Wounded Leadership: Stories from the Wounded

About Wounded Leadership: Stories from the Wounded

The Wounded Leadership Podcast, hosted by Dr. Matthew Tanner, aims to provide a platform for pastors and church leaders who have experienced trauma in their ministry. Through storytelling, the podcast seeks to foster healing and community among those who have faced church hurt. Each episode features authentic narratives from various leaders, emphasizing the importance of sharing experiences to combat isolation and promote recovery. The podcast promises authenticity and vulnerability, offering listeners a sense of connection and hope as they navigate their own leadership challenges.

Publisher

Dr. Matthew Tanner

Category

health & fitness · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Aug 2025

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

27 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Choosing Gratitude: Dennis Atwood

   "I didn’t lose my calling all at once - I lost it slowly, through a diagnosis I couldn’t outwork." Faith and grief can live in the same room. At 54, Dennis was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s, and for 7 years he tried to keep leading without letting anyone see the tremor. Then the hiding stopped. What he said next hits hard: Not all wounds are self-inflicted Sometimes the hardest part is losing your role, not just your health You can be content in Christ and still not be okay with what’s happening That’s the real tension so many pastors carry - strength on the outside, quiet loss on the inside.Maybe the most healing thing is saying the truth out loud.What part of this hit you most? Find Dennis Atwood's book: Choosing Gratitude. (https://www.amazon.com/Choosing-Gratitude-Transforming-Community-Despite/dp/B0GPX4T2DC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=XL23P5YBS4DT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5qPf-k2d4-jRTDFpQsvqVw.BGtg9pXhWbhH58Mdz7S_MPXFc4Fi4yFIWKgc_r3k7Gg&dib_tag=se&keywords=choosing+gratitude+dennis+atwood&qid=1791220232&sprefix=choosing+gratititude+dennis%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1) Keywords #wounded leadership, #Parkinson's, #ministry, #suffering, #identity, #purpose, #healing, #community, #gratitude, #resilience Key topics Living with Parkinson's disease while serving as a pastor The impact of physical illness on leadership and identity The role of gratitude and community in healing Navigating grief and loss in ministry The importance of vulnerability and storytelling in healing Takeaways Physical illness profoundly affects a pastor's identity and role. Gratitude and community are vital for healing and purpose. Honest storytelling fosters connection and healing. Acceptance of limitations is crucial for resilience. Living in the present helps navigate suffering. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dennis Atwood's Story 00:30 Dennis shares his background and diagnosis 02:07 Living with Parkinson's while serving in ministry 04:04 The emotional and spiritual impact of illness 06:00 Church's response and navigating relationships 08:01 Loss of identity and role as a pastor 10:00 Finding purpose amid suffering 12:04 The importance of vulnerability and storytelling 13:58 Living in the present and acceptance 16:08 The role of gratitude and community 18:02 God's presence in suffering 20:10 Advice for wounded pastors and leaders 21:59 Redefining purpose and living intentionally 23:54 The concept of wounded healer 26:05 Final thoughts and encouragement 28:00 How to connect with Dennis's book, Choosing Gratitude

2. 

