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5 Ways Your Family of Origin Is Undermining Your Leadership (Part 1)
Posted on: Tuesday July 08, 2025

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in patterns you can’t explain or hitting a wall in your leadership that won’t budge—there’s a reason. In this episode of the Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast, I explore one of the most overlooked but powerful forces shaping your life and leadership: your family of origin.

The truth is, we all carry a family story. And unless we allow Jesus to meet us there—deep in those places—our leadership, relationships, and even our ability to hear God will be compromised.

I’ll walk you through how your family of origin influences your emotional maturity, your capacity to lead from your true self, and your ability to discern God’s voice. I’ll also share stories from my own journey and those of other leaders to help you recognize where you might be stuck—and how to move forward.

This is part one of a two-part series you don’t want to miss. The work of transformation begins with you.

 

Archives:
Tuesday April 12, 2022

Becoming an emotionally healthy disciple is not just about self-discovery and self-improvement.

Ultimately, our discipleship MUST lead us to become spiritual mothers and fathers of the faith - helping those around us discover their God-given power and purpose.

In today's podcast, I share a message that invites us to become spiritual mothers and fathers in the faith.

Tuesday April 05, 2022

On today's podcast, I share a sermon that will help you grow as an emotionally healthy leader – prudent with your time, wealth, energy, and resources. Only with prudence are we able to become the kind of leaders who create and shape the future!

Tuesday March 29, 2022

Recently, I made a large, consequential decision over the period of 3 - 6 months. This discernment process required me to personally apply the principles of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship in a deep way.

In today's podcast episode, I will walk you through the specifics of this real-life decision, why it was complex, and five questions that guided me in this decision-making process.

Tuesday March 22, 2022

For the last 9 weeks, we've been exploring the core theology and practices of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.

But now it's time to address your questions and challenges as you put it into practice. 

Tuesday March 15, 2022
Without a thoughful plan, we are left with only our best intentions. Today on the podcast I teach you how to develop a "Rule of Life" - an ancient practice that helps you build your life around the love of God. 

This podcast is part of a multi-week series in which we explore the seminal work from Emotionally Healthy SpiritualityIf you are a pastor, leader, or listener and you want to start the journey toward emotional and spiritual health, this series is a must-listen.
Tuesday March 08, 2022

In today's podcast episode I bring the last of a multi-week podcast series in which we explore the seminal work from Emotionally Healthy SpiritualityIf you are a pastor, leader, or listener and you want to start the journey toward emotional and spiritual health, this series is a must-listen.

If you missed the first episode on The Problem of Emotionally Unhealthy Spirituality, you can listen to it here.

Tuesday March 01, 2022

We were made by God to live within rhythms and limits. 

On today's podcast, we explore this countercultural practice that cuts to the very heart of our beliefs about God and ourselves. 

Today's episode is a continuation of an 8-week podcast series in which we explore the seminal work from Emotionally Healthy SpiritualityIf you are a pastor, leader, or listener and you want to start the journey toward emotional and spiritual health, this series is a must-listen.

 

Tuesday February 22, 2022

Many Christians are familiar with the practice of a daily "quiet time".

But with the speed and volume of our often overscheduled lives, one short moment a day isn't enough to sustain an abiding life with Jesus.

Today's episode is a continuation of an 8-week podcast series in which we explore the seminal work from Emotionally Healthy SpiritualityIf you are a pastor, leader, or listener and you want to start the journey toward emotional and spiritual health, this series is a must-listen.

Tuesday February 15, 2022

Grief and loss are a central part of our humanity.

It comes without our permission and against our will. But this is why suffering is how God uniquely opens our hearts and transforms us.

Today's episode is a continuation of an 8-week podcast series in which we explore the seminal work from Emotionally Healthy SpiritualityIf you are a pastor, leader, or listener and you want to start the journey toward emotional and spiritual health, this series is a must-listen.

Tuesday February 08, 2022

In today's podcast, I talk more extensively about the 6 stages of the wall and it can lead to complete life transformation.

This episode is a continuation of an 8-week podcast series in which we explore the seminal work from Emotionally Healthy SpiritualityIf you are a pastor, leader, or listener and you want to start the journey toward emotional and spiritual health, this series is a must-listen.

If you missed the first episode on the problem of emotionally unhealthy spiritualityyou can listen to it here.