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Spiritual Formation
Leadership
Leadership Transformations
Spiritual Discernment
Spiritual Community
Holy Week
Jesus Christ
Rule Of Life
Community
Advent
Prayer
Jesus
Humility
Parables Of Jesus
Spiritual Direction
Gratitude
Discernment
Christianity
Congregational Health
Kingdom Of God

The Discerning Leader podcast is for Christian leaders who are interested in discovering the joy of "practicing a preference for God" in all aspects of their personal lives and relationships, their leadership and service to others. Each episode our host, Steve Macchia, founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI), with friends from the LTI community, will explore one aspect of s... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes331Founded6 years ago
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Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Discerning Leader Podcast

Latest Episodes

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Alice Fryling

This episode originally aired on October 28, 2021 as Episode 6 of Season 14.

"Aging faithfully isn't about holding onto what once was—it's about trusting the God who remains faithful in every season." - A... more

YouTube

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Sara Singleton

This episode originally aired on November 4, 2021 as Episode 1 of Season 15.

"We have a cultural assumption that fast is good and slow is bad…how might slow be good for your soul?" – Alan Fadling

In th... more

YouTube

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Sara Singleton

This episode originally aired on May 12, 2022 as Episode 7 of Season 18.

"You don't have to do anything or be anything for God to love you more." - Sarah Singleton

In this deeply moving conversation wi... more

YouTube

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Adele Calhoun

This episode originally aired on September 23, 2021 as Episode 1 of Season 14.

"Shaming voices have the power to cripple us. They isolate us from the truth about ourselves and others." – Adele Calhoun

H... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Alice Fryling
Author, spiritual director, and longtime ministry leader
NAV Press (book Aging Faithfully) and spiritual direction work
Episode: Alice Fryling | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 5
Alan Fadling
Founder of Unhurried Living, Incorporated
Unhurried Living, Inc.
Episode: Alan Fadling | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 4
Sara Singleton
Former pastor, nurse, spiritual director, founder of Elder Leader Institute
Pastoral leadership, spiritual direction
Episode: Sara Singleton | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 3
Adele Calhoun
Author and spiritual formation teacher; conversation partner for this episode
Episode: Adele Calhoun | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 2
Gary Franklin
Pastor, Grace Church (Greater Atlanta)
Grace Church, Leadership Transformations
Episode: Gary Franklin | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 1
Gayle Heaslip
Counselor, spiritual director, ordained Anglican priest; member of Emmaus and SILA teams
Emmaus/SILA networks; LTI colaborator
Episode: The Monastery of the Soul | Season 40, Episode 11
Gail Edmondson
Director of Leadership Development and Spiritual Formation; pastor's wife; church planter's partner
The Fellowship (Katie, Texas)
Episode: Spiritual Community: A Safe Space For The Soul | Season 40, Episode 10
Susan Currie
Director of CELA, Minister of Spiritual Formation, ordained Anglican Priest
CELA; Leadership Transformations
Episode: How Spiritual Direction Nurtures The Soul | Season 40, Episode 9
Marcos Leon
Therapist and educator, part of LTI programs; guest on this episode
Daring Ventures; SILA West faculty; Emmaus/Abide faculty
Episode: Our Emotions Are Not Our Enemies | Season 40, Episode 7

Hosts

Steve Macchia
Host of The Discerning Leader Podcast; founder/president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI)
Matt Scott
Co-host/Conversation partner; longtime contributor to LTI programs

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 54 ratings
  • Questions

    Love this episode on questions. As a Spiritual Director I find that asking questions allows others to grow in a deeper awareness of their heart and Gods heart for them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rightonnow
    United States8 months ago
  • Uplifting & nourishing

    This podcast is like a cup of hot, comforting tea for the soul. Thank you, Steve, and guests for your ministry!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Laura12
    United States4 years ago
  • Much Needed Reminder

    Thoughtful, reflective opportunity for leaders to pause & be reminded that we lead best when we discern who we are & how we are being led.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DMin DAC
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Loved how questions opened space for growth and reflection.
A thoughtful reminder that leadership benefits from discernment and soul care.
The show feels like a nourishing and hopeful resource for leaders in faith.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Alan Fadling | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 4
Q: Tell us a little bit of your story. Tell us about who you are and your background.
Alan describes his pastoral background, the move away from hurried ministry, and the founding of Unhurried Living with his wife Jem, highlighting how burnout led him to embrace unhurried rhythms, rest, and relational leadership.
Alice Fryling | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 5
Q: What does aging faithfully look like in practical terms, especially in your own life and in your relationship with God as you've grown older?
Alice explains aging faithfully as a shift from production to fruitfulness, embracing vulnerability, and allowing transformation to shape everyday life, relationships, and service. She emphasizes limiting overcommitment, prioritizing true self over false self, and recognizing that God's grace sustains and redefines productivity in later years.
Alice Fryling | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 5
Q: Well, and you and Bob made a big decision to leave InterVarsity and then to move out of state where you had roots, significant roots, and you moved to this state called Colorado. How was that for you making that big transition?
Alice describes the move as a significant but ultimately formative transition, framed as a faithful step in aging and ministry. She notes differences in environment, the impact on their family, and how it shaped her spiritual life and ongoing work in retirement, including the continued practice of spiritual direction and mentoring, while adapting to new community life in Colorado.
Gary Franklin | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 1
Q: How did Emmaus influence your team and church culture?
Emmaus became a defining catalyst; the staff and elders adopted soul-care rhythms, monthly practices, and a shared language of discernment that reshaped their community into a more formational, rather than program-driven, culture.
The Monastery of the Soul | Season 40, Episode 11
Q: How can someone lean into that expanding hospitality when it feels overwhelming?
Lean in by acknowledging the fear or resistance, then trust that God can enlarge the space as we stay honest about our limitations and invite Him to lead. The practice involves reverence for others as made in God's image, listening more than advising, and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal what each person needs in God's timing.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Discerning Leader Podcast

What is The Discerning Leader Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A spiritually focused leadership show that centers on discernment, soul care, and practical spiritual formation for Christian leaders. Across episodes, conversations weave together mind, body, and soul—covering topics like emotional maturity, Sabbath rest, silence and solitude, and the role of wisdom and prayer in leadership. Guests bring expertise from theology, medicine, pastoral care, and spiritual formation, often grounded in LTI programs and practical ministry applications. The format blends personal storytelling, scriptural reflection, and actionable practices (journaling, Lectio/Visio Divina, and Soulcare frameworks) to help leaders cultivate presence, rest, and humility in a demanding world. Notable strengths include a clear emphasi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Discerning Leader Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Discerning Leader Podcast:

1. Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast
2. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton
3. Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick
4. Being Known Podcast
5. The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast

How many episodes of The Discerning Leader Podcast are there?

The Discerning Leader Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 331 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Discerning Leader Podcast?

Recent guests on The Discerning Leader Podcast include:

1. Alice Fryling
2. Alan Fadling
3. Sara Singleton
4. Adele Calhoun
5. Gary Franklin
6. Gayle Heaslip
7. Gail Edmondson
8. Susan Currie

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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