The new year doesn’t always feel new. This episode explores unmet expectations, collective stress, and how to stay mentally and emotionally grounded when life doesn’t get easier—without forcing positivity.

In this episode, Pastor Brad and Pastor Chris Michaelis dive into an off-the-cuff conversation around Carey Nieuwhof’s latest report on the seven disruptive church trends shaping 2026. Moving trend by trend, they unpack what these shifts...

Gentle January is a reminder that winter is not a failure. This episode explores seasonal fatigue and emotional exhaustion while inviting you to release pressure, honor your energy, and trust the slower rhythm of winter as growth unfol...

Tony Robbins once said, “Success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure.”For many ministry leaders, the metrics look good—attendance, budgets, programs—but the soul feels tired, disconnected, and unfulfilled. In this episode, ...

When you want life to feel different but everything looks the same, frustration can set in. This episode explores why change doesn’t always arrive externally—and how the real shift may be happening inside you.If this episode resonated, y...

 If resolutions have never worked for you, this episode offers a different approach. We talk about why motivation fades, how burnout impacts change, and what it means to lead yourself with compassion instead of pressure.Resources:

Every January, leaders feel the pressure to set new goals, fix what’s broken, and chase big resolutions—many of which fade by February. What if there was a better way? In this episode, we explore the power of choosing one word to live byinstead...

Not all beginnings feel bold—some feel tender. This episode invites you to start gently, grounded in self-trust, faith, and emotional well-being.

A gentle pause for Christmas week—offering permission to slow down, honor mixed emotions, and care for yourself without pressure.

The weeks leading up to Christmas are some of the most beautiful—and exhausting—moments in the life of a church leader. After the services, the programs, the giving campaigns, the pastoral care, and the emotional weight of the season, many lead...

December burnout hits helpers hard. This episode explores why the end of the year feels so heavy — and how to care for yourself gently when rest feels out of reach.Resources:Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress...

In this episode, Pastor Brad sits down with LEAD’s Executive Director, Deacon Jessica Noonan, for a powerful conversation about the transformative work LEAD accomplished in 2025 and the bold, Spirit-led steps ahead in 2026. Together, they refle...

In this episode, we explore the emotional complexity of December and why joy, grief, overwhelm, and nostalgia can all exist at once. Learn how to hold space for yourself and others with compassion, honesty, and gentleness.Resources avail...

In this episode, Pastor Brad Otto sits down with Pastor Khader Khalilia to explore the remarkable transformation of two churches in Brooklyn. Once facing significant challenges—from dwindling engagement to questions about identity and purpose—t...

A quick, honest look at the money anxiety that shows up in December—the pressure to give, the guilt, the comparison, and the emotional load behind holiday spending. Learn how to stay grounded, set healthier boundaries, and reconnect with what r...

In this second episode, we continue our conversation with Pastor Candis O'Meara. In this episode we talk about the new things God did in her congregation after their work with LEAD. We discuss how God made a way and how God is continuing to cre...

Your personality is a gift—until it isn’t. In this episode, we explore the patterns that protect us, the moments they get in the way, and simple steps to grow with more awareness and balance.Resources:The Holistic Psychologist ...

In this episode we talk to Pastor Candi's O'Meara about her experience with LEAD and how her congregation went from walking in the wilderness to God doing a new thing for their ministry! 

Anger isn’t the problem — it’s what we do with it. In this episode, we explore why we get dysregulated, what’s really happening in the brain during anger, and how emotional regulation helps us respond with calm and clarity instead of reaction.<...

In this episode, Brad Otto talks with Peggy Contos Hahn about one of leadership’s toughest seasons—knowing when it’s time to step back. Peggy shares honest insights about discernment, humility, and trust as she reflects on how leaders can trans...

In this reflective episode, “Grief and Ghosts: The People and Things We Still Carry,” we explore how love, loss, and remembrance intertwine — reminding us that grief is not an ending, but a continuing bond that shapes how we heal and connect.

In this special follow-up episode of The Daily LEAD, Brad Otto sits down with guest host Jessica Noonan for an honest and inspiring conversation about his mission work in Africa and the story behind Acts of Wisdom. Building on last week’s episo...

We all wear masks to get through the day — the “I’m fine” smile, the strong leader act, the calm parent face. In this episode, we explore why we hide, what it costs us, and how to find safety in being real again.

In this episode we invite listeners to reimagine what “mission work” really means in the modern church. Drawing from years of experience leading Acts of Wisdom in Africa, Brad Otto challenges the traditional, short-term trip mindset and of...

Domestic violence is a difficult but essential topic for every leader to understand. In this episode, we explore how to raise awareness with compassion and caution — recognizing warning signs, supporting others safely, and creating a culture wh...