The Discerning Leader Podcast

The Discerning Leader Podcast pauses its weekly episodes to feature this Holy Week Interlude. As Lent comes to its pinnacle during Holy Week, each of these episodes reminds us of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. With a daily Scripture reading and excerpt from Outstretched Arms of Grace, these reflections invite you to walk with Jesus through the final week of his earthly life. Journey with us toward the cross, the empty tomb and into the bright light of joy-filled Resurrection Day. Special Guest: Jeremy Stefano Reading: John 20:1-10 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.  

The Discerning Leader Podcast pauses its weekly episodes to feature this Holy Week Interlude. As Lent comes to its pinnacle during Holy Week, each of these episodes reminds us of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. With a daily Scripture reading and excerpt from Outstretched Arms of Grace, these reflections invite you to walk with Jesus through the final week of his earthly life. Journey with us toward the cross, the empty tomb and into the bright light of joy-filled Resurrection Day. Special Guest: Chrissy Chang Reading: John 19:38-42 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.  

The Discerning Leader Podcast pauses its weekly episodes to feature this Holy Week Interlude. As Lent comes to its pinnacle during Holy Week, each of these episodes reminds us of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. With a daily Scripture reading and excerpt from Outstretched Arms of Grace, these reflections invite you to walk with Jesus through the final week of his earthly life. Journey with us toward the cross, the empty tomb and into the bright light of joy-filled Resurrection Day. Special Guest: Matt Scott Reading: John 19:16-37 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.  

The Discerning Leader Podcast pauses its weekly episodes to feature this Holy Week Interlude. As Lent comes to its pinnacle during Holy Week, each of these episodes reminds us of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. With a daily Scripture reading and excerpt from Outstretched Arms of Grace, these reflections invite you to walk with Jesus through the final week of his earthly life. Journey with us toward the cross, the empty tomb and into the bright light of joy-filled Resurrection Day. Special Guest: Susan Currie Reading: John 13:1-17 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.  

The Discerning Leader Podcast pauses its weekly episodes to feature this Holy Week Interlude. As Lent comes to its pinnacle during Holy Week, each of these episodes reminds us of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. With a daily Scripture reading and excerpt from Outstretched Arms of Grace, these reflections invite you to walk with Jesus through the final week of his earthly life. Journey with us toward the cross, the empty tomb and into the bright light of joy-filled Resurrection Day. Special Guest: Steve Macchia Reading: Mark 14:1-11 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.  

The Discerning Leader Podcast pauses its weekly episodes to feature this Holy Week Interlude. As Lent comes to its pinnacle during Holy Week, each of these episodes reminds us of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. With a daily Scripture reading and excerpt from Outstretched Arms of Grace, these reflections invite you to walk with Jesus through the final week of his earthly life. Journey with us toward the cross, the empty tomb and into the bright light of joy-filled Resurrection Day. Special Guest: Kim Alexander Reading: Mark 12:1-12 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.  

The Discerning Leader Podcast pauses its weekly episodes to feature this Holy Week Interlude. As Lent comes to its pinnacle during Holy Week, each of these episodes reminds us of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. With a daily Scripture reading and excerpt from Outstretched Arms of Grace, these reflections invite you to walk with Jesus through the final week of his earthly life. Journey with us toward the cross, the empty tomb and into the bright light of joy-filled Resurrection Day. Special Guest: Rick Anderson Reading: Mark 11:12-19 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.  

The Discerning Leader Podcast pauses its weekly episodes to feature this Holy Week Interlude. As Lent comes to its pinnacle during Holy Week, each of these episodes reminds us of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. With a daily Scripture reading and excerpt from Outstretched Arms of Grace, these reflections invite you to walk with Jesus through the final week of his earthly life. Journey with us toward the cross, the empty tomb and into the bright light of joy-filled Resurrection Day. Special Guest: Suz Skinner Reading: Matthew 21:1-11 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.  

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “God's love is the greatest healer, the golden filigree of restoration and redemption of every ounce of pain being carried by an overburdened life.” - Steve Macchia  Season 34 comes to a close as this episode reflects on some of the central themes of Steve's book “Broken and Whole.” In this final conversation, Steve and Matt remind the listener that God desires to gracefully forgive and redeem our brokenness. And as the Spirit does a renewing work in our body, mind, and soul, strength will emerge from weakness. May this concluding episode offer you hope for reconciliation and restoration as you live and serve in the kingdom 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.  

