Wounded Leadership: Stories from the Wounded

Healing through Vulnerability - Lisa Wells

Find out more about Lisa Wells Coaching at - https://lisawellscoaching.com [https://lisawellscoaching.com] Discover the power of vulnerability in leadership with Lisa Wells, a coach and former church planter. In this episode, Lisa shares her journey through personal and professional crises, revealing how embracing her failures led to profound growth and healing. Learn how imaginative prayer and holistic discipleship helped her reconnect with her identity beyond performance.Lisa offers insights on creating safe spaces for vulnerability within church communities and challenges the traditional “pedestal” leadership model. This episode is a roadmap for ministry leaders feeling overwhelmed, showing that sharing your story is a strength, not a weakness.Join us for a hope-filled conversation that redefines leadership through authenticity and resilience. Perfect for pastors and faith-driven entrepreneurs committed to leading with grace. Key Topics Ministry challenges during COVID-19 The role of vulnerability in leadership Imaginative prayer and spiritual practices Healing from church leadership crisis The importance of community and support Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lisa Wells 03:26 Journey of Church Planting and Family Dynamics 07:07 Crisis in Ministry and Family Life 12:42 The Struggles of Ministry Leadership 17:53 Healing Through Spiritual Practices and Coaching 21:53 Navigating Vulnerability in Leadership 26:32 The Importance of Community and Peer Relationships 30:54 Finding Comfort in Sharing Our Stories 36:59 The Role of Jesus in Our Healing Journey 41:03 Embracing Our Stories for Healing and Growth 42:27 riverside_podcast_close with bed... mar 19, 2026 001matthew_tanner's st.mp4 keywords #ministry, #spiritual renewal, #vulnerability, #emotional health, #leadership, #prayer, #coaching, #personal growth

Healing and Leadership: Jeff VanderGiessen

Healing and Leadership: Jeff VanderGiessen Resources & Links: * Stillwater Reserve [https://stillwaterreserve.org/] * Camp Harvest [https://campharvest.org/] In this heartfelt episode, Jeff VanderGiessen shares his journey of ministry, wounds, healing, and his current mission to support pastors and church leaders. His story highlights the power of owning one’s narrative and finding purpose amidst pain Main Topics: * Jeff's early life and calling to ministry * The growth and challenges of Mars Hill Church * The impact of leadership changes and organizational culture shifts * Personal wounds from ministry and paths toward healing * Transition to entrepreneurial ventures serving churches * The importance of community and safe spaces for pastors * Practical ways to process anger and forgiveness * God's ongoing work in Jeff’s life and ministry Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Jeff VanderGiessen’s ministry story and wounds 02:00 - Jeff’s childhood and calling to ministry at youth group 04:00 - Transition from CRC to Assemblies of God and college journey 06:30 - Early involvement with Mars Hill Church and volunteer work 08:15 - Growth of Mars Hill and Jeff’s role in building the church 11:00 - The relational community of Mars Hill amidst organizational growth 15:00 - Leadership transitions and cultural shifts at Mars Hill 20:00 - The impact of leadership change on Jeff and the church 24:00 - The rapid end of Jeff’s ministry at Mars Hill and transition to Chicago 27:00 - Processing grief and wounds from organizational betrayal 31:00 - Forgiveness, reconciliation, and processing anger in ministry failure 36:00 - How Jeff manages bitterness and the importance of forgiveness 41:00 - The ongoing impact of ministry wounds and God's faithfulness 49:00 - Jeff’s current ministry supporting pastors through retreats and relationships 54:00 - Building safe spaces for ministry leaders and the importance of community 56:00 - How vulnerability and owning one’s story facilitate healing ----------------------------------------

