When your calling gets hard—or even questioned—do you keep going? Explore the high cost and deep purpose of leading with conviction when the dream gets tested.

Stepping into global leadership, Kristin Shuler shares the unexpected challenges, moments of self-doubt, and the spiritual resilience needed to serve faithfully. From navigating culture shock and spiritual attacks to orchestrating generational leadership transitions, this conversation unpacks what it takes to stay devoted to a dream that’s bigger than yourself. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how massive visions come to life, why collaboration gets messy (and matters), and how to anchor yourself when obstacles threaten to derail you.

Key Takeaways

• Discover how Kristin Shuler found her calling at 12—and what it feels like when your dream faces real-life confrontation and doubt.
• Concrete family strategies for balancing high-impact leadership, motherhood, and Great Commission priorities.
• How humble, intentional leadership transitions prevent vacuums and set organizations up for lasting impact.
• The nitty-gritty of collaborating and letting go of “our way” for a Kingdom vision—why it’s so hard but so necessary.
• Practical encouragement for any leader in a tough season: return to your why, clarify your priorities, and step out in obedience even when it’s costly.

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Like this episode? Drop a comment below—what helps you keep going when your dream is tested?
#Leadership #Dreams #Faith #Mission #WomenInLeadership #Unity #Podcast #DontLetTheDreamDie

Timestamps

00:00 — Hearing God’s call and the cost of obedience
00:50 — Welcome and intro to Kristin Shuler
01:32 — The Santa gifts debate: wrapped or unwrapped?
03:01 — [Speaker B] frames the scale of Kristin's leadership and vision
04:06 — Early influences: childhood, church, and the spark of a missions call
05:46 — Mission heroes and learning radical obedience
07:41 — How Kristin found her place at East West
09:37 — When the dream gets tested: doubt and cultural confrontation
12:25 — Balancing executive leadership, motherhood, and priorities
15:27 — The cost and challenge of stepping into President role
17:23 — Navigating gender in international leadership
19:16 — Generational leadership transitions: intentionality and humility
24:11 — What problem is East West really tackling?
26:06 — Equipping multipliers & the power of collaboration
28:24 — Hard lessons in Kingdom-minded partnership
31:08 — Methodology friction: why simple alignment isn’t so simple
34:06 — The deeper value and cost of unity
36:04 — Kristin’s advice for leaders about not letting the dream die
37:11 — Wrap-up and closing thanks