Throughout the years, I've come to believe two truths: one, everyone leads someone, and two, no one really feels qualified to lead anyone. Add the pressure put on us by culture to have all the answers in a world full of confusion, and you've got a recipe for reluctant leaders. Thankfully, when it comes to leading in the Bible and in life, the most qualified aren't always the most obvious. This podcast is a conversation for all of us who want to lead well but never feel like we are. New episo ...
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On ”Passions@Pierce,” guests discuss hobbies, sports, and their other favorite things. Tune in to learn more about what makes people at Franklin Pierce University tick!
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TRLP 042: Karl Vaters challenges our obsession with bigness, and offers a fresh perspective on the future of faith in America
32:35
In this interview, we take a deep dive with Karl Vaters, a seasoned pastor and author, as he challenges the conventional obsession with church size. For over 40 years, Carl has been an advocate for small churches and has worked to redefine success beyond just mere numbers. Whether you're a church leader feeling the pressure to grow or just curious …
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All of us know that our words have power but too many times we talk as if they don't. In this episode, Paul shares how one simple statement ignited passion and launched him into action. We're sure that you'll be encouraged, and will be challenged to consider the kindness - or lack of - in the words you speak to those around you. Thanks for listenin…
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Does God ever seem distant when you ask him about things that really matter to you? Of course, he does. But the good news is that you aren't alone! Anyone who has ever spent any amount of time in prayer has felt that way, and often, the more desperate we are, the longer he seems to take. In this episode, Paul walks us through Luke 18 and shows us w…
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As we wrap up our "Restored to Health" miniseries in Psalm 126, the psalmist reminds us that even after we've been restored, there is work to be done. Even more importantly, he reminds us that the work often still feels like work, and yet he holds out the very real hope that when the sowing brings us pain, the reaping will bring us bounty. Thanks f…
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TRLP 038: Let's Talk About Taking Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back, and Why Sometimes That Might be Normal
8:18
We've all been there. We've gone public about something amazing that God has done in our lives, churches, businesses, or ministries only to wake up the next day and find ourselves wondering if it really happened? In this episode, we can take comfort in the fact that the people of God also lived in the "now and not yet" places we find ourselves. Yes…
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Sometimes the process of being restored to joy is just that ... a process. That process can be daunting and overwhelming if we think it's about being the perfect leader or the perfect person, but when we accept as fact that the Lord has restored us to health, then the process can become a celebration of all that the Lord has done to this point. No …
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TRLP 036: Let's Talk About Testimonies, The B99's Birthday, and How God's Grace Works to Keep Us on Our Worst Days
11:25
As we continue our miniseries in Psalm 126, let's talk about the things that mark us when we're living lives that have been restored to health: joy, song, laughter, and the global influence that comes with a life of integrity. Will we always feel like we're living up to that list? Of course not. But as we'll see in this episode, that doesn't mean t…
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TRLP 035: Let's Talk About Gratitude, and How Remembering What God Did Helps Us Be Better Leaders
8:53
In this episode, Paul kicks off a miniseries diving into the game-changing truths found in Psalm 126, and takes us deeper into the profound wisdom that verse 1 offers for modern living Learn how gratitude transforms our perspective, calms anxieties, and deepens trust in God's faithfulness. Discover how practicing gratitude reshapes your spiritual j…
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Is hell "down there?" If it is, then why do we often talk about "hell on earth?" Why does the regret we experience at night as we replay the day feel so much like hell already, and how can we learn to live beyond it? Is peace even possible, or are we destined to stay stuck in a Groundhog Day of bad decisions and painful regret? In this episode, Pau…
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TRLP 033 - Let's Talk About the Difference Between Me and Tiger Woods, and How Leaders Need to be Able to Recover to Joy Quicker
10:10
What's the biggest difference between Tiger Woods and me when it comes to playing golf? Well, we both hit bad shots from time to time (I hit a lot more of them), but we don't recover from them the same. In this episode, let's talk about how important it is for us to be healthy enough as leaders that we can recover from the bad shots, and help the p…
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TRLP 032 - Let's Talk About Stepping Through the Door in 2024 and Leading From a Place of Health and Joy
7:18
Welcome to the last episode of 2023! In this episode, Paul walks us through Psalm 126 and shows us how what the Lord told His people then still speaks to His people now. As the Year of the Door, 2024 holds so much promise for us, and as Paul explains, it's a year that will mark the church with joy, laughter, hope, and health. Thanks for listening t…
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After a fast-paced, family-filled wedding weekend, Paul came home with three things: 1. A new daughter-in-law, 2. A wicked head cold (he's all about that bass in this episode!), and 3. A fresh revelation of what the power of the gospel can do in us. If you've got your Bible or your Bible app, turn to Ephesians 2;11-19 and follow along. If you don't…
