We’ve all told ourselves the lie: Once I get the job. Once I make the money. Once I leave that system… I’ll finally feel at peace.

But what happens when you actually hit the milestone and it still doesn’t fix the internal chaos?

In Part 1 of this conversation with author, speaker, and life + faith transitions coach Leslie Nease, we dig into the myth of arrival: that illusion that healing or clarity is just one big decision away.

We talk about:

• The identity unraveling that comes after leaving ministry or faith systems
• Why success doesn’t automatically equal emotional peace
• The burnout of performance culture inside and outside of church
• How grief shows up even when you’re doing “the right thing”
• The slow, awkward process of becoming someone new

Leslie shares how years of quiet inner work led her to a deeper, less polished version of healing and I share my own story of chasing career and spiritual milestones that didn’t deliver what I thought they would.

This part of the conversation sets the foundation and how we’re just telling the truth about how weird it feels when “getting better” doesn’t feel how you hoped.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Honoring the Journey by Leslie Nease: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJYNZJK3
• Leslie’s Coaching & Podcast: https://www.leslieneasecoaching.com