hope Christian Church in Winchester, MA. He grew up in Louisville, KY, attended the University of Louisville, and received his M. Div in Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Todd and his wife Alisa have three adult children and enjoy hosting international students, totaling more than 60 students from 16 different countries. Todd joins Steve to share about personal and pastoral practices in the week after Christmas. We are encouraged to reflect back upon the year and give voice to the way God has been at work in our lives. We are invited to continue being attentive to God; bringing what we think out to happen into alignment with what we know God wants to happen.

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.

This is a reprise of season 23 episode 5 of The Discerning Leader Podcast. 

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Bryan Wilkerson

"Believe that the Lord had something fresh for you this Christmas" – Bryan Wilkerson

Bryan Wilkerson serves as Senior Pastor at Grace Chapel, authored Living God's Story, is a graduate of Wheaton College and Denver Seminary, and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Bryan's life mission statement is "to lead as many people as possible to a joyful and growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church." He and his wife, Karen, have four married children and a growing number of grandchildren. Brian shares with Steve that as he enters his thirty-ninth year of ministry, Christmas is his favorite time of year to preach and minister. He believes that the Lord can bring something new in our spirit as we wait expectantly. His pastoral counsel to us is to be quiet for five minutes – to sit in front of the Christmas tree or fireplace, go for a walk, and allow the Lord to meet us in those moments.

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.

This is a reprise of season 23 episode 4 of The Discerning Leader Podcast.

"Waiting on God is resisting the impulse to take matters into my own hands." – Mark Booker

Mark Booker serves as the Senior Pastor at Park Street Church in downtown Boston. After completing theological study at the University of Oxford, he ministered in a congregation in Washington, DC, before moving to Boston to plant Church of the Cross, where he served for 11 years. Mark and his wife Mandy have four children and live in Boston. Mark joins Steve to share about waiting in his leadership and personal life. Many of us like to bring change and make things happen. Advent puts the spotlight on the reality that we are a waiting people. We often grasp for what is tangible; what we can control or manipulate. Mark reminds us that waiting looks like resisting the impulse to fix things through our own means. Waiting is about trusting in God's promises, even when evidence points in all kinds of different directions. 

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: Dave Friedrich

This is a reprise of season 23 episode 3 of The Discerning Leader Podcast.

"Waiting in the Bible is not just looking at the clock. It is about anticipation. It's about cultivating hope and joy. " – Dave Friedrich

Dave Friedrich was born and raised in Canada. He has advanced degrees in philosophy from York University in Toronto and in spiritual formation from Regent College in Vancouver, BC. He has lived and worked at L'Abri, a ministry of Christian hospitality and cultural engagement, both in Switzerland and in Massachusetts. Dave has also worked at a bank, been a professional firefighter/paramedic, a swing dance instructor, and a youth pastor. He was ordained as an Anglican priest in 2013 and is currently serving as the rector of Church of the Cross, an Anglican church in Boston. Dave and Anna are (prayerfully!) raising their two teenage sons, Cole and Adam. Reflecting on Simeon in the Temple from Luke 2, Dave joins Steve for a conversation about waiting on God. We are tempted to want to know exactly when God will fulfill His promises. He often doesn't answer that question. Instead, He gives us surprises in our waiting. Advent is a season where we cultivate hope and joy in what is coming and in what is already being experienced that gives us a foretaste of what is to come.

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 and Dave Ripper

This is a reprise of season 23 episode 2 of The Discerning Leader Podcast.

"We suffer from a severe depletion of spiritual expectancy. Moments of waiting can actually rekindle the flames of hope." – Dave Ripper

Dave Ripper serves as lead pastor of Crossway Christian Church in Nashua and Milford, NH, and as the chaplain of the Boston Bruins.  He's a graduate of Denver Seminary and is finishing his Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction from Fuller Theological Seminary and The Dallas Willard Center.  Dave is the co-author of The Fellowship of the Suffering: How Hardship Shapes Us for Ministry and Mission (IVP, 2018), and is the co-founder of Evergreen, a nine-month training experience for emerging leaders in partnership with Converge Northeast.  Dave and his wife, Erin, a mental health therapist, have three kids and a yellow lab.  They love to hike throughout New England and to travel to America's National Parks. Dave joins Steve to share pastoral encouragement on reflection, stillness and waiting. While we wait, Dave encourages us to keep a faithful list - noting the top three things already in our lives that God invites us to be faithful to. Reflecting on Psalm 40, Dave and Steve invite us to consider the experience of waiting as an obstacle to our faith or an invitation to a deeply expectant life. An expectant life is a wonder-filled, joyous experience.

