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.

Listen & Subscribe:

Apple Podcasts     Google Podcasts      Spotify      Stitcher      TuneIn      Deezer      RSS Feed

The Discerning Leader Podcast

The Power of Spiritual Friendships | Season 40, Episode 8

Host: Steve Macchia, Guests: Rick Anderson, Matt Scott

“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

If you’ve ever longed for deeper connection, wondered how to cultivate genuine soul friendships, or found yourself feeling isolated in leadership or life, this conversation offers encouragement and practical next steps. In this episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, Steve Macchia is joined by friends and colleagues Rick Anderson and Matt Scott for a conversation on spiritual friendship and its impact on the health and vitality of our souls.

Together they explore the difference between surface friendship, deep friendship, and spiritual friendship—and why so many people, especially men and leaders, often experience isolation and loneliness beneath the surface. Through stories, reflections, and shared wisdom, they discuss the courage it takes to be truly known, the importance of vulnerability and trust, and how spiritual friends help us become more fully ourselves.

We’ve provided a 3 page Soul Care Audit that will offer you a handful of questions to consider how well you’re caring for your soul. You can download the PDF here and spend some time prayerfully reflecting on your current rhythms and practices. 

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Steve Macchia (Podcast Host)
Founder and President of Leadership Transformations,
Steve Macchia is the author of The Discerning Life,  Becoming a Healthy Church, Broken and Whole, Crafting a Rule of Life and several other titles. Steve has over 40 years in ministry and two postgraduate degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Matt Scott (Season 40 Guest)
Matt serves on the LTI team as Creative Director. A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MDiv) and the University of Mobile (Worship Leadership and Music Performance), Matt has served various churches in the area of worship and arts, community life, shepherding, and pastoral ministry. He and his wife, Kristen, live in Sioux Falls, SD with their two children, Emerson and Ashton. Matt enjoys building furniture, writing music and running.

Rick Anderson (Season 40 Guest)

Rick has a passion for spiritual formation and leadership development. He has completed the Selah Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction through LTI. He has also completed New Way Ministries’ School of Spiritual Direction and the Advanced School, both taught by Dr. Larry Crabb. Rick is a graduate of Biola University’s school of business. Prior to LTI, Rick served as the COO of the Christian Writers Guild and the Director of Finance & Operations at Trinity Law School. He currently serves as a board member for Peregrine Ministries and Beyond Survival. Rick and his wife, Lisa, live in Colorado Springs with their three boys: Cameron, Mitchell, and Jackson. Rick loves spending time with God in nature, laughing with friends and family, exploring new places, fixing things, watching movies, and taking in a strong Colorado thunderstorm. He also enjoys golf, international travel, and woodworking. 

Other Episodes in This Season:

Share this Episode:

Can't find what you're looking for?

Steve Macchia

Founder & President

The Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia is founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI), a ministry serving the spiritual formation, discernment, and renewal of leaders and learners since 2003. For more than 20 years he was the Director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he continues to serve as an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Ministry Program. From 1989-2003 he was the president of Vision New England, the largest regional church renewal association in the country. Earlier in his ministry life, Steve was a member of the pastoral staff of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts for 11 years. He is the author or co-author of 17 books,  including Praying the Parables of Jesus (NavPress/Tyndale), The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective), and Crafting a Rule of Life, Becoming A Healthy Church (LTI), and Broken and Whole (IVP).  He and his wife Ruth live in the Boston (MA) area and are the proud parents of two married children and grandparents to three adorable grandchildren. Steve’s personal website is www.SteveMacchia.com.

“My soul comes alive singing the great hymns of the church and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. I’m in awe of God for fulfilling the dream for LTI that he birthed in my heart, for the team he has assembled, and the transformational impact experienced in the leaders and teams we serve.”

Detailed Biography
Articles by Stephen Macchia
Author Website
Schedule a one-on-one with Steve

Mitzi Mak

Selah-West Faculty & Emmaus Faculty

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.“