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Do the Work Before the Work
Posted on: Tuesday December 09, 2025

In this episode of the Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast, Pete Scazzero challenges pastors and leaders with a simple yet radical invitation: "Do the work before the work."

This is more than a productivity principle. It's a call to integrity—where your outer leadership flows from your inner life with God. Through a compelling reflection on Jesus' own rhythms of solitude, limits, and Spirit-led decisions, Pete explores how the greatest threat to your leadership may not be your church, your staff, or your context—but your own unexamined inner life.

You'll hear the ancient tale of The Woodcarver, brought to life through Thomas Merton's lens, and discover how it mirrors the kind of inner work Jesus modeled in the wilderness.

If you've ever felt the pressure to perform, the pull of others' expectations, or the pace of a life without margin, this episode offers a pathway back to wholeness—and a leadership that's both fruitful and free.

 

Archives:
Tuesday December 14, 2021

In today's podcast, Pete shares with you a sermon in which he explores many fascinating details about Herod's life and why it stood in such contrast with the newborn King.

Tuesday December 07, 2021

In today's podcast, Pete explores the nuts and bolts and best practices of planning for a sabbatical. It takes advance planning, prayer, and thoughtfulness in order to do well.

Tuesday November 30, 2021

In this week's podcast, Pete explores the biblical definition of a sabbatical and makes a case for why all leaders should, at the right time, take one.

Tuesday November 23, 2021

Today on the podcast, Pete walks through 4 real-life case studies of leaders navigating transition. In each case, He'll share insights about the right (and wrong) ways these transitions should be handled.

Tuesday November 16, 2021

In today's podcast, Pete explores how criticisms can set off internal triggers that may result in anger, defensiveness, or blaming. The good news is – it's possible to get free from these patterns. When you change the way you think, it will be a gift to your whole team and church!

Tuesday November 09, 2021

Today on the podcast, Pete walks you through a format for how to host a service where every member of your church is commissioned into full time ministry.

Tuesday November 02, 2021

In today's podcast, Pete explores the life of Abraham and the revelation that propelled him forward in his work. Because when we view our life and work from heaven's perspective, everything changes.

Tuesday October 26, 2021

In today's podcast, Pete exposes some of the most unbiblical language we use and how we can better communicate good theology so our people can flourish in their everyday lives.

Tuesday October 19, 2021

Today on the podcast, Pete builds upon last week's episode about finding our "calling" and shares about the deeper purpose of our work from God's perspective.

Tuesday October 12, 2021
Today on the podcast, Pete shares a message that reframes this often misunderstood topic of "calling". This topic is so monumental, it's like discovering a new continent!