What if the difficult people in your life are also your greatest teachers?
In this episode, Pastor Chase Rashad Stancle and Rev. Dr. Tanner Smith take an honest, hopeful look at what it means to lead in the midst of hard relationships. Instead of giving a formula to fix "those people," they turn the focus inward, offering wisdom and practical tools to help leaders respond with love, boundaries, and self-awareness.
From guilt bonds to compassion fatigue, they unpack the reasons difficult relationships wear us down. They explore keys to staying grounded in your identity, even when tension rises. This conversation is full of laughter, honesty, and encouragement for any leader who feels worn out by people they're trying to love well.
In this episode, Chase and Tanner discuss:
Difficult people often reveal the deeper work God is doing in us.
Healthy boundaries are a gift to you and the people you lead.
Love doesn't have to be earned to be given
If you liked this episode, check out these resources:
The Weary Leader's Guide to Burnout – A resource on compassion fatigue and leadership wellness.
The Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen – A reflection on how our wounds can become a source of healing for others.
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) – A biblical story referenced to explore the nature of God's unconditional love.
Writings by Howard Thurman – Particularly his reflections on inner calm during the civil rights movement and how that inner calm enables nonviolent presence in the face of outer chaos.
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