The Daily LEAD

If you’re in a season where nothing feels fully right but nothing is clearly wrong, this episode is for you. A conversation on waiting, emotional weight, and finding steadiness in the in-between.

In this episode, Pastor Brad kicks off a brand new series inspired by The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger, former CEO of The Walt Disney Company. At first glance, a book about leading one of the largest entertainment companies in the world might seem far removed from church or nonprofit leadership. But what if some of the most impactful leadership lessons come from outside our typical circles? In t...

Feeling overwhelmed, constantly “on,” or carrying more than you should?  In this episode, we talk about how stress quietly becomes our normal, what real self-care actually looks like, and how to protect your mental health—especially when you’re used to taking care of everyone else.

Confidence is essential in leadership — but overconfidence is dangerous. When leaders believe they cannot be wrong, stop inviting feedback, or assume their instincts are always correct, trust erodes and blind spots grow. Overconfidence doesn’t usually implode overnight — it slowly isolates leaders from reality. In this final episode of a three-part series on clarity and uncertainty, Pastor Brad ex...

Change can be uncomfortable, but staying emotionally tied to the past can quietly hold us back. In this episode, we explore why our minds cling to old stories, how it affects mental health and leadership, and how to begin gently moving forward.

Every leader will face moments when decisions must be made before clarity is complete. You don’t have all the data. You don’t have guaranteed outcomes. You don’t even have total certainty. So what do you do? In this episode, Pastor Brad explores what it means to lead with confidence and humility at the same time. Leadership is not about pretending to know everything — it’s about building trust, co...

A break from our everyday routine offers a chance to pause—but for many leaders, helpers, and high-functioning professionals, rest can feel unfamiliar or even uncomfortable. In this episode, we explore why productivity becomes part of identity, how the nervous system adapts to constant “go mode,” and why learning to rest may be one of the most important forms of self-care and leadership.

In moments of crisis, change, or major decisions, one question rises above the rest: Why? When leaders fail to clearly define and communicate their why, trust erodes and confusion spreads. In this episode, Pastor Brad explores why clarity of purpose is not optional for leaders — it’s essential. From global headlines to everyday organizational decisions, the absence of a clearly stated why creates...

When the world feels politically and socially heavy, your mental health can quietly absorb the weight. In this episode, we talk about how to stay hopeful without becoming overwhelmed, how to protect your nervous system, and how leaders and helpers can remain steady in tense times.

When you’re the helper, it can feel hard to admit you need help too. High-functioning professionals often carry emotional weight quietly — performing well on the outside while feeling depleted inside. In this episode, we break the stigma around helpers seeking support and talk about burnout, nervous system overload, and why getting help is not a weakness — it’s leadership.

On this Ash Wednesday we look at rituals. But this episode isn’t about church services—it’s about leadership. What happens to a culture when rituals fade? What happens to teams, families, and organizations when we stop marking sacred moments? In this reflective episode, we explore the hidden power of ritual, the formation of identity, and why leaders who neglect rhythm and meaning risk losing more...

As winter fades, your energy may start to shift. That heaviness can turn into restlessness, motivation, and the urge to reset. In this episode, we explore how seasonal changes impact your mood and drive — and how to move into this new season with intention instead of pressure.

It’s Valentine’s Week, and at the heart of love and relationship is trust. Trust is often talked about in leadership circles as a strategy—but trust is first and foremost relational. In this episode, Pastor Brad explores how the same dynamics that build or break trust in personal relationships show up on teams, in staff cultures, and in leadership environments. This conversation reframes trust not...

High-functioning depression doesn’t always look like falling apart—it often looks like doing fine while feeling worn down inside. In this episode, we discuss why this season can feel especially challenging and how to care for your mental health with compassion and sustainability.

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 n...

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 conversa...

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 consta...

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...

 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...

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 gu...

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.

The weeks leading up to Christmas are some of the most beautiful—and exhausting—moments in the life of a church leader. After the services, the programs, the giving campaigns, the pastoral care, and the emotional weight of the season, many leaders hit what I call “The Post-Christmas Crash.” In this episode, Pastor Brad explores why this crash happens, how it impacts our leadership, and what we can...