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: Susan Currie

This is a reprise of season 23 episode 1 of The Discerning Leader Podcast.

"During Advent, we give space to the waiting. All of us are waiting for something." – Susan Currie

Susan serves as the Director of Leadership Transformation's Selah Certificate Training Program in Spiritual Direction. Over the past 30 years, she has offered retreat leadership and formation ministry to various church and parachurch bodies. Susan also serves as Affiliated Clergy with All Saints' Anglican Cathedral in Amesbury, MA. In our 21st century life we do not like to wait for anything. Sharing from the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Susan Currie returns to the podcast and invites us to come alongside the Biblical characters. We consider their longings, their waiting, and the things we ourselves are waiting for. She reminds us that all of us are waiting for something. In Advent, we are invited to slow down enough to recognize our longings and offer them to the only one who can come and make all things right.

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.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." – Psalm 136: 1

The Leadership Transformations lead team enlighten us with formative insights about the spiritual significance of giving thanks. Susan Currie, Rick Anderson, Jeremy Stefano, and Matt Scott join the conversation and add their reflections on gratitude. They begin with their favorite Scripture passages that focus on a thankful heart in the Psalms and throughout the Old and New Testament. They shared notable Thanksgiving hymns that have been special to them, including Praise My Soul the King of Heaven, Now Thank We All Our God, and Come Ye Thankful People Come. In addition, they encouraged one another with memories of their childhood, gifts of the past year for which they are thankful, as well as meaningful spiritual practices that birth gratitude in their hearts and relationships. Fostering a thankful heart is indeed central to the development of the discerning leader's heart.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Brandon Moore

"When you are dealing with the worst of the world, how do we begin to nurture our souls and then in doing that nurture the souls of others." – Brandon Moore 

Brandon Moore has served as an Army Chaplain for more than two decades, serving three tours in Iraq, as a Strategic Communication Officer at the Pentagon, and now as Chief of Army Chaplain Recruiting and Accessions. Brandon joins the podcast to share how leading a discerning life has changed him. From learning to release the heavy weight of death that he has experienced, to befriending ecumenical chaplains of other faiths, to helping create an upcoming Hollywood movie about the chaplaincy (Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain's Journey) Brandon has leaned into the question, "how do we begin to nurture our souls and then in doing that nurture the souls of others." 

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: Trent Casto

"It's incredible what a man who is united to Jesus and weak in the eyes of the world can accomplish" – Trent Casto

Author and Pastor Trent Casto joins the podcast to talk about God's strength in our weakness. In this episode, he shares ideas and practices that have enabled him to lead in a way that displays God's grace. From his newly released commentary on 2 Corinthians in the Reformed Expository Commentary series, Trent shares that the heart of all our issues is drifting from the heart of the biblical gospel - either towards our performance, power, and strength or towards a disregard for God's standards. As you listen, may you be empowered to lead with authenticity that comes from an understanding of the sufficiency of God's grace.

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: Jeremy Stefano

"Everyone knows whether they are living a spacious or a cluttered life. The question is, are we tapping into our longings that those quiet hours feed in our soul" – Steve Macchia

A discerning leader builds their life upon the teachings of Jesus. For the past two decades, Leadership Transformations has been coming alongside leaders and learners who are engaged in important and meaningful service in the body of Christ. Steve Macchia and Jeremy Stefano return to the podcast to share the final five attributes of the heart of a discerning leader. In this episode, you will hear how a spiritually mature leader values silence, solitude, and space for God; willingly voices repentance, confession, and forgiveness, regularly reorders his/her affections, is decisive when necessary, discerning when essential and has strength of character and competency (especially during hard times).

