The Leader's Journey Podcast

In this episode of The Leader’s Journey Podcast, Trisha Taylor is joined by Mac and Josie McCarthy for a deeply honest conversation on disability, faith, and the church. Sharing their journey as parents of a child with Down syndrome, Mac and Josie open up about the grief, growth, and spiritual reframing they experienced, and how it has changed the way they see God, themselves, and their community. Together, they challenge us to move beyond pity and mere inclusion toward presence, dignity, and belonging, recognizing the gifts individuals with disabilities bring to the body of Christ. Whether you are a parent, pastor, or community leader, this episode will encourage and challenge you to see disability not as a problem to fix, but as a call to deeper love and interdependence. Mac McCarthy is the lead pastor of Crosspoint Community Church near Milwaukee and a coach with The Leader’s Journey, where he helps leaders build emotionally healthy, systems-aware communities rooted in Christian values. Learn more about Mac’s coaching work here. Josie McCarthy is a nurse, mother of three, and passionate advocate for recognizing the dignity and gifts of individuals with disabilities, bringing practical wisdom and deep faith to this conversation. Conversation Overview: Moving through grief and acceptance after a disability diagnosis How disability challenges and reframes our theology and expectations The way Jesus sees and engages individuals with disabilities From pity to presence The pitfalls of prejudice, disability blindness, and transactional service Seeing individuals with disabilities as vital, gifted members of the church Navigating the tension between challenge and joy in disability Encouragement for leaders feeling overwhelmed in creating spaces of belonging Resources: Mac McCarthy at The Leader’s Journey – Learn more about Mac’s coaching and leadership development work. Zoom Dialogue on Disability (July 24 at 1:00 PM Central) – A live dialogue with Mac and Josie exploring how leaders can practically engage these conversations. Disability Theology (to be explored in Part 2) – A framework for understanding faith and disability in the church. Find The Leader's Journey on YouTube Dive a little deeper into the conversation pertaining to disability by reading these recommended books:   Amy Kenny's My Body Is Not a Prayer Request  Nancy Eiesland's The Disabled God Organizations that equip churches to be places of inclusion & belonging: Key Ministry -- https://keyministry.org SOAR -- https://soarspecialneeds.org

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.

Rick Rorick, a seasoned leader's journey coach from the corporate world, and Nate Pyle, a pastor and author, delve into the crucial topic of organizational culture. They discuss the definition of culture and its surprising significance in churches and businesses. Listeners will learn how addressing mistakes fosters a healthier environment and why personal transformation is key for leaders. The duo emphasizes that true culture must align with lived experience, making the case for intentional steps in cultivating a supportive atmosphere.

In this episode of The Leader’s Journey Podcast, Jim sits down with Houston-area pastor Melissa Emerson to explore what it means to live faithfully in the midst of deep church change. After stepping into leadership of Mosaic Community Covenant Church following her father’s sudden passing, Melissa and her husband have led their community through a nomadic, experimental journey—redefining what church can be in the most diverse suburb in the U.S. With honesty, wisdom, and a heart for justice, Melissa shares what it’s been like to shed institutional expectations, rediscover community, and follow the Spirit’s leading in uncharted territory. If you’ve ever felt disillusioned with “church as usual,” or if you’re discerning a new way forward, this conversation offers courage and clarity for the road ahead. Melissa Lee Emerson is a third generation Chinese American woman co-pastoring Mosaic Community Covenant Church with her husband. Mosaic meets at a YMCA in the most diverse suburban county in the United States. Passionate about the intersection of faith and justice, Melissa dedicates her energy to the church, to Mosaic Learning Center, and raising her two daughters. She has a masters of divinity from North Park Theological Seminary with an emphasis on intercultural ministry and a bachelors in psychology with an emphasis on sociology and human development. She enjoys multicultural learning spaces and trips, especially if food is involved.  Conversation Overview: The shift from institutional church to a nomadic, mission-focused church Creative approaches to discernment  Developing missional partnerships Embracing Unlearning Rebuilding culture: resisting performance-driven worship and prioritizing outreach The role of emotional maturity, spiritual formation, and slowing down in adaptive leadership   Resources:  Mosaic Covenant Community Church Unlikely Nomads: In Search of the New Church by Terry Walling A prophetic and pastoral look at the shifting landscape of the North American Church and how leaders are navigating toward new expressions of faith. Shattered Dreams – a sermon by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A profound reflection on disappointment, surrender, and trusting God’s larger purpose through unfulfilled expectations. Acts 1:8 Model A biblical framework used to guide outreach and mission—beginning in one’s immediate community (“Jerusalem”) and expanding outward to the world. Dwelling in the Word (Lectio Divina) A contemplative practice of reading Scripture in community with an emphasis on spiritual listening and discernment. Nomads in the Changing Church - The Leader's Journey Podcast  Find The Leader's Journey on YouTube!

