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Episode Theme: How choosing gratitude reshapes our leadership, our relationships, and our mental and spiritual health.

Episode Summary:
We live in a culture trained to obsess over what’s missing. But the way of Jesus flips that narrative. Gratitude doesn’t ignore hard circumstances — it invites us to see God’s goodness right in the middle of them. In this episode, Paul shares how thankfulness reorients us, strengthens us, and becomes a weapon against the lies that drain our joy. We’ll laugh a little, reflect a lot, and walk away with a practical practice to help gratitude come alive in real life.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why gratitude doesn’t always come naturally
• How thankfulness actually rewires the brain
• Why Paul calls gratitude “resistance” in a culture of scarcity
• Where Scripture anchors us when the struggle gets real (1 Thess. 5:18, Psalm 100:4, Luke 22:19, Philippians 1:3)
• A simple daily challenge to speak gratitude into someone’s life

Key Takeaways:

• Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s lacking to Who’s present
• Thanksgiving is a doorway into God’s presence, peace, and perspective
• You can give thanks in all circumstances without pretending you’re thankful for all circumstances
• Naming what you’re grateful for disrupts the enemy’s lies
• Leaders become healthier when love, not lack, sets the tone

Practice of the Week — “Name It Forward”
1️⃣ Think of someone God has used to bless your life
2️⃣ Tell them specifically why you’re thankful
3️⃣ Watch how encouragement multiplies joy

Questions for Reflection:

• Where do I naturally drift — toward gratitude or grumbling?
• What’s one gift from God I’ve been overlooking?
• Who can I thank today for the impact they’ve had on me?

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Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!

In this episode of the Reluctant Leader Podcast, host Paul Jenkins explores the power of narratives and how they shape our perceptions of others and ourselves. Using the contrasting stories of NFL players Bryce Young and CJ Stroud, Paul illustrates how initial impressions can be hard to change, but emphasizes that our stories are never finished. He ties this concept to biblical examples, showing how God continues to rewrite stories despite past mistakes. Paul offers practical takeaways, encouraging listeners not to write people off too soon and to reject negative self-narratives, reminding us that our stories are still being written by God.

00:00 Introduction to the Reluctant Leader Podcast
00:46 The Power of Narratives: An NFL Story
03:26 The Impact of First Impressions
04:14 God's Narrative: Stories of Redemption
05:24 Practical Takeaways on Narratives
07:04 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Narratives shape everything. The stories we tell (and believe) become the lens through which we see people — and ourselves.
• First impressions aren’t final verdicts. Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud show how early perceptions can stick — even when the facts change.
• God rewrites stories. From Moses to Peter to Paul, Scripture proves God refuses to let our worst moments define our lives.
• Give people grace to grow. Don’t judge someone’s “rookie season.” What looks like failure might just be formation.
• Don’t settle for an incomplete story. Your label isn’t your legacy. God’s still writing your next chapter.

💬 Memorable Quotes

📖 Scripture Highlight

💡 Reflection & Challenge

Before you hit send, before you judge someone, or before you tell your own story in shame — pause and ask:
“Is this the full story, or just a chapter?”

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Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!

My guest is Dustin Scott — husband, dad to a miracle five-year-old named Roman, and a leader who’s spent years walking with people through recovery. He’s from Tucson, Arizona, and recently shifted from working in addiction recovery to teaching theology—because, as he says, “recovery is spiritual formation.”

In this episode, Dustin and I talk about what it really means to let Jesus meet us in our mess instead of waiting to get our act together first. We dig into why slowing down to breathe—really breathe—isn’t some new-age trick, but a way to remember that God’s Spirit still fills our lungs like He did in Genesis 2.

We also talk about the tension leaders live in: bringing peace to others while fighting for it ourselves, holding joy and pain in the same hand, and realizing that fixing a problem isn’t the same as healing a soul.

Dustin shares the incredible story of his son Roman’s birth—a miracle that came after years of heartbreak—and how that experience reshaped his view of faith, leadership, and what it means to walk with a limp but still lead with love.

We end up where Philippians 2 points us: Jesus came close, so we can, too. Whether it’s addiction, anxiety, or just the everyday chaos of life, formation happens when we stay close enough to let Him shape us through it.

Connect with Dustin: Recovery Formation on Substack

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Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!

In this powerful and honest conversation, Paul sits down with Christa Cordova, a mental health educator and fellow doctoral student, to talk about something many believers quietly carry — spiritual hurt and church trauma.

Christa has walked the road herself, serving in both church and parachurch roles that left deep scars. Now, she uses her experience and training in Critical Incident Stress Management to help others heal, discern what they’ve experienced, and rebuild a healthy, whole faith.

Together, Paul and Christa unpack what spiritual abuse really means (and doesn’t mean), how to spot the difference between being hurt by church and being abused by church, and how pastors and leaders can cultivate safe, trauma-sensitive spaces that honor both truth and healing.

