The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins

Paul Jenkins
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

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 episodes are released on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.

  1. 2d ago

    TRLP 073: What If God Isn't Rushing You?

    Got questions or comments? Text them to me! Have you ever felt like you're constantly trying to catch up? Behind on work. Behind on goals. Behind on expectations. Maybe even behind on life itself. In Episode 73 of The Reluctant Leader Podcast, Paul reflects on a question that has become increasingly important in his own journey: What if God isn't rushing you? As this episode releases, Paul is stepping away for a week with his family—a practice that doesn't come naturally for someone who loves leading, creating, building, and moving things forward. That tension becomes the backdrop for an honest conversation about hurry, attachment, spiritual formation, and the pace of Jesus.  In This Episode: Why our culture equates speed with successThe difference between urgency and faithfulnessHow fear often drives our hurry more than our schedulesWhat attachment theory teaches us about rest and trustWhy Jesus consistently moved at a different pace than the people around HimThe connection between being with Jesus and becoming like JesusWhy rest is not a reward for finishing everythingHow slowing down can become an act of faithKey Scripture: Mark 3:14 — "He appointed twelve that they might be with Him..."  Memorable Quotes: "Urgency and faithfulness are not the same thing." "Sometimes we're not running toward success. We're running away from insecurity." "Before there was ministry, there was relationship. Before there was mission, there was attachment. Before there was doing, there was being." "Rest isn't a reward for finishing everything, because you'll never finish everything." "The goal of spiritual formation isn't becoming more productive or more efficient. It's becoming more like Jesus." "Maybe the invitation of Jesus isn't to move faster. Maybe it's to walk closely enough with Him that His pace becomes your pace." Reflection Question: What would change this week if you truly believed that God wasn't rushing you? How would you pray differently, lead differently, parent differently, work differently... and rest differently? ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️ Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog. Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

    9 min

  2. May 26

    TRLP 072: Why Rest Feels Wrong

    Got questions or comments? Text them to me! Why do so many of us feel guilty when we slow down? In this episode of The Reluctant Leader Podcast, Paul explores the deeper reasons rest can feel uncomfortable — especially for leaders, helpers, pastors, and high-capacity people who have quietly tied their identity to productivity. From ultramarathon training to the pace of Jesus, this conversation looks at how our culture rewards exhaustion while Jesus continually invited people into rest. But real rest is harder than it sounds. Because the moment the noise stops, we often come face to face with what distraction has been covering up. In this episode: Why recovery is part of growthHow productivity can become identityWhy silence feels uncomfortable for many of usThe connection between attachment and restThe difference between striving for God and resting with GodWhy Jesus regularly withdrew from the crowdsHow Sabbath teaches us trustIf you’ve ever struggled to slow down without feeling anxious, guilty, or unproductive, this episode is for you. Key Scripture Matthew 11:28–30Quotes from This Episode “Recovery is part of the training.”“We don’t know how to simply be with Him.”“When we stop producing, we often discover how much of our identity was attached to our productivity.”“Silence has a way of exposing what activity has been covering up.”“Some of us only feel valuable when we’re needed.”“We only know how to strive in the service of God.”“You are not the Messiah.”“The world keeps spinning even when you stop.”⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️ Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog. Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

    10 min

  3. May 12

    TRLP 071: Getting Stronger ... Quietly

    Got questions or comments? Text them to me! For this episode of The Reluctant Leader Podcast, we’re talking about something most of us wrestle with: how to measure progress in a healthy way. In a culture obsessed with instant results, it’s easy to believe we’re failing when growth feels slow. But whether it’s physical training, spiritual formation, emotional health, or leadership development, the deepest transformation usually happens quietly over time. Using ultra marathon training as a backdrop, Paul explores why daily measurements can be discouraging, why “invisible growth” still matters, and how God often works beneath the surface long before fruit becomes visible. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by slow progress in your faith, leadership, healing, or personal growth, this episode is a reminder that consistency matters more than quick results — and that deep roots grow slowly. In this episode: Why daily metrics can distort our perspectiveThe danger of measuring our souls like social mediaWhat endurance training teaches us about spiritual growthSigns of real transformation that often go unnoticedHow Jesus described Kingdom growth in Mark 4Why slow growth is still healthy growthThe difference between becoming impressive and becoming wholeKey Quote: “Formation is usually boring before it becomes beautiful.” Scripture Reference: Mark 4:26–29⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️ Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog. Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