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “Stop. Notice. Listen. Pray. Reorder. Live. Serve. Repeat.” - Steve Macchia  God is a redeeming God. He loves to redeem, and He can and will redeem anything as long as it's brought into the light. This podcast conversation explores how God brings about redemption and transformation in our souls as we learn to reorder our loves. Looking at people, possessions, power and persuasions, Steve and Matt discuss tangible ways we can welcome and embrace God's redemptive work in our everyday, ordinary living.    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.  

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “Courage is not found in the human strength required to vault but in the Spirit's power that comes alive in the decision to persevere.” - Steve Macchia  We've all experienced heartache and sorrow in our lives. And to resolve that our pain will not be wasted requires great courage, resilience, and trust. This episode of The Discerning Leader podcast explores how we view our wounds, our disappointments, our suffering, and our pain.  Listen in and receive wisdom and encouragement to remember that God can and will redeem our pain.   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.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “Hope in the heart breeds generosity unmeasured.” - Steve Macchia  How do we hold onto hope in times of despair? This episode of The Discerning Leader podcast explores how we can hold fast to hope by believing, trusting, and resting in a God who is unfailing in His power and promises. If you're needing a renewed sense of hope amidst the challenges of daily living, this conversation will pour courage into your soul.  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.  

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “Living lovingly, freely and with trust is always the best posture.” - Steve Macchia  How do we combat the urge to assert our giftedness, competency and wisdom? This episode of The Discerning Leader podcast explores some of the pitfalls of needing to be needed and wanting to be wanted. Learning to live and lead from a place of trusting that God loves us, forgives us, knows us and accepts us is foundational to serving others from a humble heart.  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.

Co-hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “We can embrace our propensity toward worry, anxiety and fear and find our restoration in the peaceful presence of Christ.” - Steve Macchia  God is a God of peace and rest. And yet, we spend many of life's moments fearful, anxious, worried, and longing for peace. This episode of The Discerning Leader podcast invites you to consider how the messengers of fear, anxiety, and worry can reveal the deep places of our soul. Tune into this conversation and receive God's invitation into more peace, less anxiety, and true rest for your soul.   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.  

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia & Matt Scott “To avoid truth is to embrace a false reality, which can lead us into the downward spiral of deception.” - Steve Macchia   Many of us have a hard time accepting Jesus' claim ‘The truth will set you free.' We feel that if people knew the deepest and most broken parts of us, we would be abandoned, discarded, rejected or exploited. This episode of The Discerning Leader podcast explores how the painful and discomforting act of truth-telling indeed liberates and sets us free. And as we do so, we are reconciled to God, to one another and to ourselves.   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.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia & Matt Scott “Deep trust in God leads us out of an angry disposition into a Christ-centered redemption.” - Steve Macchia  How do we engage the emotion of anger and its accompanying behaviors? Rather than suppress, avoid or dismiss our anger, this podcast conversation invites you to be curious about its root and source. As we approach our anger with empathy and compassion, we can feel it's power subside as we begin to embody the gentleness and grace of God toward 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.  

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia & Matt Scott “The one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation, and despair.” - Steve Macchia  How easy it is to become self-absorbed, self-focused, self-promoting, self-centered and self-gratifying. Too often, we get fixated on ourselves and totally miss others. And although we are made for community and designed to be in relationship with others, we often believe that if we don't care for ourselves, no one else will. This episode explores the relationship between solitude and fellowship, inviting you to experience the fullness of kingdom 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.  

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia & Matt Scott “One thing that's pretty consistently true about every rude person is that they must set the agenda and be in control.” - Steve Macchia  Rudeness is expressed through our efforts to manipulate, monitor, and manage people and circumstances surrounding us. It flows from our compulsions to set the agenda and maintain control. Is it maddening? Yes, indeed. And it can lead to great hurt and harm in our families, teams, and church relationships. This podcast conversation looks at how we can live out Paul's charge to the Corinthians: “love is not rude.”  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.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia & Matt Scott “We're called to abandon our self-centered ways of living and invite God's Spirit to replace them with generous humility.” - Steve Macchia  Looking at St. Benedict's ‘Ladder of Humility', Steve Macchia and Matt Scott discuss ways that we can love one another without pride. Additionally, this episode explores how abandonment, contentment, and integration lead to lasting transformation that allows us to generously love and serve 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.  

