Do the Work Before the Work

In this episode of the Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast, Pete Scazzero challenges pastors and leaders with a simple yet radical invitation: "Do the work before the work." This is more than a productivity principle. It's a call to integrity—where your outer leadership flows from your inner life with God. Through a compelling reflection on Jesus' own rhythms of solitude, limits, and Spirit-led decisions, Pete explores how the greatest threat to your leadership may not be your church, your staff, or your context—but your own unexamined inner life. You'll hear the ancient tale of The Woodcarver, brought to life through Thomas Merton's lens, and discover how it mirrors the kind of inner work Jesus modeled in the wilderness. If you've ever felt the pressure to perform, the pull of others' expectations, or the pace of a life without margin, this episode offers a pathway back to wholeness—and a leadership that's both fruitful and free. Reserve your spot at our upcoming Global Leaders Conference. September 30 – October 1, 2026 14th St. Salvation Army, NYC (Live Spanish Translation available) Register Now: Learn more about the EH Global Leader Conference 2026: emotionallyhealthy.org/conference

You can listen to Do the Work Before the Work online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Do the Work Before the Work is an episode from The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast by Pete Scazzero.

This episode is 31:26 long.

This episode was published on Dec 9, 2025.

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