The Leader's Journey Podcast

Jim Herrington has been a steady voice on The Leader's Journey Podcast for years. In this episode, Trisha Taylor reflects with him on the long arc of his life, leadership, and learning as he steps into a slightly different role at The Leader's Journey. Together they explore the leadership principle that has shaped everything Jim does: leadership is all about learning. From early experiences of trauma and racism, to systems thinking, reflection, and the ongoing work of emotional and spiritual maturity, this conversation offers a deeper look at the experiences that formed Jim's perspective and continue to shape his work today.
 
Conversation Overview
Leadership is all about learning

Learning shaped by pain, experience, and reflection

Seeing yourself, your system, and your role within it

Defining yourself and staying connected under pressure

The long work of systems change and emotional maturity

Encouragement and wisdom for the next generation of leaders
 

Resources and References Mentioned
The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge

Murray Bowen Family Systems Theory

The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard

Union Baptist Association

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