The Coach Approach Ministries Podcast

Podcast Notes — CAP 519 with Rey Spadoni In this episode, Rey Spadoni and I explore the Camino de Santiago and the deeper human longing for pilgrimage, meaning, and transformation. Rey shares insights from his experiences walking the Camino and reflects on why ancient spiritual practices continue to resonate in modern life. We discuss: What draws people to the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage as both an external and internal journey The role of uncertainty, solitude, and reflection in transformation How walking changes the pace of thinking and awareness The connection between coaching, spirituality, and personal growth Why meaningful conversations emerge differently on the road Ancient practices that still speak to modern challenges The difference between achievement and deeper fulfillment Community, vulnerability, and shared humanity along the Camino This conversation is reflective, practical, and deeply human — whether you've walked the Camino yourself or are simply searching for greater clarity and meaning in your own journey. #CaminoDeSantiago #Pilgrimage #PersonalGrowth #Coaching #Transformation #Spirituality #Meaning #Podcast #ReySpadoni #ConversationsThatMatter

🎧 Podcast Notes: Third Generation Coaching with Motoki Asai Connect with Motoki Asai Find Motoki on LinkedIn to learn more about his work with CAM Japan. Episode Overview Brian Miller continues the conversation with Motoki Asai, diving into third generation coaching—a research-based, collaborative approach that shifts coaching from problem-solving to deeper exploration of identity, meaning, and relationship. In a rapidly changing world, this approach emphasizes who a person is becoming, not just what they are trying to achieve. Key Ideas & Takeaways 1. What Is Third Generation Coaching? A collaborative, co-creative coaching approach. Focuses on identity, values, and meaning-making—not just goals. Coach and client create the conversation together, rather than the coach leading it. 2. The Three "Generations" of Coaching First Generation: Goal-focused, problem-solving, linear (GROW model). Second Generation: Adds self-development and emotional intelligence. Third Generation: Centers on identity, narrative, and meaning in a complex world. 3. Coaching for a Complex (VUCA) World Today's world is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. There are fewer "right answers"—coaching must help people navigate identity and purpose. Anchoring in who you are becomes more important than solving any one problem. 4. Coaching as a Collaborative Space The coach is not just asking questions but co-creating insight. Meaning emerges between coach and client. Presence, energy, and relational dynamics matter in the conversation. 5. Beyond Coaching Sessions: A Way of Being Coaching shouldn't stay in formal sessions—it should shape everyday conversations. The goal is to empower people to have transformative dialogue in daily life. 6. Coaching the Person, Not the Problem Moves beyond fixing issues to understanding the individual. Emphasizes curiosity, care, and genuine interest in others. Reflects a deeper posture of listening and valuing people. 7. Presence and Overflow Effective coaching flows from a place of rest and alignment, not striving. Living from "overflow" allows coaches to bring calm, openness, and encouragement. Who you are matters as much as what you do in coaching. Memorable Moments Motoki connects with Reinhard Stelter (a leading voice in third generation coaching) via LinkedIn—and ends up hosting him in Japan. A shared experience (like attending sumo wrestling) becomes part of relational, meaningful dialogue. The emphasis shifts from "helping people achieve more" to "helping people become who they are." About the Guest Motoki Asai is the founder and director of CAM Japan, equipping leaders and coaches while exploring cutting-edge approaches like cognitive linguistics and third generation coaching.

