Matt Hempel opens Graybeard Radio by naming its audience and aim: men 50+ who care about health, relevance, and connection—and who want to use technology without losing their humanity. He welcomes guest Luke Thomas, lead pastor of Legacy Church in Knoxville and a veteran of 20+ years planting churches and campus ministries across Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. Luke’s formal training spans biology, chemistry, and human physiology, which later collided with the reality of ministry demands. In 2011, he hit a wall—too sick to lead—triggering a turning point that reshaped everything.

Luke recounts being accepted to medical school, becoming a Christian around that same time, and ultimately stepping away from medicine to plant and pastor. The early wins and hard misses taught him that calling without capacity is a trap. His recovery from burnout led him to research stress science across disciplines, self-experiment through training and recovery, and build a coaching and speaking practice centered on leadership self-care. He brings a grounded lens—equal parts science and pastoral wisdom—anchored by endurance racing: ultramarathons, Ironman triathlon, and a commitment to unglamorous rest (including hammock time).

Together, Matt and Luke preview Luke’s book on burnout in leadership, especially among pastors. They explore why high empathy and high responsibility often mask creeping overload, how to recognize red flags earlier, and how to rebuild patterns that sustain decades of meaningful work. Expect practical takeaways: physiological basics for energy, boundary-setting that respects relationships, and playbooks for teams to normalize recovery. The heart of the conversation is hope: longevity is possible when leaders align purpose, practices, and pace.