   21 Sept 2026

   The Hidden Cost of Growing up Unseen - Steve Cummings

   Steve Cummings shares his profound journey of healing from childhood wounds, father wounds, and personal struggles with addiction and shame. This episode explores the transformative power of vulnerability, identity, and God's love in overcoming woundedness and living as beloved sons. Find more about Steve Cummings at: Bringing Kingdom (http://www.bringingkingdom.org/) Find Steve's book The Father Eclipse (https://www.amazon.com/Father-Eclipse-Earthly-Identity-Clearly/dp/B0H1FBN6Y7) keywords #woundedness, #healing, #father wounds, #identity, #vulnerability, #faith, #addiction, #shame, #transformation, #beloved son, #wounded leadership, #mental health, #pastor key topics Childhood wounds and their impact on adult life The role of father wounds and spiritual abuse in shaping identity The journey of facing shame and vulnerability The importance of community and safe spaces for healing The transformative power of understanding God's love and identity in Christ The role of therapy, prayer, and spiritual practices in recovery The significance of authentic relationships and accountability How woundedness affects ministry and leadership Practical steps for beginning the healing journey The importance of living from our true identity as beloved sons Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Steve Cummings and his story 00:26 Steve's background and family life 00:57 Steve's ministry and focus on identity 01:23 Starting the journey of healing from childhood wounds 02:22 Understanding the impact of childhood experiences 555:32:59 The story of the car accident and early wounds 788:52:59 Early experiences of neglect and emotional disconnection 1036:06:19 Fear of abandonment and family instability 1269:26:19 Family dynamics and spiritual background 1577:46:19 Growing up in a religious environment and performing faith 1847:13:01 Early exposure to sexuality and attachment issues 2091:39:41 Academic achievement as a source of validation 2199:59:41 The pursuit of success and identity 2366:39:41 The turning point: hitting rock bottom and seeking help 2666:39:41 The escalation of addiction and hidden struggles 3069:26:21 Marriage, failure, and the journey to reconciliation 3738:53:02 The impact of spiritual and emotional wounds 4705:33:02 The online relationship and medicating pain 4861:06:24 The process of recovery and healing 5444:26:24 Uncovering the wounds with therapy and spiritual insight 5669:26:25 The voice of the father and identity in Christ 6316:39:45 The moment of emotional breakthrough 67111:06:28 Reconciliation with his father and healing relationships 74138:53:10 Living from true identity as beloved sons 82805:33:15 Next steps in the healing journey 84611:06:35 Staying vulnerable and authentic in recovery 88999:59:57 The importance of community and accountability 97638:53:20 Steve's ministry and resources for healing 100583:20:00 Closing thoughts and encouragement for listeners

3. 

   7 Sept 2026

   Success Hid the Warning Signs: Doug Meye

   Church wounds can make you question your calling, your leadership, and even your faith. Doug Meye opens up about the unraveling of a once-thriving church, the painful decisions that followed, and his long journey from shame and burnout to healing, clarity, and renewed purpose.Doug and Dr. Matthew Tanner trace his story from planting a growing congregation in Las Vegas to facing stalled momentum, fractured relationships, family strain, and overwhelming leadership pressure. You’ll discover: Why rapid church growth can hide deeper warning signs How staffing challenges and internal division can grow into crisis What it feels like to resign from a church you helped build Why Doug saw himself as “the problem” How an interim pastorate and leadership study helped rebuild his confidence For pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone navigating a painful transition, this conversation offers hope that healing is possible and that God can still bring good from what felt irreparable. If you find yourself trying to navigate wounds from Ministry please visit Wounded Leadership (www.woundedleadership.com)for resources and a path toward healing! Key topics Doug Meye's early life and call to ministry Challenges faced during church planting in Las Vegas The impact of leadership decisions and church conflicts The process of healing from ministry wounds The role of external support and education in recovery The importance of authenticity and vulnerability in leadership Takeaways Healing from ministry wounds is possible through God's grace. External support and education can facilitate recovery. Authenticity and vulnerability strengthen leadership. Leadership mistakes can be turned into growth opportunities. God uses pain to develop deeper character and purpose. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Doug Mai's ministry journey 02:03 Early life and call to ministry 05:00 Church planting in Las Vegas 1505:32:23 Growth and success in ministry 1833:19:03 Signs of burnout and warning signs 23666:39:12 The crisis point and decision to step down 31749:59:16 The process of healing and recovery 36861:05:59 Lessons learned and spiritual growth 49888:52:47 Supporting others through wounds 66777:46:18 Reflections on God's grace and future hope Keywords ministry, leadership, healing, church planting, spiritual growth, wounded leaders, recovery, grace, resilience, pastoral leadership

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Contact Wounded Leadership: Stories from the Wounded

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.