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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:

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 sport
• The gritty team-language of συναθλέω
• How Christmas pulls us into community courage
• What “Immanuel” means for worn-out leaders
• A practical reminder: joy grows when faith goes side-by-side

Key Scriptures:
Philippians 1:27 • Isaiah 7:14

Takeaways:

• Faith is shared sweat
• God came close and brought others with Him
• We fight better when we fight together

If 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.

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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.

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 naturally
• How thankfulness actually rewires the brain
• Why Paul calls gratitude “resistance” in a culture of scarcity
• Where 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 life

Key Takeaways:

• Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s lacking to Who’s present
• Thanksgiving is a doorway into God’s presence, peace, and perspective
• You can give thanks in all circumstances without pretending you’re thankful for all circumstances
• Naming what you’re grateful for disrupts the enemy’s lies
• Leaders become healthier when love, not lack, sets the tone

Practice of the Week — “Name It Forward”
1️⃣ Think of someone God has used to bless your life
2️⃣ Tell them specifically why you’re thankful
3️⃣ Watch how encouragement multiplies joy

Questions 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?

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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.

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 Podcast
00:46 The Power of Narratives: An NFL Story
03:26 The Impact of First Impressions
04:14 God's Narrative: Stories of Redemption
05:24 Practical Takeaways on Narratives
07:04 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Narratives 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

📖 Scripture Highlight

💡 Reflection & Challenge

Before 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?”

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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.