Big Idea Writing isn't just content creation—it's a tool for clarity, growth, and impact. For coaches and leaders, writing helps you think better, communicate better, and ultimately serve people better. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why writing is a powerful tool for coaches and leaders How writing helps you clarify your thinking The connection between coaching conversations and content creation A simple system for generating endless writing topics Why short, consistent writing often beats writing a book How writing can grow your reach and influence organically Key Conversation Highlights 1. Writing Helps You Think Clearly Laura doesn't think by talking—she thinks by writing Writing is a way to: Process ideas Clarify beliefs Discover what you actually think Key Insight: You often don't know what you think until you write it. 2. Coaching Fuels Content Writing topics come directly from: Patterns across coaching conversations When something shows up repeatedly (like time management): It's worth writing about Practical Takeaway: Your best content is already in your coaching sessions. 3. Consistency Beats Inspiration Laura writes: At least once a week During scheduled time blocks (Tuesday + Thursday mornings) System: Routine + coffee + prepared topics = momentum Key Idea: Don't wait for inspiration—build a rhythm. 4. Short, Accessible Writing Wins Ideal length: ~750 words Why: Easy to read in ~5 minutes More likely to be consumed and shared Shift: From "write something big" → to write something useful 5. When to Turn One Idea Into a Series If a topic has depth → break it into parts Series often emerge: Before writing (planned) Or during writing (discovered) Example: A webinar becomes a multi-part Substack series 6. Writing Expands Your Reach (Without Marketing Tricks) Writing attracts: The right audience Future coaching clients Important Distinction: Don't write to get clients Write to be helpful 7. Writing as Identity (Not Just Output) Over time, writing becomes: Part of who you are Not just something you do Key Idea: "I write to learn—and to become." 8. The Craft of Writing Writing involves: Voice Structure Word choice Flow Important Question: Does this sound like you? 9. Progress Over Perfection Writing regularly helps break: Perfectionism You learn: It doesn't have to be perfect to be valuable Key Insight: Done and helpful beats perfect and unpublished. 10. Why Writing Matters for Coaches Writing helps you: Sharpen ideas Serve more people Extend your impact beyond conversations Key Takeaways Writing is one of the best tools for clarity and growth Your coaching conversations are your content strategy Consistency matters more than creativity bursts Short, helpful content builds trust and reach Writing helps you: Think better Coach better Lead better 🔗 Connect with Laura Stephens-Reed Website: laurastephensreed.com Substack: laurastephensreed.substack.com Laura is a pastor, consultant, and mentor coach helping leaders grow in clarity, coaching skill, and leadership development.

Big Idea Healthy churches are not defined by programs or personalities—but by clarity, culture, and conversations. Coaching provides the mindset and structure that helps churches rediscover purpose, develop leaders, and navigate change. Episode Flow & Key Themes 1. The State of the Church Today The church is a mixed bag: Thriving churches: Clear purpose and identity Spiritually grounded Balanced leadership (pastor + laity) Willing to experiment Struggling churches: Operate from scarcity, anxiety, nostalgia Avoid change Lack deep relationships Drift toward apathy or conflict Key Insight: Clarity + courage to adapt separates healthy churches from declining ones. 2. The Shift: From Center to Margin Church is no longer at the center of culture Now operating at the edges Reframe: This is not just a loss—it's an opportunity The church may actually function more faithfully at the margins 3. Why Churches Need Coaching Coaching helps churches move from: Reaction → Intention Maintenance → Development Activity → Clarity 4. Three Key Areas Coaching Transforms A. Leadership Development (Pipeline Thinking) Many churches rely on the same people in the same roles Coaching helps: Identify emerging leaders Develop people before they're "ready" Increase engagement and ownership Shift: From "holding roles" → to developing people B. Clarity of Identity (Purpose, Values, Vision) Most churches lack clarity on: Why they exist Who they're trying to reach What they uniquely offer Coaching Questions: What brought you here? What keeps you here? Deeper Insight: Surface answers: habit, family, invitation Deeper answers: "I recognized Jesus here" "My gifts were called out" "I connected faith with real life" Key Idea: Clarity fuels everything—leadership, outreach, decisions. C. Conflict & Healthy Conversations Conflict is inevitable because people are different Coaching provides tools to: Build trust and safety Listen deeply Surface real issues Disagree in healthy ways Important Distinction: Coaching ≠ mediation But coaching creates the environment where resolution is possible 5. The Power of Agreements (Culture Design) Every healthy team needs a clear agreement or covenant Includes: Expected behaviors Shared values Accountability Shift: From "unspoken expectations" → to shared ownership of culture 6. A Coaching Insight on Church Growth Many churches say: "We want young families" But that's vague and often unhelpful Better approach: Understand who you are first Then identify who you're uniquely called to reach Key Line: You can't find "the lost" if your definition is "anyone." 7. The Role of Self-Awareness Tools like Working Genius or Myers-Briggs reveal: Why people think differently Why conflict happens Awareness creates understanding instead of frustration 8. Final Hope for the Church To be a faithful witness to Jesus Not just about eternity—but about: Bringing heaven to earth Living out faith in real, tangible ways Vision: A church that reflects: Love Clarity Alignment Shared mission Key Takeaways Coaching helps churches move forward with clarity instead of fear Leadership development is essential—not optional Most churches don't need more people—they need better alignment Healthy culture is built intentionally, not accidentally The future church will thrive through: clarity adaptability meaningful conversations 🔗 Connect with Laura Stephens-Reed Website: laurastephensreed.com Substack: laurastephensreed.substack.com Laura is a pastor, consultant, and coach who works extensively with churches on pastoral search, leadership development, and congregational clarity.