Co-hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “Our independence and self-focus are destroying community and instead are building fences that keep us apart.” - Steve Macchia  Competition exists in our churches and ministries because it exists in each of us. We've been taught in our culture to take care of, promote, watch out for and provide for the ‘almighty' self. So, how do we combat the temptation to live a self-referenced and superlative life? This episode of The Discerning Leader podcast looks at the spiritual practice of attachment/detachment to help free you from a boastful and competitive spirit.   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.  

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “Envy is accompanied by her friend jealousy, and when combined, they make for ugly companionship in the soul.” - Steve Macchia  In an age where we scroll through feeds of life's curated moments, we're all susceptible to envy and jealousy. We fear that we're missing out, that we're not reaching our fullest potential, that God might be withholding good things from us, and can even begin to resent others for their perceived success. How do we stand against the temptations of envy and jealousy? This episode offers practical suggestions for living a life that's marked by gratitude and contentment.  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.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “What would it look like for patience to reside within us and be embodied in us as we go through everyday life?”-Matt Scott Leaders face endless circumstances and situations that test their patience. Challenging personalities, team conflict, economic downturns and relational dynamics are but a few realities that solicit impatience. This episode of The Discerning Leader podcast explores how we can embody patience and kindness amidst the stressful, difficult, and challenging circumstances we all face. In addition, Steve and Matt discusshow Sabbath combats our impatience and movesus towards becoming kind and loving followers of Jesus. 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.

Co-hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “We must be honest and embrace our brokenness on the way to wholeness.” — Steve Macchia   By embracing and befriending our own brokenness, we can find true wholeness in God's strength. Season 34 takes a chapter-by-chapter look at Stephen Macchia's Broken and Whole: A Leader's Path to Spiritual Transformation. In episode 01, Steve Macchia and Matt Scott offer a candid conversation about what it looks like to befriend the broken and blessed reality of 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.  

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “Once we begin to notice God, we can't help but give thanks to God for his good gifts. Gratitude begins to bubble up within.”—Steve Macchia  This final episode of the year invites you to close out 2024 with a Year-End Examen. Practiced daily, the Examen is an ancient, spiritual practice that can help us see God's hand at work in our whole experience. In this reflective exercise, you're invited to take time to deliberately notice God through the internal thoughts and external events of the past year.  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.  

“I'm so grateful for how He redeems. Sometimes we have to wait a long, long time for His redemptive work to come to reality. But it's worth the wait.” —Steve Macchia  In the final episode of Season 33, Steve Macchia and Matt Scott discuss the names of Jesus and the comfort we find in knowing that God became flesh and lived among us. This conversation  looks at the fulfillment of prophetic promises and the way Jesus' life on earth showed us the fullness of God in human form.   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.  

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “A glimpse of light shines in the darkness, a future reality for us to hang our hats on. And it's called hope.” —Steve Macchia With all the joyous anticipation of the Advent season, we're still faced with the reality of surrounding darkness and despair. This episode of The Discerning Leader podcast features a conversation that offers practical and intentional ways to anchor our souls in the hope and light that is Emmanuel, God with us. 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.  

