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.
Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Mark Buchanan
Steve Macchia and Mark Buchanan explore how the spiritual practices of reading and writing deepen our faith, shape our voice, cultivate humility, and help us listen more attentively to God and the world around us.
Season 41 is a collection of 12 conversation, discovering who God created us to be, uncovering who we’ve become, and learning how to live freely from our truest identity in Christ. Steve Macchia welcomes Matt Scott as together, they explore how we can discern between the true and false self.
The Gift of (Being Your) Self | Season 41, Episode 1
“Our life would be so different—and our churches and marriages and families and communities would be so different—if we remembered our Creator and delighted in everything that he has created.” – Steve Macchia
Coming Home To Your True Self | Season 41, Episode 2
“We have to keep coming home and pursuing God and godliness rather than self and selfishness.” — Steve Macchia
Enjoy a summer filled with rich conversations from previous guests! This Summer 2026 Rewind series features some of the most loved podcast episodes from The Discerning Leader Podcast.
Gary Franklin | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 1
“For the first twenty years of my ministry, discernment wasn’t a part of my way of life – it was just busyness and activity.” – Gary Franklin
Adele Calhoun | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 2
“Shaming voices have the power to cripple us. They isolate us from the truth about ourselves and others.” – Adele Calhoun
Sara Singleton | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 3
“You don’t have to do anything or be anything for God to love you more.” – Sarah Singleton
Alan Fadling | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 4
“We have a cultural assumption that fast is good and slow is bad…how might slow be good for your soul?” – Alan Fadling
Alice Fryling | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 5
“Aging faithfully isn’t about holding onto what once was—it’s about trusting the God who remains faithful in every season.” – Alice Fryling
Rich Plass | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 6
“Every leader needs someone who can hear their story without judgment.” – Rich Plass
Amy Murgatroyd | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 7
“I’m not creating these moments. I’m bearing witness to them.” – Amy Murgatroyd
Mark Buchanan | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 8
“The premier physical activity for spiritual formation is walking.” — Mark Buchanan
Abigail Carroll | Summer 2026: Rewind, Episode 9
“Poetry is the premise and the tool for submitting myself to beauty.” – Abigail Carroll
Summer 2026: Rewind
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What is the state of your soul? Season 40 of The Discerning Leader Podcast featuring conversations around the priority of personal soul care and self care; mental and emotional health; rest and margin; silence and solitude; creating space to be with God; spiritual direction; soul hospitality and more! These episodes will help you prioritize the care and nurture of your soul as you live within your spiritual communities.
What’s The State Of Your Soul? | Season 40, Episode 1
“The soul is the only part of us that is eternal—so why do we neglect it the most?” – Steve Macchia
Caring for the Body, Tending the Soul | Season 40, Episode 2
“We cannot separate the body and the soul—our bodies impact our spiritual health.” – Steve Macchia
Renewing The Mind For A Healthy Soul | Season 40, Episode 3
“The mind must be renewed if the soul is to be transformed.” – Steve Macchia
A Disposition Toward Silence And Solitude | Season 40, Episode 4
“What are the ‘pillows’ that allow your soul to finally rest in God?” – Steve Macchia
Exchange Your Striving For Delight | Season 40, Episode 5
“A holy nap might be the most spiritual thing you do all week.” – Steve Macchia
Creating Space In A Crowded Life | Season 40, Episode 6
“Soul care begins by creating space to listen.” – Steve Macchia
Our Emotions Are Not Our Enemies | Season 40, Episode 7
“If we don’t go to the place of owning and identifying our feelings and emotions, we won’t be able to embrace both our brokenness and wholeness.” – Steve Macchia
The Power of Spiritual Friendships | Season 40, Episode 8
“We all need people who believe the best in us, stand beside us when we feel like falling, and help us keep going.” – Steve Macchia
How Spiritual Direction Nurtures The Soul | Season 40, Episode 9
“I’m becoming more and more convinced that every leader needs a spiritual director.” – Steve Macchia
Spiritual Community: A Safe Space For The Soul | Season 40, Episode 10
“Community is built through trust, but it is redeemed through love, grace, forgiveness, and a lot of listening.” – Steve Macchia
The Monastery of the Soul | Season 40, Episode 11
“Hospitality of the soul is about a gracious welcome, not just a literal space. It’s a kind of inner spaciousness and unhurried quality that’s created within our hearts.” – Steve Macchia
Caring for Your Soul in Every Season | Season 40, Episode 12
“A spiritual practice is not a prescription for success; it’s an invitation to deeper intimacy with God.” – Steve Macchia
Season 40: Discerning The State Of Our Souls
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In Season 39 of The Discerning Leader Podcast, Steve Macchia, Sue Skinner, and Matt Scott invite listeners into a 40-day journey of praying the parables of Jesus. Rooted in the ancient practices of lectio divina and visio divina, this season explores how word and image together awaken a posture of receptivity to God’s kingdom. Through honest reflection and personal stories, these conversations explore how Jesus’ parables invite us to receive and live into the realities of the Kingdom of God.
Receiving the Kingdom of God | Season 39, Episode 1
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us—and story and image help that Word come alive.” – Steve Macchia
Are You All In For The Kingdom Of God? | Season 39, Episode 2
“The parables confront us with a question: Kingdom of God or kingdom of earth?” – Steve Macchia
Come Close, Draw Near | Season 39, Episode 3
“God’s invitation is always the same: come close, draw near, follow Me.” – Steve Macchia
A Generous Or Stingy Life? | Season 39, Episode 4
“Always put your ear as close to the biblical text as you possibly can. Let it come alive in your soul as you read it.” – Steve Macchia
Persistent in Prayer and Serving | Season 39, Episode 5
“Ask. Seek. Knock… there’s initiative attached to every one of those words.” – Steve Macchia
Praying The Parables With Open Hands | Season 39, Episode 6
“Tell me your story…and I’ll companion you in your lack of trust.” – Steve Macchia
An Invitation To Transformation | Season 39, Episode 7
“Each parable of Jesus is an invitation not just to understand, but to be transformed.”
Season 39: Praying the Parables of Jesus
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– Steve Macchia
In this season, Steve Macchia is joined by LTI team member James Hauptman. Together they unpack the gift of a new year and the opportunity to create or renew your personal rule of life. Like St. Benedict, who popularized the concept of rule of life in the mid-500’s, we too can listen intently to the Lord for how best to live more prayerfully and intentionally. This is the season for attending to God’s invitations to live faithfully and fruitfully in Christ.
A Way of Life for Well-Ordered Living | Season 38, Episode 01
“Without a humble, attentive heart our self centeredness will not lead to the abundance of a God-empowered life.” – Steve Macchia
How To Begin Crafting A Rule Of Life | Season 38, Episode 02
“A rule of life allows us to live with intention and purpose in the present moment.” – Steve Macchia
Weaving Together Your Rule Of Life | Season 38, Episode 03
“If God’s going to be in the center of our lives, we have to be willing to let him come in and take over every single aspect of our lives.” – Steve Macchia
Safeguarding Love In Our Rule Of Life | Season 38, Episode 04
“I want to call people back to commitment. Make a commitment. And take your commitments seriously…make a deeper prayerful commitment to support and encourage and to reach out and to be available and to come alongside in times of need.” – Steve Macchia
From Burnout and Brokenness to Beloved | Season 38, Episode 05
“You and I, we find our passion somewhere between a fist in the air of injustice and the tear in our eye of compassion and mercy.” – Steve Macchia
The Best Time To Craft A Rule Of Life | Season 38, Episode 06
“And that’s the ripple effect that happens when men of God like you take this seriously and put real teeth into noticing what’s necessary for this season.” – Steve Macchia
Season 38: Discerning God’s Invitations In Our Rule Of Life
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Advent is a season of holy expectation, a sacred invitation to slow down and welcome Christ with renewed attentiveness. In Season 37 of The Discerning Leader Podcast, we embark on a five-part formation journey designed to help us resist the hurried, crowded patterns that so often define December and the holiday season. Instead, we’re invited to cultivate a presence-centered posture of discernment—one that makes room for Christ in the deepest places of our lives. Each episode explores a spiritual practice that opens space for the arrival of Christ: Simplicity, Spaciousness, Silence, Solitude, and Slowness.
Each episode focuses on one spiritual practice that “makes room” for Christ: simplicity, spaciousness, silence, solitude and slowness.
