GXJ Replay: When Faith Leaders Burn Out: Identity, Expectations & Healing in the Wilderness, with Dustin Kleinschmidt

Today on the Gen X Juggler podcast, Deb welcomes Dustin Kleinschmidt, an author, coach, and former pastor with over 25 years of ministry experience and the author of The Wilderness Way: Finding Freedom in Life’s Fractures.   Dustin shares his unconventional path into ministry and how returning to a Texas church after a senior pastor’s affair and COVID-era turmoil led to years of crisis leadership, resignation, and a severe spiral into depression and anxiety.   He describes how God challenged him to examine his unmet expectations behind the disappointment and reframed this season in the “wilderness” between rescue and the promised land, where beauty and brokenness coexist and God is present.   They discuss ministry’s performance pressures, identity and significance, setting values and boundaries, and Dustin’s coaching approach focused on spiritual, emotional, relational, and organizational health, plus his book, workbook, and upcoming music release.   00:00 Burnout And Calling 00:59 Meet Dustin Kleinschmidt 01:38 Gen X Midlife Weight 02:33 Ministry Origin Story 06:37 From Music To Pastor 10:17 Church Crisis And Collapse 11:58 Resignation And Spiral 14:29 Disappointment Expectations 18:16 Wilderness Way Framework 23:32 Tenderness Through Suffering 25:58 Leader Pressure And Masks 28:12 Performing For Expectations 29:50 Feeling Far From God 30:54 The Thing Underneath 31:54 Significance And Identity 36:12 Idols And True Rest 38:24 Burnout In Creative Work 41:03 Redefining Values And Boundaries 43:33 Coaching Approach Explained 46:21 Book Music And Where To Find 48:47 Closing Reflections And Thanks   Links to Dustin Kleinschmidt: www.dustinkleinschmidt.com   https://www.instagram.com/dustinkschmidt?igsh=MW9lMzQyMHZlcnhjbA==   https://www.instagram.com/walkingthewildernessway?igsh=MXV0cnl4b3dvMXl4bA==   https://www.facebook.com/share/18Xwj2Qn9G/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Find Dustin's book, The Wilderness Way: Finding Freedom in Life's Fractures, at: https://a.co/d/00eFUMq7   And pick up the accompanying workbook as well at: https://a.co/d/0fhV3pB1         **For speaking and event enquiries, please contact Deb at: [email protected]   **Want to be a guest on Gen X Juggler Podcast? Send Deb Foster a message      on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/genxjuggler   StatGuardPlus Go to: https://StatGuardPlus.com Use promo code: GenX10 to get 10% off Be sure to join Deb for “Talk-O Bout it Tuesday,” a weekly live session on the Gen X Juggler Podcast Facebook page where we talk about this week's episode, connect, and have a fun conversation, Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. Central Time. Links to Gen X Juggler: https://youtube.com/@genxjuggler?si=GdErb9FBtfInJMTC https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gen-x-juggler-podcast/id1792338965 https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLEHVGu9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.instagram.com/gen_x_juggler?igsh=MXRvb3hyZDA4b3MzMQ== https://www.tiktok.com/@debfoster88?_t=ZP-8yp0VGqHois&_r=1 **THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IN ANY FIELD INCLUDING LEGAL, MEDICAL, FINANCIAL OR MENTAL HEALTH. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY GUESTS ON THIS PODCAST ARE THEIR OWN AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE HOST AND/OR PRODUCERS.**