

The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast
Pete Scazzero
Many pastors and church leaders today feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and frustrated that their churches don’t seem to be making mature disciples. The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast explores the paradigms and practices leaders need to transform their church culture and multiply deeply changed disciples.
Episodes
Mentioned books

41 snips
Apr 29, 2025 • 32min
Why True Leaders Confront the Elephants in the Room (Part 1)
Leadership is tough, especially when it comes to addressing the elephants in the room—those uncomfortable truths we prefer to overlook. Discover why true leaders must confront these challenges for genuine discipleship and healthy development. The discussion is rich with personal stories and biblical insights, revealing that facing difficult issues, while messy, is essential for a thriving community. By engaging in open communication and conflict resolution, leaders can create a more spiritually vibrant environment.

8 snips
Apr 15, 2025 • 40min
What Makes (or Breaks) a Healthy Leadership Transition
Explore the secrets of effective leadership transitions through real-life lessons learned from past successes. Discover the importance of emotional maturity and long-term vision for generational continuity. Learn how to build trust in new leaders while navigating the challenges of change. The discussion emphasizes the need for prayerful discernment and solid planning to foster future leaders. This episode highlights stewardship of legacy and a commitment to healthy ministry practices essential for thriving organizations.

21 snips
Apr 1, 2025 • 32min
Why Low Differentiation Kills Teams
Explore the hidden dangers of low differentiation in leadership. Discover how emotional health and self-awareness impact team dynamics. Leaders often struggle with overfunctioning and seeking approval, which can destabilize their teams. Drawing from biblical examples, the discussion emphasizes leading from a strong sense of self rooted in faith. Learn how fostering authentic dialogue can improve team cohesion and effectiveness. This insight might just transform your leadership approach!

Mar 18, 2025 • 29min
5 Ways to Avoid the Trap of False Power, Pt. 2
📝 Free Church Culture Assessment: How is your church doing in these 6 core areas? https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/churchhealth —--------------------------------------------------- Are you leading out of true power—or false power? Far too often, we mistake activity for effectiveness, urgency for wisdom, and influence for true authority. When we operate out of false power—power rooted in our own ambition, hurry, or need for approval—we’re actually moving backward, not forward. We might look like we’re leading well, but deep inside, something is off. Anxiety rises, peace disappears, and we start measuring success by numbers instead of names, by comparison instead of calling. In this episode, I unpack five countercultural ways to guard your heart and leadership against the trap of false power. We look at Paul’s struggle with the “super-apostles” and how weakness—not strength—is the pathway to true kingdom power. We explore why embracing slowness, humility, and deep discernment is the only way to keep your leadership aligned with Jesus. If you’ve ever felt exhausted, driven, or subtly addicted to success—this episode is for you. True power is found in surrender. Let’s learn to lead from a different kind of strength.

Mar 4, 2025 • 32min
5 Ways to Avoid the Trap of False Power, Pt. 1
Explore the subtle traps of false power in leadership that leave one spiritually empty. Embrace vulnerability as a vital strength by learning from the teachings of the apostle Paul. Discover the importance of discernment and a contemplative lifestyle in fostering genuine spiritual growth. Dive into the power of weakness and how it can lead to true empowerment. This conversation sets the stage for a deep understanding of leadership rooted in emotional health and divine guidance.

8 snips
Feb 18, 2025 • 31min
Weakness: The Platform for Power: Pt. 2
📍 DOWNLOAD FREE E-BOOK: “LeaderShift” - Discover the 8 Pivotal Breakthroughs of Emotionally Healthy Leaders https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershift —--------------------------------------------------- In leadership, weakness is often seen as a liability. A roadblock. Something to overcome. But what if weakness is actually the platform for God's power in your life? In this episode, we continue exploring one of the most misunderstood and countercultural truths of the gospel—God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). The world—and even much of the church—chases after strength, size, eloquence, and success. But Paul’s life and leadership tell a different story. The super-apostles of Corinth flaunted their credentials, spiritual gifts, and influence. Paul? He boasted in his suffering, his limits, his thorn in the flesh—because that was where the power of Christ rested on him. As leaders, we often think, If only I were stronger, more gifted, more influential… But what if God’s way isn’t about making us stronger but about making us weaker, so His power can be revealed? Join me as we dive deep into this paradox that could transform your leadership—and your life.

9 snips
Feb 4, 2025 • 31min
Weakness: The Platform for Power Pt. 1
Explore the empowering potential of weakness in leadership and ministry. Discover how biblical figures, like the Apostle Paul, exemplified that God's power shines brightest in our vulnerabilities. Delve into personal stories of faith and the transformative nature of embracing inadequacies. Learn how acknowledging limitations can lead to deeper understanding of divine grace and strength. This conversation challenges traditional success metrics, inviting leaders to find power in their struggles.

19 snips
Jan 21, 2025 • 29min
Rediscover an Ancient Path to Disciplemaking
Dive into the rich tapestry of church history and uncover significant lessons that modern leaders often overlook. Learn about the ancient practices of silence and stillness that can transform discipleship. Explore the historical divisions within Christianity and the unifying heart of its traditions. Discover how today's global movements shaped by dreams and prophetic experiences are changing the landscape of faith. Engage with the call to reclaim a deeper, more emotionally healthy approach to spiritual leadership.

50 snips
Jan 7, 2025 • 30min
Why Leaders Must Adopt a Radical Rule of Life in 2025
The tumult of our times calls for bold leadership strategies. Discover how a Radical Rule of Life can serve as a vital framework for navigational purpose in a changing world. The discussion delves into practices that enhance spiritual growth, emphasizing prayer, rest, and community relationships. Learn from monastic traditions to enrich your leadership journey and cultivate deeper connections with God and others. As we head into 2025, this approach could be your greatest asset in fostering resilience and inner strength.

Dec 24, 2024 • 27min
Among You Stands One You Do Not Know: A Christmas Reflection
⚡Design a RULE OF LIFE in 60 Minutes - Join us for a free 2025 kickoff webinar with Pete Scazzero and Drew Hyun on January 15th. https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/ruleoflife/ --------------------------- In this special Christmas reflection, Pete Scazzero unpacks the powerful words of John the Baptist: “Among you stands one you do not know” (John 1:26). As we rush through the demands of the season, it’s easy to overlook the quiet, hidden ways God reveals Himself—in the ordinary, the painful, and even the mundane. Pete invites us to slow down and embrace the mystery of God’s presence in unexpected places. From a scandalous birth in a dirty manger to a hidden life in a carpenter’s shop, Jesus’ arrival defies human expectations. What if the very moments we overlook are the places where God stands closest? Through poignant stories and timeless truths, Pete challenges us to stop, be silent, and listen. You’ll learn practical ways to cultivate attentiveness in your life and leadership, discover God in life’s interruptions, and open your heart to His transforming presence—even when it doesn’t come as you expect. Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect deeply and encounter Jesus in new, surprising ways this Christmas. Listen now.