Episode Summary Brian Miller reflects on a growing ache he feels in both the church and the wider culture: we do not seem to know who to trust anymore. Trust in politicians, pastors, institutions, even the police has eroded. In that setting, Brian turns to Jesus — not as an abstract doctrine, but as a real person whose life reveals why he can be trusted. Drawing especially from Matthew 4, Brian frames Jesus' temptations in the wilderness as a test of trustworthiness. Jesus is tempted through need, fear, and power — the very pressures that often cause leaders and ordinary people alike to betray their mission, their values, or the people who depend on them. But Jesus does not yield. He refuses to put his hunger above his calling, his fear above his trust in God, or his desire for kingship above the path of the cross. Brian connects this directly to coaching. Trust is the real currency of coaching relationships. Clients do not open up unless they believe they are safe. And coaches cannot become trustworthy people unless they themselves are grounded in something secure. Brian's central claim is simple but weighty: because Jesus can be trusted, my life is secure — and only then can I become someone who is trusted. Big Ideas & Takeaways 1) Brian wants to talk more directly about Jesus Brian opens with a personal longing: he hears people talk about God, the Bible, and Paul, but not enough about Jesus himself. He compares it to his wife's grandmother after her husband Hugh died — people avoided mentioning Hugh because it made her cry, but Brian sensed that what she really wanted was for someone to remember him. His point: there is something powerful about speaking of Jesus as if he is real, present, and worth remembering. 2) We are living through a crisis of trust Brian names trust as one of the defining problems of the present moment. In his view, trust in public life is at a lifetime low: people do not trust politicians people do not trust churches or pastors people do not know whether to trust the justice system even formerly stable sources of authority now feel suspect This loss of trust is not just political or institutional. It is personal and spiritual. People feel alone, uncertain, and abandoned. 3) Matthew wants us to know early: Jesus can be trusted Brian argues that Matthew's Gospel is intentionally anchored in trust. Before Jesus begins his public ministry in full, Matthew shows us who Jesus is and whether he can be trusted with our lives, our hearts, and our eternity. The wilderness temptation is not random. It is a revelation of Jesus' character. 4) Jesus was tempted by need — and did not abandon his mission The first temptation is hunger. After forty days of fasting, Jesus is in real physical vulnerability. Brian emphasizes that this is not symbolic discomfort; Jesus is nearing the limit of human survival. The temptation: meet your own need first. But Jesus refuses to place his hunger above his calling. Brian connects this to conflict and relationships: many people make decisions based on unmet needs, short-term relief, or self-protection. Jesus does not. He can be trusted because he will not put his need above his mission to reconcile people to God and to one another. 5) Jesus was tempted by fear — and did not let fear direct him The second temptation places Jesus in a position of danger. Brian imagines Jesus' human nervous system reacting like any other person's would: fear, survival instinct, the urge to escape. This matters because if Jesus did not really feel fear, the temptation loses its force. Brian's insight here is especially strong: Jesus can be trusted not because he never faced fear, but because fear did not move him away from his mission. He did not test God, take the shortcut to safety, or let panic govern his choices. 6) Jesus was tempted by power — and refused the shortcut Brian calls the final temptation "the one that ends all men." The devil offers Jesus power over the world, but without the cross. That is the real temptation: the crown without the cost. Brian suggests that many religious traditions major on fleshly temptations while underestimating the temptation of power. But power is the deeper danger. It is what undoes leaders, distorts motives, and creates illusions of security and control. Jesus refuses it. He will not grasp power in a way that violates God's will. That refusal reveals a kind of trustworthiness no human leader fully possesses. 7) Trust is the real currency — especially in coaching Brian brings the reflection back to coaching. No meaningful coaching happens without trust. Clients must believe: they are safe they will not be judged they will not be exposed the coach will not use their vulnerability against them And for the coach, trustworthiness begins with security. Brian's line here is central: I have to have trust in order to offer trust. Because Jesus can be trusted, Brian says, his life can become secure enough that he does not need to manipulate, protect, or elevate himself in the coaching relationship. 8) Because Jesus can be trusted, I can become someone who is trusted This is where the whole episode lands. Brian is not saying coaches become perfect or immune to temptation. He says the opposite: he knows he will often succumb to need, fear, and power. But Jesus does not. So the coach, leader, or Christian can rely on Jesus: to meet needs to steady fear to expose the illusion of power And only from that secure place can trustworthiness begin to grow. The Three Temptations Brian Names 1. Need Will Jesus put his own hunger above his mission? 2. Fear Will Jesus abandon trust when safety is threatened? 