Entrusted to Lead Podcast

Danita Cummins
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Entrusted to Lead is for leaders navigating complex seasons who need more than tactics—they need clarity.If you're carrying the weight of decisions that matter, leading through uncertainty, and trying to sustain yourself without burning out, this podcast is for you.Host Danita Cummins—leadership coach and guide for directors, pastors, nonprofit leaders, and entrepreneurs—brings honest reflections, practical frameworks, and faith-integrated wisdom for leaders who want to lead well without losing themselves.Each seasonal release explores one dimension of sustainable leadership:- Clarity (knowing what's actually yours)- Wholeness (integration over compartmentalization)- Authority (leading from your actual scope)- Resilience (endurance through presence, not just pushing through)This isn't about quick wins or productivity hacks. It's about the kind of leadership that lasts—grounded in faith, rooted in reality, and sustainable for the long haul. New episodes drop twice a month. Episodes are 20-30 minutes—deep enough to matter, short enough to fit your life.If you're ready for clarity that actually helps, start here.

  1. 6D AGO

    Naming What’s Actually Yours to Carry

    EPISODE 72: NAMING WHAT’S ACTUALLY YOURS TO CARRY Clarity Season — Episode 2 of 8 This is Episode 2 of the Clarity Season. If you haven’t listened to Episode 1 yet, start there: “Clarity Is Not Certainty—And Why That Changes Everything.”It lays the foundation for everything we’re exploring this season. Last episode, we explored the difference between clarity and certainty. Today, we go deeper into one of the most common places that confusion shows up: carrying weight that was never yours to begin with. Not the responsibilities you said yes to. Not the things that genuinely belong in your hands. But the weight you picked up along the way—other people’s emotions, problems you can’t solve, outcomes you were never meant to control. IN THIS EPISODE: • The pattern most of us don’t notice anymore—absorbing a teenager’s anxiety, carrying a spouse’s disappointment, holding the church together while quietly falling apart • What carrying other people’s weight actually costs you—and why sleep won’t fix this kind of tired • 3 questions to name what’s yours:     1. What can I actually influence? (not control—influence)     2. What did I actually agree to?     3. What happens if I don’t carry this? • The Nehemiah principle: you’re called to rebuild the wall in front of your house, not everyone else’s • A real-life story of letting go of a 15-year ministry • Why releasing what isn’t yours is an act of trust, not abandonment (featuring listener Sarma’s insight: “trust begets trust”) • Faith reframe from Exodus: what Moses learned from Jethro KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 — Welcome + Clarity Season Recap 01:00 — The Pattern We Don’t Notice Anymore 03:00 — The Cost of Carrying What Isn’t Yours 05:00 — Question 1: What Can I Actually Influence? 07:00 — Question 2: What Did I Actually Agree To? 09:30 — The Wall in Front of Your House (Nehemiah) 11:00 — Question 3: What Happens If I Don’t Carry This? 13:00 — Real Life: Letting Go of the Ministry 14:30 — What Shifts When You Get Honest 15:30 — Trust Begets Trust 17:00 — Faith Reframe: Moses and Jethro 18:30 — Your Next Step 19:30 — Quiz: What’s Your Leadership Superpower? KEY QUOTES: “Faithfulness isn’t measured by how much you carry. It’s measured by how honestly you steward what’s actually in your hands.” “If it all falls apart when you stop carrying it, it was never standing on its own in the first place.” “Awareness is not the same as agreement. Just because you notice a need doesn’t mean you’re the one who needs to own it.” YOUR NEXT STEP: This week, write down everything you’re currently carrying. Then go through the list and ask the three questions. You might be surprised at how much was never yours. TAKE THE QUIZ: What’s Your Leadership Superpower? —https://bit.ly/4tIVibU THIS SEASON ON ENTRUSTED TO LEAD: Episode 71: Clarity Is Not Certainty—And Why That Changes Everything Episode 72: Naming What’s Actually Yours to Carry (this episode) Episode 73: The Discipline of Subtraction Episode 74: Leading From Your Actual Authority Episode 75: Breaking the Reactive Cycle Episode 76: When Your Role Is Clear How are you enjoying this episode? Send us a note! Support the show ✨ Thanks for Listening! ✨ CONNECT: 📧 Newsletter: danitacummins.com/newsletter 📋 Quiz: danitacummins.com/quiz 🌐 Website: danitacummins.com 📱 Instagram: @danitacummins SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Don't miss an episode—subscribe now!