Steve Macchia and Matt Scott | Resisting Excess and Exhaustion (Simplicity), Season 37, Episode 1
“Simplicity? It goes against the grain of our society. We’re needing to make a concious choice to say no to the excess and to the busyness.” – Steve Macchia
Steve Macchia and Matt Scott | A Decluttered Advent (Spaciousness), Season 37, Episode 2
“We have to say no to the demands of this world. We have to create some space that is sacred and holy and dedicated wholly to our heart’s devotion to Jesus.” – Steve Macchia
Steve Macchia and Matt Scott | A Quieted Soul Within (Silence), Season 37, Episode 3
“Silence is the place where the deepest work happens in our lives.” – Steve Macchia
Steve Macchia and Matt Scott | Alone and Not Lonely (Solitude), Season 37, Episode 4
“Solitude and silence are a gift when experienced together. And when they are practiced within a community, they can become a place of significant growth and maturation.” – Steve Macchia
Steve Macchia and Matt Scott | Embracing Inefficiency (Slowness), Season 37, Episode 5
Host: Steve Macchia, Co-host: Matt Scott As we step into a new year, this episode invites us to resist the urge to sprint and instead begin 2026 with deliberate, unhurried
Our stories consist of thousands of daily and seasonal invitations to discern the presence of God in our lives. In Season 36 of The Discerning Leader podcast, we’re graced with a number of spiritual friends who share their personal stories of learning how to discern the invitations of God. Special guests include: Suz Skinner, Dave Ripper, Nicholas and Sheila Wise, Jimmy Mellado, Mimi Dixon, Bill Simmons, Bryce and Ashley Hales, Gary Thomas, Alison Cook and more.
Suz Skinner | Discerning God’s Invitations Episode 1
“Our prayer is that our eyes will be open, our ears will be attentive, and our hearts will receive the gift of the parables of Jesus.” – Steve Macchia
Dave Ripper | Discerning God’s Invitations, Episode 2
“In essence, the number one question we ought to be asking ourselves is ‘How can I help you draw closer to God?’” – Steve Macchia
Nicholas and Sheila Rowe | Discerning God’s Invitations, Episode 3
“We’ve been instructed to act justly, to love mercifully and to walk humbly with the Lord. We want to take the risk of extending friendship across the lines that have historically separated us.” – Steve Macchia
Jimmy Mellado | Discerning God’s Invitations, Episode 4
“When we have an awareness of a need, will we run to the need? Are we going to be known for our generosity or for our stinginess?” – Steve Macchia
Mimi Dixon | Discerning God’s Invitations, Episode 5
“Let us reflect with gratitude on this movement-making piece of literature that has entered our hearts and the spiritual formation world. We are so grateful for the faithfulness of Richard Foster.” – Steve Macchia
Bill Simmons | Discerning God’s Invitations, Episode 6
“We tend to go other places…our work, our relationships, our hobbies, our attachments as opposed to simply finding our rest in God.” – Steve Macchia
Ashley and Bryce Hales | Discerning God’s Invitations, Episode 7
“There’s so much of us that is yet to be explored because we don’t access our imagination.” – Steve Macchia
Jeff Crosby | Discerning God’s Invitations, Episode 8
“Reading is yet another way we can notice and discern the work of God in everyday life.” – Steve Macchia
Bill and Kristi Gaultiere | Discerning God’s Invitations, Episode 9
“Relational health and vitality is based on our ability to be empathetic toward one another as God has been empathetic toward us.” – Steve Macchia
Alison Cook | Discerning God’s Invitations, Episode 10
“To have a healthy sense of identity and focus intently on what matters most, that’s what we’re all longing for.” – Steve Macchia
Gary Thomas | Discerning God’s Invitations, Episode 11
“A simple definition of spiritual formation is that the pathway to a deeper walk with God is alignment of a deep understanding of the truth about God and the truth about ourselves.” – Steve Macchia
J.R. Briggs | Discerning God’s Invitations, Episode 12
“We don’t know how to ask good questions and point to another because we’re just so fixated on ourselves.” – Steve Macchia
Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott
In Season 35 Steve Macchia and LTI Creative Director, Matt Scott to discuss our life together – discerning God in spiritual community.
The Perfect Community | Life Together: Discerning God in Spiritual Community Episode 1
“We are to be like the Trinity and model our lives accordingly.” —Steve Macchia
Listening is an Act of Love | Life Together: Discerning God in Spiritual Community Episode 2
“Listening and presence are the greatest exhibition of love.” —Steve Macchia
A Healthy Dose of Humility | Life Together: Discerning God in Spiritual Community Episode 3
“It’s not only my neighbor’s will but their honor that needs to be more important than mine.”—Steve Macchia
Rupture and Repair | Life Together: Discerning God in Spiritual Community Episode 4
“Relational turmoil and conflict can indeed be resolved as we work toward mutual reconciliation.” – Steve Macchia
Offering Soul Hospitality | Life Together: Discerning God in Spiritual Community Episode 5
“This welcoming spirit of graced hospitality is to be shared and received continuously, one at a time and in community.” – Steve Macchia
The Ministry of Bearing | Life Together: Discerning God in Spiritual Community Episode 6
“That’s the hard reality…that I, too, irritate others. I need others to bear with me, also.” – Steve Macchia
“If we could practice listening first before speaking, how different our words would be and how different our relationships would be.” — Steve Macchia
Can You Be Trusted With Power? | Life Together: Discerning God in Spiritual Community Episode 8
Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “Leadership is about whether or not the people are doing better because of your decisions.” — Steve Macchia We know all-too-well the destruction that
Living a Shared Rule of Life | Life Together: Discerning God in Spiritual Community Episode 9
“Those who have an articulated communal rule of life stick together longer and more faithfully…and go deeper in their walk together with the Lord.” — Steve Macchia
Walking with the Saints | Life Together: Discerning God in Spiritual Community Episode 10
“It’s important to be surrounded by people who model what a Christ-like life looks like, invest in you regularly, offer spiritual friendship, ongoing guidance and encouragement.” — Steve Macchia
Readers: Suz Skinner, Rick Anderson, Kim Alexander, Steve Macchia, Susan Currie, Chrissy Chang and Jeremy Stefano
In this special Holy Week Interlude for 2025, for each day of the week from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday, there will be a Scripture reading and excerpt from Outstretched Arms of Grace read by various members of the LTI team. These reflections invite you to walk with Jesus through the final week of his earthly life. Journey with us toward the cross, the empty tomb and into the bright light of joy-filled Resurrection Day.
Palm Sunday – April 13 | Holy Week Interlude 2025
Special Guest: Suz Skinner
Reading: Matthew 21:1-11
Monday of Holy Week – April 14 | Holy Week Interlude 2025
Special Guest: Rick Anderson
Reading: Mark 11:12-19
Tuesday of Holy Week – April 15 | Holy Week Interlude (2025)
Special Guest: Kim Alexander
Reading: Mark 12:1-12
Wednesday of Holy Week – April 16 | Holy Week Interlude (2025)
Special Guest: Steve Macchia
Reading: Mark 14:1-11
Maundy Thursday – April 17, 2025 | Holy Week Interlude 2025
Special Guest: Susan Currie
Reading: John 13:1-17
Good Friday – April 18, 2025 | Holy Week Interlude 2025
Special Guest: Matt Scott
Reading: John 19:16-37
Holy Saturday – April 19, 2025 | Holy Week Interlude 2025
Special Guest: Chrissy Chang
Reading: John 19:38-42
Easter Sunday – April 20, 2025 | Holy Week Interlude 2025
Special Guest: Jeremy Stefano
Reading: John 20:1-10
Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott
In Season 34 Steve Macchia and LTI Creative Director, Matt Scott take a chapter-by-chapter look at Stephen Macchia’s Broken and Whole: A Leader’s Path to Spiritual Transformation.
