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.

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!

📖 Episode Overview:

Let’s be honest — sometimes the hardest thing about leadership isn’t starting something new… it’s knowing when to stop. In this episode, Paul gets real about a recent decision to pause his weekly email, The Launch Pad, and redirect that time and energy into his leadership at The Gathering and his doctoral studies.

It’s a vulnerable, practical conversation about what it looks like to evaluate our efforts with wisdom and courage — and how to pivot without shame when God starts blessing a different lane.

🔑 What You’ll Learn:

• Why pivoting isn’t failure — it’s faithful leadership
• How to evaluate your current strategies through a wisdom-driven lens
• Practical questions to ask when deciding whether to press on or press pause
• Biblical encouragement from Acts 16 about trusting divine redirection
• Why God cares more about your mission than your methods

📖 Scripture Highlight:

Acts 16:6-10 — When Paul’s missionary strategy got blocked by the Holy Spirit, he didn’t fight it. He pivoted and ended up sparking a revival in Europe. God still works that way.

🛠️ Episode Resources:

• Proverbs 16:9 — “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.”
• C.S. Lewis Quote: “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

🎧 Listen If You:

• Are wrestling with a project, ministry, or initiative that just isn’t bearing fruit
• Feel guilty about quitting something you once believed in
• Need wisdom and courage to reallocate your time, energy, and focus
• Want to hear a leader be honest about failure and faithfulness

📣 Stay Connected:

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or teammate navigating a pivot of their own. And don’t forget to leave a review — it helps more reluctant leaders like us find their tribe.

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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!

Before Jesus ever sent His disciples out to preach, heal, or lead—He simply invited them to be with Him. In this episode, Paul unpacks Mark 3:14 and explores how powerful it is when leaders prioritize presence over performance.

You’ll learn why Jesus’ leadership style wasn’t built on strategy first—it was built on shared space, vulnerability, and relational connection. Whether you're leading a team, a ministry, or just trying to keep your group chat alive, this episode will encourage you to slow down, lean in, and lead like Jesus.

✨ In This Episode:

• The overlooked leadership wisdom of Mark 3:14
• Why being with your team matters more than always doing for your team
• 3 key takeaways from how Jesus led:
  1. Presence Builds Trust
  2. Presence Prepares Hearts
  3. Presence Multiplies Impact
• Practical tips to become a more present, intentional leader
• A prayer for leaders who feel stretched thin but want to lead with more heart

🛠️ Practical Presence Practices:

• Schedule “presence blocks” with team members
• Start every meeting with five minutes of non-task talk
• Ditch the phone, make eye contact, and give your full attention
• Take a walk, grab a coffee, or send a spontaneous check-in text

⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

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 milestone 50th episode of The Reluctant Leader Podcast, Paul sits down with Benjamin Crawshaw for an honest, relatable conversation about life, leadership, and what happens when everything falls apart. Benjamin shares his powerful story of how personal failure, ministry unraveling, and a season of isolation led him to rediscover God’s grace in unexpected places — including a 5-6 year-old girls’ softball team and a student ministry of four.

The episode dives into what it means to lead when you don’t feel qualified, how God often meets us in the margins, and why true leadership isn’t about numbers or titles but about showing up authentically. Benjamin opens up about how repressing emotions eventually catches up with us, and how his journey through counseling, community, and vulnerability has reshaped his perspective on faith, leadership, and mental health.

For anyone who’s ever felt burned out, overlooked, or unsure about their next step, this episode is a needed reminder that God’s not done with you yet. Paul and Benjamin also talk about how today’s culture, especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha, craves authenticity more than ever, and why that’s the perfect environment for real conversations about faith and emotional health.

It’s a conversation full of wisdom, humor, and encouragement, perfect for leaders (reluctant or not) navigating the messy middle of life and ministry.

- - - - - - - - - -

🔗 Links to all the things:

To connect with Trueface, go to https://www.trueface.org/

You can contact Benjamin at benjamin@trueface.org

📙 Books we mentioned:

The Cure > https://amzn.to/3MCvF8M

Bo's Cafe > https://amzn.to/3EPnZzC

The Path > https://amzn.to/3ZbrgzR

☕️ The Starbucks Coffee Giveaway

Grab the QR code on Paul's site and use it at Starbucks to grab a coffee drink. Thanks for being a part of The Reluctant Leader Podcast community!

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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.