The Leader's Journey Podcast

As a new year begins, leaders are often faced with uncertainty, change, and challenges that cannot be solved with a predetermined plan. In this episode of The Leader's Journey Podcast, Trisha Taylor welcomes Megan Mills for a thoughtful and practical conversation about improvisation and its surprising relevance to leadership and everyday life. Together, they explore how the principles of improv such as trust, listening, shared agreements, and adaptability offer a powerful framework for navigating complexity, collaborating well, and showing up fully when the path forward is unclear. Megan Mills is originally from Waukegan, IL (north of Chicago), went to Hope College in Holland, MI and shortly after graduation, moved to New York City. Her early years in NYC were spent in stage management and personal assistant roles as well as performing, creating, teaching and directing improvisational theatre. Now daily life includes driving her son back and forth to numerous games and practices throughout Queens, NY and the tri-state area. Megan has a passion for organization, The Container Store, and Chicago Cubs. She has also been an advocate, public speaker, and volunteer for the American Heart and Stroke Association for the past 20+ years. Conversation Overview Beginning the year without a script Improv as a tool for adaptive leadership The importance of shared agreements and trust "Yes, and" as a mindset for collaboration Listening, presence, and patience in real time Supporting others instead of competing Improv games as practice for real life skills Applying improv principles to teams and leadership Creating safety and inclusion for all voices Meeting uncertainty with openness and curiosity Resources and References Mentioned Megan Mills at The Leader's Journey Truth in Comedy by Del Close and Charna Halpern Harvard Business Review - Three Improv Exercises That Can Change the Way Your Team Works TED Talks on improv, adaptability, and leadership Improv exercises including Three Headed Expert and listening games  

In this episode of The Leader's Journey Podcast, Trisha Taylor and Edie Lenz delve into the complex role of nostalgia within faith communities. They examine the emotional pull of "the way things used to be" and how leaders can honor the past without letting it prevent forward movement. Through personal reflection and practical examples, they invite listeners to cultivate a healthier relationship with change and cherish fond memories of the past.    Conversation Overview When Looking Back Warps the Present Nostalgia as Emotional Comfort  Generational Dynamics Around the Past The Spiritual Dimension of Nostalgia Practices for Moving Forward  Learning to Grieve What Has Changed   Resources   Edie Lenz at The Leader's Journey Edie Lenz Substack The Leaders Journey Courses The Leader's Journey - Systems Thinking Bowen Theory System Course The Leader's Journey - Spiritual Formation Course

In this episode of The Leader's Journey Podcast, Edie Lenz is joined by Ken Eriks and Chelsey Harmon of Churches Learning Change for a rich conversation about the power of mental models in congregational life. They explore what mental models are, how they shape the way churches function, and why unearthing and reforming them is essential for leading meaningful, lasting change. Through stories, examples, and practical processes, they describe how congregations can move from feeling stuck to discovering clarity, creativity, and a shared path forward.   Conversation Overview   What Mental Models Are and Why They Matter Different Perspectives and Conflicting Assumptions Why Churches Engage Mental Models Work Competing Models in a Congregation Unearthing Mental Models in Community Congregational Practices for Surfacing Mental Models Experimentation as a Pathway to Learning Reforming and Rooting New Mental Models Why This Work Takes Time, Reflection, and Community How to Connect With Churches Learning Change   Edie Lenz, Ken Ericks, and Chelsey Harmon are the staff of Churches Learning Change (CLC), an organization dedicated to helping congregations engage deep change through adaptive leadership, reflective practice, and intentional learning communities. Through coaching, content curation, and process facilitation, they equip churches to unearth, test, and reform the mental models shaping their life together. Their work integrates theology, systems thinking, and practical tools to support leaders and congregations seeking clarity, transformation, and renewed imagination.   Resources:    Churches Learning Change Learn more about Chelsey Harmon Edie Lenz at The Leader's Journey Learn more about Ken Eriks

In this episode of The Leader's Journey Podcast, Jim Harrington sits down with pastor and coach Mac McCarthy to explore how emotional intelligence shapes the life of a leader and the health of a congregation. Together, they discuss what emotional intelligence truly means, why it's essential for spiritual formation, and how leaders can embody and cultivate it within their teams and churches. Through real stories and practical insight, they invite listeners to see emotional maturity as a lifelong journey of formation and courage. Mac McCarthy is a coach with The Leader's Journey and the lead pastor of Crosspoint Community Church in the Milwaukee area. He has served in ministry since 2008 and is known for his thoughtful integration of emotional maturity, discipleship, and leadership development. Mac also hosts the Praxis podcast, where he explores faith and practice in everyday life. Conversation Overview Defining Emotional Intelligence and Why It Matters Jesus as the Model of Emotional Maturity Practicing What You Teach From Learning to Practicing to Reflecting Building Emotionally Intelligent Cultures Creating Shared Language and Playful Learning Leadership Practices for Growth Navigating Conflict with Maturity The Long Work of Formation Encouragement for the Journey   Resources Mentioned Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman A Failure of Nerve by Edwin H. Friedman The Leader's Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation by Jim Herrington, Trisha Taylor, and R. Robert Creech Praxis Podcast by Crosspoint Community Church Emotional Intelligence Dialogue – November 11, 11:30–12:30 PM CST  

In this episode of The Leader's Journey Podcast, Trisha Taylor and Michael DeRuyter explore empathy as a guiding principle for leaders. Is empathy always a strength, or can it sometimes get in the way? Through stories, humor, and systems thinking, they unpack what empathy really is, why it is often misunderstood, and how mature empathy helps us stay grounded, connected, and responsible. This conversation invites leaders to move beyond reactive compassion toward empathy that sustains courage, clarity, and truth. Conversation Overview Redefining Empathy Empathy, Sympathy, and Emotional Fusion The Role of Perspective and Curiosity Empathy and Systems Thinking Boundaries, Responsibility, and Courage Resources Mentioned A Failure of Nerve by Edwin H. Friedman Dare to Lead by Brené Brown Empathy Zoom Dialogue – October 21