Category: Encouragement

Ep. 53a Welcome to Season Three

Ep. 53a Welcome to Season Three

 

Some podcasts give you content. This one gives you a conversation.

That was always the idea. Martin Sanders and Carson Pue started it at a kitchen table, really. The mentoring that used to happen on long walks or over a shared meal had no place to live in the noise of modern leadership. So they made one.

Martin is gone now. But the conversation continues.

Chuck and Ingrid Davis stepped in at Carson’s invitation — not to fill a gap, but because Martin had mentored them too. It felt right. It still does.

Season Two surprised them. The deeper they went, the more people leaned in. Stewarding suffering. Listening. Vulnerability. Failure as formation. These weren’t polished presentations. They were honest conversations between three people who have lived long enough in leadership to know what it actually costs.

And listeners noticed. A pastor’s wife who sent the episode on communicating with adult children to her neighbour. A leader who heard the word “stewarding” before “suffering” for the first time and couldn’t stop thinking about it.

That’s what this is for.

Season Three continues where Season Two left off. Same table. Same honesty. No masks. No performance. Just Carson, Chuck, and Ingrid thinking out loud about the things leaders rarely say in public but think about all the time.

If you’re a leader who has it all together, there are other podcasts for you.

If you’re a leader willing to admit you don’t — welcome. You’re in good company.

Season Three of The Mentored Podcast is live now. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or find every episode right here at mentoredpodcast.net.

Ep. 51 The Prayer of Indifference

Ep. 51 The Prayer of Indifference

 

Most of us walk into our biggest decisions already knowing what we want. We just want God to agree.

That’s not prayer. That’s lobbying.

The Prayer of Indifference is an ancient spiritual practice rooted in Ignatian tradition and the Quaker pursuit of surrender. At its core, it’s the willingness to say, “Lord, I don’t want what I want. I want what you want.” Simple to say. Genuinely costly to mean.

In this episode, Carson, Chuck, and Ingrid unpack what holy indifference actually looks like in the life of a working leader. Not apathy. Not passivity. But a deep enough trust in God that you can set aside your attachments, your fears, and your preferred outcomes long enough to actually hear Him.

If you’re a business leader weighing a decision that affects your team, a pastor navigating competing loyalties, an executive who suspects their ego is doing more of the talking than they’d like to admit, or a parent at home trying to discern what faithfulness actually looks like in the daily grind of family life, this conversation is for you.

Most leaders don’t lack information when facing a hard decision. They lack freedom. Freedom from the fear of what others will think, from the pull toward comfort over calling, from the quiet pressure to choose the path with more applause.

This practice won’t make hard decisions easy. But it may make them honest.

So here’s the question worth sitting with before you press play: What would change if the outcome truly didn’t matter to you?

Ep.45: Stewarding Suffering – Part Two

Ep.45: Stewarding Suffering – Part Two

Ep.44 began a crucial conversation about stewarding suffering—something every mentor and aspiring mentor will encounter on the journey. As we continue through the Christmas season, which beautifully reminds us of redemption emerging from hardship, we’re shifting gears to focus on practical wisdom for navigating pain as someone who guides others. Whether you’re pouring into someone else or looking to be poured into, this episode offers real-life insights and actionable tips to help you support others—and yourself—when suffering hits close to home.

In Part Two, we take the conversation from understanding suffering to actively mentoring through it. What does it look like to walk alongside someone—whether as a mentor, a friend, or a fellow traveller—when pain is raw, and answers seem distant? How can you be transparent about your own struggles without losing credibility or hope? This episode will give you practical insights, encouragement, and honest questions to help you guide others while caring for your own soul.

This episode is about discovering purpose in pain—both for yourself and those you’re walking alongside. We’ll explore how asking, “What might God be teaching me (or my mentee) in this?” can move us beyond just surviving to experiencing real redemption. Suffering doesn’t define you, nor does it define those you mentor. Still, your response—and how you help others respond—can become a legacy, offering a lighted path for anyone finding themselves in a dark valley.

We’ll share practical steps for mentors and those seeking mentorship, including insights you can apply right away:

  • Sharing your struggles with appropriate transparency to build connection.
  • Focusing on what God may be teaching you, revealing purpose within the pain.
  • Using your experience to serve and guide others with grace and empathy.