3. Power Will Jesus take the kingdom without the cross? Brian's answer to all three: No — and that is why Jesus can be trusted. Memorable Lines / Ideas "I just want to hear stories about Jesus." "Trust is at a lifetime low for me." "Jesus can be trusted not to put his needs above his mission." "Fear was not going to move his trust away from his mission." "The temptation was to rule without the cross, to take the crown without the cost." "Trust is the only real currency." "Because Jesus can be trusted, my life is secure." "I have to have trust in order to offer trust." Timestamped Highlights (based on your transcript) 0:00–1:18 Intro + Brian's desire to talk more directly about Jesus 1:18–4:56 Story of Imogene and Hugh → why remembering and naming someone matters 4:56–6:36 Trust as the core issue in coaching and counseling 6:36–9:39 Brian names the broader crisis of trust in politics, church, and public life 9:39–12:20 Matthew's Gospel and why the wilderness story matters for trust 12:20–16:24 Temptation 1: need / hunger / mission 16:24–20:58 Temptation 2: fear / danger / survival instinct 20:58–24:44 Temptation 3: power / shortcut / crown without the cross 24:44–27:18 Why trust is the real currency in faith and coaching 27:18–end Wrap-up + Brian's hope to keep telling stories about Jesus Core Theme Jesus can be trusted in the places where every other leader eventually fails: need, fear, and power. And that matters not only for faith, but for coaching, leadership, and becoming the kind of person others can trust. Links Mentioned Coach Approach Ministries: coachapproachministries.org

Episode Summary In this reflective and candid conversation, Brian Miller sits down with Angie Ward, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Denver Seminary, to explore what it means to lead from gravitas rather than persona. Angie shares why she shifted her writing voice toward deeper transparency in her Substack, The Contemplative Leader, and how embracing her full story—including mistakes, introversion, perfectionism, and even complex PTSD—has strengthened rather than weakened her leadership. This episode explores substantial leadership, contemplative presence, authenticity in a performative culture, and why becoming a better person may be the most important credential a coach can earn. Key Themes & Takeaways 1. From Content to Contemplation Angie reflects on her evolution as a writer and leader. Early on, she felt pressure to produce "content-heavy," didactic leadership writing. Over time, she realized people are far less interested in polished expertise and far more drawn to authentic reflection. Her shift: Writing pastorally instead of performatively Sharing lessons learned from real mistakes Letting her voice emerge from who she is, not just what she knows Leadership influence flows from identity, not information. 2. The "Gravitas Era" Angie describes entering what she calls her gravitas era—a season of leadership marked by weight, depth, and grounded presence. Gravitas, in her words, isn't about dominance. It's about: Emotional and spiritual substance Measured speech Deep listening Carrying responsibility without needing applause As leaders mature, their authority shifts from "listen to me" to "there's something steady here." 3. Substantial vs. Performative Leadership Brian references The Great Divorce, noting Lewis' imagery of heaven as a place of increasing substance. The connection? True leadership is about becoming substantial—grounded, present, integrated. Substance does not happen automatically with age. It comes through: Reflection Excavation Honest self-examination Courage to confront woundedness Experience ≠ maturity. Integration = maturity. 4. Redefining Perfection As a self-described recovering perfectionist, Angie reframes perfection not as flawlessness, but as being perfectly present. This includes: Showing up fully Owning mistakes (like spilling communion in front of a church) Admitting introversion and the need to recharge Naming mental health realities The paradox: The more substantial you become, the freer you are with your flaws. 5. Persona vs. Presence Angie pushes back against the "leader mystique" culture—the polished bio, the highlight reel, the curated persona. She reminds listeners: Your bio hides the rhinestone-gluing nights in Indiana. Authority grows from stewarded wounds. People are starving for leaders who feel real. Authenticity cannot be manufactured through tactics. It emerges from integration. 6. Coaching and Becoming a Better Person Brian observes something many coaches discover: To earn a credential like PCC, you don't just learn techniques—you become more aware, more grounded, more emotionally integrated. You cannot ask powerful questions from the outside. You must do the work internally. Substantial leaders ask substantial questions. Memorable Quotes "We lead out of who we are, not just what we do." "I feel like I'm entering my gravitas era." "Experience does not equal maturity." "The more substantial you are, the more free you are with your flaws." "I've had to redefine perfect as perfectly present." Resources Mentioned Angie's Substack: The Contemplative Leader Angie's website: angiewardphd.com The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis Who This Episode Is For Coaches seeking deeper integration, not just sharper tools Leaders tired of persona-driven leadership culture Christian leaders wrestling with authenticity and authority Anyone who senses they're entering a new season of gravitas Reflection Questions Where might you be leading from persona rather than presence? What wounds or experiences have shaped your gravitas? How would your leadership change if perfection meant "fully present"? What would it look like to steward your voice instead of perform it?

