Ep.45: Stewarding Suffering – Part Two

Ep.44 began a crucial conversation about stewarding suffering—something every mentor and aspiring mentor will encounter on the journey. As we continue through the Christmas season, which beautifully reminds us of redemption emerging from hardship, we’re shifting gears to focus on practical wisdom for navigating pain as someone who guides others. Whether you’re pouring into someone else or looking to be poured into, this episode offers real-life insights and actionable tips to help you support others—and yourself—when suffering hits close to home. In Part Two, we take the conversation from understanding suffering to actively mentoring through it. What does it look like to walk alongside someone—whether as a mentor, a friend, or a fellow traveller—when pain is raw, and answers seem distant? How can you be transparent about your own struggles without losing credibility or hope? This episode will give you practical insights, encouragement, and honest questions to help you guide others while caring for your own soul. This episode is about discovering purpose in pain—both for yourself and those you’re walking alongside. We’ll explore how asking, “What might God be teaching me (or my mentee) in this?” can move us beyond just surviving to experiencing real redemption. Suffering doesn’t define you, nor does it define those you mentor. Still, your response—and how you help others respond—can become a legacy, offering a lighted path for anyone finding themselves in a dark valley. We’ll share practical steps for mentors and those seeking mentorship, including insights you can apply right away: Sharing your struggles with appropriate transparency to build connection. Focusing on what God may be teaching you, revealing purpose within the pain. Using your experience to serve and guide others with grace and empathy. Join us as we wrap up this meaningful dialogue, inviting mentors and those seeking mentorship to gather wisdom for both your own journey and those you’re guiding. Together, we’ll find practical ways God might use our hardest seasons to grow our empathy, strengthen our faith, and help us become wiser guides for others. Listen now to discover practical ways to mentor and be mentored through seasons of suffering. Whether you’re guiding someone through hardship or seeking wisdom for your own journey, this episode is packed with insights and tips you can use right away. Share this two-part series with a fellow mentor or mentee who could use some encouragement and hope.

As we approach the Christmas season, a time often filled with joy and celebration, it’s also a time to reflect on the deeper story of hope born from humble and challenging circumstances. This week, in part one of our two-part series on suffering, we’re going deeper than we did in our last episode on disappointment to discuss a topic that touches every leader: suffering. Suffering is a universal human experience, yet it often feels isolating, especially when you’re responsible for leading others. How do you respond when faced with personal loss, betrayal, or a professional crisis? Do you see it merely as something to endure, or could it be a sacred opportunity to trust God on a more profound level? In this episode, we explore how to steward seasons of suffering. We’ll look at biblical examples to understand that hardship is not a sign of failure or abandonment. Instead, it can be a path to perseverance, character, and hope. This time of year reminds us that even in the darkest moments, a great plan is unfolding. Just as the world waited for a Saviour, we too can find purpose in our waiting and pain. We’ll discuss practical ways to navigate these difficult seasons, such as: Turning to God as your first response, not a last resort. Building a strong support system and embracing vulnerability. Practicing daily surrender to find peace amidst the turmoil. Leading with transparency to foster connection and strength within your team. Your suffering doesn’t define you, but how you respond to it can shape your leadership legacy. Join us for a heartfelt conversation about transforming pain into purpose and leading with a faith that shines brighter in the dark. Listen now to discover how God can write a beautiful story through your most challenging chapters. Be sure to share this episode with another leader who might need this encouragement today.

In Episode 43 of the Mentored Podcast, hosts Carson Pue, Chuck, and Ingrid Davis address a reality that every leader eventually faces: the challenge of dealing with disappointment. Whether it stems from a missed opportunity, a personnel change, or a vision that didn’t materialize as planned, disappointment can be disorienting. This episode offers a compassionate and practical roadmap for navigating these difficult emotions with wisdom. Rather than simply “pushing through” or burying the pain, the hosts encourage leaders to steward their experiences for growth. Key takeaways from this conversation include: Managing Emotions: Why validating your grief is essential for emotional health and avoiding bitterness. Reframing Setbacks: How to shift your perspective to see disappointment not as a failure, but as a step toward reorientation. Applying Faith: Trusting in God’s ability to “recycle” our struggles into redemptive purposes and long-term fruitfulness. If you are navigating a season of unmet expectations, we invite you to reflect on how these moments might be shaping your character. Tune in to the full episode for encouraging insights on building emotional resilience and turning lament into action.

In this thought-provoking episode of the Mentored Podcast, Carson Pue, Chuck, and Ingrid Davis explore the concept of moving beyond singular assessment tools, such as the Enneagram, Birkman, DISC, or MBTI. While these instruments can provide valuable insights into personality, behaviour, and preferences, they are not the ultimate answer to understanding or mentoring others. As mentors, it’s crucial to avoid becoming overly reliant on any one framework. Together, we discuss the importance of adopting a more holistic and adaptable approach to mentorship. By integrating multiple perspectives and tools, mentors can better address the unique needs, goals, and growth opportunities of those they guide. Whether you’re a seasoned mentor or just starting your journey, this episode will challenge you to expand your toolkit, think critically about assessment instruments, and focus on the bigger picture of personal and professional development. So come and join us, as the next 30 minutes can really help you to be a better mentor and entertain you as you listen.

