The SkyePod: SkyeDive – Small Men

Host: Skye Jethani
Release Date: January 24, 2025
Podcast: The SkyePod

Introduction

In this introspective episode of The SkyePod titled "SkyeDive: Small Men," host Skye Jethani delves deep into the concept of leadership flaws, particularly focusing on the pettiness and lack of genuine substance he observes in contemporary male leaders. Drawing from recent political events, personal experiences, and theological insights, Skye articulates a compelling argument about the qualities that distinguish truly impactful leaders from those he terms as "small men."

Upcoming Engagements and Holy Post Developments

Skye begins the episode by sharing personal updates and forthcoming engagements. He reveals his plans to frequently speak at New Song Church in Santa Ana, California, emphasizing his long-standing relationship with the founding pastor, Dave Gibbons. Skye expresses enthusiasm about connecting with the Southern California community, stating:

“If there are Holy Post listeners there or Skypod fans or people that just want to say hi or greet me in some way, maybe I'll see you at New Song.”
[05:30]

Additionally, Skye discusses the expansion of content production at Holy Post. He highlights the establishment of a new studio equipped for remote interviews, allowing for more dynamic content creation. Among the new projects, he mentions the upcoming "With God Daily" series—a daily devotional centered on temple theology, inspired by his conversation with Carmen Imes.

The Land of Small Men: Exploring the Concept

Central to the episode is Skye's exploration of his article titled "The Land of Small Men," which serves as the foundation for his discussions. He outlines how the inauguration of President Donald Trump acted as a catalyst for his reflections on leadership shortcomings. Skye articulates his observations of Trump's inaugural actions, portraying them as emblematic of pettiness and a lack of substantive leadership qualities:

“...the pettiness of Donald Trump to remove the picture of someone in the government that criticized you. He took away Secret Service protection for John Bolton... just the vindictiveness, the smallness...”
[18:15]

Trump's Inauguration and Demonstrations of Pettiness

Skye provides a detailed critique of President Trump's behavior during his inauguration, highlighting actions that epitomize what he refers to as "smallness." He cites specific instances, such as Trump's decision to remove General Milley's portrait from the Pentagon and issuing a blanket pardon to over 1,500 individuals related to the January 6 Capitol riot. Skye underscores the lack of empathy and magnanimity in these actions, portraying them as indicative of a fragile ego unable to handle criticism:

“He issued many, many executive orders on his first day, more than any other president in history... but he refused to do that.”
[14:50]

Defining 'Small Men' in Leadership

Transitioning from political critique, Skye broadens the discussion to the concept of "small men" beyond the political sphere, particularly within Christian leadership. He contrasts these individuals with those who possess a "gravity of soul," a term he uses to describe leaders whose mere presence exerts a positive and profound influence without the need for manipulation or theatrics.

Biblical Masculinity vs. Cultural Masculinity

Skye critiques the conflation of cultural definitions of masculinity with biblical ones within evangelical circles. He points out how figures like David and Nehemiah are often portrayed solely as warriors and leaders, ignoring their more nuanced attributes. Using Nehemiah as an example, Skye remarks:

“He literally had no testicles, and yet he's become a figurehead of the testosterone gospel for people teaching the Old Testament.”
[21:10]

This observation highlights the tendency to overlook the multifaceted nature of biblical figures in favor of promoting a narrow, culturally-driven image of masculinity.

Einstein's Theory of Relativity as a Metaphor for Leadership

Skye introduces an intriguing metaphor inspired by Einstein's theory of relativity, comparing the "gravity of soul" to the bending of space-time by massive objects. Just as gravity influences surrounding objects effortlessly, a leader with gravity of soul naturally impacts and inspires others through their inherent presence:

“They just have this stillness, this weight of soul that comes from somebody who has spent a lot of time in the presence of Jesus and radiated that presence...”
[20:05]

Dallas Willard: An Embodiment of Gravity of Soul

To illustrate his point, Skye recounts an experience with Dallas Willard, a respected Christian philosopher. Despite Willard's unassuming demeanor, his profound depth and genuine presence commanded the attention and respect of numerous attendees at a ministry conference. Skye notes:

“There is an intangible quality that draws people to that person because there's a sense... that there's a value here, there's an importance here. There's a gravity that's attracting me that I can't quite explain.”
[19:30]

Characteristics of a 'Small Man'

Delving deeper, Skye outlines the traits that mark a "small man." He emphasizes that such individuals lack the intrinsic gravity of soul and instead rely on superficial tactics to project importance. Among these traits, Skye identifies:

• Theatrics and Anger: Using anger and outrage as tools to mask inner emptiness and to appear formidable.

  “One of the most useful forms of distraction, of theatrics that small men resort to is anger.”
  [22:00]

• Demonizing Others: Frequently identifying and vilifying enemies to create a facade of strength.

• Inauthentic Leadership: Relying on performance rather than genuine virtue to inspire and lead.

Skye warns against the allure of such behaviors, particularly within Christian communities, where outward displays of passion are often mistaken for genuine spiritual depth.

Conclusion: Advocating for Genuine Leadership

Skye concludes by urging listeners to recognize and cultivate the "gravity of soul" in their own lives and leadership roles. He advocates for authentic, humble, and spiritually grounded leadership over the superficial and often destructive tactics employed by "small men." This, he posits, is essential for fostering truly impactful and spiritually aligned communities.

Final Thoughts and Call to Engage

While the episode touches briefly on a promotional segment by Drew Dick towards the end, Skye maintains focus on the episode's core themes, urging listeners to reflect on the nature of true leadership and the importance of cultivating depth and authenticity.

Notable Quotes:

• "There is an intangible quality that draws people to that person because there's a sense... that there's a value here, there's an importance here. There's a gravity that's attracting me that I can't quite explain."
  — Skye Jethani [19:30]

• "One of the most useful forms of distraction, of theatrics that small men resort to is anger."
  — Skye Jethani [22:00]

• "He literally had no testicles, and yet he's become a figurehead of the testosterone gospel for people teaching the Old Testament."
  — Skye Jethani [21:10]

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