Dr. Brent Sleasman argues that leaders who cling to certainty—predictability, control, and stable cause-and-effect—are setting themselves up to fail in today's environment. In an uncertain age, organizations must separate mission from program, experiment without over-attaching to solutions, and build teams that balance visionaries and integrators. The goal isn't chaos; it's realism, adaptability, and a mission-driven posture that can keep moving even when the map keeps changing. Key moments (timestamps) 0:24–1:17 – The premise: clinging to certainty is a low-percentage path 1:34–2:47 – What "certainty" actually means: predictability → control 5:13–8:05 – Why the "insanity" quote breaks down in uncertain environments 8:42–9:43 – The blunt warning: stability-clingers are on a path toward organizational death 11:05–12:59 – Mission vs. program: stop conflating the two 13:18–15:11 – Discipleship analogy: start with mission, program follows 15:11–16:10 – "Love the problem more than you love the solution" 16:15–20:55 – Myers-Briggs J vs P: why the "organized" leaders can still drive off a cliff 21:01–24:27 – Balance matters: visionary + integrator, apostle + teacher 27:06–28:02 – Best practice: work shoulder-to-shoulder with trusted people 28:08–29:07 – Coaching frame: explore first, then act Key ideas Certainty is the belief that you can predict outcomes. Prediction quietly becomes a demand for control. Uncertainty isn't a temporary storm—it's the climate. Acting like it's 1999 is the real risk. The "insanity" quote gets flipped: In an unstable environment, doing the same thing and expecting the same result may be the truly insane move. Mission and program are not the same thing. Programs are time-bound expressions of mission. Healthy organizations balance roles: visionaries/curiosity with integrators/stability. Tools help, but people matter more. Working together—friction and all—beats perfect assessments on paper. Quotable lines "Those that cling to certainty are set on a path that has got a low percentage of success." "Following prediction is control." "I can control the immediate and the longer-term future—and that's just not the reality today." "In an uncertain environment… the insane thing would have been doing the same thing and expecting the same result." "Those that cling to stability, those that cling to certainty, are on a path toward organizational death." "Very rarely are specific programs the mission." "You've got to love the problem more than you love the solution." "Surround yourself with people that you trust… admit that it's going to be messy." Discussion questions Where are you still operating as if your environment is stable—even though it isn't? What "program" have you accidentally treated like it is the mission? What's one experiment you could run this month that serves the mission without defending old forms? Are you more "visionary curiosity" or "stability integrator"? Who balances you? What would it look like to "love the problem" without getting addicted to your favorite solution? Listener takeaway If you need certainty to lead, you're going to be miserable right now—and you might make your organization miserable too. The better path is to anchor in mission, loosen your grip on programs, and build a team that can both explore and execute. Uncertainty doesn't require panic; it requires humility, experimentation, and the willingness to trade control for learning.