    21 min

  2. FEB 5

    Clarity Is Not Certainty—And Why That Changes Everything

    If you're leading through decisions that matter—teams depending on you, deadlines stacking up, personal life competing for the same mental space—this episode is for you. Today, we're starting an eight-episode season on clarity. Not the kind of clarity that comes from having all the answers, but the kind that lets you move forward when you don't. Clarity is not certainty. And confusing the two is costing you momentum, confidence, and peace. THE BELIEF WE RARELY SAY OUT LOUD There's a quiet belief many leaders carry but rarely admit: "If I were clearer, I wouldn't feel this uncertain." But that belief is wrong. You might be waiting for the moment when you'll just know what to do. When the fog will clear and everything will be obvious. But absolute certainty is not the gift we think it is. In fact, the pursuit of absolute certainty often keeps you from the clarity you actually need. THE DIFFERENCE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING Certainty is about outcomes. Clarity is about alignment. Certainty asks, "Will this work?" Clarity asks, "Is this faithful to what I'm responsible for right now?" Certainty demands proof before you move. Clarity requires enough discernment to take the next step. God rarely gives us certainty about outcomes. But He consistently offers clarity about what's ours to do right now. IN THIS EPISODE: - The quiet belief many leaders carry (but rarely say out loud) - The difference between clarity and certainty—and why it matters - Three questions to move from certainty-seeking to clarity-building:   1. What do I actually know right now?   2. What decision is actually mine to make right now?   3. What would clarity look like if fear weren't involved? - Why presence is the practice that makes all of this possible - What changes when you stop waiting for certainty KEY QUOTES: "Certainty is about outcomes. Clarity is about alignment." "God rarely gives us certainty about outcomes. But He consistently offers clarity about what's ours to do right now." "You can't endure what you won't acknowledge." "Faith doesn't remove uncertainty. It removes the demand that you control the outcome." SCRIPTURE REFERENCED: - Hebrews 11:8 - "By faith Abraham obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." YOUR NEXT STEP: Ask yourself: - What decision are you delaying because you're waiting for certainty? - What next step do you actually have enough clarity to take? Stop waiting for the fog to completely clear. Instead, ask for enough light for the next step. And then take it. NOT SURE WHICH EPISODE TO LISTEN TO NEXT? Take the 90-second quiz to discover what's secretly sabotaging your leadership: danitacummins.com/quiz ABOUT THIS SEASON: This is Episode 1 of 8 in the Spring 2026 season on Clarity. New episodes drop the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month through May. How are you enjoying this episode? Send us a note! Support the show ✨ Thanks for Listening! ✨ CONNECT: 📧 Newsletter: danitacummins.com/newsletter 📋 Quiz: danitacummins.com/quiz 🌐 Website: danitacummins.com 📱 Instagram: @danitacummins SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Don't miss an episode—subscribe now!

    20 min
  3. From Pressure to Purpose: 3 Questions That Clarify Your Leadership Legacy

    11/27/2025

    From Pressure to Purpose: 3 Questions That Clarify Your Leadership Legacy

    Are you carrying the weight of leadership pressure? Wondering if your daily faithfulness is making a real difference? In this episode, Danita Cummins reveals how a tiny post-it note from her daughter sparked a profound truth: legacy isn't built through perfection or performance—it's grown through presence. Discover the 3 pillars of legacy-centered leadership (clarity, consistency, and character) and walk through 3 powerful questions that will help you shift from pressure to purpose. Whether you're juggling family, ministry, calling, and responsibilities, or simply need a reminder that your everyday obedience matters, this episode will encourage your heart and recalibrate your focus on what truly lasts. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why legacy grows in the quiet, hidden places rather than in public momentsThe difference between building something big and building something that reflects God's heartHow "busting brush" became a metaphor for faithful, incremental obedienceThe question that shapes Danita's leadership posture: "What do you have in your hand today?"Why alignment matters more than pressure when carrying the weight of leadershipThe 3 Pillars of Legacy-Centered Leadership:Lead with Clarity (not a 10-year plan)Lead with Consistency (not perfection)Lead with Christ-like Character (the legacy that echoes longest)Key Quotes: "Legacy is shaped less by what we do, and it's more by who we are while we're doing it.""You don't build legacy through perfection. You build it through your presence.""Legacy is not built through pressure. It's built through alignment—alignment with God's voice and his timing and his assignments for this season.""Character is the part of your leadership that will outlive you forever.""You're not planting for applause. You are planting for the kingdom." Reflection Questions: Where do I see evidence of the legacy I'm already building?Which of the three pillars—clarity, consistency, or character—is God highlighting to me right now?What seeds am I planting today that align with the legacy I want to leave? Perfect For Leaders Who: Feel stretched thin juggling family, ministry, calling, and responsibilitiesWonder if their everyday faithfulness is making a real differenceNeed a reminder that their presence matters more than their performanceWant to lead with Christ at the center, not cultureAre ready to release what God never asked them to carry Connect with Danita Cummins:  www.danitacummins.com Subscribe & Review: If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe to ENTRUSTED to Lead and leave a review. Your feedback helps this podcast reach more faith-driven leaders who need to hear: "Hi. You're doing amazing." Episode Release: Perfect for Thanksgiving week or end-of-year reflection Episode Length: Approximately 13 minutes Keywords: faith-driven leadership, Christian leadership podcast, legacy building, leadership character, spiritual leadership, women in ministry, kingdom impact, faithful leadership, leadership consistency, Christ-centered leadership How are you enjoying this episode? Send us a note! Support the show ✨ Thanks for Listening! ✨ CONNECT: 📧 Newsletter: danitacummins.com/newsletter 📋 Quiz: danitacummins.com/quiz 🌐 Website: danitacummins.com 📱 Instagram: @danitacummins SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Don't miss an episode—subscribe now!