    10 min

  4. Apr 28

    TRLP 070: How Ordinary Things Can Anchor You to Christ

    Got questions or comments? Text them to me! We live on a planet sustained by five great oceans. But what sustains the human soul? In this episode, Paul shares how a simple morning rhythm—shaped through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and grounded in everyday objects—has become a pathway to deeper attachment with Christ. A candle. A cup of coffee. A faithful companion named Eden. A chair. And above all… Christ. These five “Cs” have become daily reminders that God’s presence still meets us in ordinary places. If you’ve been feeling spiritually dry, emotionally tired, or mentally cluttered, this episode is a reminder that renewal often doesn’t come through dramatic breakthroughs—it comes through simple, consistent return. In This Episode: Why ordinary objects can become sacred remindersHow God’s light pushes back inner darknessThe warmth and filling presence of GodJesus as the Companion who stays closeLearning to rest your full weight in God’s careWhy Christ is the center of every sustaining rhythmHow to build your own daily reminders of graceKey Scripture References: John 1:5Psalm 23:5Proverbs 18:24Matthew 11:28–30Colossians 1:17Memorable Line: Sustainable faith is rarely built in dramatic moments. It’s built in daily returning. If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who’s been running on empty. ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️ Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog. Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

    10 min

  5. Apr 14

    TRLP 069: Superhighways & Ancient Paths - Why Slowing Down Feels So Hard

    Got questions or comments? Text them to me! We live in a world built for speed—instant answers, constant connection, and endless noise. But what if all that “progress” is quietly costing us something deeper? In this episode, Paul explores the tension between the fast-paced superhighways we’ve grown used to and the ancient paths God invites us to walk. Through a simple but powerful question—Could you go back to life without your smartphone?—we begin to uncover just how much our habits have shaped us. Anchored in Jeremiah 6:16, this conversation doesn’t just highlight the beauty of the ancient path—it confronts the reality that most people won’t choose it. But for those who do? There’s a kind of rest waiting that no amount of speed or convenience can ever provide. 🔑 Key Takeaways Faster isn’t always better Just because something is efficient doesn’t mean it’s forming you in the right direction.Our habits shape our expectations What we’ve grown used to (speed, convenience, distraction) has rewired what feels “normal.”Spiritual depth requires a different pace Stillness, silence, and waiting aren’t setbacks—they’re pathways.Most people won’t choose the ancient path Not because they can’t—but because they won’t slow down enough to walk it.Rest is promised—but only on that path God doesn’t just offer direction… He offers restoration.📖 Scripture Focus Jeremiah 6:16 – The invitation to walk the ancient paths—and the sobering reality that many refuse.💡 Reflection Questions Where in your life have you traded depth for speed?What feels hardest about slowing down right now?If you’re honest, are you admiring the ancient path… or actually walking it?What’s one small step you could take today to choose a slower, more intentional rhythm?🛠️ Simple Practice (Start Today) 5-Minute Reset Put your phone in another roomSit quietly with GodRead a short passage of ScriptureDon’t rush—just notice His presenceIt might feel unfamiliar… but that’s how new (ancient) rhythms begin. 🔁 Share & Subscribe If this episode challenged or encouraged you, share it with a friend who might be feeling the weight of a fast-paced life. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes. 🎙️ Closing Thought The world will keep inviting you to move faster. God is inviting you to walk deeper. ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️ Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog. Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