Brian Miller (Coach Approach Ministries) sits down with Brent Sleasman (Winebrenner Seminary) to unpack a hard reality: important kingdom-focused organizations are disappearing—not because the mission isn't needed, but because leaders fail to see the bigger picture and adapt to a changed world. They explore how "little-kingdom thinking," nostalgia-driven decision-making, and fear of loss keep leaders stuck. The conversation lands on two mindset shifts—moving from deconstruction to construction, and from craving certainty to practicing curiosity—plus a practical lifeline: partnership and collaboration before it's too late. Big ideas & key takeaways 1) "Important organizations" can fail while the Kingdom doesn't Brent defines "important" as organizations advancing Jesus' kingdom mission—raising up and equipping workers. Some fail by closing completely; others "survive" by being absorbed and losing autonomy and original mission. 2) The "bigger perspective" starts with Kingdom clarity Brent's core framework: One King One Kingdom One Kingdom mission When organizations obsess over their own mission/brand distinctiveness and neglect the larger kingdom mission, they drift into "my little kingdom" thinking—and conflict with reality eventually wins. 3) Nonprofits get a weird superpower: they can ignore financial reality longer Because they're not serving shareholders or chasing profit, they can keep doing what "worked for my grandparents"… right up until the day they can't pay staff. 4) Leaders are loss-averse, so change feels like dying Brent names the psychology: we overweight what we might lose versus what we might gain. So even small workflow changes (a new system, new dashboard, a meeting rhythm) can get treated like a spiritual crisis. 5) Two mindset shifts for a VUCA world Brent's two shifts: Deconstruction → Construction (Jeremiah language: don't only tear down/uproot; also build and plant.) Certainty → Curiosity/comfort with uncertainty (the world is volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous—so "certainty" as a leadership strategy is basically a fossil.) 6) The practical rescue move: partnership Brent's blunt claim: organizations that failed had ready partners available, but didn't take the humility step early enough. If you think no partner exists, his response is essentially: test that—then admit you're wrong. 7) Before you "shut it down well," try one more creative loop He points to tools/resources (Business Model Canvas, The Startup Way, books/podcasts) to spark fresh thinking before leaders get enchanted with the shutdown process. Standout quotes (clean and punchy) "There's one king, one kingdom, one kingdom mission." "People would rather the church close than change the color of the carpet." "Nobody likes the person at a party that's constantly pointing out everything wrong." "You're going to feel worse about what you lose than what you gain—until you do it." "There were ready partners." Light outline (great for show notes) 00:00–01:35 Setup: "Human-to-human connection will matter more" + the bigger claim: orgs failing due to lack of perspective 01:36–04:31 What "important" means; what "failure" means (closure vs. absorption) 04:32–09:30 Bigger perspective = Kingdom-first clarity (Matthew 28; "one king…") 09:31–15:06 Why orgs get stuck: nostalgia, purity mindset, resistance to change, delayed financial consequences 15:07–20:07 Helping leaders embody mission; fear/loss aversion; journeying together 20:08–26:18 Mindset shifts: constructive thinking + comfort with uncertainty; VUCA 26:19–32:17 Direct advice: partnership/collaboration + use tools/resources to spur creativity; closing encouragement + CAM CTA Practical application prompts (for leaders listening) Where are we protecting our identity more than we're advancing the Kingdom mission? What's one change we keep calling "impossible" that is actually just "uncomfortable"? Who are the "ready partners" we've avoided because partnership would require humility? What decision are we delaying until "certainty" arrives (spoiler: it's not arriving)? What are we building and planting right now—not just critiquing? Links / resources mentioned (no links given in audio) Michael Porter, Competitive Advantage Business Model Canvas Eric Ries, The Startup Way VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) Scriptural references/inferences: Matthew 28 (Great Commission), "harvest is plentiful/workers few," Jeremiah (tear down/uproot vs build/plant), "gates of hell shall not prevail"

Coaching isn't just useful for discipleship—it may be the missing skill set for making disciple-makers. The conversation is candid, funny, and quietly sharp: COVID exposed shallow formation, and the church's "information-first" approach is often producing people who can pass the quiz but can't live the life. What this episode is really about How coaching skills turn discipleship from "content delivery" into "life transformation," and why that matters if you want disciples who can actually reproduce—aka spiritual grandchildren. The main arc COVID as an x-ray: Tracy says the pandemic revealed weakness and shallowness in churches—faith wasn't helping people through reality as much as we assumed. Disciples vs. disciple-makers: Lots of systems can "disciple" people. The breakdown comes when those people are supposed to disciple others…and don't. Coaching as the bridge: Listening, powerful questions, Holy Spirit awareness, concise observations, encouragement—these are the exact "soft skills" disciple-makers need. Ownership beats compliance: If a person doesn't own the next step, they won't do it. Coaching helps them name it, choose it, and commit to it. Gold analogies