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!

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble
• Online or www.belindagaston.com

Send us a text

Support the show

Please subscribe to our mailing list to stay connected and get updates! Thanks for listening to the Graced to Lead Podcast.

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

Get the book on Amazon!

Send us a text

Support the show

Please subscribe to our mailing list to stay connected and get updates! Thanks for listening to the Graced to Lead Podcast.

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!

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble
• Website

Learn more about me! www.belindagaston.com

Send us a text

Please subscribe to our mailing list to stay connected and get updates! Thanks for listening to the Graced to Lead Podcast.

Ever felt that stirring within—knowing you were made for more, yet struggling to bring that vision to life? Dr. Joyce Gilmer's wisdom on the Grace to Lead podcast might just be the catalyst you need. Known as "The Dream Activator," Dr. Gilmer shares her extraordinary journey from feeling trapped by unrealized potential to helping others birth their God-given dreams.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when Dr. Gilmer reveals how God instructed her to "be what you desire to see"—a profound reminder that sometimes we're called to become the very example we're searching for. She introduces a transformative framework for understanding where your dream currently resides: is it stuck in your head (intellectual understanding), nestled in your heart (emotional connection), or actively in your hands (implementation phase)? This simple yet profound perspective helps listeners identify exactly where they've become stalled.

Dr. Gilmer doesn't shy away from naming the barriers that keep us paralyzed: fear, self-doubt, and lack of support. But rather than offering platitudes, she provides concrete strategies for overcoming these roadblocks, including recognizing the "breadcrumbs" God places along your path instead of waiting for thunderous revelations. For those questioning whether their dreams truly come from God, she offers practical discernment tools: does it align with scripture, match your natural passions, and connect with prophetic words spoken over your life?

Perhaps most liberating is Dr. Gilmer's perspective on bringing your whole self to your calling. She vulnerably shares her struggle with separating her ministry identity from her marketplace presence—a division that was "keeping me broke." The breakthrough came when she realized God intended to use every aspect of her being, every credential, every gift, in every setting, though expressed appropriately for each environment. This convergence allows for authenticity that magnetically draws your true audience without struggle.

For women on the verge of abandoning their dreams, Dr. Gilmer's parting wisdom resonates deeply: "Believe God again... Don't wait, initiate." She encourages assessing whether you're pursuing the right dream, changing your perspective about investing in yourself, and inviting qualified help on your journey. The conversation leaves listeners empowered to move forward with renewed confidence that when they walk in the fullest expression of who they're called to be, God will illuminate their path and bring the right connections at precisely the right time.

Ready to activate your dream? Listen now and discover how to transform your vision from mere possibility to powerful reality.

Connect with Dr. Joyce Gilmer! www.joycegilmer.com/

Send us a text

Please subscribe to our mailing list to stay connected and get updates! Thanks for listening to the Graced to Lead Podcast.

What happens when God gives you a vision but the path forward isn't crystal clear? Marquissa Williams, founder of Elevate Leadership Enterprises, shares powerful insights on discovering and executing your divine calling even when uncertainty looms large.

Drawing from over two decades of corporate leadership experience and her role as an executive pastor, Marquissa reveals how she recognized God's pattern of placing her in pioneering positions throughout her life. "God created you to lead, to show others the way," she recalls hearing, a message that transformed her understanding of her unique purpose as a change agent in both ministry and marketplace settings.

The conversation takes a practical turn as Marquissa outlines her four-part framework for bringing vision to life: vision, strategy, execution, and impact. She emphasizes the critical practice of pausing to listen and journaling what you hear from God—something that feels awkward at first but yields tremendous clarity over time. "Consistency bred what I needed," she reflects on her own journey to clarity.

For leaders facing resistance from those around them, Marquissa offers counter-intuitive yet transformative advice: "Build while you wait." This means quietly making progress through research, skill development, and preparation even when full support isn't there. She shares vulnerably about creating "PowerPoint presentations" for her husband when presenting bigger visions for her calling, illustrating how persistence and clear communication eventually win allies.

Most compelling is Marquisa's challenge to perfectionism and fear: "I double dare y'all to do it afraid," she declares, explaining how taking action despite uncertainty reveals that "it wasn't that hard" after all. She identifies regret, doubt, and unforgiveness as vision-killers that must be overcome through bold declaration of your purpose.

Mentioned during this Episode:

• Register for the Leadership Summit: https://bit.ly/ELE2025
• Book your Vision Talk: https://bit.ly/visiontalks
• Marquissa's website: https://www.marquissawilliams.com/

Send us a text

Please subscribe to our mailing list to stay connected and get updates! Thanks for listening to the Graced to Lead Podcast.

What happens when you move beyond sacred rest into a deeper understanding of who you truly are? Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, board-certified physician and wellness expert, takes us on a journey from her work on the seven types of rest to her newest revelation about identity and belonging.

