The Daily LEAD

Have you ever felt guilty and assumed you did something wrong, or felt anxious and convinced yourself something bad was coming? This Mental Health Monday explores emotional reasoning—why our brains sometimes mistake feelings for facts—and three practical ways to challenge negative thinking without dismissing our emotions. Recommended Books: Understanding the Nervous System Anchored: How to Befrien...

What happens when a business becomes more purpose-driven than a church? Inspired by the book Make Your Mark: The Creative’s Guide to Building a Business with Impact and its challenge that the best organizations are driven by purpose rather than products or profits, this episode asks church and nonprofit leaders to examine the difference between protecting what we do and pursuing why we exist . Why...

Why does being dismissed sometimes hurt so deeply? In Part Two, we explore how childhood invalidation can shape our reactions as adults, why old wounds resurface in everyday conversations, and how to stop second-guessing ourselves and rebuild trust in our own voice. Resources & References Miranda Fricker — Epistemic Injustice: Power and the Ethics of Knowing (2007). Explores credibility, testi...

Everyone agreed—so why didn’t anything change? In this episode we explore a reminder that general agreement doesn’t automatically create change; it takes substantial energy to move a group even when everyone is on board. For church and nonprofit leaders, this distinction is critical. We can agree that we need to reach new people, develop leaders, improve communication, engage our communities, or c...

Ever share an idea that gets ignored—only to hear someone else say the exact same thing and suddenly everyone listens? This week, we're talking about credibility discounting, why some voices are given more weight than others, and how to reclaim your voice without getting louder.

What happens when the organizational chart starts determining not only who is responsible, but who is allowed to talk to whom? This episode explores why healthy churches and nonprofits need both open communication and clear accountability . We’ll talk about organizational silos, communication vacuums, the danger of making leaders the middleman for every conversation, and why talking to people inst...

Why do some of us need reassurance again and again—even after we've already received it? This Mental Health Monday explores the deeper roots of reassurance-seeking, from anxiety and uncertainty to attachment, self-trust, and fear of disconnection, plus practical ways to begin breaking the cycle.

How much is your organization spending—through time, energy, bureaucracy, missed opportunities, and frustrated leaders—trying to make sure nobody ever makes a mistake? This episode explores what happens when healthy accountability becomes organizational paralysis. For church and nonprofit leaders, the challenge isn’t to eliminate mistakes; it’s to know which mistakes require strong safeguards and...

Ever turn one unanswered text, small mistake, or unexpected problem into a full-blown disaster in your head? This Mental Health Monday explores catastrophizing—why our brains jump to worst-case scenarios, how anxiety makes those thoughts feel believable, and simple ways to come back to what’s actually happening.

What if your team doesn’t have an innovation problem—they have a safety problem ? In this episode, we explore what taking risks means for those of us leading churches and nonprofits. We’ll talk about the difference between risk and recklessness, why our response to failure shapes organizational culture, how control can masquerade as responsible leadership, and why people stop bringing us new ideas...

Ever replay a conversation long after it’s over? In this Mental Health Monday Mini, we’re talking about rumination—why our brains get stuck in thought loops, how it affects relationships, parenting, and leadership, and three practical ways to stop circling and start moving forward.

What if one of the greatest dangers in leadership is what you don’t know? As we begin a new season, we’re turning to the leadership lessons found inside one of the most creative organizations in the world: Pixar. Drawing from Ed Catmull’s Creativity, Inc. , this episode explores his powerful warning: “If you don’t strive to uncover what is unseen and understand its nature, you will be ill prepared...

What happens when the systems we build to support the mission of the church actually begin getting in the way of it? In this episode, Pastor Brad sits down with Pastor Ryan Dockery for an honest conversation sparked by a provocative reflection on some of the systemic challenges facing organized Christianity. From our obsession with bigger and better to celebrity leadership, constant programming, i...

Ever replay a five-minute conversation for the next five hours? Inspired by Ted Lasso’s advice to “be a goldfish,” this Mental Health Monday explores why our brains get stuck replaying mistakes, rejection, and difficult moments—and how to take the lesson without carrying the shame. We’ll talk rumination, parenting, leadership, relationships, and four practical ways to help your brain finally move...

What if the greatest measure of your leadership isn’t the impact you make, but the impact others discover they can make because of you? Inspired by a powerful insight from Vanessa Van Edwards at the Global Leadership Summit, this episode explores the difference between being the leader everyone needs and becoming the leader who empowers others to lead. We’ll talk about trust, giving away ownership...

What do you hold on to when life hasn’t given you much reason to believe things will get better? Inspired by Ted Lasso’s simple message to “Believe,” this episode explores realistic hope, the psychology behind it, why stress can make possibilities harder to see, and how parents, leaders, and helpers can keep moving forward without pretending everything is okay.

How do we honor our history while still trying to reach a changing world? How do we preserve our mission without becoming captive to our methods? This episode explores why innovation isn't the enemy of tradtion, why healthy organizations distinguish between mission and method, and how leaders can faithfully guide change while honoring the traditional foundation. 

What if one question could change your relationships? This week, we're exploring the powerful quote, "Be curious, not judgmental," and how choosing curiosity over assumptions can strengthen leadership, parenting, counseling, and everyday relationships. We'll discuss the neuroscience behind judgment, why our brains jump to conclusions, and practical ways to create more empathy a...

In this episode we explore having those difficult conversations. The ones we want to avoid. These conversations are never easy, but leaders owe people honesty, clarity, and dignity regardless. In this episode we will explore why avoiding these conversations often creates greater harm, how honesty can be an act of compassion, and how courageous leaders speak the truth. 

School may not have started yet, but your brain already knows change is coming. In this episode, we explore why back-to-school anxiety often begins weeks before the first bell rings. Learn the neuroscience behind anticipatory anxiety, practical ways to calm your nervous system, and encouragement for teachers, school counselors, school leaders, parents, and helpers entering a new season with confid...

In this episode we continue to look at leadership lessons from Bob Iger and his book "The Ride of a Lifetime". Today we discuss the importance of relationships in leadership. For pastors and nonprofit leaders, this lesson carries special weight. Leadership can be isolating, and without healthy relationships, leaders often find themselves exhausted, disconnected, and vulnerable to burnout...

Insomnia is more than a sleep problem. In this episode, we explore how stress, mental health, an overactive nervous system, and hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause can affect sleep—and what can help your brain and body begin to rest again.

In the book "Ride of a Lifetime," author Bob Iger says that great leaders trust their instincts, but they also don't act impulsively. They gather information, they seek wise counsel, analyze the facts, examine their own motives and then move. This is the process of discernment. Today we examine the difference between impulsiveness and instinct, why over analysis can be dangerous, an...

When caring turns into carrying, emotional exhaustion is not far behind. This episode explores how helpers and leaders can stay compassionate, set healthy boundaries, and protect their own mental health. Practical Resources National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Articles and support groups for stress, compassion fatigue, and mental wellness. American Psychological Association: Research-based...

Great leaders don't ignore risks, but neither do they allow every obstacle to overshadow every opportunity. In this episode we dive into why churches and non profits always explain why something doesn't work and how leaders can cultivate a culture that evaluate opportunities without becoming paralyzed.