Behind the Seal

Gabe Lyons, bestselling author and founder of THINQ Media, dives into the essence of leadership intertwined with emotional health. He discusses the need for leaders to establish safe environments for vulnerability, emphasizing that personal healing enhances their effectiveness. The conversation also addresses the balance of measuring impact in changing landscapes, and the importance of supportive relationships, particularly in marriage, for leaders. Lastly, Gabe highlights mentoring future generations, making a case for collaboration to empower emerging leaders.

What does it take to build—and rebuild—trust in leadership? In this powerful episode, Dr. Henry Cloud, bestselling author of books like Boundaries and Trust, reveals why trust is the foundation of every healthy relationship, team, and organization—and what leaders can do when it’s been broken. From identifying the key elements of trust to recognizing barriers like defensiveness, fear, and narcissism, Dr. Cloud offers practical insights for leaders in any setting.Whether you're leading a church, ministry, nonprofit, or business, this conversation will challenge and equip you to lead with greater self-awareness, emotional health, and relational integrity.Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, trust, and building healthy teams.About Dr. Cloud:  Dr. Henry Cloud is an acclaimed leadership expert, clinical psychologist, and New York Times best-selling author. His 46 books, including the iconic Boundaries, have sold over 20 million copies worldwide. He has an extensive executive coaching background and experience as a leadership consultant, devoting the majority of his time to working with CEOs, leadership teams, and executives to improve performance, leadership skills, and culture.Dr. Cloud lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Tori, and their two daughters, Olivia and Lucy.Additional Resources: ECFA.org/LeaderCaredrcloud.comTrustNecessary EndingsIntegrityWhy I BelieveIf this conversation resonated with you, don’t keep it to yourself—like, share, and subscribe for more insights on healthy leadership.

As leaders in a digitally driven world, how do we balance productivity with presence?How do we create space for silence, reflection, and meaningful connection in an always-on world?What role do faith communities play in shaping healthier digital habits?Felicia Wu Song, cultural sociologist and author of Restless Devices, joins host Michael Martin to explore these pressing questions. Felicia unpacks the profound ways digital culture influences our identity, attention, and spiritual formation. From the transactional nature of online interactions to the hunger for real communion, she challenges us to rethink our engagement with technology.  Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on cultivating "counterliturgies" to our daily tech practices and reclaiming the beauty of presence in a hyperconnected age.  About Felicia:  Felicia Wu Song (PhD, University of Virginia) is a sociologist and author of Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence and Place in the Digital Age and Virtual Communities: Bowling Alone, Online Together.  With almost twenty years’ experience as a professor at Louisiana State University and Westmont College, she combines her training in history, communication studies, and sociology with a personal interest in theology to speak and teach on matters of spiritual formation and well-being in a digitally-saturated society. Living in the Pacific Northwest, she enjoys a good food truck with her husband and two teenaged children. Additional Resources:  ECFA.org/LeaderCare Restless Devices – Felicia Wu Song feliciawusong.com  If this conversation resonated with you, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with someone and keep the conversation going! 

Leadership doesn’t have to come at the cost of your soul. In this compelling episode, ECFA President Michael Martin sits down with Mindy Caliguire, founder of Soul Care and author of Ignite Your Soul, for a candid conversation on the growing crisis of burnout—and what we can do about it. Together, they unpack ECFA’s new Standard for Leader Care, explore the warning signs of soul neglect, and share practical rhythms for spiritual and emotional health. Michael opens up about his own journey toward deeper soul care and what it’s meant for his leadership. Mindy offers wisdom, hope, and encouragement for leaders navigating fear, exhaustion, or isolation. The conversation doesn’t stop at personal growth—this episode also offers a clear challenge to boards and leadership teams: Leader care is not optional—it’s essential. Learn how boards can create a culture of safety, support, and sustainability before a crisis ever hits. Whether you're leading a ministry, church, or organization, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to lead with integrity, longevity, and a soul that’s fully alive. About Mindy:  Mindy Caliguire is the co-founder and president of Soul Care, which exists to help leaders personally flourish and achieve missional impact. Mindy serves as an Ambassador for the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), and in the past has served in executive leadership at Gloo and the Willow Creek Association (now GLN). Soul Care serves ministries and organizations across the US and beyond including C-12, Compassion International, The Navigators, Christ Church of the Valley, Dallas Theological Seminary, Plum Creek Church, and many more. Mindy’s most recent book is Ignite Your Soul: When Exhaustion, Isolation, and Burnout Light a Path to Flourishing. Additional Resources: ECFA.org/LeaderCare soulcare.com Ignite Your Soul – Mindy CaliguireRenovation of the Heart - Dallas Willard If this conversation resonated with you, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with someone and keep the conversation going! 

This season, we explore what makes leaders last, from humility to impact and the care that carries them there.

What if leadership wasn’t just about performance but about wholeness? This season, we’re having the real conversations every leader needs—about burnout, trust, soul care, relationships, and leading with integrity. Featuring insightful voices like Mindy Caliguire, Dr. Henry Cloud, Lysa TerKeurst, and more, we’re exploring the unseen challenges leaders face and the wisdom needed to overcome them. Whether you’re navigating difficult circumstances, protecting your leadership culture, or simply trying to stay healthy in the midst of chaos, these episodes will challenge, encourage, and equip you to lead with strength and authenticity. Don’t just lead—lead well. 

A thriving culture drives a staff and organization to new heights. Kim Williams shares how to cultivate such a culture that can spread like wildfire in a workplace. Specifically, she explores ECFA’s own intentional pursuit of three key organizational values: Humble, Hardworking, and Healthy.📻 Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.ecfa.org/Content/Podcast

Harold Moore's story of hard work and striving is all too familiar. After a marketing and pastoring career, the Lord led him uniquely to ECFA as the Executive Administrator to the President. Harold exudes joyous serving while also exhorting ECFA staff towards healthy leadership. Michael and Harold talk candidly about their professional, personal, and spiritual dynamic as humility, honor, and legacy overlap.Find out more about ECFA: https://www.ecfa.org

Michael Martin, ECFA's President, takes us back to 2021 when ECFA's Board started digging into how a leader's health affects financial integrity and trust. In the past two years, ECFA has surveyed and researched this connection. The ECFA board has applied these findings to better support the health of its own leadership and staff. With each conversation, ECFA was encouraged by ministry and church leaders to continue this research and bring leadership health to the forefront of the Trust conversation.Stick around until the end, as Michael has practical takeaways and next steps for you and your organization. Also, we react to a few of the highlights from this year's excellent thought leaders!Enjoyed the clips in this podcast? Here are the links to those full episodes:David Kinnaman, Barna: https://share.transistor.fm/s/03c0b5aeCarey Nieuwhof: https://share.transistor.fm/s/df964729Ruth Haley Barton, Transforming Center: https://share.transistor.fm/s/68be24daGlenn Packiam, Rockharbor Church: https://share.transistor.fm/s/5dfc1f1eJedd Medefind, CAFO: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9059608c

We’re blessed to speak with Bishop Derek Grier of Grace Church. He’s the top leader at Grace and a Board Member here at ECFA.  He dives into why supporting pastors is so vital right now and how the board can prioritize relationship building with top leaders!  His leadership in the National Unity Weekend has spurred Christ-Centered conversations and action on race and diversity nationwide.  Finally, he's  been involved in ECFA's Board research on leadership health, and his desire to see healthy relationship between boards and top leaders.https://www.gracechurchva.org/https://unityweekend.com/