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “We want his healing, his strength, his comfort, his mercy. We want the gifts that only he can provide for us as we find ourselves hurting and sometimes, hopeless.” —Steve Macchia  Healing for others. Healing from sickness. Healing in our communities. We long to see the healing power of God in our lives and in the lives of those whom we love. What does it look like to pray for healing? Episode 02 of Season 33 invites you to lift your eyes heavenward and look to Christ for healing in our bodies, minds, and souls.   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.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia & Matt Scott “Everybody has a bucket of tears right next to them, and we need to acknowledge for each of us, there's heartache, pain, suffering, and sorrow. And those don't come to an end just because it's Christmas.” —Steve Macchia  Season 33 begins with an invitation to notice this Advent season what often goes unattended: our heartache and hunger. Are you facing overwhelming grief? Do you have unmet longings and desires? Have you lifted up prayers that seemingly remain unanswered? In this conversation, Steve Macchia and Matt Scott invite you to consider the hopeful reality that God is with us and lovingly meets us in the deepest longings of our soul.   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: Rich Villodas “The greatest gift we offer the world around us is our ongoing transformation in Jesus Christ.” - Rich Villodas  In this special edition episode of The Discerning Leader podcast, Steve Macchia sits down with author, speaker, and pastor Rich Villodas. Their conversation explores how to order our lives around a particular pace, grow a capacity for interior examination, and live a deeply formed life through spiritual practices. You don't want to miss this conversation!  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: A.J. Swoboda “The invitation to sabbath offends just about everything we value as Americans.” - AJ Swoboda  In this special edition episode of The Discerning Leader podcast, Steve Macchia has a conversation with AJ Swoboda, writer, professor and pastor. AJ shares about the subversive power of sabbath, how we can care for creation, and the formative power of our daily patterns and habits.  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.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott, Guest: Suz Skinner “A good gardener listens and watches and wants to work with what God is already doing” - Suz Skinner Suz Skinner is a member of the Emmaus Faculty, Abide Faculty, and a Spiritual Formation Associate for Leadership Transformations Inc. and the Pierce Fellowship at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Suz joins Steve and Matt to talk about what it means for God to be the gardener of our souls. Using the garden as a motif, Suz shares how the big story throughout the Bible is of God's desire to dwell with humanity. Reflecting upon the parable of the fig tree, Suz reminds us that the Gardener has a heart of mercy. Finally, Suz shares how wise gardeners are aware of what is already happening in the garden. 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.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott, Guest: Fyfe Blair “Understanding the pruning that is happening with Christ. Yes, it's hard, but there's deep soul care work here going on. It's about your fruitfulness” - Fyfe Blair  Fyfe Blair is a faculty member of LTI's Selah Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction (Europe cohort). Fyfe is also the Project Lead for “The Caim" - a large garden in the small village in rural Scotland where he resides. With hands-on knowledge of horticulture, Fyfe joins Steve and Matt to share reflections between tending to a garden and tending to the garden of the soul.   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.  

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “Are you creating space in your life to be alone, to be quiet, to be reflective, to be relational, to put technology away, to hang out with those you love and to be loved?” - Steve Macchia  The Bible is full of agrarian imagery. The words of Genesis, the prophet Isaiah, Apostle Paul, and Jesus himself all talked about gardens, plants, trees, seeds and soil, and farming. We see dry and dusty, sun-scorched land; we also see fertile, thriving, flourishing gardens. In Jesus's parable of the sower, He emphasized the state of the soil. This parable can also be understood as a metaphor for the state of our souls. Season 32 will consider what it looks like to discern God in the garden of our soul. In this first episode, Steve and Matt share insight about what factors contribute to souls that are hard, rocky, and thorny versus souls that are receptive to 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: Matt Scott “When was the last time you've been awed by God?” - Steve Macchia How can slowing down help us embrace the mysterious work of God? In this episode, Steve and Matt tackle this question as they invite you to  “slow down and be more curious.”   Our technological, information-rich age can make us resistant to wonder. What do we gain from surrendering control of knowing everything? Looking at the encouragement from  Romans 11:33-35 and Job 31, Steve and Matt talk about how wonder releases our sense of control, deepens our dependence on God, and enables us to worship God more fully.   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 “A humble person is a content person.” - Steve Macchia   How does our hustling lead to entitlement? In this episode, Steve and Matt tackle this question as they invite you to  “slow down and be more content.”   When we are hustling, this leads to entitlement. Entitlement fuels our discontent. Looking at the encouragement from the apostle Paul found in Philippians 4:10-13, Steve and Matt talk about how contentment is found not in circumstances or possessions but when we are at home with God and with ourselves. This episode includes personal stories of learning to be content through loss and practical advice to be more content.  

