Leaders in Living Rooms

If you’re just hanging on until your next sabbatical, you might be missing the point. True rest isn’t something you find on vacation—it’s something you build into your daily, weekly, and yearly rhythms. In this episode, Sean explores how to reset your work/rest cycle with practical steps: admit things aren’t working, evaluate expectations in your role, and establish sustainable rhythms. From setting clear job tasks to planning annual retreats, these strategies will help you create a life where rest isn’t just a distant hope but a regular reality.

“Sometimes we go way beyond what God wants us to do. And that's what leads to burnout…It's working beyond where God wants you to work, where now it's human effort, not His effort in you.” Meet Filipe Santos, Lead Pastor of Echo.Church. In today’s episode, Filipe opens up about the initial fear of taking on leadership, the spiritual and emotional challenges of stepping into Andy Wood’s shoes, and how his Enneagram 2 wiring shaped his collaborative leadership style. From reshaping his identity as a leader to focusing on spiritual health, Filipe provides a transparent look at the personal and professional growth that has guided him through this significant transition.

In this interview, Tara Beth Leach shares her journey as a senior pastor, her calling to ministry, and the unique challenges she encountered. After an 11-year tenure at other churches, she returned to Good Shepherd, where she implemented a significant cultural shift to address unhealthy staff dynamics. Leach emphasizes the importance of casting a hopeful vision, maintaining accountability, and balancing work with personal restoration through hobbies and family support.

"Do I love being a pastor, or do I need to be a pastor? Once I figured out what I wanted to do and what I could let go of, that helped free me up." Meet Bryan Wilkerson, Pastor Emeritus at Grace Chapel. Today, Bryan reflects on his 40-year ministry career, including his 24 years as lead pastor of Grace Chapel in the Boston area. He discusses the leadership transition process, the importance of finishing well, and how his personal identity evolved as he prepared for retirement. The conversation also touches on Bryan’s strategies for staying involved in ministry while stepping back from leadership.