They also talk about:

• Why awareness and self-reflection are vital for healthy leadership
• The concept of the “bell sheep” — a beautiful image of spiritual leadership that follows the Shepherd closely
• The Japanese art of Kintsugi and how it pictures God’s work of turning brokenness into beauty
• How churches can take practical steps toward being places of refuge rather than harm
• The courage it takes to come back to church after being wounded

Christa offers tangible advice for pastors and church leaders, including the value of the 988 Crisis Hotline, why every church would benefit from having a trauma-trained leader, and how building a network of local therapists can transform pastoral care.

Whether you’re a pastor trying to lead with compassion, or someone still healing from spiritual wounds, this conversation will remind you that Jesus meets us in our scars — not in our perfection.

Resources Mentioned:

• A Church Called Tov by Scot McKnight & Laura Barringer
• When the Church Harms God’s People by Diane Langberg
• The Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen
• National Crisis Hotline: 988

Connect with Christa:
👉 christacordova.com

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Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!

What do you do when the place that was supposed to heal you is the place that hurt you?

In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Paul sits down with Sarah Holstra – pastoral counselor and self-described “boundary coach” – to talk about the messy but holy work of relational repair.

They cover:

• What a “boundary coach” actually does (and why you probably need one)
• Why most church hurt is more about relationships than leadership
• How to walk with people who have been wounded by the church – without piling on shame
• The crucial gap between what we expect and what we experience – and how to fill it with trust instead of suspicion

This episode will encourage pastors, leaders, and anyone longing to re-engage with community after pain. Sarah reminds us that healing is possible, relational repair is holy work, and God is still writing better stories for us than the ones our pain has been telling.

Links & Resources:

• Sarah Halstra – Love Your Story Therapy
• Holy Hurt by Hillary McBride
• Connect with Sarah on Instagram: @emotionalsupportpastor
• SarahHolstra.com

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Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!

Episode Summary:
In a culture that’s always chasing the next new thing, why are so many young people drawn to what feels ancient, rooted, and steady? In this episode, Paul explores how the ancient paths (Jeremiah 6:16), the old wells (Genesis 26:18–33), and the deep roots of old trees point to the surprising attractiveness of tradition. Whether your church is 200 years old or just a teenager, this conversation will encourage you to rediscover the treasures that give stability, refreshment, and depth to the next generation.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why younger generations are drawn to tradition in a world of constant change.
• How Jeremiah’s “ancient paths” offer wisdom for today’s church.
• What Isaac teaches us about “re-digging the wells” of spiritual life.
• Why the stability of older churches matters in an unstable world.
• Practical ways younger or non-traditional churches can tap into ancient practices without losing their vibrancy.

Practical Takeaways for Non-Traditional Churches:

• Introduce rhythms of Scripture reading, prayer, or creeds.
• Teach church history alongside the Bible to anchor people in the bigger story.
• Be intentional with communion, fasting, and prayer gatherings as deep wells of grace.
• Offer consistency in leadership and discipleship that builds stability over time.

Key Quote:

Resources & Links:

• Jeremiah 6:16
• Genesis 26:18–33
• Want to dig deeper? Visit pauljenkins.tv

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Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Paul shares how stepping into doctoral studies reshaped his confidence—not by gaining more knowledge, but by finding the freedom to develop ideas in community. Through the lens of Proverbs 27:17, we explore how “iron sharpening iron” transforms reluctant leaders into confident ones.

Key Takeaways:

• Sharpening happens in community, not isolation.
• Confidence grows when you develop ideas out loud, not just deliver them.
• Sharing = pressure; developing = freedom.
• Jesus and Paul modeled sharpening relationships.
• Every leader needs a circle, not just an audience.

Reflection Questions:

1. Who in your life sharpens you—and who do you sharpen?
2. Do you have a space where you can bring half-formed ideas without fear?
3. Where have you been trying to perform instead of grow?

Scripture References:

• Proverbs 27:17
• 2 Timothy 2:2

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Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!

What do you do when the story you were writing for your life suddenly gets flipped upside down? Nina Sossamon-Pogue knows a thing or two about that. From elite-level gymnast to Emmy-winning news anchor to tech exec — and then crashing hard when life unraveled — Nina’s story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and the sacred work of getting back up.

In this episode, we talk about:

• 🌀 How to handle unexpected "plot twists" in your story
• 💥 Why identity crisis often follows big life transitions (and what to do with that)
• 🧠 The neuroscience of resilience — and why your brain resists change
• ✝️ How faith can reframe failure as formation, not finality
• 📖 Why your worst chapter might not be your last
• 🛠️ Practical tools for building emotional stamina when life breaks you open

Whether you're leading a church, navigating a personal storm, or just in a season of uncertainty — this conversation is an invitation to believe that what’s next might actually be better.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Now What Workshop: https://www.nowwhatworkshop.com/
• Nina’s book: This Is Not the End
• www.ninasossamonpogue.com

🙌 Connect with Nina:
Instagram: @nina_sp.eaks
LinkedIn: Nina Sossamon-Pogue

🙏 If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs a reminder that this isn’t the end of their story either.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us at pauljenkins.tv for more conversations that help you keep following Jesus — through doubt, devotion, and everything in between.

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Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.