Join us as we wrap up this meaningful dialogue, inviting mentors and those seeking mentorship to gather wisdom for both your own journey and those you’re guiding. Together, we’ll find practical ways God might use our hardest seasons to grow our empathy, strengthen our faith, and help us become wiser guides for others.

Listen now to discover practical ways to mentor and be mentored through seasons of suffering. Whether you’re guiding someone through hardship or seeking wisdom for your own journey, this episode is packed with insights and tips you can use right away. Share this two-part series with a fellow mentor or mentee who could use some encouragement and hope.

Ep. 44 Stewarding Suffering (Part One)

Ep. 44 Stewarding Suffering (Part One)

We are originally posting this episode as we approach the Christmas season, a time often filled with joy and celebration, it’s also a time to reflect on the deeper story of hope born from humble and challenging circumstances. This episode is part one of our two-part series. We’re going to continue to go deeper than we did in Episode 43 on disappointment to discuss a topic that touches every leader: suffering.

Suffering is a universal human experience, yet it often feels isolating, especially when you’re responsible for leading others. How do you respond when faced with personal loss, betrayal, or a professional crisis? Do you see it merely as something to endure, or could it be a sacred opportunity to trust God on a more profound level?

In this episode, we explore how to steward seasons of suffering. We’ll look at biblical examples to understand that hardship is not a sign of failure or abandonment. Instead, it can be a path to perseverance, character, and hope. This time of year reminds us that even in the darkest moments, a great plan is unfolding. Just as the world waited for a Saviour, we too can find purpose in our waiting and pain.

We’ll discuss some practical ways to navigate these difficult seasons, such as:

  • Turning to God as your first response, not a last resort.
  • Building a strong support system and embracing vulnerability.
  • Practicing daily surrender to find peace amidst the turmoil.
  • Leading with transparency to foster connection and strength within your team.

Your suffering doesn’t define you, but how you respond to it can shape your leadership legacy. Join us for a heartfelt conversation about transforming pain into purpose and leading with a faith that shines brighter in the dark.

Listen now to discover how God can write a beautiful story through your most challenging chapters. Be sure to share this episode with another leader who might need this encouragement today.

Ep 40 Communicating with Adult Children

Ep 40 Communicating with Adult Children

How do we stay connected to our kids once they’re grown? In this episode of Mentored, Carson, Chuck, and Ingrid explore the often-delicate art of communicating with adult children. Parenting doesn’t end when our children leave home—it simply changes shape. Together, we look at how to move from directing to relating, from teaching to listening, and from control to mutual respect.

Carson shares practical wisdom from his own life and mentoring work: how to build bridges instead of walls, how to offer guidance without slipping into lectures, and how to balance honesty with grace. You’ll hear encouragement for those moments when conversations feel strained, and reminders of the hope we carry as parents who long to see our children flourish.

If you’ve ever wrestled with what to say—or not say—to your grown son or daughter, this episode offers both reassurance and direction. Tune in, and be reminded that with humility, patience, and love, a meaningful connection is always possible.

Ep. 38 Encouraging Younger Leaders

Ep. 38 Encouraging Younger Leaders

In this episode, Carson, Ingrid and Chuck tackle the essential—and often overlooked—topic of coming alongside emerging leaders. Drawing from years of mentoring experience, these three friends share real stories and practical wisdom on how seasoned leaders can encourage, equip, and empower the next generation.

From the importance of simply noticing young potential to navigating the tension between guiding and controlling, this episode offers a grounded, faith-informed approach to mentorship. Whether you’re a church elder, executive, or coffee shop entrepreneur, you’ll find honest insights on how to invest meaningfully in future leaders, without making it about you.

If you’ve ever wondered how to leave a legacy beyond your title, start here.

Ep. 37 Relating to Normal People

Ep. 37 Relating to Normal People

Hosts: Carson Pue, Chuck Davis, Ingrid Davis

In this episode of the Mentored Podcast, Carson, Chuck, and Ingrid dive into the importance of Christian leaders connecting with people outside the Christian subculture — whom they affectionately call “normal people.” They share personal stories, practical advice, and thought-provoking insights on how to build authentic relationships rooted in curiosity, kindness, and shared humanity.

