Send us a text Season 4, Episode 20 - Leading with Light: Preparing Your Spirit for Advent: Staying Curious About God’s Work in You. Today, we begin a 3-part series on getting ready for Advent. It's not too early to get ready by becoming curious about what God is doing in your life and ministry. Put your name in the Clergy Wellness Holiday Basket - email me or find me on social media. Let me know a bit about you too! 💻 Connect + Resources: Instagram & Facebook: @nicolereille...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 19 - Feeling Stale? Finding Fresh Energy Again Even the most committed pastors hit seasons when ministry feels routine or uninspired. In this episode, we explore how to recognize the signs of stagnation — cynicism, autopilot ministry, and loss of curiosity — and how to rekindle your passion for preaching, leadership, and spiritual life. Learn practical ways to “fan into flame the gift of God” through creativity, continued learning, and reconnecting ...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 18 - Sabbaticals and Renewal: Why Rest Is More Than a Vacation. Most clergy know how to plan renewal for others — but struggle to plan it for themselves. Many go years, even decades, without a true sabbatical or intentional retreat. Yet research and Scripture agree: rest isn’t a reward — it’s part of our calling. In this episode, we explore the biblical, theological, and practical foundations for sabbaticals and renewal. She shares why rest matters, how to pla...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 17 - The 2nd Half of Ministry: Wisdom, Legacy, and Letting Go. What does faithfulness look like in the second half of ministry? In this episode, we explore the unique questions clergy face in their 50s and 60s — aging bodies, shifting energy, legacy, and the call to move from achievement to wisdom. Drawing from Richard Rohr’s “second half of life” spirituality, this episode invites pastors to reflect on how ministry matures over time — from building to me...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 16 - When You Feel Stuck — Mid-Career Ministry Pivots and Possibilities. What happens when the ministry you began no longer feels like the ministry you can sustain? Mid-career is often when clergy feel stuck—worn down by conflict, weighed down by responsibilities, and unsure if this is really their calling for the next 20 years. In this episode, we unpack the unique challenges of mid-career ministry, share insights from recent clergy well-being research, ...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 15 - What the Data Demands — Clergy Well-Being in 2025 & Beyond How are clergy really doing in 2025? Several major surveys offer a sobering look: Wespath 2025 Clergy Well-Being Survey — Clergy report higher rates of obesity, hypertension, financial stress, and loneliness compared to benchmarks.Duke Clergy Health Initiative – Mental Health Trends Report — Symptoms of depression and burnout rose through 2021 and remain at high levels.Hartford In...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 14 - Imposter Syndrome in Ministry Do you ever feel like you don’t really belong in ministry—that you’re not as capable or gifted as others think you are? You’re not alone. Up to 70% of professionals experience imposter syndrome at some point, and clergy are especially vulnerable. In this episode, we explore: ✨ What imposter syndrome is and how it shows up in ministry life. ✨ Why clergy are especially prone to self-doubt in a role filled with...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 13 - Bringing Creativity into Worship for Advent Advent is one of the most beautiful and hope-filled seasons of the Christian year—but for clergy, it’s also one of the busiest and most exhausting. In this episode, we explore how bringing creativity into Advent worship can refresh us as leaders while engaging our congregations in meaningful, imaginative ways. 💻 Connect + Resources: Instagram & Facebook: @nicolereilleycoaching Bluesky: @RevNicole.bsky.s...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 12 - More About Journaling (My Story) In Part One, we explored the power of journaling for clergy and ministry. In this episode, I take you deeper—into my own lifelong practice of journaling. You’ll hear: 📓 How I began journaling as a youth, possibly during Confirmation, and what those early pages looked like📦 The surprising discovery of a box of journals from the 1970s—and what those entries revealed about my faith journey📖 How journaling has shift...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 11 - Journaling: A Small Practice with Big Payoffs Journaling isn’t about keeping a perfect diary—it’s about creating space to listen to yourself, to God, and to what’s unfolding in your ministry. In this episode, Nicole explores the power of journaling for clergy health, resilience, and spiritual growth. You’ll hear: 📖 What the research says about journaling’s benefits for stress, gratitude, and even immune health✍️ Different approaches to journaling—fro...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 10 - Living Your 4000 Weeks How many weeks do you have left? Today’s episode takes a deep dive into Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals and what it means for clergy, caregivers, and anyone who feels life slipping by while waiting for “someday.” We’ll explore: The math of mortality—4,000 weeks and why it matters.The trap of waiting and how postponed living robs us of joy.Embracing our limits as a spiritual discipline, not a w...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 9 Moving Through Approval Addiction Today we’re tackling one of the most hidden addictions in ministry: the need for approval. From people-pleasing to perfectionism, many clergy struggle with measuring their worth by others’ opinions. In this episode, we’ll explore why pastors are especially vulnerable, the heavy costs of approval addiction, and practical tools to break free. You’ll hear stories, research, and spiritual wisdom to help you lead with ...

