The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins

TRLP 062: The often overlooked truth about the name Emmanuel

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!Emmanuel: The God Who Chose UsChristmas reminds us that God is not just with us—He wanted to be with us.In this special Christmas-week episode of The Reluctant Leader Podcast, we reflect on the meaning of Emmanuel and the often-overlooked truth behind it: God didn’t come reluctantly. He came willingly.Drawing from Philippians 2, this episode explores the humility of Jesus, the intentionality of the incarnation, and the deep comfort found in knowing that God chose proximity—not distance.Because there’s a big difference between someone being present…and someone wanting to be present.In This Episode:Why Emmanuel means more than “God is with us”The difference between presence and desire in relationshipsHow Philippians 2 reveals the heart behind the incarnationWhy Jesus’ humility points to God’s longing for closenessWhat it means to be wanted by God—especially when you feel overlookedKey Scripture:Matthew 1:23 – “They will call him Emmanuel (which means ‘God with us’).”Philippians 2:5–11 – The humility, obedience, and love of ChristBig Idea:God didn’t come because He had to.He came because He wanted to.Take a Moment:As you move through the busyness of Christmas, pause and sit with this truth:You are not an obligation to God.You are loved.You are wanted.Next Steps:Share this episode with someone who needs to hear they matterSubscribe to The Reluctant Leader PodcastLeave a review—it helps others find the showMerry Christmas from TRLP.Keep giving God your best—and He’ll do the rest.⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

TRLP 061: God With Us - How Christmas kills Solo Christianity

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!In this episode of The Reluctant Leader Podcast, Paul unpacks a powerhouse Greek word hidden in Philippians — συναθλέω (soon-ath-LEH-oh), a term ripped straight from the ancient athletic arena. It doesn’t just mean “work hard for Jesus.” It means strive together — shoulder-to-shoulder, like teammates fighting for the same goal.Then we take that truth straight into Christmas. When Jesus was born, He wasn’t called “God with me.” He was named Immanuel — God with us. Plural. Team language. Community hope. The incarnation is God yelling into our isolation:“Get up… you don’t have to do this alone.”This one’s for every leader feeling the grind, carrying too much weight, and wondering if they’re supposed to fight these battles by themselves. You’re not.In this episode:Why Christianity isn’t a solo sportThe gritty team-language of συναθλέωHow Christmas pulls us into community courageWhat “Immanuel” means for worn-out leadersA practical reminder: joy grows when faith goes side-by-sideKey Scriptures:Philippians 1:27 • Isaiah 7:14Takeaways:Faith is shared sweatGod came close and brought others with HimWe fight better when we fight togetherIf this hits home, share it with someone on your team — encouragement multiplies when it’s passed around.Connect:Follow, like, and subscribe to keep the conversation going each week. And if this episode helped you today, consider sharing it with the teammate God’s placed in your life.⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

TRLP 060: Why Gratitude is so Much More than a Feeling

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!Episode Theme: How choosing gratitude reshapes our leadership, our relationships, and our mental and spiritual health.Episode Summary:We live in a culture trained to obsess over what’s missing. But the way of Jesus flips that narrative. Gratitude doesn’t ignore hard circumstances — it invites us to see God’s goodness right in the middle of them. In this episode, Paul shares how thankfulness reorients us, strengthens us, and becomes a weapon against the lies that drain our joy. We’ll laugh a little, reflect a lot, and walk away with a practical practice to help gratitude come alive in real life.What You’ll Hear:Why gratitude doesn’t always come naturallyHow thankfulness actually rewires the brainWhy Paul calls gratitude “resistance” in a culture of scarcityWhere Scripture anchors us when the struggle gets real (1 Thess. 5:18, Psalm 100:4, Luke 22:19, Philippians 1:3)A simple daily challenge to speak gratitude into someone’s lifeKey Takeaways:Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s lacking to Who’s presentThanksgiving is a doorway into God’s presence, peace, and perspectiveYou can give thanks in all circumstances without pretending you’re thankful for all circumstancesNaming what you’re grateful for disrupts the enemy’s liesLeaders become healthier when love, not lack, sets the tonePractice of the Week — “Name It Forward”1️⃣ Think of someone God has used to bless your life2️⃣ Tell them specifically why you’re thankful3️⃣ Watch how encouragement multiplies joyQuestions for Reflection:Where do I naturally drift — toward gratitude or grumbling?What’s one gift from God I’ve been overlooking?Who can I thank today for the impact they’ve had on me?⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

TRLP 059: Bryce Young, C. J. Stroud, and the power of narratives

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!In this episode of the Reluctant Leader Podcast, host Paul Jenkins explores the power of narratives and how they shape our perceptions of others and ourselves. Using the contrasting stories of NFL players Bryce Young and CJ Stroud, Paul illustrates how initial impressions can be hard to change, but emphasizes that our stories are never finished. He ties this concept to biblical examples, showing how God continues to rewrite stories despite past mistakes. Paul offers practical takeaways, encouraging listeners not to write people off too soon and to reject negative self-narratives, reminding us that our stories are still being written by God.**** CORRECTION: Stroud did not win the Heisman Trophy - he placed third in the voting.00:00 Introduction to the Reluctant Leader Podcast00:46 The Power of Narratives: An NFL Story03:26 The Impact of First Impressions04:14 God's Narrative: Stories of Redemption05:24 Practical Takeaways on Narratives07:04 Final Thoughts and Encouragement🔑 Key TakeawaysNarratives shape everything. The stories we tell (and believe) become the lens through which we see people — and ourselves.First impressions aren’t final verdicts. Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud show how early perceptions can stick — even when the facts change.God rewrites stories. From Moses to Peter to Paul, Scripture proves God refuses to let our worst moments define our lives.Give people grace to grow. Don’t judge someone’s “rookie season.” What looks like failure might just be formation.Don’t settle for an incomplete story. Your label isn’t your legacy. God’s still writing your next chapter.💬 Memorable Quotes“It’s easier to live with a label than to fight for a new narrative — but that’s not how our God works.”“The first season doesn’t define the player, and the first failure doesn’t define the person.”“God doesn’t just start stories. He finishes them.”📖 Scripture Highlight“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”— Philippians 1:6💡 Reflection & ChallengeBefore you hit send, before you judge someone, or before you tell your own story in shame — pause and ask:“Is this the full story, or just a chapter?”⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.

TRLP 058: Dustin Scott on Recovery, Regulation, and Loving People Well

Got questions or comments? Text them to me!My guest is Dustin Scott — husband, dad to a miracle five-year-old named Roman, and a leader who’s spent years walking with people through recovery. He’s from Tucson, Arizona, and recently shifted from working in addiction recovery to teaching theology—because, as he says, “recovery is spiritual formation.”In this episode, Dustin and I talk about what it really means to let Jesus meet us in our mess instead of waiting to get our act together first. We dig into why slowing down to breathe—really breathe—isn’t some new-age trick, but a way to remember that God’s Spirit still fills our lungs like He did in Genesis 2.We also talk about the tension leaders live in: bringing peace to others while fighting for it ourselves, holding joy and pain in the same hand, and realizing that fixing a problem isn’t the same as healing a soul.Dustin shares the incredible story of his son Roman’s birth—a miracle that came after years of heartbreak—and how that experience reshaped his view of faith, leadership, and what it means to walk with a limp but still lead with love.We end up where Philippians 2 points us: Jesus came close, so we can, too. Whether it’s addiction, anxiety, or just the everyday chaos of life, formation happens when we stay close enough to let Him shape us through it.Connect with Dustin: Recovery Formation on Substack⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.