Highlights from the episode:

  • Carson Pue reflects on the challenges pastors face in staying connected with everyday people and shares a story about mobilizing volunteers to build a playground for a local school.
  • Chuck Davis emphasizes the power of curiosity, recounting how simply asking someone to “tell me your story” can open doors to meaningful connections.
  • Ingrid Davis discusses the importance of being present and genuinely interested in others, sharing a touching story about an Uber driver who found hope through their kindness.
  • Together, they explore how relationships act as bridges, built on common interests and shared needs, and how being 10% more friendly can make a world of difference.

This episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and practical tips for anyone looking to grow as a mentor or leader. Tune in to be inspired, encouraged, and equipped to engage with others in a deeper, more meaningful way.

Ep. 35 Generational Legacy

Ep. 35 Generational Legacy

What does it mean to leave a legacy that lasts for generations? On this episode of The Mentored Podcast, Carson, Ingrid, and Chuck guide us through the heart of creating a generational legacy. They share wisdom, personal stories, and a few laughs along the way as they explore how to make meaningful, lasting contributions to your family and beyond.

This renowned team of mentors dive into the value of establishing family traditions—not just as rituals, but as anchors that ground your values in future generations. They tackle the importance of fostering open communication within families, where truth and love coexist. The conversation also touches on being intentional about legacy, with thoughtful reminders that impact doesn’t happen by accident. And don’t miss their insights on shared experiences, those crucial moments that create deep bonds and unforgettable memories.

Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent, or simply someone hoping to make a lasting difference, this episode offers encouragement, practical tips, and inspiring ideas to think deeply about the legacy you’re building.

Tune in now and consider this: What legacy are you creating today that will shape tomorrow?

Ep. 33 Hurt By Others (Part One)

Ep. 33 Hurt By Others (Part One)

Episode 33 of The Mentored Podcast kicks off a two-part series, “Hurt by Others,” where Carson Pue, Chuck, and Ingrid Davis tackle the deep challenges of betrayal, criticism, and disappointment in leadership and mentoring. If you’ve been wounded in your leadership role, this conversation offers both empathy and practical wisdom to help you heal and grow stronger.
With warmth and straight talk, these seasoned mentors explore how to transform pain into a platform for growth. They dig into navigating tough relationships and leading with resilience and grace, even when trust has been broken. Carson shares strategies for ensuring clear communication, while Chuck offers wise counsel for handling the dreaded phrase, “Well, people are saying…” Ingrid brings her thoughtful perspective, encouraging us to pause and ask, “Is there a kernel of truth in this?” They also shine a light on intentional miscommunication, sharing how to rebuild trust when it’s been fractured. With honesty and a touch of humour, they remind leaders that heartache, while inevitable, doesn’t have to define the end of the story.
If you’ve felt the sting of being hurt by others, this episode is your invitation to lean in, learn, and lead with renewed strength.

Tune in and reflect on this question: What step can you take today to turn hurt into growth?

Ep. 32 Gratitude

Ep. 32 Gratitude

Gratitude in leadership—simple to understand, profound to practice. On this episode of The Mentored Podcast, our seasoned mentors Carson Pue along with Chuck and Ingrid Davis, lead a heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation on the role gratitude plays in shaping exceptional leadership. Together, they unpack why gratitude is not just an optional quality but a transformative force that strengthens connections, builds trust, and inspires teams to thrive.

Our hosts bring their wealth of experience to the table, sharing real-world examples, fresh insights, and actionable steps you can take to make gratitude a core part of your leadership approach. Is gratitude the secret ingredient to enhancing team culture? How can small, consistent acknowledgements foster big results? Carson, Chuck, and Ingrid explore all this and more while asking the kind of questions that linger long after the episode ends.

Whether you’re leading in a boardroom, a classroom, or around the dinner table, this episode will challenge you to see gratitude not as a task but as a lifestyle. It’s time to rethink how a grateful heart can shape the way you lead. Let’s get started!