What's holding you back from your most authentic leadership? Today, Belinda takes a bold departure from the usual podcast format to share one of the most vulnerable chapters from my new book, Equipped by God. Graced to Lead. Reading from Chapter Four, "Time to Strip," she invites listeners into a profound space of reflection about how our unaddressed wounds and hidden struggles affect our ability to lead effectively.

The most compelling revelation? Your greatest leadership moments will likely emerge from your places of deepest weakness. As Scripture reminds us, God's power is made perfect in weakness—not in spite of it. Belinda vulnerably shares how her own journey of stripping away pretense unlocked her ability to finish writing her book after a year-long standstill.

For every leader who's felt like an impostor, for everyone who's questioned their qualifications, this episode offers a liberating truth: you don't have to be perfect to be chosen. God deliberately places broken people in positions of influence, equipping them with everything needed to fulfill their purpose. Your scars don't disqualify you—they're part of your unique qualifications.

After listing, take 10 minutes today to honestly identify what you might be hiding, even from yourself. Write it down without editing or explaining it away. Then watch as God begins a healing process that will revolutionize how you lead. Remember, you weren't haphazardly chosen for your position—you were purposefully placed there, and you are indeed graced to lead.

Get your copy of Equipped By God. Graced to Lead. now!

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What happens when a leader's world completely falls apart? When the carefully constructed life you've built suddenly crumbles beneath you? Dawn Mann Sanders knows this territory intimately. After experiencing three miscarriages and the sudden death of her husband within a single year, Dawn found herself in an uncharted wilderness no leadership manual had prepared her for.

This powerful conversation unveils the rarely discussed intersection of personal devastation and leadership responsibility. Dawn, a spiritual architect and associate minister, shares how losing her husband and unborn children didn't just represent the loss of loved ones—it represented the loss of her future, identity, and the dreams she had carefully nurtured. For women in leadership positions, these profound disruptions create unique challenges as they navigate their grief while maintaining their responsibilities to lead others.

Drawing from Genesis, Dawn reveals how she discovered a framework for rebuilding by studying the creation story. She found parallels between the formlessness and void described at the beginning of creation and her own experience of emptiness after loss. This biblical foundation provided her with practical steps: remaining connected to God, recognizing that parts of her identity remained intact even when others were lost, and creating steady flows of nourishment in her life.

Dawn challenges several misconceptions leaders often hold about healing and restoration. She dismantles the notion that if we do everything "right," we can avoid setbacks or ensure they're temporary. Using examples from Adam and Eve in paradise to Job's blameless character, she shows how even perfect circumstances or righteousness don't exempt us from profound disruption. She also emphasizes that authenticity matters more than facades—contrary to what many leaders fear, people connect more deeply with leaders who acknowledge their struggles while working through them.

Ready to rebuild after your own devastation? Dawn's forthcoming book "When Your World Ends" and her new podcast "Rebuilding Your Life" provide resources for moving from shell-shocked to spirit-sheltered. Connect with Dawn at DawnMannSanders.com or join her Creative Restoration Movement for ongoing support in your rebuilding journey.

Connect with Dawn Online:
Instagram: @dawnmannsanders
Facebook: Dawn Mann Sanders
Threads: @dawnmannsanders
X (Twitter): @DawnMannSanders
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dawnmannsanders

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Have you ever felt the discomfort of divine redirection just when you've mastered your current assignment? That unsettling moment when God shifts your comfortable path toward something new?

This episode takes an unexpected turn as I share the journey behind my new book "Equipped by God. Graced to Lead.," only to find myself discussing the very process of transition that's happening in real-time. What began as a book announcement evolved into a vulnerable exploration of what happens when God redirects our paths mid-journey.

Leadership is full of these kind of "pivot" moments when we've established systems, gained confidence, and found our rhythm, only to feel called toward something unfamiliar. I share my personal experience with the fear, uncertainty, and resource concerns that accompany such transitions, while trying to at least offer practical wisdom for anyone experiencing similar shifts in their leadership journey.

Whether you're a business leader sensing a call to ministry, a corporate executive feeling pulled toward entrepreneurship, or a ministry leader receiving a refined message, this episode if for you.

Join me for this unscripted, heart-to-heart conversation about navigating transition while staying true to your divine assignment. Find my book "Equipped by God Graced to Lead" on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or BelindaGaston.com.

Mentioned During the Show:

Purchase Equipped By God. Graced to Lead Today!

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• Website

Learn more about me! www.belindagaston.com

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