    14 min
  4. Close 13 Tabs: Reclaim 40% of Your Day with Faith-Centered Focus

    09/15/2025

    Close 13 Tabs: Reclaim 40% of Your Day with Faith-Centered Focus

    Feeling exhausted at day's end but wondering what you actually accomplished? You're likely caught in the multitasking trap that's silently stealing nearly half your productive time. This eye-opening episode reveals the startling truth: what we proudly call "multitasking" is actually "micro task switching" – a productivity killer costing leaders up to 40% of their workday. Drawing from both neuroscience and spiritual wisdom, Danita unpacks why our brains aren't designed for simultaneous tasks and introduces the game-changing FOCUS framework that transforms how you approach your day. You'll discover practical steps to implement immediate focus sprints that create momentum without overwhelming your already full schedule. The simple acronym – Fix your eyes on what matters, Obey the rules and rhythms, Capture ideas without chasing them, Uphold your boundaries, and Steward the results – provides a complete roadmap for reclaiming your time and attention. What sets this approach apart is how it bridges productivity and faith. As Danita reminds us, "Focus is a spiritual practice – choosing faithfulness over frenzy." The guidance connects seamlessly to Proverbs 4:25-26, showing how intentional focus allows us to steward the gifts God has entrusted to us. Whether you're battling constant team interruptions, feeling perpetually reactive, or struggling to maintain attention, this episode offers tailored solutions to your specific focus challenges. Ready to stop the spin and start leading with clarity? Try just one focus sprint today. Your leadership impact – and your peace of mind – depend on it. For personalized guidance, book a 90-minute clarity session with Danita to map your ideal week and establish healthy guardrails that bring the peace you deserve in your leadership journey. Additional References:  Deep Work (Cal Newport): https://calnewport.com/deep-work-rules-for-focused-success-in-a-distracted-world/ Focus on This Podcast: https://focusonthispodcast.com/ Work with Danita Find out what's blocking your leadership clarity!  Take the FREE Leadership Clarity Quiz: https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/67ee83fb842bf6890d7a7875 Book a 90-minute Clarity/Discovery Session ($525+ value): https://calendly.com/danitacummins/90-minute-clarity-call Entrusted to Lead podcast hub: https://danitacummins.com/podcast/ Keywords/Tags Focus, Clarity, Productivity, Leadership, Ministry, Nonprofit, Deep Work, Faith at Work How are you enjoying this episode? Send us a note! Support the show ✨ Thanks for Listening! ✨ CONNECT: 📧 Newsletter: danitacummins.com/newsletter 📋 Quiz: danitacummins.com/quiz 🌐 Website: danitacummins.com 📱 Instagram: @danitacummins SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Don't miss an episode—subscribe now!