The conversation explores her framework of beholding, becoming, and belonging that challenges everything you thought you knew about fitting in. Dr. Saundra makes a compelling distinction: fitting in means blending with the crowd, while true belonging happens when you uniquely fill a space with what only you can bring. For women leaders who often find themselves "the only one" in their professional environments, this reframing offers tremendous liberation.

The conversation delves into the challenges of personal transformation, from the "friendly fire" of those uncomfortable with your growth to the seemingly stagnant "set apart seasons" where unseen root growth is happening.

Whether you're feeling burnout, wrestling with your identity beyond your roles and titles, or searching for where you truly belong, this conversation offers the guidance and perspective to help you step into the fullness of who you were created to be. Join us to discover how being fully known—by yourself, by others, and by God—can transform your leadership and your life.

Mentioned During the Show:

• Grab your copy of Being Fully Known here:
  • Amazon: CLICK HERE
  • Barnes & Noble: CLICK HERE
  • ChristianBook.com: CLICK HERE
• Join the Summer Book Club!
• Listen to Dr. Saundra's Podcast

Send us a text

Please subscribe to our mailing list to stay connected and get updates! Thanks for listening to the Graced to Lead Podcast.

Ever stood strong for everyone else while secretly questioning everything? In this soul-stirring episode, Dr. Jenny Carter—professor, researcher, and minister with over 20 years studying spiritual formation—shares her journey through spiritual struggle and how it shaped her understanding of authentic faith and leadership.

Dr. Carter vulnerably recounts a moment when her honest questions about faith were met with judgment: "I used to respect you, and now I'm not even sure you're a Christian." This painful interaction highlights the unspoken pressure leaders face to project certainty while privately wrestling with doubt. With remarkable candor, she explains how questioning isn't weakness but often a necessary bridge from "dependent faith" (adopting beliefs from authority figures) to "interdependent faith" (owning personal beliefs while maintaining healthy community).

The conversation offers profound insights for high-capacity leaders navigating spiritual struggles while guiding others. "If we repress what is real and keep soldiering on," Dr. Carter warns, "eventually it leaks out in ways damaging to ourselves and others." She unpacks how unprocessed spiritual questions manifest in leadership through burnout, unrealistic expectations, and the "shrapnel" of pain that wounds those around us.

Among the most liberating revelations: many spiritual struggles stem from expectations we place on ourselves that God never demanded. "Are you putting more expectations on yourself than God, the God of the universe, is placing on you?" Dr. Carter provides practical wisdom for the journey—examining expectations, looking for "glimmers" of God's goodness amid difficulty, and finding trusted confidants who can handle your authentic questions.

Whether you're questioning your faith while leading others or simply seeking a more honest spirituality, this conversation offers permission to be human and practical pathways through wilderness seasons. As Dr. Carter beautifully reminds us: suffering doesn't mean you're cursed—it means you're human. And it's often through these struggles that we experience God's character most profoundly.

Ready to find freedom in the questioning? Listen now and discover how spiritual struggle might actually strengthen your leadership rather than diminish it.

Mentioned During This Episode:

• Bible Verses:
  • Psalm 23
  • 2 Corinthians 3:4–6
  • 2 Corinthians 12:9
  • Psalm 27:13 (NASB)
• Strong Like Water by Aundi Kolber (especially Chapter 6 and the concept of “glimmers” from Deb Dana)
• Reaching for an Invisible God by Phillip Yancey

Send us a text

Please subscribe to our mailing list to stay connected and get updates! Thanks for listening to the Graced to Lead Podcast.

What does it really take to walk away from corporate success and build a business aligned with your deepest purpose? The answer lies beyond spreadsheets and business plans, as our guest Denise Taylor reveals in this soul-stirring conversation about faith-fueled entrepreneurship.

Denise's journey from corporate leadership to purpose-driven business ownership provides a roadmap for women standing at similar crossroads. She candidly discusses the fears, doubts, and practical considerations that accompany such a significant professional pivot. Rather than offering sanitized success stories, she shares the messy, beautiful reality of building something meaningful from the ground up – and how faith became her cornerstone when uncertainty loomed large.

This episode delves into the powerful intersection of strategic business thinking and spiritual discernment. Denise illuminates how prayer and purpose can coexist with profit and planning, creating a holistic approach to entrepreneurship that honors both practical wisdom and divine guidance. For leaders contemplating their own business ventures, her insights offer both inspiration and practical direction for moving forward with confidence. Whether you're actively planning your exit strategy or simply feeling the first stirrings of entrepreneurial calling, this conversation provides the encouragement and clarity needed to take your next faithful step. Ready to discover how your professional expertise and spiritual journey might converge in entrepreneurship? Listen now and find the grace to lead in entirely new territory.

Mentioned During the Show:

• Corporate to Entrepreneurship Challenge: www.JoinTheChallenge.live
• Contact Denise: www.CallWithDenise.live

Send us a text

Please subscribe to our mailing list to stay connected and get updates! Thanks for listening to the Graced to Lead Podcast.