Befriending our Brokenness | Broken and Whole Episode 01
“We must be honest and embrace our brokenness on the way to wholeness.” — Steve Macchia
Impatience Isn’t A Virtue | Broken and Whole Episode 02
“What would it look like for patience to reside within us and be embodied in us as we go through everyday life?”-Matt Scott
When Envy and Jealousy Ransack the Mind | Broken and Whole Episode 03
“Envy is accompanied by her friend jealousy, and when combined, they make for ugly companionship in the soul.” – Steve Macchia
Love Does Not Boast | Broken and Whole Episode 04
“Our independence and self-focus are destroying community and instead are building fences that keep us apart.” – Steve Macchia
The Tight Grip of Pride | Broken and Whole Episode 05
“We’re called to abandon our self-centered ways of living and invite God’s Spirit to replace them with generous humility.” – Steve Macchia
The Madness of Manipulation | Broken and Whole Episode 06
“One thing that’s pretty consistently true about every rude person is that they must set the agenda and be in control.” – Steve Macchia
Love Is Not Self-Seeking | Broken and Whole Episode 07
“The one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation, and despair.” – Steve Macchia
The Destruction of Unbridled Anger | Broken and Whole Episode 08
“Deep trust in God leads us out of an angry disposition into a Christ-centered redemption.” – Steve Macchia
The Truth Always Sets You Free | Broken and Whole Episode 09
“To avoid truth is to embrace a false reality, which can lead us into the downward spiral of deception.” – Steve Macchia
When Fear and Worry Ensnare the Heart | Broken and Whole Episode 10
Co-hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “We can embrace our propensity toward worry, anxiety and fear and find our restoration in the peaceful presence of Christ.” – Steve Macchia God
The Pitfalls of Needing to be Wanted | Broken and Whole Episode 11
Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “Living lovingly, freely and with trust is always the best posture.” – Steve Macchia How do we combat the urge to assert our giftedness,
Waxing and Waning Hope | Broken and Whole Episode 12
“Courage is not found in the human strength required to vault but in the Spirit’s power that comes alive in the decision to persevere.” – Steve Macchia
No Pain Is Ever Wasted | Broken and Whole, Episode 13
Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott “Courage is not found in the human strength required to vault but in the Spirit’s power that comes alive in the decision to persevere.”
Inviting Redemption | Broken and Whole Episode 14
“Stop. Notice. Listen. Pray. Reorder. Live. Serve. Repeat.” – Steve Macchia
Benediction and Conclusion | Broken and Whole Episode 15
“God’s love is the greatest healer, the golden filigree of restoration and redemption of every ounce of pain being carried by an overburdened life.” – Steve Macchia
Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott
Season 33 invites you to enter into the season of Advent as you consider the prophetic promise of Emmanuel, God with us. In these four episodes, Steve Macchia and Matt Scott address honest questions like ‘How do we discern God in our hunger and heartache?’ ‘How does God meet us in our desires and prayers for healing?’ and ‘How do we find hope in times of despair?’ Join us for these conversations as we journey together toward the manger.
Heartache and Hunger | Discerning God With Us Episode 01
“Everybody has a bucket of tears right next to them, and we need to acknowledge for each of us, there’s heartache, pain, suffering, and sorrow. And those don’t come to an end just because it’s Christmas.” —Steve Macchia
Healing from Heaven | Discerning God With Us Episode 02
“We want his healing, his strength, his comfort, his mercy. We want the gifts that only he can provide for us as we find ourselves hurting and sometimes, hopeless.” —Steve Macchia
Hope in Despair | Discerning God With Us Episode 03
“A glimpse of light shines in the darkness, a future reality for us to hang our hats on. And it’s called hope.” —Steve Macchia
His Name is Jesus | Discerning God With Us Episode 04
“I’m so grateful for how He redeems. Sometimes we have to wait a long, long time for His redemptive work to come to reality. But it’s worth the wait.” —Steve
An Examen of 2024 | Discerning God With Us Episode 05
“Once we begin to notice God, we can’t help but give thanks to God for his good gifts. Gratitude begins to bubble up within.”—Steve Macchia
Host: Steve Macchia, Guests: A.J. Swoboda and Rich Villodas
On November 21 and 25, 2024, Steve Macchia invites A.J. Swoboda and Rich Villodas to The Discerning Leader Podcast for 2 special edition episodes.
A.J. Swoboda | November 2024 Special Edition, Episode 01
“The invitation to sabbath offends just about everything we value as Americans.” – AJ Swoboda
Rich Villodas | November 2024 Special Edition, Episode 02
“The greatest gift we offer the world around us is our ongoing transformation in Jesus Christ.” – Rich Villodas
Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott, Guests: Fyfe Blair and Suz Skinner
In Season 32 Steve Macchia and LTI Creative Director, Matt Scott, invite Fyfe Blair and Suz Skinner to discuss discerning God in in the garden of the soul.
Matt Scott | Discerning God in the Garden of the Soul, Episode 1
“Are you creating space in your life to be alone, to be quiet, to be reflective, to be relational, to put technology away, to hang out with those you love and to be loved?” – Steve Macchia
Fyfe Blair | Discerning God in the Garden of the Soul, Episode 2
“Understanding the pruning that is happening with Christ. Yes, it’s hard, but there’s deep soul care work here going on. It’s about your fruitfulness” – Fyfe Blair
Suz Skinner | Discerning God in the Garden of the Soul, Episode 3
“A good gardener listens and watches and wants to work with what God is already doing” – Suz Skinner
Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott
In Season 31, Steve Macchia and LTI Creative Director, Matt Scott, discuss discerning God in slowness.
Slow Down. Be More. | Discerning God in Slowness, Episode 1
“I think the biggest danger of hurrying is that it pours fuel into my addiction to be busy, to be hurried, to be productive, to be noticed.” – Steve Macchia
Slow Down. Be More Silent. | Discerning God in Slowness, Episode 2
Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott “How are we going to know God with heart, soul, mind, and strength if we don’t know Him in the inner core of our
Slow Down. Be More Humble. | Discerning God in Slowness, Episode 3
“It is hard to do the ‘one-anothering’ of the New Testament when we are in a hurry” – Matt Scott
Slow Down. Be More Attentive. | Discerning God in Slowness, Episode 4
“Not setting realistic expectations of what we can accomplish within a day creates unnecessary hurry and angst inside each of us.” – Matt Scott
Slow Down. Be More Detached. | Discerning God in Slowness, Episode 5
“What are we gripping in our hands that may simply be worth a penny in comparison to the abundant life God offers us.” – Steve Macchia
Slow Down. Be More Content. | Discerning God in Slowness, Episode 6
“A humble person is a content person.” – Steve Macchia
Slow Down. Be More Curious. | Discerning God in Slowness, Episode 7
“When was the last time you’ve been awed by God?” – Steve Macchia
Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott
Steve Macchia and LTI Creative Director, Matt Scott, celebrate 200 episodes of The Discerning Leader Podcast.
Special Edition: Celebrating 200 Episodes
“I’ll spend the rest of my life helping people notice God and discern His presence, His power and His way.” – Steve Macchia
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Jeremy Stefano, Rick Anderson, Kim Alexander, Matt Scott, James Hauptman, Susan Currie, Suz Skinner, and Chrissy Chang
In Season 30, Steve Macchia invites various members of the LTI team to discuss discerning God in the Psalms.
Jeremy Stefano | Discerning God in the Psalms, Episode 1
“Blessing the Lord is a daring thing to do, and it is the thing for which we’ve been created.” – Jeremy Stefano
Rick Anderson | Discerning God in the Psalms, Episode 2
“In a time when there is anxiety or panic, there is something about this psalm that calms me down. It reminds me that I don’t have a lot of control over anything. God has control over everything.” – Rick Anderson
Kim Alexander | Discerning God in the Psalms, Episode 3
“We can’t be more attached to the outcome than we are to Christ.” – Kim Alexander
Matt Scott | Discerning God in the Psalms, Episode 4
“That experience was when the Psalms came alive to me.” -Matt Scott
James Hauptman | Discerning God in the Psalms, Episode 5
Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: James Hauptman “It’s not a flippant thing to remember the goodness of God. God has been present and overseeing even the hard and difficult times.” –
Susan Currie | Discerning God in the Psalms, Episode 6
“As we become present to Him, He re-orients us to His rule, to His righteousness, His justice, His abundance, His blessing, and praise rises within us, and we worship” – Susan Currie
Suz Skinner | Discerning God in the Psalms, Episode 7
“Can I stand up to evil and say, ‘I’m not afraid’?” – Suz Skinner
Chrissy Chang | Discerning God in the Psalms, Episode 8
Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Chrissy Chang “In the middle of busyness and life, how do I enter into this retreat-like presence?” – Chrissy Chang Chrissy Chang is the Online Ministry
Steve Macchia | Discerning God in the Psalms, Episode 9
Hosts: Steve Macchia & Jeremy Stefano “So much of the work of God in my life contains so much mystery. God is at work doing amazingly deep things that are
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Matt Scott, Rick Anderson, Dennis Baril, Tom Sparling, Doug and Greg Scalise, Ellen Bishop Little, Bob Ludwig, Barry Corey, and Olivier Bala
In Season 29, Steve Macchia invites various guests to discuss discerning congregational health.
