The Discerning Leader Podcast

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 liv...

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 ca...

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 an...

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...

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...

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 celebra...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 h...

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 "Liste...

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 dif...

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...

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 hi...

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-C...

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 Ch...

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...

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...

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...

" 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...

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 Recruitin...

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 o...

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 e...

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...