Category: Personal Growth

Ep. 50 Spiritual Authority vs. Institutional Power

Ep. 50 Spiritual Authority vs. Institutional Power

There’s a kind of leader who commands a room without raising their voice. And there’s another kind who needs a title to be taken seriously. They are not the same.

In this milestone 50th episode, Carson, Chuck, and Ingrid sit down with a question that cuts to the heart of every leader’s journey: Where does your authority actually come from?

Institutional power is given. Spiritual authority is grown — slowly, often painfully, through faithfulness in hidden places. But in a world that rewards platforms, metrics, and organizational rank, it’s easy to confuse the two. And that confusion has consequences — for your team, your family, and your own soul.

This conversation doesn’t offer easy answers. It asks better questions. What does it look like to lead from a place of genuine calling rather than positional leverage? What happens when your title disappears — do you still have something worth following? And how do you build the kind of authority that outlasts any role you’ll ever hold?

Whether you lead a congregation, a company, or a family — this episode is worth your time.

Ep. 49 Self Regulation – Self Leadership

Ep. 49 Self Regulation – Self Leadership

Leadership has an inside story that rarely makes the highlight reel. It’s the moment before the response. The pause before the decision. The quiet choice to lead yourself before you attempt to lead anyone else.

In this episode, Carson, Chuck, and Ingrid sit with three case studies that bring self-regulation out of the theoretical and into the real — exploring what it actually costs a leader to stay authentic under pressure, to choose patience when urgency is screaming, and to take seriously the care of the body and soul that sustains everything else.

These aren’t polished success stories. They’re honest looks at the interior life of leadership — and what happens when we neglect it.

What is your leadership costing you on the inside? And is the person you’re becoming worth following?

 

The resource we mention at the close of the episode is Leading Me: Eight Practices for a Christian Leader’s Most Important Assignment by Dr. Steve A Brown.

Ep. 48 Being a Non-Anxious Presence

Ep. 48 Being a Non-Anxious Presence

Anxiety is contagious. But so is calm. In this episode, we explore what it actually looks like for a leader to be a non-anxious presence — not by pretending everything is fine, but by being genuinely anchored when everything around them isn’t. What if the most important thing you carry into a room isn’t your strategy, but your steadiness? We unpack why anxious leaders create anxious cultures, what it costs an organization when the person at the top is always reacting, and the quiet discipline it takes to lead from a settled soul. This one will make you think honestly about what you’re really transmitting to the people around you.

Ep. 46 Resilience In Leaders

Ep. 46 Resilience In Leaders

Episode 46 shines a light on resilience as a major transformative force in leadership and life. Hosts Carson Pue, Ingrid Davis, and Chuck Davis redefine resilience—not just as bouncing back, but as bouncing forward, growing stronger through life’s challenges. They share heartfelt stories, practical wisdom, and spiritual insights to inspire listeners to embrace resistance as a gift that builds strength.

With themes of vulnerability, recovery, and continuous growth, this episode encourages everyone to see setbacks as stepping stones and to lead with courage, faith, and perseverance. Resilience isn’t perfection—it’s the power to keep moving forward.

Ep. 43 Dealing with Disappointment

Ep. 43 Dealing with Disappointment

In Episode 43 of the Mentored Podcast, hosts Carson Pue, Chuck, and Ingrid Davis address a reality that every leader eventually faces: the challenge of dealing with disappointment. Whether it stems from a missed opportunity, a personnel change, or a vision that didn’t materialize as planned, disappointment can be disorienting. This episode offers a compassionate and practical roadmap for navigating these difficult emotions with wisdom.

Rather than simply “pushing through” or burying the pain, the hosts encourage leaders to steward their experiences for growth. Key takeaways from this conversation include:

  • Managing Emotions: Why validating your grief is essential for emotional health and avoiding bitterness.
  • Reframing Setbacks: How to shift your perspective to see disappointment not as a failure, but as a step toward reorientation.
  • Applying Faith: Trusting in God’s ability to “recycle” our struggles into redemptive purposes and long-term fruitfulness.

If you are navigating a season of unmet expectations, we invite you to reflect on how these moments might be shaping your character. Tune in to the full episode for encouraging insights on building emotional resilience and turning lament into action.

Ep. 41 Family Work Balance

Ep. 41 Family Work Balance

In this episode of The Mentored Podcast, we dive into the delicate dance of balancing family and work. When life feels full in every direction, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We explore the signs of imbalance, the toll it can take on your relationships, and the wake-up calls that force us to reevaluate our priorities.