and quotable moments "Checkbox Christianity": Brian compares conversion to clicking "I agree" on software terms you didn't read…until life hits and you realize you never actually understood what you signed up for. David wearing Saul's armor: What works for the discipler isn't automatically the right "rule of life" for the disciple. Customization matters. Your gallbladder parable: ER doc assumed you wouldn't change ("you'll be back; let's take it out"). Family doctor assumed change is possible and coached you toward it—so you kept your gallbladder. That becomes the whole discipleship point: do we assume people can change? "Pastor, what should I do?" → "You should ask Jesus." (Brian notes how rare that response is—and how coaching questions push people into hearing God, not outsourcing their spiritual life to professionals.) Practical coaching skills applied to discipleship (the "how") Listen to locate, not to reload. Disciple-making isn't "me talking, you listening." It's listening to where someone actually is, then drawing them out. Ask questions that create awareness: Jesus-style questions show up ("Who do you say I am?"). Good disciple-makers ask, not just tell. Use observations (concise messages), not advice-dumps: "When you quoted that verse, something lit up in you." "It sounds like Scripture reading hasn't been life-giving lately." Observations invite reflection without taking over. Offer resources when the gap is real: You can't "pull out" what isn't there. Tracy's prayer example: discover she knows only one way to pray → offer a resource → let her choose what resonates → she owns it. The model Brian Tracy is building 10-month micro-group discipleship (max four people, weekly, relational, life-on-life). Participants lead segments early so development is "doing," not just learning. After 10 months, they go through CAM 501, then get released to disciple 2–3 people. Tracy continues coaching them monthly to review progress—very "Jesus: watch me → do it → debrief → do it again." The punchline challenge to the church The church often assumes discipleship = more information. But Scripture itself pushes toward transformation + obedience: "Teaching them to observe/do…" James: don't merely listen and deceive yourselves. D.L. Moody: Bible wasn't given to increase information, but to transform life. Coaching helps close the gap between knowing and doing. Where Tracy says this is going A disciple-making movement in his local church built on coaching-enabled disciple-makers. Cohorts of pastors in the fall to redesign discipleship in their contexts using coaching skills as the method, regardless of the curriculum. Ending vibe They land the plane with contact info (and more "Brian vs. Bryan" banter), then Brian ties it to Romans 12: transformation through renewed thinking—exactly the kind of change coaching is designed to catalyze.

🔑 Three Insights from the CAM Leaders Meeting Drawing from Coach Approach Ministries' first leaders meeting without any of its founders, Brian shares three convictions that will shape the future of coaching—and the church. 1️⃣ Human-to-Human Interaction Is Becoming More Valuable, Not Less As technology accelerates and polarization deepens, people aren't craving better performance—they're craving presence. Younger generations are increasingly skeptical of anything that feels artificial Coaching offers something rare: real attention, real listening, real agency Coaching doesn't drain energy—it often restores it In a world saturated with noise, presence is becoming a competitive advantage. 2️⃣ Institutions Are Failing Because They Can't See the Bigger Picture Organizations aren't collapsing primarily from outside pressure—but from narrow vision. The world has changed. Not incrementally. Fundamentally. Systems are no longer simple or even complicated—they're complex What worked yesterday may fail tomorrow, even if nothing "changed" The leaders who thrive are learners, not defenders of the past A consistent pattern has emerged: People open to coaching tend to flourish inside organizations. Those resistant to coaching almost always leave. That's not a theory. It's an observation. 3️⃣ The Greatest Need in Churches Isn't Strategy—It's Conflict Resolution After working with leaders overseeing large networks of churches, one issue rises above the rest: unresolved conflict. Unaddressed relational strain: Exhausts leaders Hollow outs communities Quietly dismantles trust Coaching skills—listening, curiosity, emotional regulation, shared understanding—are exactly what's missing. Brian argues that even a short investment in coach training can dramatically improve how leaders talk with one another—often more in two days than in years of meetings. And that opens a door. ⛪ A Vision for the Church The church may be one of the last places where people still know how to gather. That's not a liability. It's an opportunity. If reconciliation truly sits at the heart of the gospel, then coaching may be one of the most practical ways churches can live that out—internally and for the world. This conviction is shaping Brian's focus for 2026, with a renewed interest in on-site coach training for pastors, staff, and church leaders. ✈️ What's Next Continued excellence in online coach training More teaching from Brian in 2026 A growing emphasis on in-person presence where it matters most And yes—possibly more flights than courtrooms. 🙏 Thank You for Listening If you've listened to one episode or all five hundred—thank you. And if you're curious about coaching, coach training, or how to show up better in a complex world, you're in the right place. 👉 Learn more at coachapproachministries.org We'll see you next week.

