Gentle Art of Leadership Podcast – Carl Sutter

Introduction

Carl is a Jesus follower, retired pastor, husband, and father and grandfather who has spent his life guiding others, especially hurting men, through faith and personal challenges. In this episode, he opens up about his journey—from his early days as a pastor of an inner city church in Chicago, to transitioning and moving to Loveland, where he eventually founded Foundations Church. Carl shares how a major personal setback and failure forced him to reinvent himself and recommit to his calling. He stresses the importance of authenticity, the dangers of making yourself fit the mold of others, and the valuable lessons he learned from a rough and tough upbringing. He dives into some very important topics for men including preventative therapy, understanding your story and wounds, and why having a safe space to confide in trusted people is essential for healing and growth. Carl reminds us that no one is perfect, everyone has struggles, and it’s okay to seek support. His story is one of resilience, faith, and finding the strength to move forward all while placing your ultimate faith in Jesus. 

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Highlights From The Episode

  • Time: [00:00:00]
    The Importance of Safe Places
  • Time: [00:01:06]
    Introduction to Carl Sutter’s Journey
  • Time: [00:02:13]
    Carl Sutter’s Transition and New Beginnings
  • Time: [00:03:12]
    Preparing for Leadership Transition
  • Time: [00:04:47]
    Carl’s Journey from Chicago to Loveland
  • Time: [00:06:01]
    Pastoring in Chicago’s Diverse Community
  • Time: [00:07:19]
    Facing Failure and Reinvention
  • Time: [00:09:02]
    Finding Redemption at Crossroads Church
  • Time: [00:10:08]
    Challenges of Leadership and Authenticity
  • Time: [00:11:51]
    Recognizing Pseudo Leadership
  • Time: [00:13:36]
    The Danger of Shadow Leadership
  • Time: [00:15:23]
    The Impact of Anger and Family Dynamics
  • Time: [00:18:43]
    The Call to Serve Men
  • Time: [00:19:58]
    Understanding Power as a Man
  • Time: [00:21:05]
    The Importance of Authentic Leadership
  • Time: [00:22:21]
    Emotional Connections and Authenticity
  • Time: [00:24:45]
    The Power of Being the One to Change
  • Time: [00:27:46]
    Creating Safe Spaces for Truth
  • Time: [00:28:28]
    The Role of Social Media in Authenticity
  • Time: [00:30:18]
    The Power of Safe Spaces in Men’s Lives
  • Time: [00:32:45]
    Transparency and Support in Leadership
  • Time: [00:34:37]
    The Challenges of Leadership and Public Perception
  • Time: [00:36:51]
    The Balance of Protecting Family and Calling
  • Time: [00:39:02]
    The Heat of Cultural Challenges
  • Time: [00:42:17]
    Navigating Leadership in Church and Politics
  • Time: [00:44:43]
    Family’s Perspective on Church Leadership
  • Time: [00:46:10]
    The Challenge of Diverse Truths in Church
  • Time: [00:48:15]
    Experiencing God’s Guidance and Miracles
  • Time: [00:49:46]
    The Impact of Generosity and Community Support
  • Time: [00:52:20]
    A Personal Story of Redemption
  • Time: [00:54:08]
    The Journey from Darkness to Faith
  • Time: [00:58:25]
    The Moment of Decision and Transformation
  • Time: [01:00:45]
    A Cop’s Act of Kindness
  • Time: [01:03:15]
    The Beginning of a New Faith Journey
  • Time: [01:09:43]
    Closing Thoughts on Possibilities with God

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