    8 min

  6. Mar 25

    TRLP 068: Angela Hougas talks about The Power of a Non-Anxious Presence

    Got questions or comments? Text them to me! We live in a world that rewards speed, noise, productivity, and visible results. So it makes sense that a lot of us have learned how to do things for God without really slowing down to be with God. In this conversation, Paul talks with Angela, a fellow doctoral cohort member, counselor, and woman of deep wisdom, about what it means to move beyond a checkbox faith and into a life of presence. Angela shares her story of coming to the helping professions later in life, how she bridges faith and counseling, and why intentional time with God changes the way we show up with people. They talk about the difference between information and transformation, the contagious nature of anxiety and peace, the tension between being and doing, and why the presence of God is not a luxury for helpers, but oxygen. This episode is especially for pastors, leaders, counselors, and caregivers, but really, it’s for anybody who knows what it feels like to be busy, spiritually dry, and hungry for something deeper. Key takeaways You can do helpful things without being deeply anchored in God, but it changes the quality of your presence.Being with Jesus is not wasted time. It shapes what you carry into every room.A non-anxious, non-pushy presence is one of the greatest gifts we can offer people.Spiritual practices are not meant to be dry checklists but relational spaces of encounter.Gratitude, walking, music, Scripture, stillness, and even imagination can all become ways of meeting with God.Identity must inform activity, not the other way around.Our culture trains us to chase information, but transformation often comes through presence.God is not frustrated with our slowness; He is patient, present, and inviting.Memorable lines / pull quotes “You can do without being, but it’s going to affect the integrity of your doing.”“When I’m connected with God, I feel like I have more to give.”“Has the good news reached your face?”“God has a non-pushy presence.”“Their quiet time was with Him.”“Identity informs activity.”“We are so busy doing things for God that we don’t even think about what we’re bringing into those things.”“It’s not just the fuel for the rest of your day. Jesus is going with you for the rest of your day.”⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️ Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog. Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

    44 min

  7. Mar 10

    TRLP 067: What Leadership Pressure Is Actually Producing

    Got questions or comments? Text them to me! Leadership pressure is unavoidable. Expectations, decisions, criticism, responsibility—it all adds weight. Most leaders spend their energy trying to reduce pressure, avoid pressure, or escape pressure. But what if pressure isn’t just something to eliminate? In this episode, we explore a different lens from James 1: pressure produces something in us. When handled well, the very things that squeeze leaders can actually shape their character, deepen their faith, and strengthen their endurance. Instead of asking, “How do I get rid of this pressure?” we learn to ask a better question: “What is God forming in me through this?” If you're leading anything—a church, a team, a family, or a ministry—this conversation will help you see leadership pressure in a whole new light. In This Episode:1. Pressure Reveals What’s Already in Us Pressure acts like a spiritual MRI. It exposes what’s happening inside our hearts—our fears, our trust, our patience, and our insecurities. What rises under pressure shows us where God is still forming us. 2. Pressure Builds Leadership Endurance Strength rarely grows in comfort. Just like muscles develop under resistance, leaders develop perseverance through the weight of responsibility and the challenges they face. 3. Pressure Deepens Our Dependence on God Pressure has a way of reminding leaders that the mission isn’t sustained by our strength alone. The moments that push us hardest often pull us back toward deeper reliance on God. Key Scriptures:James 1:2–4 “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Luke 6:45 “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” 2 Corinthians 1:8–9 “This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God.” Reflection Question for Leaders:Instead of asking “How do I escape this pressure?”, try asking: “What might God be producing in me through this?” ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️ Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog. Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

    7 min

  8. Feb 24

    TRLP 066: Natasha Skolny talks about Alignment, Armor, and Cold Plunging

    Got questions or comments? Text them to me! What if the very thing you think is protecting you as a leader is actually holding you back? In this episode of The Reluctant Leader Podcast, Paul sits down with Natasha Skolny, a former professional ice skater who is now a leadership coach and founder of The Leadership Cabin. It's a wide-ranging, deeply practical conversation about authenticity, nervous system regulation, resilience, and what it really takes to lead people well. Natasha introduces the idea of “corporate armor”—the protective persona leaders put on to look competent, composed, and in control—and explains why that armor quietly erodes trust instead of building it. Together, Paul and Natasha explore why leaders are often promoted for control, but succeed long-term through connection. The conversation moves from boardrooms to locker rooms to ice baths, unpacking: Why vulnerability actually increases credibilityHow control and discipline are not the same thingWhat professional athletes understand about emotional regulationWhy breathwork, movement, and even cold plunging help leaders stay groundedHow stored emotion shows up in surprising (and often destructive) waysWhy the best leaders invest in coaches—and keep doing itHow Natasha helps young women reconnect with their voice, values, and directionThis episode is honest, hopeful, and highly practical—especially for leaders who are tired of pretending they’re fine and ready to lead from a healthier place. 🔑 Key Takeaways Armor creates distance; humanity builds trustWhat got you here won’t get you thereRegulation beats repression—every timeResilient leaders train their nervous systems, not just their skillsYou were never meant to lead alone🔗 Connect with Natasha Website: theleadershipcabin.comLinkedIn & YouTube & Instagram⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️  ⬇️ Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog. Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

    29 min
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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 episodes are released on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.

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