In this episode of The Leader’s Journey Podcast, host Trisha Taylor is joined by coach and colleague Aundrea Baker for a rich and practical conversation about self-awareness and the Enneagram. Together, they explore how understanding the inner motivations behind our behavior can lead to personal growth, deeper compassion, and stronger team dynamics. Whether you're new to the Enneagram or a long-time student, this episode offers insightful reflections and practical tools to help you better understand yourself and others. Aundrea Baker is a leadership coach with The Leader’s Journey, bringing deep experience in church leadership, nonprofit work, and pastoral ministry. A former co-pastor and nonprofit founder, Aundrea holds a doctorate and has spent the past decade exploring the transformative power of the Enneagram. She lives in the Houston area and works alongside her husband Warwick, who is also part of the team. Key Points: Self-awareness is foundational for growth, especially in leadership. The Enneagram offers language and insight into our inner motivations—not just behaviors. Aundrea's personal journey with the Enneagram began during a season of burnout and transition. Misidentifying one’s type is common; deeper exploration often reveals more accurate insights. Understanding your type can foster self-compassion and reduce judgment. The Enneagram helps coaches and clients uncover unconscious motivations and internal narratives. It’s a dynamic system—growth is possible by accessing other traits and motivations. Team dynamics benefit when members understand each other's types and communication styles. Awareness of triads (assertive, compliant, withdrawing) can improve collaboration and reduce misunderstandings. Compassion is key: the Enneagram should be a tool for empathy, not judgment. Resources:  The Narrative Enneagram :https://www.narrativeenneagram.org/  -This is the organization in which Aundrea received her training. They have an online test, information about each type on the website, and conduct regular online training. For more information on the Hornevian Triad, see The Enneagram Map to Your Deeper Self: Living Beyond Your Type by Sandra Smith. -This book also offers basic Enneagram info with practices, blessings, and prayers. The Enneagram for Black Liberation: Return to Who You Are Beneath the Armor You Carry by ChiChi Agorom Finding Freedom: Understanding Our Relationships Using Object Relations and the Enneagram by Belinda Gore The Road Back to You by Suzanne Stabile and Ian Morgan Cron The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation by AJ Sherrill   View this episode on YouTube

In this engaging conversation, Mike DeRider, a pastor and coach, shares insights from his experience with Bowen Family Systems Theory. He discusses the importance of managing anxiety as a leader, emphasizing the role of guiding principles, humor, and curiosity. Personal stories about parenting children from the foster care system and navigating challenges in St. Croix highlight how leadership today requires adaptability and innovative thinking. Mike encourages exploring new approaches when off the map, with coaching and community serving as vital support.