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott “What are we gripping in our hands that may simply be worth a penny in comparison to the abundant life God offers us." - Steve Macchia    How do we release the things that make for false self identity? In this episode, Steve and Matt tackle this question as they invite you to “slow down and be more detached.”   Henri Nouwen talked about the false self gripping to 1) what we do (our work) 2) what we have (our possessions) 3) what others say about us (our image). This conversation looks at practical ways to detach from these things that we build a false sense of self around. Looking at the encouragement from Jesus found in Luke 9:23-26, Steve and Matt talk about denying ourselves in order to receive the fullness of the abundant life in 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: Matt Scott “Not setting realistic expectations of what we can accomplish within a day creates unnecessary hurry and angst inside each of us.” - Matt Scott How does our inability to slow down rob us of attentive presence? In this episode, Steve and Matt tackle this question as they invite you to “slow down and be more attentive.”  Too many relationships and roles can make us overwhelmed and over-extended in life. This conversation looks at practical ways to slow down and focus our attention on God and others. Looking at the encouragement from Hebrews to fix our eyes on Jesus, Steve and Matt talk about practices that can deepen our awareness. 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 is hard to do the 'one-anothering' of the New Testament when we are in a hurry" - Matt Scott  How does hurry hinder humility? In this episode, Steve and Matt tackle this question as they invite you to  “slow down and be more humble.”  Exploring the reality that hurry drives our selfish ambition, this conversation looks at practical ways to slow down and consider the needs of others above and before our own. Looking at the example of Jesus in Paul's letter to the Philippians, Steve and Matt talk about practical ways that humility is the starting place to serving, loving, and caring for the needs 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: Matt Scott “How are we going to know God with heart, soul, mind, and strength if we don't know Him in the inner core of our being - our soul?” - Steve Macchia  In this second episode of Season 31, Steve and Matt talk about the practice of silence. The goal of silence is to know God in the core of our being. Practices that lead us to silence include stillness, solitude, sabbath, and surrender. Every day, there are increasing distractions that challenge the practice of silence. Silence can also be difficult because paying attention to the things that weigh heavy on our hearts is disorientating at times. But this is where God meets us. One of the greatest gifts we can give one another is not our speaking but our silence, simply our 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 “I think the biggest danger of hurrying is that it pours fuel into my addiction to be busy, to be hurried, to be productive, to be noticed.” - Steve Macchia  Season 31, entitled ‘Discerning God in Slowness', begins by exploring a phrase that is central to who we are as an organization: Slow Down, Be More. In this conversation, Steve and Matt answer the question “What is the danger of hurrying?” And in addition, they dialogue around the fruit and spiritual transformation that comes from learning to live more slowly. Gleaning from the words of Matthew 11, this podcast episode invites you to embrace Jesus' invitation to slow down, recover your life, and learn to live freely and lightly.   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.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “I'll spend the rest of my life helping people notice God and discern His presence, His power and His way.” - Steve Macchia  This special 200th episode is a celebration of what the Lord has done through this podcast. With listenership in over 130 countries, all fifty of the United States, and almost 200,000 downloads we are grateful for you - the listeners. Steve and Matt reflect that for the majority of Leadership Transformations Inc.'s 21-year history, we have come alongside people primarily in person. This podcast was started in 2020 and is one of the first ways we equipped leaders online. Steve and Matt reflect on highlights from the past 30 seasons, including 75 unique guests. Moving forward, we hope to hear more from you, our listeners. Let us know what topics you would like to hear more about. In celebration of 200 episodes, we have a gift for the first 200 people who email us at admin@leadershiptransformations.org. Thank you for celebrating with us.  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.  

