BONUS: What we wish we'd heard: An honest conversation about abuse and misconduct

In this candid bonus episode of The Leader’s Journey Podcast, Trisha Taylor, Michael DeRidder, and Aundrea Baker open up an honest conversation about the realities of abuse and misconduct within faith communities and organizations. Sharing insights from their ongoing learning, including reflections from a recent conference, the team explores the power dynamics, cultural patterns, and systemic issues that allow abuse to occur and persist. They discuss the deep wounds left in individuals and communities, the need for preemptive culture work, and the essential role of leaders in creating environments of safety and accountability. If you are leading or serving in a church or organization, this conversation will challenge and equip you to think differently about prevention, response, and healing when abuse surfaces.

Trisha Taylor, Michael DeRuyter, and Aundrea Baker are coaches with The Leader’s Journey, where they guide individuals, teams, and organizations toward emotionally healthy, systems-aware leadership rooted in Christian values. They bring deep experience in walking alongside leaders navigating crises and transformation, helping communities engage challenging conversations with courage, clarity, and care.

Conversation Overview:

• The weight of healing and the need for shared responsibility

• How power dynamics and organizational culture enable abuse

• The myth of exceptionalism and its role in silencing victims

• Why systems thinking is critical for addressing abuse

• The importance of leaders creating cultures of safety and openness

• Moving from protecting perpetrators to caring for survivors

• Preemptive culture-building as abuse prevention

Resources:

• Being Human: Podcast with Chuck and Steve

• https://churchcares.com/
• Find Aundrea Baker and Michael DeRuyter on The Leader’s Journey
• Extraordinary Relationships by Roberta Gilbert – Framework on systems thinking, including the concepts of being separate, equal, and open in relationships and organizations.