The Leader's Journey Podcast

Mac McCarthy, a pastor and coach known for integrating emotional maturity into leadership, shares compelling insights on emotional intelligence and its vital role in spiritual formation. He emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate model of emotional maturity and offers practical approaches for leaders to embody these principles. The conversation touches on the importance of creating a culture that nurtures emotional growth, navigating conflicts with maturity, and embracing patience in the long journey of development. Mac also encourages self-compassion for leaders as they cultivate this essential skill.

In this episode of The Leader's Journey Podcast, Trisha Taylor and Michael DeRuyter explore empathy as a guiding principle for leaders. Is empathy always a strength, or can it sometimes get in the way? Through stories, humor, and systems thinking, they unpack what empathy really is, why it is often misunderstood, and how mature empathy helps us stay grounded, connected, and responsible. This conversation invites leaders to move beyond reactive compassion toward empathy that sustains courage, clarity, and truth. Conversation Overview Redefining Empathy Empathy, Sympathy, and Emotional Fusion The Role of Perspective and Curiosity Empathy and Systems Thinking Boundaries, Responsibility, and Courage Resources Mentioned A Failure of Nerve by Edwin H. Friedman Dare to Lead by Brené Brown Empathy Zoom Dialogue – October 21

Laura Murray, a minister, spiritual director, and author of *Becoming a Person of Welcome*, joins the conversation to redefine hospitality. She argues that true welcome stems from an internal posture of curiosity and requires firm boundaries to protect community values. Exploring the balance of authenticity and agendas in hospitality, she emphasizes the importance of welcoming one's own humanity. The dialogue highlights how endings and closure can transform relationships, enabling a profound, multiplied effect of genuine welcome within communities.

Rusty Mackey, a spiritual director and founder of Steadfast Ministries, explores resilience amid life's chaos. He delves into how instability can be an invitation for growth and a deeper connection with faith. The power of lament and compassion is highlighted as vital tools for leaders facing challenges. Rusty emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and presence in navigating uncertainty. Additionally, he introduces a new initiative, Man School, aimed at guiding fathers in raising character-driven sons, reinforcing positive values in a turbulent world.

What does it really mean to live with integrity? In this episode, Jim Herrington and Trisha Taylor unpack the guiding principle of integrity, not as a rigid rule, but as a dynamic, life-giving process. They explore how our words create reality, why honoring our commitments matters, and how integrity helps us align with God's design for our lives, families, and communities. This conversation offers practical wisdom, honest stories, and a framework for growing integrity in ways that transform relationships and leadership. Jim Herrington and Trisha Taylor are authors, coaches, and co-founders of The Leader's Journey. They are passionate about helping leaders grow the inner life and outer skills needed for sustainable leadership. Through coaching, teaching, and honest conversations, they guide individuals and organizations to live into their guiding principles with courage and integrity. Learn more at theleadersjourney.us. Conversation Overview Why guiding principles help us navigate anxiety and stay grounded in our values Integrity as more than "being good" How our words create expectations and shape reality The distinction between keeping our word and honoring our word Why we're designed to make big promises A four-step process for "cleaning up messes" when we break our word How leaders, families, and communities can cultivate a culture of integrity The role of accountability and coaching in growing integrity over time

Join Jim and Trisha as they discuss how we, as the church, can embrace the paradigm shift to a new structure in a church without walls. Their insightful conversation with this week's guest, Terry Walling, offers a unique perspective on how nomadic believers are truly helping grow the church as they act as disciples within the community. Terry Walling is a pastor, professor, and author of Unlikely Nomads: In Search of the New Church. He has also launched a podcast series in which he has conversations with a variety of people who are in search of a deeper journey with Jesus and with following Him in a different kind of church in America.   Conversation Overview  -Moving in an Old, New Direction -The Nomadic Believer -Personal Renewal that Leads to Corporate Change -Apprenticing the life of Jesus -Embracing the Mystery    Resources: http://leaderbreakthru.com/ Unlikely Nomads by Terry Walling Canoeing the Mountains by Todd Bolsinger A Non-Anxious Presence by Mark Sayers The Great Emergence   Podcast Series The Equations of Ministry: Imagining Beyond the Traditional Church Model Apprenticing to Jesus   Related Blog Posts Unlikely Nomads: Redefining Church for a Missional Future – Repost   Unlikely Nomads: A Reflection   Unlikely Nomads: Redefining Church for a Missional Future

In Part 2 of this conversation, Trisha Taylor continues her dialogue with Mac and Josie McCarthy, diving deeper into what it means to lead churches and communities where people with disabilities can truly belong. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution or launching a new program, this episode encourages leaders to shift their attention, challenge their assumptions, and engage the theological and relational work of creating environments where everyone can flourish. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the complexity of inclusion or unsure where to start, this conversation offers grounded wisdom, gentle challenge, and hopeful next steps rooted in the heart of God's kingdom. Conversation Overview: Moving beyond inclusion and into belonging The role of leaders in shifting community attention and assumptions How disability challenges our theology of brokenness and healing Encouragement for leaders to start small, stay present, and notice more Guest Bio: Mac McCarthy is a pastor at Crosspoint Community Church near Milwaukee and a coach with The Leader's Journey, where he helps leaders develop emotionally healthy, systems-aware leadership grounded in their deepest values. Learn more about Mac's coaching work. Josie McCarthy is a recovery nurse, mother of three, and passionate voice for dignity and connection in the disability community. She brings a grounded, relational perspective rooted in personal experience and deep faith. Resources Mentioned: Mac McCarthy at The Leader's Journey – Learn more about Mac's coaching and leadership development. Esau McCaulley – Reading While Black – A powerful example of theology from a specific social location. Find The Leader's Journey on YouTube Subscribe to The Leader's Journey Newsletter

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.