Matt Scott | Discerning Congregational Health, Episode 1
“My vision is that we would be known for our love, not our conflicts and difficulties and estrangement” – Steve Macchia
Rick Anderson | Discerning Congregational Health, Episode 2
“It is so important that all of this is held together with spiritual discernment and a posture of leadership that is listening to God.” –Rick Anderson
Dennis Baril | Discerning Congregational Health, Episode 3
“God’s empowering Presence is a value and a relationship, not a doctrine.” –Dennis Baril
Tom Sparling | Discerning Congregational Health, Episode 4
“I see it now among Gen Zers; there is a passion in my young adults that is as fresh and real as what we were experiencing.” –Tom Sparling
Doug and Greg Scalise | Discerning Congregational Health, Episode 5
“You don’t need a big budget, a lot of people, or a nice building to have the presence of God and loving, caring relationships.” – Greg Scalise
Ellen Bishop Little | Discerning Congregational Health, Episode 6
“You don’t need a big budget, a lot of people, or a nice building to have the presence of God and loving, caring relationships.” – Ellen Bishop Little
Bob Ludwig | Discerning Congregational Health, Episode 7
“Good management can assist the mission of the organization and make it more effective by setting people free from the complex irritations of bad management.” – Bob Ludwig
Barry Corey | Discerning Congregational Health, Episode 8
“My dad said, ‘Whoever comes my way, I’m going to make myself receivable.’ Receivable is another word for kindness.” – Barry Corey
Oliver Bala | Discerning Congregational Health, Episode 9
“Anyone that comes in here really feels comfortable. It’s something we have not tried to work hard at. It’s in our DNA.” – Oliver Bala
Host: Steve Macchia | Guest: David Vryhof
For a 2-week Holy Week Interlude, Steve Macchia welcomes Brother David Vryhof to the podcast to discuss the Holy Week journey to Easter Sunday.
Preparing for Passion Week | Holy Week Interlude, Episode 1
Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: David Vryhof “We are offering ourselves in fresh new ways to God in Lent.” – David Vryhof, SSJE Holy week has the potential to invite us
“Death gives way to life. Not only lived out by Jesus but meant to be lived out by each of us.” – David Vryhof, SSJE
Host: Steve Macchia | Guest: Matt Scott
In Season 28, Steve Macchia and Matt Scott discuss various spiritual practices that nurture your soul and lead listeners in a guided, reflective experience each episode.
Lectio Divina | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 1
“The Word of God should not be approached as another book to master its material but should result in a deep transforming experience with God.” – Matt Scott
Listening Prayer | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 2
“Listening is the primary skill to develop in life. Particularly if you are a leader.” – Steve Macchia
Reflection | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 3
“We are a forgetful bunch; if we’re not doing something that helps us record, remember, and come back to the goodness of God on a regular basis, we will forget. When we forget, our hearts get hardened.” – Steve Macchia
Journaling | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 4
“The practice of journaling really helps you to notice.” – Steve Macchia
Examen | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 5
“I see the practice of daily examen as keeping the inner house of your soul clean.” – Steve Macchia
Confession | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 6
“We truly are as sick as our secrets.” – Steve Macchia
Fasting | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 7
“Fasting is not an opportunity for us to enter into a diet experience. If we are giving up something hoping that at the end of the fast we might also be down five pounds, that seems to miss the heart of what Jesus is talking about.” – Matt Scott
Rest | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 8
“What does it say about me if I’m not busy?” – Matt Scott
Sabbath | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 9
“We can’t be restless all the time. Sabbath is the place of greatest freedom, life, and joy.”–Steve Macchia
Gratitude | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 10
“Gratitude is a remedy for my bent towards entitlement.” – Matt Scott
Rule of Life | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 11
“We all have a rule of life, a way of living, already. The question is, are we living in response to God’s invitation for us?” – Steve Macchia
Re-Ordering Loves | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 12
“Our lives are driven by our loves – what we think about, dwell upon, what we allow to be enthroned in our hearts. When we re-order our loves, we re-order our lives.” – Matt Scott
Praying the Psalms | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 13
“You don’t need to memorize where all the Psalms are, just pray the Psalms.” – Steve Macchia
Personal Retreat | Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul, Episode 14
“It’s in that place of deeper solitude and reflection that we meet the living God face to face, heart to heart.” – Steve Macchia
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Barbara Peacock, Philip Yancey, KeumJu Jewel Hyun, Jeff Crosby, Winn Collier, Jeremy Stefano, Trent Casto, Brandon Moore, and the LTI Lead Team.
In Season 27, Steve Macchia invites guests to discuss the heart of the discerning leader through the following episodes:
Barbara Peacock | The Heart of a Discerning Leader, Episode 1
“I believe the foundation of effective leadership is understanding and embracing and living out the discipline of love.” – Barbara Peacock
Philip Yancey | The Heart of a Discerning Leader, Episode 2
“Nature, beauty, love, these are good things. They must have been given to us by God. That’s what grace is. It’s a free gift we didn’t deserve. That’s my story, being drawn back to God, not by fearsome threats, but by the experience of God’s grace.” – Philip Yancey
KeumJu Jewel Hyun | The Heart of a Discerning Leader, Episode 3
“Whether you like it or not, you are in the leadership position. Who do you think you work for?” – KeumJu Jewel Hyun
Jeff Crosby | The Heart of a Discerning Leader, Episode 4
“Embracing the mystery is good enough” – Jeff Crosby
Ken Shigematsu | The Heart of a Discerning Leader, Episode 5
“If you can put yourself in a pathway of beauty every day, it can awaken you to God’s love for you and it leaves less room for shame to work so that you can become your truest self.” – Ken Shigematsu
Winn Collier | The Heart of a Discerning Leader, Episode 6
“You had this sense that you were with someone who knew Jesus.” – Winn Collier
Jeremy Stefano (Attributes 1-5) | The Heart of a Discerning Leader, Episode 7
“As a leader, we often love people who we need in our leadership. The love has to be unconditional, not measured out in increments to those we see as more deserving.” – Jeremy Stefano
Jeremy Stefano (Attributes 6-10) | The Heart of a Discerning Leader Episode 8
“Jesus is gentle. Surely those who lead in His name must be typified especially by gentleness also.” – Jeremy Stefano
Jeremy Stefano (Attributes 11-15) | The Heart of a Discerning Leader Episode 9
“Paying attention to the people we are serving is crucial, otherwise it’s all me.” – Jeremy Stefano
Jeremy Stefano (Attributes 16-20) | The Heart of a Discerning Leader, Episode 10
“Everyone knows whether they are living a spacious or a cluttered life. The question is, are we tapping into our longings that those quiet hours feed in our soul” – Steve Macchia
Trent Casto | The Heart of a Discerning Leader, Episode 11
“It’s incredible what a man who is united to Jesus and weak in the eyes of the world can accomplish” – Trent Casto
Brandon Moore | The Heart of a Discerning Leader, Episode 12
“When you are dealing with the worst of the world, how do we begin to nurture our souls and then in doing that nurture the souls of others.” – Brandon Moore
LTI Lead Team | The Heart of a Discerning Leader, Episode 13
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136: 1
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Rowena Day, Gayle Heaslip, Iain Whitfield, Abigail Carroll, and Gary Franklin
In Season 26, Steve Macchia welcomes guests to the podcast to discuss discerning the presence, power, and peace of God.
Rowena Day | Discerning the Presence, Power and Peace of God, Episode 1
“There are so many ways that our attention is pulled, and we are divorced from our own bodies which make it really hard to notice God.” – Rowena Day
Gayle Heaslip | Discerning the Presence, Power and Peace of God, Episode 2
“How can I carry Christ with me throughout the day?”– Gayle Heaslip
Iain Whitfield | Discerning the Presence, Power and Peace of God, Episode 3
“He knew the timing would be best if it were radically different from what I understood it to be.” – Iain Whitfield
Abigail Carroll | Discerning the Presence, Power and Peace of God, Episode 4
“Poetry starts with submitting myself to beauty.” – Abigail Carroll
Gary Franklin | Discerning the Presence, Power and Peace of God, Episode 5
“For the first twenty years of my ministry, discernment wasn’t a part of my way of life – it was just busyness and activity.” – Gary Franklin
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: John Pearson, Matt Scott
In season twenty-five, Steve Macchia welcomes guests John Pearson and Matt Scott to the podcast to discuss a process for discernment from Chapter 8 of Steve’s latest book, The Discerning Life.