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So often in leadership, we talk about having a faith that can't be shaken, but in this episode, Paul points out what it looks like to have a faith that can be forsaken. It's important, too, because - wait for it - we're going to be. Thanks for being a faithful listener of The Reluctant Leader Podcast!! To enjoy a free coffee on me, simply click the…
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TRLP 029 - Robby Angle Talks About the Best Book He's Ever Read, and Living Free From the Pressure to Perform
34:04
What if it was possible to live free from having the pressure to perform for God's love, and instead, live free in the reality that we've already been given God's love? In this episode of TRLP, Paul interviews Robby Angle, a former staff pastor at North Point Community Church, and current CEO of Trueface, a ministry committed to creating authentic,…
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TRLP 028 - Let's Talk About Hard Things, Threshing Floors, and Hope For Current and Future Generational Leaders
9:48
Have you ever noticed that sometimes we get what we pay for? We buy cheap stuff to save a buck or two, only to have to buy that same cheap stuff over and over and over... Sometimes, it's much better to pay the price in order to obtain something of value because we know that it will last. Join Paul on a journey through a moment in a king's life that…
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It should come as no surprise that depressive episodes exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, 18-25 year-olds are twice as likely to struggle with depression as people over 50, and that number is only rising. Does that mean the older generation should write off the younger one? Far from it! In fact, it means that older leaders have a uniqu…
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Professor of History Mary Kelly discusses her latest publication, "Navigating Historical Crosscurrents in the Irish Atlantic: Essays for Catherine B. Shannon".Por Paul O. Jenkins
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TRLP 026 - Let's Talk About Consistency and Why So Many of Us Keep Starting and Stopping and Starting And Stopping
11:10
Have you ever felt like you had whiplash because of all the starts and stops as you tried to develop a new habit? Why do so many of us never actually achieve and stay at new levels in life and leadership? In this episode, Paul takes us through a key moment in the life of Daniel and helps us understand why occasional effort will never result in cons…
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Por Paul O. Jenkins
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TRLP 025 - Rare of Breed Talks About Overcoming Foster Care, Addiction, Homelessness, and how the Mercy of God Birthed a Brand New Life and Musical Style Called GodTwang
23:23
What happens when God rescues a life out of a broken home and foster care that loves hip hop but has country music in his roots? He opens the door for Rare of Breed, a leading artist in the genre of Country Hip Hop. You read that right. Country Hip Hop. You’re going to love this interview with Rob Hardin about his latest project, GodTwang, and how …
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Associate Professor of Chemistry Shallee Page discusses his passion for cooking.Por Paul O. Jenkins
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TRLP 024 - Let's Talk About the Body and Why Armpits, Elbows, and the Spaces Between Our Toes Matter So Much
7:16
Too often we place too much emphasis on things that can be seen and parts that can be platformed. But when was the last time you actually stopped to consider that each one of us are uniquely gifted for a part to play and a purpose to fulfill? Let's talk about why the different parts of the body matter, and how you and I can lead ourselves and other…
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Franklin Pierce student Haley Porter ('24) discusses her passion for music.Por Paul O. Jenkins
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TRLP 023 - Nathan Smith Talks About the Asbury Outpouring, Being in Big Daddy Weave, and The Most Important Thing We Can Ever Do For Jesus
33:45
By now, you've probably heard about the outpouring at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. In this episode we talk with Pastor Nathan Smith, an Executive Pastor at The Refuge Church in Kannapolis, North Carolina, about his history with Asbury and his recent trip to experience the revival first hand. We know you'll love the sincerity and humility…
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TRLP 022 - Let's Talk About Time and Why It's Important to Remember That We Only Have So Much of It
8:28
Sometimes God asks us questions that He already knows the answer to, and those moments can lead to some pretty massive revelations. Like the day when God asked me this seemingly simple question: "What's the difference between an army and an end-time army?" No, it isn't a riddle, and, yes, the answer is important. Extremely important. Shout out to C…
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Franklin Pierce student Caileigh Leger ('23) discusses her passion for Irish dancing.Por Paul O. Jenkins
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TRLP 021 - Let's Talk About Doing What We Can as We Get Ready to Do The Thing That We Feel Called to
15:53
If you're a leader like me, you can relate to the first chapter of Jeremiah. God - yeah, THE GOD - tells Jeremiah that He's appointed him as a prophet to the nations, and reassures Jeremiah that he's been known since he was in his mother's womb. That's a pretty strong endorsement, right? And yet, Jeremiah pushes back. He's too young. Too weak. Too.…
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Former Academic Support Specialist Jim O’Loughlin discusses his passion for music.Por Paul O. Jenkins
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Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Jenny Brown discusses her passion for team-based learning.Por Paul O. Jenkins
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TRLP 020 - Let's Talk About How the Rhythm of Sabbath and the Reality of Family Can Help Us Discover and Use our Gifts
7:48
Do I wish I could have interviewed John Mark Comer for this episode? In my best Minnesotian accent: "You betcha!" But instead, we'll just settle for a John Mark quote along with some of the insights I've gained by reading and listening to quite a bit of his stuff. (And we'll work toward an interview someday down the road!!) Here's our TWENTIETH epi…