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: Jeremy Stefano

"Paying attention to the people we are serving is crucial, otherwise it's all me." – Jeremy Stefano

A controlling leader has a need to power over others, leaving no space for others. This kind of leader creates an atmosphere of anxiety and fear rather than one of welcoming and mutual contribution. A discerning leader is attentive, listens to, and offers a hospitable presence to others. Jeremy Stefano and Steve Macchia return to the podcast to share five more attributes of the heart of a discerning leader. In this episode, you will hear how a spiritually mature leader provides a hospitable presence, is deeply content and humble, genuinely joyful and celebratory, rooted in trust and rest, and generates peace and hope.

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: Jeremy Stefano

 "Jesus is gentle. Surely those who lead in His name must be typified especially by gentleness also." –  Jeremy Stefano

A stingy leader is stingy with grace, kindness, gifts, and generosity. A discerning leader is aware of God's abundance and leads with liberty and graciousness. Jeremy Stefano and Steve Macchia return to the podcast to share five more attributes of the heart of a discerning leader. In this episode, you will hear how a spiritually mature leader is known for his/her kindness and goodness; lives a life of prayer and prayerfulness; exhibits the fruit of the Spirit, especially gentleness; stands firmly on the biblical foundation of justice and mercy and prioritizes stewardship and generosity of financial resources.

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: Jeremy Stefano 

"As a leader, we often love people who we need in our leadership. The love has to be unconditional, not measured out in increments to those we see as more deserving." –  Jeremy Stefano

What does it look like to lead well? Over the next few episodes, Jeremy Stefano and Steve Macchia will unpack this question, offering twenty attributes of a spiritually mature leader. Fresh off a team retreat together, Jeremy and Steve share the first five attributes: loving unconditionally, providing grace, what to do with praise, and why gratitude and rhythms of spiritual practices are essential. This episode is full of spiritual wisdom for every type of leader.

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, Guest: Winn Collier

"You had this sense that you were with someone who knew Jesus." – Winn Collier

Winn Collier is the author of Eugene Peterson's authorized biography, A Burning in My Bones. Few people have had an opportunity to know Eugene's life as a pastor, theologian, author, and poet like Winn. Winn shares personal stories of Eugene's upbringing and transformation. Winn describes that Eugene was transformed by prayer, slow reading, attentiveness, and deep encounters with God in the Scriptures; this changed the way he moved in the world and with people. Winn and Steve share stories of personal time with Euguene; times that were often marked by unhurried silence. Winn encourages the listener that we live in a world where we are deeply and profoundly addicted to our actions and our self-importance and our making things happen; but in God's world, unhurried attentiveness to God and others is a very counter-transformational experience.

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: Ken Shigematsu

"If you can put yourself in a pathway of beauty every day, it can awaken you to God's love for you and it leaves less room for shame to work so that you can become your truest self." – Ken Shigematsu

Author and Pastor Ken Shigematsu joins the podcast to talk about shame. In this episode he shares the spiritual practices that work to awaken us to God's forgiveness and love for us, making less of shame and more of the self that God created us to be. From his book Now I Become Myself: How Deep Grace Heals Our Shame and Restores Our True Self, Ken shares candidly about his history with shame and finding a way to allow God's grace to penetrate his soul. As you listen, may you come out of a place of anxiously needing to prove that you are enough to God, to yourself or to others but live from a place of acceptance as the beloved of 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, Guest: Jeff Crosby

"Embracing the mystery is good enough" – Jeff Crosby

Jeff Crosby joins the podcast to talk about longings - the inner ache and sadness that we feel at times. From Jeff's newest book, The Language of the Soul: Meeting God in the Longings of our Hearts, Jeff teaches that the longings we experience are places for God to meet us. Jeff walks us through several longings from the book - the longing for home, for friendship, for heaven and for an undivided life. All of us carry longings in our hearts. The invitation is to be attentive to those longings and invite the Lord of the universe to meet with us in the midst of them and to take time to cultivate spiritual practice that makes us more aware of God's presence in our lives.

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.