Through personal stories and practical insights, we’ll help you answer the question, “How is my family really doing?” and guide you toward creating space for what matters most. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin, this episode is your reminder to pause, reflect, and realign.

Tune in to discover how to reclaim balance and build a life where both your family and career can thrive.

Ep. 39 Living With Your Feelings

Ep. 39 Living With Your Feelings

Ever notice how the most successful leaders aren’t necessarily the smartest ones in the room? They’re often the ones who’ve mastered something we rarely talk about in leadership circles—their emotions.

In this raw and insightful episode, Carson Pue, Chuck, and Ingrid Davis tackle the uncomfortable truth about emotional intelligence in leadership. Chuck opens up about his Midwestern upbringing, where feelings were seen as “unpredictable” and “no good”—a mindset that nearly sabotaged his marriage and ministry. You’ll hear Carson’s vulnerable story about his unexpected anxiety attacks and how his doctor’s refusal to prescribe medication led to a breakthrough therapy session involving… well, let’s just say dinosaur imagery played a role. Ingrid shares her research on “holistic holiness” and why ignoring our inner world stunts our spiritual growth.

The conversation explores practical strategies like the WAIT acronym (Why Am I Talking?), the difference between being an emotional thermometer versus thermostat, and why Jesus’ tears matter more than you might think. They discuss the unique challenges female leaders face with emotions and how to create healthier team cultures.

This isn’t about becoming more touchy-feely—it’s about becoming more effective. Because here’s the thing: if you can’t understand what’s happening inside you, how can you truly lead others?

Ready to explore the intersection of faith, feelings, and leadership? Listen now at mentoredpodcast.net | Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform | Share with a fellow leader who needs to hear this.

What’s one emotion you’ve been avoiding as a leader?

Ep. 36 Listening: The Surprising Secret Behind Inspiring Leadership and Self-Growth

Ep. 36 Listening: The Surprising Secret Behind Inspiring Leadership and Self-Growth

Great leaders aren’t just great talkers; the best leaders are also masterful listeners.

This episode of The Mentored Podcast dives deep into the often-overlooked power of listening. Carson reflects on a profoundly formative mentoring moment with Leighton Ford, who shares wisdom every leader could use. Alongside two other seasoned mentors, Chuck and Ingrid Davis, Carson also explores the profound practice of meditation and how leaders can hear God by engaging deeply with His Word.

Here are some key takeaways from this episode:

  • Listening vs. talking: Carson shares how Leighton Ford helped him draw a powerful contrast between these two skills, urging leaders to listen. Seek understanding before seeking to be understood.
  • Spiritual listening: The group discusses how prayer, meditation, and Scripture offer practical ways to align your ear with God’s voice.
  • God’s clarity revealed: Carson shares a heartfelt story about learning to trust God in moments of uncertainty, offering an inspiring perspective on surrender and discernment.
  • Why listening transforms leaders: True leadership requires the humility to listen well, not just to others but to God. It’s in listening that wisdom and connection are born.

Whether you’re navigating the demands of leadership or simply looking to deepen your spiritual connection, this episode offers insight and encouragement to help you lead with both heart and hearing.

Take a moment to listen to Episode 36 now, and discover how to become the listener your leadership needs.

Ep. 34 Hurt By Others (Part Two)

Ep. 34 Hurt By Others (Part Two)

What happens when someone wounds you deeply? Do you carry it, allowing bitterness to take hold, or do you begin the hard work of healing? In this second part of our conversation on being hurt by others, Drs. Carson Pue, Chuck, and Ingrid Davis, proven mentors in leadership and life, tackle these tough questions with wisdom, warmth, and candour.

This episode invites you to reflect on themes of emotional resilience, forgiveness, and personal growth. The hosts explore what it truly means to forgive—not to excuse the offence, but to free yourself. How can you create boundaries that protect your heart while remaining open to reconciliation? What steps can you take to process pain in a healthy, God-honoring way?

Brimming with practical advice, poignant stories, and a touch of humour, this conversation will inspire you to confront hurts with courage and grace. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of how restoration can coexist with truth and how growth often arises from the most difficult experiences.

If you’ve faced betrayal, felt the sting of harsh words, or struggled with letting go, this episode offers encouragement and actionable steps toward healing. Join Carson, Chuck, and Ingrid for an honest, heart-level discussion that reminds us of the power of forgiveness and the possibility of renewal.

Listen now and find hope in your healing process. To hear the whole conversation, be sure to listen to Episode 33.

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?