The Big Question (Phase 1) | A Process for Discernment, Episode 1
“The why question is a gutsy question. There’s a lot of people who need more guts as lead ministers.” – John Pearson
The Open-Hearted Approach (Phases 2, 3) | A Process for Discernment, Episode 2
“I think we shortchange the Holy Spirit by not asking, ‘Lord, who do you want on this discernment team?’ It makes a world of difference.” – John Pearson
The Prayerful Process (Phases 4, 5, 6, and 7) | A Process for Discernment, Episode 3
“Clarity and consolation are big words in the discernment process.” – Steve Macchia
The Faith-filled Conclusions (Phases 8, 9, 10) | A Process for Discernment, Episode 4
“If we don’t do deliberation well, we torpedo all the good work we’ve done so far” – John Pearson
Pastoral Reflections | A Process for Discernment, Episode 5
“We get into conflict related to discernment because there are those around the table of discernment who don’t want to be patient with the process.” – Steve Macchia
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Matt Scott
In season twenty-four, Steve Macchia welcomes guest Matt Scott to the podcast to discuss a forty-day prayer and reflection resource from Steve’s latest book, The Discerning Life.
A Listening Community | 40 Days of Discernment, Episode 1
“In the discerning life, we have to take everything we have and hold it more loosely.” – Steve Macchia
A Broken World | 40 Days of Discernment, Episode 2
“In the midst of pain and suffering and sorrow, what is God inviting us to do about it?” – Steve Macchia
A Broken Body | 40 Days of Discernment, Episode 3
“We are to be peculiar people in our grace, our mercy, our kindness, our love, our forgiveness, our reconciliation – that’s the peculiarity of the church.” – Steve Macchia
God Made Visible | 40 Days of Discernment, Episode 4
“Is this really God speaking or is it any of those other voices pulling me off course?” – Matt Scott
A Time of Hope | 40 Days of Discernment, Episode 5
Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott “Leaders plant seeds of hope, even when the situation is dire.” – Steve Macchia We live in a world that is constantly disappointing us.
A Living Companionship | 40 Days of Discernment, Episode 6
“How powerful it is for people to let each other emote and not get in the way of what the Spirit of God is doing and let God do His work” – Steve Macchia
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Susan Currie, Dave Ripper, Dave Friedrich, Mark Booker, Bryan Wilkerson, Todd Cravens, and Margery Kennelly
In season twenty-three, Steve Macchia welcomes guests Susan Currie, Dave Ripper, Dave Friedrich, Mark Booker, Bryan Wilkerson, Todd Cravens, and Margery Kennelly to the podcast to discuss discerning God in seasons of waiting.
Susan Currie | Discerning God in Seasons of Waiting: Advent and Christmastide, Episode 1
“During Advent, we give space to the waiting. All of us are waiting for something.” – Susan Currie
Dave Ripper | Discerning God in Seasons of Waiting: Advent and Christmastide, Episode 2
“We suffer from a severe depletion of spiritual expectancy. Moments of waiting can actually rekindle the flames of hope.” – Dave Ripper
Dave Friedrich | Discerning God in Seasons of Waiting: Advent and Christmastide, Episode 3
“Waiting in the Bible is not just looking at the clock. It is about anticipation. It’s about cultivating hope and joy. ” – Dave Friedrich
Mark Booker | Discerning God in Seasons of Waiting: Advent and Christmastide, Episode 4
“Waiting on God is resisting the impulse to take matters into my own hands.” – Mark Booker
Bryan Wilkerson | Discerning God in Seasons of Waiting: Advent and Christmastide, Episode 5
“Believe that the Lord had something fresh for you this Christmas” – Bryan Wilkerson
Todd Cravens | Discerning God in Seasons of Waiting: Advent and Christmastide, Episode 6
Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Todd Cravens “What do I need to do now? Waiting is not an absence of activity.” – Todd Cravens Todd Cravens is in his 16th year,
Margery Kennelly | Discerning God in Seasons of Waiting: Advent and Christmastide, Episode 7
“We always think about waiting on God but God spends a long time waiting on us.” – Margery Kennelly
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Trevor Hudson, Carolyn Arends, Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, Molly Shafferman, Cindy Bunch, James Bryan Smith, and Cindy Foley
In season twenty-two, Steve Macchia welcomes guests Trevor Hudson, Carolyn Arends, Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, Molly Shafferman, Cindy Bunch, James Bryan Smith, and Cindy Foley to the podcast to discuss discerning God in their stories.
Trevor Hudson | Discerning God in Our Stories, Episode 1
“I thought to myself, ‘God, did I really get all this wrong? I thought you were leading me in this direction.’” – Trevor Hudson
Carolyn Arends | Discerning God in Our Stories, Episode 2
“The promise we always have is not no pain – it’s no wasted pain. There’s nothing that He can’t redeem.” – Carolyn Arends
Molly Shafferman | Discerning God in Our Stories, Episode 3
Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Molly Shafferman “‘I thought you were going to teach me to pray.’ ‘We are. We are listening a little bit.’” – Molly Shafferman Molly Shafferman lives
Cindy Bunch | Discerning God in Our Stories, Episode 4
“When we develop self-compassion, we cultivate greater empathy towards others.” – Cindy Bunch
James Bryan Smith | Discerning God in Our Stories, Episode 5
Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: James Bryan Smith “Every need that my soul has, Jesus meets them – every single one of them.” – James Bryan Smith James Bryan Smith is
Bill and Kristi Gaultiere | Discerning God in Our Stories, Episode 6
Host: Steve Macchia, Guests: Bill and Kristi Gaultiere “Ohh, I need to do some more inner journey work. This is an invitation.” –Kristi Gaultiere Bill and Kristi Gaultiere are Drs
Cindy Foley | Discerning God in Our Stories, Episode 7
Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Cindy Foley “If my chief thing is to look for God, and look for His goodness in people, it makes me less critical.” – Cindy Foley
Host: Steve Macchia | Guest: Paul Borthwick
In season twenty-one, Steve Macchia welcomes guest Paul Borthwick to the podcast to discuss discerning God’s heart for the world.
Discerning God’s Love for All People | Discerning God’s Heart for the World, Episode 1
“The thing that God is using to help me be a person of love is the phrase that comes to my mind whenever I see a person; ‘this is a human being created in the image of God and worthy of love and respect.’ ” – Paul Borthwick
Discerning God at Work in the World | Discerning God’s Heart for the World, Episode 2
“I think that we are living in the most exciting time in Christian history since Jesus walked the earth.” – Paul Borthwick
Discovering the Family of God Globally | Discerning God’s Heart for the World, Episode 3
“There is a family of God to get to know globally.” – Steve Macchia
Practices that Fuel Global Discernment | Discerning God’s Heart for the World, Episode 4
“Prayer is our response to the global amount of information.” – Paul Borthwick
Discerning Where We Fit In the Great Commission | Discerning God’s Heart for the World, Episode 5
Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Paul Borthwick “You might be praying for someone who’s never been prayed for before in Jesus’ name.” – Paul Borthwick As we conclude season 21, Paul
Host: Steve Macchia
In season twenty, Steve Macchia will discuss four spiritual practices to help you practice a preference for God on your spiritual journey.
Lectio Divina | Spiritual Praxis: Exploring Spiritual Practices, Episode 1
“We need to be biblically centered in our personal spiritual practices.” – Steve Macchia
Listening Prayer | Spiritual Praxis: Exploring Spiritual Practices, Episode 2
“How is it with your soul today, dear friend?” – Steve Macchia
Reflective Journaling | Spiritual Praxis: Exploring Spiritual Practices, Episode 3
“Remembering and giving thanks are good for your soul.” – Steve Macchia
Daily Examen | Spiritual Praxis, Episode 4
“In order for us to be watchful and waiting, we need to be patient.” – Steve Macchia
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Gary Thomas, Adele Calhoun, David Vryhof, and Matt Scott
In season nineteen while Steve Macchia takes a brief sabbatical, we will be re-airing 4 of our premier episodes from the past 18 seasons.