Send us a text Today is my birthday, and I am traveling, so we have an encore episode! Enjoy Where We Miss The Boat in Church, 2025's highest-rated episode! 💻 Connect + Resources: Instagram & Facebook: @nicolereilleycoaching Bluesky: @RevNicole.bsky.social & @clergycoaching.bsky.social Substack: @revnicole Coaching + Social Media Support: NicoleReilley.com 📖 Expanding the Expedition Through Digital Ministry – available on Amazon 📬 Contact: RevReilley@gmail.com www.NicoleReille...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 7 - Normalize Not Having an Opinion In a culture that rewards instant opinions and hot takes, this episode explores the power of saying: “I don’t know enough about that to have an opinion.” We dive into the pressure clergy face to speak on every issue, and how embracing intellectual humility can offer peace, clarity, and a stronger spiritual witness. We’ll explore: Why clergy feel pressure to know and comment on everythingHow intellectual humility p...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 6 - Ten Ways to Make the Fall Easier. Ministry doesn’t have to feel like you’re constantly sprinting uphill. In this episode, we explore 10 practical, compassionate strategies to help you create more ease, clarity, and energy in your life and leadership. Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or spiritual caregiver, these tools can help you build rhythms that sustain your calling—not drain it. 📝 10 Ways to Make The Fall Easier Establish Weekly Rhythm...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 5: You’ll Never Regret It: The Three Investments Every Clergy Leader Should Make. In this episode, we explore the three areas you’ll never regret investing in: your health, your learning, and your relationships. With practical tips, research, and reflection questions, this conversation will help you create a sustainable and joy-filled life in ministry. 💻 Connect + Resources: Instagram & Facebook: @nicolereilleycoaching Bluesky: @RevNicole.bsky.social &am...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 4: Healing from Conflict – Reconciliation Strategies for Clergy Healing from Conflict – Reconciliation Strategies for Clergy Conflict in ministry is unavoidable—but it doesn’t have to be the end of the story. In this episode, we explore how clergy can recover emotionally and spiritually after relational tension, staff divisions, or even a church split. Learn practical tools for processing pain, rebuilding trust, and moving forward with clarity and grace....

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 3 - Financial Self-Care: Making Money Work for Clergy Money stress is real—and clergy aren’t exempt. In this episode, we explore the unique financial challenges clergy face and how to build healthier, more confident money habits. From maximizing your housing allowance to creating a simple, sustainable budget, you’ll walk away with practical tools to take the next faithful step in your financial wellness journey. 💻 Connect + Resources: Instagram & Fac...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 2 - When Caring Hurts: Recognizing and Recovering from Compassion Fatigue In this episode, we explore the emotional toll that caregiving can take on clergy. Learn how to recognize the signs of compassion fatigue, understand why pastors are especially vulnerable, and discover practical ways to recover and protect your well-being. If you're feeling weary from the weight of ministry, this conversation offers hope, healing, and renewal. Includes: Signs and symptom...

Send us a text Season 4, Episode 1 - Back of House: The Systems That Sustain Ministry In this episode of The Clergy Wellness Podcast, we explore the back of house—the systems, structures, and rhythms that support sustainable ministry. From follow-up and discipleship to leadership development and pastoral care, we look at what keeps ministry healthy behind the scenes. We also tackle the difficult reality of people slipping out the back door—and how we can respond with grace and intention...