The Discerning Leader Podcast

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.  

Matt Scott joins co-host Steve Macchia to explore the significance of spiritual discernment, especially during year-end reflections. They dive into the ancient practice of the Examen, highlighting its power to foster gratitude and awareness of God's presence in daily life. The conversation emphasizes personal ownership in relationships and the importance of acknowledging past experiences. As they transition into the new year, they encourage listeners to embrace a mindset of hope, forgiveness, and grace while reflecting on their journeys.

“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.