The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast CNLP 724 | Leadership Wounds That Become Ticking Time Bombs: Levi Lusko on Navigating a Mid-Life Crisis in Ministry at 38 and the Mixed Gifting and Motivations of Preachers
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Apr 22, 2025 
In a revealing conversation, Levi Lusko, founder and lead pastor of Fresh Life Church, dives into his experience with mid-life crises in ministry at 38. He candidly discusses the emotional toll of childhood influences on leadership and the complexities of ambition. Levi shares personal stories of loss, including the poignant impacts of his daughter's passing. Humor intersperses his reflections, especially a funny airline mishap. The dialogue highlights essential themes of burnout, self-care, and the necessity of community support for effective leadership.
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Childhood Wounds and Addiction
- Levi Lusko shares how his parents' divorce and emotional absence shaped his childhood and ministry.
- He recounts his early addiction to pornography as a misguided source of affection replacing his mother's love.
The Shadow Side of Validation
- The desire for validation and feeling separate creates a shadow side in leaders that can undermine ministry.
- Once you seek to impress others, you stop being able to truly bless or lead effectively.
Two Million Miles Anecdote
- Levi Lusko humorously recounts reaching two million air miles without receiving the expected recognition from the airline.
- He gets mistaken for another traveler and never gets the celebration he anticipated.