In this episode of The Leader’s Journey Podcast, Trisha and Jim sit down with coach and educator Dawn Bird to explore the deep emotional and spiritual transformation that can come through Family of Origin work. Through vulnerable storytelling and honest reflection, Dawn shares how doing this work helped her uncover grief, reshape her understanding of her family, and show up differently in every area of her life—from her marriage and parenting to her leadership and coaching. This conversation is a rich, compassionate look at how healing the past creates new freedom in the present—and new hope for the future. Dawn Bird is a professional coach, facilitator and educator with 9 years of experience in non-profit, business, and healthcare settings. Dawn has an M.A. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Counseling. Dawn has been involved in Faithwalking for 11 years, first as a participant and then as a coach and facilitator.  Through Faithwalking, she was introduced to Bowen Family Systems theory which has been particularly helpful in her own journey of transformation and in her work with others as well.  Dawn has done extensive Family of Origin work and enjoys leading others through that process as individuals and in groups. She also has training in Internal Family Systems. Dawn lives with her husband, Bill Bird, in northwest Illinois. They have 3 adult children. Dawn enjoys reading, learning, live theatre, and working out on her Peloton. Conversation Overview Starting the Work What It Looks Like Emotional Differentiation in Action Patterns We Inherit Siblings & New Conversations Grief and Healing Showing Up Differently Coaching & Accountability Resources:  Books Growing Yourself Up – Jenny Brown Everything Isn’t Terrible – Kathleen Smith The Fangirl Life – Kathleen Smith The Ties That Bind – Peter Steinke Tools & Courses Genogram – a tool for mapping multigenerational family patterns Faithwalking – a spiritual and emotional formation process Going Home Again – a Family of Origin course led by Dawn (available after completing the 6 Faithwalking modules)  

Welcome to this episode of The Leader’s Journey Podcast, where we take a deep dive into one of the most foundational — and often fragile — elements of leadership and community: trust. In this extended conversation, we explore how trust gets broken, why it's so emotionally charged, and what it really takes to rebuild it — both in relationships and within organizations. Whether you're a leader trying to repair harm, or someone deciding whether to trust again, this conversation is for you. Converstation Overview Trust is a two-way street: Both parties play a role in either building or breaking trust. It’s not about assigning equal blame, but about seeing the complexity of the system we’re part of. There are different kinds of trust: Sincerity, reliability, competence, and care — and naming which one was broken matters. The emotional impact matters: It's not enough to just hear feedback; trust repair requires acknowledging and connecting to the pain your actions caused. Restoration is mutual: Even after an apology, the other person has to “let it count” for trust to begin to rebuild.. Trust takes time: Just because someone is trying to change doesn’t mean trust will instantly be restored. Rebuilding is often slow, with regular check-ins along the way. Trust yourself: At the end of the day, we each have to develop trust in our own capacity to be okay, even if trust isn’t fully restored with someone else. Resources The Thin Book of Trust by Charles Feltman The Leaders Journey Youtube Channel Coaching support from The Leader’s Journey team The Leaders Journey Blog

"Trust is like the air we breathe -- when it's present, nobody really notices it. When it's absent, everybody notices." Warren Buffett, quoted in Forbes Magazine Trust is the bedrock of every successful relationship—whether personal, professional, or within a community. In this episode, Jim and Trisha dive deep into what trust really means, why it’s essential, and how to cultivate it. Through real-life stories and insightful discussion, they explore the complexities of trust and how it impacts our daily lives.  Key Topics Covered: The definition of trust and why it’s crucial for relationships How trust is built and the common factors that strengthen or weaken it The Components of Trust: Care, Sincerity, Reliability, and Competence The role of self-awareness in becoming a trustworthy person Practical steps to rebuild trust when it’s been broken The connection between trust and leadership in personal and professional settings Real-life examples of trust in action and lessons we can learn   Resources   Houston Rodeo mutton busting The Thin Book of Trust by Charles Feltman Brene Brown on The Anatomy of Trust Dare to Lead by Brene Brown The Speed of Trust by Steven Covey

In this episode, we explore the critical need for men to develop emotional maturity, take personal responsibility, and engage in meaningful self-reflection. Ryan, Aaron, and Trisha delve into how men's work, particularly in groups, can serve as a powerful tool for emotional growth and healthy relationships. Conversation Overview: The Power of Group Work for Emotional Growth   The Role of Self-Reflection in Relationships   Acknowledging Women’s Anxiety About Men’s Spaces   Practical Advice for Emotional Growth   The Role of Emotional Maturity in Leadership Links: Ryan Donovan at The Leaders Journey.    Aaron Fullmer   Men's Work TX.