In this episode, Chris Marlow sits down with longtime friend and spiritual director John Chandler to explore what it means to end strong, stay spiritually healthy, and live out our calling in community.

As someone who’s transitioned from decades in pastoral ministry to guiding others through spiritual formation, John brings wisdom forged from experience and a passion for helping people grow in authentic, sustainable ways.

Together, they dig into the heart of what sustains long-term impact in a world that often rewards burnout, performance, and superficial connections.

1. The Critical Role of Spiritual Direction

John shares his journey from megachurch ministry to spiritual direction, noting that despite the training in leadership and church growth, what was often missing was personal formation.

Spiritual direction offers a space for people—especially leaders—to slow down, reflect, and truly connect with the presence of God.

2. Spiritual Health is Found in Being Known

Chris and John discuss how spiritual health isn’t about performing faith but being deeply known by God and others.

In a world where even pastors feel pressure to project strength, spiritual direction provides a rare space to be vulnerable and honest.

3. Collaboration as an Antidote to Burnout

Drawing from Chapter 8 of Chris’ book, Doing Good is Simple, they highlight how mission without community often leads to burnout.

True collaboration means showing up as your full self and joining others in shared purpose.

4. Moving from Knowledge to Wisdom

John introduces a powerful concept: that while our culture prizes information, what we need more is wisdom.

Spiritual direction helps us translate what we know into how we live, offering clarity and purpose.

5. Healthy Leaders Need Four Things

As John develops his coaching framework, he names four essential needs for every leader: Value, Vision, Vulnerability, and Validation.

These aren’t just leadership buzzwords, they’re the bedrock of long-term health.

This episode reminds us that doing good is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. And we can’t run it well without support. Spiritual direction may just be the missing piece for many who are passionate about justice, community, and faith.

As John so powerfully puts it, the goal is not just to do more, but to become more, more present, more whole, more like Christ.

This Show is sponsored by Help One Now

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DGS EP09 - Start with Soul: The Inner Journey of Doing Good

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