Episode 93 | Turning Pain Into Purpose with Preston Zeller

About this episode

Brandi Kelly and Preston Zeller discuss the intersection of grief, creativity, and faith in shaping leadership and purpose.

In this powerful and deeply reflective conversation, Brandi Kelly sits down with Preston Zeller to explore how grief, creativity, and faith intersect to shape leadership and purpose. The conversation expands into faith, resilience, and technology as Preston introduces Psalm Log , an AI-powered biblical journaling and guidance app designed to help believers engage Scripture in a more personal, reflective, and accessible way. Together, Brandi and Preston unpack what it means to lead through uncertainty, how to cultivate emotional and spiritual resilience, and why self-awareness is foundational for strong leadership. Key Takeaways Grief can a catalyst for purpose when processed through creativity and reflection instead of avoidance. Leadership begins with self-leadership —you cannot lead others well without first leading yourself well. Creative expression can unlock healing that logic alone cannot reach. Faith and discipline help anchor resilience in seasons of uncertainty and pressure. AI can be a tool for spiritual reflection when used with discernment, not replacement of personal faith. Hope is built through focus on what you can control —your thoughts, actions, and obedience in…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Brandi Kelly

Guest: Preston Zeller

Topics covered

• grief
• creativity
• leadership
• faith
• resilience
• technology

Keywords

• grief
• creativity
• leadership
• faith
• resilience
• AI
• self-awareness

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Psalm Log

Books & works: The Art of Grieving

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• Episode 98 | Real Leadership Starts with Healing, Hope, and Purpose · May 30, 2026 · 9 min
• Episode 97 | Authentic Leadership Starts with Identity | Dr. Eric Moyer · May 23, 2026 · 41 min
• Episode 96 | Changing the Table: Leadership, Purpose, and Courage · May 16, 2026 · 10 min
• Episode 95 | Purpose-Driven Leadership with Michelle Sloan · May 9, 2026 · 42 min
• Episode 94 | The Self-Awareness Gap in Leadership (and How to Fix It) · May 2, 2026 · 9 min