    27 min
  5. What Are Pajamas? How One Child's Question Built a Leadership Legacy with Genevieve Piturro

    08/21/2025

    What Are Pajamas? How One Child's Question Built a Leadership Legacy with Genevieve Piturro

    What happens when a simple question from a child completely upends your successful corporate career? Genevieve Peturro never expected her life to take a sudden turn after 12 years of climbing the television industry ladder in New York City. Yet when a little girl in a shelter whispered, "What are pajamas?" everything shifted. That moment launched Genevieve's extraordinary journey from corporate success to founding the Pajama Program, which has since distributed over 8 million pajamas and books to children across America. Her story challenges us to reconsider how we define success and what truly matters in our leadership journeys. Through our conversation, Genevieve reveals the profound differences between traditional corporate leadership and leading with love. She dismantles the myth that heart-centered leadership sacrifices effectiveness, showing instead how vulnerability, collaboration, and joy create stronger, more innovative teams. "It's not about control, it's about connection," she emphasizes—a philosophy that transforms workplaces regardless of industry. For leaders contemplating change, Genevieve offers wisdom from her "jump" into purpose-driven work. She acknowledges the fear that accompanies major transitions but encourages finding cheerleaders who understand your vision. Whether you're considering a dramatic career pivot or simply seeking greater fulfillment in your current role, her practical advice on making "jumps" or "slides" provides a roadmap for authentic living. Perhaps most moving is Genevieve's insight into how providing comfort changes lives on both sides of the equation. The bedtime rituals many take for granted—clean pajamas, storybooks, a loving presence—offer vulnerable children the essential security and peace they need. Meanwhile, volunteers repeatedly express how their service provides unexpected healing during their own difficult times. Ready to lead with greater heart and purpose? Connect with Genevieve through her website for her "Lead with Love" tips and a free brainstorming session to explore your next steps. Your greatest impact might be waiting just beyond your comfort zone. How are you enjoying this episode? Send us a note! Support the show ✨ Thanks for Listening! ✨ CONNECT: 📧 Newsletter: danitacummins.com/newsletter 📋 Quiz: danitacummins.com/quiz 🌐 Website: danitacummins.com 📱 Instagram: @danitacummins SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Don't miss an episode—subscribe now!

    47 min

  6. 08/07/2025

    3 Questions to Redefine Success: From Striving to Surrender in Leadership

    IAre you chasing a version of success that looks good on the outside but doesn't actually fulfill you? You can be doing all the things—building the business, climbing the ladder, serving the people—and still feel like something's missing. In this heart-to-heart episode, Danita Cummins unpacks Proverbs 16:3 and reveals why God's definition of success is radically different from the world's. She shares the difference between persistence and striving, why surrender is actually a position of strength, and how to measure your leadership by obedience instead of outcomes. Discover the 3 clarifying questions that will help you redefine success on God's terms, find peace in the midst of uncertainty, and trust Him with the outcomes you can't control. If you're ready to release the pressure of performance and lead from a place of surrender, this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why doing “all the right things” can still leave you emptyHow to release the pressure to perform and embrace peaceThe difference between striving and surrenderThree clarifying questions to redefine what success looks like for your soul right nowWhy margin is a sacred gift in leadership and lifeReflection Questions: What version of success have I been chasing that may not be from God?Where do I need to surrender the outcome and trust His process?Am I being faithful to what’s in my hand — not just what’s on my vision board?Resources to Go Deeper: Take the Free Leadership Clarity QuizSchedule a No-Pressure Strategy CallDownload the Strategic Planning ChecklistShare the Journey: If this message encouraged your heart, would you share it with someone in your circle who needs to hear it too? Tag @DanitaCummins and let’s talk about how God is rewriting your success story from the inside out. How are you enjoying this episode? Send us a note! Support the show ✨ Thanks for Listening! ✨ CONNECT: 📧 Newsletter: danitacummins.com/newsletter 📋 Quiz: danitacummins.com/quiz 🌐 Website: danitacummins.com 📱 Instagram: @danitacummins SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Don't miss an episode—subscribe now!

    14 min
  7. Beyond Burnout: Rediscovering Purpose in Your Leadership Journey with Dr. Christie McMullen

    07/17/2025

    Beyond Burnout: Rediscovering Purpose in Your Leadership Journey with Dr. Christie McMullen