Building Relational Bravery: A Journey from Loneliness to Connection

In this episode of "Wounded Leadership Stories," Dr. Matthew Tanner welcomes Brian James McMahon, founder of Church WellCo. They explore the importance of storytelling in healing and community building. Brian shares his personal journey of longing for deep friendships, starting from his childhood experiences as a missionary in China. He discusses the challenges of forming genuine connections and how his struggles led him to create Church WellCo, which focuses on reimagining community and storytelling within the church. The conversation highlights the need for vulnerability, bravery, and the cultivation of relational skills to foster meaningful relationships and support within faith communities. Find out more about BrianJames McMahon and his ministry at Church Well Co [www.churchwell.co] Chapters 00:00 The Power of Storytelling 03:24 Longing for Friendship 06:27 The Pain of Loneliness 09:44 The Search for Connection 12:49 The Role of Mentorship 15:29 Becoming a Youth Pastor 18:23 Facing the Dark Night of the Soul 20:29 Finding True Connection 24:26 The 10-Year Journey of Friendship 27:57 Cultivating Safety in Relationships 31:06 Exploring Honest Relationships 33:52 Bridging Isolation in Ministry 37:14 The Power of Storytelling in Healing 39:51 Creating Healing Communities 49:32 Reactivating Relational Skills 52:07 Building a Culture of Storytelling resources Church WellCo - https://churchwell.co/ [https://churchwell.co/] Slow Journal - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGLV7X7Q [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGLV7X7Q] Tom Hughes' Curious Book - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F4X0V4Q [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F4X0V4Q] keywords #relationship building, #storytelling, #vulnerability, #church community, #relational bravery, #healing, #loneliness, #atrophied relationships, #community of praxis, #leadership

The Power of Vulnerability: Daniel Whitehead

Find out more about Daniel and his ministry at: Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries [www.sanctuarymentalhealth.org] More stories like this one at: Wounded Leadership Ministries. Summary: In this episode of Wounded Leadership Stories, Dr. Matthew Tanner interviews Daniel Whitehead, who shares his journey from a young pastor facing trauma and challenges to leading Sanctuary Mental Health. Daniel discusses the importance of vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and the need for supportive communities in leadership. He emphasizes that healing is a continuous journey and that the church should be a safe space for mental health support. Through personal anecdotes and insights, Daniel highlights the significance of understanding one's own trauma to avoid hurting others and the transformative power of empathy and authenticity in leadership. * Daniel Whitehead shares his journey from a youth pastor to leading a church at a young age. * The trauma of losing a mentor shaped Daniel's early leadership experiences. * Vulnerability is essential for authentic leadership and connection with others. * Shame dehumanizes, while guilt can lead to growth and awareness of wrongdoing. * Daniel emphasizes the importance of understanding one's own trauma to avoid hurting others. * The need for a supportive community is crucial for leaders facing challenges. * Daniel's experience in Vancouver helped him reconnect with his emotions and purpose. * Sanctuary Mental Health aims to equip churches to support mental health effectively. * Real-life stories of support can change lives and foster community. * Healing is a continuous journey, not a destination. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Wounded Leadership 02:12 Daniel's Early Leadership Journey 05:06 Navigating Early Trauma in Leadership 09:18 Understanding Personal and Collective Trauma 15:08 The Turning Point: A Year of Reflection 18:00 Rediscovering Purpose and Entrepreneurial Spirit 21:58 The Importance of Vulnerability in Leadership 29:55 Navigating New Challenges 32:19 The Power of Vulnerability 34:40 Understanding Shame vs. Guilt 38:52 The Importance of Authenticity in Leadership 45:56 Healing Journeys and Mental Health Advocacy 50:40 Sanctuary Mental Health: A Mission for Change #leadership, #vulnerability, #mental health, 3trauma, #church, #healing, #authenticity, #emotional intelligence, #shame, #guilt takeaways

Finding Strength through Suffering: Shaun Dean

Contact Shaun Dean at Kingdom Collective by emailing "shaun m. Dean" In this heartfelt interview, Shaun shares his personal journey through woundedness and healing within ministry, emphasizing the importance of community, forgiveness, and trusting God's purpose in suffering. Discover practical insights on overcoming ministry wounds, embracing suffering as a divine tool for growth, and how to foster healing in leadership and life. keywords #wounded leadership, #healing, #ministry wounds, #forgiveness, #community, #spiritual growth, #suffering, #resilience, #faith, #leadership development key topics * Personal journey of woundedness and healing * The role of community and safe spaces in recovery * Forgiveness and reconciliation in ministry * Understanding suffering as a divine tool for growth * Practical steps for healing from ministry wounds Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Wounded Leadership 03:19 Shaun's Journey of Woundedness and Healing 09:48 The Impact of Reconciliation 12:28 The Process of Healing and Forgiveness 18:06 Understanding Suffering and God's Purpose 23:27 The Importance of Community in Healing 24:55 The Importance of Vulnerability in Healing 26:05 Navigating Ministry Challenges and Burnout 29:54 Facing Accusations and Misunderstandings 33:26 Finding Redemption and New Opportunities 37:55 The Refining Process of Suffering 41:49 Transforming Pain into Purpose 44:57 Introducing Kingdom Collective and Its Mission