The Leader's Journey Podcast

• BONUS: What we wish we'd heard: An honest conversation about abuse and misconduct

  In this candid bonus episode of The Leader’s Journey Podcast, Trisha Taylor, Michael DeRidder, and Aundrea Baker open up an honest conversation about the realities of abuse and misconduct within faith communities and organizations. Sharing insights from their ongoing learning, including reflections from a recent conference, the team explores the power dynamics, cultural patterns, and systemic issues that allow abuse to occur and persist. They discuss the deep wounds left in individuals and communities, the need for preemptive culture work, and the essential role of leaders in creating environments of safety and accountability. If you are leading or serving in a church or organization, this conversation will challenge and equip you to think differently about prevention, response, and healing when abuse surfaces. Trisha Taylor, Michael DeRuyter, and Aundrea Baker are coaches with The Leader’s Journey, where they guide individuals, teams, and organizations toward emotionally healthy, systems-aware leadership rooted in Christian values. They bring deep experience in walking alongside leaders navigating crises and transformation, helping communities engage challenging conversations with courage, clarity, and care. Conversation Overview: The weight of healing and the need for shared responsibility How power dynamics and organizational culture enable abuse The myth of exceptionalism and its role in silencing victims Why systems thinking is critical for addressing abuse The importance of leaders creating cultures of safety and openness Moving from protecting perpetrators to caring for survivors Preemptive culture-building as abuse prevention Resources: Being Human: Podcast with Chuck and Steve https://churchcares.com/ Find Aundrea Baker and Michael DeRuyter on The Leader’s Journey Extraordinary Relationships by Roberta Gilbert – Framework on systems thinking, including the concepts of being separate, equal, and open in relationships and organizations.

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• Building a Healthy Culture

  In this episode of The Leader’s Journey Podcast, Jim Harrington is joined by coaches Rick Rorick and Nate Pyle to unpack what culture actually means within a church or organization—and why it matters more than we think. Together, they explore why “culture eats strategy for breakfast,” how culture shapes daily experiences for staff and volunteers, and how leaders can take intentional steps to build a healthy, life-giving environment that aligns with their values. If you’ve felt stuck in your church or organization’s culture, or if you’re wondering how to lead meaningful change, this conversation will give you both clarity and courage to take your next faithful steps. Rick Rorick is a Leader’s Journey coach with decades of leadership in the business world, including at Invesco and Coca-Cola, bringing a passion for helping leaders and organizations build healthy, effective cultures. Nate Pyle is the pastor of Christ Community Church in Fishers, Indiana, and the author of Man Enough and More Than You Can Handle. He coaches leaders to cultivate emotionally healthy systems within their teams and churches, helping them navigate change with integrity and clarity. Conversation Overview: The true definition of culture Navigating the gap between aspirational values and lived experiences How addressing mistakes and conflicts builds healthier culture Why building culture requires personal transformation from leaders Why culture work is hard and why coaching is essential for lasting change   Resources Mentioned: Man Enough by Nate Pyle More Than You Can Handle by Nate Pyle The Leader’s Journey 

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• Embracing the Nomadic Church: Melissa Emerson’s Journey of Faith, Family, and Formation

  In this episode of The Leader’s Journey Podcast, Jim sits down with Houston-area pastor Melissa Emerson to explore what it means to live faithfully in the midst of deep church change. After stepping into leadership of Mosaic Community Covenant Church following her father’s sudden passing, Melissa and her husband have led their community through a nomadic, experimental journey—redefining what church can be in the most diverse suburb in the U.S. With honesty, wisdom, and a heart for justice, Melissa shares what it’s been like to shed institutional expectations, rediscover community, and follow the Spirit’s leading in uncharted territory. If you’ve ever felt disillusioned with “church as usual,” or if you’re discerning a new way forward, this conversation offers courage and clarity for the road ahead. Melissa Lee Emerson is a third generation Chinese American woman co-pastoring Mosaic Community Covenant Church with her husband. Mosaic meets at a YMCA in the most diverse suburban county in the United States. Passionate about the intersection of faith and justice, Melissa dedicates her energy to the church, to Mosaic Learning Center, and raising her two daughters. She has a masters of divinity from North Park Theological Seminary with an emphasis on intercultural ministry and a bachelors in psychology with an emphasis on sociology and human development. She enjoys multicultural learning spaces and trips, especially if food is involved.  Conversation Overview: The shift from institutional church to a nomadic, mission-focused church Creative approaches to discernment  Developing missional partnerships Embracing Unlearning Rebuilding culture: resisting performance-driven worship and prioritizing outreach The role of emotional maturity, spiritual formation, and slowing down in adaptive leadership   Resources:  Mosaic Covenant Community Church Unlikely Nomads: In Search of the New Church by Terry Walling A prophetic and pastoral look at the shifting landscape of the North American Church and how leaders are navigating toward new expressions of faith. Shattered Dreams – a sermon by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A profound reflection on disappointment, surrender, and trusting God’s larger purpose through unfulfilled expectations. Acts 1:8 Model A biblical framework used to guide outreach and mission—beginning in one’s immediate community (“Jerusalem”) and expanding outward to the world. Dwelling in the Word (Lectio Divina) A contemplative practice of reading Scripture in community with an emphasis on spiritual listening and discernment. Nomads in the Changing Church - The Leader's Journey Podcast  Find The Leader's Journey on YouTube!

