What do you do when ministry success comes at the cost of your soul?

In this episode, we sit down with Jon Talbert - pastor, coach, and co-founder of Forte - to talk about the quiet unraveling that often happens behind the scenes in leadership. 

Jon has led at the highest levels of church and nonprofit work, but somewhere along the way, he realized he was losing himself in the process. What followed wasn’t a dramatic exit - but a deliberate shift. A reckoning. A redefinition of calling.

If you’ve ever questioned your role, your rhythm, or even your relevance in ministry, this conversation will hit close to home. 

Jon gets honest about burnout, identity, and why courage sometimes looks like letting go.

This isn’t just about recovering from ministry. It’s about discovering what’s next - with less fear and more freedom.

Key Takeaways

• What most leaders miss about the difference between calling and identity
  
  
  
  


• Why burnout isn’t always loud - and how to recognize it early
  
  
  
  


• The real cost of avoiding your own growth
  
  
  
  


• How to lead with clarity when the crowd is gone
  
  
  
  


• What “editing your life” looks like in a post-ministry season
  
  
  
  

Chapter Markers

00:00 – Jon’s early ministry story

06:12 – From platform to pressure: the silent drift

14:45 – Burnout and the addiction to being needed

21:08 – Risk, honesty, and what it really means to lead well

29:17 – How Forte walks with leaders in transition

36:30 – Wrestling with faith after leaving ministry

41:40 – Final thoughts: courage over comfort

 

If you’re facing a leadership shift, you don’t have to do it alone. Start a conversation at ministrytransitions.com.

Follow Jon Talbert on LinkedIn

Learn more about his work at getforte.com

And explore their support for faith leaders at getforte.com/faith