In this episode of The Mentored Podcast, we dive into the delicate dance of balancing family and work. When life feels full in every direction, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We explore the signs of imbalance, the toll it can take on your relationships, and the wake-up calls that force us to reevaluate our priorities. Through personal stories and practical insights, we’ll help you answer the question, “How is my family really doing?” and guide you toward creating space for what matters most. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin, this episode is your reminder to pause, reflect, and realign. Tune in to discover how to reclaim balance and build a life where both your family and career can thrive.

How do we stay connected to our kids once they’re grown? In this episode of Mentored, Carson, Chuck, and Ingrid explore the often-delicate art of communicating with adult children. Parenting doesn’t end when our children leave home—it simply changes shape. Together, we look at how to move from directing to relating, from teaching to listening, and from control to mutual respect. Carson shares practical wisdom from his own life and mentoring work: how to build bridges instead of walls, how to offer guidance without slipping into lectures, and how to balance honesty with grace. You’ll hear encouragement for those moments when conversations feel strained, and reminders of the hope we carry as parents who long to see our children flourish. If you’ve ever wrestled with what to say—or not say—to your grown son or daughter, this episode offers both reassurance and direction. Tune in, and be reminded that with humility, patience, and love, a meaningful connection is always possible.

Ever notice how the most successful leaders aren’t necessarily the smartest ones in the room? They’re often the ones who’ve mastered something we rarely talk about in leadership circles—their emotions. In this raw and insightful episode, Carson Pue, Chuck, and Ingrid Davis tackle the uncomfortable truth about emotional intelligence in leadership. Chuck opens up about his Midwestern upbringing, where feelings were seen as “unpredictable” and “no good”—a mindset that nearly sabotaged his marriage and ministry. You’ll hear Carson’s vulnerable story about his unexpected anxiety attacks and how his doctor’s refusal to prescribe medication led to a breakthrough therapy session involving… well, let’s just say dinosaur imagery played a role. Ingrid shares her research on “holistic holiness” and why ignoring our inner world stunts our spiritual growth. The conversation explores practical strategies like the WAIT acronym (Why Am I Talking?), the difference between being an emotional thermometer versus thermostat, and why Jesus’ tears matter more than you might think. They discuss the unique challenges female leaders face with emotions and how to create healthier team cultures. This isn’t about becoming more touchy-feely—it’s about becoming more effective. Because here’s the thing: if you can’t understand what’s happening inside you, how can you truly lead others? Ready to explore the intersection of faith, feelings, and leadership? Listen now at mentoredpodcast.net | Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform | Share with a fellow leader who needs to hear this. What’s one emotion you’ve been avoiding as a leader?

In this episode, Carson, Ingrid and Chuck tackle the essential—and often overlooked—topic of coming alongside emerging leaders. Drawing from years of mentoring experience, these three friends share real stories and practical wisdom on how seasoned leaders can encourage, equip, and empower the next generation. From the importance of simply noticing young potential to navigating the tension between guiding and controlling, this episode offers a grounded, faith-informed approach to mentorship. Whether you’re a church elder, executive, or coffee shop entrepreneur, you’ll find honest insights on how to invest meaningfully in future leaders, without making it about you. If you’ve ever wondered how to leave a legacy beyond your title, start here.

Hosts: Carson Pue, Chuck Davis, Ingrid Davis In this episode of the Mentored Podcast, Carson, Chuck, and Ingrid dive into the importance of Christian leaders connecting with people outside the Christian subculture — whom they affectionately call “normal people.” They share personal stories, practical advice, and thought-provoking insights on how to build authentic relationships rooted in curiosity, kindness, and shared humanity. Highlights from the episode: Carson Pue reflects on the challenges pastors face in staying connected with everyday people and shares a story about mobilizing volunteers to build a playground for a local school. Chuck Davis emphasizes the power of curiosity, recounting how simply asking someone to “tell me your story” can open doors to meaningful connections. Ingrid Davis discusses the importance of being present and genuinely interested in others, sharing a touching story about an Uber driver who found hope through their kindness. Together, they explore how relationships act as bridges, built on common interests and shared needs, and how being 10% more friendly can make a world of difference. This episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and practical tips for anyone looking to grow as a mentor or leader. Tune in to be inspired, encouraged, and equipped to engage with others in a deeper, more meaningful way.

Great leaders aren’t just great talkers; the best leaders are also masterful listeners. This episode of The Mentored Podcast dives deep into the often-overlooked power of listening. Carson reflects on a profoundly formative mentoring moment with Leighton Ford, who shares wisdom every leader could use. Alongside two other seasoned mentors, Chuck and Ingrid Davis, Carson also explores the profound practice of meditation and how leaders can hear God by engaging deeply with His Word. Here are some key takeaways from this episode: Listening vs. talking: Carson shares how Leighton Ford helped him draw a powerful contrast between these two skills, urging leaders to listen. Seek understanding before seeking to be understood. Spiritual listening: The group discusses how prayer, meditation, and Scripture offer practical ways to align your ear with God’s voice. God’s clarity revealed: Carson shares a heartfelt story about learning to trust God in moments of uncertainty, offering an inspiring perspective on surrender and discernment. Why listening transforms leaders: True leadership requires the humility to listen well, not just to others but to God. It’s in listening that wisdom and connection are born. Whether you’re navigating the demands of leadership or simply looking to deepen your spiritual connection, this episode offers insight and encouragement to help you lead with both heart and hearing. Take a moment to listen to Episode 36 now, and discover how to become the listener your leadership needs.