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• Self Reflection and the Enneagram

  In this episode of The Leader’s Journey Podcast, host Trisha Taylor is joined by coach and colleague Aundrea Baker for a rich and practical conversation about self-awareness and the Enneagram. Together, they explore how understanding the inner motivations behind our behavior can lead to personal growth, deeper compassion, and stronger team dynamics. Whether you're new to the Enneagram or a long-time student, this episode offers insightful reflections and practical tools to help you better understand yourself and others. Aundrea Baker is a leadership coach with The Leader’s Journey, bringing deep experience in church leadership, nonprofit work, and pastoral ministry. A former co-pastor and nonprofit founder, Aundrea holds a doctorate and has spent the past decade exploring the transformative power of the Enneagram. She lives in the Houston area and works alongside her husband Warwick, who is also part of the team. Key Points: Self-awareness is foundational for growth, especially in leadership. The Enneagram offers language and insight into our inner motivations—not just behaviors. Aundrea's personal journey with the Enneagram began during a season of burnout and transition. Misidentifying one’s type is common; deeper exploration often reveals more accurate insights. Understanding your type can foster self-compassion and reduce judgment. The Enneagram helps coaches and clients uncover unconscious motivations and internal narratives. It’s a dynamic system—growth is possible by accessing other traits and motivations. Team dynamics benefit when members understand each other's types and communication styles. Awareness of triads (assertive, compliant, withdrawing) can improve collaboration and reduce misunderstandings. Compassion is key: the Enneagram should be a tool for empathy, not judgment. Resources:  The Narrative Enneagram :https://www.narrativeenneagram.org/  -This is the organization in which Aundrea received her training. They have an online test, information about each type on the website, and conduct regular online training. For more information on the Hornevian Triad, see The Enneagram Map to Your Deeper Self: Living Beyond Your Type by Sandra Smith. -This book also offers basic Enneagram info with practices, blessings, and prayers. The Enneagram for Black Liberation: Return to Who You Are Beneath the Armor You Carry by ChiChi Agorom Finding Freedom: Understanding Our Relationships Using Object Relations and the Enneagram by Belinda Gore The Road Back to You by Suzanne Stabile and Ian Morgan Cron The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation by AJ Sherrill   View this episode on YouTube

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• Leading Off the Map

  In this episode, Jim and Mike explore how Bowen Family Systems Theory offers powerful tools for leading in times of uncertainty and anxiety. Drawing on personal stories—including parenting a child with trauma, navigating racial and cultural dynamics in St. Croix, and caring for a spouse with Alzheimer’s—they discuss how guiding principles, curiosity, humor, and staying connected help leaders function in the face of anxiety rather than be driven by it. They reflect on the necessity of running experiments when off the map, and why leadership today demands skills more like map-making than map-reading. Key Topics Anxiety is not something to eliminate, but to manage Functioning in the face of anxiety with guiding principles Managing anxiety to access guiding principles The value of humor in anxious situations Curiosity as an antidote to anxiety Seeing the system and yourself in it Resistance is part of adaptive change Running experiments when off the map Coaching and community as support for off-map leadership   Resources https://www.thebowencenter.org/ Watch this episode on YouTube!  

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