Letters to Rising Leaders Tom Mohr

Episode 23 - Behind the Mask
In this 10-minute podcast, Tom Mohr reflects on our tendency to put on the mask of our false selves– that artifice that we present to the world to place us in our best light, or to give us advantage. But our true selves lie behind the mask. Authenticity is the path to joy. 
Song Title:
Simple Things
Song Summary: 
This song is about living the simple life. In our hustle-bustle, achievement-centric world, we can often lose sight of the fact that in the end, it’s the simple things that matter most. If we just open our eyes, we’ll see that God lives there. Robert Berry joins Tom Mohr in instrumentals. Mohr’s daughter, Mary Catherine Mohr, joins him in harmony. 

Episode 22 – Despair
In this 10-minute podcast, Tom Mohr reflects on our most desperate moments– when we have fallen into despair. He shares the story of Rich Mullins, the Christian musician who created some of his greatest songs while in the grip of despair. He also shares the story of the musicians on the Titanic, who picked up their instruments and played “Nearer My God to Thee” for the panicked passengers instead of running for the lifeboats. 
Song Title:
Nearer My God to Thee
Song Summary: 
This is the song performed by the string quartet on the Titanic as the ship was sinking. The musicians could have run for the lifeboats, but they stayed, played and gave comfort. It is a beautiful song, a reminder that even in the depths of total despair, God is near. He will get us through. Robert Berry joins Tom Mohr with the instrumentals.  

Episode 21 – Depression
In this 10-minute podcast, Tom Mohr reflects on the affliction known as depression– in word and song (“Struggle”). All of us experience it at times in our lives. In this podcast, he shares the story of Abraham Lincoln, perhaps America’s greatest president. Lincoln suffered from debilitating depression for most of his life, and yet he was a leader of great consequence and moral authority. How can leaders live with depression and yet serve in goodness? We can learn much from Lincoln’s story. 
Song Title:
Struggle
Song Summary: 
Tom Mohr wrote this song as a desperate prayer in the midst of darkness. In the dark of the night, we can lose confidence that God is with us. But He is. He’s always with us. In the battle between doubt and faith, God wins. Robert Berry joins in on instrumentals.  

Episode 20 - Disillusionment
In this 10-minute podcast, Tom Mohr reflects upon disillusionment– shared in word and song (“Into This Broken Place”). In our disillusionment, the veil of false belief is ripped from our face, shocking us into a new, troublesome awareness. How do we react? How do we find God in the midst? Hear the story of Corrie Ten Boom– who was sent to a concentration camp by the Nazis for trying to save Jews. 
Song Title:
Into This Broken Place
Song Summary: 
Tom Mohr wrote this song about turning to God in the midst of struggle. In our defeat and disillusionment, it can be hard to come back to God. But when we do, he renews us. He places us upon the rock of His love, truth and grace. Robert Berry joins Mohr in instrumentals. JJ Johnson joins him in harmony. 

Episode 19 – Doubt
In this 10-minute podcast, Tom Mohr reflects upon doubt– shared in word and song (“Dear God”). How can we continue to lead in the midst of darkness and doubt? Mohr shares the story of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who struggled with doubt in her faith life for 50 years. And yet she carried on in prayer and service, ministering to the poorest of the poor. We can learn much from her example. 
Song Title:
Dear God
Song Summary: 
Tom Mohr wrote this song as a lamentation. Sometimes, when we are lost and in the shadows, all we can do is cry out to God. All we can do is lay our emptiness before Him. God loves our honesty. And He is there to guide us through the dark valleys of our lives. Robert Berry joins Tom Mohr in instrumentals and in harmony.

Episode 18 - The Servant
In this 10-minute podcast, Tom Mohr reflects on our call to servanthood– shared in word and song (“Humble Scraps”). It is the habit of our times to separate our world lives from our faith lives. But this is silliness. In this podcast, Mohr shares the story of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador. He was a leader and martyr whose goodness flowed from his deep and abiding faith in God. 
Song Title:
Humble Scraps
Song Summary: 
Tom Mohr wrote this first as a poem, then turned it into a song. It’s about those prayer times when our minds are so distracted with chatter, we never even make a connection with God. Good news: He’s always connected, even when we don’t realize it. And He understands us. Robert Berry joins Mohr in instrumentals.