Toxic Relationships | The Discerning Leader Podcast: Rewind, Episode 1
“The Christian life is about an abundance of good fruit. We must walk away from toxic people in order to preserve that good fruit.” – Gary Thomas
Shame on You: The Power of Shame Upon the Soul | The Discerning Leader Podcast: Rewind, Episode 2
“Shaming voices have the power to cripple us. They isolate us from the truth about ourselves and others.” – Adele Calhoun
Jesus Discerns | The Discerning Leader Podcast: Rewind, Episode 3
“Most of us have a stained-glass image of Jesus and it’s hard for us to grasp his daily life as a beloved son of God.” –David Vryhof, SSJE
What is Spiritual Discernment? | The Discerning Leader Podcast: Rewind, Episode 4
“Look what social media has done to our ‘notice me’ inclinations today and how that self-centeredness keeps us from preferring God instead.” – Steve Macchia
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Matt Scott, Eric Peterson, Nate Foster, John Pearson, Gordon Macdonald, Sara Singleton, Debby Mills, Cheryl Buchanan, Mindy Caliguire, Al Lopus, Jenn Giles Kempner, Michelle Sanchez, and the LTI Lead Team
In season eighteen Steve Macchia welcomes various guests to talk about life stories shaped around spiritual discernment as a lifestyle.
The LTI Story | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 1
“Formation, discernment, and renewal are threads woven into everything we do at Leadership Transformations.” – Matt Scott
Eric Peterson | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 2
“God is in everything, in all the details of life, and not just the pleasant ones.” –Eric Peterson
Nate Foster | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 3
“The Jesus way is clear: hang out with 12 nobodies and then give them the keys.” –Nathan Foster
John Pearson | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 4
“Once you taste spiritual discernment, you won’t want to go back to the old way of decision-making.” –John Pearson
Gordon MacDonald Part 1 | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 5
“Your number one priority in the Lord’s work is your family.” –Gordon MacDonald
Gordon MacDonald Part 2 | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 6
“Expect to reorganize your interior life every 7-10 years.” –Gordon MacDonald
Sara Singleton | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 7
“In my painful disappointments, I learned how to be content, and I learned of God’s love and sufficiency.” – Sara Singleton
Debby Mills | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 8
“Debby, you are a peacemaker, but you are deeply troubled.” – Debby Mills
Cheryl Buchanan | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 9
“It was me that needing saving from my prejudice, judgments, and ignorance. It was me that needed to grow.” – Cheryl Buchanan
Mindy Caliguire | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 10
“Everything I believe about soul care came about because of the collapse of my interior life.” – Mindy Caliguire
Al Lopus | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 11
“Divine providence called me and I answered the phone.” – Al Lopus
Jenn Giles Kemper | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 12
“What if the things that bring you joy are an arrow pointing you to God?” – Jenn Giles Kemper
Michelle Sanchez | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 13
“In a racially broken world, what we need for disciples to be is not color-blind, but color-courageous.” – Michelle Sanchez
LTI Lead Team | Your Discerning Life Story, Episode 14
“Giving space to our relationships and decisions describes well our discernment processes for Selah and for LTI overall.” – Susan Currie
Host: Steve Macchia | Guest: Matt Scott
In season seventeen Steve Macchia and Matt Scott dialogue together about the important themes found in Steve’s new book, The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything published by Zondervan Reflective. We will cover what it means to practice a preference for God in all aspects of our personal lives, relationships, and service to others.
Introduction | The Discerning Life Episode 00
“Discernment is a lifestyle of noticing God in everything, practicing a preference for God in all aspects of our life and service to others.” –Steve Macchia
What is Spiritual Discernment? | The Discerning Life Episode 01
“Look what social media has done to our ‘notice me’ inclinations today and how that self-centeredness keeps us from preferring God instead.” – Steve Macchia
Biblical Attentiveness | The Discerning Life Episode 02
“Pay attention to God who takes great delight in you, rejoices over you with a song, and has an extravagant affection for you.” –Steve Macchia
Prayerful Listening | The Discerning Life Episode 03
“Unless I learn how to live a contemplative life, I will continue to live a manipulative life.” – Steve Macchia
Relational Presence | The Discerning Life Episode 04
“The discerning life is relational and based primarily in a listening presence.” –Steve Macchia
Communal Hospitality | The Discerning Life Episode 05
“Practicing biblical hospitality is first and foremost toward the lost, the least, the lonely, and the left behind.” – Steve Macchia
Contextual Empathy | The Discerning Life Episode 06
“All spiritual discernment happens within a story-laced context.” – Steve Macchia
Intentional Focus | The Discerning Life Episode 07
“The discerning life requires a radical and renewed change of heart and mind.” – Steve Macchia
Practical Process | The Discerning Life Episode 08
“Asking ‘Why?’ is the hardest and most important question to consider in virtually every circumstance of life.” – Steve Macchia
Radical Lifestyle | The Discerning Life Episode 09
“My true home is in Christ’s heart and Christ’s home is my heart. That’s radical!” – Steve Macchia
40-Day Guide | The Discerning Life Episode 10
“We need a common language and experience for how best to live a discerning life individually and collectively.” –Steve Macchia
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Curtis Almquist, Anna Friedrich, Susan Currie, Rick Anderson, Jeremy Stefano, and Matt Scott, and David Currie
In season sixteen, Steve Macchia welcomes guests Curtis Almquist, Anna Friedrich, Susan Currie, Rick Anderson, Jeremy Stefano, and Matt Scott, and David Currie to the podcast to discuss discerning God in Advent and Christmastide in the following episodes:
Gifts of Advent | Discerning God in Advent and Christmastide Episode 01
“Advent invites us to slow down and create space in order to receive Christ in the fullness of our being.” – Curtis Almquist, SSJE
Blessings of Advent | Discerning God in Advent and Christmastide Episode 02
“Learning the value of waiting has largely been removed from our vocabulary. Advent gives us the gift of waiting.” –Curtis Almquist, SSJE
Christmas Eve | Discerning God in Advent and Christmastide Episode 03
“I love Christmas because, with the resurrection in view, its obscure beginning and its incredible beauty strengthens my trust in God.” –Anna Friedrich
New Year’s Eve | Discerning God in Advent and Christmastide Episode 04
“Four words have been my focus this past year: silence, slowing, simplicity, and Sabbath.” –Matt Scott
Epiphany | Discerning God in Advent and Christmastide Episode 05
“Epiphany was our main missions conference in the local church, when we invited the children to bring offerings to Jesus as we sought to share the light of Jesus to the far corners of the earth.” –Dave Currie
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Alan Fadling, Tara Owens, Steve Smith, Barbara Peacock, and Kyle Strobel
In season fifteen, Steve Macchia welcomes guests Alan Fadling, Tara Owens, Steve Smith, Barbara Peacock, and Kyle Strobel to the podcast to discuss discerning God at the pace of your soul in the following episodes:
Unhurried Living | Discerning God at the Pace of your Soul Episode 01
“We have a cultural assumption that fast is good and slow is bad…how might slow be good for your soul?” – Alan Fadling
Creative Expressions | Discerning God at the Pace of your Soul Episode 02
“As much as we think we’re not, we’re heavily defended against God; we have a lot of walls up, but creativity sneaks around those walls and opens us up to God.” – Tara Owens
Going Solo | Discerning God as the Pace of your Soul Episode 03
“We can experience hitting the wall, burnout, and exhaustion, all the while working to build up the Kingdom.” – Steve Smith
Spiritual Rhythms | Discerning God at the Pace of your Soul Episode 04
“As Africans were being transported across the Middle Passage to America in slave ships, their formation was practiced while in chains.” – Barbara Peacock
Real Prayer | Discerning God at the Pace of your Soul Episode 05
“The Lord’s Prayer is at the very heart of what prayer is supposed to be, as we pray with and in Jesus.” – Kyle Strobel
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Adele Calhoun, Gary Thomas, Alison Cook, Amy Murgatroyd, and Alice Fryling
In season fourteen, Steve Macchia welcomes guests Adele Calhoun, Gary Thomas, Alison Cook, Amy Murgatroyd, and Alice Fryling to the podcast to discuss discerning God emotionally and relationally in the following episodes:
“Shaming voices have the power to cripple us. They isolate us from the truth about ourselves and others.” – Adele Calhoun
Boundaries for the Soul | Discerning God Emotionally and Relationally Episode 02
“In my own personal story, I found it easy to love God, but very challenging to know and love myself.” – Alison Cook
Sacred Marriage | Discerning God Emotionally and Relationally Episode 03
“What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?” – Gary Thomas
Capturing Emotive Images | Discerning God Emotionally and Relationally Episode 04