Hosts: Steve Macchia & Jeremy Stefano “So much of the work of God in my life contains so much mystery. God is at work doing amazingly deep things that are unseen.” - Steve Macchia  Throughout the summer, team members of Leadership Transformations Inc. have shared a favorite psalm. This week, we swap seats and Jeremy Stefano interviews Steve Macchia to hear about one of his favorite Psalms - Psalm 139. Steve first heard this psalm as a teenager as a part of a gospel presentation and he was moved to ask Jesus into his life in a more significant way. Many years later, this Psalm continues to be meaningful to Steve. Steve reflects on how God's all-knowingness causes us to be willing to admit our own brokenness and need for God. Finally, Steve encourages the listener to pray the Psalms, using the language to help us reflect our own experiences back to God in 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: Chrissy Chang “In the middle of busyness and life, how do I enter into this retreat-like presence?” - Chrissy Chang  Chrissy Chang is the Online Ministry Coordinator for Leadership Transformations, Inc. a trained spiritual director with LTI's Selah certificate program, and the Associate Director of Mosaic Network with Mosaic Formation. Chrissy joins Steve for a conversation around Psalm 131. The Psalms, and this one in particular have been to Chrissy, a gateway to the monastery of the heart - the place where we can meet with God in a retreat-like space amidst the responsibilities of life. Psalm 131 invites the reader to release the things that occupy the heart and the mind and release to them to the Lord who has control over them. This Psalm teaches us how to have a calm and quiet soul.   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 “Can I stand up to evil and say, ‘I'm not afraid'?” - Suz Skinner  Suz Skinner is a member of the Emmaus Faculty, Abide Faculty, and a Spiritual Formation Associate for Leadership Transformations Inc. and the Pierce Fellowship at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Suz joins Steve for a conversation around her favorite Psalm - Psalm 23. Suz shares that this familiar Psalm is meant to help us understand and know what it is to live a with-God life. This Psalm is rich with language showing God to be the one who comforts, shepherds, guides, overflows, protects, and leads us. Suz shares what the Psalms have meant in her life and how Psalm 23 continues to be a source of growth and trust in her 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: Susan Currie “As we become present to Him, He re-orients us to His rule, to His righteousness, His justice, His abundance, His blessing, and praise rises within us, and we worship” – Susan Currie  Susan Currie is the Director of Selah and a Minister of Spiritual Formation for Leadership Transformations Inc. Susan joins Steve for a conversation around her favorite Psalm - Psalm 65. Even when chaos abounds in the world, Psalm 65 reminds us that we can come into God's presence. As we become fully present to Him, he reorients us by taking all the legitimate concerns and starts forming in us an obedience to His rule, His righteousness, and His justice. Rather than ignoring the broken places of the world, we bring them into our worship, God turns our hearts to sing His praise and we sing His rule into 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: James Hauptman “It's not a flippant thing to remember the goodness of God. God has been present and overseeing even the hard and difficult times.” - James Hauptman  James Hauptman is the Executive Assistant for Leadership Transformations Inc. James joins Steve for a conversation about his favorite Psalm – Psalm 90. This Psalm written by Moses reminds us of the faithfulness of God. Throughout all generations, God has been the dwelling place for His people. This Psalm teaches us to number our days. James keeps a record of how many days he has been alive as a practice to remember the faithfulness of God. Finally, James shares how he and his family count their days in both big decisions and in the daily minutia of 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: Matt Scott “That experience was when the Psalms came alive to me.” -Matt Scott   Matt Scott is the Creative Director and a Minister of Spiritual Formation for Leadership Transformations Inc. Matt joins Steve for a conversation about his favorite Psalm – Psalm 27. With themes of trust and reliance on God; Psalm 27 invites the reader to fix our eyes on the Lord. In this Psalm, David honestly named his circumstances and reality. While enemies were closing in and trials abounded, David fixed his eyes on the goodness of God, the beauty of the Lord, and His attributes. Psalm 27 reminds us that we can walk forward not paralyzed by fear but in hope and joy, trusting in the goodness of God.  Mentioned in this episode: Matt Scott and Hilton Head Presbyterian Church Psalms Volumes 1 & 2 I Shall Not Fear (Psalm 27) (feat. Eileen Robinson) 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: Kim Alexander “We can't be more attached to the outcome than we are to Christ.” - Kim Alexander Kim Alexander is a Senior Faculty Member of LTI's Selah, a two-year certificate program in Spiritual Direction. Kim joins Steve for a conversation on her favorite Psalm – Psalm 63. This Psalm was written by David in the wilderness and contrasts a dry and parched land without water with being fully satisfied with the richest of foods. We are reminded that our circumstances do not determine our internal state. God is no less God in dark places. He meets us in wilderness moments. Kim reminds us to be more attached to Christ than to the outcome of our circumstances. 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 “In a time when there is anxiety or panic, there is something about this psalm that calms me down. It reminds me that I don't have a lot of control over anything. God has control over everything.” - Rick Anderson Rick Anderson is the Executive Vice President of Leadership Transformations Inc., where he has served for the last 19 years. Rick joins Steve Macchia for a conversation around his favorite Psalm - Psalm 46. Psalm 46 invites us to come and sit at the feet of God and surrender our worries, concerns, anxieties, and fears to him. We can do that because God is the one who has all things under His control. Rick also shares how the Psalms have been meaningful in his own life; they give us words when we don't know what to pray.  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.