    Ever looked around your workplace and thought, "There must be a better way"? In this transformative conversation with Dr. Christie McMullen, we uncover how joy and productivity work as essential allies rather than opposing forces. Dr. McMullen brings her 25 years of education experience into the business world with a refreshingly simple framework that makes every workplace interaction safe, logical, fun, and memorable. She explains how psychological safety forms the foundation for everything else—when people feel truly seen and valued, they bring their best selves to work. Through her engaging personality assessment (which reveals whether you are a paperclip, magnifying glass, teddy bear, or slinky), she demonstrates how understanding your team's natural strengths fosters harmony rather than friction. The conversation takes a decisive turn when we explore why so many workplaces feel joyless. "People quit things that aren't fun," Christie notes, whether through actual resignation or just mentally checking out. Her perspective challenges the notion that work must be endured rather than enjoyed, offering practical strategies for leaders to create environments where people genuinely want to contribute. We discuss the warning signs of quiet quitting and how self-aware leadership can prevent team burnout. What makes this episode particularly valuable is the balance of spiritual wisdom with practical application. We explore how the biblical concept of being called to "build our own section of the wall" applies to modern workplace dynamics and how shifting from an "I have to" mindset to an "I get to" perspective transforms our relationship with work. Whether you lead a team of two or two hundred, this conversation will equip you with actionable insights to create a workplace culture where people thrive. Ready to make your workplace interactions more intentional, engaging, and productive? This episode is your blueprint for getting started. Want to learn more? You can purchase Dr.Christie McMullen's book, 'Make Work Fun So People Don't Quit: How To Hit Your Target In Business And Life': https://www.amazon.com/Make-Work-People-Dont-Quit/dp/B0DF5CJWNL?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1 Connect with Dr. Christie McMullen: Website: aimwithus.com Instagram: @drchristiemcmullen How are you enjoying this episode? Send us a note! Support the show ✨ Thanks for Listening! ✨ CONNECT: 📧 Newsletter: danitacummins.com/newsletter 📋 Quiz: danitacummins.com/quiz 🌐 Website: danitacummins.com 📱 Instagram: @danitacummins SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Don't miss an episode—subscribe now!

    46 min
  8. The Strength to Stay: Leading with Endurance When You Feel Like Quitting

    07/03/2025

    The Strength to Stay: Leading with Endurance When You Feel Like Quitting

    Leadership can be quietly exhausting. You're doing all the right things—showing up, serving faithfully, leading with vision—yet still wondering if any of it makes a difference. That hidden weariness is exactly what we're tackling in this powerful episode centered around Galatians 6:9. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." These words from Paul acknowledge the reality of leadership fatigue while offering profound hope. What makes this verse particularly challenging is the phrase "at the proper time"—a frustrating reminder that God's timeline rarely matches our own. The harvest is coming, but on His schedule, not ours. Through personal stories and practical wisdom, I share three leadership truths that have sustained me through seasons of doubt: First, faithful leaders continue sowing even when the soil feels dry. The most important work often happens underground, invisible to everyone including ourselves. Second, rest isn't quitting—leaders burn out not because they work hard, but because they work empty. Finally, look for sprouts rather than applause. Leadership growth shows up in tiny moments that remind us why we started in the first place. Whether you're leading a ministry, running a business, managing a team, or raising a family, this episode offers the encouragement you need to keep going when quitting feels tempting. The harvest is already in motion, even when you can't see it yet. Ready to find renewed strength for your leadership journey? Listen now and discover how to stay faithful when the fruit isn't visible. In this heartfelt episode, Danita invites leaders into an honest conversation about what it means to keep showing up, even when the results feel invisible. Inspired by Galatians 6:9, we reflect on the quiet but powerful endurance it takes to lead well and live faithfully. Stay tuned for an upcoming conversation with Dr. Christie McMullen — bringing neuroscience and soul together to help sustain your leadership journey. Scripture: Galatians 6:9  Take the Leadership Clarity Quiz and book your free coaching call at www.danitacummins.com How are you enjoying this episode? Send us a note! Support the show ✨ Thanks for Listening! ✨ CONNECT: 📧 Newsletter: danitacummins.com/newsletter 📋 Quiz: danitacummins.com/quiz 🌐 Website: danitacummins.com 📱 Instagram: @danitacummins SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Don't miss an episode—subscribe now!

    12 min
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About

Entrusted to Lead is for leaders navigating complex seasons who need more than tactics—they need clarity.If you're carrying the weight of decisions that matter, leading through uncertainty, and trying to sustain yourself without burning out, this podcast is for you.Host Danita Cummins—leadership coach and guide for directors, pastors, nonprofit leaders, and entrepreneurs—brings honest reflections, practical frameworks, and faith-integrated wisdom for leaders who want to lead well without losing themselves.Each seasonal release explores one dimension of sustainable leadership:- Clarity (knowing what's actually yours)- Wholeness (integration over compartmentalization)- Authority (leading from your actual scope)- Resilience (endurance through presence, not just pushing through)This isn't about quick wins or productivity hacks. It's about the kind of leadership that lasts—grounded in faith, rooted in reality, and sustainable for the long haul. New episodes drop twice a month. Episodes are 20-30 minutes—deep enough to matter, short enough to fit your life.If you're ready for clarity that actually helps, start here.

Information

  • Creator
    Danita Cummins
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Entrusted to Lead Podcast
  • Show Website
    Entrusted to Lead Podcast