In this episode, Brian Miller and Brian Tracy kick off January's theme—Escaping the Tyranny of the Urgent—by looking back at Brian's 2025 goal list (10 goals… 3 achieved… baseball Hall of Fame, real life: "ouch"). They explore what a "failed" goal year can teach you: you can't predict what's coming, God opens doors you didn't even know existed, and the real win isn't perfect outcomes—it's faithful work and healthy relationships. Key Highlights Brian admits he set 10 public goals for 2025 and hit 3, then uses that "miss" as a learning lab rather than a guilt trip. You can't predict the future: partnerships changed, a collarbone broke, and leadership responsibilities shifted—none of which were on the goal spreadsheet. Hold goals loosely: both Brians describe learning to release control and stay alert to God's unexpected openings. Focus on the work, not the scoreboard: habits and daily faithfulness matter more than lofty targets (with a nod to Atomic Habits and the "become the person" principle). Relationships are the real goal: productivity can quietly sabotage what matters most—community, family, prayer partners, and life-giving friendships. Takeaways Set fewer goals—and build "adaptability" into them. A smaller number of priorities leaves room for real life (and real leadership curveballs). Measure faithfulness by the work you do daily, not just the outcomes you can't control. Ask: "Does this goal strengthen relationships?" If it doesn't, it might be a shiny distraction wearing a halo. Stop trying to kick down locked doors. Pay attention to the doors God opens—and when they open, walk through them boldly. Schedule rest and life-giving time on purpose. If you never plan time off, the urgent will happily eat your entire year.

In this episode, Brian Miller and Chad Hall revisit Matthew chapters 8 and 9 to explore the escalating revelation of Jesus' authority—from healing a leper and a centurion's servant to calming a storm and forgiving sins. They trace how each miracle expands the borders of inclusion, challenges human expectations, and demonstrates that nothing—disease, distance, nature, or even sin—can stand outside Jesus' transforming reach. The conversation turns deeply practical for Christian coaches, connecting forgiveness and reconciliation to the heart of transformational coaching. Key Highlights Inclusion as the heartbeat of the Kingdom. Jesus' first acts after the Sermon on the Mount—healing a leper and a Roman centurion's servant—reveal a radical openness that shocks religious boundaries. Escalating power and presence. Each story shows Jesus' authority expanding: from physical healing to calming creation to resolving the cosmic issue of sin. Opting out vs. opting in. Many reject Jesus not because He excludes them, but because inclusion offends their control, comfort, or sense of superiority. Forgiveness as spiritual power. Forgiving sins wasn't symbolic—it was a cataclysmic act that disrupted religious structures and revealed divine reconciliation. Coaching connection. Like Jesus, coaches help others see what's hidden beneath the surface—often an invisible need for forgiveness or reconciliation that keeps clients stuck. Takeaways Transformation begins with inclusion. God's kingdom reaches the excluded first—and invites everyone willing to step in. Forgiveness is deeper than fixing. In both faith and coaching, lasting change often starts with releasing resentment or guilt. Don't fear the storm. Growth requires following Jesus into chaos—where peace and clarity emerge. Invisible forces matter. Emotional and spiritual "black holes" like unforgiveness bend everything around them until they're addressed. Coaching is kingdom work. Helping clients reconcile—to God, themselves, and others—is a sacred act of restoration, not just problem-solving.

In this episode, Brian and Chad Hall unpack the "Simple–Complicated–Complex" lens for leaders and coaches—how to tell which kind of situation you're facing and how to respond differently so you stop over-analyzing the unknowable and start learning your way forward. Key Highlights Definitions with pictures: Simple = obvious cause/effect (dominoes). Complicated = cause/effect exists but requires expertise (car engine, medical diagnosis). Complex = patterns only clear in hindsight; outcomes shift as actors adapt (rainforest, economy, AI). The core mistake: Treating complex problems with complicated tools—endless analysis and confidence theater—when what's needed is experimentation and learning. Operate by domain: Simple → standardize and simplify; Complicated → analyze, measure, hire experts; Complex → place small bets, learn fast, adapt. Real-world examples: Hiring during COVID, SEO after algorithm shifts, tariffs and the economy, competition dynamics (new stores nearby), church growth models—each shows why yesterday's levers stop working. Beyond business: Parenting and long-range strategy are inherently complex—near-term is clearer, long-term requires humility, feedback loops, and patience. Takeaways Name the game first. Ask: Is this simple, complicated, or complex? Your tactics should match the domain. In complex spaces, act to learn. Don't wait for perfect clarity—run small experiments, gather feedback, iterate. Save analysis for the right problems. Use experts and diagnostics where cause/effect can genuinely be mapped. Bias toward simplicity. Wherever possible, reduce processes to the simplest reliable system (hello, E-Myth). Hold plans loosely. What worked may stop working; assume adaptation is part of the job, not a detour.