Authentic Life & Leadership
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When EVERYTHING a
Leader Does is Wrong
Have you ever noticed how one moment of hurt or disappointment can change the way you see someone—especially a leader? My husband Larry and I were on staff at several churches in our first years of our ministry before we were lead pastors -- he as a youth pastor and...
Loss and Grief:
Say What You Need to Say
Today was a hard day. My friend Bev Guidt passed away, in Richmond, Virginia. It was a total shock. I am still sitting here shaking my head wondering,"What in the world?!" Bev recently went into the hospital for surgery on her spine. Then she was released to a rehab...
God Doesn’t Protect Every Leader!
Did you know that God is not automatically on a leader's side just because they are the leader? He does NOT approve of them just because they are the pastor or the "man of God" or the "woman of God." Some leaders walk around as if they have God's endorsement simply...
Writing and Fear of Loss
Writing about some things can cause you to lose everything or nearly everything. I've written a lot, and I've lost a lot. I've also gained so much more than I've lost. But the losses seem to stick in your mind more with anything. So we avoid loss if possible. It's...
Would You Dare to Share
25 Real Things About Yourself?
What if we were all gut-level honest in how we portray ourselves online and otherwise? Have you seen the popular lists people create on social media, sharing things about themselves? Usually, they are almost exclusively positive things. A few years ago, my friend...
Five Things I’ve Learned This Past Year
(Reflections on My Birthday)
Today is my birthday, and I'm in reflection mode. I'm a voracious learner...always have been. The thirst for learning and growing leads me into perpetual adventure, for good or bad. I can't imagine life without learning. So, in no particular order -- here are five...
It’s Been a Year
(Things I Learned Since I Brought Gus Home)
It's been a year since I brought Gus home to live with me and to take care of him until he took his last breath. On Saturday I went into his room and did my usual brief pause, patted the bed, and slowly walked out, shutting the door. Exhaling, I wondered when I would...
Invite Deanna to speak at your next event!
Deanna is invited to return and speak at many of the same places time and again because the result has been an overwhelmingly positive experience with lives changed, and people encouraged.
BIO
Dr. Deanna Shrodes
Dr. Deanna Doss Shrodes is an author, speaker, and spiritual life strategist whose work has been featured by CBS News, People Magazine, The New Yorker, Woman’s World, GOD TV, and HuffPost. She holds a Master’s in Ministerial Leadership and a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern University, where she also serves as an adjunct professor.
Dr. Shrodes currently leads as Women’s Ministries Director for the Pen Florida District of the Assemblies of God and directs the Stronger Leadership Network, where she mentors pastors and leaders through practical coaching, spiritual formation, and cohort-based development. A sole author of five books and a contributing writer to five others, her latest work, Uncommon Answers, was released by Chosen Books (a division of Baker Books) in April 2025.
Known for a warm pastoral presence and clear, actionable teaching, Dr. Shrodes speaks at conferences, churches, and leadership gatherings on calling and purpose, prayer and spiritual formation, women’s leadership, and organizational health. She is married to her college sweetheart, Larry; they have three grown children and five grandchildren.
Areas of Focus: spiritual formation & prayer, women’s leadership development, calling/purpose in midlife, marriage, healthy ministry culture, cohort-based mentoring.
Become Your Most Authentic Self
Free E-Book
Are you tired of being who and what others expect you to be, instead of who God created you to be?
If you find the pressure of other people's expectations exhausting and you are ready to be the authentic YOU that you were always meant to be, Deanna would like to gift you with an ebook, 29 Ways to Become Your Most Authentic Self.
It's time to break free and finally live according to your divine design!