“When you live as if you’re dying, you begin to see the world in a much different way.” – Amy Murgatroyd
Toxic Relationships | Discerning God Emotionally and Relationally Episode 05
“The Christian life is about an abundance of good fruit. We must walk away from toxic people in order to preserve that good fruit.” – Gary Thomas
Aging Faithfully | Discerning God Emotionally and Relationally Episode 06
“I want to look back on my life to see what I’ve learned about God and apply it to my life now and in the future.” – Alice Fryling
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Richard Plass, Rick Anderson, Gayle Heaslip, and Susan Currie
In season thirteen, Steve Macchia welcomes guests Richard Plass, Rick Anderson, Gayle Heaslip, and Susan Currie to the podcast to discuss discerning God in friendship and direction in the following episodes:
Spiritual Friendship | Discerning God in Friendship and Direction Episode 01
“Our long-standing spiritual friendship has been a tapestry woven together by the grace of God.” —Rich Plass
Relational Soul | Discerning God in Friendship and Direction Episode 02
“At the core of who we are, we are relational beings, created by a relational God. Many leaders today, however, don’t have anyone to share their story.” —Rich Plass
Male Friendships | Discerning God in Friendship and Direction Episode 03
“Friendship among men is elusive, but incredibly important.” —Rick Anderson
Female Friendships | Discerning God in Friendship and Direction Episode 04
“We create hospitable space, non-judgmental, gentle, supportive, deeply attentive to God’s work in our lives and our midst.” —Gayle Heaslip
Spiritual Direction | Discerning God in Friendship and Direction Episode 05
“In spiritual direction, one person is being present to another for the sake of being attentive to the voice of God.“ – Susan Currie
Group Spiritual Direction | Discerning God in Friendship and Direction Episode 06
“Providing an hospitable presence helps us to notice God together.” —Susan Currie
Host: Steve Macchia | Guest: David Vryhof
In season twelve, Steve Macchia welcomes back guest David Vryhof to the podcast to discuss discerning God in Community in the following episodes:
Jesus Discerns | Discerning God in Community Episode 01
“Most of us have a stained-glass image of Jesus and it’s hard for us to grasp his daily life as a beloved son of God.” David Vryhof, SSJE
God’s Yearnings | Discerning God in Community Episode 02
“In order for us to hear the voice of God, it’s not about our ears, but much more about our hearts.” —David Vryhof, SSJE
Ignatian Discernment | Discerning God in Community Episode 03
“God enters our lives in unusual ways, often in places where we are weakest and most vulnerable, where he delights to bring change to our lives.” —David Vryhof, SSJE
Group Discernment: When and Why | Discerning God in Community Episode 04
“Prayerful listening together is essential for us to know what we are to do and who we are to become in this season of life and ministry.” –David Vryhof, SSJE
Group Discernment: How | Discerning God in Community Episode 05
“We’re all trying to listen deeply to what God wants of us throughout the entire prayerful process.” – David Vryhof, SSJE
Host: Steve Macchia | Guest: Mark Buchanan
In season eleven, Steve Macchia welcomes guest Mark Buchanan to the podcast to discuss discerning God at His Pace in the following episodes:
Sabbath Rest: What and Why | Discerning God at His Pace Episode 01
“Jesus saved me and then the Sabbath saved my relationship with Jesus.” –Mark Buchanan
Sabbath Rest: How | Discerning God at His Pace Episode 02
“Our Sabbath practices began by taking one do-nothing day each week…and it changed everything.” –Mark Buchanan
Setting Out: God Walk 1 | Discerning God at His Pace Episode 03
“I’ve always been in a rush and it’s not served me well for my deeper formation.” –Mark Buchanan
Making Tracks: God Walk 2 | Discerning God at His Pace Episode 04
“Walking with a friend is soul formative and nurturing, especially among God’s creation as we walk and pause in awe together.” –Mark Buchanan
Pressing On: God Walk 3 | Discerning God at His Pace Episode 05
“Endurance. All walking eventually gets hard, lonely, tedious. All start with exhilaration, but end with some level of perseverance.” – Mark Buchanan
Host: Steve Macchia | Guest: Dave Currie
In season ten, Steve Macchia welcomes guest Dave Currie to the podcast to discuss discerning God in song in the following episodes:
Old Testament Songs | Discerning God in Song Episode 01
“A song is the quickest route on the longest journey – 18 inches from the head to the heart and then back again.” –Dave Currie
New Testament Songs | Discerning God in Song Episode 02
“When Jesus shows up, we want to sing!” – Dave Currie
Songs in Church History | Discerning God in Song Episode 03
“Singing the songs of those who have come before us, especially from other cultures and times, enhances our discernment as leaders.” – Dave Currie
Effects of Singing | Discerning God in Song Episode 04
“Do everything for the glory of God – and with a song in your heart!” – Dave Currie
Evaluate a Good Song | Discerning God in Song Episode 05
“A living church always needs new expressions in song to meet the immediacy of current and particular circumstances.” – Dave Currie
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Susan Currie, Jeremy Stefano, Genalin Niere-Metcalf, Kimberly Alexander
In season nine, Steve Macchia welcomes guests Susan Currie, Jeremy Stefano, Genalin Niere-Metcalf, and Kimberly Alexander to the podcast to discuss discerning God in our brokenness in the following episodes:
Broken and Whole | Discerning God in our Brokenness Episode 01
“We are to receive the love of God if we are to ever dispense the love of God to others.” – Steve Macchia
Physical Brokenness | Discerning God in our Brokenness Episode 02
“On the night we learned the news about my cancer, my husband and I went to a concert in Boston and I wondered, ‘Surely, I’m not the only one in this vast hall who has cancer.’” – Susan Currie
Spiritual Brokenness | Discerning God in our Brokenness Episode 03
“Jesus comes to tend to the broken. No need to feel disqualified or set aside by the Lord because of our brokenness. He longs to rescue us and bring us closer to his heart.” – Jeremy Stefano
Emotional Brokenness| Discerning God in our Brokenness Episode 04
“Emotional brokenness is our sense of not being whole, which is all a part of being alive.” – Genalin Niere-Metcalf
Relational Brokenness | Discerning God in our Brokenness Episode 05
“The more you know your own story, the more you will know your own brokenness and what triggers you relationally.” –Genalin Niere-Metcalf
Racial Brokenness | Discerning God in our Brokenness Episode 06
“It’s hard to consider racial reconciliation when we’ve never really had a right relationship to reconcile.” – Kim Nash Alexander
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Tom Griffith, Justin Whitmel Earley, and Ken Shigematsu
In season eight, Steve Macchia welcomes guests Tom Griffith, Justin Earley, and Ken Shigematsu to the podcast to discuss discerning God in our personal rule of life in the following episodes:
Introduction | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 01
“Rule of life helps me to be present, not always looking to the past or projecting ahead to the future. The treasure is right here, right now, in God’s presence.” – Tom Griffith
Framing | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 02
“There is no arrival in this world, but to have a great relationship with God the Father, and when we listen to God, we begin to meaningfully live our rule of life.” –Tom Griffith
Forming | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 03
“As Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and man, so shall we as ones created by God and accountable to him to steward and share our lives.” –Tom Griffith
Fulfilling | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 04
“When there’s something important expressed to us from a member of the body of Christ we are to receive it as an expression of grace that has both inspiration and conviction from the Father.” –Tom Griffith
Process and Examples | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 05
“Your rule of life is designed to help you frame the intentionality of life that uniquely fits and sets you free in Christ!” –Tom Griffith
God In My Everything | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 06
“People are so busy and anxious today; turning to things that give a temporary lift but not a lasting contentment. A rule of life can give us a longer term of abiding peace and a deeper trust in God.” –Ken Shigematsu
The Common Rule | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 07
“From being totally overwhelmed by my schedule, the house of my life was decorated by my Christian calling but the architecture of my life was built like everyone else, on an unsteady foundation…simple habits radically changed my life.” – Justin Whitmel Earley
Host: Steve Macchia | Guest: Jeremy Stefano
In season seven, Steve Macchia welcomes guest Jeremy Stefano back to the podcast to discuss discerning God on spiritual retreat in the following episodes:
Why retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 01
“A holy place to draw away to a space and time dedicated solely to God, to be present to God.” – Jeremy Stefano…
When to retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 02
“Turn away from other things that pretend to satisfy the soul and find rest in the Lord…in repentance, quietness and trust.” – Jeremy Stefano…
What to do on retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 03
“Spiritual retreats place us in a position to receive what Jesus is already doing in our behalf.” – Jeremy Stefano
Who and Where to Retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 04