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TRLP 019 - Let's Talk About How to Have Something to Say When We're Given the Opportunity to Say Something
8:01
If you could boil an entire year down to just one word, what would that word be? For me, in 2023, that word would be PROCLAIM. But as we'll discover in the episode, there are a few things that we need to do first in order to ensure that we have something to say when we're given the opportunity to say something. Sure, that last sentence was a mouthf…
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Professor Zach Stevens discusses his passion for photography.Por Paul O. Jenkins
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Instructional Technologist Tom Flanagan describes his passion for creating stained glass art works.Por Paul O. Jenkins
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Dean of Student Affairs Andrew Pollom discusses his love for the Chicago Cubs.Por Paul O. Jenkins
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Chief Diversity Officer Pierre Morton discusses his passion for music and acting.Por Paul O. Jenkins
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TRLP 018 - Let's Talk About How Having the Right Tool Makes the Job Easier, and How the Master Builder Has Made Us For What He's Sent Us to Do
13:09
As I learned while trying to drill holes into brick walls, a job that can be done gets frustrating fast when you try to do it with the wrong tools. But the moment I used the right drill bit and the right screws turned into a one-on-one conversation with the Father about how He made the right tools for the job, and about how frustrating the Great Co…
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Franklin Pierce student Bridget Fagan (’22) discusses her love of ice hockey.Por Paul Jenkins
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TRLP 017 - Let's Talk About Essential Oils, And How The Most Essential Oil Could Go A Long Way Toward Getting Us through This Election
14:33
There are oils for everything! There is an oil to keep you from getting bitten by mosquitoes, and an oil to help you sleep. Would you believe me if I told you that there's even an oil to help you get through this year's midterm elections? ("What???? Why didn't you tell me sooner??!!??") In Matthew 25, Jesus told a story about 10 virgins, and He sho…
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Franklin Pierce student Nevaeh Chansouk (’22) discusses her love of rugby, as well as its history.Por Paul Jenkins
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TRLP 016 - Evan Didio talks about Witches, One Hit Wonders, Why Churches Might Not Want to go Viral, and How Little Tweaks Can Grow Your Digital Impact.
56:25
One day, Evan DiDio decided to try an experiment with thumbnails on YouTube, and that one decision changed the trajectory of his life. Not only his but the millions who have seen the videos that he's helped publish on YouTube, including the witches who joined his church live stream simply because they saw a title and a thumbnail that made them curi…
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Assistant Professor of Behavioral Sciences Leslie Buddington discusses the film, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things.Por Paul Jenkins
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TRLP 015 - Let's Talk About How U2 Got it Wrong, Why We Always Find What We're Looking For, and How Embracing That Truth Will Change the People We Lead
14:47
Back in 2005, U2 introduced the world to the catchy tune, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." On this episode of The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins, Paul explains how U2 got it wrong, and why we need to embrace the truth that we always find what we're looking for. Grab a Bible or Bible app, find Proverbs 11:27, and lean in for…
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Franklin Pierce Director of Raven Recreation Doug Carty discusses hands-on problem solving (and other things).Por Paul Jenkins
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TRLP 014 - Let's Talk About How Hard it is to Get Enough Money and Volunteers (and why Jesus thinks the way we do it is wrong)
19:56
No matter how big or how small your church, business, or organization is, you've got something in common with all the other leaders in all the other places: you need more money and people. In short, you need more resources so you can do more of what you're called to do. This may surprise you, but that's not a new problem. In fact, even Jesus experi…
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University Provost Catherine Paden discusses her love of live music performances.Por Paul Jenkins
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TRLP 013 - Let's Talk About a Very Strange Story in the Bible involving Sticks and Watering Holes, and How What We Look at Determines What We Become
20:21
There are some stories in the Bible that never make it into the Sunday School teaching cycle, and on this episode of the podcast, Paul tackles one of them. Apparently, if you whittle some stripes into some sticks, you can grow a pretty impressive herd of animals that will set you up for future success! Since none of us really want a large flock of …
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Professor of Natural Sciences Carl Brezovec discusses his love of cycling.Por Paul Jenkins
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Franklin Pierce Director of Retention and Diversity Derek Scalia discusses his love of baking.Por Paul Jenkins
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TRLP 012 - Doug Bursch talks about Community - the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - and Reminds All of Us that It's Not Good For Any of Us to Be Alone
42:15
Community is one of those words that gets thrown around in the church, but most of us only have a surface level understanding of what it means in real life. Enter Doug Bursch, a witty, humble pastor from the Seattle area, who provides listeners of the podcast a MASTERCLASS on Biblical community. In a way that is authentic and relatable, Doug shares…
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Podcast host and University Librarian Paul O. Jenkins discusses his appreciation for Ralph McTell and his music.Por Paul Jenkins
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