“Sometimes people think we need to be all put together in order to come into the presence of God, but that’s simply not true.” – Jeremy Stefano
How to Prepare for Retreat? | Discerning God on Spiritual Retreat Episode 05
“ The Lord has his way of weaning us from our attachments or affections in this world, and cleanse the air, helping me face the dilemmas of my heart on retreat.”– Jeremy Stefano
Host: Steve Macchia | Guests: Cynthia Fantasia and Ted Wueste
In season six, Steve Macchia welcomes guests Cynthia Fantasia and Ted Wueste to the podcast to discuss discerning God in seasons of suffering in the following episodes:
Suffering and Surviving | Discerning God in Seasons of Suffering Episode 01
“I determined to live on the other side of eternity as a caregiver for my beloved husband as he suffered through his terminal Alzheimer’s… disease. My goal was to preserve his dignity and my sanity.” – Cynthia Fantasia…
In The Lingering Light | Discerning God in Seasons of Suffering Episode 02
“Remember that the present loss doesn’t override the richness of the past. We had 45 years of amazing memories and 3 years of sickness and suffering.” – Cynthia Fantasia…
Courage and Hope for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver| Discerning God in Seasons of Suffering Episode 03
“When we choose to trust God, then we find him, and begin to see his fingerprints on everything.” – Cynthia Fantasia…
In His Grip | Discerning God in Seasons of Suffering Episode 04
“The Lord prepares us for our times of suffering so we can walk with Him through our suffering. With God we can walk through anything.” – Ted Wueste…
A Powerful Grace | Discerning God in Seasons of Suffering Episode 05
“The ways of God are mysterious, but the person of God is reliable, trustworthy – even and especially in times of suffering.” – Ted Wueste…
Host: Steve Macchia | Guest: Rick Anderson (Episode 5)
In season five, Steve Macchia discusses discerning the spiritual health of the church in the following episodes:
The Church Today | Discerning the Spiritual Health of the Church Episode 01
“I want to caution us against being so enveloped by the culture that we forget the real purpose of the Church. What does it mean to be a spiritually healthy family of God today?” – Steve Macchia…
Life of Worship | Discerning the Spiritual Health of the Church Episode 02
“How are you contributing to the health of the Church today? We are oaks of righteousness called of God to display his splendor!” – Steve Macchia…
Life of Love | Discerning the Spiritual Health of the Church Episode 03
“What does it mean to love one another, to be the body of Christ, the family of God, preferring one another in Christ?” – Steve Macchia…
Life of Service | Discerning the Spiritual Health of the Church Episode 04
“We as the people of God, his dearly loved ones, are to be like salt and light in the world we are called to love and serve in Jesus’ name.” – Steve Macchia…
Assessing Spiritual Vitality | Discerning the Spiritual Health of the Church Episode 05
“An honest diagnosis and a hopeful prognosis is needed for local congregations today. The Church Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) will help you get there.” – Rick Anderson…
Host: Steve Macchia | Guest: Suz Skinner
In season four, Steve Macchia welcomes guest Suz Skinner to the podcast to discuss discerning and celebrating God in creativity in the following episodes:
Created to be Creative | Discerning and Celebrating God in Creativity Episode 01
“We are creative beings, reflecting the creative God who made us in his image.” – Suz Skinner…
Seeing God in Scripture and Imagination | Discerning and Celebrating God in Creativity Episode 02
“It’s important that we are in the Word in order to see how God makes himself known to us.” – Suz Skinner
Beauty and Creation | Discerning and Celebrating God in Creativity Episode 03
“Seeing the sunrise and sunset never gets old. They are the fingerprints of God each and every day.” – Suz Skinner…
Images in Prayer | Discerning and Celebrating God in Creativity Episode 04
“How can we pay greater attention when God uses images, metaphors, parables, stories, songs, and poetry in his Word that invite us to pray and respond?” – Suz Skinner…
Cultivating Creativity | Discerning and Celebrating God in Creativity Episode 05
“We need to give ourselves permission to become childlike and enjoy the wonder, awe, and joy of playfulness.” – Suz Skinner…
Host: Steve Macchia | Guest: Susan Currie
In season three, Steve Macchia welcomes guest Susan Currie to the podcast to discuss discerning God in sabbath rest in the following episodes:
God’s Priority | Discerning God in Sabbath Rest Episode 01
“Discernment is about being with God, paying attention to God, letting our every word and effort come from attentiveness to God. Sabbath is the place that nurtures that attentiveness.” – Susan Currie…
Ceasing | Discerning God in Sabbath Rest Episode 02
“Sabbath ceasing is meant for everyone and every living creature our lives touch: our children, our animals, all in our household. God rests in order to delight in his creation. So too are we made to rest in order to engage our creational identity.” – Susan Currie…
Resting | Discerning God in Sabbath Rest Episode 03
“You have been set free (in God), so keep the Sabbath! This is what Sabbath rest is all about. We don’t want to lose our memory for tasting the goodness of God.” – Susan Currie…
Embracing | Discerning God in Sabbath Rest Episode 04
“We realize our deepest, truest, eternal part of us as God’s dearly loved children when we rest. What God does in us when we rest is carried into all aspects of life.” – Susan Currie…
Celebrating | Discerning God in Sabbath Rest Episode 05
“In the celebration of Sabbath, we explore the command and accept the invitation to dwell with God with a deep, resounding yes – with gusto!” – Susan Currie…
Host: Steve Macchia | Guest: David Vryhof
In season two, Steve Macchia welcomes guest David Vryhof to the podcast to discuss discerning God in the spiritual practices in the following episodes:
Relationship with God | Discerning God in the Spiritual Practices Episode 01
A discerning leader understands that service to others is based upon a relationship with God and thereby prioritizes the nurture of the soul…
Silence and Solitude | Discerning God in the Spiritual Practices Episode 02
We live in an incredibly noisy world. Distractions abound, vying for our attention all throughout our days. Choosing a subversive, counter-cultural pursuit of exterior and interior silence is what separates a discerning leader from society’s norm…
Lectio Divina | Discerning God in the Spiritual Practices Episode 03
Instead of studying the Word to preach or teach it, Lectio Divina invites us to simply listen and receive the Word as a gift of love from God to us, his beloved children…
Listening Prayer | Discerning God in the Spiritual Practices Episode 04
Prayer is a huge, somewhat daunting subject. No one has mastered prayer. In fact, if we’re honest, we are all simply beginners…
Reflection and Examen | Discerning God in the Spiritual Practices Episode 05
Reflection is an important spiritual discipline, inviting us to notice, remember, and give thanks. It is practiced in a variety of ways, from journaling to photography, and especially in the ancient practice of Examen…
Host: Steve Macchia | Guest: Jeremy Stefano
In this first season of The Discerning Leader podcast, Steve Macchia and Jeremy Stefano explore discernment as a way of life through the following episodes:
The Road to Emmaus | Discernment as a Way of Life Episode 01
On this inaugural episode, Steve and Jeremy recount one of the pinnacle accounts of discernment in Luke 24. The Road to Emmaus is a wonderful example of discernment as a way of life, and not simply a way to make decisions…
Recognizing Jesus | Discernment as a Way of Life Episode 02
Continuing the conversation about spiritual discernment, Steve and Jeremy look at how Jesus’ mother and disciples were either kept from or open to his presence and mission…
Love Abounding | Discernment as a Way of Life Episode 03
Beginning with the prayer of the Apostle Paul to the Church in Philippi and ending with his prayer to the Colossians, Steve and Jeremy unpack some of the most essential ingredients of prayerful discernment…
God-Attentiveness | Discernment as a Way of Life Episode 04
Psalm 139 reminds us that God discerns all of our ways out of his abundant and unconditional love for us. His attentiveness toward us evokes a response of attentiveness to him…
Transformed Leaders | Discernment as a Way of Life Episode 05
Imagining what it would be like if the Church were filled with discerning leaders, Steve and Jeremy dream together about a Church filled with those who regularly turn to God…
Mitzi started her professional life as a high school social studies teacher. She and her husband Jerry then served cross-culturally for ten+ years, living abroad first in India and then Kurdistan, N. Iraq. In addition to being a Spiritual Director, she now serves as a Formation and Care pastor in her local church in Houston, TX. She has graduated from LTI’s Selah Spiritual Direction training as well as LTI’s Emmaus Formational Leadership Program.
Mitzi enjoys engaging conversation, reading fiction, doing jigsaw/crossword puzzles, ocean gazing and exploring the world with Jerry through food and travel.
God has two main callings in Mitzi’s life: to care for those who care for others and to be a guide in helping others have a healthy relationship with the Trinity – recognizing God’s loving presence and activity in their lives and how to faithfully respond.
“Selah was a transformative experience for me – allowing the contemplative within to emerge and to beautifully co-exist with my extraverted personality.“